Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 304

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

Published April 5, 2026

Volume 304

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Hoping you and your family are able to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior together this Easter Sunday. May the assurance of His resurrection increase your desire and hope for His certain return! Come Lord Jesus come!

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 

  • Apr 6-10: Spring Break

  • Apr 13: Family Night (No Homework)

  • Apr 16-17: 6th Trip to Chattanooga

  • Apr 20-23: 8th Trip to Disney

  • Apr 27: Orchestra Concert

  • Apr 28: Band Concert

  • Apr 30: Coffee with the Principal 

  • Apr 30: 8th Grade Dance

APOLOGETICS DAY RECAP:

Our second Apologetics Day was a big success! To learn more about Apologetic's Day Click the link below

Learn more

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.

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 28:18-20

v. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, v. 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

For Middle School Only: 

Distinction Requirements: 

Matthew 28:18 – And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” 

  • 6th Grade - Memorize v. 18

  • 7th Grade - Memorize v. 18 and quiz with no blanks

  • 8th Grade - Memorize v. 18, quiz with no blanks and write application paragraph

LIONS OF THE MONTH: February

For February, the theme was Bold as a Lion, as students were challenged to live out our spiritual theme of righteousness. The students below were nominated by their teachers:

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

Mr. Vinson shared with the students the reasons we can have confidence in faith based on what Jesus accomplished on Easter. Students were challenged to understand that since there is an empty tomb, we have all the reason to have strong faith in what Jesus has accomplished for us. Since Jesus did not stay dead, we can also have confidence that he is returning. Mr. Vinson also shared from Acts 1 that evidence of Jesus’ resurrection was the fact that he appeared to some who doubted him in his ministry. Students were challenged to let faith rest in facts rather than feeling and that faith is resting on the truth that Jesus rose again and is returning.

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!