Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the desk of Principal Mills
Sunday, December 17th, 2023
Happy Sunday Ram Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying the holiday season! We had another busy week of learning and activities on campus including 7th graders studying the Dicken's classic A Christmas Carol in ELA class, AVID student leaders visiting students at Tierra Bonita, STEM classes testing their rockets in the quad, band and choir concerts at lunch and after school, and our very own ASB President Kennedy Bass speaking to the PUSD School Board on Thursday night! We are down to our final week of instruction with students before our Winter Break begins next week; a friendly reminder that this Friday, December 22nd is a MINIMUM DAY for students - release time is 12:35pm. Our main office will close at 2:00pm and our afternoon ASES program will not be open on Friday, December 22nd.
A BIG THANK YOU to all of our Ram Parents who supported TPMS programs and activities this past week! THANK YOU! to those who donated items and gift cards to the Giving Tree Program and supported families in our community this holiday season! THANK YOU! to our dedicated TPMS Foundation Board, who met this past Tuesday night, for their on-going support of TPMS students, our campus, and our staff. THANK YOU! our fabulous Twin Peaks PTSA for setting up an amazing Holiday Lunch with a baked potato and chili bar for our staff on Friday. THANK YOU! to parents who provided items for decorating, or who volunteered their time to chaperone or work at the Winter Wonderland dance this past Friday night. It truly takes a village to provide these opportunities to our school community and we are incredibly grateful for your continued support!
A SPECIAL HOLIDAY SHOUT-OUT to Mr. Moreau and our TPMS band students for their lunchtime performances this past Thursday in the quad! The TPMS Holiday Concert Season continues this week with our Jazz band concert this Monday night, and our 7th and 8th orchestra performing on Tuesday - both at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts... the shows start at 6pm! Our 6th grade band and orchestra perform this Wednesday night at 6pm in the TPMS MPR, and our 7th and 8th grade band will close out the holiday performance season on Thursday night at PHS starting at 6pm. Please come out and enjoy one or all of these shows!
This next week is ASB's Winter Spirit Week! Students can earn 5 Star points for their participation - here is the rundown of dress up days for students and staff for the week of December 18th-22nd:
- Monday, 12:18: Clash of the Grades! (6th-BLUE, 7th-WHITE, 8th-BLACK)
- Tuesday, 12/19: Holiday Headgear! (wear your holiday headgear)
- Weds., 12/20: Wacky/Tacky Sweaters! (wear your tacky sweaters)
- Thurs., 12/21: Winter Olympics! (wear your sports gear)
- Friday, 12/22: PJ Day! (wear your comfy PJs)
Our Lost & Found is full! Students - please stop by the Lost & Found THIS WEEK to reclaim your lost items! We have many unclaimed water bottles, sweat shirts, jackets, lunch bags and boxes, and even pairs of shoes! Items not claimed by this Friday, December 22nd will be donated.
The TPMS Spelling Bee is coming in January, 2024!! Please encourage students to sign-up and participate in this annual event where we crown one school-wide champion to advance on the represent us at the San Diego County Spelling Bee in March. This year's TPMS Spelling Bee is open to all students in grades 6-8 and will be held on Wednesday, January 24th starting at 4pm in the TPMS Theater. Students will need to complete the signup form LINKED HERE in order to participate. This event is limited to current Twin Peaks MS students in grades 6-8. Thanks in advance for helping to support and advertise this annual event!
Looking to be a part of a district-level committee? PUSD is seeking a diverse group of applicants, including students and parents, for the PUSD Strategic Arts Committee. They are being formed to examine the progress of our existing district arts plan, analyze arts education data, and create recommendations for visual and performing arts initiatives for the entire district. If you are interested in being a part of this new group, please see the informational flier below. CLICK HERE for the online application. The deadline to apply is Friday, December 22nd.
This will be our final TPMS newsletter of 2023! Look for the next edition of our TPMS newsletter on Sunday, January 7th, 2024. I hope you all have a joyous and relaxing winter break filled with time spent doing what you enjoy most with the people you love the most... HAPPY HOLIDAYS and all the best in the NEW YEAR!
