Happy Sunday Ram Families!

I hope this newsletter finds you all safe and drying out after all the rain we have received in the past 24 hours. It has certainly made driving and doing anything outside challenging, so please take care as you travel around over this holiday weekend.

Please remember that here will be NO SCHOOL on MONDAY, JANUARY 16th to observe the MLK Holiday. Our 2nd semester will begin on Tuesday, January 17th - this will mean new elective classes for students in our 6th grade elective wheel and those taking semester-long electives. Students should check their StudentVue and Canvas pages to verify their classes for our 4-6-2 schedule on Tuesday.

As I shared with you via email earlier this week, we had a report of a weapon on campus on Wednesday that resulted in many rumors and stories amongst our students on campus and amongst our parents on social media. Once we received the report, our team immediately removed the student from class and contacted law enforcement. After a thorough search, it was quickly determined through the investigation that there was no weapon on campus and there was no threat to the safety of our students or staff. We then alerted our staff and parent community to inform them the campus was indeed safe and secure. There was no lockdown necessary because there was no danger to our campus.

As a parent myself, I certainly understand the level of concern parents may have about a threat of this nature. As an educator for 26 years, it is something I have had to consider everyday when I come to work. However, it's important to remember that all students have a right to confidentiality and due process, especially in these circumstances when we are responding to rumors or reports. I am never able to share specific details about any one student’s background, discipline record, nor their current status in PUSD; if this was your child, you would expect the same level of confidentiality. I will continue to ask for your assistance in refraining from spreading fear and rumors, and when speaking with your children, emphasize the importance of reporting any concerning information to adults on campus, like our students did in this case. Our See Something, Say Something QR code to report concerns can be found at the bottom of the newsletter each week and on our main webpage.

i-Ready diagnostic testing is almost complete for the winter testing window - any testing that students need to complete from either the reading or math diagnostic test can be finished over the next week in Ram classes. The deadline for all iReady testing has been pushed back by PUSD a few days to January 25th. Our students have done an outstanding job during this testing window, and we are excited to celebrate their gains and achievements once we complete testing.

Students - are you looking for an opportunity to compete against your fellow Rams and show off your mad spelling skills?!?! Your opportunity is quickly approaching - the TPMS Spelling Bee will take place LIVE on campus this year on stage in our Theater on Wednesday, January 25th starting at 4:30pm. This event is open to all TPMS students - if you are interested in participating in the Spelling Bee, please access the sign-up form in the Scripps Spelling Bee announcement below.

6th GRADERS ATTENDING CAMP - SAVE THE DATE! All 6th Graders attending camp will need to show proof of a negative Covid-19 antigen test 72 hours prior to boarding the bus for camp, or an AG test within 24 hours of boarding the bus. In order to facilitate this for parents and students, TPMS will be offering a Covid testing opportunity on Sunday, February 12th from 12-2pm on our campus. Families can bring their own over-the-counter test to use, written documentation of a completed test dated after 9am on 2/10, or you can sign up to reserve a free 30 minute test that the school will provide you on campus. Please see the 6th Grade Camp is Coming section below to let us know what testing option you will choose for your student. If you have questions about 6th Grade Camp, please email Mrs. Moreno at amoreno@powayusd.com. You can check the TPMS website for more information about 6th Grade Camp by CLICKING HERE.

Finally this week, Congratulations to our Character Counts Award winners for Quarter 2! Our 10 student winners were nominated by TPMS staff for demonstrating fairness, caring, citizenship, responsibility, trustworthiness and respect towards their fellow Rams and staff each and every day. Winners receive a special commendation from the California State Assembly recognizing their achievement, a Character Counts t-shirt, and a goodie bag with food prizes and TPMS swag! Winners also attend a special Zoom celebration with the teachers and staff who nominated them and their families to recognize each student's story. See the list of our student winners for Quarter 2 below.

In Partnership,

Steve Mills

Proud Principal

Twin Peaks Middle School

stmills@powayusd.com

1(858)748-5131 x2806

Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks