Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 302

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

Published March 22, 2026

Volume 302

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Can you believe we are down to about 2 months of school remaining in the 25-26 school year? Let me encourage you to use these final weeks to show appreciation to our incredible teachers. They have worked so hard this school year to invest in your child, and this time of year is a great opportunity to affirm them for all they do! Send a quick email to praise them for their efforts and to let them know you are praying for them as we come to the final stretch! Words of praise will help sustain each of them as we look to finish strong together. TCS wouldn’t be what it is without the amazing teachers who invest so much!

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 

  • Mar 23: House Color Day

  • Mar 23: Report Cards released to parents

  • Mar 24: Coweta Works Day (8th grade only - rescheduled)

  • Mar 24-26: 7th Grade Ark/Creation Museum Trip

  • Mar 27: Remote Learning Day

  • Apr 2: Apologetics Day

  • Apr 3: Good Friday Holiday

  • Apr 6-10: Spring Break

  • Apr 30: Coffee with the Principal 

  • Apr 30: 8th Grade Dance

MIDDLE SCHOOL EASTER DEVOTIONAL STUDY

We are in full swing with our Easter devotional study and would love for you to help encourage your child to stay up with their reading over these 30 days. Check out the schedule below for this week to help encourage your child’s participation. 

  • Monday, March 23 - DAY 19

  • Tuesday, March 24 - DAY 20

  • Wednesday, March 25 - DAY 21

  • Thursday, March 26 - DAY 22

  • Friday, March 27 - DAY 23

Remember, our devotional study will be ongoing through Easter Sunday!

HOUSE COLOR DAY

Monday, Mar 23 is HOUSE COLOR DAY! Students are encouraged to rep their house with their house assigned color. In addition, middle school students will compete in our monthly house games while also enjoying House Huddle right after!

QUARTER 3 REPORT CARDS

Don’t forget, official grades for Q3 will be released via Blackbaud on Monday, March 23 by 3pm.

7TH GRADE TRIP THIS WEEK

Don’t forget that our 7th graders have their upcoming trip to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum in Kentucky this week. Students who are attending the trip should arrive at the NCG Theatre parking lot by 7:00 am on Tuesday, March 24. Students who are not attending the trip will remain home for the week. Be sure to check your email from Mr. Lassiter for the packing list.

Don’t forget to encourage your 7th grader to bring their Easter devotional with them!

SAT10 TESTING UPDATE

Thank you for being flexible as we adjust our standardized testing dates to accommodate the impact of the weather delay at the beginning of last week. We are proud of our students’ hard work and effort. Scores for SAT10 will be available later this Spring.

APOLOGETICS DAY: APRIL 2

We are weeks away from our 2nd annual Apologetics Day! We can’t wait to see all that the Lord has in store for this special day of spiritual development. Check out some of the exciting topics we will be looking at in more detail over the course of the day! 

  • Why should we trust the Bible over other religious books?

  • How do we know God exists outside of the Bible telling us so?

  • How do we know the resurrection really happened?

  • Does science point to the story of the Flood and Noah’s Ark being real?

  • Did the Ice Age happen and how does that fit into the book of Genesis?

Please mark your calendars now and do all you can to have your child present for this day!

PRIDE PERFORMERS FOR QUARTER 3

Check out the students nominated by our teachers for their outstanding hard work and performance in their classes these past 9 weeks. These students sought to do their very best during one of the hardest stretches of the school year!

  • 6th Grade Performers

    • English (Mrs. Chadee) = Chip Brezina

    • English (Mrs. Christian) = Selah Henard

    • Math (Mrs. Brown) = Lucas Espinoza, Laura Billings

    • Bible (Mrs. Peters) = Tinsley Brown 

    • Bible (Mr. Wrenn) = Abram Vinson

    • History (Mr. Veal) = Delilah Witter 

    • Science (Mrs. Akins) = Emma Knowles

  • 7th Grade Performers

    • English (Mrs. Gibby) = Sophia Shaver, Ruby Dobbs

    • Math (Mrs. Smith) = Allie Leonard

    • Math (Mrs. Burdette) = Sutton Skrine

    • Bible (Moore) = Ella Wainwright 

    • History (Mr. Higgins) = Holly Jeffcoat 

    • Science (Mrs. Hasty) = Cooper Dingler

    • Science (Mrs. Spencer) = Maddox Roth

  • 8th Grade Performers

    • English (Mr. Hover) = Natalia Glover

    • English (Mrs. Chadee) = Parker Reagan

    • Bible (Mr. Wrenn) = Avery Walcott

    • Bible (Mr. Lassiter) = Trevor Bianchi

    • History (Mrs. Hanson) = Caden Barajas

    • Math (Mrs. Whitaker) = Weldon Dockery, Hutson Devenney

    • Science (Mrs. Hasty) = Hannah Thomas

    • Science (Mrs. Spencer) = Ian Rosser

FINAL COFFEE WITH THE PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

Come join us on Thursday, April 30 for our final discussion of the year. Check out some of the topics we will plan to review together and don’t forget to sign up!

  • May Celebrations: What do you need to know to navigate this final month of the year?

  • Academic Update: How are our students doing and what upcoming initiatives are planned?

  • 2026-2027 School Year: What can you expect as we look towards next year?

sign up

8TH GRADE DANCE: DRESS UP YOUR DENIM

Our 8th grade dance is coming on Thursday, April 30 from 6:00-8:30 pm at The Gathering Place and outside patio. This event is designed to be an “end of year” party, a last rodeo for our TCS 8th graders. Please note that dates/guests are not permitted. Instead, we encourage our students to come and enjoy a night of country-themed fun as a group social. More details to come, but mark your calendars now. 

DRESS CODE: Students are encouraged to come in their “dressed up” country attire. Denim is appropriate. Dresses are allowed.

FOOD: We will have drinks and snacks. (Parents will be encouraged to sign up to help provide.)

COST: $15 - sign-up/payment form coming to Blackbaud soon!

COMMUNITY SERVICE REMINDER

Don’t forget all middle school community service forms are due on Monday, May 4. Forms should be submitted to your child’s Bible teacher. Remember, 10 hours should be completed to receive full credit for this grade. Click the button below to access this year’s form.

form

END OF YEAR EVENTS: COMING SOON

As promised, here are some initial dates to keep in mind as we look towards the end of the 25-26 school year. More details to follow, but for now, mark these important dates on your calendar. 

  • April 27 - Orchestra Concert

  • April 28 - Band Concert

  • April 30 - 8th Grade Class Dance (serves as their end of year party)

  • May 7 - Chorus Concert

  • May 19 - 8th Grade Promotion Night 

  • May 20 - 6th and 7th Awards Day

  • May 22 - 6th (Skating) and 7th (Bowling) Class Parties

STUDENT COUNCIL AND JR BETA CLUB MEETINGS

Our next monthly meetings for Student Council and Jr. Beta will take place in April. If you have a child in either club, please help remind them of their responsibilities this week. 

  • Student Council - Meeting on Monday, April 13 during 3rd Period

Be sure to have your child check their email for any instructions or reminders from Mr. Vinson or Mr. Lassiter.. 

*Remember, students who miss an assessment during Student Council will complete the assessment during their PE class that day. 

  • Jr Beta Club - Meeting on Wednesday, April 15 during D-Group

Be sure to have your child check their email for any instructions or reminders from Mrs. Peavy.

OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCES: WHO TO CONTACT?

We are excited about this semester’s Overnight Experiences for each of our middle school grades. Be sure to connect with the appropriate trip coordinator if you have any questions leading up to each trip. 

6th Grade Chattanooga Trip: 

7th Grade Ark/Creation Museum Trip: 

8th Grade Disney Trip: 

  • Dates: April 20-23

Trip Coordinator: Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)

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. Hebrews 10:23-24

v. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. v. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.

For Middle School Only: 

Distinction Requirements: 

Hebrews 10:25 – not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 

  • 6th Grade - Memorize v. 25

  • 7th Grade - Memorize v. 25 and quiz with no blanks

  • 8th Grade - Memorize v. 25, quiz with no blanks and write application paragraph

LIONS OF THE MONTH: March

For March, we are highlighting students who are great encouragers. These students seek to lift others up, seek out those needing a friend, and display a Christ-like character to everyone. These students make an impact on teachers' lives and fellow students' lives with words of encouragement and acts of service.

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

Pastor Griggs, Youth Pastor at Heatherwood Baptist Church, shared with the students from Romans 1:16-17. He challenged the students to live boldly by being unashamed of the Gospel. The students were shown that we can share the gospel with boldness because it has the power to save. The students were challenged to live out the action steps of having strong faith, sharing their story, and not being embarrassed by the message of the Gospel.

ATTENDANCE AND ABSENCES

The following steps should be taken for reporting absences for 4th - 8th grade:

  • 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

RIDING HOME WITH A FRIEND? If your student will be going home with another student during dismissal, please send an email to receptionist@tcslions.org. Please give us as much advance notice as possible so we can ensure the dismissal system is updated to reflect the change.

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. 

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE POLICY - When is it appropriate to use AI for assignments?

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!