Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the Desk of Principal Mills
Sunday, February 11th, 2024
Happy Sunday and Happy Lunar New Year Ram Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and catching your breath after what has been a very busy and emotional week at Twin Peaks MS. The tragic loss of one of our former students and community members earlier this week was heart-breaking, and the impact on our students and staff has been immediate and real. It's been amazing to see our community come together to support each other through this difficult time, and we will need to continue with this kind of response as our community comes to terms with this tragic loss.
A BIG THANK YOU to our amazing TPMS Counseling Team of Melissa Baskin, Jami Jennings, Nicole Roman, Minh-Chau Nguyen and Deanna Bernsen for all of the love, listening, and support they have provided this week. A special THANK YOU to our PUSD Crisis Response Team for their immediate response and support of our school community. It was so helpful to have our feeder Elementary School Counselors from Painted Rock, Stone Ranch and Adobe Bluffs on-site to help comfort our students. During National School Counseling Week, our counselors demonstrated the importance of the role they play and the impact of the support they provide to our entire Twin Peaks School Community. Please continue to reach out to our Counseling Team this week if you know of any students that may need support.
This past week at TPMS saw our band students performing at 2 local elementary schools, 7th Grade AVID students visiting local college campuses, our PE classes getting creative with indoor workouts to avoid the rain, and our ASB students leading activities to celebrate our amazing school counselors. This past Wednesday morning at our All-Staff meeting, we recognized our TPMS Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Jennifer Faulkner, and our TPMS Classified Employee of the Year, Mrs. Saskia Walker. Congratulations to both of these amazing Rams on their awards! Please check out the photos and their stories below.
The Spring Dance is scheduled for Friday, March 8th and we are excited to "Make it Glow"! Pre-sale tickets will be available this Thursday and Friday (February 15th and 16th) for just $5.00 in the quad during lunch. All students must have a signed permission slip in order to purchase a ticket, which will be delivered to your student’s homeroom class on Monday. Students who lost their permission slip can pick up a new one outside Room 911. Get your tickets fast, because the price will go up to $10.00 starting on Monday, February 26th (after break)! The last day to purchase tickets to the dance will be Thursday, March 7th.
Thank you to all of our parents who have signed-up to participate in our TPMS College & Career Fair! We are still looking for additional parents to share their careers with our students, so if you are interested in showcasing your career and are available during our lunch time (11am-1pm) on March 8th, please consider volunteering! CLICK HERE for the Google form link to sign-up - more information is below!
Interested in providing feedback on our Social Science curriculum? PUSD secondary schools are currently going through a pilot process for adopting a new History Social Studies (HSS) curriculum for the high school civics course. Please visit our Secondary Curriculum Adoptions page for more information and directions on how to provide feedback. Community members can provide feedback until Monday, March 11th, 2024.
Please take a moment to review and respond to the PUSD LCAP survey. This year, we are asking everyone to answer the following question: “What existing or additional programs or specific supports should we prioritize to ensure our students’ future success?” This would be an excellent opportunity to share the need for improved facilities at TPMS! Your responses are confidential, and you can respond with as few or as many different ideas as you’d like. After sharing your own thoughts, you’ll be asked to assign stars to the ideas shared by others, and read what’s most important to fellow stakeholders. Click HERE to get started! During our open survey period, from February 1 - February 16, 2024, you can come back to the survey as often as you’d like to participate, and in fact, we ask that you do come back to some of the new ideas that have been shared since you first participated. Thank you in advance for your participation!
Finally this week, don't forget that this Friday, February 16th is a MINIMUM DAY. School dismissal will be at 12:35pm for all students, however our ASES afternoon program will remain open on Friday. Next week is our President's Week Break - school will be closed February 19th-23rd, and we will reopen on Monday, February 26th. Wishing all of our Ram families a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year!
In Partnership,
Steve Mills
Proud Principal
Twin Peaks Middle School
1(858)748-5131 x2806
Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks
Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year - Mrs. Faulkner!
