Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published January 29, 2023
Volume 160
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
As we approach the month of February, we are excited about the month-long focus we have planned to celebrate the diversity of both Black History Month and G.R.A.C.E. As you may know, G.R.A.C.E. at Trinity stands for G-ender, R-esources, A-bility, C-olor, and E-thnicity. Our goal this month is to celebrate the ways God has made us different as we better learn to see each other through the lens of being created in God’s image. Our teachers are working hard to plan lessons that will support this goal throughout February. May the LORD be glorified through our efforts as we point our students to Him by calling them to love each other well.
HOW ARE WE DOING?
Let me know how our team is doing in keeping you informed about your child’s education this year. If you are lacking communication regarding one of your child’s classes, please let me know so I can help! adam.vinson@tcslions.org
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Ryan Appling, youth pastor at Flat Creek Baptist Church, spoke to our students from Philippians 1 regarding the joy Paul experienced during his imprisonment. Using his own personal experiences as an example, Pastor Appling encouraged our students to see their circumstances as an opportunity for gospel opportunities rather than falling to the trap of complaining with a bad attitude.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
6th Grade - Elijah Smart
7th Grade - Cash Cunningham
8th Grade - Andrew Billings
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: UPCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL DATES
FebruFebruary = Black History Month (see details below)
February 8 = House Color Day
February 10 = Super Bowl Dress Down day (students may wear their favorite team jersey or shirt with jeans.)
February 13-17 = Winter Break
February 22 = G.R.A.C.E. Day (details coming soon)
February 23 = 90 Days to 9th Grade (details coming soon - for 8th grade only)
February 27-March 2 = 8th Grade Trip to Disney World
March 15 = Spring Picture Day
March 16 = St. Patrick’s Dress Down Day (jeans with green)
March 17 = Remote Learning Day
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
Galatians 6:7-8
v. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
v. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Bible Distinction Opportunity:
Middle School Students who wish to earn the honor of distinction at our end of the year program in May may complete the following extra assignments/expectations for their memory verse. Students who choose these standards will be uniquely honored for going above and beyond in their spiritual walk.
6th Grade Students - Memorize v. 9 as well
7th Grade Students - Memorize v. 9 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided
8th Grade Students - Memorize v. 9, and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided and write an application paragraph for the verses
Galatians 6:9 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
FEBRUARY HABITUDES MOMENT:
Below you will find the monthly habitude for each grade level highlighting important leadership principles to implement in their own lives. Learn more about our Habitudes curriculum here.
6th Monthly Habitude: Drivers and Passengers
Principle: Leaders own their destinations in life.
Lesson Summary: When life goes bad, some people tend to blame someone else for the problem. They act like passengers. Leaders realize they are drivers and are responsible for their attitudes and destination in life.
7th Monthly Habitude: Pocket Change
Principle: Earn credibility through integrity and wisdom.
Lesson Summary: Leaders earn credibility with others by displaying integrity and making wise decisions. This puts emotional change in their pocket and enhances their influence. If leaders fail to do this, they will lose the change in their pocket with people. Leaders are constantly filling or emptying their pockets.
8th Monthly Habitude: Tollbooths or Roadblocks
Principle: See challenges as an opportunity to grow.
Lesson Summary: In life, some challenges require us to rise to the occasion. Many are unavoidable. They will either become tollbooths we progress through, or roadblocks. Sometimes it’s like a one-way road—you can only go one direction. We must pay the toll.
SEND SOME SNACK CART LOVE
For the month of February students may purchase a $2 snack cart pass to give to a friend for Valentine’s Day. Mrs. McCloud and Mrs. Wisehart will be available throughout the day at the MS entrance for students to stop by and purchase. Each pass will include a space for including a special note for the friend as well.
Passes may be purchased beginning Wednesday, February 1.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION PLANS
We are looking forward to celebrating our diversity during the month of February with a special focus on black history. In addition, we will be incorporating our G.R.A.C.E. acronym into various lessons, chapels, and our special G.R.A.C.E. Day as well.
3 Weeks with Focused Content on Black History
Feb. 1-3 = History classes
Feb. 6-10 = Science classes
Feb. 20-24 = ELA classes
Note: 7th grade classes will flip the Science/ELA weeks to better fit their curriculum mapping.
Our teachers are working hard to plan lessons and activities to help our students better understand the impact made by the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Lize West, Walter D. Meyers, Lemuel Hayes, Charles Octavius Booth, and many more!
