Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the Desk of Principal Mills
Sunday, March 31st, 2024
Happy Sunday Ram Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying a wet and rainy Easter weekend! We enjoyed a busy and action-packed week at Twin Peaks highlighted by band concerts, Counselor presentations to homerooms, a win for our ASES soccer team, ASB and AVID student interviews, SOTM and 5 Star All-Star Awards, and 2 minimum days to end the week. We have 5 more days of instruction remaining before students and staff take a well-deserved Spring Break the week of April 8th-12th.
Congratulations to all of our March Students of the Month who were recognized by teachers for being ACCOUNTABLE. These responsible Rams were recognized this past week in their Homeroom classes and awarded a SOTM certificate, signed by the teacher who selected them, and a limited edition SOTM sticker! Please see the graphic below with the names of our Students of the Month, the teachers who selected them, and their picture. In April, we will be recognizing our MOTIVATED students!
Congratulations to our Character Counts / 5 Star All-Stars for Trimester 2 who were also recognized this week in their Homeroom classes. Only five students per grade level receive this recognition each trimester based on accumulating 5 Start Points from their teachers for doing positive acts on campus and for participating in school activities. 5 Star All-Stars receive a special t-shirt, goodie bag with TPMS swag and gift cards for free food at In-n-Out, Roundtable Pizza and Broken Yolk, and a special certificate signed by the California State Assembly! Check out the trimester 2 recipients in the graphic below - Congratulations All-Stars!
Current 6th and 7th graders - Course Request Forms are now PAST DUE and need to be turned in to your Homeroom teacher ASAP! You can no longer enter your courses online - the portal window has already closed. The only way to be enrolled in classes for next fall is to complete a copy of the Course Request Form AVAILABLE HERE in our Course Catalog on the TPMS website or form the Counseling Office. Please make sure to take a picture of your signed form before you turn it in to your Homeroom teacher. 8th graders continuing on to Poway High School - your CRFs and online selections are due by this Friday, April 5th!
Continuing Student Registration is still open for all returning PUSD students and families until the end of the day TODAY, March 31st! As of last Thursday, we had 86% of our current students registered for next year. Great Job Rams!! For those who haven't registered yet, please make sure to complete your continuing registration packet before the TONIGHT'S DEADLINE - you can get started by CLICKING HERE!
CAASPP Testing is scheduled for early May, and will be conducted on 4 minimum days - May 9th and 10th, and May 13th and 14th. Please make sure to not schedule appointments for your students during these important testing dates and make every effort to have your student at school on time and prepared to tackle the test each day. For more information on the upcoming CAASPP Testing, please see the information section below with details about each test and how to prepare your student for success.
Finally this week, we are incredibly excited to bring Breaking Down the Walls to the Twin Peaks campus on Monday and Tuesday, April 22nd and 23rd for our 7th graders. Sponsored by the TPMS Foundation, Breaking Down the Walls is designed to provide students and staff an opportunity to build stronger relationships and connections on campus, help build empathy and understanding amongst our student body, and set us up for a more connected and positive campus culture. Our goal is to have our current 7th graders participate in the workshops this spring, and then have each 7th grade class participate in the workshops in the fall to start off the year. For more information on BDTW, we encourage all 7th grade students to watch the video LINKED HERE with their families - this will give you an overview of the program. If you feel this program is not for you, it is okay that you not participate; please complete the Opt-Out Form LINKED HERE no later than Wednesday, April 17th. If you have questions or concerns about the program or any of the information shared above, please don't hesitate to reach out - my contact information is below!
In Partnership,
Steve Mills
Proud Principal
Twin Peaks Middle School
1(858)748-5131 x2806
Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks
Upcoming Events at Twin Peaks MS
TPMS NEWS AND EVENTS - Click here for Calendar
April 3rd: Late Start, 9:50am
April 3rd: School Site Council, 3:45pm
April 8-12: Spring Break - No School
April 16th: TPMS Foundation, 6:00pm Library
April 17th: Late Start, 9:50am
April 18th: PTSA Meeting, 6:15pm Library
April 22nd & 23rd: Breaking Down the Walls, 7th Grade
April 24th: Late Start, 9:50am
May 1st: Late Start, 9:50am
May 8th: Late Start, 9:50am
May 9th-14th: CAASPP Testing - Minimum Days!
May 16th: Choir Concert, 7pm, Little Theater
May 22nd:Choir Concert, PCPA w/ PHS, 7pm
May 23rd: Choir Concert, PCPA w/ PHS, 7pm
ASES Program Closure on Friday April 5th
ASES Program Closure After School Friday April 5th. We will be closing the After School (PM) program on Friday April 5th for staff professional development. There will be Before School (AM) program as usual, but there will be NO AFTER SCHOOL program. School is out at 3:15pm, so please make accommodations for picking up your student after school on April 5th. Thank you for your understanding as we give our staff time to prepare for the end of he school year!"
