Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School

Published March 10, 2024

Volume 211

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

This is our last week of Quarter 3! Just a reminder, we will end the week with our Remote Learning Day on Friday. Encourage your child to finish out this week strong and to do their very best on all of their assignments. Report cards will be made available the week of March 25 (Monday at 4pm). We are so proud of our students and their hard work over these past couple of months

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

• 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

• April 1-5 = Spring Break

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

Pastor Jordan Bosworth, youth pastor at First Baptist Peachtree City, spoke to our students from Acts 13 regarding the story of Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark. Pastor Jordan reminded our students that our actions have consequences, as seen in the decision-making of John Mark who turned back and left both Paul and Barnabas while on a mission trip with them. Pastor Jordan challenged our students that sometimes God calls us to things that are hard and that we need to persevere - Ultimately, if God has called us to it, we can get through it. He also used the account of Barnabas supporting John Mark as a reminder that even when we fail, we can overcome bad decisions by the grace 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. 

• 6th Grade - A.J. Patterson

• 7th Grade - Emery Keroack

• 8th Grade - Mitchell Heavin

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. 

Psalm 119:9-11

v. 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 

v. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!

v. 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

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. 12-13 as well

• 7th Grade Students - Memorize v. 12-13 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided

• 8th Grade Students - Memorize v. 12-13 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided and write an application paragraph for the verses

***DISTINCTION EXTRA VERSE****

Psalm 119:12-13 – Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.

MARCH 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: Discipline Bridge

• Principle: Personal discipline is the bridge to the goal.

• Lesson Summary: Leaders don’t build character without crossing the bridge of discipline. Personal discipline is like a bridge that crosses from where you are to where you want to be. It gets you where you want to go.

• 7th Monthly Habitude: Tightrope Walker

• Principle: Leaders build trust through competence.

• Lesson Summary: It’s easy to watch a tightrope walker; it’s another thing to trust him enough to climb on his back. Our world is full of people who don’t trust others. Good leaders build trust through competence. They recognize the difference between being liked as a friend and being followed as a leader. 

• 8th Monthly Habitude: Travel Agents or Tour Guides

• Principle: Find a guide to receive direction and support.

• Lesson Summary: The big difference between a travel agent and a tour guide is this: one goes with you and one only tells you where to go. During this season of transition, you will have many travel agents. You must find a tour guide for direction and support.

HOUSE COLOR DAY

Don’t forget our next House Color Day is this Tuesday, March 12. Students are encouraged to wear shirts that correlate with their House Color. No hats please. 

• Elliot House = Green

• Lewis House = Red

• Nee House = Purple

• Robinson House = Blue

• Wycliffe House = Black

2024 Advisement Night

On Monday, March 18th from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, current 8th -11th grade students and parents are invited to attend our 2024 Advisement Night. This event kicks off Advisement Week where students will connect with their teachers to select their core classes and electives for the fall semester.

There will be opportunities to hear from the high school leadership team, learn about AP and Dual Enrollment classes, find out about fine arts, athletics, clubs, electives and more. 

Current 8th Grade Students and Parents
It is highly recommended that all 8th grade students and parents attend. 

We want the transition to high school to run smoothly and the information at this event will greatly help students understand what high school at TCS is all about.

Schedule for 8th grade Taste and See:

• 6:00 - 6:45 - Assembly in Multi-Purpose Room, Building 5

• 6:45 - 8:00 - Course Preview in selected classrooms and AP/DE breakout sessions

In addition to our Taste and See event, there will be Coffee Talk sessions with our 9th-10th grade counselor, Mrs. Hutcheson, on March 21-22. These sessions will give you an opportunity to ask specific questions about what to expect as your student transitions to high school. Sign up for Coffee Talk with Mrs. Hutcheson here.

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. 

23/24 Community Service Form

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.

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.