Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published August 22, 2021
Volume 94
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
We hope your child has enjoyed an awesome start to the new school year! As a staff, we are praying daily that each of our students will THRIVE this year scholastically, socially and spiritually. As we settle into the year, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me and my staff if we can help support your child in any of the ways listed above.
Be sure to check Blackbaud regularly to stay informed about your child’s progress this year!
LESSON PLANS: Need to know what your child is learning in the classroom? Check the “Bulletin Board” section for each of your child’s classes.
HOMEWORK: Need to know what assignments your child should be completing at home? Check the “Bulletin Board” section for each of your child’s classes.
GRADES/PROGRESS: Need to know how your child did on their last test? Check the “Grade Detail” section for each of your child’s classes.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Need to know more about what is happening in the classroom and the expectations of the teacher? Email your child’s teacher or reach out to your child’s Academic Coordinator. My team is ready and excited to help you!
6th Grade Academic Coordinator = Melissa Lanier (melissa.lanier@tcslions.org)
7th-8th Grade Academic Coordinator = Emily Walter (emily.walter@tcslions.org)
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Mr. Vinson continued our series on the type of culture we hope to see within our middle school with Part 2. Using Matthew 7 and Jesus’ teaching on the Golden Rule, Mr. Vinson encouraged our students to approach this year with a desire to treat others like they wish to be treated. While it is easy to show kindness towards those who show us kindness in return, we want to help instill a mindset in our students that everyone deserves to be treated with love, kindness and respect, even if they don’t always return the same treatment to us. Will you join us in praying that our students will learn to show the love of Christ to each other in the hallways, in the locker rooms, in the classrooms, on the athletic fields, etc.?
AUGUST MEMORY VERSES: Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (ESV)
Help your child learn their memory verses over the course of this month.
12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?
LIONS OF THE WEEK
6th Grade = Callie Flury
7th Grade = Luke Lanier
8th Grade = Andrew Fourman
AUGUST HABITUDES MOMENT
Check out the leadership principles our students are learning this month! Learn more about our Habitudes curriculum here.
6th Grade = The Iceberg - Influence is 10% skill, 90% character.
Lesson Summary - The Iceberg represents your leadership. The 10% above the water is your skill. The 90% below the water is your character. It’s what’s below the surface that sinks the ship.
7th Grade = Hosts and Guests - Leaders are intentional in relationships.
Lesson Summary - Leaders take the initiative in relationships. They are intentional about them. They see themselves as hosts, not guests, and they go out of their way to connect with people and provide for them.
8th Grade = Windshields and Rear View Mirrors - Let go of the past to make future progress.
Lesson Summary - Everyone focuses on something—the past or the future. Where does your energy come from? When our dreams are bigger than our memories, we gain energy from the hope that lies ahead. Often, we must let go of the comfort from our past to make progress.
BLACKBAUD NOTIFICATIONS
For those that have been at Trinity in years past you will remember that Renweb used to send out weekly grade reports to prompt you to review your child’s grades and progress. While Blackbaud does not send an automated report each week, you do have the option to select which notifications you would like to receive to help you support your child. You can subscribe to the following notifications in Blackbaud if you choose, but you will need to set these individual notifications if you want to subscribe to them.
Assignment Added
Assignment Changed
Assignment Graded
Assignment Missing
Late/Missing Assignment Submitted
REMINDER: SICK ABSENCES AND MAKEUP WORK PROCESS
If your child has to miss class this year due to sickness or quarantine, check out our process below for getting your child caught up on missing work and assignments.
WHO WILL HELP ORGANIZE MY CHILD’S MAKEUP WORK? - Kasey Hanson is our RTA (Return to Academics) Coordinator and will help oversee connecting you and your child with a list of missing assignments to complete. Be on the lookout for her emails to help you stay connected.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT 1-2 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.
WHAT IF MY CHILD IS ABSENT 3+ DAYS? - Mrs. Hanson will be emailing you a Google Sheet with all of the assignments your child will need to complete for each class.
NOTE: If your child is sick, we want your child to focus on resting and healing before worrying about missing assignments. Please know our teachers will work diligently to help your child catch up once they are feeling well enough to complete assignments.
SPIRIT STORE REOPENED
Don’t forget to order your middle school spirit wear! Our online store will close once again on August 31 so don’t miss out on this opportunity to support our middle school!
*8TH GRADE RETREAT TO SNOWBIRD*
PERMISSION FORMS ARE BEING SENT HOME THIS WEEK
We are excited to kick off the year by taking our 8th graders to Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters in Andrews, NC. Our trip is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 8 - Friday, Sept. 10. Learn more about all that Snowbird has to offer by checking out their website - www.swoutfitters.com
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
Reminders:
Pre-Absence Requests - Be sure to email Kasey Hanson (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org)
Sick Absences - Be sure to email our nurses (nurses@tcslions.org) and our attendance office (attendance@tcslions.org) - You can also include Kasey Hanson as well (kasey.hanson@tcslions.org)
House Competition - Follow along all year www.tcshouses.weebly.com
IMPORTANT LINKS
New Pre-Absence Form - Use when anticipating upcoming absences
Dress Code Overview - No changes from last year, just reminders
Community Service Form - 10 hours due by May 2022
Thrival Guide - Don’t just survive middle school, THRIVE during these years
MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACTS
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.
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.