G.R.A.C.E. DAY
We will once again take a break from our normal academic schedule with a special discipleship day emphasizing G.R.A.C.E. This year’s G.R.A.C.E. Day will take place on Wednesday, February 22. Students will remain at the Trinity Campus for the duration of this special day, but we look forward to special workshops, chapel lessons, and even a G.R.A.C.E.-focused movie in the afternoon!
What does G.R.A.C.E. mean?
G.R.A.C.E. is about us better understanding how each of us is made in the image of God and how we should treat each other in light of that truth. While we are different in our G-ender, in our R-esources, in our A-bilities, in our skin C-olor, and in our E-thnicity/culture, we all image God in those differences and deserve the respect and appreciation of others - not just in spite of our differences, but because of our differences!
DO YOU HAVE A COMMUNITY SERVICE PLAN?
Don’t forget that all middle schoolers are required to complete 10 hours of community service by May 8. This semester will go by quickly, so don’t delay in thinking through how your child can complete this requirement to give back to others!
GENERAL REMINDERS
HOUSE SYSTEM COMPETITION
Check out who is leading the competition at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.
IMPORTANT 22/23 RESOURCES:
IT HELP DESK LINK - if your child has an issue with their Chromebook, submit a ticket
DRESS CODE OVERVIEW - check out this year’s guidelines
PRE-ABSENCE FORM - submit pre-planned absences 5 days ahead of time for approval.
MS COMMUNITY SERVICE FORM - 10 service hours are due by May 2023.
MS THRIVAL GUIDE - learn how to THRIVE and not just survive middle school at TCS.
REMINDER: BLACKBAUD CLASSROOM INFORMATION
Be sure to check Blackbaud regularly to stay informed about your child’s progress this year!
LESSON PLANS: Need to know what your child is learning in the classroom? Check the “Bulletin Board” section for each of your child’s classes.
HOMEWORK: Need to know what assignments your child should be completing at home? Check the “Bulletin Board” section for each of your child’s classes.
GRADES/PROGRESS: Need to know how your child did on their last test? Check the “Grade Detail” section for each of your child’s classes.
REMINDER: COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS DUE
Don’t forget your child’s Community Service Form will be due Monday, May 8, 2023. Please email your child’s Bible teacher regarding any questions about community service. Remember, each student is required to complete 10 hours of community service.
REMINDER: ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES
The following steps should be taken for reporting absences for 4th - 8th grade:
Send excuses for absences, including doctor’s notes to attendance@tcslions.org.
Send PRE-ABSENCE REQUESTS (family trips, etc.) to Kasey Hanson (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org) via your child’s 1st period teacher.
If your child has to miss class this year due to sickness or quarantine, check out our process below for getting your child caught up on missing work and assignments. Please also notify the nursing team to make them aware of surgeries or long-term illnesses at nurses@tcslions.org.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT 1-5 DAYS? - Have your child connect with their teachers upon their return to the classroom. We will not send makeup work home for sick absences of this length through our Return to Academics program.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT 5+ DAYS? - Reach out to Kasey Hanson (Return to Academics Coordinator) so we can best determine a makeup plan for your child. Mrs. Hanson will help collect makeup work for you to simplify the process.
NOTE: If your child is sick, we want your child to focus on resting and healing before worrying about missing assignments. Please know our teachers will work diligently to help your child catch up once they are feeling well enough to complete assignments.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACTS
If you have any questions throughout the summer or upcoming school year, use the guide below to ensure your questions are directed to the most helpful personnel.
6th Grade Academic Coordinator - Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Lanier can assist you with any academic-related needs for 6th grade.
7th and 8th Grade Academic Coordinator - Emily Walter (emily.walter@tcslions.org)
Miss Walter can assist you with any academic-related needs for 7th/8th grade.
Director of Student Life - Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
Mrs. McBurnett oversees our special events and field trips while also handling our middle school counseling duties.
Director of Student Development - Dylan Higgins (dylan.higgins@tcslions.org)
Mr. Higgins oversees the spiritual development of our student body while also assisting with discipline issues.
Middle School RTA Coordinator - Kasey Hanson (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Hanson can assist you with makeup work due to any extended absences.
Director of Skills Development - Jenn Opsahl (jennifer.opsahl@tcslions.org)
Mrs. Opsahl oversees our Skills Development Program.