Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published March 23, 2025
Volume 258
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We hope you enjoyed the long weekend! Please make sure your child returns to school this week with their English remote learning work completed to avoid any late penalties.
Our Stanford 10 standardized testing will take place this week! Please make sure to have your child present on Thursday and Friday, March 27-28. Students will take this norm-referenced test to show growth and mastery of skills and content in comparison to a national standard.
Help your child succeed this week!
Please arrive ON TIME to reduce the disruptions of entering the testing room late.
Make sure your child charges their Chromebook each night.
Get plenty of sleep and eat a nutritious breakfast.
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 24 - Q3 Report Cards published
Mar 27-28 - Standardized Testing Days
Apr 1-3 - 7th Grade Ark Trip
Apr 4 - House Color Day
Apr 7-11 - Spring Break
Apr 17 - Apologetics Day
Apr 18 - Good Friday holiday
NEWS and NOtes From THE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Q3 REPORT CARDS
As a reminder, report cards will be viewable tomorrow (Monday, 3/24) after the school day ends. Please take time to review your child’s progress over the past 9 weeks and encourage your child with the upcoming 9 weeks, too.
If you have any questions or concerns related to viewing your child’s report card, please reach out to Mrs. McBurnett.
MIDDLE SCHOOL DEVOTIONAL STUDY
We are in full swing with our Easter devotional study and would love for you to help encourage your child to stay up with their reading over these 40 days. Check out the schedule below for this week to help encourage your child’s participation.
Sunday, March 23 - DAY 12
Monday, March 24 - DAY 13
Tuesday, March 25 - DAY 14
Wednesday, March 26 - DAY 15
Thursday, March 27 - DAY 16
Friday, March 28 - DAY 17
Remember, our devotional study will be ongoing through Easter Sunday!
7TH GRADE OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCE
Don’t forget that our 7th graders have their upcoming trip to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum in Kentucky on April 1-3. Students who are attending the trip should arrive at the NCG Theatre parking lot by 7:30 am on Tuesday, April 1. Students who are not attending the trip will remain home for the week.
*Students will not be required to attend school on Friday, April 4 due to the late return time from the trip on Thursday, April 3.
APOLOGETICS DAY: APRIL 17
Only a few short weeks until Apologetics Day! We can’t wait to see all that the Lord has in store for this special day of spiritual development. Check out some of the exciting topics we will be looking at in more detail over the course of the day!
What is a worldview?
Is Jesus the only way to heaven?
How do we know the resurrection really happened?
What happens when Jesus comes back?
Did the Ice Age happen and how does that fit into the book of Genesis?
Can we know if God truly exists?
Please mark your calendars now and do all you can to have your child present for this day!
REGISTRATION Q&A WITH MRS. HUTCHESON
If you still have questions about registration, please drop by to see Mrs. Hutcheson in the Student Lounge (Building 5) on March 26 or 27. She will be available 8:30 - 9:30 am & 12:30 - 2:30 pm each day.
Weekly Updates and Information
THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mr Tipton, 12th grade Bible, shared from Exodus 20:7. He challenged the students to understand before we can know how to live for Jesus, we must remember who He is. We know God by way of who He has revealed Himself to be in name and promises. Once we understand God is worthy of worship, we live for Jesus by cultivating spiritual disciplines in our lives to regularly worship His name. The students were encouraged to practice patterns of reading God’s Word, praying, meditating, and memorizing God’s Word.
LIONS OF THE WEEK
6th Grade - Ronan Holsenback
7th Grade - Sevilla Shabani
8th Grade - Cameron Fader
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.
Hebrews 10:23-24
v. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. v. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.
For Middle School Only:
Distinction Requirements:
Hebrews 10:25 – not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
6th Grade - Memorize v. 25
7th Grade - Memorize v. 25 and quiz with no blanks
8th Grade - Memorize v. 25, quiz with no blanks and write application paragraph
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.