Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the desk of Principal Mills - Sunday, February 6th, 2022
Happy Sunday, Ram Families!
I hope this email finds you all well and enjoying this first weekend of February! It's hard to believe that our President's Week Break is only two weeks away, and that March and spring time are just around the corner!
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Unfortunately the TPMS Library will be closed tomorrow - Monday, February 7th. Please make sure your student remembers to bring their Chromebook and charger with them to school - students will not have the ability to check out a replacement Chromebook tomorrow.
This past week PUSD launched our District wide survey through ThoughtExchange. Thank you to everyone who has already participated! If you haven’t had a chance yet, please CLICK HERE to participate in the conversation! If you have already shared your thoughts, please return and add stars to the new thoughts that have been added since you participated; this will help us understand what’s most important to our school community. Your input is really important to us so we can set District goals and budget priorities to support our mission in providing college, career, and life readiness to all students. The survey will be open for your comments and feedback until Thursday, February 17, 2022.
Parents, please continue to be mindful of students walking, bike and scooter riders, school buses and other cars when dropping off and picking up your students at school. We have had a few recent close calls of students running in front of cars and buses without looking both ways, and students being picked up or dropped off in the middle of the road. Please make sure to pull over to the side of the road/curb when picking up or dropping off your students as their safety is our primary concern.
If you haven't had a chance to sign up yet, there is still time to reserve a ticket for a family viewing of Screenagers, the Movie. This school community event is co-sponsored by our PTSA and TPMS Foundation and can host up to 300 family viewings of the film through 2/15. We hope you can join us on Wednesday, February 16th as we hold a community forum on the Screenagers movie and the issues raised by it with a panel of local experts to answer questions and provide some insights on how to approach concerns around screen use for you and your family. These FREE events are on a first-come, first-served basis so don't delay - sign-up today! To register for the movie screening and/or forum, PLEASE CLICK HERE!
Finally this week, please consider participating in the TPMS Foundation's Red Envelope Campaign. This year's focus is on purchasing a mobile sound and PA system that can be used for ASB and school-wide events. Information on this year's campaign can be FOUND HERE on the Foundation's Website. Thanks in advance for anything you can do to help in this cause!
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
February 9th: TBES/TPMS Joint Equity Council, Zoom @4pm
February 10th: Late Start Schedule, 9:15am start
February 10th: Board of Education Meeting, 6pm, Zoom
February 11th: 6th Grade All O's Party, 1st RAM, Pride Park
February 15th: TPMS Foundation Meeting, 6pm TBA
February 16th: Screenagers, the Movie Forum #1, 6-7pm via Zoom
February 17th: Late Start Schedule, 9:15am start
February 17th: Volleyball vs. MVMS, 4:15pm, Gym
February 17th: TPMS PTSA Meeting, 6:15pm TBA
February 21-25th: President's Week Break
Sports Update
Last week Volleyball kicked off their league play against MBMS. Varsity took the court first and came away with a 2-0 victory against the mustangs! Game scores were 20-8 and 20-14. JV took the court next and also came away with a 2-0 victory with scores of 15-1 and 15-13.
Basketball also returned to play last week for their last game of the season against BHMS. TPMS A-team came away with the win 35-22 and finished their season undefeated. With the victory, they will play in the district championship game on Thursday the 17th, here at TPMS at 4pm. They will take on BHMS in a rematch! Basketballs B-team came up against a tough BHMS team and they got their first loss of the season. B-Team ends their season at 3-1! Great job RAMS!
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!
TPMS Racial Justice Challenge
Did you know that February is Black History Month? Last year, Twin Peaks sponsored our first ever Racial Justice Challenge and we were blown away by all of the powerful and creative submissions that our students made to share their perspective on the idea of Racial Justice.
This year, we’d like to invite any students who are interested in participating or learning more about it, to check out the TPMS Racial Justice Challenge website by visiting bit.ly/tpmsrjc to get more information. Submissions to be a part of this year’s challenge are due Friday, March 4th!
TPMS Spirit Wear
Are you looking for more TPMS Spirit Wear to add to your wardrobe? The TPMS Online Spirit Store is now open for business! Visit bit.ly/ramspirit today to place your order, but hurry! The spirit store will close on Friday, March 4th!
2022 Lip Sync Battle
It’s time for one of our best events of the year. ASB is hosting the 4th annual Lip Sync Battle!!! Don’t know what it is? No Worries! Lip Sync Battle is a fun event where you can dance and lip sing to your favorite song or a mashup of your favorite songs! Find a team of friends and record a music video of your own. Teams can have 2-12 members, and your Music Video must be submitted by March 14th. Visit bit.ly/tpmslipsyncbattle for more info!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR QUARTER 2 CHARACTER COUNTS WINNERS!
A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPELLING BEE SPONSORS!
Del Mar Golf Center
REX Trophies
Wild Crumb Bakery
Our 2022 Spelling Bee Participants!
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 now $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
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.
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 above to signup! Students will have an opportunity to watch a shortened version of the movies in their Ram classes during February and March.
6th GRADE CAMP UPDATES - March 7-11th, 2022
To prepare your student for camp, CLICK HERE for a video link and a PDF with Frequently Asked Questions that you may want to consider, including testing and masking requirements, cabin assignments, and most importantly - information on meal times and the dining hall!
COVID-19 TESTING UPDATE: all students attending camp, regardless of vaccination status, will have to test prior to going to camp and once while at camp. Students who test positive will unfortunately not be able to participate in 6th grade camp. Testing before camp can happen two different ways:
- PCR test: test results must be within 72 hours of 9am on 3/7. Medical insurance covers the cost for most plans; you can schedule a test through Phamatech by CLICKING HERE. A print out of the negative test will need to be brought with the student on Monday, 3/7. No digital or emailed copies will be accepted.
- In-Person take-home test: on Sunday, 3/6 we will have a window of time set aside for families to come to TPMS and administer a take-home test for their student that can be verified by school staff. Please stay tuned for more details on times for this option!
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.
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.
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)
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