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

Published August 4, 2024

Volume 227

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We’ve had a great week of pre-planning with our teachers and can’t wait to see everyone back on campus this week for Meet the Teacher and the first day of classes! We feel extremely blessed to have 180 days to invest in the lives of your children. Thank you for your continued support by choosing TCS for your child’s education. May the LORD have His hand upon every single moment of every single day for His glory this school year!

Remember, this is your checklist of items to complete when you join us Monday for Meet the Teacher day.

Make sure you have reviewed your child’s schedule on Blackbaud and if you notice any errors, please email Kristan Peavy (kristan.peavy@tcslions.org), our Director of Curriculum and Instruction, ASAP so we can get those fixed for you. Be sure to print a copy to have for Meet the Teacher Day and on the first day of school.

WELCOME TO THE ROAR AND MEET THE TEACHER

Don’t forget to join us on Sunday, August 4 for our Welcome to the Roar celebration as we kickoff the new year. Also, on Monday, August 5 we will have our Meet the Teacher Day. Check out your family’s time slot schedule below. Hope to see you at both events!

Families with last name beginning with A-L = 9:30-11:30am (drop-in time slot)
Families with last name beginning with M-Z = 1:30-3:30pm (drop-in time slot)

MONDAY, AUGUST 5 - DO I REALLY NEED TO COME?

Meet the Teacher Day is important because it is more than just a chance to meet your child’s teachers! Check out the checklist below regarding all you need to accomplish on this day prior to classes beginning.

*Dress Code - Normal school day attire expected
MEET THE TEACHER CHECKLIST (Click to view)

LOCKER ASSIGNMENTS: You will pick up your child’s locker assignment in the gym.

CHROMEBOOK DISTRIBUTION: You will pick up your child’s Chromebook in the 7th/8th hallway upstairs. Note: Chromebooks are given to all 6th graders and new 7th and 8th graders.

SAFE DISMISSAL PROCESS INFORMATION

Parents, We have partnered with the company safeDISMISSAL.COM to facilitate our dismissal process for our Early Learning campus (PreK-3 through Kinder) and our Main Campus (1st - 8th grades). One of the many wonderful features of this dismissal process is that your children will remain comfortably and safely in their classroom until the moment they meet you in the "car loading zone".

Here are a few tips to follow during our dismissal process:

Please make sure to have your ‘pick-up’ card displayed in your front window when entering the dismissal line. Please keep your card displayed until your child has been loaded into your car.
Please stay in-line (no passing) during dismissal as the children will be instructed to walk to specific spots for loading.
To reduce your wait time, please keep up with the car in front of you. Stay attentive and focused on the car line.
If your student does not arrive at the loading spot before you do, you may be instructed to move to a "waiting" area where your child will be notified again. We ask you to move to this area so that we do not hold up the remaining dismissal line.
Please note: Your child is assigned to be picked up at a particular spot according to the order of cars in line each day. Please follow the car in front of you until the line stops, regardless of where you might or might not see your child. Stopping before the line has filled will cause the sequence to be thrown off and delay the line. We will get your child to the proper spot should they have gone to the wrong place.

Finally, we ask for your patience the first couple of weeks of school as everyone gets accustomed to the process. It will get faster/better each day!

The administrators and teachers are committed to making this process beneficial to all parties. Please visit www.safeDISMISSAL.com for more information. Below are a couple of helpful resources to further explain the process.

NEW AND ADJUSTED POLICIES FOR 2024-2025

While gum has been allowed in some classrooms in the past, we are implementing a “No Gum” policy across the board due to increased issues with desks and carpet. Please make sure your child is not bringing chewing gum to school. We are so thankful for the new classroom items we have received recently and want to do our best to take great care of what we have been given.

Cell phones will still be allowed on campus, but they must remain turned off while also being stored in backpacks or lockers. Cell phones MAY NOT be kept in pockets. All cell phones should be stored throughout the school day and may only be used after regular school hours.

PE UNIFORMS

We are strongly encouraging our middle school parents to purchase PE uniform items from our school store for this upcoming school year. The items available provide a name plate on the shirts and shorts for student names to be written, which will help eliminate lost items in the locker room. While PE uniforms will not be required, we will be enforcing a more clear dress code for PE this year. Please use this link to familiarize yourself with this year’s dress guidelines. Note: Pajama pants are not acceptable PE attire.

CAN MY CHILD COME IN PE CLOTHES BECAUSE THEY HAVE PE DURING 1ST PERIOD?

The short answer is “no”. While we have allowed this for years, we have seen a rising number of students regularly forget to pack their full dress code outfit which forces them to wear PE clothes all day long. To avoid parents having to bring clothes and/or students having to wear PE clothes all day, we are requiring that 1st period 7th graders wear normal dress code attire to school where they will change for PE prior to class beginning.

