Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the desk of Principal Mills - Sunday, January 30th, 2022
Happy Sunday, Ram Families!
I hope this email finds you all well and enjoying this final weekend of January. Please remember that PUSD has a district-wide Professional Growth Day for staff on Monday, January 31st and there will be no school for students. We look forward to seeing all of our students back on campus on Tuesday, February 1st for a 2-4-6 period schedule day.
We continue to see our students and staff impacted by Covid-19 exposure. Please continue to self-screen and monitor your student for symptoms each morning before they come to school. If your student feels sick or shows any symptoms of being sick, please have them stay home. Please let us know right away if your student tests positive so that we can alert staff and students of potential exposure. Please see the "Covid-19 Updates" section below for more details and links to information from PUSD and the CDPH.
This past week we held our annual TPMS Spelling Bee, sponsored by the PTSA. We had 13 students compete virtually via Zoom for over an hour and a half until we were finally able to narrow the field down to our champion - 6th Grader Benjamin Evans! Congratulations Ben on your outstanding achievement, and a big THANK YOU to all of our participants for competing! In case you are wondering, the winning word this year was "A-U-X-I-L-I-A-R-Y"!
Twin Peaks' students and staff were featured in the most recent article in the follow-up series from the San Diego Union Tribune. I'm so proud of the hard work our staff has put into making our transition into a model inclusive practices school successful; matching-up the right co-teaching partners and accommodating the general education curriculum for the multiple levels of student learners in each class takes a tremendous amount of time and dedication. Please learn more about the impact this work is having on our students and classrooms - HERE IS THE LINK to this week's new article that highlights a few TPMS Rams! CLICK HERE for the original article about the Golden Bell Award for PUSD's Inclusive Practices Program.
Please join me this Tuesday, February 1st for our Community Conversation on Racial Equity and Inclusion via Zoom. These virtual community conversations are open to all PUSD families in the Poway HS feeder pattern; please consider attending to be a part of the conversation and to support the inclusive work PUSD is leading in our community. If you are interested in attending, please click on the flyer below to register and be sent the Zoom link to attend.
Finally this week, I hope your family will join mine by signing up to participate in a family viewing of Screenagers, the Movie. This school community event is co-sponsored by our PTSA and TPMS Foundation and we can host up to 300 family viewings of the film starting January 31st. On Wednesday, February 16th we will hold a community forum on the Screenagers movie and the issues raised by it with a panel of experts to answer questions and provide some insights on how to approach concerns around screen use for you and your family. To sign up for the movie screening and/or forum, PLEASE CLICK 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 - bit.ly/tpmsevents
January 31st: Professional Development Day, NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
February 1st: PUSD Community Conversation on Racial Equity and Inclusion, 6-7:30pm via Zoom
February 2nd: Character Counts Virtual Celebration, 4:30pm via Zoom
February 3rd: Late Start Schedule, 9:15am start
February 10th: Late Start Schedule, 9:15am start
February 11th: 6th Grade All O's Party, 1st RAM, Pride Park
February 16th: Screenagers, the Movie Forum #1, 6-7pm via Zoom
February 21-25th: President's Week Break
Community Conversation on Racial Equity & Inclusion - THIS TUESDAY 2/1/2022!
Soccer Season at TPMS!
Soccer registration forms will be available in the front office and PE locker room from 2/1-2/11. Registration forms need to be returned to front office or Room 201 by Friday 2/11 before students can attend the skill evaluations the following week. Skill evaluations will be held on 2/15, 2/17, 3/1, and 3/3. Players will meet at the lunch tables to check in! All info about soccer season will be on the registration packet! We hope to see your student come out for the team!
8th Grade Yearbook Ads Extended!
8th grade Yearbook recognition ad are a great way for parents, families and friends to commemorate student achievements and important milestones. The Deadline has been extended! Go to Jostens.com to order and build your 8th grader’s Recognition ad. Don’t forget to make sure you order a yearbook, too.
