Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published January 26, 2025
Volume 250
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We are looking forward to a bit of normalcy with this upcoming week as we return to school. What a blessing the extra rest was during our recent snow days! As we kick off a new week, don’t forget to make sure your child returns with all of their recent remote learning work complete. Let’s finish out the month of January strong!
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
Jan 28 - 8th Grade Coweta Works Day
Feb 7 - Super Bowl Dress Down Day
(wear your favorite team jersey)
Feb 10 - House Color Day
NEWS and NOtes From THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
TCS Middle School competed online in The Great History Challenge in December. They were quizzed on American, Modern, and Ancient History. 15 of our students scored high enough to advance to the Regional Level of competition at North Gwinnett Middle School on February 27th. Emma DePreist showed off all of her history knowledge with the highest score at TCS! We are so proud of these students as they continue to "Fill it to the Brim"! Go Lions!
6th Grade
Everett Adams
Emma DePriest
Jane Kumagai
Cole Rhodes
Sutton Skrine
7th Grade
Benjamin Colvin
Julian Diaz Yapor
Nicholas Litzenberger
Parker Reagan
Ian Stewart
8th Grade
Amber Blalock
Cameron Fader
Cooper Gallaway
Jack Lester
Colton Withrow
YOU’RE INVITED: COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPAL
We are excited to host our 3rd “Coffee with the Principal” for this school year! Our next gathering is scheduled for Thursday, February 13 at 8:15am. Mark your calendars and plan to join if you are able. Topics of discussion will include:
Semester 2 Events - What special activities and trips are planned for the Spring Semester?
Clubs - What challenges have we faced with clubs and how might we overcome those challenges in order to offer more clubs next school year?
2025-2026 Ideas - Speaking of next school year, as we think through adjustments and improvements for next year, what would you like to see added or emphasized in anticipation of 2025-2026?
Want to join us for this time of fellowship and discussion? SIGN UP HERE
COWETA WORKS DAY
On Tuesday, January 28th the 8th graders will attend Cowate Works at the CEC. Coweta Works is a high-energy, hands-on, interactive expo with activities across nine career worlds. The expo will showcase careers to eighth graders through engaging activities. As a result, students will receive information about many technical education pathways to become workforce-ready graduates.
The students will be bussed over after their lunch. The 8th-grade teachers and representatives of Coweta Works will escort students to the various career exhibits. The students will then travel back to the TCS campus in time for normal dismissal.
Weekly Updates and Information
THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL
Returning next week
LIONS OF THE WEEK
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.
Romans 12:1-2a
v. 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. v. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
For Middle School Only:
Distinction Requirements:
Romans 12:2b – that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
6th Grade - Memorize v. 2b
7th Grade - Memorize v. 2b and quiz with no blanks
8th Grade - Memorize v. 2b, quiz with no blanks and write application paragraph
JANUARY 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 Starving Baker
Principle: Leaders feed themselves for personal growth.
Lesson Summary: This is a common hazard for leaders. We’re like the baker who spends so much time baking bread for others, we forget to eat ourselves. Leaders must feed themselves for personal growth.
7th Monthly Habitude: The Velvet Covered Brick
Principle: Leaders are relational, but firm in their beliefs.
Lesson Summary: Good leaders possess both strength and sensitivity. They are tough and tender. They are soft on the outside (relational), but firm as a brick on the inside (principle-centered). Because they are emotionally secure, they're able to handle confrontation and conflict in a healthy way.
8th Monthly Habitude: Windshields and Rear View Mirrors
Principle: Everyone focuses on something - the past or the future. Where does your energy come from? When our dreams are bigger than our memories, we gain energy from the hope that lies ahead. Often we must let go of the comfort from our past to make progress.
Lesson Summary: This Habitude is not simply about letting go of the past. It is important to sustain friendships we've made along the way. We should be grateful for fun memories and good times. Our past will always help shape our future. But sometimes, the past can hold us back. If our memories are more important than our dreams, we are in trouble. If we prefer to look in the rearview mirror instead of the windshield, we'll get stuck and maybe wreck. Holding onto the comfort of our past can keep us from grabbing the adventure that lies in our future.
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.