Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the Desk of Principal Mills
Sunday, January 28th, 2024
Happy Sunday Ram Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying this last weekend of January! Please remember that tomorrow - Monday, January 29th is a Professional Growth Day for all TPMS staff, so there is NO SCHOOL for students! As a result, the main school office will be closed as all staff are participating in a variety of professional learning opportunities throughout the day. School will reopen with a regular day 2-4-6-8 schedule and an 8:30am start for all students on Tuesday, January 30th.
We had another busy week at TPMS, with a pretty solid rain storm to start the week, students learning how to make tamales in our Spanish classes (Thank You Mr. Castro!), our Great Kindness Challenge and Spirit Week dress up days, play practice, after school volleyball practice and about half a dozen other student activities and events! One of my favorites was our TPMS Spelling Bee...
This past Wednesday afternoon I had the pleasure of being the pronouncer for our school-wide Spelling Bee; we had 19 students compete for this year's title and the opportunity to represent TPMS at the Regional Spelling Bee to be held in San Diego in early March. After almost two hours of spelling, the win eventually went to 8th grader, and now 3-time Spelling Bee Champion Ben Evans. This year's winning word was "turquoise", and yes, Ben could have also spelled it "turquois" to get the win!
This year's competition was fierce! I was surprised to see how many 6th graders signed up this year to participate, and boy did these kids come prepared! I think part of that can be attributed to the efforts of our amazing Librarian and Spelling Bee Judge, Mrs. Uyloan! She held multiple study sessions with students after school in the library over the past month to help our spellers with strategies, rules and tips. Another shout out to first-time Spelling Bee Judge Mrs. Tudor for helping us out this year too!
Check out a picture of our spellers and judges below. Our top 3 winners received medals and all participants received a certificate and goodie bag! The Spelling Bee is one of the many events that is sponsored by our Twin Peaks PTSA; please consider supporting their Krispy Kreme Doughnut fundraiser to help the PTSA continue to provide events like the Spelling Bee for our students.
Your final opportunity to support the Twin Peaks PTSA and purchase your Krispy Kreme Doughnut e-vouchers is this Sunday, January 28th by midnight! This is a great deal - you get a dozen Krispy Kreme Doughnuts for $15 (cheaper than the store price!), and half of what you pay is donated to our PTSA to help run and support the wonderful activities and events that they sponsor throughout the year. It's a WIN-WIN!! Check the graphic and information below for the link to purchase your e-vouchers!
Twin Peaks 6th Graders will be attending Cuyamaca Outdoor School, aka 6th Grade Camp, the week of March 10th-15th, 2024! This is an amazing opportunity for your 6th grader to learn in the outdoors and bond with their peers in the beautiful surroundings of Cuyamaca State Park. Information packets were distributed to students in Homeroom classes this past Tuesday. Please have your student turn in their completed paperwork and payment to their Homeroom teacher NO LATER THAN this Friday, February 2nd.
We are starting to plan for our TPMS College & Career Fair on Friday, March 8th and we need parents to share their careers with our students! If you are interested in showcasing your career for our students and are available during our lunch time on March 8th, please consider volunteering! Check out the information below with a Google form link to sign-up and contact information if you have any questions.
Finally this week, we are excited to welcome the families of our students who have earned their EL Reclassification Certificate to our EL Reclassification Ceremony being held this Wednesday, January 31st at 8:30am in our Theater. This will be an opportunity for us to celebrate the achievements of more than 30 of our multilingual learners who performed well enough on last recent EL and iReady exams to be "reclassified" as non-English Language Learners! This provides them with a much preferred instructional path entering high school and access to additional electives in their schedules. Congratulations to all of our multilingual learners who reached this important milestone!
In Partnership,
Steve Mills
Proud Principal
Twin Peaks Middle School
1(858)748-5131 x2806
Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks
TWIN PEAKS SPELLING BEE 2024
PTSA Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Fundraiser
What: PTSA Winter fundraiser
When: January 15th-28th
Cost: $15 per dozen, up to 50% back to PTSA.
