As we step into the cooler months, there’s a crispness in the air and a warmth within our school community that makes Twin Hills feel like home. We've all settled into our routines, and I’m thrilled to see our students engaged and thriving in so many ways.

November is a time to pause and reflect on gratitude. I know I am grateful every day to be part of a community that collaborates with care, respect, and enthusiasm to make Twin Hills the best school ever. Thank you for everything you do to support our students, staff, and each other. Together, we truly make a difference.

Please take note of the upcoming school closures this month:

• Friday, November 11th – School will be closed in honor of Veteran's Day.
• Thanksgiving Break – Our break will be from November 25th through November 29th. We look forward to welcoming everyone back, refreshed and ready to continue our journey together.

Just a reminder, please stay connected for up to date information. Find us on social media (Facebook and Instagram) for updates regularly. Also, feel free to browse our website for more detailed information. As always, please call the office anytime with questions or concerns. We're here for you and want to help!

Sincerely,

Shawna Whitestine

Principal

Our Panther Pride Awards are given when we catch any student doing something positive for themselves or someone else! After students receive the award they enter it into a raffle box that we draw from daily. The winner is announced at lunchtime and is able to choose a prize from a fantastic reward menu!

October raffle winners were

8th Graders: Allison N., Isabella S., Jon M., Adam C., Brylee R., Valeria A., Jackie M., Jack S., Jaqueline L., and Aldair M.

7th Graders: Silas R., Sophie P., Jake M., and Mike B.

6th Graders: Brantley S., Mayte S., Jaxson W., Marcelo PR., Melissa A., Jack G., Mei W., and Arytza G.

Congrats to our raffle winners! Keep up the hard work, Panthers!

Don't miss out on a Twin Hills graduation class hooded sweatshirt with all the names of the Class of 2025. Please fill out this form even if you DO NOT want a hooded sweatshirt with the way you would like your student's name displayed. If we do not hear from you, the name will appear as we have it on school record. All sweatshirts are $35.00. Please make checks out to Twin Hills Middle School (THMS). PayPal is available but there is a $3 convenience fee so the sweatshirt would be $38 paypal.me/twinhillsmiddle. Cash or check are also welcome in the office.

The google form to fill out is here: https://forms.gle/rkhkbQFMWhKM59e28

Form must be completed by 11/08/24!

Thanks,

Dawn

We are excited to announce an innovative addition to our educational resources: the Varsity Tutors Platform. This new digital tutoring platform offers a variety of tools designed to support your child’s success.

Here’s what the Varsity Tutors Platform has to offer:

• 24/7 On-Demand Chat Tutoring and Essay Review: Instant support for homework, classwork, and test preparation.
• Live Group Classes and Recorded Sessions: Engaging lessons tailored to your child’s interests and learning style.
• StarCourses: Celebrity-led courses that bring fun and excitement to learning.
• Assessments and Practice Problems: Tools to strengthen skills and achieve mastery.
• College Prep and Admissions Resources: Comprehensive guidance to help navigate the path to higher education.

Your child has direct access to the Varsity Tutors Platform through their school accounts by logging on via their Clever portal. With these resources available at any time, your child can explore subjects they love, receive personalized support, and prepare for future academic endeavors.

D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) Club is in full effect in Room 24 most Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch. If your student is interested in joining the campaign, have them stop by for more information. We also have Game Club (board games) every Friday during lunch in Room 24. It is a lively, welcoming space for anyone interested in participating. Hope to see your students there!

Over the last few weeks students have been enjoying making lots of beaded fidgets. It’s a fun and colorful way to express themselves, do something creative and have a non-distracting fidget nearby if needed!

If you would like to support the counseling room (thank you! ❤️), please see my Amazon wishlist here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1PTBN2RBOX08?ref_=wl_share

Sincerely,

Jenna Hales

The Interact Club is excited to sponsor a Food Drive from Monday, November 4th through Friday, November 15th. We encourage donations of canned and non-perishable food items, which can be dropped off in Advisory classes, Room 9, or the main office. All donations will be delivered to local food pantries to support our community. Let's work together to make a difference! Happy donating!

Our library has been busy... we have been studying, reading, and hanging out with friends! It's a wonderful space for children to explore a wide variety of books available for check out, quietly socialize, access school resources, or simply unwind. Doors are open every morning at 8am, during break times, and at lunch. We invite you to come and see all that our library has to offer!

