Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the desk of Principal Mills - Sunday, January 2, 2022
Happy Sunday, Ram Families!
Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you all healthy and rejuvenated after a restful Winter Break! We are excited to welcome students back to campus on Monday, January 3rd for the continuation of 2nd quarter instruction. Please remember that classes start promptly at 8:27am, so make sure to arrive at school by 8:15pm to be on time for first period. The school calendar with the daily period rotations is linked HERE for your convenience!
As we prepare to reopen for the new year, maintaining student and staff safety amidst the rise in cases of Covid-19 are certainly first and foremost in our planning. Please take a moment to review the Covid-19 quarantine guidelines and protocols update below with updates from the CDPH and the CDC. These protocols are still fluid and can change based on infection rates in the community and county; please continue to come to school with a comfortable mask that you can wear whenever you are indoors on campus.
Looking to the New Year and 2022 - the TPMS Spelling Bee is back!! It will be held on Wednesday, January 26th in the TPMS Theater starting at 4:30pm. All students can participate in this once-a-year event to represent Twin Peaks Middle School at the regional level competition. Please see the section labeled "Scripps Spelling Bee" below for more information - deadline to sign-up is Friday, January14th.
We will be re-starting our Men of Honor Program (formerly Generation Z) in February, 2022 for 7th and 8th grade boys who are in need of mentoring and want to learn how to improve themselves through personal responsibility. Participants will need to commit to the 10-week program held Wednesdays after school form 3:30-4:30pm. This program is staffed by parent and community volunteers and is free to participate; if you are interested in signing-up, please see the "Men of Honor Program" section below and click on the link to apply.
Finally this week, I hope parents take advantage of some of the specialty classes that are being offered in PUSD in January and February. There are several opportunities for parents to attend informational classes over the next few months at Abraxas High School in the evenings on a variety of topics. Please see the informational flyers and sign-up information below to learn how to help manage your student's stress and anxiety, how to support your LGTBQ+ teen, or how to advocate for your special education student. We also plan to host a school-wide viewing of the documentary Screencasters in the coming months to address issues of student screen time, video game addiction and social media use - look for more information in the coming weeks!
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 3rd: First Day Back to school
January 6th: Late Start Schedule, 9:15am start
January 13th: Late Start Schedule, 9:15am start
January 13th: PUSD School Board Meeting, 6pm @Zoom
January 17th: MLK Day, NO SCHOOL
January 18th: TPMS Foundation Meeting, 6pm @library
January 20th: Late Start Schedule, 9:15am start
January 20th: PTSA Meeting, 6:15pm @library
January 26th: TPMS Spelling Bee, 4:30pm @theater
January 27th: Late Start Schedule, 9:15am start
January 31st: Professional Development Day, NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS
COVID-19 Updates
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
Please continue to self-screen and take your student's temperature each morning before they come to school. If your student feels sick or shows any symptoms of being sick, please have them stay home. If you need to schedule a Covid test, you can do so for you and your family members at Pharmatech LINKED HERE.
MASKING GUIDELINES: 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.
Please click HERE to access the updated Covid Guidelines and Protocols on the PUSD website.
Christmas Tree Recycling
RBHS Field Hockey and Brookeshire Real Estate are hosting a FREE Christmas Tree Pickup to help fundraise for the RBHS field hockey program.
- Text 858-472-3266 your address and when you'll have your tree on your front curb.
- We'll come pick up your tree for free.
- Any donations to the RB Field Hockey program are greatly appreciated! (make checks payable to RBHS Foundation with field hockey in the memo.)
SCRIPPS SPELLING BEE
Students who are interested in participating can sign-up by CLICKING HERE to access the Google sign-up form. Once you sign-up, a practice packet and pledge form will be emailed to the email address provided. If you have questions or concerns, please
YOUNG MEN OF HONOR PROGRAM
If you are interested in applying to be a part of this year's program, please complete the form LINKED HERE before Friday, January 14th. If you have questions, please email Principal Mills at stmills@powayusd.com.
Poway Adult School
Parents, A new year is a great time to head back to school! Poway Adult School offers low-cost career training classes for you to upskill. Just need some help tuning up your resume or someone to discuss a career change idea? The Poway (Unified) Adult School provides free career guidance, high school diploma classes for adults and GED prep as well. Call Jon at (858) 668-4022 or go online at www.powayadultschool.com and check out our catalog pages 5-11 for career training and free workshops. Make an appointment for free career support at https://calendly.com/help4careers/30min
Apoyo a Nuestras Familias de Habla Hispana
Help Your Children Manage Stress & Anxiety
Our children have experienced a great deal of change and uncertainty over the past year. You may have noticed that they have felt overwhelmed or exhibited symptoms of anxiety. The good news is that there is a solution! We can teach our kids concrete tools to reduce anxiety and manage stress by strengthening their emotional intelligence (EQ). Research has showed that children with high emotional intelligence do better in school and get along well with others.
In-Person Thursday, 1/27/22 at Abraxas School from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
Parenting and Supporting LGBTQ+ Children and Teens Part I
PART I: The Basics
Our children have experienced a great deal of change and uncertainty over the past year. You may have noticed that they have felt overwhelmed or exhibited symptoms of anxiety. The good news is that there is a solution! We can teach our kids concrete tools to reduce anxiety and manage stress by strengthening their emotional intelligence (EQ). Research has showed that children with high emotional intelligence do better in school and get along well with others.
In-Person Thursday, 1/27/22 at Abraxas School from 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Class fee: $24/individual or $29/couple (for couple enrollment parent needs to contact Poway Adult School)
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)
TPMS Yearbook Info
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.
Calling all proud families of 8th graders here at Twin Peaks! 8th Grade Recognition Ads are open and ready for purchase. Go to www.jostens.com and click on Recognition Ads to start the process of celebrating your 8th grader in this year’s yearbook! Deadline is January 31st so don’t delay!
Want more information about Yearbooks? Go to http://tpmsyearbook.weebly.com/
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