Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published December 1, 2024
Volume 244
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We are excited to welcome all of our students back to campus as we kick off the Christmas season! May these next three weeks be filled with opportunities seized to honor the King who has come to take away the sins of the world!
Be sure to reference this week’s Inside the Pride issue, along with the upcoming issues, in order to stay on top of all the Christmas celebrations taking place. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me directly
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
Dec 3 - Progress Learning (Math)
Dec 3 - Chorus Concert
Dec 5 - Coffee with the Principal
Dec 9 - Progress Learning (English)
Dec 9 - Orchestra Concert
Dec 10 - Band Concert
Dec 11 - Discipleship Day
Dec 13 - House Color Day
Dec 17-19 - Exam Week (half days)
Dec 20 - Remote Learning Day
NEWS and NOtes From THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
As we look towards the month of December, here is a quick preview of some of our annual middle school traditions for Christmas that will be coming!
“12 Days until Christmas Break” - Each year, Mr. Vinson surprises our middle schoolers with special treats and privileges that correspond to the number of days remaining until Christmas Break.
Dress Down December - To help raise funds for our various middle school overnight experiences, we offer our middle schoolers the opportunity to wear Crocs and/or pajama pants/sweatpants for the month of December. See below for more details.
DRESS DOWN DECEMBER
Students can pay $25 to wear sweatpants/pajama pants and/or Crocs for the first 2 weeks we are back from Thanksgiving Break (Dec 2-13). Students are required to wear TCS-approved dress code shirts/spirit wear. Use the form sent by Mrs. McBurnett to purchase this dress-down option. All money raised will be used to offset the cost of our middle school overnight experiences this year.
CHRISTMAS WEEK DRESS-DOWN DAYS
In addition to our dress-down option for the first two weeks of December, we will have special dress-down days for the final week before Christmas Break as well.
Check out the schedule below:
Monday, Dec 16 – Rudolph Red or Grinch Green
Tuesday, Dec 17 - Tacky/Ugly Christmas Sweater
Wednesday, Dec 18 - Winter Wonderland (Blue/White)
Thursday, Dec 19 - Christmas Pajamas
You are invited to our 2nd Coffee with the Principal of the school year on Thursday, Dec 5. Mark your calendars now for this time of fellowship and discussion together. Last time we had a chance to discuss spiritual formation, standardized testing, and artificial intelligence. Check out the topics we plan to discuss at this upcoming meeting:
Sage Lunch
Blackbaud
Remote Learning
SIGN UP LINK: Sign up here if you would like to participate in this time of fellowship.
PROGRESS LEARNING MID-YEAR TESTING
When we return from Thanksgiving Break, our students will take their mid-year Progress Learning testing. These tests (Math and English) are designed to measure your child’s learning growth from the beginning of the school year. These same tests will be administered at the end of the year as well to provide additional learning data for your child’s overall performance. Please encourage your child to do their very best on these upcoming tests. Our Math Progress Learning tests will begin on Tuesday, December 3 and our English Progress Learning tests will begin on Monday, December 9.
EXAM WEEK - MID COURSE ASSESSMENTS
As we come to the end of Semester 1, it’s time for us to wrap up each of our classes with our final assessments for the calendar year. Check out our plans for exam week assessments below as we finish out Semester 1. You’ll notice that instead of having a designated “math exam day” we will be testing by periods. Students will report to their normal classroom for each period to take their exams on these days.
December 16 - No Assessments, Exam Review Day
December 17 - Period 1 and Period 2 Exams
December 18 - Period 3 and Period 4 Exams
December 19 - Period 5 and Period 6 Exams
December 20 - Remote Learning Day (Bible Survey Assignment)
DISCIPLESHIP DAY: WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11
Our annual Discipleship Day is coming up on Wednesday, Dec 11. This is one of the best days of the school year, and you do not want your child to miss it. For those who have never had a child participate, here are some important details:
What is Discipleship Day? A day devoted exclusively to spiritual development (discipleship). We cancel all academic classes and intentionally focus on spiritual growth.
What happens on Discipleship Day? Students spend the morning at NCG Theatre where we have rented out multiple auditoriums for special breakout sessions led by guest speakers. Topics will focus on spiritual maturity, personal identity and handling tragedy. We are excited about this year’s lineup and the speakers who are coming!
What does it cost? It’s free unless you want to purchase popcorn and a drink! All other costs related to the day are covered. We will be sending out a form soon if you would like to purchase concessions at NCG as part of the day.
DISCIPLESHIP DAY POPCORN
Don’t forget to sign up for popcorn and a drink for Discipleship Day. Combos cost $10 and are refillable. Use the Blackbaud form sent out by Mrs. McBurnett last week to make your purchase.
OPTIONAL EARLY DISMISSAL REMINDER
We will be offering optional half-day dismissals starting on Tuesday, Dec 17 through Thurs, Dec 19 at 12:30pm. Students may remain at school if you choose as we will plan to run a second dismissal at 3:00pm. Students who are not picked up after the second dismissal will be sent to after-school like normal. More details will be coming in the next few weeks, but we wanted to go ahead and let you plan accordingly for the option that will serve your family best that last week of school before Christmas Break.
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!
Weekly Updates and Information
THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL
Pastor Eric, youth pastor at Palmetto Baptist Church, shared with the students from Luke 17:11-19. The students were challenged to believe that God is the master of our situations. He shared that Jesus will close the distance that sin has caused, obedience causes restoration, Jesus sees you, and to find the feet of Jesus.
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.
Returning next 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.
Matthew 7:12 - The Golden Rule
v. 12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you,
do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
For Middle School Only:
Distinction Requirements:
Matthew 7:11 – If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.
6th Grade - Memorize v. 11
7th Grade - Memorize v. 11 and quiz with no blanks
8th Grade - Memorize v. 11, quiz with no blanks and write application paragraph
DECEMBER 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: Pop Quiz
Principle: Tests are proving grounds for growth.
Lesson Summary: Leaders experience tests as they mature. These tests range from motive checks, to authority tests, to integrity checks. They reveal the leader’s potential and maturity and are a pathway to progress.
7th Monthly Habitude: The Gardener’s Job
Principle: A gardener's job is to nurture the development of his plants.
Lesson Summary: Like gardeners, good leaders center their agendas on growing team members. Leaders are to be good mentors and invest their lives in others. Their key job is not doing programs or distributing products, but developing people.
8th Monthly Habitude: Destination vs. The Trip
Principle: People can be divided into two groups: those who are in it only to reach a goal and those who just enjoy the journey. Both attitudes are good. Once you choose the right destination, the journey can become part of the satisfaction.
Lesson Summary: Have you ever noticed that some people are really into their goals while others are only into living from day to day just enjoying the journey? I believe both lifestyles are important, but it's difficult to balance the two. Some people believe in the journey and somehow find satisfaction in conquering day-to-day challenges. I believe one could do this because they are so convinced that their goals are worthwhile. All the setbacks, hurdles and barriers do not deter from your goal. The stumbling blocks become stepping stones. The obstacles become opportunities. The problems become possibilities.
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.