Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the Desk of Principal Mills
Sunday, May 5th, 2024
Happy Sunday Ram Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying this first weekend of May - Feliz Cinco de Mayo! We had another amazing week at Twin Peaks that included more ABC's of Spirit dress up days, door decorating for Earth Day by our homerooms, a student panel focusing on student belonging at our all-staff meeting, a final evening play performance on Wednesday by our drama students, and our first wrestling meet of the year with a win against Meadowbrook MS! It was a great week to be a RAM!
Our 8th grade students began CAST Science Testing this past week in science classes. THANK YOU 8th Graders for getting us off to a smooth start to our testing season! We will begin our annual CAASPP Testing this Thursday in Homeroom classes - students will not be attending their normal schedule of classes Thursday, May 9th through Tuesday, May 14th. Students will be testing with their Homeroom teacher on these 4 MINIMUM DAYS.
A reminder that we will have MINIMUM DAYS this THURSDAY and FRIDAY, May 9th and 10th for CAASPP Testing. All students will be dismissed at 12:35pm. We also have MINIMUM DAYS next MONDAY and TUESDAY, May 13th and 14th for our final two days of CAASPP testing. Our Main Office and ASES program will still be open as normal on all 4 minimum days.
Ram Parents - here are some things you can do to make sure your students are prepared for this year's testing:
- Verify that your student charges and brings their Chromebook and their wired earbuds/headphones with them to class each day!
- Make sure your student gets a good night of sleep each evening before the test!
- Provide your student with a solid breakfast each morning and make sure they bring a water bottle with them to school to stay hydrated!
- Encourage your student to take their time and do their best - how our students perform on these tests do make a difference to our community!
Also starting this week, our Counseling and Student Support Team will be presenting the third and final No Place for Hate school-wide activity in Homeroom classes. This activity and workshop will focus on Navigating Digital Spaces, and will include discussions about Cyberhate, Cyberbullying, and your Digital Footprint.
CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of April's Door Decorating Challenge celebrating Earth Day. In 1st Place: Mrs. Fisher - room 716; in 2nd Place: Mr. Ramirez - room 905; and in 3rd Place: Mrs. Bernardy - room 402. Thank you to all of our Homerooms who participated and decorated their doors - prizes will be delivered later this week by ASB to the winning Homeroom classes.
The ABC's of Spirit will continue this week with the following spirit dress-up days:
- Monday, 5/6: H - Hippee Day: dress in tie-dye or flower power gear!
- Tuesday, 5/7: I - Inside-Out Day: wear your clothes inside out!
- Wednesday, 5/8: J - Jersey Day: rep your favorite team jersey!
- Thursday, 59: K - Kick Back & Relax Day: dress in your most relaxed clothes!
- Friday, 5/10: L - Lifeguard Day: wear school-appropriate beach gear or red & white!
Students - you can earn 5 Star Points each day when you dress up and participate - check out the complete list of all the spirit days below!
Finally this week, CONGRATULATIONS to our April Students of the Month and to our TPMS Volunteer of the Year! This month teachers recognized students for their outstanding MOTIVATION - please check out the graphic below with the names and pictures of our April winners! Our final recognition this year for the month of May will be to recognize students who have been SCHOLARLY! And CONGRATULATIONS to Kym Sosnowski, who has been named our TPMS Volunteer of the Year for 2023-2024! Kym is being recognized for her leadership as our Foundation President and consistent help at TPMS events over the last few years - THANK YOU Kym for all you do to support our Twin Peaks School Community!
