PTMS Weekly Parent Newsletter
September 1, 2023
Coming Up
September 4 - Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
September 5 - Block Day 1-3-5
September 8 - New Student Social during both lunches
September 11 - 8th Grade Picture Day
ASB/PTSA Fundraiser continues through September 29th
Message from the Principal
Wolfpack parents,
Happy Friday! Thank you so much for your involvement this week. We had many parents come support our physical fitness testing throughout the week, about 30 parents attend our Principal's Coffee this morning in the Learning Commons, and we had a tremendous turnout last night for Back To School Night. That level of involvement and care from you is part of what makes PTMS so special.
Last night, in conjunction with our Back To School Night, we kicked off our annual fundraising campaign. Our goal is to reach $75,000 and we are encouraging families to contributed $200 if they can. I certainly recognize that everyone is in a different economic situation, so please contribute only if you are able to. Some folks may even wish to contribute more than that, and we welcome that as well. Many companies will offer corporate matching so please check with your employer if they do so.
Where does the money go?
This is really important to know. Fifty percent of all donated money goes directly to our ASB to facilitate programs that directly impact students daily. This includes lunchtime activities, student dances and socials, birthday celebrations, our Lunch League throughout the year, and character recognition programs.
The other 50% stays with PTSA to fund other initiatives across our campus. This includes our Academic Power Hour, programs like Science Olympiad and Math League, supplemental materials like PE equipment, Literature Circle books, art and STEM resources, and programs like guest speakers and our annual PI Day celebration.
Here is a video that our ASB made to show you how your contributions support our school.
Some of you may be quick to contribute, and for that I thank you. Others may think "PTMS is already great, so I can sit this one out." Yes, Pacific Trails is great and to continue being the best school in San Diego County, we need your support. It's as simple as that.
The QR code below is a fast and easy way to donate:
In other news of fun, both our 7th graders and 8th graders began playing our first Lunch League event of Dodgeball. There is so much energy and the kids are having a blast playing and cheering on their friends!
I hope that you have a wonderful 3-day weekend, and remember, no school on Monday. We will welcome your student back on Tuesday ready for a great week.
In gratitude,
Scott Wild
Principal
Message from the Assistant Principal
CoVitality Survey
All students will be invited to participate in a short survey during Homeroom on Wednesday, September 13th. Please review the notification linked below for more information about the upcoming SDUHSD CoVitality Screening, and instructions if you would like to opt your student out of participating.
PTMS Spring 2023 SDUHSD CoVitality Screening Passive Consent Letter - English
PTMS Spring 2023 SDUHSD CoVitality Screening Passive Consent Letter - Spanish
The Rec Center and The Village
Parents, please be reminded that the Rec Center and The Village across the street are NON-supervised areas. There is no school official or other adult responsible for your student while they are in those areas. In those areas, students are subject to law enforcement consequences which may also lead to school consequences.
Please encourage your student to refrain from hanging around the Village shops unless they intend to patronize them. If your student needs a safer environment to spend time in after school lets out, remember that the Learning Commons is open until 3:30 p.m. and is supervised.
Message from the Counselors
September is Suicide Prevention Month when individuals, organizations, and communities join their voices to share the message that suicide can be prevented. At PTMS, we will recognize the week of September 18 as Suicide Prevention Week. On September 18, we will meet with all of our Wolves through PE classes to discuss protective factors, warning signs, and how to get help. 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.
SDCOE is hosting a Suicide Prevention 101 for Parents and Caregivers on September 26, 2023. For more information and to register, click here. For more information and resources on Suicide Prevention, please see the Suicide Prevention Page on the SDUHSD website.
- QPR: Question, Persuade, and Refer – Gatekeeper Training for Suicide Prevention No-Cost Virtual Training, 1 -2:30 pm Oct. 4, Nov. 8, Dec. 6, Jan. 10, Feb. 7, March 13, May 1, June 5
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
8th Grade Picture Day
Picture Day for 8th graders is September 11 through PE classes. ISPE classes will report to the gym for their picture to be taken during their ISPE class periods (either Period 1 or Period 6) or will receive passes to get their pictures taken.
Click on the QR code on the below flyer to receive a link to your gallery when it's ready (which will be sometime after picture days). With that link, you will be able to view and choose from proofs of your student's portraits.
Click on this QR code to receive a link to your Gerardy photo gallery when it's ready (which will be sometime after the picture days conclude). 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
~ Remember, it's September: Attendance Awareness Month. School attendance matters!
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
Please follow us on Instagram to see what your student is up to during PE class.
PTMS 2023-24 Yearbook
Submit Summer Photos for the Yearbook!
Yearbook is looking for photos of your student's summer adventures or activities! Please click here to submit summer photos that may potentially be used in the 2023-2024 yearbook.
Clubs
~ 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
PTMS School Site Council - Parent Representatives
The results of yesterday's election to select our three (3) new parent representatives to the PTMS School Site Council are in! Congratulations to the following three individuals:
Archana Dekate
Sara Lake
Mayank Tiwari
The first meeting will be on September 28. Calendar invites will be sent to all.
Multilingual Learner Corner
SDUHSD is excited to host their first SDUHSD Multilingual Learner Night of the year on September 13th. There is a special program planned in partnership with the SDCOE and WestEd, which includes a Listening Circle for our Multilingual Learner families.
Multilingual Learner Night & Listening Circle - English
Multilingual Learner Night & Listening Circle- Chinese
Multilingual Learner Night & Listening Circle- Spanish
To read the Annual Notification of Available Language Programs in the SDUHSD, please click here for Page 1 and for Page 2.
Water Bottles
We love that students are bringing their own water bottles to school (we have a refilling station out in the quad) every day. However, our Lost & Found is spilling over with them and not one of them has a name on it! Please have your student put their name on their water bottle so when they show up in our Lost & Found, we can get the bottles back to them. Thank you.
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.
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."