Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the Desk of Principal Mills
Sunday, April 14th, 2024
Happy Sunday Ram Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well after a restful and relaxing week of Spring Break! We are looking forward to seeing all of our Ram scholars back on campus tomorrow - Monday, April 15th starting at 8:30am for a 6-8-2-4 schedule as we begin our final 8 weeks of instruction before summer vacation!
In a previous newsletter, I spoke to the importance of a positive campus culture for all students. A major influence on any campus's culture is the language that students are using in their conversations with each other on a daily basis. Unfortunately, for many of our students of color, minority students, female students, and students who identify as LGBTQ, the language that they hear often includes racial slurs and harassment from other students. This is not okay, and this is not and will not be our culture at Twin Peaks Middle School.
During our professional growth time on Friday, March 29th, our staff participated in an anti-bias professional learning session with Monique de Brito Guedes, our PUSD Director of Equity and Improvement and Eric Kossoff, from the National Conflict Resolution Center. We are asking our Homeroom teachers to now pilot a lesson with their students with important information and strategies for addressing incidents involving identity and bias. We know this is the first of many steps we need to take to address these issues happening on our campus...
On April 22nd and April 23rd, many of our 7th grade students will have the opportunity to participate in Breaking Down the Walls, a program designed to provide students and staff an opportunity to build stronger relationships and connections on campus, to help build empathy and understanding amongst our student body, and to set us up for a more connected and positive campus culture. Our goal is to have our current 7th graders participate in the workshops this spring, and then have each 7th grade class participate in the workshops in the fall to start off the year. For more information on BDTW, we encourage all 7th grade students to watch the video LINKED HERE with their families - this will give you an overview of the program. A BIG THANK YOU to the Twin Peaks Foundation for supporting this important work!
The next important step in our efforts to tackle this issue and to educate our students on how to respond appropriately to hate language or speech is our Homeroom No Place for Hate lessons led by our Counseling team. We invite all parents to please review the presentation LINKED HERE and discuss it with your student. It is important that the messages they are receiving at school and at home about hate language and speech are consistent and we invite and encourage your partnership! Please make sure to review the information in the No Place for Hate announcement below with important links to our Student Handbook and an article with more tips on how to address this topic with your student.
With the end of Spring Break and April comes the beginning of the testing season... CAASPP Testing is scheduled for early May, and will be conducted on 4 minimum days - May 9th and 10th, and May 13th and 14th. Please make sure to not schedule appointments for your students during these important testing dates and make every effort to have your student at school on time and prepared to tackle the test each day. For more information on the upcoming CAASPP Testing, please see the information section below with details about each test and how to prepare your student for success.
Finally this week, please make every effort to have your student to school before classes start each day! Our campus opens the gates a full 30 minutes before the first bell each day to accommodate early drop-offs, but we are still experiencing an increased number of students being dropped off after 8:30am on Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday, and our biggest number of tardies come after 9:50am on Wednesday late start days. For these final 8 weeks of school, please make it a point to have your student at school at least 15 minutes BEFORE classes begin each day - this way they are not having to rush to get to class, do not have to stop in the office for a tardy slip, and do not miss any classroom instruction. Thank you for your efforts to have your students to school on time!!
In Partnership,
Steve Mills
Proud Principal
Twin Peaks Middle School
1(858)748-5131 x2806
Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks
Upcoming Events at Twin Peaks MS
TPMS NEWS AND EVENTS - Click here for Calendar
April 16th: TPMS Foundation, 6:00pm Library
April 17th: Late Start, 9:50am
April 18th: PTSA Meeting, 6:15pm Library
April 22nd & 23rd: Breaking Down the Walls, 7th Grade
April 24th: Late Start, 9:50am
May 1st: Late Start, 9:50am
May 8th: Late Start, 9:50am
May 8th: School Site Council Meeting, 3:45-5pm
May 9th: PUSD Board Meeting, 6pm
May 9th-14th: CAASPP Testing - Minimum Days!
May 15th: Late Start, 9:50am
May 16th: Choir Concert, 7pm, Little Theater
May 22nd:Choir Concert, PCPA w/ PHS, 7pm
May 22nd: Late Start, 9:50am
May 23rd and 24th: 6th Grade Olympics
May 23rd: Choir Concert, PCPA w/ PHS, 7pm
May 29th: Late Start, 9:50am
May 29th: Academic Awards Night, 5-8pm
PTSA Elections this Thursday, 4/18
PTSA Association Meeting reminder for Thursday, April 18th at 6:15 PM in the library. We will voting in our 2024-2025 board - please see our slate of candidates below!
April is the Month of the Military Child
The Defense Department celebrates military children during the month of April. There are more than 1.6 million military children who face many challenges and unique experiences as a result of their parents' service. The life of a military kid is a blend of unique adventures and challenges. It’s important to keep in mind that they serve our country too, as part of a military family… not just in April, but all year long.
At Twin Peaks Middle School, we have about 43 students whose parents are active duty military. These amazing kids selflessly sacrifice for our country and are brave, proud, and strong. We hope you join us in celebrating the challenges and triumphs of our military-connected children.
Please help us to recognize and celebrate our military-connected children this April during the Month of the Military Child (MOMC). We would also like to highlight our staff members whose parents were actively serving in the militray while they were in middle school: Mr. Mills (Air Force), Mrs. Roman (US Navy), Mrs. Laborin (US Navy), Coach Mo (US Navy), and Ms. Franke (Coast Guard). Check out the picture below from this last Friday, April 5th where we had donuts and goodie bags for our children of our active duty military service men and women!
