Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the desk of Principal Mills
Sunday, October 15th, 2023
Happy Sunday Ram Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying your weekend after our two Parent-Student-Teacher Conference days on Thursday and Friday. A big THANK YOU to all of our parents and students who joined us for a conference this past week. Although we work hard to build our students' self advocacy skills, parents are always encouraged to reach out to their student's teachers any time they may have a concern about their students progress in their class.
In case you missed it last week, an 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!
PUSD is hiring, and Twin Peaks needs you!! We are looking for Instructional Assistants to work in classrooms and 1:1 with students, Noon Duties to supervise during lunch time, a very part-time crossing guard for before and after school, and a Music Assistant to help Mr. Moreau and our music program! Please reach out if you have questions about any of these available positions! Please CLICK HERE to search available PUSD jobs and to apply!
Students - are you looking for a volunteer opportunity?! Pomerado Elementary School is hosting their Family Fun Night on Friday, October 27th and they are looking for some student volunteers who want to help out! If you're interested in signing up, click the volunteer link here: https://volunteersignup.org/FLQ3P. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Sherbondy by email at telite11@aol.com.
Our PTSA and Foundation are meeting this week and they are always looking for new parents to join! Our Foundation is meeting this Tuesday, 10/17 at 6pm in the TPMS Library - the main topics of discussion will be the Fall Parent Social and updates on a few of their projects that are in the works. Our PTSA will meet this Thursday, 10/19 at 6:15pm in the TPMS Library for their monthly meeting. If you're not able to attend the meetings, but still want to join the PTSA, please CLICK HERE to access their membership site.
Time is running out to get your ticketsTPMS 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.
Finally this week, What I Wish My Parents Knew is back and you are invited to attend! This is a series of workshops held twice a year for PUSD parents to learn about their students and some of the realities of their day-to-day world in school today. Workshop sessions include Establishing Guardrails, Managing Stress & Anxiety, Social Media Pressures, and Balancing Academics. Sessions are facilitated by PUSD Administrators and local faith leaders, and also feature student voice! The fall WIWMPK workshops will be held on Wednesday, November 8th starting at 6pm at Oak Valley Middles School. No sign-ups are needed - please make sure to bring a friend or two with you to this important and unique parent event!
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 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, 6-8pm
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 1st: Non-Student Day - NO SCHOOL!
November 8th: What I Wish My Parents Knew, 6pm @OVMS
November 10th: NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day
FOUNDATION FALL PARENT SOCIAL - Saturday, 10/21
6TH GRADE ASB APPS AVAILABLE STARTING 10/16
Attention TPMS 6th Graders! Are you interested in joining our ASB team starting in Trimester 2? ASB Applications for 6th Grade Representatives will be available starting October 16th in Room 911. Applications are due no later than October 27th, with elections happening the following week. Visit Mrs. Crow in Room 911 during lunch or break to pick up an application!
RED RIBBON WEEK – OCTOBER 23 – 27TH
Every year during the month of October, Twin Peaks Middle School is proud to celebrate Red Ribbon Week, a week dedicated to encouraging students to make healthy life choices and stay drug free. We will be hosting a spirit week to celebrate the occasion, and various student groups will be hosting events every day during lunch in the quad. Make sure to participate in our spirit days to earn 5-Star Points and show your TPMS Pride!
Monday – Red Ribbon Day (Wear Red)
Tuesday – Team Up Against Drugs Day (Wear Sports gear)
Wednesday – Black Out Drugs Day (Wear all black)
Thursday – Lei Off Drugs Day (Wear Hawaiian/Beach Gear)
Friday – Wake Up Drug Free Day (Wear your Pajamas!)
TPMS HAUNTED HOUSE – 10/30
Calling all Spooky Rams! This year, Twin Peaks ASB will be hosting our first ever TPMS Haunted House on October 30th from 5:30-7:30 PM. Entry will be $1 for all TPMS Students and $2 for any other guests. Tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event. All guests under the age of 18 will need a permission slip, which can be found on the TPMS ASB Activities Canvas page, or in Room 911.
In the meantime, we need your help! We are looking for some donations to help with the cost of creating the Haunted House of our dreams (or nightmares...). Please review our DONATION REQUEST LIST and sign up if you'd like to help out and donate an item!
What I Wish My Parents Knew
The TPMS Parent Patrol Needs YOU!
Attendance Corner
Is your student leaving early? Call the Attendance Hotline (858) 668-2730 in the morning. Leave a message and a note gets sent to the student. Bring in your ID, sign the student out, and away you go!
Is your student running late? Call the Attendance Hotline (858) 668-2730. Leave a message with the requested information and the tardy will be excused.
Is your student going to be absent? Call the Attendance Hotline (858) 668-2730. Leave a message with the requested information and absence will be excused.
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