Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published January 7, 2024
Volume 202
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Don’t forget we have a Remote Learning Day this Friday (to help accommodate Grandparents’ Day for the Elementary School), and we have the MLK holiday next Monday. Students will be given remote learning work by their teachers this week with an expectation of all work being submitted when we return on Tuesday, January 16. You are welcome to have your child complete their remote work at any point over the long weekend, but please make sure they have it all complete and ready to submit on time to avoid any late penalties.
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
January 12 - Remote Learning Day
January 15 - MLK Holiday - No School
February 8 - House Color Day
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mr. Vinson kicked off the 2024 year by challenging our students to see the importance of school, particularly in the hard months of January and February when we often see our students’ motivation to do their best decrease. There is something about these long winter months that always make Quarter 3 hard. Using the story of David and Goliath from I Samuel 17, Mr. Vinson showed our students that David’s diligence to do his best as a shepherd (killing lions and bears to protect the sheep) prepared him to face the greater giants that came later in life. While school isn’t always fun, these ordinary days do provide our students with important lessons and opportunities to hone skills that will carry them for the rest of their lives. Mr. Vinson tied the chapel lesson together with this week’s memory verse (I Cor. 10:31), reminding our students that whether they eat or drink or go to school…they ought to do it for the glory of God.
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.
Returning next 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 Goodness. 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 Corinthians 10:31
v. 31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
NO DISTINCTION VERSE THIS WEEK
JANUARY 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 Starving Baker
Principle: Leaders feed themselves for personal growth.
Lesson Summary: This is a common hazard for leaders. We’re like the baker who spends so much time baking bread for others, we forget to eat ourselves. Leaders must feed themselves for personal growth.
7th Monthly Habitude: Hosts and Guests
Principle: Leaders are intentional in relationships.
Lesson Summary: Leaders take the initiative in relationships. They are intentional about them. They see themselves as hosts, not guests, and they go out of their way to connect with people and provide for them.
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..
REPORT CARDS
All grades will be updated and report cards will be posted on Monday, January 8 at 4pm.
PRIDE PERFORMERS
Congratulations to the following students who were recognized by their teachers for their hard work and consistent effort to do their very best over these past 9 weeks.
6th Grade
Bible - Caden Owens
English - Kori Leake (Honors), Macie Moore
History - Nolan Rife
Math - Cade Andrews (Honors), Emery McCaffery
Science - Madelyn Zarlenga
7th Grade
Bible - Reagan Peavy
English - Joy Stanfield (Honors), Yanmiwa Ajayi
History - Sawyer Boone
Math - Colton Withrow (Honors), Braeden Forbes
Science - Emma Fabean (Honors), Jay Shin
8th Grade
Bible - Asher Griffith
English - Tarik Tipton (Honors), Emma Anderson
History - Tate Strealy, Kaja Sluk
Math - Shephard Mullins (Honors), Hannah Christmas
Science - Patrick Moss (Honors), Mia Moreno
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.