Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 289

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

Published December 7, 2025

Volume 289

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Luke 2:10 contains the birth announcement of Jesus to the lowly shepherds. Not only is Jesus’ arrival conveyed, so too is the purpose behind it. Jesus has come to deliver good news…news that produces great joy in those who respond…good news that is available to everyone…that the Savior of the world has come to rescue people from their sins! May this Christmas season continue to be a time of reflecting on the great joy we experience because Christ has come. 

We are right in the middle of the Christmas season here at school, and we are looking forward to several exciting events coming up over these final two weeks. Please double check the information below to make sure you are up to speed on what is happening each day as we get closer to performances, celebrations and other exciting events.

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 

  • 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

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!

MIDDLE SCHOOL DISCIPLESHIP DAY

This Wednesday 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. 

  • Dress Code - Students may continue to wear pajama pants/sweat pants/Crocs if they purchased the dress down opportunity or they may wear normal dress code attire.

  • Items - Please have your child bring a Bible, notebook and pen. Chromebooks ARE NOT needed.

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. 

John 10:10

v. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. 

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

For Middle School Only: 

Distinction Requirements: 

John 10:9 – I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

  • 6th Grade - Memorize v. 9

  • 7th Grade - Memorize v. 9 and quiz with no blanks

  • 8th Grade - Memorize v. 9, quiz with no blanks and write application paragrap

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

Mr. Vinson spoke to our students from I John 3 and Titus 2, highlighting that Jesus came to this world in order to destroy the works of Satan and to develop good works in us. Using The Little Drummer Boy song as an example, Mr. Vinson encouraged our students to identify their own gifts and abilities that could be used as a way to adore Christ as an act of worship.

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

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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!