Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published December 3, 2023
Volume 198
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We are counting down the days until Christmas Break, and we are enjoying the celebration of each day along the way. It’s a busy season with lots going on, so don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any specific questions about where your child needs to be throughout the course of this month. In addition, let me encourage you to find ways to celebrate this special season together as a family. Yes, the season is busy, but let us remember the hope that this season reminds us of. Not only do we worship our King for coming at Christmas, we anticipate His triumphant return as well. I’m including this link to one of my favorite Christmas songs for you to check out in case you have never heard it. Let it encourage you to remain hopeful as we wait for Him!
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
Dec 4 - House Color and Competition Day
Dec 4 - Recorders/Orchestra Concert
Dec 5 - Band Concert
Dec 7 - Chorus Concert
Dec 14 - MS Christmas Parties
Dec 15 - Remote Learning Day
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Brody Holloway, Director of Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters in Andrews, NC, spoke to our students from I Corinthians 13:11. As our middle school students continue to grow, Brody reminded them of their need to embrace responsibility and to let go of childish things as they mature. Brody helped our students see that part of growing is learning to take ownership of their own spiritual growth and the expression of that growth towards others in the ways they seek to love and serve.
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 - Anna Slaton
7th Grade - Addie Inman
8th Grade - Miles Bell
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.
Psalm 100:4-5
Matthew 7:12 - The Golden Rule
v. 12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them,
for this is the Law and the Prophets.
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. 11 as well
7th Grade Students - Memorize v. 11 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided
8th Grade Students - Memorize v. 11 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided and write an application paragraph for the verses
***DISTINCTION EXTRA VERSE****
Matthew 7:11 – If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.
DECEMBER 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: Pop Quiz
Principle: Tests are Proving Grounds for Growth
Lesson Summary: Leaders experience tests as they mature. These tests range from motive checks, to authority tests, to integrity checks. They reveal the leader’s potential and maturity and are a pathway to progress.
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: Flight Delay
Principle: Learn to calibrate expectations.
Lesson Summary: Experienced travelers know they’re not in complete control. Delays occur, storms erupt and interruptions happen. Similarly, we must calibrate our expectations, manage disappointments and be realistic about the speed and ease of our lives.
DISCIPLESHIP DAY RECAP
We had a fantastic Discipleship Day last Wednesday! Guest speakers from local churches, and a whole team from Snowbird Outfitters, spent the day investing in the spiritual growth of our middle school student body. Thank you for your prayers leading up to this event, and continue praying that our students will have their faith strengthened by what they learned on this day!
THE 12 DAYS ‘TIL CHRISTMAS BREAK
We will continue with our Christmas celebration this week with days 9-5! Be on the lookout for daily emails to update you on what special treat our students will enjoy each day.
DECEMBER DRESS DOWN
Did you miss the chance for your child to dress down for these two weeks? No problem! Your child can still join in on the action by paying $15 to wear sweatpants/pajama pants and/or Crocs for this week only! Students are required to wear TCS approved dress code shirts/spiritwear. Email Mrs. McBurnett directly if you would like to purchase this dress down option. Final purchases are due by Monday morning. All money raised will be used to offset the cost of our middle school overnight experiences.
update: PROGRESS LEARNING MID-YEAR TESTING
Our students were able to complete their mid-year progress testing for both Math and ELA, and we were pleased with the overall results of our students. Our teachers are doing a great job in preparing each of your children for what lies ahead. Please note if we notice a concern with your child’s progress, we will plan to reach out directly to let you know. Otherwise, know that our students are doing a great job, and we look forward to seeing how they continue to grow and learn next semester.
MID-COURSE ASSESSMENTS
As we come to the end of Semester 1, it’s time for us to wrap up each of our classes with our final assessments for the calendar year. Check out our plans for mid-course assessments below as we finish out Semester 1. As you will notice, we are spreading out the assessments all month long to help reduce any added stress due to the busy schedules that typically come with the month of December. Our goal is to finish out the semester strong without piling the work on at the end.
*Note: Each class will not necessarily need the full allotment of days for their assessments.
Your child will only have assessments in the listed subject areas on these days. The exception is that our students will continue to have memory verse quizzes on Wednesdays.
December 1 = Final Bible Assessments (except memory verses quizzes which will continue on Wednesdays)
December 4-5 = Final English Assessments
December 6-7 = Final History Assessments
December 8, 11 = Final Science Assessments
December 12-13 = Final Math Assessments
December 14 = Class Christmas parties and additional fun activities
December 15 = Remote Learning Day (student surveys only)
DRESS CODE GUIDELINES FOR CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN WEEK
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 I 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.
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.