Mrs. Faulkner teaches our STEM/CTE classes from 6th-8th grade, including a section of the 6th Grade Wheel. She quietly shows up every day and teaches our future scientists how to code and build robots, but more importantly she teaches students to collaborate, analyze, think critically, and refine and revise their work to make it the best it can be. She inspires students to love science through her passion for the subjects she teaches. Additionally, Mrs. Faulkner serves on our Middle School redesign committee, coaches our Lego First Robot Team, serves as advisor to the Robo Rams, and works closely with CTE and Project Lead the Way, seeking out grants and outside funding to support her classes and programs. Congratulations Mrs. Faulkner on your selection as the TPMS Teacher of the Year!
Congratulations to our Classified Employee of the Year - Mrs. Walker
Mrs. Walker works tirelessly as an Instructional Assistant to support the students and teachers in her classrooms. She is a true partner as a classroom paraprofessional and the students value her in so many ways. If you walk into a classroom where Mrs. Walker is supporting students, you will see her up and moving, checking in with students, helping the teacher by adding valuable information, and so much more. Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Walker served on the TPMS Equity Team and was the site PSEA Representative for Twin Peaks. Mrs. Walker's last day at Twin Peaks was this past Wednesday, as her family is moving back to her husband's home state of Oklahoma... best of luck Mrs. Walker! You will be missed!
Tamale Making!
Our Spanish 1-2 students recently had a chance to learn how to make tamales! Parent Volunteer Fred Castro worked with our World Languages teachers Mrs. Fenwick and Mrs. Gianinni to provide their students with a tamale-making and eating experience! Students learned how the masa was made and then had a chance to make two flavors - a cheese and a pineapple tamale! Students and staff also had a chance to enjoy rice and beans with their tamals! Gracias Senor Castro!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
TPMS NEWS AND EVENTS - Click here for Calendar
February 14th: Late Start, 9:50am
February 13th: TPMS Foundation Meeting, 6pm Library
February 16th: Minimum Day, 12:35pm release
February 19-23: President's Week Break - NO SCHOOL
February 28th: Late Start, 9:50am
February 29th: PTSA Meeting, 6:15pm Library
March 1st: End of Trimester 2
March 4th: Trimester 3 Begins
March 6th: Late Start, 9:50am
March 8th: College & Career Fair, Lunch in the Quad
March 8th: Spring Dance, 5:30-8pm, Quad
March 11th-15th: 6th Grade Camp
March 13th: Late Start, 9:50am
March 18th - 22nd: TPMS Library Book Fair
March 20th: Late Start, 9:50am
March 20th: 5th Grade Parent Night / Electives Fair, 5-6pm / 6-7pm
TPMS Spring Dance "Make It Glow"
The TPMS Spring Dance Dance is coming up on March 8th from 5:30-8:00 PM in the TPMS Quad!! We are excited to announce that this year’s theme will be…. Make it Glow! Pre-sale tickets will be available this Thursday and Friday (February 15th and 16th) for just $5.00 in the quad during lunch. All students must have a signed permission slip in order to purchase a ticket, which will be delivered to your student’s homeroom class on Monday. Students who lost their permission slip can pick up a new one outside Room 911. Get your tickets fast, because the price will go up to $10.00 starting on Monday, February 26th (after break)! The last day to purchase tickets to the dance will be Thursday, March 7th. We hope to see you there!
Volunteers/Donations Needed!
Looking for ways to help out and get involved at Twin Peaks? We have two exciting events coming up in March that we are looking for parent volunteers to help chaperone at. The Step it Up Kidchella Event will be happening after school on March 5th from 12:45-2:15, and our TPMS Spring Dance will be on Friday, March 8th from 5:30 to 8:30. If you are interesting in volunteering to help with supervision at either of these events, OR if you’re interested in donating to help us make these events super awesome, please visit https://bit.ly/tpmsspringdance for more information.
PUSD’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Survey Now Open!
PUSD Parents and Students - We want to hear from you! This year, we are asking everyone to answer the following question: “What existing or additional programs or specific supports should we prioritize to ensure our students’ future success?”
Your responses are confidential, and you can respond with as few or as many different ideas as you’d like. After sharing your own thoughts, you’ll be asked to assign stars to the ideas shared by others, and read what’s most important to fellow stakeholders.
Click here to get started: bit.ly/2024pusdlcap
During our open survey period, from February 1 - February 16, 2024, you can come back to the survey as often as you’d like to participate, and in fact, we ask that you do come back to some of the new ideas that have been shared since you first participated. Thank you in advance for your participation and partnership.
