Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 275

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

Published August 24, 2025

Volume 275

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We have had an incredibly smooth start to the new school year and can’t thank the LORD enough for all that He is doing on our campus. We are so grateful for your prayers and support throughout this month. For our new families, please reach out if there is anything we can do particularly for you or your student. We consider it a privilege to have you here as part of the Trinity family and want to make sure your start to the year is just as smooth. For everyone, please check out the updated information below as there are several exciting things happening as we wrap up August and head into September.

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

IMPORTANT BACK-TO-SCHOOL DATES

Check out our SCHOOL CALENDAR 

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

  • Aug 27-28: Benchmark Testing (ELA/Math)

  • 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

  • Sept 11: Coffee with the Principal 

  • Sept 22: Homecoming Parade

  • Sept 22-25: Spirit Week

  • Oct 6: Fall Picture *Retakes*

HOUSE COLOR DAY: REP YOUR HOUSE!

Our first House Color Day of the year is coming up on Monday, August 25. Students are encouraged to wear a colored shirt that corresponds to their house (please no hats). Check out your child’s house assignment and color below. 

Your child’s house assignment is tied to their D-Group. Check their schedule in Blackbaud if you aren’t sure which house your child is assigned to yet. 

  • Elliot House = GREEN

  • Lewis House = RED

  • Nee House = ORANGE

  • Robinson House = BLUE

  • Wycliffe House = BLACK

FOOTBALL DRESS DOWN OPPORTUNITY

The college football and NFL seasons are kicking off soon and to give our students the chance to celebrate, we are inviting them to dress down on Thursday, August 28 by wearing t-shirts and sweatshirts to support their favorite team! Normal dress code/uniform standards apply for shorts/pants and shoes. Please no hats except for TCS hats.

REMOTE LEARNING DAY INFO

In anticipation of our upcoming Remote Learning Day on Friday, please see the information below about how remote learning days will be handled this year. 

Overview

  • 1 assignment total each remote day

  • Assignment should take around 30 minutes to complete 

  • Assignment will be graded for a “Daily Work” grade

*Please look for specific information from your child’s teacher about this week’s Remote Learning Day assignment. 

Remote Learning Schedule:

  • August 29 - SCIENCE Assignment

  • October 10 - MATH Assignment 

  • December 19 - BIBLE Assignment 

  • January 16 - HISTORY Assignment

  • March 27 - English Assignment

Coffee with the Principal Meeting

We are kicking off our special parent/principal gatherings on Thursday, September 11 from 8:15-9:15am in the school cafeteria. You are invited to join Mr. Vinson as we discuss new initiatives this school year along with ways we can keep improving in the offerings we make available to your family. Mark your calendars now and complete the RSVP form below if you are able to attend. 

Topics to Discuss:

  • Update on news and notes for the 25-26 school year

  • Sage Dining improvements

  • Academic rigor assessment

  • Communication efficiency 

RSVP for Thursday, Sept 11: https://forms.gle/vHLex1PD1sjzQ2Xx6

Progress Learning: Benchmark Testing

Our beginning of the year benchmark testing will take place on August 27 and 28 with students being assessed in Math and ELA. Please encourage your child to do their very best as these tests are used to monitor student growth in learning throughout the school year. Additional testing will take place in December and May. These tests help inform our teacher instruction while also helping us to evaluate curriculum selection too.

REMINDERS: 8TH GRADE RETREAT

  1. Departure: Wed. Sept 3rd - NCG theatre

  • Begin dropping off as early as 7:30am. We will plan to leave by 8:00am. Please have your child use the restroom before arriving as the theatre will not be open. 

  1. Return: Friday, Sept 5th - NCG theatre parking lot.

    • Our plan is to be back between 2:00-2:45pm depending on Atlanta traffic. We will update you as we start to get closer. 

  2. Extra $$$: Can be brought for snacks/souvenirs

CHESS CLUB

Coach Rodney Lewis and Championship Chess present a systematic, fun way to build chess skills during chess instruction and supervised play. Studies show that chess improves math, reading and problem solving and our methods connect these academic benefits to our classes. 

ACADEMIC BOWL TEAM 

Would your student like to compete against other school teams in the areas of math, geography, spelling, essay-writing, and history? We are looking to form teams to compete at the following upcoming competitions:

  • Oct 9 (Date Change) = Academic Day

  • Jan 16 = Quiz Bowl 

Students will practice during regular school hours (lunch, elective and/or dismissal) to avoid conflict with after school sports as much as possible. 

  • Cost? - $100 per student covers registration costs and a TCS team polo. 

Interested? - Email Adam Vinson adam.vinson@tcslions.org

VIDEO GAME CLUB

We will be offering the following games initially with the opportunity to grow our offerings throughout the year. 

  • Super Mario Kart

  • Super Smash Bros. 

  • NCAA Football 26

Cost? - $150 for a 12-week session starting the week of September 8. The club will meet after school from 4-5pm 1 day per week and will conclude the week of December 1. Our hope is to build enough interest to eventually create an opportunity for an E-sport team. 

If your child is interested, please complete this form.

JUNIOR BETA CLUB

***COMING SOON*** 

We are excited to announce that we will be starting Junior Beta Club for our middle schoolers this year. More information will be coming soon so be on the lookout for qualifications and requirements.

PROTECT YOUR CHROMEBOOK

Cost:  $40 (Aug 1, 2025 through July 31st 2026)

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

FINAL CALL: DROP/ADD ELECTIVE PERIOD ENDING SOON

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

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: 

  • Ephesians 2:10 – For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

    • 6th  - Memorize v. 10

    • 7th  - Memorize v. 10 and quiz with no blanks

    • 8th  - Memorize v. 10, quiz with no blanks, write application paragraph

THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL

Mr. Vinson spoke from Acts 28:1-6 and the story of Paul being bitten by a snake. Tying in the current memory verse (Ephesians 2:8-9), Mr. Vinson emphasized that good works won’t make us okay with God, but God does make us okay with Him through the work of Jesus. While the natives in the story felt like their god was going to judge Paul for being a murderer, we learned that Jesus was Paul’s advocate before the one true God!

STUDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT EVERY MONTH

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. 

At the beginning of September we will honor 4 students from each grade level who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to welcome and acclimate other students to the new school year.

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.

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. 

  • WHAT IF MY CHILD IS SICK AND 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 SICK AND 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.

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

***************************************************************

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!