In Partnership,
Steve Mills
Proud Principal
Twin Peaks Middle School
1(858)748-5131 x2806
Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks
UPCOMING EVENTS:
TPMS NEWS AND EVENTS - Click here for Calendar
December 18th: Jazz Band Concert, @PHS, 6pm
December 19th: 7/8 Orchestra Concert, @PHS, 6pm
December 20th: Late Start, 9:50am first class
December 20th: 6th Grade Band/Orchestra Concert, @MPR, 6pm
December 21st: 7/8 Grade Winter Concert, @PHS, 6pm
December 22nd: Minimum Day Schedule, 12:35pm release
December 25th - January 5th: Winter Break
January 8th: First day back from Winter Break, 8:30am start
January 10th: Late Start, 9:50am
January 15th: MLK Day, No School
January 17th: Late Start, 9:50am
January 17th: School Site Council, Library, 3:45pm
January 24th: Late Start, 9:50am
January 24th: TPMS Spelling Bee, @Theater, 4:00pm
January 29th: Professional Development Day for staff, No School for Students
January 31st: Late Start, 9:50am
January 31st: Reclassification Ceremony, 8:30am
Our Lost & Found is FULL!!
Students! Please stop by the Lost & Found between now and December 22nd to reclaim your lost items! We have many unclaimed water bottles, sweat shirts, jackets, lunch bags and boxes, and even pairs of shoes! Items not claimed by Friday, December 22nd will be donated.
PUSD Strategic Arts Committee
We are excited to share an opportunity for you to get involved in shaping the future of visual and performing arts education in our community. Poway Unified will form a Strategic Committee to review and improve the current strategic arts plan.
The committee is seeking participation from teachers (of all grade levels and subjects), administrators, district office staff, parents, guardians, and students to be a part of the committee. As a member, you'll examine the progress of our existing plan, analyze arts education data, and create recommendations for visual and performing arts initiatives. Committee members will represent a diverse and inclusive range of representatives across Poway Unified.
Please view this flier to learn more about the committee, including meeting dates and how to apply. The deadline to apply is December 22, 2023.
If you have any questions, we are happy to help. Just reach out to Kayla Warren at kwarren@powayusd.com anytime. Forward this invitation to other members of our community that may be interested.
Join the TPMS Competitive Reading Team!
Calling all Readers and Jeopardy fans!! Come and check out the funnest club on campus!! There will be a Reading Competition informational meeting on Monday, 12/18 after school in Room 207 for all students who are interested in joining this year's team. Please see the flyer above for more specific information - we can't wait to see you at our meeting on the 18th!
Volleyball Signups
This week is the last week to sign up for Volleyball! Skill evaluations will take place in January after the Winter Break. Bump, set, and spike your way to the front office and fill out the form before it's too late. If you have any questions about the forms please contact ASES mamiller@powayusd.com.
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 !
January Parent Education Courses
Our January Parent Education Courses are around the corner and we are excited for the new year! The course offerings are noted below. Just click on the class for the flyer. Make sure to check-out our new classes. You can also visit the website by clicking here.
January 2024 Parent Education Courses:
- Help Your Children Manage Stress and Anxiety – TK -5th Grade
- Are You Tired of Your Child Saying “No”? TK-5th Grade NEW
- Help Your Teen Manage Stress and Anxiety – 6th-12th Grade NEW
Scholarships available for families that may be in need.
TPMS Spelling Bee is January 24th!
The TPMS Spelling Bee is coming in January, 2024!! All students are encouraged to participate in this annual event where we crown one school-wide champion to advance on the represent us at the San Diego County Spelling Bee in March. This year's TPMS Spelling Bee is open to all students in grades 6-8 and will be held on Wednesday, January 24th starting at 4pm in the TPMS Theater. Students will need to complete the signup form LINKED HERE in order to participate. This event is limited to current Twin Peaks MS students in grades 6-8. Please email Principal Mills at stmills@powayusd.com with any questions.
