Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published May 21, 2023
Volume 175
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN - celebrations, parties and goodbyes! It’s the final week of school and summer break is only days away. What a year we have had! The blessings are countless when I think back on all the LORD has done for us this year. I’m so proud of our students and the growth we have seen in each of them this year. All glory goes to God for the many accomplishments we have seen. We look forward to ending this year strong with a week of celebration both in and out of the classrooms.
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mr. Moore, our 7th grade Bible teacher, challenged our students from Philippians 2 and the call each Christian has to work out their salvation. Using the example of Jesus found in this chapter, Mr. Moore encouraged our students to live for Jesus, to trust God’s work in their lives without complaining, and to shine as lights to others.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
6th Grade - Mackenzie Clark
7th Grade - Mary Ansley Looney
8th Grade - Taylor Clark
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE
I Thessalonians 5:23-24
v. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
v. 24 He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.
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. 21-22 as well
7th Grade Students - Memorize v. 21-22 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided
8th Grade Students - Memorize v. 21-22, and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided and write an application paragraph for the verses
I Thessalonians 5:21-22 – But test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.
MAY 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: Name: Opportunity Statue
Principle: We can spend, invest, or waste each day we have.
Lesson Summary: Leaders manage opportunities. Everyone has 86,400 seconds each day to use or abuse. Opportunity is a statue that has hair in front but is bald in the back—you can’t grab it once it is gone.
7th Monthly Habitude: Lightning Rods
Principle: Embrace criticism while redirecting negativity.
Lesson Summary: A lightning rod protects a building by safely taking the strike and grounding it. It channels the impact of that strike to a safe place. Leaders handle anger and criticism in a similar way. They take the heat for the team, and they find appropriate outlets for their own anger.
8th Monthly Habitude: Mentorship: Travel Agents or Tour Guides
Principle: Find a guide to receive direction and support.
Lesson Summary: The big difference between a travel agent and a tour guide is this: one goes with you and one only tells you where to go. During this season of transition, you will have many travel agents. You must find a tour guide for direction and support.
THANK YOU MR. SANDEFUR
After 18 years of service at TCS, Mr. Sandefur is retiring. This past week in chapel, we captured a picture of Mr. Sandefur’s final 7th grade class. Words cannot express how grateful we are for all that Mr. Sandefur has poured into his ministry at TCS. Thank Mr. Sandefur for cultivating a love for science in the hearts of our students for so many years.
DUE THIS WEEK: 2023-2024 CLASS SCHEDULING PREFERENCE FORMS
As we look towards building your child’s schedule for next year, please use the links below to complete your child’s preferences for electives. Use the email sent by Mr. Vinson to help answer specific questions you might have.
BIBLE BOWL FINALISTS
Congratulations to our finalists who will compete in teams for the title of “Bible Bowl Champion” at our end of year chapel on Tuesday, May 23.
8th Grade: Anna Marie Flournoy, Emma Zarlenga
7th Grade: Asher Griffith, Samuel Leyimu
6th Grade: Colton Withrow, Carter Wisehart
BE PREPARED FOR END OF YEAR ASSESSMENTS
As we close out the second semester, check out the assessment schedule below for our middle school students.
6th Grade
May 24 - Final Math Test
7th and 8th Grade
May 23 - Final Math Test
DO WE KEEP OUR CHROMEBOOK?
Students who are returning to TCS next year for 7th or 8th grade will KEEP their Chromebooks over the summer.
Non-returning Students - If your child is not returning to TCS next year, please plan to have them bring their Chromebook AND charger to Mr. Vinson’s office on their last day of school.
ALL 8TH GRADE STUDENTS - All 8th grade students will need to return their Chromebook AND charger at 8th grade graduation. Our IT Department will be receiving Chromebooks outside of Mr. Vinson’s office before the ceremony starts. Please plan to drop your child’s Chromebook off between 5:15-5:45 pm. All 8th graders will need to be in place by 5:45 pm.
8TH GRADE GRADUATION CEREMONY
We are so excited to celebrate our 8th graders as they prepare to make the transition to high school! Check out the details below regarding our ceremony, including information related to our special Prayer of Blessing!
Date: Tuesday, May 23
Location: TCS Gymnasium
Time: 6:00-7:00 pm
SUMMARY: We will be celebrating the end of middle school for our 8th graders with an evening of awards and recognitions while also offering a special time of prayer before their promotion to 9th grade. Parents and special guests are invited to attend but seating will be limited due to the gymnasium capacity.
DRESS CODE: Students are encouraged to wear normal dress code attire or their Sunday best. No shorts please.
QUESTIONS: Contact Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
Prayer of Blessing:
Each year we conclude our 8th grade graduation ceremony with special prayers by those closest to our graduates. Our students will be seated during this time and those special individuals chosen to pray will stand behind their specific student. Those chosen individuals will have the chance to pray quietly or silently over the student, with Mr. Vinson leading a corporate prayer to close out our time.
Please have your child choose a parent, older sibling, pastor, youth pastor, coach, etc. who they would like to pray over them.
Complete this form to indicate who your child has chosen. We want every student to have someone standing with them during this time!
Be sure to check out all the details about our end of year events on our family landing page.
GENERAL REMINDERS
HOUSE SYSTEM COMPETITION
Check out who is leading the competition at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.
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.