PTMS Weekly Parent Newsletter
March 1, 2024
Table of Contents
I. Coming Up (calendar items in the coming week or so)
II. Message from the Principal
III. Message from the Assistant Principal
- From the Attendance Office
- ISPE Application Window information
IV. Counseling Update
- Residency Verification for Current SDUHSD Students and other enrollment information
- Information on Wellness and Suicide Prevention
V. ASB and Student Announcements
- 8th Grade Disneyland Trip
VI. Department News
- Learning Commons
- Math - Pi Day
- Music Program
- PE
- Science Department
- Yearbook
VII. Clubs (periodic information on extracurricular activities)
- Book Club
VIII. Science Olympiad
IX. From the PTSA
X. Multilingual Corner (includes information on ELAC other community resources)
XI. Nutrition Services
XII. Special Education Sessions and Events (parenting classes, family events, informational sessions)
XIII. Community Events
XIV. Other Important Items (links to the PTMS Family Handbook, Boys & Girls Club, Webstore, etc.)
I. Coming Up
January 16-March 15 - Residency Verification for ALL CURRENT STUDENTS
February 12-March 15 - ISPE Application Window
February 27-March 19 - High School Pre-Enrollment for current 8th graders
March 4-8 - National School Breakfast Week
March 4-11 - 8th Grade Course Selection
March 4-15 - 8th Grade Disneyland Trip Ticket Sales - see section V. below for details
March 11-15 - Wellness Week
II. Message from the Principal
Wolfpack families,
Happy Friday! We are modifying the format of the newsletter to include a table of contents at the top to assist in finding the information you need. I hope you find this helpful.
As we leap into March, I am loving the slightly longer days, spring sports, and of course the sunshine. It was a very busy week with a lot to celebrate and share. On Monday, our staff gathered to discuss a number of items including student technology use. We continue to have students who are trying to bypass Go Guardian, access blocked websites, and misuse the Chromebooks. Our teachers continue to take a number of steps to make sure that students are using technology for learning, but I would greatly appreciate you speaking to your student about only using technology for its intended purpose.
Around campus, learning continues to thrive in our classrooms. Our art students are continuing their 3-D letter project, STEM students are making CAD designs and building cardboard structures, and our Yearbook students are putting the finishing touches on the book before it goes to print, while also planning the end of the year Yearbook Signing Party.
Yesterday, the California Department of Education recognized Pacific Trails Middle School as a 2024 California Distinguished School. Our school was selected based on criteria including growth in academic achievement and positive school climate. You can read more in this press release. I also want to recognize that this award is in celebration of you, the parents, who partner with us in raising great kids!
We have two more celebrations. The first shout out goes to our Science Olympiad who competed in the San Diego Regional competition last weekend at Miramar College. They took first place overall and will be heading to the State competition in the spring. The second shout out goes to our band and orchestra students who competed in the Forum Music Festival today. Symphonic Band and Advanced Orchestra were both awarded Gold, Beginning Orchestra was awarded Silver, and Concert Band was awarded Bronze. We are proud of our students, their teachers and coaches, and all the hard work that went into these accomplishments.
Finally, a HUGE thank you to ASB for putting on a wonderful school dance yesterday evening. We had over 300 students who had a great time dancing, taking pictures in the photo booth, and playing the games that ASB set up. A special thank you to our parent volunteers who took time out of their evening to support the event. We couldn't do it without you!
Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing your student on Monday.
In gratitude,
Scott Wild Ed.D.
PrincipalIII. From the Assistant Principal
CAASPP/CAST Testing
This year, students will be participating in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). All students will take the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for English Language Arts/literacy and Mathematics. In addition, eighth grade students will take the California Science Test (CAST). Additional information can be found by clicking on the link HERE.
PTMS Testing Schedule:
California Science Test (CAST) in 8th Grade Science classes (March 5-8)
Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for ELA in English classes (March 11-15)
Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for Math in Math classes (April 9-12)
Students will NOT be able to use wireless headphones. Students should bring their own WIRED headphones or earbuds if they have them and be sure their Chromebook is charged.
If you have questions please email Assistant Principal Dr. Stephanie Hake (stephanie.hake@sduhsd.net) or Lisa Graciano (lisa.graciano@sduhsd.net).
From the Attendance Office
~ Be on top of your game with great school attendance!
