Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the Desk of Principal Mills
Sunday, March 3rd, 2024
Happy Sunday Ram Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and staying dry as the next round of winter storms hits the West Coast this weekend. This past Friday marked the end of Trimester 2 and the beginning of March, which means that spring time is near and the end of the school year events are now just 12 weeks away... buckle up for a busy ride between now and our Spring Break in early April!
Trimester 3 will begin TOMORROW - Monday, March 4th - students in wheel elective classes will be rotating to their new teachers and classes, and our new lunch splits will begin: 7th graders will have 1st lunch, 8th graders will have 2nd lunch, and our 6th graders will be split for the final 12 weeks .If you are not sure which lunch or Homeroom to attend, please check in with your Homeroom teacher during morning break on Monday.
This Monday and Tuesday, March 4th and 5th, are MINIMUM DAYS for students - dismissal will be at 12:35pm. Teachers will be on site finalizing trimester 2 grades and preparing for Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences later this month. School buses will be running to accommodate the minimum day schedules, our ASES program will run their normal operating hours everyday this week, and our school offices will remain open until 3:30pm.
Continuing Student Registration is now open for all returning PUSD students and families. Please take a few minutes to review the information in the newsletter below or in the email I sent out on Friday and complete your online registration as soon as possible! Your prompt response allows us to get a sense of our student population for next year in determining class offerings and staffing. Please make sure to complete your continuing registration packet before the March 31st deadline!
The Spring Dance is scheduled for Friday, March 8th and we are excited to "Make it Glow"! All students will need to bring a photo ID or have access to their StudentVue on their mobile device to be admitted. All school rules, including the dress code still apply to this school event; please dress appropriately for the weather, as the temperature will drop significantly once the sun goes down. YOU HAVE 4 MORE DAYS TO PURCHASE TICKETS! Tickets are on sale in the quad at lunch for $10. All students must have a signed permission slip in order to purchase a ticket; students who lost their permission slip can pick up a new one outside Room 911. The last day to purchase tickets to the dance will be Thursday, March 7th - NO EXCEPTIONS!
The TPMS Online Spirit Store is open and accepting orders for JUST A FEW MORE DAYS!!! Please CLICK HERE to access the online store which has all sorts of Twin Peaks clothing, hats and spirit wear for all members of our Ram Family! Please place your orders before the online store closes for the final time this school year on Wednesday, March 6th!
Calling all Parents of English Learners! We need your feedback on the PUSD Family Engagement and Accountability survey, which helps shape the District’s goals and guide priorities for the 2024-2025 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. Monday, March 4th is your final opportunity to give your feedback!
I'm excited to announce the formation of the TPMS Principal's Advisory Committee to provide a direct link between students and the school administration and to make our school culture, climate, and overall student experience the best that it can be. To address recent student behaviors related to hate speech, racism, and bullying and on our campus, I find it necessary to bring together a group of students whose voices can define and articulate the daily TPMS student experience here on campus, and work with me to build the systems necessary to improve each of our student's time while a Ram at Twin Peaks. If you are interested in being a part of the PAC, please see the information below and apply before Friday, March 8th.
Finally this week, we have quite a few events coming up in the next few weeks which will require parent volunteers to make them 100% successful! If you have the time, we would love to have you join us! Please consider signing up for one, or all of the amazing events listed below:
- March 5th, 12:45-2:15pm: Step It Up Kidchella event on the back field. SIGNUP HERE!
- March 8th, 5:30-8pm: Spring Dance in the Quad. SIGNUP HERE!
- March 18th-22nd, various shifts: PTSA Spring Book Fair. SIGNUP HERE!
In Partnership,
Steve Mills
Proud Principal
Twin Peaks Middle School
1(858)748-5131 x2806
Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks
UPCOMING EVENTS:
TPMS NEWS AND EVENTS - Click here for Calendar
March 4th: Trimester 3 Begins, MINIMUM DAY - 12:35pm dismissal
March 4th: NO Japanese Power Hour today
March 5th: MINIMUM DAY, 12:35pm dismissal
March 5th: NO Tutoring Club today
March 6th: Late Start, 9:50am
March 7th: Last Day to Purchase a Spring Dance Ticket @lunch!
March 8th: College & Career Fair, Lunch in the Quad
March 8th: Spring Dance, 5:30-8pm, Quad
March 11th-15th: 6th Grade Camp
March 13th: Late Start, 9:50am
March 18th & 19th: MINIMUM DAYS - Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
March 18th - 22nd: TPMS Library Book Fair
March 18th: NO Japanese Power Hour today
March 19th: NO Tutoring Club today
March 20th: Late Start, 9:50am
March 20th: 5th Grade Parent Night / Electives Showcase, 5-6pm / 6-7pm
March 27th: Late Start, 9:50am
March 28th & 29th: MINIMUM DAYS - Staff PD Days
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FEBRUARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH!
