Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the desk of Principal Mills
Sunday, October 1st, 2023
Happy Sunday Ram Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying your weekend after a great week of learning and amazing activities at Twin Peaks MS! A friendly reminder that we have minimum days this Monday and Tuesday, October 2nd and 3rd in preparation for our Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences next week. Dismissal on both Monday and Tuesday this week will be at 12:35pm. Our PUSD Transportation and ASES program will be operating with their usual schedule on both days.
We have Parent-Student-Teacher conferences being scheduled for next Thursday and Friday, October 12th and 13th. These are also minimum days with dismissal at 12:35pm. We will have a few of our buses running 15-20 minutes late on Thursday, October 12th as they complete their elementary school drop offs before picking up middle school routes. We apologize in advance for this conflict, but we are more than 10 bus drivers short district-wide and they are not able to cover every route because of the staffing shortage. Interested in being a bus driver for PUSD?! CLICK HERE to search available PUSD jobs and to apply!
Our first 6 week progress report period closed on Friday, September 29th. Grades posted in Synergy on Tuesday will reflect students' academic standing in their classes - please check StudentVue and ParentVue for any updates. This next week, Homeroom teachers will be reaching to schedule parent-student-teacher conferences to support students who may be struggling after this first benchmark. Please make sure to respond and schedule a date, time and format that works best for you and your family.
Please remember that if you ever have individual concerns about your student's progress in a class, please reach out to their teacher directly via email or through their Canvas class page. Building strong partnerships with teachers and parents is key to student success, and we look forward to meeting with parents and students during our upcoming conferences.
A big THANK YOU to all of our AVID students and families who turned out Wednesday Night for the AVID Induction Ceremony. It was awesome to hear from Twin Peaks AVID alumni and how their work at TPMS set them up for success at the high school level. Students had a chance to sign their AVID commitments and then light a ceremonial candle with their families. It was a memorable and inspiring ceremony that our AVID students will not soon forget. A big THANK YOU to our AVID teachers for all of their hard work in making this event possible!
This past Wednesday at lunch, our Student Services Specialist, Mrs. Bernsen, and our Mending Matters Therapist, Ms. Nguyen, hosted a positive affirmations table in the quad to support students and their mental health. Students had a chance to decorate their own journal or build their own "mighty defender" craft. Students - please make sure to stop the tables on the stage at lunch for more opportunities to participate and earn 5 Star points!
Our first annual Identity Day was this past Friday, September 29th after school on both of the TPMS and TBES campuses. Students and families had a chance to enjoy cultural performances from Taiko and Kenyan drummers, a didgeridoo player, and a Ballet Folklorico group! Food trucks served up some amazing food, and information tables were available to support students and families with activities and information. Most importantly, student Identity Posters were hung all over both campuses for students and families to enjoy! A big THANK YOU to all of our families who attended, and especially to those who volunteered to work the event. I hope you enjoy the photos from the event below!
The TPMS Parent Patrol is looking for volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks to support school events throughout the year, such as providing supervision at ASB and WEB events, setting up and tearing down events (like the 6th grade Olympics), and helping with 8th grade promotion and end-of-year events. If you would like to signup for the TPMS Parent Patrol, please CLICK HERE for the signup form.
Finally this week, our first ELAC parent meeting of the year is this Wednesday, October 4th starting at 5:30pm in Pride Park at TPMS. Students are more than welcome to attend this family-friendly meeting! Parents of multi-lingual students please make sure to attend! This is an opportunity for you to meet with our EL Coordinator, Alison Shewmaker, our Spanish-speaking Community Liaison, Marly Ramos, and members of our TPMS Administrative Team. The best part of the ELAC meetings are getting to connect with other families who also have students they are supporting as they acquire English language fluency. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting on Wednesday evening!