Link to Jostens Store: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1006258/Twin-Peaks-Middle-School/
Yearbooks are available for $45 until January and then they go up to $50. So get 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/. To check if you already bought a yearbook, email Charlene Ellington at cellington@powayusd.com
Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age
Our Twin Peaks PTSA and Foundation have partnered together to provide our school community with an opportunity to watch two documentaries together to learn more about screen time and how it is impacting our lives. Coming in February and March, TPMS students and families will have a chance to watch one or both of the award-winning films and then attend a community forums to discuss the topics raised by the films with our panel of local experts.
- Screenagers: Growing Up in the Digital Age probes into the vulnerable corners of family life and depicts messy struggles over social media, video games and academics. The film offers solutions on how we can help our kids navigate the digital world.
- Screenagers: The Next Chapter follows physician and filmmaker, Delaney Ruston, as she discovers solutions for improved adolescent well-being in the digital age.
Please click on the Screenagers flyer below to signup! Students will have an opportunity to watch a shortened version of the movies in their Ram classes during February and March.
TPMS Lacrosse Fundraiser
If you're looking for an action-packed event on a Saturday night, look no further....
TPMS has partnered with the San Diego Seals Box Lacrosse Team to offer not only a night out, but a 50/50 split of ticket sales!
We've secured group tickets in the lower end (closer to the glass) for $20 (plus fees = $24.50) each. For every ticket sold, $10 goes to the Seals, and $10 goes to Twin Peaks! We are going to have a random student winner of a Seals prize pack drawn at the game, and a shout out/video congrats on the big screen, as well as a whole TPMS group shoutout!
If you're not familiar with box lacrosse, think hockey, except instead of ice, there's grass, and instead of a puck there's a hard rubber ball. It's non-stop action with a lot of scoring. Super fun!
You can buy tickets though the QR code on the flyer below. If you have any questions, contact Coach Spy at jspychalski@powayusd.com.
CJSF is Accepting Applications
Attention parents of stellar students. TPMS' California Junior Scholarship Federation (CJSF) is officially accepting membership for all 7th graders who meet our minimum academic requirements.
CJSF is and organization dedicated to preparing our students for the high school & college experience through academics, volunteer work and community leadership. Students who maintain good standing throughout 7th and 8th grade will receive special commendation on their Promotion Certificate, an official CJSF membership card, membership pin, and accelerated entrance into high school's CJSF program.
If your child has maintained a GPA of 3.5 and above, please send them to Mrs. Baskin's office to pick up an application form. Our first meeting of the year will be on Thursday, Feb 3rd in Mr. Kaufman's room 306 during 1st lunch.
6th GRADE CAMP - March 7-11th, 2022
6th Grade Camp forms should be turned in to your student's Ram teacher; if you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Lynda Carter at lycarter@powayusd.com.
PHS ENGINEERING ACADEMY/PATHWAY INFO NIGHT
WED, FEB 9, 2022, from 7 pm to 8 pm: This is an opportunity to hear how the program is helping current students and how the Poway High School Engineering Academy/Pathway is making a difference toward their college and career goals. You will learn about what courses to enroll to start the Academy or Pathway. There will also be a presentation about updates in the Academy and an overview of the program and pathway. There will be a question-and-answer period.
Please click here or see below for the flyer and Zoom Link.
The Cal Water H2O Individual Challenge
A FREE art competition open to individual students in grades K-12 who reside or attend a school in a Cal Water Service Area. The Cal Water H2O Individual Challenge is looking for original artwork focused on caring for water and addressing local California concerns along with a short statement about their work.
There will be 12 prizes dispersed equally across grade bands and the grand prize will be awarded $250. Visit challenge.calwater.com to learn more about submission dates, resources, and prizes.
COVID-19 Updates
Please click HERE to access the updated Covid Guidelines and Protocols on the PUSD website.
TESTING
For students who have tested positive for Covid-19, per the California Department of Public Health updated guidance on isolation and quarantine as of December 30, 2021, PUSD staff may return to work when:
- 5 days from symptom onset (or if no symptoms then 5 days from positive PCR COVID-19 test date) AND
- Symptoms are not present or are resolving AND a negative COVID test (antigen test is preferred) taken on day 5 or later. (If unable to test or choosing not to test, and symptoms are not present or are resolving, isolation can end after day 10)
- Fever free for 24 hours (without fever reducing medication) AND
- Wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days, especially in indoor settings
If you need to schedule a Covid test, you can do so for you and your family members at Pharmatech LINKED HERE.
