Keeping you plugged into the exciting things happening at the Middle School
Published September 5, 2021
Volume 96
Adam Vinson - Middle School Principal
A MESSAGE FROM MR. VINSON
Can you believe the month of August is already over?!? We are so thankful for a month of face-to-face learning on campus. God has continued to show His faithful provision to us, and we look forward to all He has in store for the month of September. This is an exciting month with Homecoming being celebrated! Check out the special days planned for our students to show their school spirit!
HOMECOMING WEEK (Sept 13-17) SPIRIT DAYS
Monday = Pajama Day
Tuesday = Decade Day
Wednesday = Character Day
Thursday = City vs. Country
Friday = Spirit Day (TCS colors)
Note: Friday Night Homecoming Football Game = “GRAY OUT”
LAST WEEK IN CHAPEL
Guest speaker, Pastor Jeff Grenell, spoke to our students on the importance of the Holy Spirit and the work He seeks to accomplish to glorify Jesus in all areas of our life. Speaking from John 14 and John 16, Pastor Jeff helped us see that in both our academics and activities, the Holy Spirit desires to work and move in mighty ways. May the LORD continue to bless us with His Spirit and may our students experience the life-changing power of His ministry in each of their lives!
SEPTEMBER MEMORY VERSES: Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)
Help your child learn their memory verses over the course of this month.
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
LIONS OF THE WEEK
6th Grade = Tarik Tipton
7th Grade = Julia Johnson
8th Grade = Caleb Buck
SEPTEMBER HABITUDES MOMENT
Check out the leadership principles our students are learning this month! Learn more about our Habitudes curriculum here.
6th Grade = The Starving Baker - Leaders feed themselves for personal growth.
Lesson Summary - This is a common hazard for leaders. We’re like the baker who spends so much time baking bread for others, we forget to eat ourselves. Leaders must feed themselves for personal growth.
7th = The Talking Stick - Listen and empathize before you lead.
Lesson Summary - The Talking Stick reminds us that before we lead we must listen. Leaders seek to understand the perspective of others before they communicate their own point. They show empathy and ask good questions. As a result, they earn the right to be heard.
8th = A Compass or a GPS - We need ethics to guide us in new situations.
Lesson Summary - A GPS or Google Maps are only helpful if you are on paved roads. If you are entering new areas, you need a compass that shows you true north. Similarly, we need values that provide direction when we enter new territory.
LUNCH WITH YOUR CHILD
Hopefully you received the email from Coach Hanson (Director of Operations) regarding the plans we are attempting to make to welcome parents on campus during lunch times. We are still working on the logistics of parking so please be patient as we attempt to make final plans on Tuesday, September 7 during our weekly admin meeting. We hope to update you shortly after with guidelines and plans for this year.
*8TH GRADE RETREAT TO SNOWBIRD*
Please be in prayer for our 8th grade students this week as we travel up to Andrews, NC for a 3 day trip to Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters. This is such an impactful trip for our 8th graders each year, and we are praying for an incredible experience that leads to lasting fruit in each of their lives. Join us in praying for God’s will to be accomplished in each of their hearts during our worship services together. Our hope and prayer is that God makes Himself known through the teaching of His Word in a way that transforms our students in a mighty way.
Learn more about Snowbird’s offerings by checking out their website www.swoutfitters.com
A GLIMPSE INSIDE OUR CLASSROOMS IN AUGUST
We had a busy month of August in middle school! Our teachers have jumped into this year with energy, enthusiasm, and engaging lessons right off the bat. Here is just a peek at what’s been happening in the classroom this month:
6th, 7th, and 8th grade science classes practiced lab procedures in a fun and engaging slime lab. Renditions of Mary Had a Little Lamb, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Row, Row, Row Your Boat could be heard throughout the hallways as students practiced following directions.
8th grade English mourned the loss of overused words in a solemn funeral service. These words were laid to rest after they were celebrated in beautiful song and moving eulogies. They will live forever in our memories as we use more interesting words in our writing.
DROP/ADD FOR ELECTIVE CLASSES
Please note that our drop/add period has now expired for changing elective classes. We are excited about our electrive classes this year and look forward to what your child is going to learn and experience in these exploratory-type learning environments.
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.
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:
Blackbaud Questions - Email Tiffany McBurnett (tiffany.mcburnett@tcslions.org)
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.