Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the desk of Principal Mills
Sunday, October 8th, 2023
Happy Sunday Ram Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying this warm San Diego weekend! We had another amazing week of learning at Twin Peaks, highlighted by our 8th grade science students learning about the Solar System all over campus, our 7th grade math students learning about angles and triangles, and our Food Science elective students visiting the local California Pizza Kitchen to see how their business was run and how the food was prepared and made! Check out pictures from their CPK visit below!
A big THANK YOU to all of our ELAC parents and families that attended our first meeting of the year this past Wednesday, October 4th. We had a great turnout for the evening, which included a presentation from our EL Coordinator, Mrs. Shewmaker, and a visit from Nancy Gutierrez, a Community Liaison with the PUSD Family Learning Center with information on supports they can offer our students and families. If you missed the meeting, please CLICK HERE to view the slides from the evening with valuable information such as contact numbers and emails, and links to free resources for our multilingual families.
One additional feature now available in each week's newsletter is the ability for it to be translated into over 40 different languages. In the top upper right corner of the newsletter you will see a button that reads "TRANSLATE" - click on this button and then select the desired language from the drop down menu. Hopefully now the newsletter is truly accessible to all of our TPMS families!
Please don't forget that we have minimum days this Thursday and Friday, October 12th and 13th for our Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences next week. Dismissal on both Thursday and Friday this week will be at 12:35pm. Our PUSD Transportation and ASES program will be operating with their usual schedule on Friday, but Bus Route #10 and a two of our special education buses will be running 15-20 minutes late on Thursday, October 12th. We apologize in advance for this conflict, but we are more than 10 bus drivers short district-wide and they are not able to cover every route because of the staffing shortage. Interested in being a bus driver for PUSD?! CLICK HERE to search available PUSD jobs and to apply!
6 week progress reports should now be posted and available on StudentVue and ParentVue. Please review the Progress Notices with your students, especially those who are meeting this week for a parent-student-teacher conference. If you ever have questions or concerns about your student's progress in any of their classes, please reach out to their teacher directly to discuss your concern. Email is the best option for this - teachers can be contacted through Canvas or by using their PUSD email address.
This past week was Banned Books Week, an annual awareness campaign promoted by the American Library Association and Amnesty International, that celebrates the freedom to read and draws attention to banned and challenged books. The first event was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. Now in its 41st year, the annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.
To support the week and advertise it to our students, our amazing TPMStv students ran a video segment on our news broadcast this past Monday, and concern was raised about the goal of the segment and the celebration of the week here at TPMS. Please know that all TPMStv broadcasts are available to the public and can be located by visiting the TPMStv YouTube Channel LINKED HERE. I invite and encourage our parents to watch the weekly student-produced segments which are shown in Homeroom each Monday; it's another great way to get a pulse on what is happening here at TPMS!
In response to social media posts about Banned Book Week at Twin Peaks, our TPMS Librarian, Mrs. Uyloan, recently commented, "Libraries are in the business of sharing information and encouraging critical thinking. Transparency and access are fundamental to our school libraries. It would be counterintuitive to operate in any other way. So please, when in doubt, ask questions. It's best to go to the source directly to verify information." I couldn't agree more with Mrs. Uyloan, and would only add the encouragement to our parent and student community to always reach out and verify information first before posting misinformation on social media.
Finally this week, there are only 2 more weeks until the TPMS Foundation's Fall Parent Social at Second Chance Brewery on Saturday, October 21st. Please click on the Fall Social graphic below to purchase your tickets for this year's event - light apps and a drink token are included in the ticket price. Come and meet other TPMS parents and staff members, in addition to bidding on some great auction items that include parking and shaded seating at Awards Night and 8th Grade Promotion, as well as over a dozen "staff experiences" for you and/or your student to enjoy. If you have questions about the evening, please email tpmsfdn@gmail.com.
In Partnership,
Steve Mills
Proud Principal
Twin Peaks Middle School
1(858)748-5131 x2806
Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks
UPCOMING EVENTS:
TPMS NEWS AND EVENTS
October 11th: Late Start - 9:50am
October 12th & 13th: Minimum Days - P/S/T Conferences
October 17th: TPMS Foundation, 6pm @TPMSLibrary
October 18th: Late Start - 9:50am
October 18th: AVID Fundraiser @ Chipotle
October 19th: TPMS PTSA, 6:15pm @TPMSLibrary
October 21st: Foundation Fall Parent Social, 6-9pm
October 25th: Late Start - 9:50am
October 27th: 7/8 Band/Orchestra Pop-up Concert, 7:30am, TPMS Quad
October 27th: Jazz Band Concert during both lunches, 11:30am-12:30pm, Quad
October 30th & 31st: Minimum Days - Dismissal at 12:35pm
November 8th: What I Wish My Parents Knew, 6pm @OVMS
November 10th: NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day
FOUNDATION FALL PARENT SOCIAL - Saturday, 10/21
What I Wish My Parents Knew
The TPMS Parent Patrol Needs YOU!
TPMS Food Science Students Visit CPK!
Attendance Corner
ATTENDANCE HOTLINE:
To report an Absence, Tardy, or student Leaving Early…Call the Attendance Hotline (858)668-2730. It’s available 24/7. Leave the information needed, and attendance will be updated.
PERIOD ABSENCES
If you receive a call about your student being marked absent for a period the chart below will help to explain.
Example: The phone message states your student was marked absent for Period 5.
Period 1 = 1st class of the day
Period 2 = 2nd class of the day
Period 3 & 4 = Homeroom (previously RAM)
Period 5 = 3rd class of the day
Period 6 = 4th class of the day
Period 5 is the 3rd class of the day and is in the afternoon after Lunch or Homeroom.
ASES Sports Donations
TPMS Bike Permits
More Than A Meal
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."
ASB Student Activities Canvas Page
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!
Parents/Guardians are still encouraged to complete a meal application online to receive other benefits such as a Pandemic EBT card for each child. The website to apply is www.myschoolapps.com
Paper meal applications (for parents that can’t complete one online) are available in the TPMS front office.
*PUSD Food and Nutrition Department is cashless. Please click on the following link to learn more about the cashless system Cashless System
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/
PUSD Parent Education Courses
- FREE Teen Positive Parenting Program (English) via ZOOM.
- Gender Identity & Expression Part I - All Grades in Person.
- Talking & Listening to Your Kids - TK-5th Grade via Zoom.
- Talking and Listening to Your Kids – 6th -12th Grade NEW.
- Early Childhood Development: Shaping the Mindset TK-3rd Grade NEW.
- Help Your Children Manage Stress and Anxiety – TK-5th Grade.
- Using your Strengths to Navigate Life Storms – All Grades NEW.
- Help Your Teen Manage Stress and Anxiety – 6th-12th Grade NEW.
- Developing an Effective Individualized Education Program – All Grades.
- Empowering Parents with Consequences that Work – TK-5th Grade NEW.
Scholarships are available to parents who may be in need. Parents can contact the Caring Connections Center for more information. You can visit their website by clicking here and searching for the course you are interested in and enroll directly from their site.
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:
October 17th
November 14th
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:
October 19th
November 16th
December 14th
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