PTMS Weekly Parent Newsletter
October 20, 2023
Coming Up
Week of October 23-27 - Red Ribbon Week - "Be Kind to Your Mind. Live Drug-Free."
October 23-27 - Homeroom Door Decorating Contest
October 23 -
- "Put Drugs to Sleep" (PJ Dress-Up Day)
- Campus decorations/Drug-Free Posters
October 24 -
- "Shade Out Drugs" (Sunglasses Day)
- Natural High Videos during Homeroom Classes
October 25 -
- "Put a Cap on Drugs" (Hat Dress-Up Day)
- Therapy Dogs in the Wellness Center - 11:40 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Natural High Photo Booth w/Polaroids - 11:40 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
October 26 -
- "Be Healthy Day/Favorite Athlete" (Sportswear/Jersey/Team Dress-Up Day)
- Red Ribbon Drug-Free Pledge Signing - 11:40 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Coffee Concerts - Periods 1, 3, and 5
October 27 -
- Wear Red Day
- Natural High Celebration with DJ Eric
- Judge Door Decoration Competition
- Coffee Concerts - Periods 2 and 4
Message from the Principal
Wolfpack families,
As we conclude Digital Citizenship Week, I hope that you and your student have been able to have meaningful conversations this week about how students access and navigate their digital world. Jon Moffat began the week with a funny and engaging presentation that really got students thinking. We shared his presentation for parents earlier in the week, and if you missed it, I've included it here. The student presentation and parent video are also found in links further down on this newsletter.
Last night, ASB put on the first dance of the year. Over 400 students walked the red carpet, enjoyed the photo booth, and danced the evening away. Congratulations to our ASB students under the leadership of Ms. Main for planning and putting on a great event, and thank you to the many parent volunteers who gave time to support the event. We are very grateful for your help and we could not put on successful events without the support of our parent community.
Next week is Red Ribbon Week, and in partnership with PTSA, we have a number of activities planned for students as we encourage positive and healthy life choices. Please see the list of daily events in the "Coming Up" section above my message.
A few other items to share. First, our staff has recently noticed a number of students pushing boundaries on our dress code. As a staff, we hope to teach students context and how to navigate various situations. At school, we want them to present themselves in a manner that is comfortable for them and also falls within the guidelines. I have included a copy of the PTMS dress code policy, and kindly ask that you review it with your student. If students are unsure, they can use this to guide their decisions as they get ready in the morning.
Today the fencing around our staff parking lot was taken down. The parking lot is for staff only, and is not to be used for student drop-off or pick-up. I kindly ask that all parents continue to use our lanes in front of school for drop-off and pick-up.
Finally, middle school is about developing and refining positive learning and life habits. As we have come to the end of Quarter 1 and teachers input grades, it is a natural opportunity to reflect with your student about how middle school is going for them. I encourage you to speak to them about their habits, what is working, and what they made need to change. This can include their organizational habits, their routine before or after school, their involvement with clubs and friends, and how frequently they check in with their teachers.
Have a wonderful weekend and we will see you on Monday.
In gratitude,
Scott Wild
Principal
Message from the Counselors
1st Quarter Progress Report Grades will be available for parents and students to view online via the Aeries Parent and Student Portals on Monday, October 23rd. To view grades, access your account on Aeries and select the "Grades" tab, then click "Grades". To view your student's current progress and any assignment/test scores, click on "Gradebook". Please contact the Counseling Office at 858.509.1000 Ext. 4606 if you have any questions or need further assistance with Aeries.
This Wednesday, we will once again welcome the Therapy Dogs to our Wellness Center during lunch. With everything currently going on in our world, this is a great opportunity for our students to show and receive a little love from our canine friends.
Lisa Curry, Counselor (A-Ma) lisa.curry@sduhsd.net
Carsen Anderson (Murt), Counselor (Mc-Z and MLL Students) carsen.murt@sduhsd.net
Samantha Eels-Taylor, Student Support Facilitator samantha.eelstaylor@sduhsd.net
Mental Health & Wellness
Mental Health & Wellness Resources for Students, Staff, and School Community.
Click on the QR code to discover your PTMS Support Staff.
From the Attendance Office
~ Avoid attendance horrors by coming to school every day.
Lost & Found
The Lost & Found is full again. Please check (or have your student check) for missing items. All unclaimed items will be donated to charity on Monday.
8th Grade Vision and Hearing Testing
All 8th grade students will undergo a quick vision and hearing screening by our district nurse in the month of December. This is a mandated screening by the state of California and is pre-arranged with teachers to limit time away from the classroom. If you wish to not have your student participate, please complete this opt-out waiver or contact district nurse, at Patricia.piacentiallen@sduhsd.net.
ASB and Student Announcements
You can check them out on the Students tab of our website under "Student Announcements" for a running post of each week's student announcements.
Halloween Costume Guidelines
PTMS would like dressing up on Halloween to be a positive experience for all. It will help if all students adhere to the following expectations:
- Costumes must conform to the Pacific Trails Middle School Dress Code.
- Costumes may not be demeaning to any ethnic group, race, religion, nationality, disabilities, gender, or individual (staff or student) at the school.
- Costumes may not cause a disruption or distraction to the school program..
- No weapons, toy weapons, or props replicating weapons are to be brought to school.
- No props or equipment that are unsafe.
- Costumes must not impair a student's vision or movement.
- Costumes may not show obscene materials or prohibited substances.
- No masks are permitted.
- If you are not sure, don't wear it! If you have questions, see Principal Wild or Assistant Principal Zoepfl
- Although students may choose to wear glitter or different colored paint in their hair, spray cans are not allowed on campus.
