Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the desk of Principal Mills
Sunday, September 3rd, 2023
Happy Sunday Ram Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying the Labor Day Holiday weekend. As a reminder, there is NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 4th in observance of the Labor Day Holiday. We will resume with a 5-7-1-3 schedule on Tuesday, September 5th at 8:30am. Enjoy the long weekend!
Our Rams are putting forth an AMAZING effort on iReady testing this year! This past week students took the iReady Reading diagnostic test for the fall testing window, after taking the math diagnostic test the previous week. These fall tests set a baseline for each student for their work in iReady for the year, so these diagnostic tests are an important benchmark for every student. Students will have a chance to complete any unfinished sections in their Homeroom classes this week, as our testing window closes Friday, September 8th. Parents - please continue to encourage your student to always try their best, make sure to get enough sleep, and fully charge their Chromebook each school night. Your support makes a HUGE difference!
I am looking forward to seeing all of our Twin Peaks families at Back to School Night on Wednesday, September 6th starting at 5:30pm. Please plan on attending to walk the campus, visit classrooms, and see all the amazing things going on at Twin Peaks! School opens at 5pm with the PTSA Book Fair in the library and the TPMS Jazz Band on the quad stage. The evening will begin with a Principal's Welcome in the quad at 5:30pm, followed by membership information from our PTSA and Foundation. Make sure to bring your checkbook or debit card so you can purchase a few books at the PTSA Book Fair - it will remain open until 7:30pm! It should be an awesome night - I hope to see you all there!
Looking for an opportunity to work with other dedicated parents, teachers and students to impact what goes on at Twin Peaks?! The TPMS School Site Council has two openings for parent members for a two-year term. According to our bylaws, interested candidates must have a student that attends Twin Peaks Middle School and should be selected by other TPMS parents. If you are interested in serving on our School Site Council, please complete the Candidate Interest Form LINKED HERE before 3pm on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023. All interested candidates will be included on our voting form that will be shared with all TPMS families starting on Back To School Night on Wednesday, September 6th. Voting will remain open until 5pm on Friday, September 8th. If you have questions about this process or the SSC, please send me an email.
Please SAVE THE DATE for the TMPS Fall Foundation Social event at Second Chance brewery on Saturday, October 21st from 6-9pm. Please CLICK HERE to visit the TPMS Foundation website with more information and to purchase tickets to to the event. We'd love to see you at our next Foundation meeting too - dates for future Foundation meetings can be found in the Foundation section below.
After school sports at TPMS are gearing up and we have had an incredible amount of student interest for our fall sports! For information about the sports we offer and how to register, please visit the ASES & Sports page of the TPMS website LINKED HERE. Students cannot participate in after school sports until we have correct and complete forms, and many of the ones we have received so far are missing information. Please contact Matti mamiller@powayusd.com with any questions.
Finally this week, if your student is riding a bike, ebike, motorized scooter or other powered bike to school, they will need to have a TPMS Bike Permit. The new TPMS Bike Permit form can be found on our website by CLICKING HERE; please complete it with your student and have them return it to Mrs. Moreno in the main office before the end of this week. We will start issuing permit stickers to students with their paperwork completed starting Monday, September 11th. In order for your student to continue parking in our lockable bike racks, they will need to have a TPMS Bike Permit on their bike. The biggest safety issues we are seeing with students riding bikes is that they are riding way too fast (especially around pedestrians), they are riding without a helmet, and they are riding with more than one person (usually without a helmet too). Parents - please remind your student of safe riding habits around school and in the community when they are riding their bikes!
