Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published March 17, 2024
Volume 212
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We hope your family enjoyed the long weekend! Don’t forget, all of your child’s Remote Learning Day work is due on Monday, March 18. These grades will be the first grades entered for Quarter 4. Can you believe we are down to 9 weeks left of school? Be on the lookout for coming information about all of the end of year activities. We are finalizing plans and will be releasing updated information soon. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to me if you need anything. I’m happy to make sure your child is thriving over these final weeks of the school year.
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 18 = 9th Grade Advisement Night (Current 8th grade students and parents)
March 29 = Good Friday Holiday
April 1-5 = Spring Break
April 23-25 = 7th Grade Trip to Ark and Creation Museum
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Ethan Griggs, youth pastor at Heatherwood Baptist Church, spoke to our students on the importance of answering the question, “Who do I think Jesus is?” correctly. He challenged our students to evaluate their understanding of the identity of Jesus, and to make sure they have properly responded to Him…in repentance and faith.
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 - Madi Gumm
7th Grade - Colton Withrow
8th Grade - Lila Chitwood
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 10:23-24
v. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. v. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.
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. 25 as well
7th Grade Students - Memorize v. 25 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided
8th Grade Students - Memorize v. 25 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided and write an application paragraph for the verses
***DISTINCTION EXTRA VERSE***
Hebrews 10:25 – not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. *
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.
REMINDER: 7th GRADE TRIP CHANGE
In case you did not receive the notification this week, the 7th grade trip to the Ark/Creation Museum has been changed to April 23-25 due to circumstances beyond our control. We will plan to have our 7th graders in attendance at school on March 26-28 as a result of the change.
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.
It is highly recommended that all current 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.
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.