Volunteers/Donations Needed!
Looking for ways to help out and get involved at Twin Peaks? We have two exciting events coming up THIS WEEK that we are looking for parent volunteers to help chaperone at. The Step it Up Kidchella Event will be happening after school on March 5th from 12:45-2:15, and our TPMS Spring Dance will be on Friday, March 8th from 5:30 to 8:30. If you are interested in volunteering to help with supervision at either of these events, OR if you’re interested in donating to help us make these events super awesome, please visit https://bit.ly/tpmsspringdance for more information.
TPMS Spring Dance "Make It Glow"
The TPMS Spring Dance Dance is coming up on March 8th from 5:30-8:00 PM in the TPMS Quad - all students will need to bring a photo ID or have access to your StudentVue on your mobile device to be admitted. All school rules, including the dress code still apply to this school event; please dress appropriately for the weather, as the temperature will drop significantly once the sun goes down. YOU HAVE 4 MORE DAYS TO PURCHASE TICKETS! Tickets are on sale in the quad at lunch for $10. All students must have a signed permission slip in order to purchase a ticket; students who lost their permission slip can pick up a new one outside Room 911. The last day to purchase tickets to the dance will be Thursday, March 7th - NO EXCEPTIONS!
TPMS Spring Spirit Store is Now Open!
In need of new TPMS Spirit wear? Looking to finally get your hands on the coveted TPMS Tie-Dye Sweatshirt? Visit our online store at https://bit.ly/ramspirit today and place an order today! We’ve got everything from hats to hoodies and those beloved TPMS pajama pants, but hurry! The online store will close for production on Wednesday, March 6th, and all items will be delivered to school before Spring Break! This will be the last chance to purchase TPMS Spirit Wear this school year. Don’t miss out!!
Community Advisory Committee Newsletter
Community Advisory committee (CAC) is excited to launch its first edition of the quarterly newsletter "The Fourteen". The Fourteen is so named due to the fourteen categories of disability that qualify for special education services. It aims to keep parents informed of the latest developments and events within the special education domain of PUSD. Click here to view the newsletter.
PUSD Parent Ambassadors Knowledge & Network Presentation
Parent Workshop: Behavior and School Breaks
Join our Preschool Teachers on Special Assignment, Nicole Hosmer and Heather Green for the opportunity to participate in two sample parent workshops on March 5th, 2024, 9:00am - 10:30am.
WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS:
· Behavior 101
· Behavior Supports
· Tools for School Breaks
· Q&A Opportunity
· Preview of future workshops
Join us in person in the Community Room located at 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128 or via Zoom (ID: 539 621 4111 / Passcode: 370586). Please click here for more details. Click here to register!
Principal's Advisory Committee - Applications Open!
The Principal's Advisory Committee (PAC) serves to provide students with a direct connection to the school principal and the school administration to address concerns about Twin Peaks Middle School's culture and climate. This is a leadership opportunity for students who are interested in improving our campus and ensuring the best possible student experience for their fellow Rams.
The Advisory Committee will consist of 5 members per grade level, for a total of 15 members. This application is for founding student members of the Advisory Committee, who will serve the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year and also for the 2024-2025 school year. Terms after the 2024-2025 school year will be for the school year, with the application process taking place each spring to provide a transition period from year to year.
If you are interested in being a part of the Principal's Advisory Committee, please complete the application LINKED HERE by 3pm on Friday, March 8th, 2024. Students will be notified by Wednesday, March 20th. The PAC's first meeting will be during Homeroom/lunchtime on Wednesday, March 27th.
Important 6th Grade Camp Info
DROP OFF:
- Students attending Camp Cuyamaca must be at school by 8:27 a.m. on Monday, March 11th . Report to your Homeroom teacher for attendance and final instructions.
- The buses will leave Twin Peaks Middle School at approximately 9:30 a.m.
- Luggage: Label all items with your student’s name. One duffel bag or rolling suitcase, one sleeping bag (or sheets/blanket) and a pillow. In addition, students may carry a backpack on the bus. Please do not tie items together. For a complete student-packing list click here. Luggage drop off is at St. Gabriel Catholic Church. Please see map below or click here for all information.
Students Please DO NOT pack these items (Cuyamaca is not responsible for lost , damaged, or stolen property:
1. Cuyamaca is Fragrance-Free Campus – prohibited items: perfumes, colognes, essential oils, all scented products, and all aerosol spray products. These items will be confiscated and given to TPMS Staff.
