Twin Peaks Middle School

Happy Sunday Ram Families!

I hope this week's newsletter finds you all well and enjoying the final day of our President's Week Recess! We have had some awesome weather the second half of this week - hopefully you had a chance to get outside and enjoy some of this amazing San Diego sunshine! Whether you hungout locally and enjoyed a stay-cation, got away to the mountains for some skiing and boarding, or were lucky enough to catch a game with the beginning of spring training baseball, I hope you all found some time to catch your breath and relax before we take on the final three weeks of trimester 2! We look forward to seeing all students back on campus tomorrow - Monday, Febraury 24th starting at 8:30am with a period 3-5-7-1 schedule.

Students - we are looking at a week of warm temperatures as you return back on campus - please make sure to bring your water bottle and stay hydrated as the temperatures will hang out in the 80's most of the week. Also, please don't forget to charge your Chromebooks tonight too so you are ready for classes tomorrow!

Students, as you return back to school this week, please remember to silence and store your cell phones as you enter classrooms. We know that phones are an important part of our daily lives, but we also want to make sure you are staying focused and engaged in your learning. Just a quick reminder that phones should be turned off and kept away during the school day unless a teacher gives permission for educational use. If a student is using their phone without permission, it may be held until the end of the day. Repeated issues could result in further consequences. We appreciate your support in helping our students stay present and focused in class! Thank you for partnering with us to create a great learning environment!

The Poway Unified transfer window opened on Saturday, February 1, 2025. If you live within the Poway Unified boundaries and want your child to attend a school different than your assigned school, submit your request online through the Transfers page on the PUSD website. (This includes siblings of current students.) Please make sure to still enroll your child at their assigned school of residence when new student enrollment opens on April 1, 2025. Transfer requests can only be processed once your child is enrolled in their school of residence. The transfer request window will close on March 31, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Parents of English Learners: Poway Unified will be conducting our Family Engagement and Accountability survey to gather input from all families of English Learner students through Friday, February 28th. This survey helps shape the District’s goals and guide priorities for the 2025-2026 school year. Your feedback is extremely helpful as we continue to seek ways to better our English Learner program. Please click HERE to complete the survey.

We are starting to prepare for the 2025-2026 school year, which means students will begin the process of selecting classes for next school year in the coming weeks. For our current 8th graders, this process will begin this week as Poway HS counselors will be visiting our 8th grade ELA classes to discuss 4-year plans and signing up for high school courses with our students. For our current 6th and 7th graders, this process will begin after March 10th when Course Request Forms (CRFs) will be available to current students to begin the process of signing up for next year's classes. Please save the date and plan to spend some time with us on Wednesday, March 19th form 5-6:30pm for our Electives Expo! This will be an opportutnity for new and exisitng students and families to visit campus and learn about the elective opportutnities available to students for next year. If you have questions about courses, please check out our online Course Catalog for more detailed information.

Finally this week, you have a few more days to get your tickets to TPMS Night at the Gulls and see the San Diego Gulls take on the Bakersfield Condors! The game is this Saturday, March 1 and starts at 6:00pm at Pechanga Arena. If you've never been to a hockey game before, now is the time! It's a super fun, fast-paced game that the whole family will enjoy! To purchsase tickets, CLICK HERE!

In Partnership,

Steve Mills

Proud Principal

Twin Peaks Middle School

stmills@powayusd.com

1(858)748-5131 x2806

Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks

TPMS NEWS AND EVENTS

February 26th: Late Start, 9:30am

February 28th: PUSD Continuing Student Registration Opens

March 5th: Late Start, 9:30am

March 5th: 5th Grade Information Night, Zoom 5-6pm

March 7th: End of Trimester 2

March 10th: Beginning of Trimester 3 / New Lunch Splits

March 10th and 11th: Minimum Days for Students

March 12th: Late Start, 9:30am

March 17th-21st: Scholastic Book Fair, Library

March 19th: Late Start, 9:30am

March 19th: Career Fair @ lunch

March 19th: TPMS Electives Expo, 5-6:30pm

March 26th: Late Start, 9:30am

March 26th: SPED Info Night, 5-6pm, Zoom

Congratulations to our Science Olympiad team who competed this past weekend at Miramar College in the Regional Science Olympiad competition! Dozens of local schools gathered on the Miramar Campus to see how their students did in competitive science events like Crime Busters, Microbe Mission, Potions and Poisons, and Reach for the Stars. Our TPMS team had students competing in 23 different events, with most students competing in at least 2 different events! A BIG THANK YOU to all of our fantastic parent volunteers who help support these students, and a special SHOUT-OUT to TPMS Science Teacher J. Smith and TPMS parent and head coach Natalie Stein for all of their hard work in leading our team for the past few years.

Support the Twin Peaks PTSA and treat yourself to a dozen Original Glazed Krispy Kreme donuts for just $15!

Here's How It Works:

1. Order: Fill out the form to place your order.
2. Support: 50% of each purchase goes directly to TPMS PTSA.
3. Enjoy: Pick up your donuts at your local Krispy Kreme. It's a win-win! Get fresh donuts while supporting a great cause! Place your order today!

