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

Published May 16, 2021

Volume 84

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

We are having a blast celebrating your children here at the end of the school year. From Performing Arts concerts to the Middle School Talent Show, we are continuing to see the incredible talents and gifts of our students on display. I can’t wait to acknowledge more of our students at the upcoming end of the year programs as well as our 8th grade graduation. The countdown for summer is becoming real! Let’s finish these last week and a half strong!

LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL 

We celebrated the end of the year with our Middle School Talent Show! Congratulations to the following students who placed in our competition. 

• 1ST PLACE - Gabe Rivera (8th grade)

• 2ND PLACE - Ainsley and Helene Lawson (8th grade)

• 3RD PLACE - Elly Dallas (7th grade)

MAY MEMORY VERSE: JAMES 1:2-3 (ESV)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

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 = Ceci Carroll

• 7th Grade = Luke Evans

• 8th Grade = Clint Robertson

HABITUDES MOMENT

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

6th Grade:

The Half-Hearted Mountain Climber - Commitment is the key to lasting leadership.

Lesson Summary: Mountain climbers are only successful if they are committed to their mission. Leaders are the same way. You cannot have involvement without commitment and be effective. It goes with the territory.

7th & 8th Grade:

Lightning Rods - Embrace criticism while redirecting negativity.

Lesson Summary: A lightning rod protects a building by safely taking the strike and grounding it. It channels the impact of that strike to a safe place. Leaders handle anger and criticism in a similar way. They take the heat for the team, and they find appropriate outlets for their own anger.

RISING 9th GRADE OPPORTUNITY 

A message from the 2021-2022 HS Student Council President: 

Hey Eighth Graders!

Looking for a fun way to get involved as a new part of the Highschool Student Body? Joining Student Council offers you the chance for greater school spirit through volunteering, developing friendships with not just your grade but others, enabling you to speak your voice, and building your resume! By committing to Student Council you are responsible to attend quarterly meetings, volunteer in at least 2 student council homecoming preparation activities, participate in at least 1 student council sale throughout the year, attend events hosted by the student council, and you are expected to show spirit by dressing up on our dress-up days. As leaders of the student body, we expect you to have the most school spirit, setting an example for others. There is no GPA requirement to join, and if you are interested please fill out the Google Form and you will be added to our Google Classroom.

https://forms.gle/ipvrR9twGjPP2XQR8 

If you have any further questions, please contact me ally.lawson@tcslions.org, Thank you!

FINAL EXAM INFORMATION

***EXAM WEEK DRESS CODE***

Students may wear jeans with TCS spirit wear (Friday dress code) for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Exam Week (May 24-26). 

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. Students who are eligible will be called to Mr. Vinson’s office to be informed beginning Thursday, May 20. 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.

8TH GRADE GRADUATION PLANS

Tuesday, May 25 at 6pm 

We are going to move the event to the stadium so that parents, siblings and other extended family and friends can join us in the outdoor setting. We will be honoring our 8th grade students with their academic awards for the year while recognizing each of our 8th graders for completing middle school. The event will also be live streamed for those who are unable to attend. 

***Prayer of Blessing***

To close our ceremony we would like for each 8th grader to identify 1 special person in their life who they would like to pray a special prayer of blessing over them as they prepare to enter high school. This person can be a mom, dad, grandparent, pastor, etc. Each 8th grader should select 1 individual to participate in this part of our ceremony. 

Please complete this form regarding who will be praying over your child.

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).

***REMINDER: 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***

As we come to the end of the year, we will be collaborating with our teachers about official class placement for your child next year. Reminder, here are the minimum requirements for advanced/honors classes. We hope to make final selections regarding advanced/honors classes by the middle of June.

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.