ISPE Application Window - February 12 thru March 15
If your student has ISPE this year, that doesn't mean your student automatically has it for the 2024-25 school year. ISPE participants MUST re-apply each year. Please click on this district link for complete details and for the links to virtual parent Q&A sessions.
IV. Counseling Update
It is almost time for our current 7th graders to select their classes for 8th grade! On Monday, March 4th, our counseling team will meet with all 7th grade students through elective classes for an 8th Grade Course Selection presentation to explain this process. Please be sure you (along with your child) have completed BOTH the online course selection AND have returned the 8th Grade Course Selection Contract by Monday March 11 by either submitting it in the counseling office or via email to ptcourseselection@sduhsd.net. Paper copies will be distributed to students. The 8th Grade Online Course Selection window will open on Monday, March 4, and closes on Monday March 11. Students can ask their course selection questions during break, lunch or by emailing their counselor. Please refer to the 8th Grade Course Selection Process link on the Registration Page of the PTMS website for more information.
8th grade students will receive course selection information from their high school at Incoming Welcome Night. Canyon Crest Academy’s Welcome Night is March 6 at 4:00pm. The Torrey Pines Welcome Night is March 7 at 6:00pm.
Cal State University, San Marcos is hosting Super STEM, a hands-on science festival for all ages. This event has 116 booths – full of information and activities! Click on SUPER STEM for more information.
SDUHSD middle school students enrolled in essentials/integrated math and all English courses have access to two instructional technology programs that provide options for at-home support and practice in English and math skill development. Both programs use adaptive technology to individualize learning experiences based on unique student needs. To learn more about these programs, including how to access these learning opportunities from home, see the information provided below:
Freckle - English Practice
Freckle is an online learning platform that allows students to practice English Language Arts at their own level. Freckle continuously adapts to individual student skill levels so they receive the appropriate challenge, whether working at, above, or below grade level. Click here to learn more about how to support your student's use of Freckle at home.
IXL - Math Practice
IXL is an online learning platform that allows students to practice Math at their own level. Student progress and levels within IXL continuously adapt to individual skill levels so students receive the appropriate challenge, whether working at, above, or below grade level. Click here to learn more about how to support your student's use of IXL at home.
Financial Help for Child Care Available - Child care services can cost up to 50% of a family’s annual household budget; no family should have to choose between paying rent and child care. San Diego County families can apply for financial assistance for child care while they work, look for a job or go to school through the San Diego County Centralized Eligibility List.
Lisa Curry, Counselor (A-Ma) lisa.curry@sduhsd.net
Carsen Anderson, Counselor (Mc-Z and ML Students) carsen.anderson@sduhsd.net
Samantha Eels-Taylor, Student Support Facilitator samantha.eelstaylor@sduhsd.netResidency Verification REQUIRED for ALL CURRENT STUDENTS!
The window to submit your Annual Residency Verification is January 16 through March 15. You might feel like you've just done this (and maybe you have), but this is for the 2024-25 school year. Not this school year.
Here are the quick specifics:
- If your student is CURRENTLY enrolled in a SDUHSD school and plans to go to a SDUHSD school for the 2024-25 school year, completing this process is REQUIRED! ** If your student will NOT be attending a SDUHSD school for the 2024-25 school year, please contact the Registrar - Marielle.BravoSaltzman@sduhsd.net. If you don't, we will bug you relentlessly for Residency Verification paperwork. **
- Complete this Residency Verification Affidavit.
- Attach a copy of your current SDGE bill (Category 1 on the form)
- Attach a copy of a cable or water bill (Category 2 on the form)
- Upload those three (3) documents in Aeries as per these instructions - OR -
- Scan/email those three (3) documents to Vetha.Pierce@sduhsd.net - OR -
- Print out and Turn-in those three (3) documents at your student's school.
If you have more than one student CURRENTLY ENROLLED in one or more of our SDUHSD schools, one packet with all current students' names can be turned in at one of the currently attending school sites (i.e. your middle school twins currently attend PTMS and older brother currently attends CCA - one packet with all 3 names can be turned in/uploaded to either PTMS or CCA) **Please do not include your incoming 6th grader on this form! A separate Enrollment packet will include a Residency Verification packet.**
For questions, please contact Vetha Pierce.
Incoming Wolves (current 6th graders), get basic PTMS information from Counselor Anderson during their visit to campus.
