Twin Peaks Middle School

Weekly RAM Newsletter

From the desk of Principal Mills - March 19th, 2023

Happy Sunday Ram Families!


I hope this newsletter finds you all well and enjoying a little bit of the nice weather before our next big storm hits early this week. We have a busy week at Twin Peaks MS coming up with NO MINIMUM DAYS this week! Here are a few of this week's highlights:


Our PTSA Book Fair starts this Monday and will run through Friday, March 24th in the TPMS Library. The Book Fair will be open before school, during lunch and after school. Students will also visit the fair with their Language Arts teachers. We will also be open on March 22nd for our Family Night Book Fair from 4:30pm-6:30pm during the Twin Peaks Electives Fair and 5th Grade Information Night. Want to help/volunteer? Please see the Book Fair section below for more information on how to sign-up.


Course Request Forms are being distributed to current 6th and 7th graders on Monday in their Ram class. Information about elective classes and course descriptions can be found on the TPMS website LINKED HERE or by going to the Course Catalog under the Academics/Counseling tab on the TPMS website. Completed CRFs for current 6th and 7th graders, including a parent and student signature, are due back to Ram teachers by Thursday, March 30th. Current 8th Grade CRFs for high school are due to ELA teachers by this Friday, March 24th.


Our Electives Fair and 5th Grade Information Night is happening this Wednesday, March 22nd from 5-6pm on campus. This is an opportunity for all students and parents to come see what our elective classes have been doing this school year - our band and orchestra students will be playing music, there will be displays of student art work, student-made videos, and student photography, and our ASB, AVID and Yearbook classrooms will be open for parents and students to visit and tour. Teachers, counselors and administrators will be available to answer questions about our schedule and course request form for next school year. Keep your fingers crossed for a break in the rain for this event that will happen rain or shine!


This Friday, March 24th is the end of the TPMS Foundation's Teal Envelope Fundraising Campaign. Our amazing Foundation is trying to improve two areas on our campus with this fundraiser - the outdoor Science patio and the front of school. A more permanent shade structure is needed for the Science patio area to allow student work stations to be set up outside, and bench seating is needed for the front of school to provide students a place to sit while they wait for their rides. Families are asked to make a $50 donation to help support these projects, but any and all contributions are welcome! Please see the Teal Envelope section below for links on how to donate and earn your limited edition TPMS socks!


Our Clean Campus Campaign began this last week with mixed results. Students are no longer eating in between classrooms during lunch, hopefully creating cleaner and quieter hallways for our Ram classes, but trash cleanup and how students waste their food continues to be a challenge. Please help support this campaign by talking with your student about the need for ALL students to be a part of this solution; encourage your student to only take food they plan on eating, to put unwanted food in the give-back bins located in the lunch area, and to please use our trash and recycle bins rather than throwing their trash on the ground. Any parents who would like to volunteer and help us with our Clean Campus Campaign are encouraged to email me - we could use your help!


Finally this week, don't forget that Online Continuing Student Registration for the 2023-2024 school year is open from March 1- March 31, 2023. Right now we have just over 50% turned in as a school site - our goal is to get to 100% by the end of the month, so please submit your online registration today if you haven't done so yet! Please see the Online Registration section below for more information and links to complete the online registration process. We need to receive a completed online registration packet for every student who will be returning to Twin Peaks next year!


