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

Published July 25, 2021

Volume 90

A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON

Enjoy the final days of summer! May each of you find time for final vacations, pool parties and outdoor activities. Please let me know if you have any questions about the start of the school year. We cannot wait to see everyone at our Welcome to the Roar events to kick off the new year.

*CLASS SCHEDULE UPDATE*

We are still on pace to release your child’s schedule on August 1. I’ll keep you updated regarding any changes to that date. Remember, as we make the switch to Blackbaud, your child’s schedule will not be available on RenWeb. Stay tuned for guidance on how to access your child’s schedule on Blackbaud as we get closer to August.

*NEW PRE-ABSENCE FORM*

As you anticipate planned absences this year, please utilize the updated Pre-Absence Form (link below) which can be used for any grade level. This will allow our teachers to gather make-up work in advance for your child to complete while away. 

For all notes related to absences, please email Kasey Hanson, our Return to Academic Coordinator, at kasey.hanson@tcslions.org along with the Attendance Office at attendance@tcslions.org. 

Note: Beginning this year, students will now be expected to return to school with make-up work completed on their first day back in the classroom in order for the absence to be excused. 

***NEW PRE-ABSENCE FORM LINK***

*PARENTS: RETURNING TO CAMPUS*

We are still evaluating specific logistics and protocols, but we are anticipating that parents will be able to return to campus in various capacities this year. Specifically, we are planning to allow parents to visit for lunch time in the cafeteria. Please give us until after Labor Day to get necessary procedures in place as our students get started with the new year, but plan on joining us shortly after the school year starts as you desire.

*FORM GROUPS*

We are excited to begin a new small group ministry with our middle schoolers this year! Your child will be meeting with one of our faculty members 3-4x a semester with a small group of their peers to discuss issues related to their scholastic, social and spiritual development. Our hope is that through small group discussion and interaction, this will create a new, fresh way for our faculty to invest in the lives of each of our students. Be on the lookout for more information regarding our Form Groups throughout this year.

*HOSPITALITY BUDDIES*

Do you have a new student beginning at TCS this year? Our Director of Student Life, Tiffany McBurnett, is working to pair your child up with one of our Hospitality Team members to help them acclimate quickly. Our hope is to introduce your child to their buddy at our Welcome to the Roar events, but if a connection is not made there, be assured that your child will meet their buddy on the 1st day of school. If you have any questions about our hospitality program, feel free to reach out to Mrs. McBurnett at tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org.

*COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY*

We are looking for 10 middle schoolers who would be willing to serve on our chapel setup team each Wednesday morning.

• Responsibilities - Set up chairs in the gym every Wednesday morning. 

• Time Commitment - Arrive no later than 7:30am to help set up. Students will be dismissed to class by 8:00am. 

• Students who serve in this capacity will adequately fulfill the service requirement for the school year. 

• INTERESTED? Please email Dylan Higgins (dylan.higgins@tcslions.org) to express interest in having your child serve in this capacity. 

Don’t forget all middle school students are required to complete 10 hours of community service by May 2022. If you have questions throughout the year about service hours, please contact your child’s Bible teacher. The form is available here, or will be accessible in your child’s Google Drive.

*UPDATED GRADING SCALE*

To be consistent with the high school grading scale, our school will collectively be making the change to the following grade scale below for this upcoming school year.

• A – 90-100

• B – 80-89

• C – 71-79

• D – 70

• F – 69 and below

*NO CELL PHONES + COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR CHILD DURING SCHOOL DAY*

Please remember that middle school students are not permitted to use their cell phones during the school day, even for parent communication, without special permission from administration. While students may have cell phones on campus due to needing access to them while attending after school activities, students are expected to keep their cell phones in their locker or book bag during the school day. Please refrain from calling or texting your child during the school day. You may contact your child if a need arises through the following means:

1. Call the front office and request to speak with your child. 

2. Send an email to your child. 

Keep in mind you are not able to email your child from your personal account. Your child may only receive emails from those with a tcslions.org email account. The workaround is to have you log in to your child’s email account and send an email to their email address from their account. You can label the email subject heading “FROM MOM” or “FROM DAD” to ensure they open it in a timely manner.

IMPORTANT LINKS

• Dress Code Overview - No changes from last year, just reminders

• Supply Lists - Keep checking through the end of July for any updates

• Community Service Form - 10 hours due by May 2022

• Thrival Guide - Don’t just survive middle school, THRIVE during these years

Reminders:

8TH GRADE RETREAT TO SNOWBIRD

Mark your calendars now for our spiritual retreat for 8th grade! We are excited to kick off the year by taking our 8th graders to Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters in Andrews, NC. Tentative dates are Wednesday, Sept. 8 - Friday, Sept. 10. More information to come about pricing, but learn more about all that Snowbird has to offer by checking out their website - www.swoutfitters.com

MIDDLE SCHOOL SPIRIT WEAR OPTIONS

• Support the middle school by purchasing unique spirit wear items made especially for middle school students! Access the link below to find options for cotton t-shirts, quick dry shirts and hoodies! Each of these items may be worn on Fridays with jeans or normal dress code attire. 

