Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 273

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

Published August 10, 2025

Volume 273

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Week 1 was a huge success as we had a great week welcoming your students back on campus! We are extremely excited about this school year, and we cannot wait to see the growth and progress made by each student. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly (adam.vinson@tcslions.org) if you need anything here at the beginning of the year. Whether you are a new family or a long-time returning family, we want to ensure your child has the best experience possible. We consider it a high privilege to partner with you in your family’s educational needs, and we remain committed to doing all we can to serve you well this year

Friday, August 22 = WELCOME TO THE ROAR - a block party style event for all of our new and returning TCS families

MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND BELOW!

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

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. 

Ephesians 2:8-9

v. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, v. 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Distinction Requirements: 

  • Romans 8:29 – For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

    • 6th  - Memorize v. 29

    • 7th  - Memorize v. 29 and quiz with no blanks

    • 8th  - Memorize v. 29, quiz with no blanks, write application paragraph

THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL

FILL IT TO THE BRIM

Mr. Vinson spoke from John 2:1-11 and emphasized the culture we desire at TCS of “filling it to the brim.” In John 2 we learn that the servants were commanded to fill the jars with water so that Jesus could miraculously turn the water to wine. The text emphasizes that the servants filled it “to the brim” which implies there was no more water that could have been added. Our goal at TCS is that our students do their very best with excellence just like these servants did that day. We want them to live out I Cor 10:31, so that whatever they do, they do it as an act of worship as they glorify God. Ask your child if they remember what “fill it to the brim” means!

STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT EVERY MONTH

We are making an adjustment to our “Lions of the Week” program for this year. Rather than doing a “student of the week” who is honored for a random act of kindness, we are going to acknowledge 4 students from each grade level who are specifically honored for exhibiting a character trait that we have been emphasizing all month long in our chapels and classrooms. For the month of AUGUST, we are focusing on HOSPITALITY and looking to honor our students who go above and beyond to serve and welcome our new students to the TCS family.

TEACHERS PRAYING FOR STUDENTS

Every Wednesday during our pre-chapel D-Groups, we have a group of teachers who will be praying for our students. We would love to have specific requests to bring to the Lord each week on behalf of our student body. 

Please encourage your child to use this link to submit any personal requests they may have. Our Bible teachers will also be sharing the link with each student and will encourage them to use it as well.

PROTECT YOUR CHROMEBOOK

Every year our IT Department offers a 1-year extended warranty to ensure a layer of added protection should your child accidentally damage their Chromebook. Save money on what could be costly repairs by purchasing our 25-26 warranty for this school year. 

CHECK OUT THE DETAILS BELOW: 

  • Warranty Cost:  $40

  • Warranty Term: August 1, 2025 through July 31st 2026

    • Only one accidental warranty repair can take place during the warranty term.

    • Any additional repairs will be made at a discounted price.

  • Accidental Warranty Covers:

    • Screen Damage

    • Keyboard Damage

    • Accidental Spills and Drops

    • Damage caused by electrical surge

  • Warranty does NOT cover:

    • Lost or stolen devices

    • Lost or stolen chargers

    • Cosmetic damage from normal wear and tear 

FALL PICTURE DAY: MONDAY AUGUST 18

Don’t forget next week is our Fall Picture Day. These pictures are used for the yearbook so we are strongly encouraging each student to wear a collared shirt. Make-up dates will be announced at a later time for those who are absent.

DISMISSAL REMINDERS:

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. 

Please give us as much advance notice as possible so we can ensure the dismissal system is updated to reflect the change.

ELECTIVES START THIS WEEK

We will kick off middle school electives this week so please double check your child’s schedule and print off the most updated copy. Many elective changes were honored this past week so we want to ensure every student knows where to go during 7th period. 

Remember, our drop/add period for electives will end on Friday, August 29.

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.

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR

*New Middle School Spirit Wear* - 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. 

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES

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. 

If your child has to miss class this year due to sickness, check out our process below for getting your child caught up on missing work and assignments. Please also notify the nursing team to make them aware of surgeries or long-term illnesses at nurses@tcslions.org.

  • 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.

IMPORTANT BACK-TO-SCHOOL DATES

  • Aug 18: Fall Picture Day (normal dress code)

  • Aug 25: House Color Day (rep your house)

  • Aug 28: College Football Dress Down Day

  • Aug 29: Remote Learning Day

  • Sept 1: Labor Day (No School)

  • Sept 3-5:  8th Grade Retreat to Snowbird

NEED TO ACCESS BLACKBAUD CLASSROOM INFORMATION?

Be sure to check Blackbaud regularly to stay informed about your middle schooler’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.

MIDDLE SCHOOL RESOURCES

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CHECK OUT THE HELPFUL TOOLS BELOW REGARDING THE 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR

25-26 SCHOOL CALENDAR - Stay in the know about upcoming breaks and holidays. 

PRE-ABSENCE FORM - Submit pre-planned absences 5 days in advance for approval.

DRESS CODE POLICY - Note the minor changes/adjustments for this year. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE FORM - Reminder that all middle schoolers are required to complete 10 hours of service by May 2026.

IT HELP DESK LINK - If your child has an issue with their Chromebook, submit a ticket.

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!