How: Fill out the Google Form to purchase: Krispy Kreme Purchase Form
Digital gift cards will be sent out after the fundraiser ends on 1/28/2024. Thank you in advance for your support of our PTSA!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
TPMS NEWS AND EVENTS - Click here for Calendar
January 29th: Prof. Development Day, No School for Students
January 31st: Late Start, 9:50am
January 31st: Reclassification Ceremony, 8:30am Theater
February 7th: Late Start, 9:50am
February 7th: Band Concert @ MES, 9-11am
February 9th: Band Concert @ TBES, 11am-12:15pm
February 14th: Late Start, 9:50am
February 13th: TPMS Foundation Meeting, 6pm Library
February 15th: PTSA Meeting, 6:15pm Library
February 16th: Minimum Day, 12:35pm release
February 19-23: President's Week Break - NO SCHOOL
February 28th: Late Start, 9:50am
March 1st: End of Trimester 2
March 4th: Trimester 3 Begins
March 6th: Late Start, 9:50am
March 8th: College & Career Fair, Lunch in the Quad
March 8th: Spring Dance, 5:30-8pm, Quad
March 11th-15th: 6th Grade Camp
March 13th: Late Start, 9:50am
March 20th: Late Start, 9:50am
March 20th: 5th Grade Parent Night / Electives Fair
SDCOE & Computers2Kids Event
The San Diego County Office of Education and Computers2Kids are hosting an event for families to purchase affordable computers on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024 from 9 to 12:00 p.m. at Canyon Hills High School, 5156 Santo Rd, San Diego, CA 92124 (Drive Thru Event).
Click here for the flyer and specific details.
Since the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year, the partnership between SDCOE and Computers2Kids has provided refurbished computers to San Diego families. As of July 2023 they have provided approximately 2000 refurbished computers to 900 San Diego families. We hope your families are able to benefit from this event.
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU THROW THINGS AWAY AT SCHOOL - USE THE RIGHT BIN!
Join the TPMS Choir
TPMS Choir will start singing on January 18th! Practices will be Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:15-8:15am. All students are welcome! Students need to be on time and can not miss more than 4 practices total for the choir session. We will perform a May 16th concert at Twin Peaks, and two other performances with the Poway High School Choir on May 23rd and May 24th.
Any questions, please email TPMSchoirdirector@gmail.com
For registration information: TPMS Spring 2024 Choir Registration
PHS Engineering Academy/Pathway Info Night
WED, Feb. 7, 2024, from 7 pm to 8 pm in Room N3107 at Poway High: This is an opportunity to hear how the program is helping current students and how the Poway High School Engineering Academy/Pathway is making a difference toward their college and career goals. You will learn about what courses to enroll in to start the Academy or Pathway. There will also be a presentation about updates in the Academy and an overview of the program and pathway. There will be a question-and-answer period. Please click here for the flyer.
TPMS College & Career Fair 2024 - We Need Your Help!
College & Career Fair Details
Date: Friday, March 8th
Time: 11am-12:35pm
Location: TPMS Quad
We are thrilled to share that Twin Peaks Middle School will host its annual College and Career Fair and we need you to make this a meaningful and informative experience for our students. If you would like to participate by sharing fun facts and other information about your work and career with our students, please complete our Google Form LINKED HERE. We look forward to partnering with you for this exciting event. Please contact Melissa Baskin, mbaskin@powayusd.com, if you have any questions.
8th Grade Yearbook Ads
Calling all families of 8th graders here at Twin Peaks! 8th Grade Recognition Ads are open and ready for purchase. Go to www.jostens.com and click on Recognition Ads to start the process of celebrating your 8th grader in this year’s yearbook! Deadline is February 1st so don’t delay! Don't forget to order your yearbook, too! Want more information about Yearbooks? Go to http://tpmsyearbook.weebly.com/
6th Grade Camp: March 11th - 15th, 2024
All 6th Grade students will be getting information and registration packets for Cuyamaca Outdoor School (aka 6th Grade Camp) in their Homerooms this Tuesday, January, 16. The cost for the full week of camp this year is $455. Please plan on submitting all forms and payment by Friday, February 2, 2024. We are excited to continue the 78 year tradition of 6th Graders visiting Cuyamaca Outdoor School!
Please Get to School On-Time!
Parents - please make every effort to have your student here before classes begin each day at 8:30am, or before 9:50am on Wednesdays. We are actually experiencing a larger percentage of students late to school on Wednesdays when we have late start than on our regular start days. Please try and drop your student off at school by 8:15am or regular days and by 9:30am on late-start Wednesdays so that they have time to get to their first block class on time; we open the school gates 30 minutes before classes actually start, and our Food Services provide a free breakfast for students during this time or during the morning break after first block.
Multilingual Program Updates!