8th GRADE SPIRITUAL RETREAT

SIGN UP NOW BY USING THIS LINK: https://forms.gle/5FRQ9UVvkHy9KgUa6

We are excited to kick off the school year with our annual 8th grade trip to Snowbird Outfitters in Andrews, NC. This retreat offers a chance for our students to build relationships with their peers and teachers, engage in meaningful worship and teaching opportunities, experience challenging and thrilling outdoor activities, and much, much more!

WHEN? - Sept 4-6
WHERE? - Snowbird Outfitters in Andrews, NC (www.swoutfitters.com)
COST? - $175 (includes transportation, food, recreation)

MEET OUR NEW TEACHER: JENNIFER KING (SPANISH)

Jennifer King was born in Miami, FL, but grew up moving frequently due to her father’s job in the US Air Force. After she graduated high school, she served on the Logos Hope with OM for two years. While serving on the ship, she felt God’s call to be a teacher. She returned to the US and studied Elementary Education at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. As she graduated from university, God called her to begin teaching overseas. She taught 1st and 2nd grade at the International Christian School in Caracas, Venezuela for 3 years. During this time she met her now-husband, Gabriel Corona, at church. Then she moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina where she taught 6th grade at Buenos Aires International Christian Academy for 6 years. Jennifer is excited to join the TCS team as the Elementary and Middle School Spanish teacher. She is excited to share language skills and Spanish-speaking cultures with her students. She looks forward to exploring this part of God’s world with her students.

MEET OUR NEW TEACHER: TARA CHRISTIAN (6TH ENGLISH)

About Me: Hello, eager minds and future leaders! I'm Tara Christian, and I am absolutely thrilled to be your 6th-grade English teacher at Trinity Christian School. With boundless enthusiasm and a deep love for stories and teaching, I'm here to inspire, challenge, and encourage each of you on our educational journey together.

Teaching Philosophy: In my classroom, we embrace learning as a thrilling adventure! From diving into the depths of Literature to exploring Grammar and its real-world applications, I believe in fostering a dynamic environment where curiosity thrives, and every question sparks new discoveries.

Education: I earned my Master of Arts in Theology as well as studying for my Master of Arts in English at Liberty University. My passion for Theology and English was ignited and my dedication to inspiring others in their faith took root.

Extracurricular Engagement: Outside of teaching, I love to spend quality time with my husband, Jason, and our three kids, Andrew (20), Katie (18) and Ariel (7). Being creative is my go-to outlet for fun and relaxation. I love to repurpose furniture, paint pictures, sing, act, dance, read, go on new adventures! My family and I attend Peachtree City First Baptist Church, in Peachtree City. We love serving and have a heart for the local church and community.

Personal Touch: When I'm not teaching future leaders, you might find me shopping, reading, creating, or simply spending quality time with my family. I believe in bringing passion into everything I do, both in and out of the classroom.

I am so grateful and thankful that I get to embark on this exciting journey of learning and growth at TCS. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for my students, colleagues, and me this year! Together, we’ll make the 2024-2025 school year an unforgettable adventure of discovery and success!

GO LIONS!!!

MEET OUR NEW TEACHER: STEFANIE CHADEE (6TH AND 7TH GRADE ENGLISH)

“Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be.” - Rita Pierson

Teaching has always been my passion, inspired by my Spanish teacher in Trinidad and Tobago. Growing up in a nuclear family with two siblings, my parents instilled in us the value of ambition and excellence. After attending private school in Trinidad and Tobago, I moved to the USA for higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from Barry University, followed by a master’s degree in Mental Health and Couples Family Marriage Therapy.

Before graduating, I secured a teaching position at NW Christian Academy (NCA), teaching Spanish from K-12th grade, along with Psychology and Middle School Computers. I later taught at Hollywood Christian Academy, covering High School Spanish, Middle School English, and computers. From 2019-2021, I served as an upper school principal and taught various subjects at Calvary Christian Academy.

In addition to my educational career, I joined the Army National Guard in 2012 and currently serve as a Master Sergeant/E8 at the Joint Forces Headquarters in Starke, FL. After boot camp, I returned to NCA as a Middle School Lead Teacher and Academic Enhancement Coordinator. I advanced to become the K-8 Director and Assistant Head of School, teaching multiple subjects. From 2019 to 2021, I served as Head of School, supporting teachers, students, and parents.

My 15 years in education have been marked by rewarding and challenging experiences, engaging students spiritually, mentally, and academically. I cherish the milestones and memories created with students and parents, nurturing their inner creativity and confidence.

Outside of teaching, I enjoy physical fitness, traveling, and reading. Staying connected with former students is a treasured part of my life. I am grateful to God for guiding me to Christ-centered schools, and my life verse, Psalm 3:3, continues to lead me on this journey. I invite my students to walk with me in learning and honoring His name.

