Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published August 11, 2024
Volume 228
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
What a great start to the new school year! We had a blast at our Welcome to the Roar and Meet the Teacher days and our first week of classes have gone so smoothly as well. We are overjoyed to have your students back on campus and are already seeing the LORD working and moving amongst them.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if I can do anything for your child or your family
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
NEWS IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
RIDING HOME WITH A FRIEND?
If your student will be going home with another student during dismissal, please send an email to receptionist@tcslions.org OR tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org.
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.
We are still able to make some adjustments and changes to your child’s schedule, but please be sure to communicate those desires this week as we are now getting into the normal content for each class. If you need to explore a specific change, please email Kristan Peavy (kristan.peavy@tcslions.org), our Director of Curriculum and Instruction, ASAP so we can get those fixed for you.
Note: We will start electives this week. Our drop/add period for electives will end on Friday, August 30. If your child desires to make an elective change, please follow the same process by emailing Mrs. Peavy (kristan.peavy@tcslions.org).
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 Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@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 Melissa Lanier (Return to Academics Coordinator) so we can best determine a makeup plan for your child. Mrs. Lanier 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.
CHECK OUT OUR THRIVAL GUIDE
We have taken years of experience in the TCS middle school and compiled suggested ways to ensure your child THRIVES during these 3 years.
HOUSE REBRANDING: THE NEE HOUSE
We have chosen to rebrand the Nee House from purple to orange to give our students more variety when it comes to dressing up for our House Color days. Stay tuned for the date of our first House Color day and for options to purchase house shirts if interested. Note: Your child’s house assignment is connected to their D-Group on their schedule. Be sure to check it out.
Elliot House - GREEN
Lewis House - RED
Nee House - ORANGE
Robinson House - BLUE
Wycliffe House - BLACK
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.
Students who arrive in the mornings with drinks must finish the drink prior to coming to class. Drinks may NOT be stored in lockers. This includes Starbucks and Chick-fil-a drinks. We saw an increase in spilled drinks in both the classrooms and lockers last year which resulted in other students’ items being damaged. Sealed water bottles are still allowed in the classrooms.
POTENTIAL CHANGE COMING: STANLEY CUPS
While we understand that Stanley Cups are a popular choice for transporting water to school, we have seen an increased amount of spills in hallways, classrooms and the gym as a result. We are closely monitoring the amount of cleanup our staff is required to do as we start the new school year. If the problems continue, we may have to require Stanley cups to be left at home. Please encourage your child to exercise caution and responsibility if they are currently bringing one of these cups to school each day.
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)
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
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.
RESOURCES AND INFORMATION:
THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mr. Vinson kicked off the school year by drawing our students to Esther 1. In this passage we learn that King Ahasuerus spent 180 days drawing the attention of the kingdom to his greatness. In contrast, Mr. Vinson challenged our students and staff to spend our own 180 days of the school pointing others to the greatness and goodness of our own King, Jesus Christ!
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.
Beginning this week
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.
Romans 8:28
v. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Distinction Requirements:
Romans 8:29 – For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
6th Grade - Memorize v. 29
7th Grade - Memorize v. 29 and quiz with no blanks
8th Grade - Memorize v. 29, quiz with no blanks and write application paragraph
AUGUST 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: The Iceberg
Principle: Influence is 10% skill, 90% character
Lesson Summary: The Iceberg represents your leadership. The 10% above the water is your skill. The 90% below the water is your character. It’s what’s below the surface that sinks the ship.
7th Monthly Habitude: Hosts and Guests
Principle: Leaders are intentional in relationships.
Lesson Summary: Leaders take the initiative in relationships. They are intentional about them. They see themselves as hosts, not guests, and they go out of their way to connect with people and provide for them.
8th Monthly Habitude: Compass or GPS
Principle: What Kind of Person are you ? A Compass Person or a GPS Person
Lesson Summary: A GPS or Google Maps are only helpful if you are on paved roads. If you are entering new areas, you need a compass that shows you true north. Similarly, we need values that provide direction when we enter new territory.
HOUSE SYSTEM COMPETITION
Check out who is leading the competition at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.
SUPPLY LISTS FOR 2024-2025
Check out the most updated supply lists to help prepare your child for the start of the school year.
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.