Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 283

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

Published October 19, 2025

Volume 283

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We had an incredible first 9 weeks to the school year, and we are taking time in this week’s issue to honor students who particularly excelled in their attitudes and actions throughout the start of the year. Check out below our Lions of the Month for September (students who have shown exemplary school spirit) along with our Q1 Pride Performers (students who have gone above and beyond in their classroom performance). We are so grateful for our student body overall and are extremely proud of those who are helping to build a culture of excellence here at TCS.

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Check out our SCHOOL CALENDAR 

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

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

  • Oct 31: House Color and Competition Day

  • Nov 18: Family Night - no homework or assessments

  • Nov 20: Coffee with the Principal

NATIONAL CROC DAY: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23

Students are encouraged to wear their favorite pair of Crocs to celebrate National Croc Day on Thursday this week. Normal dress code/uniform standards apply to the rest of your child’s outfit for the day.

GAPPS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS: MATH COMPETITION

Congratulations to our middle school math team (Jane Jung, Caroline Saccenti, Sophia Shaver and Maggie Mullins) who took 2nd place in last week’s GAPPS State Championship competition. 

And a huge shout out to Jane Jung (1st) and Sophia Shaver (2nd) who placed in the individual competition as well! 

GREAT JOB GIRLS!

SEPTEMBER WINNERS: LIONS OF THE MONTH

Congratulations to our September Lions of the Month who were nominated by their teachers for showing exceptional school spirit throughout the month!

2025-2026 Quarter 1 Pride Performers

WHAT IS A PRIDE PERFORMER?

Each quarter we ask our teachers to identify students who worked hard and sought to do their very best by “filling it to the brim” in their classroom performance. The following students were chosen by their teachers for excelling during the 1st 9-week period of this school year. 

  • 6th Grade Bible = Livia McMichael, Bayli Inman

  • 6th Grade English = Logan Reichard, Nolan Pierson

  • 6th Grade History = Anna Staudenmaier

  • 6th Grade Math = Paisley Beard, Leland Kidd

  • 6th Grade Science = Tomasso Lawson 

  • 7th Grade Bible = Miles Kidd

  • 7th Grade English = Olivia Goode, Kaylee Norman

  • 7th Grade History = Abigail Davis

  • 7th Grade Math = Colt Phillips, Sophia Shaver

  • 7th Grade Science = Lydia Reichard, Lillian Adams

  • 8th Grade Bible = Cooper Early, Rileigh Simpson

  • 8th Grade English = Sevilla Shabani, Maci Moore

  • 8th Grade History = Paisley Torning 

  • 8th Grade Math = Avery Walcott, Holland Phillips

  • 8th Grade Science = Jaycie Chambers, Ben Norman

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. 

James 1:2-4

v. 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, v. 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. v. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.


For Middle School Only: 

Distinction Requirements: 

James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

  • 6th Grade - Memorize v. 5

  • 7th Grade - Memorize v. 5 and quiz with no blanks

  • 8th Grade - Memorize v. 5, quiz with no blanks and write application paragraph

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

Coach Settle shared with the students from John 17 about Jesus’ prayer for His followers. He challenged the students to remember that as Christians, we are on a mission to share the gospel with others. The students were shown how Jesus prayed that His followers would be protected from this world and from the temptation of sin. They are also challenged to remember that the truth of God’s Word is what preserves us.

LIONS OF THE MONTH: OCTOBER

For October, we are looking to highlight students who are striving to perform above and beyond in the classroom. Throughout Q2, challenge your child to do their very best and to even exceed expectations in all they strive to do over these upcoming weeks!

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

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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!