Inside the Pride Middle School News - Volume 309

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

Published May 10, 2026

Volume 309

 

Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal

 

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

As we look towards next year, we are excited to share that CLASS SELECTION FORMS will be released later this week! That’s right, in anticipation of 7th grade (for our 6th graders) and 8th grade (for our 7th graders), we will be sharing information for how to make class choices and preferences known for our administrative team who will be building your child’s schedule this summer. Be on the lookout for an announcement this week along with instructions for how to submit!

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 19: 8th Grade Promotion Night

  • May 20: 6th/7th Awards Day

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

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL: WHAT’S HAPPENING

As we look towards the last week of school, please be aware of the schedule and the important events and activities taking place. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL EXAM SCHEDULE

Note: Students who scored an 80% or higher on their end of year Progress Learning testing may exempt their corresponding English or Math final if they choose. 

  • 8th Grade

    • May 15 - Period 5 and 6 Exams (Friday before last week of school)

    • May 18 - Period 3 and 4 Exams

    • May 19 - Period 1 and 2 Exams

  • 6th and 7th Grades

    • May 19 - Period 1 and 2 Exams

    • May 20 - Period 3 and 4 Exams

    • May 21 - Period 5 and 6 Exams

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • May 18 - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony Practice (during 6th period)

  • May 19 - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony 6pm

Note: 8th graders are finished with the school year on May 19. 

  • May 20 - 6th and 7th Awards Day

Parents of students who are being recognized were emailed invitations to the program. 

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

MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS DAY

As we approach the end of the year, we want to celebrate our students’ hard work and accomplishments. This year’s middle school awards ceremonies will be as follows:

  • 8th Grade - Awards will be given as part of our 8th Grade Promotion Night with all parents being invited to attend. 

6th and 7th Grades - Awards will be given out at 9:50 am on Wednesday, May 20. Parents of students who are receiving an award were invited by email last week.

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.

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)

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 5:23-24

v. 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

v. 24 He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.

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

Coach Henry shared his story with the students about living purposefully for the Lord so that others may know Him. The students were challenged to analyze where they find joy and where true joy is found. Coach Henry shared how the Lord carried Him through a really difficult time. This event led him to find his satisfaction in Christ and to be purposeful every day, seeking joy in what God has given. The students were encouraged to see all that the Lord has done, to seek the Lord for all joy, and to share this joy with others that they may know Christ.

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!