In Partnership,


Steve Mills

Proud Principal

Twin Peaks Middle School

stmills@powayusd.com

1(858)748-5131 x2806

Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

TPMS NEWS AND EVENTS - bit.ly/tpmsevents

March 20th-24th: Scholastic Book Fair hosted by PTSA

March 22nd: Late Start - 9:50am

March 22nd: Family Night Book Fair 4:30-6:30pm in the library

March 22nd: Electives Showcase/5th Grade Info Night, 5-6pm

March 23rd: AVID Parent Information Night, 6pm @Zoom

March 24th: TPMS Foundation Teal Envelope Donations Due

March 24th: End of Quarter 3

March 27-28th: Staff Pro-Grow Days - Minimum Day Schedules

March 28th: What I Wish My Parents Knew, 6:30-8:45pm @MCHS

March 29th: Late Start - 9:50am

March 29th: Character Counts Awards, 4:30pm @Zoom

March 29th: TPMS Special Education Info Night, 5:30pm @Zoom

March 31st: Spring Dance, 5:30-8:00pm @Main Quad

April 5th: Late Start - 9:50am

April 10-14th: Spring Break - NO SCHOOL

April 20th: What I Wish My Parents Knew, 6:30-8:45pm @TPMS

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TPMS Book Fair 2023

We're so excited to invite you to our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair! Hosted by our TPMS Library, 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. The fair will take place from March 20th-March 24th and will be open before school, during lunch and after school. Students will also visit the fair with their Language Arts teachers. We will also be open on March 22nd for our Family Night Book Fair from 4:30pm-6:30pm during the Twin Peaks 5th Grade Information Night. We need parent volunteers. Shifts are short and always fun! Please contact Joy Kurosaka at joykurosaka@gmail.com if you have questions about volunteer opportunities.

www.signupgenius.com
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TPMS Spring Dance: A Night Out in Hollywood

It’s time for the biggest night in Hollywood, the TPMS Spring Dance! Pre-Sale tickets will begin on Monday, March 6th and will be sold for just $5.00, but only for a limited time! Ticket prices will go up to full price on Tuesday, March 14th and will be sold up until the day before the dance, March 30th. All tickets include dinner, games, dessert, and dancing. The dance will be held in the TPMS Quad from 5:30-8:00 PM and suggested attire is semi-formal. If you are interested in volunteering or donating to help support this exciting opportunity for our students, CLICK HERE for more information, or email Mrs. Crow at kokeller@powayusd.com


Students seeking financial assistance should inquire with Mrs. Crow or their school counselor, as we want to ensure all students have the opportunity to attend this exciting event.

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Course Selection for 23-24

The course selection process for current TPMS 6th and 7th graders will begin on Monday, March 20th. Current 6th and 7th graders will receive their CRFs in their Ram classes, and counselors will be visiting with students this week in their Ram classes to make sure they understand the signup process and schedule for next school year. Please CLICK HERE to review the Course Catalog with course descriptions, links to applications for AVID and Yearbook, and information slides on how to complete your CRF. PDF copies of the CRF forms can also be found on this site. All CRF forms for current 6th and 7th grade students will be due on Thursday, March 30th to Ram teachers. Courses do not need to be entered online by students this year.
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Teal Envelope Campaign

Your Twin Peaks Foundation is running a fundraiser in hopes of providing more improvements for the students of Twin Peaks during the 2023 school year. The goal of our 2023 Teal Envelope Fundraising Campaign is to raise $10,000. These funds would be used to install shade for the science area and the addition of seating for students in the front of the school. We are asking for $50 from each family. Remember to check your company's matching program also!

To donate online click here or bring a check into the school office in your teal envelope and include your students name and RAM teacher. With your $50 donation, your student will receive a custom Pura Vida bracelet in TPMS colors. With your $100 donation, your student receives a bracelet AND a pair of Twin Peaks custom socks! Donation must be received by March 24th to get items.


For more information on Twin Peaks foundation visit: www.twinpeaksfoundation.org

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PHS Engineering Academy Info Night

Wednesday, March 22nd, from 7 - 8pm in Room N3107. This is an opportunity to hear how the program is helping current students and how the Poway High School Engineering Academy/Pathway is making a difference toward their college and career goals. You will learn about what courses to enroll in to start the Academy or Pathway. There will also be a presentation about updates in the Academy and an overview of the program and pathway. There will be a question-and-answer period. Please see flyer below.


For information on the Engineering Academy Pathway click here.


For information on the Computer Animation Class click here.

It's Time for Wrestling at TPMS

Wrestling registration forms will be available in the front office and PE locker room starting on 3/20. All info about Wrestling season will be on the registration packet! We hope to see your student come out for the team! Any questions about wrestling please reach out to Matti Romero at mamiller@powayusd.com

Online Registration for 23-24 NOW OPEN!

Online Continuing Student Registration will be open from March 1- March 31, 2023. Parents and Guardians will receive an email notification once the website is open. We must receive a completed digital packet for all returning students. This will allow for proper placement of your student for the 2023-2024 school year. This annual digital process will allow a family to complete one single “family” packet instead of completing one packet per student. Packets can be completed using any computer, tablet or smartphone with an internet connection.


In preparation for online registration, now is the time to confirm that you know your parent login username and password. This information will be needed to complete the registration packet. Please take a moment and ensure you can log into https://sis.powayusd.com. If you do not know your username and/or password, you can visit https://password.powayusd.com to retrieve your login credentials. If you are not planning to return to PUSD for the 2023-2024 school year, please email me at stmills@powayusd.com as soon as possible so we can prepare any needed documents for your new school.

