Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published February 25, 2024
Volume 209
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
I hope each of you had a wonderful Winter Break!. Don’t forget, we have about three (3) weeks remaining in our Q3 grading period. Encourage your child to stay on top of their academics as we return from break this week.
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
February 26 = 90 Days ‘til 9th Grade Celebration Day (8th graders only)
February 27-March 1 = 8th Grade Disney Trip
March 11 = Spring Pictures
March 12 = House Color Day and House Competition
March 14 = Pi Day (celebrated in math classes)
March 15 = Remote Learning Day
March 26-28 = 7th Grade Trip to Ark and Creation Museum
March 29 = Good Friday Holiday
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
When we return from break our students will have the opportunity to hear from Pastor JeVaughn Huggins, youth minister at Southcrest Church.
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.
Hebrews 3:12-13
v. 12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. v. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
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. 14 as well
7th Grade Students - Memorize v. 14 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided
8th Grade Students - Memorize v. 14 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided and write an application paragraph for the verses
***DISTINCTION EXTRA VERSE****
Hebrews 3:14 – For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
FEBRUARY 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: Drivers and Passengers
Principle: Leaders own their destinations in life.
Lesson Summary: When life goes bad, some people tend to blame someone else for the problem. They act like passengers. Leaders realize they are drivers and are responsible for their attitudes and destination in life.
7th Monthly Habitude: The Poet’s Gift
Principle: Interpret the landscape before taking the lead.
Lesson Summary: Poets are students of their culture and grab the hearts of readers by expressing ideas in relevant and creative ways. Likewise, leaders interpret the landscape before they communicate. They interpret before they inform; they read before they lead. This makes for relevant communication.
8th Monthly Habitude: Sturdy Guardrails
Principle: Boundaries help keep us from poor decisions
Lesson Summary: We often don’t notice guardrails until we need them. They keep us on the road during a curve or dangerous spot. Similarly, we must place guardrails in our lives — boundaries or people who keep us from damaging ourselves with poor decisions.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH FOCUS RECAP
This past week we continued our Black History Month study with middle schoolers learning about Hank Aaron, Mary McLeod Bethune, Jesse Owens, Sojourner Truth and more! We also had another game of Black History Bingo at lunch on Friday! Check out who our students will be learning about when we return from break..
Colin Powell
Phillis Wheatley
Simone Biles
Katherine Johnson
90 Days ‘til 9th Grade (for 8th graders only)
It won’t be long before our 8th graders make the transition to 9th grade. With only 90 days remaining until the end of the school year, we want to celebrate (and prepare) this upcoming transition. Check out what is happening this Monday, February 26.
Mrs. Michelle Hutcheson, our 9th grade counselor, will be visiting our history classes to discuss the upcoming transition to 9th grade.
Students are encouraged to dress like the 90’s decade for this special day.
Cell phones will be allowed in between classes (just like at the high school).
We will also have some special activities at lunch from our 8th grade teachers.
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.