Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 270

Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School

Published July 20, 2025

Volume 270

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

The countdown is on for the start of the 25-26 school year! In just one week we will be welcoming all of our teachers and staff back on campus. We are so excited about what this upcoming year will hold, and we are looking forward to seeing all the LORD will do in the lives of our students.  Please join us in praying for this new school year as our hope and desire is that God will use every moment of every day to point our students to the hope found only in Jesus Christ.. May all of our planning and preparation be for His glory as we use these 180 days of school to make much of Him!

AUGUST BACK TO SCHOOL EVENTS

Mark your calendars for these special days to kickoff the new year. More details to come!

  • Sunday night, August 3 = WELCOME TO THE ROAR - a block party style event for all of our new and returning TCS families  (6:00-8:00pm with new families invited at 5:00pm)

  • Monday, August 4 = 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 5 = FIRST DAY OF CLASSES = the 25-26 school year begins!

MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND BELOW!

MEET MY TEACHER: SHOULD I COME?

Meet My Teacher Day is important because it is more than just a chance to meet your child’s teachers! Check out the checklist below regarding all you need to accomplish on this day prior to classes beginning.

***Dress Code - Normal school day attire expected***

MEET MY TEACHER CHECKLIST (Click to view)

LOCKER ASSIGNMENTS: You will pick up your child’s locker assignment in the gym.

  • Families with last name beginning with A-L = 9:30-11:30am (drop-in time slot)

  • Families with last name beginning with M-Z = 1:30-3:30pm (drop-in time slot)

*UPDATE* ON CLASS SCHEDULES FOR 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR

Student schedules are currently being finalized, and we still anticipate releasing student schedules on Tuesday, July 29. In the meantime, check out our teaching team below for middle school this year.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHING TEAMS FOR 2025-2026

6th Grade

  • Mrs. Abby Akins (Science)

  • Mrs. Brandie Brown (Math)

  • Mrs. Tara Christian and Ms. Stefanie Chadee (English)

  • Mr. Harris Veal (History)

  • Mr. Nick Wrenn and Mrs. Wendy Peters (Bible)

7th Grade

  • Mrs. Amber Hasty and Mrs. Stephanie Spencer (Science)

  • Mrs. Carlie Burdette and Mrs. Millie Smith (Math)

  • Mrs. Carol Gibby (English)

  • Mr. Dylan Higgins (History)

  • Mr. Tyson Moore (Bible)

8th Grade

  • Mrs. Amber Hasty and Mrs. Stephanie Spencer (Science)

  • Ms. Paige Whitaker (Math)

  • Mr. Andy Hover and Mrs. Stefanie Chadee (English)

  • Mrs. Kasey Hanson (History)

  • Mr. Wesley Lassiter and Mr. Nick Wrenn (Bible)

NEW TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: NICK WRENN (6TH AND 8TH BIBLE)

Hello, my name is Nick Wrenn! I'm originally from the state of  Kentucky, but I moved to Georgia in 2021 to serve on staff at a church in Suwanee, and I've been here ever since! I recently married my wife Rachel in 2024, and we decided to relocate, both for family and for this opportunity at TCS! I'm excited to join the TCS family and begin my teaching career!

Mr. Wrenn will be teaching several sections of both 6th and 8th grade Bible.

NEW TEACHER SPOTLIGHT: CARLI BURDETTE (7TH MATH)

Hello, my name is Carli Burdette, and I’m excited to be your teacher this year! I taught 8th grade math for three years in Coweta County public schools. For the past two years, I had the wonderful opportunity to tutor and teach students from 4th grade through 12th grade part time while staying home with my two young children. I have two little girls - one is three, and the other just turned two. My husband is the student pastor at Dogwood Church. When I am not in the classroom, I can often be found at student events or out and about with my daughters. I am thrilled for the opportunity to teach and connect with my students this year!

Mrs. Burdette will be teaching 7th grade at-level Math.

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 25-26 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)

  • SIGN UP USING THIS LINK

DRESS CODE AND NEW SPIRIT WEAR OPTIONS

COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Are you looking for ways that your child can complete their required 10 hours? Check out the options below. 

  1. 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. 

  2. 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

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!