STUDENT CLOSE CONTACT
The updated CDPH K-12 guidance gives school districts the option of using the three quarantine model or the Group-Tracing Approach to Students Exposed to COVID-19 in a K-12 Setting. PUSD will be using the Group Tracing approach. Per the K-12 Guidance 2021-2022 Questions and Answers, tracking results from all exposed students is not required.
Parents should notify schools of positive results.
- Schools will notify group of students who spent more than a cumulative total of 15 minutes (within a 24-hour time period) in a shared indoor airspace (e.g., classroom) with someone with COVID-19 during their period of infectiousness.
- Notification will occur to "groups" of exposed students (e.g., classmates, teammates, cohorts, etc.) rather than contact tracing to identify individual "close contacts" (e.g., those within 6 feet).
- Notifications should be provided to all individuals, including those who are vaccinated and/or recently infected.
MASKING GUIDELINES: The wearing of face masks remains a primary method for us to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 on campus for our students and staff; please make sure your student continues to come to school with an approved comfortable mask that they can wear whenever they are indoors on campus. Masking guidelines are LINKED HERE.
Please make sure your students are coming to school with a comfortable facemask that they can wear when they are indoors on campus, preferably a cloth mask that can be washed and reused. We are having to handout an increased number of facemasks each day to students who forget theirs and our supply is dwindling quickly. Please review with your students the expectation that masks are to be worn whenever they are indoors on campus (classroom, offices, library, gym, locker room, etc.) and must cover their mouth and nose.
- Indoors with Students: Face masks are MANDATORY for all adults and students, except those with a documented medical excuse on file with our Heath Technician.
- Indoors with Adults ONLY: Masks are currently MANDATORY for fully vaccinated adults and unvaccinated adults through January 15th.
- Outdoors: Masks are optional for everyone, regardless of vaccination status.
The PUSD School Board met on 10/18 and provided new protocols to allow a limited number of visitors and volunteers back on campus. PUSD is slowly expanding volunteers on campus – effective October 18, 2021, we may now have a limited number of volunteers present in learning spaces with students during the school day. All volunteers must be vaccinated or provide a negative PCR COVID test. Outdoor celebrations will have designated visitor areas (i.e. Friday Flag, Jog-a-thons). Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we calibrate with the district and CDPH to make the necessary adjustments.
Parenting and Supporting LGBTQ+ Children and Teens Part II
PART II: Conscious Parenting New Course
Join Angelle Maua to continue the discussions from the LGBTQIA+ Part I: The Basics Workshop. Learn how to:
1. Become a more conscious parent of a gender-expansive or questioning child.
2. Look beyond the binary and unpack years of cultural beliefs, traditional roles, and expectations.
3. Improve the odds for your child to embrace the complexity of their journey.
4. Nurture and enjoy the journey with your child.
This is all-inclusive for parents of children who have identified as LGBTQIA+.
In-Person Saturday, 2/12/22 from 10:00am – 12:00pm at Poway Adult School
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
Effective Strategies to Advocate for Your Child in Special Education
Whether you suspect your child would benefit from special education services or are already in the process, come discover and practice tools to improve communication with teachers, administrators, and case managers. Spend time with Laurie Magulac to discuss how to increase collaboration and create your child's education plan as well as develop tools to process meetings and diagnoses.
In-Person Tuesday, 2/1/22 at Poway Adult School from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
Parenting Well Through Life Changes
Change is a part of life that comes in many forms which can include divorce, moving, and loss. How do we manage our own response to change while parenting our children effectively?
Spend time with Laurie Magulac to learn strategies to:
1. Understand and recognize stress in your child during change.
2. Help your child cope in healthy ways.
3. Manage and diffuse tough behaviors that may arise.
4. Not burn out while you are helping your child through the process.
In-Person Tuesday, 2/8/22 at Poway Adult School from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
Shop Amazon through TPMS Foundation
Twin Peaks Middle School
Email: chamilton@powayusd.com
Website: http://tpms.powayusd.com/index.html
Phone: 858.748.5131
Twitter: @TwinPeaksRams