PUSD Transfer Window Now Open!
The Poway Unified transfer window is now open! Transfer requests for students who live within the Poway Unified boundaries and would like to attend a different Poway school other than their school of residence should be submitted online by visiting the PUSD webpage and clicking the “Transfers” link on the home page. This includes incoming siblings of current students. Please enroll your student at their school of residence when new student enrollment opens online on April 1, 2024. Transfer requests cannot be processed until the student is enrolled in their school of residence. The transfer window closes on March 31st at 5:00 pm. For more information, please visit PUSD’s Residency & Transfers webpage.
ELL Parents Family Engagement Survey
Parents of English Learners- Today through Friday, March 1st, Poway Unified will be conducting our Family Engagement and Accountability survey to gather input from all families of English Learner students. This survey helps shape the District’s goals and guide priorities for the 2024-2025 school year. Your feedback is extremely helpful as we continue to seek ways to better our English Learner program. Please click HERE to complete the survey.
FREE Teen Positive Parenting Program
The FREE Teen Positive Parenting Program via Zoom is back one more time in March before the end of this school year. This webinar series is designed for parents and will address raising responsible teenagers while improving family communication. These workshops do fill up quickly and parents have shared positive reviews and feedback.
**FREE Teen Positive Parenting Program (English) via ZOOM: Wednesdays, March 6th, March 13th, and March 20th, 2024 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Click here for specific details.
TPMS College & Career Fair 2024 - We Need Your Help!
College & Career Fair Details
Date: Friday, March 8th
Time: 11am-12:35pm
Location: TPMS Quad
We are thrilled to share that Twin Peaks Middle School will host its annual College and Career Fair and we need you to make this a meaningful and informative experience for our students. If you would like to participate by sharing fun facts and other information about your work and career with our students, please complete our Google Form LINKED HERE. We look forward to partnering with you for this exciting event. Please contact Melissa Baskin, mbaskin@powayusd.com, if you have any questions.
Time for Soccer at TPMS
Attention all soccer players! Soccer season here at TPMS is fast approaching. Registration for soccer will be available Monday Feb 5th until Friday Feb 17th. Registration packets will be available in the front office or on the TPMS website under the sports tab. Registration packets need to be completed before your student attends skill evals. Info about skill evals and team info will be on the TPMS website along with half sheets available in the front office by the registration packets. If your student participated in a sport already this year your registration packet should be good to go but please email mamiller@powayusd.com to double check. Please reach out with any questions!
Panorama Student Survey
The second Panorama student wellness survey window will open on Monday, February 26 and remain open until Friday, April 5, 2024.
As a reminder, the Panorama survey promotes positive school climate by collecting valid and reliable feedback about what matters most — from belonging and teacher-student relationships, to engagement and school safety. The survey is administered twice a year to all fourth, sixth, and ninth graders by teachers and counselors. The Panorama survey takes approximately 15 minutes (on average) to complete. Survey results are NOT anonymous.
Parents/guardians will be notified prior to the survey and will have the opportunity to preview the survey questions before they are administered; families who request to have their children excluded will be accommodated.
6th Grade Camp: March 11th - 15th, 2024
All 6th Grade students will be getting information and registration packets for Cuyamaca Outdoor School (aka 6th Grade Camp) in their Homerooms this Tuesday, January, 16. The cost for the full week of camp this year is $455. Please plan on submitting all forms and payment by Friday, February 2, 2024. We are excited to continue the 78 year tradition of 6th Graders visiting Cuyamaca Outdoor School!
Please Get to School On-Time!
Parents - please make every effort to have your student here before classes begin each day at 8:30am, or before 9:50am on Wednesdays. We are actually experiencing a larger percentage of students late to school on Wednesdays when we have late start than on our regular start days. Please try and drop your student off at school by 8:15am or regular days and by 9:30am on late-start Wednesdays so that they have time to get to their first block class on time; we open the school gates 30 minutes before classes actually start, and our Food Services provide a free breakfast for students during this time or during the morning break after first block.
Multilingual Program Updates!
