Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the Desk of Principal Mills
Sunday, May 26th, 2024
Happy Sunday Ram Families!
It was another eventful week at Twin Peaks Middle school with our last full week of instruction before the summer break! We have two 4-day weeks left with students and there is so much going on... please make sure to read through the Upcoming Events & Activities section below to keep up to speed with the final two weeks of the school year.
I hope you can find some time over this long Memorial Day weekend to reflect on the sacrifice so many of our brave servicemen and women have made in defense of our country. We certainly owe them all a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice on our behalf. In honor of Memorial Day, school will be closed on Monday, May 27th. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday morning with a 8-2-4-6 schedule.
The 48th Annual 6th Grade Olympics were held this past Thursday and Friday, and despite a few ankle injuries and scraped knees, the games were a HUGE SUCCESS! Congratulations to Mrs. Laborin and Team Australia on their 1st place win, and runners-up Team Greece & Mrs. Johnson (2nd place) and Team Fiji & Mrs. Andrade (3rd place)! A big THANK YOU to PTSA President Melissa Atkinson for her work in organizing an Army of PTSA and parent volunteers! Special SHOUT-OUTS to our entire 6th Grade Team for all of their work leading up to the Olympics and their leadership during the event, our PE Department for their unwavering support, and especially Coach Johnson and Coach Spy for their leadership. This event doesn't happen without a village supporting it, so THANK YOU to our Campus Security, Health Tech, Front Office Staff, Custodial Staff, Grounds Crew, Food Service Staff, and all of the parents who showed up to root on their students - you ALL played a role in providing our students with an amazing learning experience with this years 6th Grade Olympics! Photos of the 2-day event, including some amazing drone footage of the finals, can be FOUND HERE!
Speaking of amazing volunteers, this past Monday the PUSD Communications Department stopped by to surprise TPMS Volunteer of the Year Kym Sosnowski with the news that she had been selected as one of the PUSD District Volunteers of the Year! This was the 2nd year in a row that a TPMS volunteer has been selected for this recognition, underscoring the incredible impact our volunteers are having on the Twin Peaks school community. Check out her story and picture below. I look forward to celebrating Kym and all of our amazing TPMS volunteers on Wednesday, May 29th at 9am during our Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast in Pride Park.
Congratulations to our Character Counts / 5 Star All-Stars for Trimester 3 who will be recognized this week in their Homeroom classes. Only five students per grade level receive this recognition each trimester based on accumulating 5 Start Points from their teachers for doing positive acts on campus and for participating in school activities. 5 Star All-Stars receive a special t-shirt, goodie bag with TPMS swag and gift cards for free food at In-n-Out, Roundtable Pizza and Broken Yolk, and a special certificate signed by the California State Assembly! Check out the trimester 3 recipients in the graphic below - Congratulations All-Stars! All 45 of our 5 Star All-Starts will be recognized with a special PTSA-sponsored Awards Luncheon this Friday, May 31st in the MPR!
Our 8th Grade Harbor Cruise has been a HUGE hit this year!! Tickets sales were so high in our first 2 days of selling that we already have a wait list. We checked with our transportation department and there is a possibility of reserving an additional bus, but only if we can fill the bus. If your 8th Grader is still thinking about attending the Harbor Cruise, but hasn't purchased a ticket yet, please encourage them to do so ASAP! Interested students should come to the WEB ticket window with their signed permission slip and cash or check (made out to "TPMS") this Tuesday or Wednesday before school or during lunch. If we are able to fill a bus, the waiting list students can be included. If we are not able to fill the bus, we will return money and permission slips to those students on the waiting list.
- Tuesday, 5/28: W DAY - White Day - come dressed in all white!
- Wednesday, 5/29: X DAY - XTreme Ram Pride Day - show your Ram spirit!
- Thursday, 5/30: Y DAY - Yellow Day - come dressed in yellow!
- Friday, 5/31: Z DAY - Zoom Day - dress formally up top and casual on bottom!
Finally this week, CONGRATULATIONS to our art contest winners for The Flying Leathernecks Historical Foundation! Three of our 8th Graders - Angel Gomez Mateo, Grace Williams, and Eilee Onan submitted original works of art around this year's theme of Marine Aviation, past and present. Our Rams captured all three top spots in this year's art contest - check out their art submissions and photos below!
In Partnership,
Steve Mills
Proud Principal
Twin Peaks Middle School
1(858)748-5131 x2806
Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks
Upcoming Events & Activities
TPMS NEWS AND EVENTS - Click here for Calendar
May 27th: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
May 28th: Jazz Band Concert, 5-8pm, TPMS Quad
May 29th: Volunteer Breakfast, 9am Pride Park
May 29th: Late Start, 9:50am
May 29th: Academic Awards Night, 5-8pm
May 31st: 5 Star All-Stars Lunch, MPR
June 3rd: 8th Grade Harbor Cruise, 5-9pm
June 5th: 8th Grade Breakfast (first block)
June 6th: 8th Grade Promotion, 8:30am - MINIMUM DAY
8th Grade Breakfast - We Need Your Help!
