Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published July 13, 2025
Volume 269
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
As we look towards the start of the 2025-2026 school year, I want to personally invite you to two of our kickoff events. On Sunday, August 3, we will have our Welcome to the Roar celebration, complete with blow-ups, food options, etc. This is always a great way to celebrate the start of all the LORD has in store for the coming year. In addition, on August 5, we will have our Meet the Teacher orientation day. This is a great opportunity to come walk your child’s schedule, meet teachers, etc. Please note the specific time slots of your family below. We look forward to seeing you in a few short weeks!
AUGUST BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS
Mark your calendars for these special days to kickoff the new year. More details to come!
Sunday night, August 4 = WELCOME TO THE ROAR - a block party style event for all of our new and returning TCS families (6-8pm with new families invited at 5pm)
Monday, August 5 = MEET MY TEACHER DAY - an opportunity to walk through schedules, meet teachers, etc.
Families with last name A-L = 9:30-11:30am (drop-in time slot)
Families with last name M-Z = 1:30-3:30pm (drop-in time slot)
Tuesday, August 6 = FIRST DAY OF CLASSES = the 25-26 school year begins!
MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM INTRODUCTIONS
We are thankful to have our same administrative team back this year, albeit with updated titles and more specific responsibilities to help serve you and your family.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Tiffany McBurnett - Mrs. McBurnett is entering her 15th year at Trinity and has served in an assistant principal-type role for several years without the official title. Mrs. McBurnett assists Mr. Vinson in the day-to-day operations of the middle school while also overseeing support services related to behavior, conflict management and discipline for our student body.
ACADEMIC DEAN: Kristan Peavy - Mrs. Peavy is entering her 6th year at Trinity and has served the last several years in the area of curriculum and instruction. Mrs. Peavy oversees our middle school academic program, working closely with our teachers to ensure both our curriculum and instruction is appropriately biblical and rigorous.
DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC SERVICES: Melissa Lanier - Mrs. Lanier is entering her 14th year at Trinity and has served in the area of student academic programs since last year. Mrs. Lanier oversees academic services that enhance curriculum, instruction and student achievement including, but not limited to, honors placement, field trip activities, and return to academics.
DIRECTOR OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: Wesley Lassiter - Mr. Lassiter is entering his 5th year at Trinity and has served as an 8th grade Bible teacher since last year. Mr. Lassiter oversees the spiritual programs and discipleship initiatives within our student body including, but not limited to, chapel programming, small groups, and Bible studies.
DIRECTOR OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT: Jenn Opsahl - Mrs. Opsahl is entering her 9th year at Trinity and has served in our skills development program since being hired. Mrs. Opsahl oversees the programs designed to support students with learning challenges.
DRESS CODE AND NEW SPIRIT WEAR OPTIONS
As you shop this summer, make sure the items you purchase align with our approved dress code for next year.
Check out our DRESS CODE OVERVIEW to refresh yourself on the guidelines.
*New Middle School Spiritwear* - Our spiritual theme for the 2025-2026 school year will be “Bold as a Lion”. To help reinforce this theme, we will be selling both t-shirts and sweatshirts with the design below. Purchase your very own “Bold as a Lion” shirt here.
While not required, middle school students are encouraged to wear either the “Bold as a Lion” t-shirt or sweatshirt to chapel each week.
8TH GRADE RETREAT: SNOWBIRD WILDERNESS OUTFITTERS
For all of our rising 8th graders, mark your calendars now for our annual 8th-grade retreat to Andrews, NC. This is a memorable event each year and is used to launch our spiritual development for 8th grade.
WHEN? - Sept 3-5
WHERE? - Snowbird Outfitters in Andrews, NC (www.swoutfitters.com)
COST? - $210 (includes transportation, food, recreation)
DRESS CODE AND NEW SPIRIT WEAR OPTIONS
*UPDATE* ON CLASS SCHEDULES FOR 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR
Student schedules are under development throughout the month of July as we seek to accommodate all of the submitted requests. We plan to release student schedules by Tuesday, July 29.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Are you looking for ways that your child can complete their required 10 hours? Check out the options below.
Chapel Setup Team - We are looking for volunteers who will commit to setting up chairs for chapel each Wednesday morning. Students who serve on this team will need to arrive by 7:30am. Students who serve on this team will also fulfill the required 10 hours for the school year.
Cafeteria Clean Up Team - We are looking for volunteers who will commit to staying behind a few extra minutes each day after being dismissed from lunch to assist our cafeteria workers with table clean up. Students who serve on this team will fulfill the required 10 hours for the school year.
If your child would like to volunteer for either team, please email our Director of Spiritual Development, Mr. Lassiter, at wesley.lassiter@tcslions.org.
IMPORTANT BACK-TO-SCHOOL DATES
Check out our SCHOOL CALENDAR
Sunday, Aug 3: Welcome to the Roar
Monday, Aug 4: Meet the Teacher Day
Tuesday, Aug 5: 1st Day of Classes
Aug 29: Remote Learning Day
Sept 1: Labor Day (No School)
Sept 3-5: 8th Grade Retreat to Snowbird
MIDDLE SCHOOL RESOURCES
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CHECK OUT THE HELPFUL TOOLS BELOW REGARDING
THE 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR
UNIFORM POLICY - Note the minor changes/adjustments for this year.
SUMMER READING CHALLENGE
This is an optional program for students to maintain and improve their reading skills. Students who choose to complete the challenge will receive a mystery prize in August.
SUMMER MATH CHALLENGE
Check out this letter if your child is entering 6th grade, or check out this letter. f your child is entering 7th or 8th grade regarding suggested math resources this summer.
SUPPLY LISTS FOR 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR
We are almost finished finalizing these lists with our new teachers, but go ahead and start purchasing the items listed if you want to get a jumpstart with upcoming sales. No items will be removed, but some additional items may be added over the next week.
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION PACKET - Helpful for rising 6th graders and all new 7th and 8th graders, but also a good refresher for all returning students too.
COMMUNITY SERVICE FORM - Reminder that all middle schoolers are required to completed 10 hours of service by May 2026
MIDDLE SCHOOL THRIVAL GUIDE - Don’t just survive middle school, help your child THRIVE during these years! Check out the helpful guide assembled by our TCS staff based on years of middle school experience.
OUR TEAM IS HERE TO HELP!
Principal: Adam Vinson (adam.vinson@tcslions.org)
Assistant Principal: Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
Academic Dean: Kristan Peavy (kristan.peavy@tcslions.org)
Director of Academic Services: Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org)
Director of Spiritual Development: Wesley Lassiter (wesley.lassiter@tcslions.org)
Director of Skills Development: Jenn Opsahl (jennifer.opsahl@tcslions.org)