2. Candy, gum, or food of any kind, flashlights, knives/hatchets, matches, lighters, or fire starters, hair dryers or curling irons, makeup, money, personal electronic devise such as phones, games and media players, jewelry/watches, expensive cameras.
3. Cuyamaca is a Nut-Free Campus – strictly prohibited items from all areas of the campus: All products containing nuts (of any kind) or sesame seeds.
PICK UP:
Students and luggage will return to the front of the school on Friday, March 15th , at approximately 12:00 p.m. The main parking lot will be closed to all through traffic except for camp buses. Neighborhood parking is limited so carpooling is encouraged. All students should be picked up at 12:00 p.m. Students ARE NOT allowed to take a school bus home on March 15th, so it is imperative to have someone at school by 12:00 to pick up your student (s).
We appreciate your patience with this process and will do our best to make the delivery and pick-up process as smooth as possible!
Spring Book Fair March 18th-22nd
The Spring Book Fair will be held in the TPMS Library and will take place March 18th - 22nd; students will be able to shop the fair before school, during break periods and lunch, and after school. Students will also have the chance to purchase items with their language arts classes throughout the week. In addition, the book fair will also be open from 4:30-6:30pm during the 5th Grade Parent Night/Elective Showcase on March 20th.
To make the fair go as smoothly as possible, we need parent volunteers to help with purchases as well as monitor the students. Shifts are short and always fun! Please check out the sign up genius to see where you can help! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4CAAAA2AAAF58-48204291-tpms
As a reminder, books can be purchased with cash, check (made payable to "TPMS PTSA"), or credit/debit card. Parents can also set up an eWallet — your child's digital payment account - for the Twin Peaks Book Fair. If you currently have a balance on an existing eWallet account, the balance can be used with your new account. Just be sure to set up the account with the same email address. Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more, create an eWallet account, and preview books for the Fair: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/twinpeaksmiddleschool
PUSD Continuing Student Registration now open!
Online Continuing Student Registration will be open from March 1- March 31, 2024. We must receive a completed digital packet for all returning students. This will allow for proper placement of your student for the 2024-2025 school year. This annual digital process allows a family to complete one single “family” packet instead of completing one packet per student. Packets can be completed using any computer, tablet or smartphone with an internet connection.
Continuing Registration Steps:
Login and complete the digital registration packet via the online registration portal found here.
Review and complete any required forms located at the conclusion of the process. A packet is not considered finalized until this step is completed.
Please note: MEDICATION FORMS or ADDITIONAL SIGNED SITE SPECIFIC FORMS WILL NOT BE COLLECTED UNTIL SCHOOL BEGINS IN AUGUST FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR.
Forgot your username or password? Need technical help? You can retrieve your username as well as reset your password by visiting https://password.powayusd.com/AccountSelfService/ and clicking the button that represents the help you require. Technical help is also available by sending an email to accounthelp@powayusd.com.
PUSD Transfer Window Now Open!
The Poway Unified transfer window is now open! Transfer requests for students who live within the Poway Unified boundaries and would like to attend a different Poway school other than their school of residence should be submitted online by visiting the PUSD webpage and clicking the “Transfers” link on the home page. This includes incoming siblings of current students. Please enroll your student at their school of residence when new student enrollment opens online on April 1, 2024. Transfer requests cannot be processed until the student is enrolled in their school of residence. The transfer window closes on March 31st at 5:00 pm. For more information, please visit PUSD’s Residency & Transfers webpage.
FREE Teen Positive Parenting Program
The FREE Teen Positive Parenting Program via Zoom is back one more time in March before the end of this school year. This webinar series is designed for parents and will address raising responsible teenagers while improving family communication. These workshops do fill up quickly and parents have shared positive reviews and feedback.
**FREE Teen Positive Parenting Program (English) via ZOOM: Wednesdays, March 6th, March 13th, and March 20th, 2024 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Click here for specific details.
Panorama Student Survey
The second Panorama student wellness survey window will open on Monday, February 26 and remain open until Friday, April 5, 2024.
As a reminder, the Panorama survey promotes positive school climate by collecting valid and reliable feedback about what matters most — from belonging and teacher-student relationships, to engagement and school safety. The survey is administered twice a year to all fourth, sixth, and ninth graders by teachers and counselors. The Panorama survey takes approximately 15 minutes (on average) to complete. Survey results are NOT anonymous.
Parents/guardians will be notified prior to the survey and will have the opportunity to preview the survey questions before they are administered; families who request to have their children excluded will be accommodated.
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:
March 12th
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