Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published October 8, 2023
Volume 190
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Fall is here, and Q1 is complete! I hope each of you is having a wonderful Fall Break and enjoying the changing of the seasons that is upon us. Don’t forget that when we return to campus on Tuesday, ALL REMOTE WORK is due from Friday, Oct 6. Be sure to check Blackbaud for all of your child’s remote learning work. Please know as well that our teachers are working to finalize grades this upcoming week with the plan to make Q1 report cards visible on Blackbaud beginning Monday, Oct 16. We are so proud of our students and all of their hard work.
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
Oct 13 - Picture Retakes
Oct 13 - 6th/7th Retreat to Camp Rockridge
Oct 13 - Fall Family Fest
Oct 20 - House Color Day
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mr. Chris Paschal, one of our TCS high school Bible teachers, spoke to our students from Judges 6. Using the story of Gideon, Mr. Paschal reminded our students that they are always seen and known by God, even in our most challenging of circumstances. He also encouraged our students to recognize that God-confidence over self-confidence is needed if we are to press through the hard times we face. We are so appreciative of Mr. Paschal and his willingness to invest in our middle schoolers!
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 - William Douglas
7th Grade - Carter Wisehart
8th Grade - Bette Wise
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.
Proverbs 3:5-7
v. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. v. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. v. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
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. 3-4 as well
7th Grade Students - Memorize v. 3-4 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided
8th Grade Students - Memorize v. 3-4 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided and write an application paragraph for the verses
***DISTINCTION EXTRA VERSE****
Proverbs 3:3-4 – Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
OCTOBER 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: The Oversized Gift
Principle: Giftedness must be balanced with character.
Lesson Summary: Leaders are often gifted. They can begin to depend on their gift for success, to the neglect of their character. They begin to “wing it.” Leaders sabotage themselves when their gift is bigger than they are.
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.
ANNUAL FUND SHOUTOUT
Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to this year’s Annual Fund. Our students will benefit so much from the extra items, resources and opportunities made available through your giving!
CONGRATULATIONS TO QUARTER 1 PRIDE PERFORMERS
The following students were selected by their teachers for their hard work and dedication to the classroom these past 9 weeks. These are students who “filled it to the brim,” and we want to acknowledge them for their hard work! Great job students!
6th Grade
Bible = Kaitlyn Robinson, Gabriel Aldama
English = Sullivan Caruthers and AJ Patterson
History = Collins Boone
Math = Pierce Ziobro
Science = Brody Sparks
7th Grade
Bible = Anna Underwood
English = Addie Inman and Hannah Cobb
History = Mackenzie Clark
Math = Addie Cherry and Brayden Price
Science = Haley Bishop and Cash Chambers
8th Grade
Bible = Samuel Velez
English = Jaeli Valimont and Jillian Schriks
History = Mason Blanton and Noah Bethea
Math = Camden Sayer and Sam Melenius
Science = Nora Rudney and Ava Knowles
QUARTER 1 FEEDBACK
Let us know how the first 9 weeks went and what your child’s overall experience has been like this school year by completing the appropriate grade level survey below. We appreciate the feedback and will plan to use the results to shape the Q2 experience.
MIDDLE SCHOOL OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCES
Don’t forget to sign up for your child’s grade level overnight experience. We are excited about these 2nd semester trips and the additional educational opportunities they extend to our students. We hope you will join us! Use the links below to secure your child’s spot!
PICTURE RETAKE INFORMATION FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13
Fall Picture Retakes This Friday, October 13! Sign up below
Individual picture retakes will be this Friday, October 13 for all grades school-wide. Proofs and order forms will be sent home after the retakes have been processed.
If you would like your student to have their picture retaken, please sign up using the link below:
**Please note: The retake picture is the one that will be in the yearbook. There will not be an option to choose between the original picture taken and the retake.
For help with school pictures, please reach out to LifeTouch Customer Success Team:
Phone number: 1-800-736-4753
Or use the chat function on the website my.lifetouch.com to chat with an agent.
OPTIONAL HOUSE COLOR T-SHIRTS
We have had several parents request the option to purchase House shirts to wear on House Color Days. We are excited to announce that we have partnered with Graceful Peach Boutique to offer shirts for Elliot, Lewis, Nee, Robinson and Wycliffe houses! Check out the link below and order your optional shirt today if you are looking for something to wear on House Color Day.
Our next scheduled House Color Day is October 20!
https://www.gracefulpeachboutique.com/collections/special-order
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.