PTMS Weekly Parent Newsletter
May 3, 2024
Table of Contents
I. Coming Up (calendar items in the coming week or so)
II. Message from the Principal
III. Message from the Assistant Principal
- From the Attendance Office
IV. Counseling Corner
- Information on Wellness and Suicide Prevention
V. 8th Grade Promotion
VI. From the PTSA
- End-of-the-Year Events
VII. ASB and Student Announcements
VIII. Department News
- Learning Commons
- PE
- Yearbook
IX. Clubs (periodic information on extracurricular activities)
X. Multilingual Corner (includes information on ELAC other community resources)
- Parent classes
XI. Special Education Sessions and Events (parenting classes, family events, informational sessions)
XII. Community Events
- Opportunities/Events involving district high schools
I. Coming Up
May 6-10 - Staff Appreciation Week courtesy PTSA
- Monday - Bagel Breakfast
- Tuesday - Burrito Lunch
- Wednesday - Micheline's Pita
- Thursday - Pizza/Salad Lunch
- Friday - Snack Bar
May 8 - Therapy Dogs - Wellness Center - 11:40-1:00 p.m.
May 13-17 - Mental Health Appreciation Week
May 23 -
- 8th Grade Yearbook Signing Party - Quad - 2:45-3:45 p.m.
- Spring Arts Night - Gym (band) and MPR (art) - 5:00-7:00 p.m.
II. Message from the Principal
Wolfpack families,
Happy Friday to you. Last night's final dance of the year, "One for the Records," was a smashing success. The kids danced, played games, laughed, and really enjoyed the evening. ASB did another wonderful job in planning and implementing a fun event for our students. Thank you to the many parents who volunteered to support.
Coach Olson wrapped up the Soccer Lunch League today. While only one team emerged victorious, it is such a wonderful way for kids to play and be involved in school culture. As I watched, I was very impressed with how all of the students who played and supported their friends were positive. Sportsmanship, class, and positivity were on display, and as Principal, I couldn't be prouder of those involved. At the end of the day, we are all members of the Wolfpack and today was an example of that.
Next week, we will have our final safety drill. Dr. Hake will be sharing additional information with students, staff, and you to better prepare.
As we look forward to the end of the school year, I encourage 8th grade parents to pay attention to information related to Promotion. In particular, if you or family members need handicap access, parking, or ASL translation, please reach out so that we can best support your needs. See below for more details and feel free to look at our PTMS website at any time.
Finally, next week Dr. Hake will be speaking to our 8th grade students. The focus includes reflecting on their time at PTMS, highlighting some key dates to remember, and reminding students of behavioral expectations. This message encourages them to be proud of the positive habits they have developed in the past two years, reflect on the relationships they've made, and to remember to finish the year being their best version of themselves. Within this, is a reminder that events like Promotion and the Disneyland trip are privileges. As principal, I have had to remove these opportunities in the past because of egregious behavior. So we want to remind our members of the Wolfpack about our standards and expectations, and support them as they get close to finishing their middle school career.
Have a wonderful weekend and we look forward to seeing your student on Monday.
In gratitude,
Scott Wild, Ed.D.
Principal
III. From the Assistant Principal
From the Attendance Office
~ Don't let your education slip away. Come to school every day!
IV. Counseling Corner
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This is a time to raise awareness of the importance of mental health in children and teens. Keep an eye out for any social or behavioral changes in your children. Mental Health America has great resources for parents such as: Talking to Adolescents & Teens: Starting the Conversation, Time to Talk, What to Do and Where to Go. PTMS will host Mental Health Awareness Week on May 13-17th where students will have the opportunity to participate in various activities. We will also lead a counseling workshop that students can sign up for on coping skills. For a schedule of the week's activities, please click here.
D/F reports are now available in Aeries. To check if your student is earning a D or F, log into your parent Aeries account, click on “Grades”. If your student is earning a D or F in math or English, it is highly recommended that your student enrolls in summer school. Please submit your summer school application to your student’s counselor and complete the online transportation request form if you need transportation by May 17th. The counseling department has sent summer school emails to all parents of students who have earned a D or F in math or English this year.
Lisa Curry, Counselor (A-Ma) lisa.curry@sduhsd.net
Carsen Anderson, Counselor (Mc-Z and ML Students) carsen.anderson@sduhsd.net
Samantha Eels-Taylor, Student Support Facilitator samantha.eelstaylor@sduhsd.net
Mental Health & Wellness
Mental Health & Wellness Resources for Students, Staff, and School Community.
Click on the QR code to discover your PTMS Support Staff.
Free Mental Health Webinar Series
See below
Suicide Prevention QPR Training
See below
V. 8th Grade Promotion - May 29 - 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, May 29th, is 8th Grade Promotion beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the quad. Click here for the bell schedule for that day.
Here are some important details:
- May 29th is a REGULAR SCHOOL DAY. Eighth graders are expected to arrive and attend their morning classes as usual then be escorted to the quad with the rest of their Homeroom class for Promotion. Students not in their morning classes will be considered truant unless a parent has contacted Attendance (PTAttendance@sduhsdnet) to excuse them.
- What should my student wear? It's a special occasion! Make it special by dressing for it. But please leave the tuxedos and ball gowns at home.
- Taking your child(ren) with you after the Promotion? If parents wish to take their promoting 8th grader home immediately following Promotion, their absence from the afternoon classes must be cleared by completing this form , calling Attendance at 858.509.1000, x4609, or using the QR code (upper right). You can do it right now if you already know you are taking your 8th grader home after Promotion. You do not have to wait until Promotion Day. Otherwise, 8th graders will be expected to attend their afternoon classes after Promotion. Eighth graders not in their afternoon classes and who have not been cleared by a parent will be marked truant.