TPMS No Place for Hate Lesson #1
The counseling & support services team are excited and have been working with homeroom teachers to start presenting our first No Place for Hate school-wide lesson on Stereotypes in Careers. The lesson objectives will focus on:
1. Defining stereotypes
2. Reflecting on how stereotypes can affect future opportunities
3. Discussing strategies to challenge the impact of stereotypes
We hope you take the opportunity to dialogue with your student(s) about the video they watched, what they learned in the No Place for Hate lesson and what they can do to disrupt these stereotypes and perceived barriers to open up more future career opportunities.
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.
Missing More Than 3 Days of School?
With the holidays coming up many families will be taking extended vacations. We offer an Off Campus Independent Study (OCIS) contract. To set up an OCIS contract please contact Sarah Pierce in attendance at spierce@powayusd.com with the dates of your trip ASAP. If you will be away from the internet, please let her know - this is very important for us to know so teachers can provide accurate work to be completed during the absence. We need AT LEAST one week to set up the contract.
OCIS Contract Requirements:
1. minimum one full week notice; two weeks preferred
2. specific start/end date of trip/vacation
3. will your student have internet access?
4. hard copy signature of both parent and student for contract
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.
PUSD Parent Ambassadors Program
Parent Ambassadors are parent volunteers who have their own child(ren) accessing special education services through PUSD. They serve as mentors to guide and support parents of children with IEPs or those exploring special education options. Drawing from their own experiences, they offer invaluable insights and advice to encourage collaboration among parents and school staff on behalf of students.
To reach out to a Parent Ambassador, please submit a request through get connected form. To apply to become a Parent Ambassador, please complete this application form.
Join #TEAMPUSD!
Food & Nutrition Update
All children in PUSD are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch meals regardless of income for the 2023-2024 school year. Please see the PUSD Food and Nutrition Website for more information. Breakfast is served 30 minutes before school starts daily, if your student can not make it before school, they can receive a free breakfast at morning break! CLICK HERE to see weekly school food menus
*PUSD Food and Nutrition Department is cashless. Please click on the following link to learn more about the cashless system Cashless System
More Than A Meal: This years Free and Reduced Lunch Application is now available! Although school meals are now free to all students, the application for free and reduced-price meals is still very important. School funding depends in part on the number of students at our school who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. With all students now eating for free, fewer families are completing the application and our school is at risk of losing much-needed educational funds. Plus, students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals may also qualify for discounts on bus transportation, before and after school care, and home internet!
Income qualifications change annually, so a new application is needed every school year. For school year 2023-2024, children from a family of four are eligible if the total gross (pre-tax) household income is less than $4,625 per month, or less than $55,500 per year. Household income information is confidential and applying online is quick and easy.
Apply online at MySchoolApps.com, or pick up a paper application in the school office. Please don't hesitate to reach out to your students counselor if you have any questions or concerns about completing the application. MORE THAN A MEAL (formerly called FREE & REDUCED LUNCH APPLICATION) can help you out in many ways. Please click on this link More Than a Meal to complete the online application. Listed below are a few ways this program can help:
- Discounts for passes on public transportation
- Discounts on home internet costs
- Discounts on fees for SAT, ACT, AP tests
- Discounts on application fees associated with colleges and universities
- Our district can receive increased funding to support students.
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.
8th Grade Yearbook Ads
Calling all families of 8th graders here at Twin Peaks! 8th Grade Recognition Ads are open and ready for purchase. Go to www.jostens.com and click on Recognition Ads to start the process of celebrating your 8th grader in this year’s yearbook!
Deadline is February 1st so don’t delay! Don't forget to order your yearbook, too!
Want more information about Yearbooks? Go to http://tpmsyearbook.weebly.com/
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:
January 16th
February 13th
March 12th
April 16th
May 21st
Please visit the TPMS Foundation Web Page by CLICKING HERE!
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:
January 18th
February 15th (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!
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