Month of the Military Child Breakfast
CAASPP Testing This May
We will begin preparing for our school-wide testing or CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) when we return from spring break. These tests are incredibly important for our school and our community, impacting a variety of factors including local property values and state education budgets.
In order to allow our students the best opportunity to be successful on the CAASPP, we are focusing our efforts around 4 testing days in their homeroom classroom. This will allow students an opportunity to focus their efforts on the tests they will be taking without having to attend their regular classes. It is critically important that your students are present and ready for our 4 school-wide testing days - May 9th, 10th, 13th, and 14th. Please make sure your students are present and ready to give their best effort by not scheduling appointments or other engagements that would take them out of school during our testing window. Students who are absent will have to make up the tests that they miss upon their return.
All students will need to have a set of wired earbuds or headphones for their Chromebook to use during testing. Please work with your student(s) to identify a set of earbuds or headphones that they can use and operate comfortably prior to our first test day on May 9th. We will have individual sets of wired earbuds available for students who do not have their own. Make sure your student continues to charge their Chromebook each night in preparation for testing the next day.
Please find this 2024 Parent CAASPP Notification Letter for more information.
The Power of Words - Working Together to a Build Positive Campus Culture
The counseling/student services team will present our second No Place for Hate school-wide lesson to all Homeroom classes this month. This focus of this lesson is on The Power of Words, to ensure that students understand the impact of what we say and how to support someone when biased and hate speech is used. We invite you to view the presentation HERE and discuss it with your student.
Impacting the language students use each and every day is not something that we can accomplish without parent/guardian support. Please talk with your student about the importance of treating each other with respect and kindness, and that there is no place for biased or hate speech at Twin Peaks Middle School. If your student is the target or witnesses this biased or hate speech, please encourage them to tell an adult on campus: we will address it. Our Student Handbook LINKED HERE outlines behavior expectations for students on pp. 16-19, including specific information Hate Behavior, Insensitive or Inappropriate Remarks and Behaviors, and Harassment. Please review these pages with your students. I also encourage you to read THIS ARTICLE from Boston Children's Hospital that provides some insights for parents on how to discuss racial slurs and words that hurt with your students.
Breaking Down the Walls
We are incredibly excited to bring Breaking Down the Walls to the Twin Peaks campus on Monday and Tuesday, April 22nd and 23rd for our 7th graders. Sponsored by the TPMS Foundation, Breaking Down the Walls is designed to provide students and staff an opportunity to build stronger relationships and connections on campus, help build empathy and understanding amongst our student body, and set us up for a more connected and positive campus culture. Our goal is to have our current 7th graders participate in the workshops this spring, and then have each 7th grade class participate in the workshops in the fall to start off the year.
If you feel this program is not for you, it is okay that you not participate; please complete the Opt-Out Form LINKED HERE no later than Wednesday, April 17th. If you have questions or concerns about the program or any of the information shared above, please don't hesitate to reach out to our administrative team.
Promotion Yard Signs NOW AVAILABLE!
Attention 8th Grade Parents: Promotion yard signs are now available to purchase! Please fill out the Google Form (https://forms.gle/ifiX1nWAmkvStXCA9) and follow the instructions. Sales will be open through Monday, May 6th.
Cost: Personalized $15 / Generic $10
Signs will be delivered to campus. Pick-up coordination will be sent out once we receive them.
Questions? Email: PTSAPresTPMS@gmail.com
April Homeroom Door Decorating Competition
ASB is kicking off another Door Decorating Challenge the week of April 15th, with an emphasis on Earth Day and keeping our campus clean. Each homeroom class is challenged to create a door decoration illustrating the importance and significance of Earth Day. THE CHALLENGE: Decorate the door of your Homeroom classroom celebrating Earth Day! Some Ideas: reduce-reuse-recycle, new TPMS trash rules, appropriate ways to dispose items in the school trash cans, what to do with extra food, ways to protect our school environment
Judging Criteria:
- School-appropriate language & pictures/drawings
- Covers most of the door
- Please make your door as colorful and as engaging as possible
- ASB andAdmin will judge the doors on Wednesday, May 1st
If you share a room or have questions, please reach out to ask. We look forward to your participation and creativity!
Newsies Tickets Now on Sale!
Arms Wide Open’s inclusive theatre arts program, Inspire, is excited to announce its spring show - “Newsies”. This performance will take place in May 2024. The cast consists of 40 talented singers, dancers, and actors, including TPMS students! All performances will take place at the Sonrise Rise Church - Located 8805 Magnolia Ave, Santee, CA 92071 and tickets are now on sale at THIS LINK!
Newsies the Musical is based on the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899; this new Disney musical tells the story of Jack Kelly, a rebellious newsboy who dreams of a life as an artist away from the big city. After publishing giant Joseph Pulitzer raises newspaper prices at the newsboys' expense, Kelly and his fellow newsies take action.
Inspire is a musical theatre group, that invites performers of all abilities and all ages to experience the richness and joy of being part of an all - inclusive musical theatre cast. The unique abilities shared by each cast member will not only create phenomenal musical productions, but will demonstrate the beauty of inclusivity in theatre as well as in all aspects of life.
PUSD New Student Enrollment
Poway Unified New Student Enrollment for the 2024-25 school year opens online, April 1 at 8:00 a.m.
We can’t wait to meet our new students, including our new Kindergarten and TK students! New Student Enrollment for Poway Unified School District is an on-line process on our website. Packets can be completed digitally using any computer, tablet or smartphone with an internet connection. Please contact your assigned school of residence to schedule an appointment if you do not have access to a device/internet or need assistance with completing the online enrollment packet. School starts on August 21st for the 2024-25 school year. Welcome to PUSD!
8th Graders - Looking for an elective at PHS?!
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:
- 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:
- 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