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

Published April 25, 2021

Volume 81

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

In Ephesians 2:8-10 Paul emphasizes the role of works and faith in regards to our personal salvation. While good works do not serve as a basis for our salvation, they are nevertheless a necessary and expected fruit of our salvation. Our works are meant to glorify God rather than to give us a reason for boasting before Him. Most of us understand this concept when it comes to our salvation...the fact that God saves us on the account of Christ’s work vs. our own to keep us from boasting. But notice what Paul says in v.10 about the good works produced after our salvation. The fact that God has prepared the good works that flow from our salvation beforehand goes even further to show that we have zero grounds for boasting in ourselves. The gifts, abilities and resources that we have and use to bring glory to God are not a direct result of anything in us. Instead, those attributes are gifts from our Heavenly Father. In summary, we praise God and boast in Him because He saved us while we were dead in our sins, and He has made us alive to walk in the power of Spirit which enables us to now produce good. What an incredible God we serve!

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL 

Coach Ross continued our chapel series on “Finish Strong” by teaching from Luke 15:1-32. He emphasized that even in the midst of failures, we must avoid letting others or even our own emotions keep us from finishing strong in the work that God has called us to.

APRIL MEMORY VERSE: ROMANS 8:28-29 (ESV)

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

LIONS OF THE WEEK

Congratulations to the following students that were nominated by their teachers for making good choices or setting a good example recently. 

• 6th Grade = Colin DePriest

• 7th Grade = Katie Seitz

• 8th Grade = Luci Lanier

HABITUDES MOMENT

Ask your child about the new leadership images being introduced in Habitudes this month. 

6th Grade:

Discipline Bridge - Personal discipline is the bridge to the goal.

Lesson Summary - Leaders don’t build character without crossing the bridge of discipline. Personal discipline is like a bridge that crosses from where you are to where you want to be. It gets you where you want to go.

7th & 8th Grade:

The Waldorf Principle - Servant leadership gains influence with others.

Lesson Summary - The way to the top with people is by serving them extravagantly and sacrificially. A simple clerk did this to Mr. Waldorf, and the rich tycoon returned to make that clerk his first hotel manager in New York. People expect good service from leaders. They are surprised when we serve sacrificially.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TALENT SHOW

Talent Show Date: Wednesday, May 12 - 1:45pm in the Gym

FINAL EXAM INFORMATION

Please note the plans for middle school exam week and the final calculation of grades.

• Bible = NO EXAM — final grade will be calculated by assignments given until May 21.

• English = Final exam will be a reading comprehension assessment.

• History = Final exam will be a non-comprehensive unit test. 

• Math = Final exam will be a comprehensive test over all content/material learned.

• Science = Students will be given a non-comprehensive unit test.

EXAM EXEMPTIONS AND CONFLICTS

• Students may exempt up to 2 exams (English, History or Science) if they have a 95% or higher in the class. Teachers will communicate exemption eligibility as we get closer to exam week. Exempt students are not required to attend school during the exam they have exempted.

• Students needing to take an exam early due to an absence-related issue must submit a Pre-Absence Request Form to Mr. Vinson by Monday, May 10 so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL SCHEDULE

Please utilize this link to access our middle school schedule for the last week of school so you can make plans to join us for 6th and 7th grade awards programs (virtually for parents) and our 8th grade graduation (in-person for parents).

COMMUNITY SERVICE UPDATE

With the challenges presented by COVID this year regarding allowed ways to serve, we are making our 10 hours of community service an “encouraged” assignment vs. a “required” assignment this year. Students who complete their 10 hours of community service will receive a 100 test grade in Bible. Students who are unable to complete the 10 hours of community service will not incur a penalty.

HONORS PLACEMENT FOR 21/22 SCHOOL YEAR

Please utilize this link to access requirements used for determining honors class placement for next year’s schedule. The placement requirements will apply to our current 6th and 7th grade students as 8th grade students will be placed according to the high school requirements.

Reminders

• Sick Absences - Be sure to email Adam Vinson (adam.vinson@tcslions.org)

• House Competition - Follow along all year www.tcshouses.weebly.com

Staff Contacts

• Director of Student Life - Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)

  • Available to assist with student life-related questions (field trips, parties, etc.),  discipline issues, and social and emotional-related challenges

• Dean of Students - Ryan Tipton (ryan.tipton@tcslions.org) 

  • Available to assist with disciplinary concerns.