Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published March 24, 2024
Volume 213
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Don’t forget that report cards will be made available at the end of the school day on Monday. We are proud of our students’ hard work over Q3 and look forward to them finishing strong throughout Q4. Be sure to check out your child’s progress under the “Performance” section.
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 29 = Good Friday Holiday
April 1-5 = Spring Break
April 8 = House Color/Competition Day
April 23-24 = 6th Grade Chattanooga Trip
April 23-25 = 7th Grade Trip to Ark and Creation Museum
April 29 = Family Night (No Homework or Assessments on April 30)
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Pastor Chris Duncan, youth pastor at Southpointe Church in Jackson and the new fiance of Miss Walter, spoke to our students on the topic of “identity” along with the new commandment of Jesus found in John 13:34. Pastor Chris reminded our students that we can do nothing to earn the love of Jesus. He also challenged our students to see that because we are loved, we have a responsibility to love others around us well.
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 - Collins Boone
7th Grade - Cooper Boone
8th Grade - Brie Edwards
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.
QUARTER 3 PRIDE PERFORMERS
Congratulations to the following students who are being acknowledged for their hard work and excellence during Quarter 3.
6th Grade
Bible = June Cofty, Julian Diaz-Yapor
English = Noah Wood, Chandler Haning
History = Madi Gumm
Math = Anna Roberts, Jane Jung
Science = Vivian Leshikar
7th Grade
Bible = Emmy Roth
English = Matthew Feldman, Carter Wisehart
History = Landon Barnhill
Math = Leland Carswell, Emery Keroack
Science = Abbey Gasaway, Lane Maples
8th Grade
Bible = Jaeli Kai Valimont
English = Noah Bethea, Jacob Powell
History = Lily Grace Peterson, Emma Anderson
Math = Emma McEwen, Jackson Craven, Gage Torning
Science = Ansleigh Black, Kennedie Callen
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.
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.