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
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: PTSA Meeting, 6:15pm, Library
May 16th: Choir Concert, 7pm, Little Theater
May 21st: TPMS Foundation Meeting, 6pm
May 22nd: Late Start, 9:50am
May 22nd: ELAC Meeting. 5:30-7pm, Library
May 22nd:Choir Concert, PCPA w/ PHS, 7pm
May 23rd and 24th: 6th Grade Olympics
May 23rd: Choir Concert, PCPA w/ PHS, 7pm
May 27th: Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL
May 29th: Late Start, 9:50am
May 29th: Academic Awards Night, 5-8pm
June 3rd: 8th Grade Harbor Cruise, 5-9pm
June 5th: 8th Grade Breakfast (first block)
June 6th: 8th Grade Promotion, 8:30am - MINIMUM DAY
April Students of the Month
TPMS Volunteer of the Year for 23-24
Congratulations to Kym Sosnowski for being named the 2023-2024 Twin Peaks Middle School Volunteer of the Year! Kym has served as our TPMS Foundation President for the last 3 years and has been a constant presence at Registration, Book Fairs, Back to School Nights, Clean-Up Days, school dances, the Haunted House, and every Foundation-sponsored event. Her leadership has resulted in increased parent membership and fundraising revenues for our school, and improved facilities and programs for our students. THANK YOU Kym for all you have done to make Twin Peaks an amazing place for students!
Promotion Yard Signs - DEADLINE 5/6!
Attention 8th Grade Parents: TOMORROW IS THE DEADLINE TO ORDER YOUR PROMOTION SIGN!
Please fill out the Google Form (https://forms.gle/ifiX1nWAmkvStXCA9) and follow the instructions. Sales will close Monday, May 6th at midnight.
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
The ABCs of School Spirit!
2025 Spring Break Washington DC Trip
If you are interested in going on the 2025 8th Grade Spring Break Trip to Washington, DC please attend the meeting on Tuesday, May 7th in the Little Theater. This meeting will answer all your questions and signups will take place after the meeting. If you have any questions before the meeting please contact Coach Holm: nholm@powayusd.com.
SDCOE Computers2Kids Event RESCHEDULED
The San Diego County Office of Education and Computers2Kids are hosting an event for families to purchase affordable computers on Saturday, May 11th, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Granite Hills High School at 1719 E. Madison Avenue, El Cajon, CA 92019. (Drive Thru Event). Click here for specific details.
Since the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year, the partnership between SDCOE and Computers2Kids has provided refurbished computers to San Diego families. As of March 2024, they have provided approximately 3000 refurbished computers to over1,300 San Diego families. We hope your families are able to benefit from this event.
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
Volunteer Opportunity - Painted Rock Spring Fling!
TPMS Students! Painted Rock's Spring Fling is Friday, 5/17, from 4:30-7:30pm. There are many volunteer opportunities including: setup, working a booth and/or clean up!
Click HERE to sign up!
Feel free to contact Mrs. Buswell, the Painted Rock PTA President, with any questions: rebeccabuswell@hotmail.com
6th Grade Olympics!
Mark your calendars for our 48th annual 6th Grade Olympics on Thursday, May 23rd and Friday, May 24th. The Olympics are hosted by our PE department and sponsored by TPMS PTSA. Students will be out on the Twin Peaks upper field competing in: relay races, mini marathon, long jump, hurdles, high jump, shot put, discus events & much more! Don't miss the chance to cheer on your student and their Olympic team!
Help is needed to make this event a huge success. If you're interested in volunteering during the two day event please sign-up here: Volunteer Sign-Up 6th Gr Olympics.
Please contact Melissa Atkinson at PTSAPresTPMS@gmail.com. Volunteers will still be able to watch/cheer for their student(s) and have access to the infield.
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! 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
Parent Education Workshops
May 2024 Parent Education Courses:
- Navigating Autism and Supporting Your Child – 6th- 8th Grade NEW
- Shaping Positive Behavior: Strengthening Emotional Intelligence in Children TK-5th Grade NEW
- FREE Spanish Parent Education Workshop: Coping Skills for Anxiety and Depression Among Children and Teens
In Person – Valley Elementary School
Tuesday, May 14th from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
*Childcare provided for school-aged children
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:
- May 16th
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:
- 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