We have some news for you! Our End of the Year 8th Grade Breakfast is just around the corner on Wednesday, June 5th. This breakfast will be a final hurrah with all of your peers before we go off to high school. We will have tasty food, snazzy music, and awesome decorations that will ensure everyone will have a great time! This amazing event will definitely be a highlight of your middle school career! However, we need a little help to make this celebration happen. We would love donations in any way shape or form. Signups will close on May 24th. PLEASE - CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!
PTSA Academic Awards Night - May 29th
Our annual PTSA Academic Awards Night is coming up on Wednesday, May 29th. Students eligible for academic awards will receive notification by Mid-May and are strongly encouraged to attend the evening event with their families to be recognized! Volunteers are still needed for this event - please CLICK HERE if you are able to help out! Here is the schedule for the evening:
- 6th Grade Awards: 5:00-5:45pm
- 7th Grade Awards: 6:00-6:45pm
- 8th Grade Awards: 7:00-7:45pm
5 Star All-Stars for Trimester 3
PUSD Volunteer of the Year is a RAM!
Kym Sosnowski, TPMS Alumni and 2023-2024 Twin Peaks Volunteer of the Year, was just named as one of three PUSD Volunteers of the Year - click on the photo above or HERE to see the press release!
Kym’s leadership, influence, dedication, and service has directly impacted Twin Peaks in so many ways. She has grown the Foundation membership and expanded the group’s reach from purchasing needed school supplies and resources to including campus beautification and improvement projects. Thanks to her leadership and vision, Twin Peaks now has new benches and picnic tables, shade structures, upgraded science and PE equipment, and campus murals. These projects have increased student morale, provided new opportunities, and opened up the spaces on campus that are available for student learning.
Kym also played an integral part in the initiatives to support student mental health on campus and improve campus culture through sponsored events and programs. Under her leadership, the Foundation now sponsors the site’s suicide awareness presentations and the Breaking Down Walls program, a program that aimed at improving student interactions on campus, inclusivity, and empathy. The student body and Twin Peaks campus culture are better because of Kym and her lasting impact.
Students Win Flying Leathernecks Awards
Congratulations to Mrs. Fisher's Homeroom students for their recent awards in the The Flying Leathernecks Historical Foundation annual art contest. This year's theme was Marines in Flight – students were asked to create an original art piece inspired by US Marine Aviation, past or present, and Twin Peaks swept the board!!! First Place was Angel Gomez Mateo, Second Place was Grace Williams, and Third Place was Eilee Onan. You can see their artwork and pictures of our winners below - GREAT JOB RAMS!
1st Place - Angel Gomez Mateo
2nd Place - Grace Williams
3rd Place - Eilee Onan
TPMS Yearbook Info
Yearbooks pre-order deadline has now passed. Here is the how, when and where to pick up a pre-ordered book or purchase one of our limited-supply extras!
HOW:
Every student who has a pre-ordered book will receive a Receipt Flyer showing their picture and the details of their order. Students will get the Receipt Flyer in their Homeroom class right before the Pick-Up Event. Students will be able to use the flyer to pick up their yearbook. If they don’t have the flyer at time of pick up, then they will have to show school ID, either by card or by phone on Synergy.
If students are purchasing one of our limited supply of extras, they do not need an ID but they will need $55 cash. Cash only. We cannot take checks this late in the school year. Purchasing is first come, first serve while supplies last.
WHEN AND WHERE TO PICK UP A PRE-ORDERED YEARBOOK:
Tuesday, 28th
Pick up only of Pre-ordered Books in MPR (no sales)
During Homeroom class
Must have flyer or show ID by card or phone through Synergy
WHEN AND WHERE TO PURCHASE AN EXTRA YEARBOOK:
Wed 5/29 through the last day of school or until yearbooks run out
Before school/During both lunches
Table in front of room 406
$55 Cash Only, no ID required
Library End of Year Information
ASES Announcement
ESS is Hiring!!!!
SDCOE Esports Summer Camp
As we look ahead to the summer, I am thrilled to share an exciting opportunity with you and your students. The San Diego County Office of Education is hosting an Esports Summer Camp from July 8th to 12th for Middle School Students. This camp promises to be an engaging and enriching experience, featuring a variety of games and activities that students will love.
Here are some key details about the camp:
Dates: July 8th - 12th
Location: Linda Vista Innovation Center 2202 Comstock St. San Diego, CA 92111
Cost: $550 for the week
Includes: Camp materials (journal, t-shirts, blue light glasses), AM/PM snack, transportation to UCSD, UCSD lunch, and access to games such as Super Smash, Rocket League, Minecraft, Chess, FIFA, NBA2K, Madden, MarioKart, and Splatoon.
JUST FOR PARENTS:
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."
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:
- June 13th @ The Hop Stop
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.
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