In Partnership,
Steve Mills
Proud Principal
Twin Peaks Middle School
1(858)748-5131 x2806
Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks
UPCOMING EVENTS:
TPMS NEWS AND EVENTS
October 2nd & 3rd: Minimum Days - Conference Prep
October 3rd & 4th: Band Taco Shop Fundraiser
October 4th: Late Start - 9:50am
October 4th: Ukulele JAM Session, both lunches, Library
October 4th: ELAC Meeting, 5:30-7pm @Pride Park
October 12th & 13th: Minimum Days - P/S/T Conferences
October 18th: AVID Fundraiser @ Chipotle
October 21st: Foundation Fall Parent Social, 6-9pm
October 27th: 7/8 Band/Orchestra Pop-up Concert, 7:30am, TPMS Quad
October 27th: Jazz Band Concert during both lunches, 11:30am-12:30pm, Quad
ELAC Meeting for Parents of Multilingual Learners
TBES & TPMS IDENTITY DAY
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS @LUNCH
Attendance Corner
ATTENDANCE HOTLINE:
To report an Absence, Tardy, or student Leaving Early…Call the Attendance Hotline (858)668-2730. It’s available 24/7. Leave the information needed, and attendance will be updated.
PERIOD ABSENCES
If you receive a call about your student being marked absent for a period the chart below will help to explain.
Example: The phone message states your student was marked absent for Period 5.
Period 1 = 1st class of the day
Period 2 = 2nd class of the day
Period 3 & 4 = Homeroom (previously RAM)
Period 5 = 3rd class of the day
Period 6 = 4th class of the day
Period 5 is the 3rd class of the day and is in the afternoon after Lunch or Homeroom.
Purchase a Computer at an Affordable Price
The San Diego County Office of Education and Computers2Kids are hosting an event for families to purchase affordable computers on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at San Marcos Elementary School 1 Tiger Way, San Marcos CA 92069 (Drive Thru Event).
Since July 2023 the partnership between SDCOE and Computers2Kids has provided over 1,288 refurbished computers to 797 San Diego families. We hope your families are able to benefit from this event.
ASES Sports Donations
TPMS Bike Permits
More Than A Meal
MORE THAN A MEAL (formerly called FREE & REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATION) can help you out in many ways. Please click on this link More Than a Meal to complete the online application. Listed below are a few ways this program can help:
- Discounts for passes on public transportation
- Discounts on home internet costs
- Discounts on fees for SAT, ACT, AP tests
- Discounts on application fees associated with colleges and universities
- Our district can receive increased funding to support students.
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."
ASB Student Activities Canvas Page
Food & Nutrition Update
All children in PUSD are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch meals regardless of income for the 2023-2024 school year. Please see the PUSD Food and Nutrition Website for more information. Breakfast is served 30 minutes before school starts daily, if your student can not make it before school, they can receive a free breakfast at morning break!
Parents/Guardians are still encouraged to complete a meal application online to receive other benefits such as a Pandemic EBT card for each child. The website to apply is www.myschoolapps.com
Paper meal applications (for parents that can’t complete one online) are available in the TPMS front office.
*PUSD Food and Nutrition Department is cashless. Please click on the following link to learn more about the cashless system Cashless System
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.
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/
PUSD Parent Education Courses
- FREE Teen Positive Parenting Program (English) via ZOOM.
- Gender Identity & Expression Part I - All Grades in Person.
- Talking & Listening to Your Kids - TK-5th Grade via Zoom.
- Talking and Listening to Your Kids – 6th -12th Grade NEW.
- Early Childhood Development: Shaping the Mindset TK-3rd Grade NEW.
- Help Your Children Manage Stress and Anxiety – TK-5th Grade.
- Using your Strengths to Navigate Life Storms – All Grades NEW.
- Help Your Teen Manage Stress and Anxiety – 6th-12th Grade NEW.
- Developing an Effective Individualized Education Program – All Grades.
- Empowering Parents with Consequences that Work – TK-5th Grade NEW.
Scholarships are available to parents who may be in need. Parents can contact the Caring Connections Center for more information. You can visit their website by clicking here and searching for the course you are interested in and enroll directly from their site.
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:
October 17th
November 14th
January 16th
February 13th
March 12th
April 16th
May 21st
Please visit the TPMS Foundation Web Page by CLICKING HERE!
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:
October 19th
November 16th
December 14th
January 18th
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!
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