Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 288

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

Published November 23, 2025

Volume 288

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our TCS families! We hope you have an incredible week with friends and family as you give thanks to the LORD for who He is and all He has done. We serve a good and loving God who is faithful to generation after generation (Psalm 100:4-5). May all of us faithfully give thanks to Him this week!

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 

  • Nov 24-28: Thanksgiving Break 

  • Dec 2: Chorus Concert

  • Dec 8: Orchestra Concert

  • Dec 9: Band Concert

  • Dec 10: Discipleship Day/House Color Day

  • Dec 15: MS Christmas Talent Show

  • Dec 16-18: MS Exam Week

  • Dec 16-18: Half-Day Dismissals

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD BOXES

We collected over 100 shoeboxes between our 4th-8th grades! We are praying the Lord would do a special work to impact lives.

Middle school was blessed this week to have Mrs. Gibby’s daughter-in-law speak in our chapel service about the impact of Operation Christmas Child. Rosa grew up in Nicaragua and was the recipient of 2 OCC boxes during her childhood. Rosa shared how meaningful the gifts were and how it opened her up to the love of Christ at a young age.  

THE 12 DAYS ‘TIL CHRISTMAS BREAK

Each year, Mr. Vinson surprises our middle schoolers with special treats and privileges that correspond to the number of days remaining until Christmas Break. We will kick off this year’s “12 Days ‘Til Christmas Break” on Wednesday, December 3. Be on the look out for this year’s unique experiences!

ANNUAL DRESS DOWN FUNDRAISER

It’s not too late to get in on our Dress Down Days for December. For only $25, students may wear pajama pants or sweats pants along with Crocs starting this Thursday and Friday and most of December for ONLY $25! All funds raised will help offset the cost of our middle school overnight experiences. 

Don’t be caught in dress code or uniform this holiday season! Come relaxed as we celebrate the Christmas season! Check out the details below. 

  • COST: $25 - forms are available on Blackbaud for payment

  • DATES: Nov 20 and 21 and Dec 1-12

  • DETAILS: Students may wear sweatpants/pajama pants and/or Crocs. Students must wear TCS-approved dress code shirts/spiritwear/outerwear.

DISCIPLESHIP DAY COMING SOON

On December 10 we are setting aside our normal academic schedule to focus on intentional spiritual development throughout the day! Check out the details below for this year’s Discipleship Day. 

  • Arrival - Drop off your child at NCG theatre beginning at 7:30am. Students will be transported back to campus for lunch and afternoon activities. 

  • Concessions - Popcorn and Drink are available for purchase. See the form on Blackbaud to confirm your concession order! Cost is $12 for a refillable bucket of popcorn and soda/slushie. 

Be in prayer for God to do a mighty work on this day

EXAM WEEK - MID COURSE ASSESSMENTS

As we come to the end of Semester 1, it’s time for us to wrap up each of our classes with our final assessments for the calendar year. Check out our plans for exam week below as we finish out Semester 1. Students will report to their normal classroom for each period to take their exams on these days. 

  • December 15 - No Assessments, Exam Review Day

  • December 16 - Period 1 and Period 2 Exams

  • December 17 - Period 3 and Period 4 Exams

  • December 18 - Period 5 and Period 6 Exams

  • December 19 - Remote Learning Day (Bible Survey Assignment)

In addition to our dress-down option for the first two weeks of December, we will have special dress-down days for the final week before Christmas Break as well. 

Check out the schedule below:

  • Monday, Dec 15 – Rudolph Red or Grinch Green

  • Tuesday, Dec 16 - Tacky/Ugly Christmas Sweater 

  • Wednesday, Dec 17 - Winter Wonderland (Blue/White)

  • Thursday, Dec 18 - Christmas Pajamas

DISMISSAL DETAILS FOR OPTIONAL HALF DAYS

As we look towards the last week in December, please note we will have our optional half-day dismissal days for: Tues, Dec 16, Wed, Dec 17 and Thurs, Dec 18 as usual. 

Check out the specific details below:

Optional Half-Day Dismissal Dates: Tues, Dec 16 — Wed, Dec 17

Required Half-Day Dismissal Dates: Thurs, Dec 18 — THERE WILL BE NO AFTER SCHOOL OPTION ON THIS DAY

Dismissal Times: Note this is a change from years past. We are attempting to stagger our dismissal times to help alleviate some of the traffic issues that occur during the holiday season in Peachtree City. We are also hoping this will help speed up the dismissal line overall. The Main Office will close at 11:45am and will not reopen until the dismissal line ends. 

  • 12:00pm - Elementary (1st-5th) will dismiss. Only students in 1st-5th grade will be dismissed at this time. If you have a middle school student to pick up as well, please see information below. 

  • 12:30pm - Middle School (6th-8th) will dismiss. Students in 6th-8th grade along with siblings in 1st-5th grade will be dismissed at this time. If you only have Elementary students to pick up, please plan to do so prior to 12:30pm. 

Note: If you attempt to go through the car line to pick up a middle school student prior to 12:30, you may be required to re-enter the car line as middle school students will not be available for pickup until after 12:30pm. 

For the optional half days on Tuesday and Wednesday, students may remain at school free of charge until 3:30pm. After 3:30pm, regular after school rates will apply. If you need to pick up your child after the half-day dismissal ends, you may do so by either:

1. Picking up your child via the Main Office until 3pm. 

2. Picking up your child via the normal Afternoon Dismissal line between 3-3:30pm. 

****GO CHURCH CAMPUS INFORMATION****

EARLY LEARNING AT GO CHURCH INFORMATION FOR DECEMBER 16 and 17th : The Early Learning students at our Go Church campus will dismiss from 11:30 to 12:00pm. Due to the half day dismissal, we will not offer the Junior Lions dismissal option. Early Learning students will be transported to the main campus for the Agape program at 2:10pm. 

EARLY LEARNING AT GO CHURCH INFORMATION FOR DECEMBER 18th: Transportation will NOT be provided to the main campus for Early Learning students

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. 

Matthew 7:12 - The Golden Rule

v. 12 So whatever you wish that others would do to you, 

do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

For Middle School Only: 

Distinction Requirements: 

Matthew 7:11 – If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.

  • 6th Grade - Memorize v. 11

  • 7th Grade - Memorize v. 11 and quiz with no blanks

  • 8th Grade - Memorize v. 11, quiz with no blanks and write application paragraph

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

Pastor Burdette, Student Pastor at Dogwood Church, shared with the students from Nehemiah 1 and 2. He challenged the students that boldness comes from spending time in God’s Word and in prayer with Him. They were encouraged to be committed to the Lord and to see the need to lead others to the Lord. Boldness in the life of God’s children involves a commitment and courage to proclaim the good news of God.

LIONS OF THE MONTH: NOVEMBER FOCUS

For November we are looking to highlight students who are living out the “Golden Rule” by showing intentional kindness and support to their fellow classmates. Throughout Q2, challenge your child to treat others the way they desire to be treated by looking for ways to serve and love over the coming 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

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

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!