Attendance Corner

Early Release: If your student needs to leave campus early, please call the Attendance Hotline at least one hour before you are picking them up.


Due to very heavy traffic with both schools getting out for the day, and busses needing to park up front, please arrange to pick them up no later than 2:45pm.


When you arrive to pick up your student, please come into the front office, have your ID ready and sign your student out.


If you need to authorize someone else to pick up your student, please let attendance know ahead of time when you call the Attendance Hotline. The designated person must have their ID and be able to show that they are over the age of 18.

PUSD Safety Summit Info

Our most recent PUSD Quarterly Safety Summit on the topic of Substance Abuse and Addiction was a great success! Thank you to those who were able to join; in the event you were not able to attend in person or on-line, you can still access the slide deck and resources from our panel as well as a recording of the presentation in its entirety from the links below or by visiting our website:


SAVE THE DATE: The last PUSD Community Safety Summit of the 2022-23 school year will be hosted on Monday, May 15, 2023. Our topic will be Social Media and Online Safety. Safety Summits are held in the PUSD District Office Community Room from 6:30 – 8:00 pm and also live streamed.

PUSD Parent Education Classes

We hope you can join us for one of our upcoming Parent Education classes; please see the list of classes and times available below! Click on a class for specific information.


March 2023 Parent Education Courses:


CLICK HERE for the PUSD Parent Education Homepage.

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What I Wish My Parents Knew 4/20/23

Please keep the evening of Thursday, April 20th from 6:30-8:45pm open so you can attend What I Wish My Parents Knew at Twin Peaks MS. This is an opportunity for parents to learn from our students about a variety of issues impacting parents and kids today, such as Social Media Use, Alcohol, Drugs and Vaping, Parenting With Guardrails, and Managing Stress and Academic Pressure. The evening is hosted by PUSD school leaders and community faith leaders to provide parents an opportunity to connect and learn with other parents how to navigate the difficult waters of raising a teenager. Plan on attending and bring a friend!

ASES Has Openings For Your Student!

Our ASES Program has openings in the mornings and afternoons. This program is FREE to Twin Peaks families! The morning program starts at 6:30am and the afternoon program goes until 6:15pm. For more information please see the flyers or contact Jenn Willette at jewillette@powayusd.com. We look forward to seeing your students!
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Free & Reduced Lunch Applications!

Although school meals are now free to all students under California’s new Universal Meals Program, the application for free and reduced-price meals is still very important. School funding depends in part on the number of students that qualify for free or reduced-price meals. With all students now eating for free, fewer families are completing the application and schools are at risk of losing funds. Household income information is confidential and applying online is quick and easy. Plus, students that qualify for free or reduced-price meals may also qualify for discounts on transportation, SAT and AP tests, home internet, and college application fees. You can apply online at MySchoolApps.com, or pick up a paper application in the school office.

ASES is Hiring!!

If you are interested or know of someone who is interested in working in our before and after school ASES program, please scan or click the QR code below to apply and become an ASES Program Aide! Shifts are flexible and there's a wide variety of activities and programs to run for students in our before and after school programs. Questions? Please reach out to our ASES Supervisor Jennifer Willette at jewillette@powayusd.com.

TPMS Yearbook Info

Yearbooks are available for $50. We sold out last year so get yours now!

Pay by card: Go to www.jostens.com or use the QR code

Pay by cash/check: Download the 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.


Want more information about Yearbooks? Go to http://tpmsyearbook.weebly.com/

PTSA Meeting Dates for 2022-23

To join the PTSA for the 2022-23 school year, please CLICK HERE! All Executive Board meetings will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:15pm in the TPMS Library unless listed otherwise:

  • April 20th (Association Meeting @5:30pm)
  • May 18th
  • June 1st

TPMS Foundation Meeting Dates

The TPMS Foundation typically meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6pm in the TPMS Library. Please visit the TPMS Foundation Web Page by CLICKING HERE! Here are the upcoming monthly meetings for the 2022-23 school year:

  • March meeting canceled!
  • April 18th
  • May 23rd
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Shop Amazon through TPMS Foundation

You can always shop Amazon and earn money for Twin Peaks! Just click on the Amazon link below, then start spending!

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.