**Students who are not dressed appropriately for school will have to contact a parent for a change of clothes.**
Food Drive - November 1-17
PTMS is holding a food drive November 1st through November 17th.
This year, we are supporting 92130 Cares. They are a nonprofit organization whose mission is to share resources, make meaningful connections, and spread neighborly love!
Stay tuned for information about what foods to donate!
Department News
From the PE Department
From Yearbook
Remember to pre-order your yearbook early and check it off your back to school to do list! You can also scan the QR code below to sign-up and ensure you receive the most timely information on your 2023-24 Yearbook sales promotions!
Clubs
Garden Club
A Salad Party in the garden was the plan for this week's Garden Club. The students harvested arugulas from the garden, washed and dried them, picked flowers and made a beautiful flower arrangement, and set the table all by themselves. They enjoyed arugula and croutons salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing. It was lovely to see them eating healthy food that they grew and sit around a beautiful table in the garden. The following are a few pictures of this meeting.
~ Club activity will be posted here throughout the year. To get a list of all Clubs currently active, please check our Activities page on our website.
From the PTSA
Flippin' Pizza - All Day PTSA Fundraiser
Hello families,
Prepare your taste buds for a day of flavor-filled fun that's going to be "dough" lightfully delicious!
Join our Flippin Pizza All-Day Fundraiser - Indulge in your favorite pizza all day, and 25% of the proceeds will go straight to PTMS PTSA. That's right, every slice you enjoy is a slice of generosity! Please mention "PTMS fundraiser" when you order.
Share the love and enjoy the philanthropic pizza party with your friends and family!!
With extra cheese and gratitude,
Your PTSA team.
Chromebook Insurance
Chromebook insurance is available for purchase by clicking this link.
The cost is $44 for coverage that lasts until August 7, 2024.
Deadline to purchase insurance is October 31, 2023.
Cyber Safety
On Monday, October 16th, Cyber Education Consulting/Jon Moffat presented to students through PE classes the importance of Cyber Safety in a digital age. Click on the links below for more information.
SDUHSD is looking for CTE Industry Partners!
The core of the Career Technical Education (CTE) coursework is the relationship with our local industry professionals. Industry partners play a pivotal role in CTE programs, building connections between industry and education. This support provides our students access to industry experts to inform, engage and prepare our future talented workforce. The SDUHSD CTE program is seeking local industry professionals to collaborate with our teachers. This partnership could include the following opportunities: Serve as an Industry Advisor and attend an Advisory Meeting (one per year), Be a Guest Speaker in a CTE course, Provide Teacher or Student Job Shadow opportunities, provide Company Tours for CTE students, provide Student Internships and Teacher Externships.
If you are interested in engaging with students in activities related to career exploration and skill preparation in middle and high school CTE programs, there are many opportunities for you or your organization to make a difference in SDUHSD.
Complete the SDUHSD CTE Partnership Interest Form to be connected with our Career and Technical Education office. Or scan the QR code using the camera in your device.
If you know someone who will be interested in partnering with SDUHSD, please share the link above or the QR code.
Nutrition Services
Job Opportunities - Nutrition Services
SDUHSD is seeking individuals who want to make a difference in children’s lives in the role of an Instructional Assistant. We have positions available for Instructional Assistant – Special Education, Instructional Assistant – Behavior Intervention, and Instructional/Personal Care Assistant. These positions are typically between 4 – 6 hours per day, depending on the assignment.
Instructional Assistants assist a certificated teacher in providing instruction to an individual or small group of students in a special education learning environment. We have openings throughout the district at middle and high schools in Special Education classrooms.
If you are interested, or know someone else who would love this job, go to www.edjoin.org/sandieguito.
Multilingual Learner Corner
Special Education Sessions and Events
For a list of Special Education Informational Sessions and Family Events, please click here.
For meetings, trainings, workshops, and more from the North Coastal Consortium for Special Education, please click here.
SDUHSD Family Movie Night @ LCC - October 25th
CCA Envision Arts Theatre Presents
Bright Young Things - a new musical. Purchase your tickets here. Check out the Carmel Valley News article on this production.
CCA Envision Arts Theatre Presents
Sense & Sensibility. Purchase your tickets here. Check out the Carmel Valley News article on this production.
CCA Teams
SDUHSD Job Opportunities Available!
SDUHSD is seeking individuals who want to make a difference in children’s lives in the role of a Campus Supervisor. We have both full- and part-time positions at campuses throughout the school district.
Campus Supervisors play an important role at our middle and high school campuses, working to provide a safe environment for all. The Campus Supervisor is a friendly face who assists students, visitors and administrators, while also ensuring rules and polices are followed.
If you are interested, or know someone else who would love this job, go to www.edjoin.org/sandieguito.
Other Important Items
- Boys & Girls Club - Seasonal sports information/registration.
- PTMS Live Calendar of Campus Events and 2023-24 Instructional Calendar.
- PTMS Spirit Wear/Gear - PTMS Spirit Wear and accessories for the whole family!
- PTMS Student Vehicle Permit - Register your bike/e-bike/scooter/skateboard with PTMS. Complete this form and turn in to the office.
- PTMS Webstore - PE clothes/Limited Series Clothing
- PTMS Webstore - Spirit Wear
- PTMS Yearbook. - Order today!
- San Dieguito Alliance for a Drug-Free Youth - complete the Parent Pledge here.
- San Dieguito Boys & Girls Club - click the link to the left for 2023-24 athletic schedules.
- SDUHSD - Employment Opportunities. To view a list of openings and to apply, please click https://www.edjoin.org/sandieguito or you can call Susan Gray at 760 753-6491 x5543.
This newsletter has also been posted to our website under "Parent Communications."
Deadline to submit articles for publication is Thursdays.