Get ready for an exciting opportunity for our current 6th and 7th graders! We're thrilled to announce the 2026 Washington D.C. Trip, scheduled for Spring Break of 2026.

To kick things off, we will hold our first informational meeting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 5:30pm in the Twin Hills MUR. We will also offer a Zoom link to those who are unable to make it in person.

Planning ahead allows us to offer convenient payment plans, making it easier for families to budget. At the meeting, we'll discuss financial support options to help make this unforgettable trip accessible to all interested families.

We encourage all parents considering this experience for their child to join us and learn more about this exciting educational adventure!

*We will have a Spanish interpreter at the meeting to help share information.

Our 8th Graders have been busy learning about the Revolutionary War. They have spent time constructing a Causes of the Revolutionary War timeline and even got to spend time sculpting playdoh to represent the big ideas of the Revolutionary War and the Declaration of Independence. Can you interpret the sympbols?

Our 7th graders are diving deep into history with an exciting three-week Mayan City State Simulation! In this interactive learning experience, students are representing six ancient city-states: Palenque, Tulum, Tikal, Chichen Itza, Mayapan, and Uxmal. They are engaging in a variety of hands-on activities to immerse themselves in the culture, economics, and religious practices of the ancient Maya.

Throughout the simulation, students trade secret information to unlock knowledge about key aspects of Mayan civilization, such as Mayan Math and the Sacred Calendar Wheel. Each city-state sends ambassadors to trade valuables or corn with one another, and they must make important offerings to the gods on designated sacrifice days to ensure the favor of their deities.

In addition to trading and diplomacy, students are busy creating Mayan art, earning corn, and designing stelas (monumental stone slabs) to represent their achievements. This immersive experience gives students a hands-on understanding of the complexity of Mayan society and the importance of cooperation, trade, and creativity in sustaining their civilizations.

Be sure to ask your child which city-state they belong to and how they’re contributing to the prosperity of their people!

Wondering when your child's practices are, what spirit days are coming up, or anything else school related? Guess what... we have a parent calendar that has everything Twin Hills posted daily! There is a link on our School Webpage- to find it directly, just click right here!

Our amazing THABEF can use your ideas, support, and contributions!

Come be a part of the team!

Join us for our monthly meeting on Nov. 12th @ 4pm at Apple Blossom in room 2.

To donate while you shop:

ESCRIP

Please visit Escrip.com and add our group ID 500548660 to your account. Don't forget to visit Fircrest or Oliver's to help support THABEF.

AMAZONSMILE

Use the link below to go add THABEF to your Amazon smile account

https://smile.amazon.com/ch/68-0101000

SPORTS BASEMENT - BASEMENTEERS

Sign up at sportsbasement.com , community and join basementeers. Choose Twin Hills Apple Blossom Educational Foundation as your beneficiary

Nov. 1- No School- Teacher Workday

Nov. 5- Washington D.C. Parent Meeting @ 5:30

Nov. 8- Second Cup of Coffee @ 9:30

Nov. 11- No School in observance of Veterans' Day

Nov. 14- School Board Meeting @ 4:30

Nov. 22- Progress reports mailed home

Nov. 25-29- No School: Thanksgiving Break

THCMS is committed to excellence. Our mission is to provide all students with an education that is academically challenging in an atmosphere of mutual caring and respect. We will provide the foundation for a life of continuous learning and prepare students to be positive contributing citizens.

Email: swhitestine@twinhillsusd.org

Website: https://www.twinhillsmiddleschool.org/

Location: 1685 Watertrough Road, Sebastopol, CA, USA
Phone: (707) 823-7446
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/twinhillsmiddleschool

Looking for a fun family outing? Come support our local Sonoma State Seawolves! They’re offering discounted tickets for only $5 to any of their sports events. It’s a great way to experience the excitement of college sports right in our community. Check out their game schedules below and plan a day to cheer on the Seawolves!

Go Panthers and Go Seawolves!

Credo: Saturday, November 2nd 1:30-4pm open house

ArtQuest @ SRHS: Here is a link to their admissions website for more information.

**Please note: Shadow days are UNEXCUSED absences.