First, we are excited to share a new tool you can access to support your student(s) that are English Learners. The EL Console is our new application where parents can see student’s progress towards reclassification. You can view their ELPAC scores along with their progress on iReady and SBAC assessments. To access the EL Console, follow these quick steps!
Second, our English Learner department has a new Instagram and Facebook account you can follow! You can see amazing learning in action, get updates from the EL Department, and learn how to continue to support your child. You can follow along at @pusdmll !
Attendance Corner
Is your Student leaving early? Call the Attendance Hotline (858) 668-2730 that morning. Leave a message and a note gets sent to the student that block. Bring in your ID, sign the student out, and away you go!
Is your Student running late? Absent? Call the Attendance Hotline (858) 668-2730
Leave a message with the requested information and the Tardy or Absence will be excused.
Did your student go to the Doctor/Dentist/Orthodontist/Dermatologist/Optometrist?
It is beneficial to his/her attendance record to bring an official medical note to the Attendance Desk. Any absence excused by a medical note does not count toward your student’s absence total.
Main Office Drop-Offs
As a general rule, we do not accept drop-off items for students once they arrive at school. While we do make exceptions for medical and emergency situations, our TPMS Student Planner states: "In an effort to limit classroom interruptions as well as encourage students to become more independent and self-sufficient, Twin Peaks does not allow delivery of forgotten lunches, PE clothes, homework, non-emergency messages, or other items during the school day."
Delivery food and Door Dash-like companies may not deliver to students at school; additionally, cell phones will not be held for students at the front desk for them to pick up. Breakfast and lunch items are provided to all students, free of charge, so there should not be any reason to drop off a lunch for your student - they will be able to get food at school. If your student has food allergies that require special lunches, the Student Planner states you "must provide a Medical Statement (SNP-925) that explains the need. The medical statement must be signed by a physician and include recommended alternate foods."
TPMS Yearbook Info
Yearbooks are available for $55. Reserve yours now!
Pay by card: Go to www.jostens.com or use the QR code above.
Pay by cash/check: Download the typable 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.
PTSA Meeting Dates 23-24
The Twin Peaks Middle School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) is a membership-based, volunteer organization dedicated to making each school year a rewarding and enriching experience for all students. As a volunteer organization, PTSA is integral to the success of many campus events. We fund, organize and provide volunteers for a variety of PTSA programs and important school activities which serve to enhance your student’s middle school experience
All Executive Board meetings will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:15pm in the TPMS Library unless listed otherwise. Association Meetings will be held in September, February, and April. Board meetings are open to PTSA Board Members and Committee Chairs while Association Meetings are open for all members of the Twin Peaks Middle School PTSA:
February 29th (Association Meeting @6:15pm; Board Meeting to follow)
March 14th
April 18th (Association Meeting @6:15pm; Board Meeting to follow)
May 23rd
To join the PTSA for the 2023-24 school year, please CLICK HERE!
TPMS Foundation 23-24
Twin Peaks Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing educational excellence for ALL students at Twin Peaks Middle School. Their purpose is to bridge the widening gap between the amount of money actually provided by the State of California and the Poway Unified School District and the amount necessary to fund technology upgrades, educational programs and resources necessary to support the school. The Foundation typically meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6pm in the TPMS Library. Here are their monthly meetings dates for the 2023-24 school year:
February 13th
March 12th
April 16th
May 21st
Please visit the TPMS Foundation Web Page by CLICKING HERE!
Shop Amazon through TPMS Foundation
Twin Peaks Middle School
Nondiscrimination Philosophy and Policy Statement
The Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is an equal opportunity employer/program and is committed to an active Nondiscrimination Program. PUSD prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, nationality, immigration status, ethnicity, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. For more information, please contact: Title IX/Equity Compliance Officer, James Jimenez, Associate Superintendent of Personnel support Services, Poway Unified School District, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128, 1-858-521-2800, extension 2121, jjimenez@powayusd.com. For students, you may contact Title IX Coordinator/504 Coordinator Jamie Dayhoff, Director of Attendance and Discipline, Poway Unified School District, 1-858-521-2840, jdayhoff@powayusd.com.
Email: chamilton@powayusd.com
Website: http://tpms.powayusd.com/index.html
Phone: 858.748.5131
Twitter: @TwinPeaksRams