PTMS Weekly Parent Newsletter
March 3, 2023
Coming Up
January 17-March 17 - Residency Verification for all CURRENT SDUHSD students (except 12th graders)
February 13-March 17 - Independent Study Physical Education (ISPE)
March 3 - Single Period Day
March 8 - California Healthy Kids Survey
March 10 - Spring Club Fair during both lunches
March 13-17 - Wellness Week
March 13 - Late Start Day
Principal's Message
Wolfpack,
So much to celebrate this week beginning with you. At the beginning of the year, our PTSA led our annual fundraiser that goes to support numerous initiatives on campus. In addition to programs like Academic Power Hour, Science Olympiad and our upcoming Pi Day on March 13th (we still need volunteers!), our PTSA met this week to approve additional requests for support. The requests will go to support all students in various ways around our campus and I am happy to list some below:
~Podcasting equipment
~Books for literature circles
~Ping pong tables
~Guest Speaker Matt Bellace in the spring
~Therapeutic supports for our counseling center
~Additional supports for our special education programs
~Science supplies for physics
~Additional resources for our visual arts program
~STEM resources
Funding these initiatives will continue the amazing learning opportunities for our Wolfpack, and we are grateful for your financial support.
I also want to acknowledge our band students as they head up to Irvine today to compete in the Forum Music Festival, and say "good luck" to our Science Olympiad students as they compete this weekend at Miramar College.
Finally, congratulations to Ms. Olivia Hogelucht for being selected as Pacific Trails Middle School's "Teacher of the Year" for the 2022-23 school year. Ms. Hogelucht teaches English, art, and our yearbook class. She is a wonderful teacher, and amazing person, and PTMS is lucky to have her on staff. Congratulations, Ms. Hogelucht!
Have a great weekend and see you Monday.
In gratitude,
Scott Wild
Principal
Assistant Principal's Message
California Healthy Kids Survey
On March 8th, your student will be asked to take the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) sponsored by the California Department of Education. The survey will be administered through students' homeroom classes.
This is a very important survey that will help promote better health and well-being among our youth, improve the school learning environment and combat problems such as drug abuse and violence. For more information please read the Consent for California Healthy Kids Survey letter.
Your student does not have to take the survey. If you do not want your student to complete the survey, please click HERE to complete the opt-out form by March 5th.
If you have any questions please email kathryn.freeman@sduhsd.net or lisa.graciano@sduhsd.net.
Second Semester Student Expectation Talks
Assistant Principal Freeman met with all Homeroom classes to review Student Expectations for second semester. Topics included: bike safety, tardies, academic honesty, lunch behavior and more. 8th grade presentations also included slides about the end of year activities for 8th graders and we reviewed the Loss of Privilege list.
Click HERE to view the slides.
Message from the Counselors
It is almost time for our current 7th graders to select their classes for 8th grade! On Monday, March 6, our counseling team will meet with all 7th grade students through World History classes for an 8th Grade Course Selection presentation to explain this process. Please be sure you (along with your child) have completed BOTH the online course selection AND have returned the 8th Grade Course Selection Contract by Monday, March 13 by either submitting it in the counseling office or via email to ptcourseselection@sduhsd.net. Paper copies will be distributed to students.
The 8th Grade Online Course Selection window will open on Monday, March 6, and closes on Monday, March 13. Students can ask their course selection questions during break, lunch or by emailing their counselor. Please refer to the 8th Grade Course Selection Process link on the Registration Page of the PTMS website for more information.
PTMS Wellness Week begins on March 13th. We have lots of exciting visitors lined up including Torrey Pines PALs students leading a homeroom lesson, DJ Eric, our very own Rock Band, Love on a Leash therapy dogs and much more. It should be a fun and enjoyable week for all. We will begin the week by celebrating Pi Day (one day early because of the convenient single period schedule) and our Math department has planned various crafts and mental challenges during Math class. Click here for the week’s schedule of events!
If your student is currently enrolled in Sheltered English, the English Learner leads from Canyon Crest Academy and Torrey Pines High School will be coming to Pacific Trails next Friday (3/10) during 2nd period to meet with your student and help select classes for next year. This is for students only. After your student has met with the EL Lead, please review the class selections and select the classes online through your Parent Aeries Account. Please note, this will need to be done through the parent account and not your student's account. You will then need to follow instructions on how to turn in your course selection form based on your high school site.
Lisa Curry, Counselor (A-Ne) lisa.curry@sduhsd.net
Carsen Murt, Counselor (Ng-Z and EL Students) carsen.murt@sduhsd.net
Samantha Eels-Taylor, Student Support Facilitator samantha.eelstaylor@sduhsd.net
National School Breakfast Week
National School Breakfast Week (NSBW) celebrates the importance of a nutritious school breakfast in fueling students for success. This special observance during the first week of March celebrates the National School Breakfast Program and the many ways it gives kids a great start every day.
In order to promote the importance of breakfast, the PTMS kitchen will give away free samples on March 6th during lunch time. Please, stop by the kitchen and enjoy!
