PTMS Weekly Parent Newsletter
August 19, 2022
Coming Up
Week of August 22 - Welcome Week
August 22 - STAR Math Testing
August 29 - Late Start Day - classes begin at 9:45 a.m.
August 29 - Picture Day - thru PE Classes
August 29 - STAR Reading Testing
September 1 - Back to School Night - 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Principal's Message
What a great first week back! The energy on campus is wonderful as students begin their classes, learn to find their way around campus, and reconnect with friends. As I visit each classroom throughout the day, I notice our teachers building community and relationship with their students. This is central to our work - creating safety and relationship for students so that they are in the best space to learn throughout the year. Students are feeling comfortable and I've even been entertained by a few of our students telling me some good "dad jokes". They are hilarious!
I want to offer a few observations, celebrations and reminders that will hopefully set us up for continued success throughout the school year.
~ Teachers are here to support your student and you. Please feel comfortable in reaching out to our teachers. Also know that we want to encourage self-advocacy for all students, so challenge your student to write the email while also copying you on it so that you are in the know.
~ There is nothing more important than the safety of our children. Please know that students must wear helmets if they are riding a bicycle, e-bike, scooter or e-scooter. Further, most students are locking their bike but a few are not. Please make sure that locking up their bike is a daily habit if your student rides to school. We want to keep them and their things safe and secure.
~ If you drop your child off, please refrain from entering the staff parking lot to drop them off in the morning and in the afternoon. While it may seem like a convenience, it actually slows the total traffic flow. I also want to extend gratitude for your patience during drop-off and pick-up.
~ During drop-off, only the lane close to the curb should be used to enter/exit the car. Entering/exiting from the second or third lanes is very dangerous. Your child's safety is very important at PTMS. Please help us out with that.
~ Back-To-School-Night is Thursday September 1st, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. We will send out a schedule closer to the date, but know that classroom visits will run from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. I encourage you to plan extra time for traffic and parking.
~ Our students have done really well adjusting to our new cell phone policy, and we have collectively noticed students more present and engaged. Thank you for your support as we all work together!
Thank you,
Scott Wild
PrincipalAssistant Principal's Message
STAR Testing
This year all students will participate in the Renaissance Star Reading and Star Math academic universal screening tests to measure student’s learning and growth over the school year. The Star tests help our schools and teachers evaluate student performance and progress over time in order to provide the necessary student support.
Star Reading and Star Math are both short (30 minute), low stakes, computer adaptive, academic assessments. Star assessments help teachers better understand what students know and can do in the areas of reading and math. As a student takes the test, the software selects items based on the student’s responses. If the student answers correctly, the next item will be more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the next item will be less difficult. By adjusting the difficulty of the items based on a student's responses, the assessment is an accurate way to help teachers identify what skills students are ready to learn. Teachers use this information to guide their instruction.
Scores will be posted by the district in Aeries once they are available.
Fall STAR Testing Dates
STAR Math: Monday, August 22nd in Math classes
STAR Reading: Monday, August 29th in English classes
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Kathryn Freeman
Counseling Update
Hi Wolfpack!
We are so excited to see our Wolves back on campus! We wanted to remind students that we are here to help and how to access their school counselor. We are available before school, in between classes, during break, at lunch and during dismissal. Students can stop by the Counseling Office and if we need more time to talk, we can schedule a time to meet. Students can also complete this Pacific Trails Middle School Counseling - Student Request Form and their assigned counselor will follow up via the preference noted in the form (meeting in the counseling office or email).The form is posted on the PTMS Counseling website and there are also signs on campus with a QR code that links to the form as well.
On Fridays through September 9, we host New Student Socials during Homeroom for students who recently moved to the area from another district, out of state, out of country or from private school. This is an opportunity for students who do not know others to make connections that can lead to great friendships! If your student was invited and attended today’s social, please encourage them to continue to attend the next three socials. We will send passes before each gathering.
The new school year is an exciting time, but it can also cause some nervous feelings for students. See tips for easing anxiety and links to resources to help students deal with worry here.
Wishing our PTMS families a restful weekend.
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.netAhhhhh, Summertime....
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.
Order your Yearbook Now!
From the PE Department
Please follow us on Instagram to see what your student is up to during PE class.
From the Science Department
Science Notebooks
All science students will need a notebook that they will bring to their science class daily. These can be a composition style or a spiral bound notebook. We recommend the 8.5x11” spiral bound, 100 page, college-ruled notebooks, but any size will do. We do not recommend the 3 or 5 subject notebooks, as this science notebook must be used exclusively for science; no other subjects should be in this notebook. Students should bring their notebook to class no later than Monday, August 22nd. If this is a hardship, please contact your student’s science teacher.
Check out this Guide for Science Notebooks
From the PTSA
Please help PTMS PTSA meet our goal of $550 per student with $60 for a PTSA Family Membership, $250 for PTSA Programs and/or $240 for Technology. Because of your donation, we are able to provide assistance to many programs including STEM, Science Olympiad, Math League, Technology Upgrades, Wellness Activities, Red Ribbon Week, Assemblies and many others.
To join, click here or scan the QR code below.
Any questions, please email David Turchetti at vpmembership@pacifictrailsmsptsa.org.
Visitor Badges and Check-in/Check-out Procedures
Nutrition Services
Other
- PTMS Webstore - the PTMS store for PE clothes and Spirit Wear.
- COVID Decision Tree (current)
- COVID-19 Testing Sites for CURRENT students/staff (does not include extended family)
- San Dieguito Boys & Girls Club - click the link to the left for 2022-23 tryout 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 Dixon at 760 753-6491 x5543.