Twin Peaks Middle School
Weekly RAM Newsletter
From the desk of Principal Mills - Sunday, 2/21/21
Happy Sunday Ram Families!
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying the three day weekend. Even though it was a short week of instruction, there was a lot of activity going on at Twin Peaks. Here's a quick recap of some of the events and activities that were held this past week:
On Tuesday afternoon, our PTSA and ASB recognized our TIP Students for receiving all "O"s for citizenship on their quarter 2 grade report. Over 180 students qualified for this recognition and a majority were able to come through the drive-thru celebration to pick up their goodie bag, spin the ASB prize wheel and even snap a selfie with Rambo! It was such a great event that it led off the PUSD News Minute for the week! Check out the video from the PUSD facebook page linked HERE. Students who were unable to join us for the drive-thru celebration can pick up their goodie bags in front of the main office this week between 8am and 4pm.
On Tuesday evening, the district held a GATE parent meeting to explain their decision to discontinue this program for next year. A recording of the meeting and the information shared can be accessed below in the section titled "GATE for 2021". Also on Tuesday evening, we held our inaugural meeting of the TBES/TPMS Equity Council, where we began to discuss PUSD's equity initiatives and how to integrate those lessons and learnings into our school community. It was a great first meeting, and we look forward to meeting monthly and continuing this work. New members are always welcome - please check out the information below in the "How Can Parents Get Involved" section of the newsletter.
On Thursday, we held our first Gen Z Project meetings for all RAMS looking for additional support and mentoring. Led through the efforts of parent volunteers and our counseling team, the students were given an overview of the 10-week project and a chance to get to know each other, the program leaders, and ask questions and provide input about the project objectives. It was an encouraging first meeting and we're looking forward to what the program can do for these young RAMs. A special shout out and THANK YOU to Mr. Derrick Benson, one of our amazing TPMS parents, for vision and leadership of this project!
Finally this week, I wanted to share some exciting news we recently learned with you - Mr. Gary Carpenter, our Custodial Crew Chief, was elected by our staff as the Twin Peaks Middle School Classified Employee of the Year! Gary has spent countless hours painting our school's exterior and interior, scraping gum off of every surface imaginable, makes sure our classrooms and office spaces are properly sanitized and disinfected each day, and is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Gary is an amazing example of the dedicated staff we are fortunate to have serving our students at Twin Peaks. Congratulations Gary on your well-deserved recognition!
In Partnership,
Steve Mills
Proud Principal
Twin Peaks Middle School
1(858)748-5131 x2806
UPCOMING EVENTS:
2/25: Character Counts Celebration #2, Zoom 4-5pm
2/26: Late Start - Asynchronous Friday Schedule, 9:30am
3/2: TPMS Foundation Meeting, Zoom 7:30pm
3/5: Late Start - Asynchronous Friday Schedule, 9:30am
3/10: 5th Grade Parent Night @TPMS, Zoom - 6-7pm
3/16: 8th Grade Parent Night @PHS, Zoom - 5-7pm
3/18: PTSA Meeting, Zoom 6pm
3/24: iReady Parent Information Night, Zoom 6-7pm
3/25: Lip Synch Battle Broadcast during RAM
School Reopening Update
The PUSD School Board met on Thursday, February 11th and directed district staff to submit an application to the state to have their reopening plan considered for secondary reopening while still in the purple tier. This is a new process the state just recently implemented, so details are still unclear about when this process will begin and how long it will take. What we can tell from this decision, and based on the current data from the county and state, is that we are definitely moving in the direction of reopening Twin Peaks at some point this spring for our A/B cohorts. In order to prepare for this, we recently divided our students returning to campus into an A cohort (attend classes on campus Monday and Tuesday), and a B cohort (attend classes on campus Wednesday and Thursday).
All TPMS families should have received an email on February 12th titled "Cohort Assignment Notification" letting you know if your student is signed up to remain virtual, in cohort A or in cohort B. We know that for some of you, circumstances have changed and the cohort assignment you originally requested does not work. For others, you have decided to remain virtual, and for some we didn't get the cohort assignment correct from surveys #1-99... we apologize for any confusion, and want to make sure we have students assigned correctly no matter what the circumstances. If you need a cohort adjustment from what was emailed to you, please complete the Google Form linked HERE at your earliest convenience.
