PTMS Weekly Parent Newsletter
September 15, 2023
Coming Up
Week of September 18 - Suicide Prevention Week
September 18 - Picture Make-Up Day - students who have not had their picture taken will receive passes from class to get it done
September 18 - Counselor Suicide Prevention Presentations through PE classes
September 19 - Counselor Suicide Prevention Presentations to ISPE students through Homeroom classes
September 19 - Suicide Prevention Homeroom Activities
September 20 - Therapy Dogs in the Wellness Center during lunch
September 21 - Counselor Self-Care Workshop
September 22 - Wear Yellow Day
September 22 - Ribbon Signing in the quad during lunch
ASB/PTSA Fundraiser continues through September 29th
Message from the Principal
Happy Friday! One of our goals for our students while at Pacific Trails is to get connected to the school through clubs and activities. This week, our Boys & Girls Club hosted a number of opportunities to do just that with the fall sports. They include girls volleyball, boys flag football, girls flag football, golf, and cross country. As I visited the tryouts after school each day, I was so impressed by how many students participated in the tryouts, giving their best effort, and cheering each other on. I have always been a big proponent of team sports because of the many life lessons they can offer. While some of the sports cannot take all of the students who tried out, I want to acknowledge their effort, and also share that cross country is a "no-cut" sport. As an avid runner, I'd encourage any and all students to join cross country.
On Wednesday evening, our district hosted an evening of listening with our Multilingual Learner families. PTMS was well represented, and I am so grateful to our families who attended and shared their experiences and perspectives. To you I say "thank you", "tai xie xie ni le", "gamsahabnida", "gracias" and "toda".
Today our ASB hosted a spirit day with music, face painting, activities in the quad. Some of your students will definitely come home with face paint and glitter, and I hope they had fun today!
At the end of the month, our ASB will host a club fair in which students can explore the different clubs that PTMS offers, sign up to join, and then get involved. All clubs need to be student generated, and our goal is to have as many clubs on campus as we can. Maybe it's Taylor Swift, fantasy football, Pokemon or maybe it's a club about an academic interest, a cultural interest, or anything else. But please encourage your student to get involved whether they choose to start a club or join a club. To start a club, all they need to do is stop by room B123 and speak to Ms. Main, our ASB Advisor.
We are into our fifth week of school, and if you had a chance to attend the parent orientation in August, perhaps you heard me mention that oftentimes in middle school, upset occurs. Sometimes it's an upset between friends, sometimes a student has things happening outside of school that impact them while they are at PTMS, and sometimes parents have questions for our teachers and staff. We have had instances like this arise, because that is a normal occurrence at a middle school site. I want to extend gratitude to our families who reach out and sit down with us to discuss the issue. We really appreciate your approach, and if things do come up in the future, I encourage you to reach out to the teacher or staff member who can most directly support your student. Our staff is here to dialog, partner, and problem-solve together.
Finally, for those who celebrate Rosh Hashanah, I want to wish you Shanah Tovah. With this weekend being a holiday and Yom Kippur occurring in two weeks, I want to let you know that if observing either holiday impacts your student's ability to complete assignments, please communicate with their teachers.
Have a wonderful weekend and we will see you Monday,
In gratitude,
Scott Wild
Principal
Spirit Dress-Up Day
Wanda's in the school spirit today wearing the school colors or grey, blue, and green for Spirit Dress-Up Day today. Go Wolves!
Message from the Counselors
On Monday, September 18, during PE classes, we will be speaking with students about suicide prevention. Students in ISPE will meet with our counseling team during Homeroom on Tuesday. 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 groups on campus.
We will be hosting various suicide prevention activities throughout the week including a self-care workshop that students can sign up for. In addition, the Therapy Dogs will once again be visiting our Wellness Center..
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-Ma) lisa.curry@sduhsd.net
Carsen Murt, Counselor (Mc-Z and EL 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.
Make-Up Picture Day
Make-Up Picture Day is September 18. All students (including ISPE and newly enrolled students) who missed their Picture Day or have enrolled after their Picture Day will receive passes from either their Homeroom, 4th, 5th, or 6th period class to report to the MPR to get their picture taken. If your student is absent on Monday and misses this last chance, or when you receive your proofs later and aren't happy with the pictures, you will need to contact Gerardy Studios to set up an appointment in their Escondido location.
Click on this QR code to receive a link to your Gerardy photo gallery. This will open up a direct link to Gerardy when it comes time to see the proofs and order the 2023-24 school pictures of your child. The school site is no longer permitted to provide parent email addresses to the picture people, so parents need to provide it directly to the company in order to take advantage of this service.
From the Attendance Office
If you need to drop off an item for your student, please make sure they are aware of this in the morning. Items can be placed at the Student Drop-Off Counter in the office and your student can come and retrieve the item during passing periods. It is difficult to notify students when items arrive, especially during lunch/homeroom times, so some dropped-off lunches and other items are not getting picked-up. It is best to inform your student that something will be waiting for them in the office.
Need to pick your student up during the school day? Notify us in advance and we'll have your student waiting for you in the office! PTAttendance@sduhsd.net, or 858.509.1000, x4609.
Please be aware that if you show up during lunch/homeroom to get your student right away and have NOT contacted us in advance, it will take a very long time to get your student to the office because now we need to send someone familiar with your child out among the other 500 students at lunch to see if your child can be located. We have no way of making a PA announcement during lunch because classes are in session.
Student not feeling well? They need to report to the Health Office! There is not one teacher who will say no to a student who requests to leave class for the Health Office. Texting a parent not only doesn't do them any good, texting means they are in violation of our cell phone policy and could receive consequences if observed doing so.
~ We want you to succeed - don't miss school!
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.
Department News
From the PE Department
The PE department is in need of some extra yoga blocks. If you have any blocks you do not use, please donate. Namaste!
Please follow us on Instagram to see what your student is up to during PE class.
PTMS 2023-24 Yearbook
PACIFIC TRAILS! Scan the QR code below to sign-up and ensure you receive the most timely information on your 2023-24 Yearbook sales promotions and 8th grade ad offers!
Check it off your Back to School to do list!
Clubs
The Garden Club
The Garden Club met on Monday, September 11th.
Thank you Master Gardener Lynn Langley for being there and educating students on how to prune/clean up tomato plants. The students pruned the tomato plants, cleaned up the sun flower beds, filled out the water fountain, and harvested some mints.
Here are some pictures of the meeting.
Quiz Bowl
Meetings will be on Thursday from 11:45-12:20 p.m. in Mrs. Davidson's room C110, starting on October 5th. You can contact us at kriv.jhajhria@gmail.com. To sign-up, please click Sign-Up
~ 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
Dear PTMS Parents,
Our school is able to provide an outstanding educational experience to students through rigorous academics and diverse extracurricular activities.
Our annual fundraising goes a long way in helping provide these valuable resources to ALL the students.
This year, we’ve set a goal of raising $75.000 and we need your support to reach that goal. Today only a few days left and we reached $28,420.
Thank you to all the families who already sent their donation!
You can make your donation online HERE or via venmo or you can drop a check payable to PTMS PTSA at the front office.
Help your student's homeroom to WIN!!
The 3 homerooms who will raise the most funds will win a donut party :)
With gratitude,
Claire Dufayet
PTMS PTSA President
Multilingual Learner Corner
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.
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.
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.
Special Education Sessions and Events
For a list of Special Education Informational Sessions and Family Events, please click here.
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.