- Parking. There is limited space in the staff parking lot here at PTMS, but you are also welcome to park over in the CCA parking lot. DO NOT PARK IN THE CIRCULAR DRIVEWAY. If you require Handicap Parking, we will have a few parking spots coned off in the PTMS parking lot for people who reserve a Handicap Parking Spot. To reserve a Handicap Parking Spot, please click here.
- There will be no seating, so if you wish to sit, please plan on bringing your own (beach chair, blanket, etc.). There will be limited seating for disabled persons and we ask that only the disabled person be seated there, not the whole family.
- Parents will be permitted into the quad for Promotion no earlier than 10:00 a.m. Promotion begins at 10:30 a.m. and will last 45 minutes to an hour.
- Parents requiring ASL Accommodation, please contact Lisa.Graciano@sduhsd.net as soon as possible.
- May 30 and May 31 are REGULAR SCHOOL DAYS. May 30 is a Single Period Day and May 31 is a Minimum Day. Please see this bell schedule for bell times.
- May 30 is our 8th Grade Disneyland Good Citizenship Trip. Eighth graders not going to Disneyland are expected to attend classes as usual. Please contact the PTAttendance@sduhsd.net if your student will be absent.
- May 31 is the Last Day of School. It is a Minimum Day (see bell schedule here).
Promotion Speech Submissions - Due May 10
Attention 8th grade students, if you would like to give a speech during the 2024 Promotion Ceremony, now is your chance! Please carefully read the guidelines. Then, use this Google Form to submit your speech. Submissions are due May 10.
Interested in Singing the National Anthem at Promotion? Submit form by May 10
Attention all students (open to any grade), if you would like to sing the National Anthem during 8th Grade Promotion, indicate your interest using this Google Form. Deadline to submit the form is May 10.
Promotion Volunteer Opportunities
If you would like to volunteer for this special event, please sign up on our SignUp Genius page.
Purchase your Promotion Yard Signs Here
Promotion Yard Signs are $25/ea.
- To order:
- Scan the QR code (right) and include your student's first and last name in the comments section of Venmo, or
- Bring a check (payable to PTMS PTSA) to Vetha in the front office. Write your student's first and last name in the memo section of your check.
Please don't forget to mention your student name on Venmo comment or memo line of your check.
Deadline to order is May 8th at 12:00 a.m.
Signs will be available for pick up in the front office by May 15th at 2:30pm.
VI. From the PTSA
End of School Year Events
Hello PTMS families,
Can you believe we only have less than one month of school left? There are so many exciting events coming up at Pacific Trail Middle School!
Next week is Staff Appreciation Week, where we will be showing our gratitude to our amazing staff members. PTSA will be providing breakfast, lunch, or snacks for our dedicated teachers and staff each day. We are so thankful for all of their hard work and commitment to our students.
We will also be hosting our final Trailblazer Awards Ceremony during lunch on May 17th to recognize all of the students who have made PTMS a better place this month! (students-only event).
Our 8th graders will have the opportunity to sign yearbooks and all students will enjoy a lunch party for all the students with DJ Eric on May 14th.
Promotion is quickly approaching on May 29th at 10:30 a.m. If you would like to volunteer for this special event, please sign up on our SignUp Genius page.
Yard Signs. You can order a Promotion Yard Sign for $25.
- To order:
- Scan the QR code (above right) and include your student's first and last name in the comments section of Venmo, or
- Bring a check (payable to PTMS PTSA) to Vetha in the front office. Write your student's first and last name in the memo section of your check.
Signs will be available for pick up at the front office starting May 15th at 2:30pm. Please don't forget to mention your student name on Venmo comment or memo line of your check.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in our school community. Let's make these last few weeks of the school year memorable for our students!
Best regards,
Claire Dufayet
PTMS PTSA President
VII. ASB and Student Announcements
You can check them out on the Students tab of our website under "Student Announcements" for a running post of each week's student announcements.
VIII. Department News
Learning Commons News
Please click here to see everything that the Learning Commons has been up to so far this year.
From the PE Department
Please follow us on Instagram to see what your student is up to during PE class.
IX. Clubs
~ Club activity will be posted here throughout the year. To get a list of all Clubs currently active, please check the Activities page on our website.
X. Multilingual Learner Corner
XI. Special Education Sessions and Events
For a list of Special Education Informational Sessions and Family Events, please click here.
For meetings, trainings, workshops, and more from the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education, please click here.
XII. Community Events
SDUHSD Summer School Information
Canyon Crest Academy
Summer Camps
Torrey Pines High School
Dance Team Auditions
XIII. Other Important Items
- Boys & Girls Club - Seasonal sports information/registration.
- PTMS Live Calendar of Campus Events and 2023-24 Instructional Calendar.
- PTMS Student Vehicle Permit - Register your bike/e-bike/scooter/skateboard with PTMS. Complete this form and turn in to the office.
- PTMS Webstore - PE clothes/Limited Series Clothing
- PTMS Yearbook. - Order today!
- San Dieguito Alliance for a Drug-Free Youth - complete the Parent Pledge here.
- San Dieguito Boys & Girls Club - click the link to the left for 2023-24 athletic schedules.
- SDUHSD - Employment Opportunities. To view a list of openings and to apply, please click https://www.edjoin.org/sandieguito or you can call Susan Gray at 760 753-6491 x5543.
This newsletter has also been posted to our website under "Parent Communications."
Deadline to submit articles for publication is Thursdays.