If you have questions about the school calendar, please click HERE to access the most updated version. If you have questions about the bell schedule, please click HERE to see our Monday-Thursday schedule, Virtual Friday schedule and the times for teacher's office hours.
TPMS Lip Sync Battle
It’s time for… the one, the only 3rd Annual TPMS Lip Sync Battle! It’s singing, and dancing, and lip syncing all rolled into one giant ball of awesome! Don’t know what it is? No worries! Lip Sync Battle is a fun event where you can dance and lip sing to your favorite song or a mashup of your favorite songs! The full Lip Sync Battle will be broadcast during RAM on Thursday, March 25th for all to see and YOU will get the chance to vote on your favorite performance. Submit your Lip Sync Video for your chance to win the title of Lip Sync Battle Ultimate Champion AND a very special grand prize! Look on your grade level google classroom, or on your teacher's RAM Canvas pages for more information! CLICK HERE for more information!
GATE for 2021
District Leadership from PUSD held an informational meeting on February 16, 2021 discussing updates to the GATE program within PUSD. At this meeting it was announced that PUSD was ending the GATE program at all PUSD schools and discontinuing GATE testing.
A recording of the meeting has been uploaded to the PUSD YouTube Channel. You can find out more information at the PUSD GATE website HERE.
What does this mean for Twin Peaks? The only change this makes to Twin Peaks is that we will no longer offer our one class of homogenous GATE humanities. Everything else remains the same at our school. We will continue to serve all our student needs in all classes and we will continue to offer the accelerated math track.
Poway Unified and all schools in PUSD, including Twin Peaks, have moved to a more integrated and inclusive approach toward meeting the needs of students. For years, we have been working with our teaching staffs across the district to develop differentiation strategies to meet the needs of each and every student in our classrooms, including those who are identified as GATE. Poway Unified School District’s mission is to empower world class learners. In order to do this, all learning environments must be safe, inclusive, innovative, and equitable. For these reasons, Poway Unified has decided to end the GATE program. Poway is not testing new students for GATE. All middle schools will no longer offer homogeneous GATE classes. Twin Peaks Middle School will continue to focus on ensuring all classrooms challenge students appropriately.
Important Counselor Information
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Mrs. Melissa Baskin (School Counselor for students with last names A-Le), will be taking Child Bonding Leave starting next Monday, February 22nd until April 30th . Please join us in welcoming her counseling sub, Jennifer Bishop, back to Twin Peaks! She is a former Twin Peaks Instructional Assistant and has recently completed her Master’s in Counseling & Guidance degree and PPS credential at Point Loma Nazarene University. We are still getting all of the details sorted with her email address and log-ins. If you need to communicate with Ms. Bishop regarding your student or if you have any questions or concerns please call Mrs. Baskin’s office number at 858.748.5131 ext 2813 and leave a voicemail until her PUSD email is activated , she will return your call promptly.
LA SELECCIÓN DE CURSOS (CRF)
Le invitamos a reunirse con las consejeras de Poway High School para una sesión informativa sobre la selección de clases para el otoño. Vea más información aquí.
ASB Announcements
TPMS Online Store
Back by popular demand, the TPMS Online Spirit Wear store is officially open for business. All orders must be placed by Friday, March 12th, so don’t wait – get your TPMS spirit wear today! Visit bit.ly/ramspirit to place your order!
Hey Parents! Want to know what’s going on at Twin Peaks? Bookmark bit.ly/tpmsevents on your home computer and have daily access to the resources and links to fun activities that are being shared with your student every week on their teacher’s Canvas pages and on the Grade Level Google Classroom pages!
Global Uplift Project
Hello TPMS Families! This year, our school is partnering with The Global Uplift Project to help raise money to build a school for children in need in Malacatoya, Nicaragua. CLICK HERE for a video that will tell you more about the project. If every TPMS family could donate just $1 – that’s less than the cost of a soda these days – we could raise over $1000 to help reach our goal. Please consider joining us in making the world a better place. Visit bit.ly/tpmsTGUP to make a donation today!
HOW CAN PARENTS AND STUDENTS GET INVOLVED?!