Is Your Student Going to a Private School Next School Year?
If you and your student are thinking of applying to a Private School for next year. Please fill out the link below for each school.
Mental Health & Wellness
Mental Health & Wellness Resources for Students, Staff, and School Community.
Click on the QR code to discover your PTMS Support Staff.
Free Mental Health Webinar Series
Suicide Prevention QPR Training
V. 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.
8th Grade Good Citizenship 8th Grade Disneyland Trip - May 30th
Parents and families of 8th grade students: Tickets for the Good Citizenship 8th Grade Disneyland Trip will go on sale from March 4th to March 15th.
Here are the main points:
- Trip is Thursday, May 30, 2024
- Cost: $180 - purchase with Vetha in the front office only from 7:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. daily.
- Sales from March 4th through March 15th - Sales end at PRECISELY 3:15 p.m. on March 15th when the register closes.
- Need this signed parent permission slip (BOTH PAGES) and student ID to purchase and board the bus. Students can keep the top portion of page one since it has important information for them. They need to return the bottom portion of page 1 and ALL of page 2. Permission slips were passed out to 8th Graders during Homeroom on Friday, March 1st, and are also found in hard copy in the front office and on our website at the link above.
- You cannot use annual passes/personal tickets. The $180 covers admission and transportation/parking.
- Buses will be assigned. No negotiating.
- No individual teacher signatures needed, but the rest of page 2 has to be done.
** If your student requires financial assistance to attend the trip, please contact your student's counselor. If you are able to sponsor another student, there will be an opportunity to do so later as well.
VI. Department News
Learning Commons News
Please click here to see everything that the Learning Commons has been up to so far this year.
Math Department - Pi Day - March 11th - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
PTMS will be celebrating Pi Day on Monday, March 11th, and we need your help! We are looking for parent volunteers to help us supervise different Pi Day activities for students throughout the day. Please use the link below to sign up. Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FA5AB22A6FAC16-47421172-piday
Music Program
Mr. Johnson's music program students went to Disneyland on March 1st to perform/compete in the annual Forum Festival. Here he is conducting our PTMS musicians.
From the PE Department
Please follow us on Instagram to see what your student is up to during PE class.
Science Department
This week in Science 8, students were challenged to use their understanding of Newton's laws, forces, and friction to design a way to make a can roll as slowly as possible down a ramp.
From Yearbook
PTMS is preparing to place our final order count with our yearbook publishing company. If you want to guarantee that your student receives a yearbook, please make sure to place your order before Monday, March 4th. Once our final order quantity is submitted, we will not be able to order more copies. Please use this QR code or click on this link to purchase a yearbook.
VII. Clubs
Book Club
The PTMS Book Club is holding a book drive to benefit disadvantaged kids in San Diego County. Students may bring any like-new books they would like to donate to the Learning Commons through the end of February. Books will be distributed by the Encinitas County Library in partnership with Kids Need to Read, a non-profit organization that provides books to kids in need.
~ Club activity will be posted here throughout the year. To get a list of all Clubs currently active, please check the Activities page on our website.
VIII. Science Olympiad
The objective of the PTMS Science Olympiad is to have an inclusive program, where we strive to give every student who wants to participate an opportunity to learn, and to support our students who want to compete, we believe we have achieved our objective this season.
We look forward to the State competition and to the 2024-2025 season.
IX. From the PTSA
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
PTMS will be celebrating Pi Day on Monday, March 11th, and we need parent volunteers to help supervise different Pi Day activities for students throughout the day. Please use the link below to sign up. Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084FA5AB22A6FAC16-47421172-piday
X. Multilingual Learner Corner
ELAC Meeting
The next PTMS ELAC meeting for multilingual learner families is Wednesday, March 6, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the PTMS Learning Commons. Meeting topics include state testing, summer school info, and PTMS site plan recommendations.
MiraCosta College in Oceanside is hosting a FREE conference for ML families and students to learn more about college, careers, and health. The conference is Saturday, March 9, from 9 am - 2pm. You must register here by March 1.
For more information contact, Miriam Kramer at miriam.kramer@sduhsd.net
XI. Nutrition Services
XII. 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.
XIII. Community Events
XIV. Other Important Items
- Boys & Girls Club - Seasonal sports information/registration.
- PTMS Live Calendar of Campus Events and 2023-24 Instructional Calendar.
- 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 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.