In Partnership,
Steve Mills
Proud Principal
Twin Peaks Middle School
1(858)748-5131 x2806
Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks
UPCOMING EVENTS:
TPMS NEWS AND EVENTS - bit.ly/tpmsevents
September 4th: Labor Day Holiday, No School
September 5th - 8th: Fall Book Fair, TPMS Library
September 6th: Late Start - 9:50am
September 6th: Back to School Night, 5:30-7:30pm
September 8th: 6th Grade Carnival, 3:30pm, TPMS Quad
September 12th: Step-It-Up Assembly, Special Schedule
September 13th: Late Start - 9:50am
September 14th: TPMS PTSA, 6:15pm @TPMSLibrary
September 18th: Teacher Workday, Non-Student Day
September 19th: TPMS Foundation, 6pm @TPMSLibrary
September 20th: Late Start - 9:50am
September 27th: Late Start - 9:50am
September 29th: TBES/TPMS Identity Day, 4-6pm
PTSA BOOK FAIR 9/5-9/8
The TPMS PTSA is so excited to invite you to our upcoming Scholastic "Back to School" Book Fair! This event is an opportunity for students to build their home libraries and further their love of reading. As always, all purchases benefit our school and this book fair will help support the PTSA especially.
The "Back to School" Book Fair will be held in the TPMS Library and will take place from September 5th - 8th, and will be open before school, during lunch, and after school. The book fair will also be open during the Back to School night on September 6th, from 5-8pm.
Books can be purchased with cash, check (made payable to "TPMS PTSA"), or credit/debit card. Parents can also set up an eWallet — your child's digital payment account - for the Twin Peaks Book Fair. If you currently have a balance on an existing eWallet account, the balance can be used with your new account. Just be sure to set up the account with the same email address.
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more, create an eWallet account, and preview books for the Fair: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/twinpeaksmiddleschool
In order to make the Fair as successful for our school as possible, volunteers are needed! Shifts are short and easy. Please click on the following link to sign up:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0B4CAAAA2AAAF58-tpmsPTSA Classroom Supplies Closet Wishlist
WEB 6th Grade Carnival
Attention all 6th graders, we have a VERY important announcement for YOU! The 6th grade carnival is coming up on Friday, September 8th right after school from 3:30-5:00. If you're looking for a good time, this event is for you. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, August 30th through next Wednesday, September 6th. Tickets will be sold at lunch for only $5 in the WEB room (room 301).
Be sure to print a permission slip TODAY! You must have a signed permission slip and school ID card (or on your phone) in order to purchase your ticket. All you need to bring is a smile and an appetite for fun. Your entry includes a hot dog, popcorn, Rice Krispie treat, and so much more.
Students are expected to stay at the event from 3:30 to 5 PM. However, if there is an emergency and a student needs to leave prior to 5PM, parents must come to the front gate (under the sails) and speak to an administrator to release your student to you.
Everyone from WEB hopes to see you there.
Join the TPMS Choir!
TPMS Choir will start singing on September 5th! Practices will be Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:20-8:20am. All students are welcome! Students need to be on time and can not miss more than 4 practices total for the choir session. We will perform a December 7th concert at Twin Peaks, and another with the Poway High School Choir at their concert on December 12th.
Any questions, please email TPMSchoirdirector@gmail.com
For registration information: TPMS Choir Fall 2023
Identity Day - Volunteers Needed!
To make this event a reality, we need your help! Please CLICK HERE to signup to help at the check-in/Scavenger Hunt tables, supervise an event, or help with set-up or clean-up. We look forward to seeing everyone on the 29th!
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."
Computers 2 Kids Event
The San Diego County Office of Education and Computers2Kids are hosting an event for families to purchase affordable computers on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at San Diego County Office of Education (6401 Linda Vista Road San Diego, CA 92111 - enter the drive thru on Via Las Cumbres). Since the beginning of the 2022-23 academic year, the partnership between SDCOE and Computers2Kids has provided over 1500 refurbished computers to San Diego families. We hope your families are able to benefit from this event.
See attached flyer for details.
Here is a link to the information.
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
ASB Student Activities Canvas Page
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.
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
- Gender Identity & Expression Part I - All Grades in Person. Click here for flyer.
- Talking & Listening to Your Kids - TK-5th Grade via Zoom. Click here for flyer.
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.
FREE Spanish Teen Positive Parenting Workshop
This workshop will be in person at Valley Elementary School on Thursday, September 21st, from 6pm-8pm. Childcare will be provided for school-aged children. Please click here for the flyer.
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:
September 14th (Association Meeting @6:15pm; Board Meeting to follow)
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!
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:
September 19th
October 17th
November 14th
January 16th
February 13th
March 12th
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