Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 290

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

Published December 14, 2025

Volume 289

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We have had an awesome month of celebrating the Christmas season together, and we are looking forward to the upcoming break at the end of this week. As we finish out Semester 1, please be mindful of all the information in this week’s issue as there is still a lot going on as we close out this year. 

My prayer is that each of you has an incredible Christmas Break and that, together, your family can cherish the hope made available to all of us through the birth of Jesus Christ.

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 15: MS Christmas Talent Show

  • Dec 16-18: MS Exam Week

  • Dec 16-18: Half-Day Dismissals

EXAM WEEK - MID COURSE ASSESSMENT SCHEDULE

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)

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)

CHRISTMAS WEEK DRESS DOWN GUIDELINES

Reminder: We are transitioning to our Christmas-themed dress down days for this final week of the semester. Students may continue to wear their pajama pants or sweatpants, but their outfit needs to follow the overall theme for the day.

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

The final week of December is here along with our half day dismissal option. 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 paragraph

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

In place of our normal chapel day, we held our annual Discipleship Day. Students began the day at NCG where they heard from different speakers focused on topics such as being Bold in thought, practice, and battle. Students then had an opportunity for two chapel messages in the afternoon, focused on the book of 1 John, where they were challenged to see the message of the Gospel through Jesus, our advocate, and our assurance of salvation through the work of Jesus.

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!