First, we are excited to share a new tool you can access to support your student(s) that are English Learners. The EL Console is our new application where parents can see student’s progress towards reclassification. You can view their ELPAC scores along with their progress on iReady and SBAC assessments. To access the EL Console, follow these quick steps!
Second, our English Learner department has a new Instagram and Facebook account you can follow! You can see amazing learning in action, get updates from the EL Department, and learn how to continue to support your child. You can follow along at @pusdmll !
Attendance Corner
Is your Student leaving early? Call the Attendance Hotline (858) 668-2730 that morning. Leave a message and a note gets sent to the student that block. Bring in your ID, sign the student out, and away you go!
Is your Student running late? Absent? Call the Attendance Hotline (858) 668-2730
Leave a message with the requested information and the Tardy or Absence will be excused.
Did your student go to the Doctor/Dentist/Orthodontist/Dermatologist/Optometrist?
It is beneficial to his/her attendance record to bring an official medical note to the Attendance Desk. Any absence excused by a medical note does not count toward your student’s absence total.
Main Office Drop-Offs
As a general rule, we do not accept drop-off items for students once they arrive at school. While we do make exceptions for medical and emergency situations, our TPMS Student Planner states: "In an effort to limit classroom interruptions as well as encourage students to become more independent and self-sufficient, Twin Peaks does not allow delivery of forgotten lunches, PE clothes, homework, non-emergency messages, or other items during the school day."
Delivery food and Door Dash-like companies may not deliver to students at school; additionally, cell phones will not be held for students at the front desk for them to pick up. Breakfast and lunch items are provided to all students, free of charge, so there should not be any reason to drop off a lunch for your student - they will be able to get food at school. If your student has food allergies that require special lunches, the Student Planner states you "must provide a Medical Statement (SNP-925) that explains the need. The medical statement must be signed by a physician and include recommended alternate foods."
TPMS Yearbook Info
Yearbooks are available for $55. Reserve yours now!
Pay by card: Go to www.jostens.com or use the QR code above.
Pay by cash/check: Download the typable order form from our webpage
http://tpmsyearbook.weebly.com/ or pick up a form in the office. Return the form and cash or check to the school office.
PTSA Meeting Dates 23-24
The Twin Peaks Middle School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) is a membership-based, volunteer organization dedicated to making each school year a rewarding and enriching experience for all students. As a volunteer organization, PTSA is integral to the success of many campus events. We fund, organize and provide volunteers for a variety of PTSA programs and important school activities which serve to enhance your student’s middle school experience
All Executive Board meetings will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:15pm in the TPMS Library unless listed otherwise. Association Meetings will be held in September, February, and April. Board meetings are open to PTSA Board Members and Committee Chairs while Association Meetings are open for all members of the Twin Peaks Middle School PTSA:
February 15th (Association Meeting @6:15pm; Board Meeting to follow)
March 14th
April 18th (Association Meeting @6:15pm; Board Meeting to follow)
May 23rd
To join the PTSA for the 2023-24 school year, please CLICK HERE!
TPMS Foundation 23-24
Twin Peaks Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing educational excellence for ALL students at Twin Peaks Middle School. Their purpose is to bridge the widening gap between the amount of money actually provided by the State of California and the Poway Unified School District and the amount necessary to fund technology upgrades, educational programs and resources necessary to support the school. The Foundation typically meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6pm in the TPMS Library. Here are their monthly meetings dates for the 2023-24 school year:
February 13th
March 12th
April 16th
May 21st
Please visit the TPMS Foundation Web Page by CLICKING HERE!
Shop Amazon through TPMS Foundation
Twin Peaks Middle School
Nondiscrimination Philosophy and Policy Statement
The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is an equal opportunity employer/program and is committed to an active Nondiscrimination Program. PUSD prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, immigration status, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For more information, please contact: Title IX/Equity Compliance Officer, James Jimenez, Associate Superintendent of Personnel support Services, Poway Unified School District, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128, 1-858-521-2800, extension 2121, jjimenez@powayusd.com. For students, you may contact Title IX Coordinator/504 Coordinator Jamie Dayhoff, Director of Attendance and Discipline, Poway Unified School District, 1-858-521-2840, jdayhoff@powayusd.com.
Email: chamilton@powayusd.com
Website: http://tpms.powayusd.com/index.html
Phone: 858.748.5131
Twitter: @TwinPeaksRams