The Terrapin Times #21

Dear Families,

Happy New Year! It was wonderful seeing everyone back on campus after a long break! This month's focus is Habit 4: Think Win Win. Think Win-Win is a mindset focused on mutual benefit and respect. It encourages us to seek solutions where all parties feel valued and satisfied, fostering collaboration and trust. This approach doesn’t mean compromising your values or interests but finding ways to achieve outcomes that honor everyone involved.

A critical aspect of this principle is balancing courage and consideration:

• Courage: This means having the confidence to express your needs, desires, and perspectives honestly. It involves standing firm on what matters to you and advocating for what you believe is right.

• Consideration: This refers to showing empathy and understanding for the needs, concerns, and perspectives of others. It requires active listening and a genuine willingness to appreciate their point of view.

When these two elements are in balance, it creates a foundation for meaningful dialogue and collaboration. Too much courage without consideration can come across as aggressive or self-centered, while too much consideration without courage can lead to passivity or being taken for granted. By maintaining this balance, we can create environments where trust thrives, conflicts are resolved constructively, and relationships grow stronger. Hopefully, you will hear your children talking about "Think Win Win" considering themselves and others. Check out the family activity at the bottom of this newsletter.

Important Upcoming Dates:

• January 20th - MLK Jr Day - No School
• January 22nd - School Site Council Meeting
• January 27th - Professional Growth Day - No School for students
• Thursday, February 6th - 100th Day of School
• Friday, February 7th - Friday Flag and Awards
• February 17-21st - "Ski Week" - no school for staff or students

To our TK-4th grade families, our Turtleback enrollment team is asking that you complete this very brief continuing student survey, so we can plan accordingly. Thank you so much!

Here's to a healthy and joyful 2025!

Lisa Maguire

lmaguire@powayusd.com

It’s hard to believe it but it’s already time to begin to think about the 2025-2026 school year!

Here are some important dates to mark on your calendars:

• Transfer Requests - beginning on February 1st at 8:00 am, we will accept transfer requests for students who live in the Poway Unified boundaries and would like to attend a different Poway school. This includes incoming siblings of current students, as well as students who have not yet enrolled. Transfer requests can be made on the Poway Unified website by clicking THIS link. The transfer window closes on March 31st at 5:00 pm.

• Continuing Student Registration - from February 28 - March 31st, all parents whose current students will continue in Poway Unified for the 2025-26 school year need to complete online continuing registration. Look for more information coming soon.

• New Student Enrollment - beginning on April 1st at 8:00 am, new student enrollment opens on the Poway Unified website. We are excited to welcome our new students!

More details can be found on the Poway Unified website at www.powayusd.com.

Continuing Student Family Survey

It is hard to believe it but our district has already begun planning for the 2025-2026 school year! In an effort to help us provide the most accurate information about the number of students who will be returning next year, please complete THIS SURVEY no later than Sunday, January 26, 2025. This will provide us with the number of returning students as well as those who will be leaving Turtleback, and will ensure that your child(ren) is enrolled correctly for the 2025-2026 school year. Please submit one form per student.

Families do not need to complete the form for current 5th-grade students because they will be automatically enrolled in 6th-grade at their school of residence. This is NOT considered continuing student registration. Continuing student registration will take place February 28th - March 31st and needs to be completed for ALL students enrolled in PUSD for the 2024-2025 school year. Visit PUSD Continuing Student Registration for more information.

In PUSD, we are committed to ensuring your child's online safety and privacy. As students engage in digital spaces—whether playing multiplayer games, using educational apps, or exploring new interests online—it’s crucial they understand the importance of keeping their personal information safe. With guidance on avoiding scams and protecting their digital footprints, students can enjoy learning and fun online while staying in control of their privacy. Families play an important role in helping children navigate these topics and establishing healthy, safe digital habits. Below are some Privacy and Security tips to share with your family.

• K-5 Family Tips

• 6-12 Family Tips

Sincerely,

Amy Fousek and Ken Wall

Director of Educational Technology and Director of Information Technology, PUSD

Similar to last year, the yearbook cover art contest is open to all fifth graders.

• The attached flyer has the guidelines and important details that should be included in the cover art submission.
• We are only accepting hand drawn, original art.
• The winning design will be featured as the yearbook cover art and the student artist will receive a free 2024 - 2025 yearbook at the end of the school year!
• DEADLINE: January 17th
• Questions? Email: tbkyearbook@gmail.com

5th Grade Yearbook Baby Photos:

Submit your 5th grader's baby photo to tbkyearbook@gmail.com

• DEADLINE: February 28th
• Email: tbkyearbook@gmail.com
• FREE

5th Grade Recognition Ads:

Celebrate your 5th grader with their own 1/4 page yearbook recognition ad

• DEADLINE: February 28th
• Email: tbkyearbook@gmail.com
• Cost = $10

FAMILY NIGHT: FRIDAY, January 10th

Our first family night of 2025 will be Mr. Ken's Wacky World of Science! Join us Friday, January 10th from 6-7 pm for this FREE event.

• This event is only for TBK students (please no middle school or younger siblings. Non-TBK students will not be able to participate even if there are open spots on the day of the event).
• Students should also be accompanied by an adult family member for assistance during the event
• Sign up is limited to the first 60 students

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D4BACA82FA5FE3-53997796-crazy

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

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.

Turtleback Mission: We empower each other to create, communicate, collaborate, and think critically in a community where character counts.

Email: lmaguire@powayusd.com
Website: https://turtleback.powayusd.com/
Location: 15855 Turtleback Road, San Diego, CA 92127
Phone: 858-673-5514