Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published September 17, 2023
Volume 187
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Homecoming Week is here, and we are excited to celebrate our TCS Lion spirit all week long! Be sure to check out the themed dress up days for this week along with the guidelines for creating your daily outfits. Also, don’t forget, we have an exciting Homecoming Parade to kick off the week on Monday evening along with our game against North Clayton under the lights on Friday to close out the week. Don’t miss out on these opportunities! Come join us and experience the Trinity family together.
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 18-22 - Homecoming Week
Sept 26 - House Color Day
Sept 28 - Family Night (No Homework and No Studying!)
Oct 6 - Remote Learning Day
Oct 9 - Fall Break
Oct 13 - Picture Retakes
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Pastor Steven Gilchrist, who is currently planting Jubilee Fellowship in Fairburn, joined us and spoke from II Corinthians 4:18. He reminded our students that what they see in their lives currently is temporary and that oftentimes we can’t see the promises of God being fulfilled right now. He encouraged our students to remain hopeful in light of the truth that God is good all the time and that during whatever trials they may face, believers have hope in what God promises for the eternal state. Learn more about Pastor Steven’s ministry here.
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 - Ashleigh Binegar
7th Grade - Anna Underwood
8th Grade - Elle Jerger
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 Compass or a GPS
Principle: We need ethics to guide us in new situations.
Lesson Summary: A GPS or Google Maps are only helpful if you are on paved roads. If you are entering new areas, you need a compass that shows you true north. Similarly, we need values that provide direction when we enter new territory.
HOUSE FOCUS: THE ROBINSON 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 ROBINSON HOUSE.
Character Trait to Remember : Stand Against Culture When It’s Wrong
Who was he? Jackie Robinson became the first African-American professional baseball player in Major League Baseball when he broke the color barrier in 1947.
Learn more about Jackie Robinson by watching the video we showed in chapel this week
HOMECOMING WEEK DRESS DOWN DAYS
Homecoming Dress Down Guidelines:
No spaghetti straps, tank tops, or tops with low V neck
Holes/rips/tears in jeans should not be above the knee
Mesh/see-thru tops should not be worn unless there is a full coverage top underneath it.
Shirts should touch the top of the pants, shorts, skirt, etc - if you lift your arms and we can see your skin it is too short.
Shorts must be no more than 5 inches above the knee (about the length of an index card).
Skirts must be no more than 2 inches above the knee (unless full leggings are worn underneath).
Hats may be worn all week.
Boys shirts must stay buttoned.
Full spandex body suits are not allowed.
Leggings can only be worn Monday - Wednesday with a fingertip length skirt or top over the leggings (as long as students are dressed up according to theme).
Shoes can be open-toe and open back for this week only.
FAMILY NIGHT: QUARTER 1
What is “Family Night”? Each quarter this school year we want to offer a night with NO HOMEWORK and NO REQUIRED STUDYING! Our hope is to give your family a night to enjoy together in the midst of a busy semester. Our first Family Night of the year will be Thursday, September 28. This means NO HOMEWORK on Thursday night and NO TESTS OR QUIZZES on Friday! Start planning now for a fun night together!
UPCOMING 6TH/7TH DAY SPIRITUAL RETREAT
We are excited about our annual trip to Rockridge Camp in Franklin, Georgia for our 6th and 7th graders. On Friday, October 13, our students will spend the day away from campus with extended opportunities to build friendships, enjoy the outdoors and worship together with a special chapel service. More information will be released this week so be on the lookout for an email from Mrs. McBurnett regarding how to sign up!
OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCES
Don’t forget to join us for our upcoming parent meetings regarding this year’s overnight learning experiences for our middle schoolers. More details to come this week, but plan to join us at the appropriate times next week.
8th Grade Parent Meeting = Monday, Sept 25 at 5:15pm
7th Grade Parent Meeting = Tuesday, Sept 26 at 5:15pm
6th Grade Parent Meeting = Tuesday, Sept 26 at 6:00pm
COMMUNITY SERVICE REMINDER
Don’t forget your child’s Community Service Form will be due May 2024. 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.
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.
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.
(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.