Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 280

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

Published September 28, 2025

Volume 280

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We are down to 2 weeks remaining in this Q1 grading period! Please use these remaining days to encourage your students to “fill it to the brim” by doing their very best. Our final grades for this 9-week period will end on Friday, Oct 10. Report cards will become viewable to parents on Monday, October 20.

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 

  • Oct 6: Fall Picture *Retakes*

  • Oct 9: Fall Family Fest

  • Oct 10: Remote Learning Day

  • Oct 13: Fall Break

  • Oct 23: 6th/7th Retreat to Camp Rockridge 

  • Oct 23: National Crocs Day - wear Crocs to school

  • Oct 31: House Color and Competition Day

Fall Picture Retakes Monday, October 6! Sign up below

School Picture Retakes for all TCS students (Prek-3 through 12th grade) will be Monday, October 6!

If you would like for your student(s) to have their picture retaken, please complete the appropriate picture retake form through the link below to register them. Be sure to include your student's teacher. *Please fill out a separate form for each student.

LINK: 4th - 8th Picture Retake Signup

This retake is for students whose first picture needs to be redone or if they were absent on the first picture day. The retake picture is the one that will be used in the yearbook and the only picture available for purchase as it will replace the original picture.

Forms need to be completed by Thursday, October 2 to ensure your student's participation in the retakes.

Intramural Basketball - SIGN UP TODAY

Deadline: October 15

CHAPEL: WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT?

We wanted to inquire about the parent interest level for coming to visit and worship with us for one of our weekly chapel services. 

Our chapel takes place each Wednesday from 8;25-9:00am. We are currently teaching through a series titled “Bold as a Lion” as we learn to be bold with our faith within the culture that we live. 

If you have interest in coming to worship with us, please email Mr. Vinson directly at adam.vinson@tcslions.org so we can determine how many might like to come. This will help us determine logistics to make it possible.

GIVE TO THE TRINITY FOOD PANTRY

We have an exciting opportunity to serve our community for the holidays! From October 6-17, students are encouraged to bring canned goods to help stock the Trinity Church food pantry.

Not only will this be a great opportunity for students to serve our community, but students can also earn house points for each item they bring! House boxes will be located outside of Mr. Vinson's office.

Requested items:

  • Canned veggies

  • Canned fruit

  • Canned meat

  • Canned milk

  • Peanut butter

  • Spaghetti sauce

6TH AND 7TH GRADE DAY RETREAT: CAMP ROCKRIDGE

It’s almost time for our annual day retreat for 6th and 7th graders at Camp Rockridge in Franklin, Georgia! Students will spend the entire day at Rockridge and will return to TCS by 6:00 pm. The day will be filled with lots of outdoor activities, house competition games and a special worship service on top of the mountain! Check out the additional details below.

  • WHEN: Thursday, Oct 23 - students will need to be dropped off at NCG Theatre beginning at 7:30am. We will depart from there by 8:00am. Students will return to TCS campus by 6:00pm or they may be picked up from Rockridge beginning at 4:30pm. A form for pickup preference will be sent soon. 

  • WHERE: Camp Rockridge in Franklin, GA

  • COST: Total cost for the day is $35 - includes lunch and dinner (eat at 4:30pm) and all activities for the day (archery, canoeing, low ropes, athletic fields/courts, etc) - there will be an option to pay on Blackbaud under forms.

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. 

Proverbs 3:5-7

v. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.    v. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. v. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.


For Middle School Only: 

Distinction Requirements: 

Proverbs 3:3-4 – Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

  • 6th Grade - Memorize v. 3-4

  • 7th Grade - Memorize v. 3-4 and quiz with no blanks

  • 8th Grade - Memorize v. 3-4, quiz with no blanks and write application paragraph

THIS WEEK IN CHAPEL

Mr. Vinson continued our theme of “bold as a lion” by teaching our students what it means to be “bold in speech” based on passages found in the book of Ephesians. Students learned that we can either be boldly brave or boldly bad when it comes to how we use our tongues. We can either allow our speech to be bold in the corrupt or inappropriate ways we talk, or we can be bold in our proclamation of faith and truth.

LIONS OF THE MONTH: SEPTEMBER FOCUS

For the month of SEPTEMBER, we are focusing on SCHOOL SPIRIT and will be honoring our students who go above and beyond to demonstrate their love and appreciation for TCS. This can be shown through their effort and respect in the classroom, their passion for our school during homecoming week and through a general attitude and mindset of working to make our school the best place possible.

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!