  • ORDER LINK: https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/tcsmstee 

• Note: Items ordered will be delivered directly to the shipping address you enter. 

• ORDER DEADLINE IS MONDAY JULY 26

SUMMER READING REQUIREMENT

• Don’t forget to complete your summer reading book before the start of school.

• Rising 6th Grade REQUIRED summer reading: Stuart's Run to Faith by Sharon Hambrick - copies now available at the front office! Please complete this form if you would like to be charged $5.  

• Rising 7th and 8th Grade REQUIRED summer reading: This Changes Everything by Jaquelle Crowe

***REMINDER: Students who have completed their summer reading requirements by the 1st day of school will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card.***

*WELCOME TO THE ROAR EVENT FOR NEW FAMILIES*

• When: Thursday, August 5th from 6:30-8:30pm

• Who: New Families

• What: New Family Event (Ice Cream Social)

• Please join us at the athletic stadium for a brief message at 6:30pm. We will then enjoy a time of fellowship together. Afterwards, we invite you to make your way to the middle school building so you can walk through your child’s schedule, meet teachers and receive their locker assignment and Chromebook.  

• This is a perfect time to bring your child’s school supplies. You will be able to place those in your child’s locker and turn in classroom supplies to the teacher. 

• New families are invited to attend on August 5th, August 8th, or both dates depending on your availability. We are excited to welcome our new families!

*WELCOME TO THE ROAR EVENT FOR ALL TRINITY FAMILIES*

• When: Sunday, August 8th from 5:30-8:30pm

• Who: All Trinity Families

• Upon your arrival, please go directly to the middle school building to walk your child’s schedule and meet teachers! Please note that the classrooms will close at 7:30pm. After you have had a chance to walk your child’s schedule, head to the stadium for a time of fellowship with other families as our students enjoy playing on a variety of inflatables.

• This is a perfect time to bring your child’s school supplies. You will be able to place those in your child’s locker and turn in classroom supplies to the teacher. 

• We invite our new and returning families to join us for this evening of fun and fellowship. Trinity thrives on community and we would love to see you there!

*FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Tuesday, August 10th* 

• Begins Normal School Hours: 8:00am - 2:50pm

NEW TEACHING TEAMS 

With all of our continued growth, we have expanded upon our awesome faculty at the middle school and shifted some of our teachers into new roles. Check out the teaching teams for each grade level below. 

6th Grade Teaching Team

• Bible - Jacob Carr

• English - Melissa Lanier and Kasey Hanson

• History - Harris Veal *New Teacher*

• Math - Brandi Brown *New Teacher*

• Science - Abby Akins *New Teacher*

• Skills Development - Michele Cordwell

7th Grade Teaching Team

• Bible - Tyson Moore

• English - Kiley Huddleston *New Teacher*

• History - Wesley Lassiter *New Teacher*

• Math - Beth Jackson *New Teacher*

• Science - Tim Sandefur

• Skills Development - Chelsea Barnett

8th Grade Teaching Team

• Bible - Ryan Tipton

• English - Jennifer Baer and Kristan Peavy

• History - Nic Dickens

• Math - Emily Walter, Paige Whitaker, Millie Smith

• Science - Amber Hasty and JoAlison Higgins

• Skills Development - Jenn Opsahl 

PE Teaching Team

• Roby Ross

• Jenny King

• Tommy Gregg *New Teacher*

CARPOOL REQUESTS

For those parents in need of carpool help, please email me your specific needs based on the criteria below. 

• Number of children

• Home location - city, neighborhood, etc. 

• Specific needs - morning drop-off, afternoon pickup, specific days needed, etc. 

NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACTS

Please note the new administrative positions and the individuals serving in those capacities for next year. 

• 6th Grade Academic Coordinator - Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org)

  • Mrs. Lanier will be assisting you with any academic-related needs for 6th grade.

• 7th and 8th Grade Academic Coordinator - Emily Walter (emily.walter@tcslions.org)

  • Miss Walter will be assisting you with any academic-related needs for 7th and 8th grade. 

• Middle School RTA Coordinator - Kasey Hanson (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org) 

  • Mrs. Hanson will be assisting you with makeup work related to any extended absences your child may have this year. 

RETURNING MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACTS

These administrative staff are returning in the same capacities as last year and are ready to assist you with any needs you might have related to their specific areas. 

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

  • Mrs. McBurnett will continue to oversee our special events and field trips while also handling our middle school counseling duties. 

• Director of Student Development - Dylan Higgins (dylan.higgins@tcslions.org)

  • Mr. Higgins will continue to oversee the spiritual development of our student body while also assisting with academic needs your child may have. 

• Director of Skills Development - Jenn Opsahl (jennifer.opsahl@tcslions.org) 

  • Mrs. Opsahl will continue to oversee our Skills Development Program. 

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

  • Mr. Tipton will continue to address any disciplinary issues throughout the year.