Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published May 5, 2024
Volume 219
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
There are lots of upcoming events and important dates so keep checking the newsletter for updates each week. On Monday, ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL COMMUNITY SERVICE FORMS are due in Bible class. Please reference the form below. Remember, this form needs to be submitted as part of the end of year Bible grade so don’t be late! We are excited to read about all of the ways our students have served in our community this past year. And as we do each year, we will be honoring a special student at the end of the year with our Community Service Award.
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
May 6 = Community Service Forms Due in Bible class
May 6 = Orchestra Concert
May 7 = Band Concert
May 8 = MS Talent Show (during school day)
May 9 = Chorus Concert
May 13-15 = Progress Learning End of Year Testing
May 20 = 6th Grade Skating party (end of year party)
May 21 = 7th Grade Bowling party (end of year party)
May 21 = 8th Grade Graduation (last day of required school for 8th graders)
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Pastor Jevaughn Huggins from Southcrest Church set the tone for National Day of Prayer this week by teaching our students about how to pray from Matthew 6:5-8. Pastor Huggins helped our students see that God is less concerned with the length of our prayers or the words we use when praying and is far more interested in the genuineness and purity of our prayer life. Ultimately, Jesus points us to a prayer life that focuses on coming to God as our Father rather than a genie.
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 - Caden Owens
7th Grade - Colton Withrow
8th Grade - Nathan Coker
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 18:28, 30
v. 28 For it is You who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness.
v. 30 This God – His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.
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. 27 as well
7th Grade Students - Memorize v. 27 and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided
8th Grade Students - Memorize v. 27, and be prepared to take your quiz with no blanks provided and write an application paragraph for the verses
***DISTINCTION EXTRA VERSE****
Psalm 18:27 – For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.
MAY 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: Emotional Fuel
Principle: Our future is shaped by those closest to us.
Lesson Summary: A leader’s future is shaped by the people closest to him or her. A leader’s personal network is his emotional fuel: his models, heroes, mentors, inner circle, and accountability partners.
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.
OPTIONAL HALF-DAY DISMISSAL AND EARLY RELEASE FRIDAY
As we look towards the end of the semester and the 23-24 school year, we wanted to let you know that we will be offering an adjusted schedule to accommodate end of year testing, parties and special events. Please see our plan for the final 3 days of the school year below for Lower School, Upper Elementary and Middle School.
Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23 - Optional Half Day Release
All mandatory school work will be completed by 11:30am, and an optional half day dismissal will be provided. We will conduct a normal dismissal line beginning at 11:30am with a plan to conclude the dismissal line by 12:15pm. Students who need to be picked up between 12:15-2:50pm can be checked out at the front office. At 2:50pm we will run a second dismissal, pending the amount of students who remained on campus past 12:15pm. We will update you about our afternoon dismissal process during the 2:50-3:30 time slot on these days as we get closer.
If you anticipate your child needing to stay at school past 12:15pm, please complete the forms below so we can plan accordingly. Supervision will be provided up until 3:30pm by teachers. Students still on campus at 3:30pm will be transitioned to Agape After Care or Middle School Extended Day (normal rates will apply)
Wednesday Form (DUE BY MAY 15)- students needing to remain at school after 12:15pm
Thursday Form - (DUE BY MAY 15) students needing to remain at school after 12:15pm
Note: Due to the optional half-day release, Sage Dining will be serving our students breakfast between 8-10am (pending your child’s grade level schedule). Students needing to stay past 12:15pm will need to bring a sack lunch as there will be no lunch option provided by Sage.
EARLY LEARNING AT GO CHURCH INFORMATION: The Early Learning students at our Go Church campus will dismiss from 11:30 to 12:00pm. Due to the half day dismissal, we will not offer the Junior Lions dismissal option. Early Learning students will be transported to the main campus for the Agape program at 2:10pm.
Friday, May 24 - Half Day Dismissal
We will dismiss for Summer Break at 11:30am. All students should be picked up between 11:30am-12:15pm. There will be NO AFTER SCHOOL option available on this day.
Note: Due to the early dismissal, Sage Dining will be serving our students breakfast between 8-10am (pending your child’s grade level schedule).
EARLY LEARNING AT GO CHURCH INFORMATION: Transportation will NOT be provided to the main campus for Early Learning students.
PROGRESS LEARNING END OF YEAR TESTING
Progress Learning is our benchmark testing that shows learning growth over the course of this year. Our students will take their final tests the week of May 13.
Here are a few suggestions for maximizing your child’s performance during testing week.
REST - make sure your child gets plenty of rest the night before the testing.
RELAX - encourage your child to do their very best without stressing.
In addition, PRIORITIZE ATTENDANCE for these days. Students are required to make up any missed Progress Learning testing, so to avoid being pulled or staying after school, please prioritize your child being present and punctual each day.
8TH GRADE GRADUATION CEREMONY
We are so excited to celebrate our 8th graders as they prepare to make the transition to high school! Check out the details below regarding our ceremony, including information related to our special Prayer of Blessing!
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Location: TCS Gymnasium
Time: 6:00-7:00 pm
SUMMARY: We will be celebrating the end of middle school for our 8th graders with an evening of awards and recognitions while also offering a special time of prayer before their promotion to 9th grade. Parents and special guests are invited to attend but seating will be limited due to the gymnasium capacity.
DRESS CODE: Students are encouraged to wear normal dress code attire or their Sunday best. No shorts please.
QUESTIONS: Contact Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
Prayer of Blessing: Each year we conclude our 8th grade graduation ceremony with special prayers by those closest to our graduates. Our students will be seated during this time and those special individuals chosen to pray will stand behind their specific student. Those chosen individuals will have the chance to pray quietly or silently over the student, with Mr. Vinson leading a corporate prayer to close out our time.
Please have your child choose a parent, older sibling, pastor, youth pastor, coach, etc. who they would like to pray over them. Complete this form to indicate who your child has chosen. We want every student to have someone standing with them during this time!
BE PREPARED FOR END OF YEAR ASSESSMENTS
Check out the final assessment schedule for Semester 2 below.
6th and 7th Grades
English = final assessments will be administered by May 17
History = May 22
Science = May 22
Math = May 23
Bible = May 24 (will be extra credit)
8th Grade
English = final assessments will be administered by May 17
History = May 2o
Science = May 20
Math = May 21
Bible = May 21 (will be extra credit)
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.
Be sure to check out all the details about our end of year events on our family landing page.
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.