CLICK HERE to place your order today!

For our current 8th graders heading to high school next year please click on the link below to access your Course Request Forms (CRFs). PHS Counselors will be coming to 8th Grade ELA classes at the end of February to help students select their classes and to review their 4-year plan. For additional questions, please contact your TPMS counselor:

Mrs. Baskin Last names A-F

Mr. Ortiz Last names H-O

Mrs. Jennings Last namesP-Z

Please click here for more information: https://sites.google.com/powayusd.com/pusd8thgradecrf/home

We've secured a block of tickets RIGHT BEHIND THE GOAL for the SD Gulls March 1st game vs. the Bakersfield Condors. This game will have a Pregame Tailgate Mardi Gras celebration as well as a Gulliver (he's the mascot) jester bobblehead giveaway for the first 8,000 fans!

In addition to this, if we sell 50 tickets, all kids will be able to go down and make a "high-5 tunnel" for the players when they take the ice at the beginning of the game! If we sell at least 75 tickets, everyone will go down on the ice after the game for photos! If we sell 100, we can possibly have some players come to school for demonstrations with our students and they will open up the rink for a free-skate for us after the game! Tickets are only going to be $35, and a percentage of each ticket sold comes back to the school as a donation.

The game is Saturday, March 1 at 6:00pm at Pechanga Arena. If you've never been to a hockey game before, now is the time! It's a super fun, fast-paced game that everyone will enjoy!

Here is the link to purchase your tickets: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Twinpeaks030125

Questions?! email Coach Spy at jspychalski@powayusd.com

It’s hard to believe it, but it’s already time to begin to think about the 2025-2026 school year! If you didn't catch them last week, here are some important dates to mark on your calendars for next school year:

• 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.

Navigating Autism and Supporting Your Child - CLICK HERE for flyer

TK-5th Grade Parent Education

Date: Wednesday, 2/26/25

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: ONLINE

Class Code: 14171

Instructor: Jason Omoto
Tuition: $29.00/individual or $35.00/couple

6th-8th Grade Parent Education

Date: Wednesday, 3/12/25

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Location: Abraxas High School, Room 4

Class Code: 14172

Instructor: Jason Omoto
Tuition: $29.00/individual or $35.00/couple

Managing screen time is an essential part of supporting children’s well-being and academic success in today’s digital world. Technology offers incredible opportunities for learning and creativity, but maintaining a healthy balance is key. Setting clear boundaries and encouraging mindful tech habits at home helps children develop the skills they need to navigate their digital lives responsibly. By working together to create a balanced approach to technology use, we can empower students to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

• Elementary Resource: How Much Screentime is OK for My Kids?

• Secondary Resource: 4 Conversations to Have with Older Kids and Teens About Their Screen Time Habits

Join Life Planning Specialist Wendy Smith for an insightful presentation on why creating a plan matters, how to take the first steps, and where to find support along the way. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and connect with fellow parents, gaining valuable insights and support. Start building a strong foundation for your child's future today! Flier found here.

On February 27, 2025, at 6:00 p.m., Valley Elementary School will host PUSD's first-ever IEP Basics training exclusively in Spanish. In collaboration with the Exceptional Family Resource Center, this event is designed to support PUSD Spanish-speaking families of students with IEPs. More details are available in the event flier.

College & Career Fair Details

Date: Wednesday, March 19th

Time: 11:45am-12:52pm

Location: TPMS Quad

If you would like to participate by sharing fun facts and other information about your work and career with our students, please complete our Google Form: bit.ly/tpccf2425. We look forward to partnering with you for this exciting event. Please contact Melissa Baskin, mbaskin@powayusd.com, if you have any questions.

Yearbooks are available for $55. Reserve yours now!

Pay by card: Go to www.jostens.com or use the QR code

Pay by cash/check: Download the 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.

Want more information about Yearbooks? Go to http://tpmsyearbook.weebly.com/

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. We realize that volunteering may not be in the cards for everyone, but your membership and donation will ensure our programs continue to stay funded.

If you would like to contact PTSA please email: ptsaprestpms@gmail.com. Thanks so much!

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:

February 27th (Association Meeting @6:15pm; Board Meeting to follow)

March 20th

April 24th (Association Meeting @6:15pm; Board Meeting to follow)

May 15th

June TBD

To join the PTSA for the 2024-25 school year, please CLICK HERE!

Our 2024-2025 Executive Board:

President - Melissa Atkinson

Executive VP - Sonnie Humphreys

1st VP of Ways and Means - Rachel Czarzasty

2nd VP of Membership - Shelly Mead

3rd VP of Volunteers - Alicia Tamayo

Secretary - Mikki Trusheim

Treasurer - Steph Cole

Historian - Alicia Gormican

Financial Reviewer - Phil Trom

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 2024-25 school year:

February 25th
March 18th
May 13th

Please visit the TPMS Foundation Web Page by CLICKING HERE!

You can always shop Amazon and earn money for Twin Peaks! Just click on the Amazon link below, then start spending!

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.

Website: http://tpms.powayusd.com/index.html
Phone: 858.748.5131
Twitter: @TwinPeaksRams