Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published September 1, 2024
Volume 231
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Did you know we have an honor code we seek to hold our students to? In order to create a thriving environment, we need an atmosphere of trust and respect for each other. Check out the following expectations, which are also found in our student handbook, and help reinforce them at home with your child.
Personal honor and integrity are basic human responsibilities. To maintain a community of trust and mutual respect between teacher and student, the TCS middle school student is expected to demonstrate RESPECT to the school, faculty and other students by adhering to the following honor code.
The TCS middle schooler will not lie by seeking to always tell the truth.
What is lying? Lying is the intentional falsification or denial of fact, the intentional creation of a false impression, or the breaking of a pledge.
The TCS middle schooler will not cheat by always striving to do his or her own work.
What is cheating? Cheating is giving, receiving, or attempting to give or receive unauthorized help that could result in an unfair advantage in completing school work, tests, and exams. Plagiarism, or the representation of another's work as one's own, is a form of cheating and is not tolerated.
The TCS middle schooler will not steal by always seeking to respect the property of others.
What is stealing? Stealing is the taking of anything without the consent of the owner. This includes “borrowing” books from other students’ lockers without their permission.
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
UPCOMING MIDDLE SCHOOL DATES
Sept 2 - Labor Day Holiday
Sept 4-6 - 8th Retreat to Snowbird
Sept 9-13 - Homecoming Week (Parade - Sept 9)
Sept 19 - Family Night (No Homework/Studying)
Sept 24 - House Color Day
Oct 18 - 6th/7th Day Retreat to Camp Rockridge
NEWS and NOtes From THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
REMOTE LEARNING work due
Don’t forget, your child’s remote learning work is due on Tuesday when we return to school. This work will be counted as a graded assignment and will appear in the gradebook. Please make sure your child’s math remote learning work is completed. Late penalties will apply if not turned in on Tuesday.
8TH GRADE RETREAT
Our 8th graders will be heading to Andrews, NC on Wednesday. Please remember that students are to be dropped off at NCG Theatre starting at 7:30 am. We will also return to NCG Theatre on Friday around 2:30 pm (pending traffic). Please reference the email sent by Mrs. Lanier for items to bring, a Remind app sign-up, and more!
NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR AVAILABLE
Check out this year’s spirit wear options designed by our middle school team. You can order t-shirts and hoodies through the link below.
NEED A HOUSE COLOR SHIRT TOO?
We have you covered with a link to shirts for Elliot, Lewis, Nee, Robinson, and Wycliffe as well. This includes our newly rebranded orange Nee house shirt!
HOMECOMING SPIRIT WEEK DRESS CODE GUIDELINES:
As you start planning your homecoming week outfits, please use the guidelines below to ensure your creativity is appropriate for the school day.
As a reminder for this week, in conjunction with our student handbook, we are asking for male and female students to refrain from dressing as the opposite gender as part of the homecoming week activities. Thank you so much for your help and compliance.
THEME DAYS:
Monday - ‘Merica Day - Note: Politically charged costumes will NOT be allowed (no items supporting a candidate, no costumes to depict a candidate, etc)
Tuesday - City vs. Country
Wednesday - Night In vs. Night Out
Thursday - Disney Day
Friday - Spirit Day
Specific Guidelines:
Shorts can be worn but must meet the dress code guidelines of mid-thigh.
Skirts can be worn but must meet dress code requirements..
Leggings may be worn ONLY with a top that meets the length requirement for shorts. (and fits the theme for the day)
Holes/rips/tears in jeans should not be above the knee.
Spaghetti straps or tank tops are not allowed.
Mesh or see-thru tops are not allowed.
Crop tops are not allowed. All shirts should at least touch the top of the pants, shorts, skirts, etc…
Any low cut or low v-neck cut shirts must have modest camisole underneath.
Open toe/back shoes/sandals are permitted for this week only.
Hats may be worn all week.
Full spandex bodysuits are not permitted.
If your student chooses to not participate in dressing up for spirit week, they need to be in regular dress code attire.
GENERAL RULE: If you have concerns about your outfit..it may be best to pick out something else to wear.
HOUSE FOCUS: THE NEE HOUSE
Our House System at TCS is designed to introduce our elementary and middle school students to important historical Christian figures who exhibit character qualities that we hope to see exemplified in our own student body as well.
This past week, we focused on the NEE HOUSE.
Character Trait to Remember :
DO WHAT IS RIGHT EVEN WHEN IT IS COSTLY
Who was Watchman Nee? Watchman Nee, or Nee Shu-tsu, was an extremely intelligent, influential Christian leader and teacher in China. He was arrested for the sake of the gospel, falsely sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment, and ultimately died in prison.
Learn more about Watchman Nee by watching the video we showed in chapel this week.
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 = Maddox Roth
7th Grade = Addison Porter
8th Grade = Gracie Smelley
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.
I John 1:5-6
v. 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
SEPTEMBER 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: Thermostat and Thermometer
Principle: Leaders set the tone for those around them.
Lesson Summary: People are either thermometers or thermostats. They will merely reflect the climate around them, or they will set it. Leaders develop values and principles to live by and set the tone for others.
7th Monthly Habitude: The Talking Stick
Principle: Listen and empathize before you lead.
Lesson Summary: The Talking Stick reminds us that before we lead we must listen. Leaders seek to understand the perspective of others before they communicate their own points. They show empathy and ask good questions. As a result, they earn the right to be heard.
8th Monthly Habitude: Gas Tank: Half-Full or Half-Empty?
Principle: Personal discipline is used to not only manage unnecessary stress but also to lower stress levels and improve everyday life while feeling personal gain from fulfilling a need, desire, or accomplishment.
Lesson Summary: It’s an age-old question: Is it half-empty or half-full? The answer is both, depending on whether you’re emptying it or filling it. In life, we must replace discontentment, where we see things as half-empty, with dissatisfaction, where we strive to fill things more.
HOUSE SYSTEM COMPETITION
Check out who is leading the competition at www.tcshouses.weebly.com.
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.
MIDDLE SCHOOL HELPFUL LINKS AND REMINDERS
24/25 SCHOOL CALENDAR - Stay in the know about upcoming breaks and holidays.
PRE-ABSENCE FORM - Submit pre-planned absences 5 days ahead of time for approval.
COMMUNITY SERVICE FORM - 10 service hours are due by May 2024.
DRESS CODE OVERVIEW - Check out this year’s guidelines.
IT HELP DESK LINK - If your child has an issue with their Chromebook, submit a ticket.
THRIVAL GUIDE - Learn more about how to not just survive, but “thrive” during middle school at TCS with thoughts and tips from our team.
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.
IS YOUR CHILD SICK OR ABSENT?
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.
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.
NEED TO ACCESS 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.