THE RACIAL JUSTICE CHALLENGE: The Poway Unified School District and Twin Peaks Middle School Racial Justice Challenge strives to create a world that celebrates diversity and provides students with the opportunity to share their voice and their gifts with their community, and the world.
The Challenge: Here at Twin Peaks, we know that we have many students with immense artistic and creative talents that deserves to be shared and celebrated. Students are challenged to create a performance piece or work of art to convey a message that honors Black History Month or any topic that celebrates Racial Diversity. We’ve created an immersive website for students to explore these topics and gain inspiration if they choose to participate in this challenge. CLICK HERE to visit.
- TPMS/TBES Joint Racial Equity Council: Twin Peaks MS is partnering with our neighbor elementary, Tierra Bonita ES, to continue the racial equity work that was started by PUSD earlier this school year. The goal of this group is to provide feedback and guidance as we implement the guidelines and suggestions of the PUSD Racial Equity Plan. Parents who are interested in being a part of this council are encouraged to join - our next meeting is scheduled for March 17th! Please CLICK HERE to access the Equity Council Sign-up form.
- Student Engagement Feedback Form: In previous newsletters we have spoke of the need to encourage students to turn their web cameras on during class time. We received several emails with some great suggestions, so we wanted to open it up and encourage students to provide us with your feedback! Students - please take a moment and complete the feedback form LINKED HERE. Thanks in advance for your time and feedback!
Tutoring Available
The National Honor Society (NHS) at Poway High School provides tutoring for any student in need of it. Please complete this Google Form if you are interested: https://forms.gle/bSXPRCkeEUM4FmVC7
Caring Connections Counseling (CCC)
The CCC Parent Counseling Resource page is now updated. Please click HERE to view all the resources available on Crisis Counseling, Food and Diaper Assistance, Parenting Support, Mental Health Support, and Self-Care.
TPMS FOUNDATION RED ENVELOPE FUNDRAISER
The TPMS Foundation would like to encourage you to participate in giving a gift to the school during the 2021 Red Envelope Fundraiser! This year the project we are raising funds for is to upgrade the remaining water fountains with hydration stations. We have four water fountains that still need to be upgraded with hydration stations so students can easily refill thier water bottles. Our goal is to raise $10,950 to pay for this project.
Since the new year is 2021, we are asking for a $41 donation (20 + 21). For ease of use you can donate via Pay Pal here. Or if you were mailed a Red Envelope and you don’t want to donate online, please return the Red Envelope to the office or to your RAM teacher. Thank you for your support and help to start a great New Year!
Climate Change Video Challenge
Climate change is happening now, all around us, and we have an opportunity to reimagine and rebuild our present and future in a fair and just way for all Californians. With this goal in mind, the California Coastal Commission invites California middle and high school students to present a video response to the question: What does climate justice look like to me?
Entry deadline is March 31, 2021.
Visit the website to find all the details on how to enter; helpful background on climate change, climate justice, and climate solutions; and additional resources for educators. https://coastal.ca.gov/climatechallenge/
Career and Volunteer Opportunities at Twin Peaks MS #TeamPUSD
Do you or someone you know enjoy working in an educational environment and possess a passion for helping our students learn and grow? Twin Peaks Middle School is looking for great candidates who can join our Special Education Team as an Instructional Assistant! We have several openings that we need to fill immediately, so if you or someone you know might be interested, please apply using the link below! Starting Pay is $15.51 an hour and positions that are 20 hours or more per week have FULL BENEFITS. We have opportunities for sub positions as well. Click here to apply!
Morning Volunteers Needed!
Do you or someone you know have an hour to volunteer in the mornings to help us with safety screening students as they arrive at school? As we prepare to have more students back on campus each week, our need for morning screeners will certainly increase, and if you have the time - we need you! If you're interested in volunteering from 8-9am to help support our morning check-ins, please complete the form linked HERE! Thanks in advance for your consideration!
TPMS Library is Now Open for Curbside Pickup & Dropoff
Shop Amazon through TPMS Foundation
Twin Peaks Middle School
Email: chamilton@powayusd.com
Website: http://tpms.powayusd.com/index.html
Phone: 858.748.5131
Twitter: @TwinPeaksRams