MEET OUR NEW TEACHER: CAROL GIBBY (7TH GRADE ENGLISH)

After 35 years of teaching in Fayette County Schools, Carol Gibby is excited to begin a new chapter of her life at Trinity Christian. Specifically, she has taught 8th grade English at Flat Rock Middle School since 1990. She graduated from Georgia State University and has a Master’s Degree in Middle Grades Education. Mrs. Gibby has been married to her husband Norman for 37 years, and they have two grown sons, Joshua who is married to Rosa, and Jonah who is engaged to Kirsten. As a family, they enjoy attending church at Mt. Zion Methodist, singing in the church choir, spending time at the ocean, and traveling in their RV. Mrs. Gibby has traveled to all 50 states and is now working on her goal to see all the national parks. Mrs. Gibby is looking forward to being part of the Trinity family and working with the families and students of TCS. She is honored to be able to share her faith, grow with her students, and deepen their faith in God as they enjoy language arts together.

MEET OUR NEW TEACHER: CARA GROBBELAAR (7TH GRADE CHRISTIAN HISTORY)

Originally from Durban, South Africa, Cara Grobbelaar immigrated to the United States with her dad, mom, and brother in September 2001. The Grobbelaar family became US citizens in 2016. Miss Grobbelaar holds an undergraduate degree from Gordon State College and a Master of Arts in Middle Grades Education from Liberty University. Excited to join the Trinity Christian School team as the 7th-grade Christian History teacher, Miss Grobbelaar is entering her third year in education. She believes that education is the pursuit of truth and strives to show her students the love of Christ in the classroom. She recently got engaged to Miguel Rodriguez and is looking forward to glorifying the Lord through their marriage. Miss Grobbelaar enjoys serving on her church worship team and choir, and both she and Miguel love working with their church’s youth group. Both Cara and Miguel are prayerful and excited for this new journey with the Trinity Lions family!

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR

Don’t forget, your child can earn community service hours this summer that count towards next year’s requirements. As a reminder, middle school students need 10 hours of service prior to May 5, 2025 to receive full credit. You can access the form for recording hours as well as learn more specific information about the requirements here.

Check out suggested options and school-related opportunities below if you are looking for ways that your child can complete the required 10 hours by May 2025. As a reminder, middle school students need 10 hours of service prior to May 5, 2025 to receive full credit. You can access the form for recording hours as well as learn more specific information about the requirements here.

TCS Opportunity #1 - Chapel Setup Team - Would your child like to arrive by 7:30am on Wednesdays to help setup chairs for chapel? Students may complete their required hours by serving each week. Email Wesley Lassiter (wesley.lassiter@tcslions.org) if you would like to sign your child up. Note: Space is limited so signing up does not guarantee a spot. Mr. Lassiter will reach out to you specifically if your child is selected to participate on this team.

TCS Opportunity #2 - Cafeteria Cleaning Team - To help with the transition between lunches, we are looking for volunteers to help clear tables and pick up any remaining trash at the end of lunch each day to ensure our middle schoolers leave the cafeteria in manageable shape for our hard working lunch ladies. Students may complete their required hours by serving each week. Email Wesley Lassiter (wesley.lassiter@tcslions.org) if you would like to sign your child up. Note: Space is limited so signing up does not guarantee a spot. Mr. Lassiter will reach out to you specifically if your child is selected to participate on this team.

SUPPLY LISTS FOR 2024-2025

Check out the most updated supply lists to help prepare your child for the start of the school year.

AUGUST BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS

Mark your calendars for these special days to kickoff the new year. More details to come!

Sunday night, August 4 = WELCOME TO THE ROAR - a block party style event for all of our new and returning TCS families
Monday, August 5 = MEET MY TEACHER DAY - an opportunity to walk through schedules, meet teachers, etc.
Tuesday, August 6 = FIRST DAY OF CLASSES = the new school year begins!

MIDDLE SCHOOL RESOURCES

24/25 SCHOOL CALENDAR: Stay in the know about upcoming breaks and holidays.

THRIVAL GUIDE: Learn more about how to not just survive, but “thrive” during middle school at TCS with thoughts and tips from our team.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM: WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

Principal

Adam Vinson (adam.vinson@tcslions.org)

Director of Academics and Student Development

Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org) - Mrs. McBurnett helps oversee our academic program while also handling discipline.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Kristn Peavy (kristan.peavy@tcslions.org) - Mrs. Peavy provides direction and guidance related to each grade level’s curriculum.

Academic Coordinator

Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org) - Mrs. Lanier oversees our class placement and return-to-academics process for students who have been absent.

Director of Spiritual Development

Wesley Lassiter (wesley.lassiter@tcslions.org) - Mr. Lassister oversees the spiritual development of our student body.

Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 227