April is the Month of the Military Child
The Defense Department celebrates military children during the month of April. There are more than 1.6 million military children who face many challenges and unique experiences as a result of their parents' service. The life of a military kid is a blend of unique adventures and challenges. It’s important to keep in mind that they serve our country too, as part of a military family… not just in April, but all year long.
At Twin Peaks Middle School, we have about 43 students whose parents are active duty military. These amazing kids selflessly sacrifice for our country and are brave, proud, and strong. We hope you join us in celebrating the challenges and triumphs of our military-connected children.
Please help us to recognize and celebrate our military-connected children this April during the Month of the Military Child (MOMC). We would also like to highlight our staff members whose parents were actively serving in the militray while they were in middle school: Mr. Mills (Air Force), Mrs. Roman (US Navy), Mrs. Laborin (US Navy), Coach Mo (US Navy), and Ms. Franke (Coast Guard). This Friday, April 5th - we encourage all of you to wear purple to support our military connected students.
CAASPP Testing This May
We will begin preparing for our school-wide testing or CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) when we return from spring break. These tests are incredibly important for our school and our community, impacting a variety of factors including local property values and state education budgets.
In order to allow our students the best opportunity to be successful on the CAASPP, we are focusing our efforts around 4 testing days in their homeroom classroom. This will allow students an opportunity to focus their efforts on the tests they will be taking without having to attend their regular classes. It is critically important that your students are present and ready for our 4 school-wide testing days - May 9th, 10th, 13th, and 14th. Please make sure your students are present and ready to give their best effort by not scheduling appointments or other engagements that would take them out of school during our testing window. Students who are absent will have to make up the tests that they miss upon their return.
All students will need to have a set of wired earbuds or headphones for their Chromebook to use during testing. Please work with your student(s) to identify a set of earbuds or headphones that they can use and operate comfortably prior to our first test day on May 9th. We will have individual sets of wired earbuds available for students who do not have their own. Make sure your student continues to charge their Chromebook each night in preparation for testing the next day.
Please find this 2024 Parent CAASPP Notification Letter for more information.
No Place For Hate Lesson #2
The counseling/student services team will present our second No Place for Hate school-wide lesson to all Homeroom classes this month. This focus of this lesson is on The Power of Words, to ensure that students understand the impact of what we say and how to support someone when biased and hate speech is used. We invite you to view the presentation HERE and discuss it with your student.
CJSF Spring Charity Drive
CJSF is officially kicking off our spring charity drive on Monday and it will run until April 4th! This year our scholars have selected to support Ashley's Hope. This organization works to restore dignity and hope to our homeless community by providing basic needs.
The area of need that we are collecting will be clothing. There is a severe need for specific clothing items, which will be the only items we will be accepting this drive.
These are:
- Tees
- Pants and Jeans
- Brand New Socks (in package)
**All must be in adult sizes only**
***All clothing must be free of holes, tears, and noticeable stains***
March Door Decorating Contest Winners
Thank You to all of our Homerooms that participated in this month's contest to celebrate March Madness and Women in History Month! The results are in and the winners are:
- Mrs. Tudor's Homeroom
- Mrs. Fisher's Homeroom
- Mrs. Matautia's/Mrs. Daher's Homerooms
Leadership in Biliteracy Award
From PUSD, 3/25/24: Congratulations to Principal Steve Mills and Alison Shewmaker at Twin Peaks Middle School for their outstanding contributions in fostering bilingualism and biliteracy in our school communities! ✨ They are the recipients of this year’s Leadership in Biliteracy Awards. Their passion, dedication, and innovative practices have truly made a difference in the lives of our students in Poway Unified. They were surprised by Board Members Sytsma and Plotkzke, along with Interim Superintendent Greg Mizel, this past Monday morning with news of the award. They will be formally recognized at the Biliteracy Symposium being held at The Prado in Balboa Park at the end of April.
PUSD New Student Enrollment
Poway Unified New Student Enrollment for the 2024-25 school year opens online, April 1 at 8:00 a.m.
We can’t wait to meet our new students, including our new Kindergarten and TK students! New Student Enrollment for Poway Unified School District is an on-line process on our website. Packets can be completed digitally using any computer, tablet or smartphone with an internet connection. Please contact your assigned school of residence to schedule an appointment if you do not have access to a device/internet or need assistance with completing the online enrollment packet.
School starts on August 21st for the 2024-25 school year. Welcome to PUSD!
8th Graders - Looking for an elective at PHS?!
ESS Aide Hiring Fair
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:
- 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:
- 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