ASB and Student Announcements
Click here to see the latest version.
You can also check out the Students tab on our website and click the link entitled "Student Announcements" for a running post of each week's announcements.
From Attendance
Our March Madness is aiming for improved school attendance.
CA Healthy Kids Survey is Coming Up!
On March 8th, your student will be asked to take the California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) sponsored by the California Department of Education. The survey will be administered through students' homeroom classes.
This is a very important survey that will help promote better health and well-being among our youth, improve the school learning environment and combat problems such as drug abuse and violence. For more information please read the Consent for California Healthy Kids Survey letter.
Your student does not have to take the survey. If you do not want your student to complete the survey, please click HERE to complete the opt-out form by March 5th.
If you have any questions please email kathryn.freeman@sduhsd.net or lisa.graciano@sduhsd.net.
From the PE Department
Please follow us on Instagram to see what your student is up to during PE class.
Pi Day - March 13th - Volunteers Needed!
For this year's Pi Day celebration, we will be needing parent volunteers to help make a successful and fun day for the students. You can sign up for your child's math period, however, if you can stay longer please sign up for more slots.
To sign-up as a Volunteer, please click here.
For any questions, please contact our VP of Programs Claire: vpprograms@pacifictrailsmsptsa.org
Residency Verification for CURRENT 7th through 11th Grade SDUHSD Students
The submission window is between January 27th and March 17th for parents of CURRENT SDUHSD students in grades 7 through 11 to provide the required documents for Residency Verification for the 2023-24 school year.
The following THREE documents are required:
1. The 2-page 2023-24 Annual Residency Verification Affidavit.
2. A copy of your recent SDGE bill.
3. A copy of another service bill (Cable, Water, etc.) as described on the Affidavit in the "Category 2" box in the middle of the page.
Submission is done through your Aeries Parent Portal. Here is a tutorial on how to do it.
If you are unable to submit your documents via your Aeries Parent Portal, please feel free to submit paper copies or scanned copies to Vetha in the front office.
If you have more than one CURRENT SDUHSD student, you will list each of those students on the Affidavit and submit it to Vetha in the front office who will clear each student at each school.
** Please do not list your INCOMING current 6th grade student on this form. You will need to include an independent Residency Verification at the time you enroll your 6th grader for 7th grade later on. **
Deadline to submit your documents is March 17th. Course Selection at all schools for the 2023-24 school year will be compromised for those students who do not have the Residency Verification documents uploaded/turned in.
Independent Study Physical Education (ISPE)
The window to apply for ISPE for the 2023-24 school year is February 13 through March 17, 2023.
Learn how to apply at this link.
There will be two VIRTUAL Parent Q&A Sessions: one on February 7th at 5:00 p.m. and the other one on February 22 at 5:00 p.m. You can find the meeting link in the application link above.
Notification of ISPE approval status from the District will be between March 27th and April 14th.
If you have questions, please contact ispe@sduhsd.net.
PTSA Membership
The PTMS Parent, Teacher & Student Association (PTSA) welcomes you to the 2022-2023 school year! As PTMS enters its seventh year, the PTSA continues to grow, supporting the families and staff by sponsoring a multitude of enriching activities and programs. We kindly ask for your support to continue this work.
The PTSA Membership fee is just $60 for two adults and one student. Please sign up here.
Volunteers Are Needed for the "Glow The Night Away" dance on February 16th. If you are interested, please click here to sign up.
Would You Like to Serve on the PTSA Executive Board for the 2023-24 School Year?
The Pacific Trails PTSA needs to fill the position of Treasurer for the 2023-2024 school year. This position requires more time than other positions but is required to keep our PTSA at Pacific Trails.
We are looking for someone excited to join our PTSA and help manage the funds used to facilitate many of the fun and important programs for students, their families and teachers. Our current Treasurer will provide all of the training and support you need to ensure your success.
If that is you or someone you know, please contact Uzma Kahn Qazi at: parliamentarian@pacifictrailsmsptsa.org
Order Your Yearbook Now
Student Safety Vehicle Permit
CCA and TPHS Parent Information Nights
Click here for information on TPHS and CCA Parent Information Nights.
Job Opportunities - Bilingual Parent/Community Liaisons
San Dieguito UHSD has three openings for part-time Bilingual Parent/Community Liaisons, two positions are bilingual Spanish, and one is bilingual Mandarin. A Liaison facilitates communication with families on the behalf of the schools and district to create and maintain a partnership between home and school and create a greater understanding of educational procedures, issues, and concerns. For more information on locations, work hours, and to apply, please go to: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1702214.
Other
- PTMS Webstore - the PTMS store for PE clothes
- San Dieguito Boys & Girls Club - click the link to the left for 2022-23 athletic schedules.
- SDUHSD - The SDUHSD is currently recruiting to staff permanent and substitute classified positions (e.g. Instructional Assistant, Nutrition Services, Custodian, Secretarial/Clerical). Part-time and full-time positions are available. Substitutes can set their own availability. 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.
