PTMS Weekly Parent Newsletter
September 16, 2022
Coming Up
September 1-23 - PTSA/ASB Fundraiser
September 19-23 - Suicide Prevention Week
September 19 - Single Period Day - Suicide Prevention Presentations thru PE classes
September 20 - Suicide Prevention Week Homeroom Activity
September 21 - Suicide Prevention Week - Therapy Dogs in the Wellness Center during lunch
September 21 - Last Fundraiser Collection Day in front of school
September 22 - Suicide Prevention Week - Self-Care Workshop in the Wellness Center during lunch
September 23 - Last day of the PTSA/ASB Annual Fundraiser
September 23 - PTSA General Meeting/Principal's Coffee - 8:45 a.m. - Learning Commons
September 26 - Late Start Day - classes begin at 9:40 a.m.
Principal's Message
Feliz viernes y feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispano-Latina. ¿Saben que alrededor del 10% de nuestros estudiantes se identifican como latinos? Es muy importante celebrar la historia y las historias de todas las personas.
PTMS Families,
Happy Friday and happy Hispanic-Latino Heritage month. Did you know that about 10% of our students identify as Latino? It's very important to celebrate the history and stories of all people.
Throughout the year, in alignment with the San Dieguito District goals, PTMS will continue our collective work on equity and access for all learners. Part of this is allowing our students to see themselves in a variety of ways during their school experience. Speaking of experience, what a week! I want to highlight some activities that I observed (and feel free to ask your student).
Students in PE completed the "Captain America" workout, engaged in a fun activity about the muscle groups, and today worked on team building activities.
Our STEM students had a chance to launch rockets, and don't worry, everyone was safe!
Some of our science students got to begin dissection on owl pellets.
And our 7th grade English classes continued revising their writing, accessing a thesaurus in search of the perfect words to convey their thoughts.
Today, ASB put on our first Spirit Day, filled with Neon, fun games, and great music. There was such positive energy on campus and I continue to see smiling, happy students.
We are about 1/2 way to our fundraising goal of $75,000 with one week to go. I am so grateful for the generosity of our families, and look forward to us getting closer to our goal!
Have a relaxing weekend and we look forward to seeing your student Monday morning.
In gratitude,
Scott Wild
Principal
Donate to the ASB /PTSA Fundraiser by September 23rd!
PTMS launched our annual fundraiser, which supports both the Associated Student Body (ASB) and the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), and we’ve already raised over $36,000 in contributions so far. Our fundraising goal is $75,000.
We’re hoping to get a donation in the amount of $180 for every PTMS student, which equates to $1 dollar a day for 180 school days ($180). Parents who wish to increase their donation are welcome to contribute either $2 a day ($360), $3 a day ($540), or help support PTMS families in need by helping make an additional donation on their behalf of $180 … or any amount you can give.
The goal of the fundraiser is to support many programs that will touch each and every one of our students. Is your child planning on going to a school dance or PTMS graduation this year? Does your child ever visit Academic Power Hour? If so, they will be recipients of our fundraising efforts. We need your help, so please take a minute to click on this link to donate. You may also drop a check off to the front office by September 23rd.
Don’t forget - Homerooms are competing to see who can raise the most funds with prizes. In addition, if we hit the first milestone goal of $25K in donations, all students will participate in a Donut Day celebration. Thanks for supporting PTMS!
Check out the video our Wolves made about the Fundraiser
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO REACH OUR GOAL
Counseling Update
On Monday, September 19th, during PE classes, we will be speaking with students about suicide prevention. Students in ISPE will be sent to the gym during homeroom on these days. This is a very difficult, but very important topic to be shared with students. To preview the presentation, click here.
Topics covered will include:
the difference between stress and distress
risk and protective factors for suicide
signs to watch for if a person may be suicidal
resources for support
We will also be talking with students about the concept of a trusted adult and that if you or someone you know has thought about suicide, it is something that should not be kept secret. Help and hope are available.
We wanted to provide you with a few resources to use when having a follow-up conversation with your child at home. First, you are encouraged to visit and review the SDUHSD Suicide Prevention page that has been developed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of all students. Another resource titled Suicide Prevention A Resource for Parents from Know the Signs is a guide that recommends the "when and how" of talking with your student about suicide prevention and intervention. In order to keep the discussion going at home, you may want to ask your child things like:
- Who is your trusted adult at home and school?
- What were two or three important things you learned from the presentation?
- What would be some good responses/actions if a friend confided in you that they were thinking of suicide?
-Can we go through the Suicide Prevention slides that you saw and talk about it? (the presentation will be posted in their PE Google Classroom)
-What are some resources you can use if you or a friend need to talk?
As a follow-up, we will be asking students to complete a post survey. This survey includes questions regarding interest in support groups on campus. We will be hosting various suicide prevention activities throughout the week during including a self-care workshop that students can sign up for.
Again, we want to note that we are thankful to be partners with you not only in your child's education, but also in addressing their social-emotional growth and needs. California State Assembly Bill 2246 requires this very important information be made available, but if you prefer to Opt Out your student, please click here. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your student’s school counselor.
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.net
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.
Lost & Found
PTSA Volunteer Opportunities
Red Ribbon Week is the week of October 24-28. If you'd like to volunteer for this event, please click here.
Trailblazer Awards happens once a month during lunch/Homeroom where a recognition party is held for students who, during the month, were "caught doing good" and given an Blazing A Trail card to turn in and be eligible for the monthly Trailblazer Awards Recognition party. If you'd like to help out during one (or all!) of these special parties, please click here.
PTSA Membership
The PTMS Parent, Teacher & Student Association (PTSA) welcomes you to the 2022-2023 school year! As PTMS enters its seventh year, the PTSA continues to grow, supporting the families and staff by sponsoring a multitude of enriching activities and programs. We kindly ask for your support to continue this work.
The PTSA Membership fee is just $60 for two adults and one student. Please sign up here.
AMC 8 Math Competition
The AMC 8 is a nationally recognized math competition for middle schoolers happening on January 17, 2023. If you would like to participate, sign up by October 1st at bit.ly/ptmsamc8 to register!
Order your Yearbook Now!
Student Vehicle Safety and Permit
Other
- PTMS Webstore - the PTMS store for PE clothes and Spirit Wear.
- 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.
From the PE Department
Please follow us on Instagram to see what your student is up to during PE class.