Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 308

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

Published May 3, 2026

Volume 308

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We are only weeks away from Summer Break, but there is still a lot to do and accomplish between now and then. Please take a moment to review all of the important content in this week’s edition. Specifically, take a look below at our half-day dismissal plan for the final week of school. As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

As we look towards summer break and the final week of this school year, we wanted to communicate our plan for our optional half-day dismissals. Please review the information below and let us know if you have any questions.  

  • Optional half-day dismissal days: Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21

  • Required half-day dismissal day (no after school option): Friday, May 22

Check out the specific details below:

Dismissal times will be staggered once again, just like our December half-days. This helped to alleviate traffic overall and allowed us to end our dismissal time earlier. Please review the times below. 

NOTE: 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 Wednesday and Thursday, 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 May 20 and 21st: 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 May 22nd: Transportation will NOT be provided to the main campus for Early Learning students.

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

  • May 4: Community Service Forms Due

  • May 4-5: Progress Learning Testing

  • May 7: National Day of Prayer

  • May 7: Chorus Concert

  • May 19: 8th Grade Promotion Night

  • May 20: 6th/7th Awards Day

  • May 22: 6th/7th Off Campus Class Parties

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

MIDDLE SCHOOL MARKET DAY 

On May 4th ,5th, and 8th, our Middle School Business Finance Classes will be hosting Market Days to culminate their studies this year in class! Students will be offering items such as home-baked goods, other snacks/candy creations and drinks, bracelets, and other handmade items. Prices range from $1-$10. If students would like to purchase on their shopping day, please be sure to send cash for their purchases!

  • Monday, May 4th 2026

    • 6th grade is allowed to shop 2:15-2:45 in The Gathering Place

  • Tuesday, May 5th 2026

    • 7th and 8th grades are allowed to shop 2:15-2:45 in The Gathering Place

  • Friday, May 8th 2026

    • 4th and 5th grades are allowed to shop 2:15-2:45 in The Gathering Place

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

This Thursday, our middle schoolers will have the opportunity to participate in our school-wide National Day of Prayer assembly. This will be a special ceremony at the stadium with a time of worship, scripture reading, and prayer. We look forward to gathering with the rest of our school community for this special time together as we lift our voices to God who rules and reigns forevermore!

END OF YEAR TESTING: PROGRESS LEARNING

Progress Learning Benchmark Assessments are coming up! Remember these tests are meant to show growth and progress throughout the year. No studying is needed at home, but please make sure your child gets a good night’s rest before and eats a nutritious breakfast the morning of. 

  • Monday, May 4 = Math Testing

  • Tuesday, May 5 = ELA Testing

MIDDLE SCHOOL DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT BEGINS

MIDDLE SCHOOL DODGEBALL TOURNAMENT CONT.

Our dodgeball tournament is in full swing and will continue throughout this upcoming week. 

STUDENT COUNCIL AND JR BETA CLUB MEETINGS

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

  • Student Council - Meeting on Monday, May 4 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, May 6 during D-Group

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

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)

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. 

  • 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.

Psalm 18:28, 30

v. 28 For it is You who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. 

v. 30  This God – His way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.

For Middle School Only: 

Distinction Requirements: 

Psalm 18:27 – For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.

  • 6th Grade - Memorize v. 27

  • 7th Grade - Memorize v. 27 and quiz with no blanks

  • 8th Grade - Memorize v. 27, quiz with no blanks & write application paragraph

LIONS OF THE MONTH: April

The theme for April is being Salt and Light. Coming from Jesus’ sermon in Matthew 5, we are commanded as Christians to preserve what is good and to show others what God has revealed. These students seek to do what is right and to guide others to do what is right. These students also look for opportunities to point others toward the truth and to show them the way to Jesus.

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL

Pastor Burdette, Dogwood Church, shared with the students from Colossians 4 about making spiritual conversations normal. The students were encouraged to carry out their bold living by seeking out opportunities to tell others about Jesus. He challenged them to first pray for opportunities to have spiritual conversations with others. God will open doors when we pray for opportunities. The students were then shown that there is only one true way to God and that it is through Jesus. We as Christians have an opportunity and a calling to share Jesus with others.

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!