Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published December 15, 2024
Volume 246
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We are wrapping up Semester 1 in just a few short days and then it’s 2 weeks of Christmas Break! It has been an incredible school year so far, and we are so thankful to our King for all the ways He has provided and blessed us throughout Quarters 1 and 2. We are looking forward to a strong finish with final activities this week. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any final questions or concerns.
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 17-19 - Exam Week (half days)
Dec 20 - Remote Learning Day
NEWS and NOtes From THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
lAST 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
PROGRESS LEARNING MID-YEAR TESTING
In our English and Math courses, we have been tracking your child's academic progress in a variety of ways. One way we track academic progress in these core areas is through Progress Learning Benchmark assessments in August, December, and May.
We want you to be aware of your child's academic progress. Your child's December Progress Learning Benchmark score will be posted by next Friday, December 20th in the course's gradebook for this quarter. The score does not impact the student's grade.
Please see the email from Kristan Peavy for guidance on Progress Learning Benchmark target scores for August, December, and May.
After checking the "December Progress Learning Benchmark" in the grade book, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email kristan.peavy@tcslions.org, and she will be happy to answer any questions.
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)
This Tuesday through Thursday only (12/17, 12/18, 12/19) our 6th, 7th, and 8th graders will be going to the High School Building #5 for lunch. To access the daily menu, simply click the button below, select “High School Winter 24/25”, then “Lunch”, and the applicable date in the drop down menus.
DISCIPLESHIP DAY RECAP
We had another amazing Discipleship Day this year, and we are so thankful for all the guest speakers who came to pour into our student body!
Morning Breakouts
Students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade were challenged in the following topics:
IDENTITY: Who did God create me to be?
MATURITY: How do I live faithfully as a middle schooler?
TRAGEDY: Where is God when things go wrong in my life?
Afternoon Chapel
Students were instructed from II Samuel 23 regarding the story of David’s mighty men who went to great lengths to serve and care for Him. As an application, students were challenged to do the following:
Surround themselves with people who can encourage and push them to be faithful.
Learn to discern the needs of others and seek to serve them well.
Live in a way that others are drawn to worship because of your life.
Q/A Session
To close out the day, our Bible department answered questions related to practical Christian living. Check out the questions we discussed.
How can we know if we are truly saved?
How should we handle anxiety and worry?
Why is being a part of a church so important?
What does the Bible say about cussing?
How do I determine God’s will for my life?
DISMISSAL DETAILS FOR OPTIONAL HALF DAYS
As we look towards next week’s dismissal process, please review the important information below as it relates to Tuesday, Dec 17, Wednesday, Dec 18 and Thursday, Dec 19.
1st Dismissal will begin at 12:30pm. Please note the office will close at 12:15pm in anticipation of the heavy dismissal load during that time.
The office will reopen at the conclusion of the 12:3opm dismissal.
High schoolers will be released at 12:15pm but will not be permitted to pick their sibling up until 12:30pm.
Students needing to be picked up after the 12:30pm dismissal, but before the 3:00pm dismissal will need to be checked out from the front office.
2nd Dismissal will begin at 3:00pm and will run no longer than 3:30pm. Students who are not picked up by 3:30pm will be sent to After School/Extended Day.
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
Students were instructed from II Samuel 23 regarding the story of David’s mighty men who went to great lengths to serve and care for Him. As an application, students were challenged to do the following:
Surround themselves with people who can encourage and push them to be faithful.
Learn to discern the needs of others and seek to serve them well.
Live in a way that others are drawn to worship because of your life.
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 - Aspen Bell
7th Grade - Weldon Dockery
8th Grade - Yanmiwa Ajayi
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.
John 10:10
v. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
For Middle School Only:
Distinction Requirements:
John 10:9 – I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.
6th Grade - Memorize v. 9
7th Grade - Memorize v. 9 and quiz with no blanks
8th Grade - Memorize v. 9, 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.