Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the desk of Principal Mills - Sunday, September 19th, 2021
Happy Sunday, Ram Families!
We had another busy week at TPMS, with lots of activities and events for students and parents to RECONNECT with the school and each other... here's a recap of this past week:
On Tuesday we welcomed back former Twin Peaks alumni Greg Hanson to campus to lead our Step it Up! Fundraiser and virtual introduction to students. Instead of our customary assembly in the gym, students watched a 15 minute condensed video overview of the fundraiser and what they need to do in order to participate and earn individual prizes. Student received instructions on their Golden Ticket and came back to campus to claim their prizes during lunch. The fundraiser is sponsored by our Associated Student Body (ASB) and is their one and only fundraiser for the year - more information on the Step It Up! Fundraiser can be found by CLICKING HERE!
On Wednesday, we held our first lockdown drill of the year. Students and teachers did an excellent job practicing what to do in case we have a situation on campus where students would need to secure their classrooms. This was our second drill of the year - in late August we held a fire drill and rehearsed where to evacuate to in the event of a fire on campus. We will continue to practice safety drills periodically throughout the school year in accordance with our site and district safety plan. Considering we have not practiced any of these protocols in over 18 months, I was impressed with how well our students focused during the drills - great job Rams!
On Wednesday night we hosted our first parent meeting for our Spanish-speaking families and parents of students learning English. We had approximately 30 students and their families attend and learn what supports are available for them, and what the reclassification process entails, including how students will be tested this year. For a link to the slides for the evening, please CLICK HERE. Our parent representative to the PUSD ELAC (English Learner Advisory Committee) was appointed and will share news with our site on any initiatives sponsored by the district to support our English learners.
On Thursday afternoon, our School Site Council met for the first time to review the SPSA process and to view some initial iReady data from last year. Thank you to our new and returning members for their time, insights and questions as we review our Single Plan for Student Achievement and align it with the district's LCAP goals. Our next SSC Meeting will be on October 14th where we will have an opportunity to review more of the site data from iReady to see if we met our learning goals for last school year, and how to adjust those goals for this school year.
We also held our first PTSA Association Meeting this past Thursday night, followed by our Executive Board meeting. The PTSA sponsors so many valuable programs for our students on campus each year, and your help is still needed! Please consider becoming a member and joining the Twin Peaks PTSA today - CLICK HERE to learn how you can join!
As I mentioned in the email I sent out on Friday, Twin Peaks MS, like many other schools in PUSD and across the country, was the target of student vandalism due to a social media campaign on TicTok. Please continue to discuss with your students the importance of taking care of our campus, and the negative consequences that come with the abuse of social media. To this end, our administrative team will be visiting Ram classes this week to review behavior expectations with all students while they are coming and going to school and on campus.
Finally this week, in the spirit of RECONNECTING - I hope to see many of you at the TPMS Foundation Fall Social at Second Chance Brewery on Friday, September 24th from 6-9pm. This is a great way to come out and meet some other parents, teachers and staff and support the programs and activities happening at Twin Peaks Middle School. Please CLICK HERE or on the graphic below to find out more information and to purchase advance tickets for the event.
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
September 20-24th: Start With Hello Week and SPIRIT WEEK! CLICK HERE for schedule!
September 21st: PE Fundraiser at Chipotle, 4-8pm, 13495 Poway Rd
September 22nd: Picture Make-up Day, during PE or RAM
September 23rd: Late Start Schedule, 9:15am start
September 24th: TPMS Foundation Fall Event (Second Chance Brewery, 6-9pm)
September 24th: Club Faire at lunch in the quad
September 27th: Non-Student Day (PUSD Professional Growth Day)
September 28th-October 1st: Parent/Teacher Conferences (Minimum Days)
October 7th: Late Start Schedule, 9:15am start
October 13th: TBES/TPMS Equity Council Meeting, 3:30-4:30pm @Zoom
October 14th: Late Start Schedule, 9:15am start
October 15th: ASB Movie Night in the Quad (time TBA)
October 19th: TPMS Foundation Meeting, 6pm @Zoom
October 21st: Late Start Schedule, 9:15am start
October 21st: PTSA Board Meeting, 6:15pm @Zoom
October 25th: TPMS Professional Growth Day - No Students
PTSA Appreciates Your Support!
If you have not done so already, please join the PTSA by going online to our website at www.tpmsptsa.org/membership/. Also, if you are able, please take a moment to give a small donation of just $25 to our organization either online or by check (please click here for flyer). The PTSA does not host many fundraisers throughout the year and it is primarily through parent donations that we are able to fund the programs that we provide at TPMS. If you have any questions, or would like more information about the PTSA, please contact me at ptsaprestpms@gmail.com.
Mikki Trusheim, PTSA President
COVID-19 Updates for Ram Families
If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to review the Covid-19 Health and Safety Protocols video, with explanations of the quarantine options available to families if your student should test positive or is identified as a close contact. Please CLICK HERE to access this information on our website. The most recent information about the current guidelines and COVID-19 requirements can be accessed HERE on the PUSD main webpage.
Please make sure to continue screening your student daily for any symptoms related to the virus before they arrive to school. Please keep your student at home if they exhibit any symptoms of Covid-19 and get them tested at your earliest convenience. (CLICK HERE for FREE testing options in SD County) People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Please remember that symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, so please keep your student home if they exhibit any symptoms. If your child does test positive, please notify us immediately.
School Safety Parent Handout: Please click on the link below to view a handout that explains the measures being taken at TPMS, as well as local and state guidance and resources regarding Covid-19.
Getting Back to School Safely Parent Handout
Getting Back to School Safely Parent Handout | SpanishParent Education Course on Stress All Grades
Parent Education Course on Stress Grades K-5
Make-Up Picture Day!
TPMS Spirit Wear!
Want to show off your Ram Pride? Our TPMS Online Spirit Wear Store is officially LIVE and we have tons of new designs for you! You can place your order online and your spirit wear will be delivered to your RAM class. The best part is – Twin Peaks will receive a portion of your sale as a fundraiser to help us raise money for exciting events and activities! The online store will close on September 24th, so make sure to place your order ASAP! CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ONLINE STORE or visit bit.ly/ramspirit
TPMS Flag Football
Football registration info will be available in the front office from 9/13-9/24. Registration forms need to be returned to front office or Room 201 before students can begin practice. Football practices will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting September 28th. All info about football season will be on the registration packet.
Discover Your Personal Core Values
Parenting & Supporting LGBTQ+
- Discuss the use of pronouns.
- How to advocate for gender equity for your child.
- Know your student's rights and how to be a good ally.
- Learn and understand the nuances of navigating support and difficult conversations, not only with your child but with family and friends.
Positive Parenting Program (PPP) Webinar
Girls on the Run is coming to Twin Peaks!
Girls on the Run is a program which inspires 6th-8th graders to be healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. The program will meet twice per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:45 beginning mid September. Girls will have fun, make friends, run, and learn important life skills through lessons led by trained coaches. The season ends with a celebratory 5k event on December 5 at Crown Point on Mission Bay.
To register: www.gotrsd.org/Register-Now.
For more details contact Melissa Baskin (mbaskin@powayusd.com)
Parent info night on 9/7 at 5:30 PM. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4d7phw55
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