Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published March 2, 2025
Volume 255
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We have 2 weeks remaining until the end of Quarter 3, and we are praying that each of our students finishes this 9-week period by doing their very best. Please encourage your student to “fill it to the brim” by turning in assignments on time, studying appropriately each evening, and working hard to engage in each class. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s performance, please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher(s) as we are happy to help!
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
Mar 4-7 - 8th Grade Disney Trip
Mar 10 - Spring Picture Day
(wear spring attire - details to come)
Mar 13 - House Color Day
Mar 14 - End of Q3
Mar 17 - St Patrick’s Day Dress Down
(wear green with dress code pants/shorts)
Mar 21 - Remote Learning Day
Mar 27-28 - Standardized Testing Days
Apr 1-3 - 7th Grade Ark Trip
NEWS and NOtes From THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
6th and 7th-grade parents, as we make plans for next year, please consider giving us feedback about clubs you would like to see offered at the middle school level. We appreciate the insight you can share about your child’s interests and look forward to partnering with you on new offerings for 2025-2026.
ENROLLMENT FOR 2025-2026
We are quickly filling up in several grades for next year, and we don’t want any great, potential families to miss out. If you have friends or family who may be interested in TCS for the 2025-2026 school year, please encourage them to APPLY NOW! The LORD has great things in store for next year, and we believe the best additions to our student body are often the ones connected to YOU.
Spring Picture Day
Monday, March 10 will be our annual Spring Picture Day. Students may wear appropriate Spring attire for these pictures.
What to wear?
Attire Guidelines
Spring attire within dress code guidelines may be worn or uniforms/spirit wear
Skirts and dresses must be dress code length
No crop tops, no spaghetti straps
Tops must have at least a 3-finger width size strap.
The following should NOT be worn: flip flops, tank tops, strapless or low cut tops.
No leggings
Jeans are fine, no rips or tears
8TH GRADE ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT WORKSHOP
In preparation for the upcoming course registration week for the 2025-2026 school year, the high school counseling department will be hosting an informational workshop for all 8th-grade students and parents on Tuesday, March 18th at 6:30 pm in the Student Center of Building 1. At this workshop, our team will discuss best practices for high school course selection, the benefits of Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, HOPE scholarship information and more. CLICK HERE to sign up for this workshop.
Weekly Updates and Information
THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL
Pastor Huggins, SouthCrest Church, shared with the students from Galatians 2:11-21 on living for Jesus. The students were challenged to live like the gospel is for everyone, live like their actions matter, and live for Christ because Christ lives within them. The reaction of Peter served as a challenge to think about the way we treat others and minister to others around us.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
6th Grade - Coleigh Bishop
7th Grade - Cooper Ware
8th Grade - Addie Cherry
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.
Psalm 119:9-11
v. 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
v. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
v. 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
MARCH 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: Discipline Bridge
Principle: Personal discipline is the bridge to the goal.
Lesson Summary: Leaders don’t build character without crossing the bridge of discipline. Personal discipline is like a bridge that crosses from where you are to where you want to be. It gets you where you want to go.
7th Monthly Habitude: Tightrope Walker
Principle: It is easy to watch a tightrope walker- it's another thing to climb on his back.
Lesson Summary: It's easy to watch a tightrope walker; it's another thing to trust in him enough to climb on his back. Our world is full of people who don't trust others. Good leaders build trust through competence. They recognize the difference between being liked as a friend and being followed as a leader.
8th Monthly Habitude: Baggage Fees
Principle: Most cars have a space to store luggage, but you can only fit so much. Having too much baggage can weigh you down. We must discard our baggage to allow us to move forward.
Lesson Summary: If you carry emotional baggage with you, you are inviting problems. Unresolved conflicts, anger, relationship struggles at home, addictions, lack of forgiveness between you and a friend, insecurities, jealousy... These all count as excess baggage, and you can be sure they will weigh you down. In fact, they’re going to cost you. Like a vacation, or like almost any flight you take, the baggage makes your trip cluttered and costly.
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.