Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published September 3, 2023
Volume 185
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We hope each of you has enjoyed the extra long weekend with both the Remote Learning Day and the Labor Day holiday! Don’t forget, your child’s Remote Learning Day work is due on Tuesday, September 5 when we return. To avoid late penalties, please make sure you double check with your child to ensure all assignments have been completed. We look forward to seeing everyone back on campus Tuesday!
(pictured l to r) Mrs. Lanier, Miss. Walter, Mrs. McBurnett, Mr. Higgins, and Mrs. Hanson
Check out our list of administrative faculty below who can help support you with all of your needs throughout this year.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMIN TEAM: WE ARE HERE TO HELP!
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.
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
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: UPCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL DATES
Sept 6-8 - 8th Grade Snowbird Field Trip
Sept 18-22 - Homecoming Week
Sept 26 - House Color Day
Oct 6 - Remote Learning Day
Oct 9 - Fall Break
Oct 13 - Picture Retakes
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mr. Vinson spoke from I John 1:5-6 (upcoming memory verse) and encouraged our students about what it means to “walk in the light” as a believer. Mr. Vinson pointed our students to the truths of I John, that true Christians walk in the light by believing the biblical FACTS about Jesus, seeking to ACT in ways consistent with the commands found in the Bible, and by REACTING to other people in loving ways.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
Students who have been recognized by their teachers for setting a good example and making right choices during the school day.
6th Grade - Noah Williams
7th Grade - Brayden Price
8th Grade - Asher Griffith
HOUSE FOCUS: THE NEE HOUSE
Our House System at TCS is designed to introduce our elementary and middle school students to important historical Christian figures who exhibit character qualities that we hope to see exemplified in our own student body as well. This week, we are focusing on the NEE HOUSE.
Character Trait to Remember :
Do What is Right Even When It’s Costly
Who was he? Watchman Nee, or Nee Shu-tsu, was an extremely intelligent, influential Christian leader and teacher in China. He was arrested for the sake of the gospel and falsely sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment and ultimately died in prison.
Learn more about Watchman Nee by watching the video we showed in chapel this week
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE:
As you may notice, our 4th-8th graders memorize the same verses each year. These memory verses are selected intentionally based on the promises and truths they contain that are so relevant for our students as they learn to follow Jesus. Our hope is that these 20 verses will be remembered for years to come after being memorized for multiple years in Upper Elementary and Middle School.
I John 1:5-6
v. 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. v. 6 If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
Bible Distinction Opportunity: Middle School Students ONLY
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. 7 as well
7th Grade Students - Memorize v. 7 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided
8th Grade Students - Memorize v. 7, and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided and write an application paragraph for the verses
***DISTINCTION EXTRA VERSE****
I John 1:7 – But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
SEPTEMBER 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: Thermostat and Thermometer
Principle: Leaders set the tone for those around them.
Lesson Summary: People are either thermometers or thermostats. They will merely reflect the climate around them, or they will set it. Leaders develop values and principles to live by and set the tone for others.
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: A Bridge Not a Wall
Principle: Build bridges of trust with others who are different
Lesson Summary: Each of us encounters new and different people through life. Our natural inclination is to see differences and put up a wall. We’re prone to distrust. We must consciously build bridges that can bear the weight of honest disclosure.
BUILDERS CLUB
Are you wondering how your child will fulfill his/her service hour requirement for this year? Well, here’s something that can help! Kiwanis Builders Club! Builders Club is a student-led leadership and service group sponsored by Kiwanis International, where students assess the needs around them in their school and community, visualize service projects to help meet those needs, and then carry out those projects. Builders Clubs meet in middle schools all over the country and the world! In January of 2023, the first ever Kiwanis Builders Club was born at Trinity Christian School! Some of our service projects from last year included giving notes of encouragement to teachers and friends, collecting baby items for the Fayette Pregnancy Resource Center, and collecting $300 in coins to donate to the various ministries of Bridging the Gap in Newnan. Mrs. Jetter (8th Grade skills teacher, 4th and 5th grade Bible teacher) is the faculty advisor for this student-led organization where students gain valuable experience in leadership and the development of empathy for those around them, for the glory of God! The Club will be held once a month on the LAST Tuesday of the month during electives (7th period). Lord willing, our first meeting will be Tuesday, September 26th. Students will earn 6.75 of the 10 service hours needed to meet the service requirement. If you are interested in this wonderful service opportunity for your middle school student, please contact Mrs. Jetter at Natalie.jetter@tcslions.org as soon as possible to let her know! Your name will then be added to the Builders Club Parent email list. I hope to see YOUR student in the Builders Club this year!
**PLEASE join the email list, even if your child was in Builders Club last year. Thank you!
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 “Topics” section for each of your child’s classes.
HOMEWORK: Need to know what assignments your child should be completing at home? Check the “Topics” section for each of your child’s classes.
GRADES/PROGRESS: Need to know how your child did on their last assessment? Check the “Grade Detail” section for each of your child’s classes.
8TH GRADE SPIRITUAL RETREAT: SNOWBIRD OUTFITTERS
Don’t forget to meet at NCG Theatre at 7:30 on Wednesday!
CHECK OUT THE WHAT TO BRING LIST !
***EXCLUSIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR ITEMS***
Check out the link below for accessing BRAND NEW middle school spiritwear!
MIDDLE SCHOOL RESOURCES
HOUSE SYSTEM COMPETITION
Check out who is leading the competition at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.
23/24 SCHOOL CALENDAR: Stay in the know about upcoming breaks and holidays.
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 2024.
THRIVAL GUIDE: Learn more about how to not just survive, but “thrive” during middle school at TCS with thoughts and tips from our team.
GENERAL REMINDERS
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.