Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 305

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

Published April 12, 2026

Volume 305

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We hope you had a wonderful Easter Sunday and a fantastic Spring Break. We are gearing up for the final push as we look forward to Summer Break next. Please use the upcoming weeks to stay up to date through the Inside the Pride newsletter about everything going on. There are lots of events and celebrations to close out the year, so don’t miss out on all that’s happening!

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 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

  • May 4: Community Service Forms Due

  • May 7: National Day of Prayer

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.. 

  • 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.

FAMILY NIGHT ON MONDAY

Enjoy a night off as we come back from break! There is no homework Monday night so enjoy an extra night off as a family!

6TH GRADE CHATTANOOGA TRIP THIS WEEK

Don’t forget our 6th graders are headed north to Chattanooga this week for an unforgettable experience! Be sure to reach out to Mrs. Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org) if you have any last minute questions about the trip. 

DEPARTURE REMINDER: 

You need to drop your child off at NCG THEATRE at 6:45am on Thursday, April 16. 

REMIND APP: Please use the following link to sign up for the Remind App. You will need to download the app as well. The app will be used by our staff to give trip updates! 

sign up

8TH GRADE DISNEY TRIP NEXT WEEK

Don’t forget our 8th graders are headed south to Disney World in 1 week for an unforgettable experience! Be sure to reach out to Mrs. McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org) if you have any last minute questions about the trip. 

Check out these travel reminders from Mrs. McBurnett!

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!

8TH GRADE PROMOTION: PRAYER OF BLESSING

Each year we conclude our 8th grade promotion ceremony with special prayers by those closest to our 8th graders. Our students will be seated during this time and those special individuals chosen to pray will stand behind their specific student. Those chosen individuals will have the chance to pray quietly or silently over the student with Mr. Vinson leading a corporate prayer to close out our time. 

Please have your child choose a parent, older sibling, pastor, youth pastor, coach, etc. who they would like to pray over them. Complete this form to indicate who your child has chosen. We want every student to have someone standing with them during this time, and if we have the same person chosen by multiple students, we want to make arrangements to accommodate!

Event Details:

  • Date: Tuesday, May 19

  • Location: TCS Gymnasium

  • Time: 6:00-7:00 pm

SUMMARY: We will be celebrating the end of middle school for our 8th graders with an evening of awards and recognitions while also offering a special time of prayer before their promotion to 9th grade. Parents and special guests are invited to attend but seating will be limited due to the gymnasium capacity.

DRESS CODE: Students are encouraged to wear normal dress code attire or their Sunday best. 

QUESTIONS: Contact Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)

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

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.

I Thessalonians 4:14, 17-18

v. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.  v. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  v. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. 

For Middle School Only: 

Distinction Requirements: 

I Thessalonians 4:13 – But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 

  • 6th Grade - Memorize v. 13

  • 7th Grade - Memorize v. 13 and quiz with no blanks

  • 8th Grade - Memorize v. 13, 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

RETURNING NEXT WEEK

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!