Twin Peaks Middle School

Happy Sunday Ram Families!

I hope you are all enjoying your weekend and settling in to your Labor Day weekend! As a freindly reminder, there is NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY, September 7th in observance of the Labor Day holiday. It was another busy week filled with learning and laughter as we held our Adventure Zone fundraiser assembly on Monday, hosted our Back to School Night on Wednesday, TPMS runners began Cross Country practice, and all students completed their iReady diagnostic testing. It was another great week to be a Ram!

THANK YOU to all of our Ram parents who were able to attend our annual Back to School Night this past Wednesday. I hope you left feeling informed about our school, connected to your students' teachers, and excited about the school year ahead! It was great getting to see so many parents on campus and feel their excitement as they met their students' teachers and heard about all of the amazing things students will be learning in their classes this year. Please feel free to reach out with any thoughts on how we can improve the evening.

Makeup iReady diagnostic testing finished up for the fall testing window except for a handful of students. A BIG THANK YOU to all of our students for giving this fall testing their best effort, and to our parents for your support in getting students to school on time, with Chromebooks charged, and prepared for the school day! We look forward to celebrating our students' growth on these diagnostic exams after the winter testing window in January.

Congratulations and Thank You to Sarah McCracken, our TPMS parent who was our only volunteer for the School Site Council this year. I'm incredibly excited to welcome Sarah back to our Council, as she is an amazing candidate with prior SSC experience, in addition to being an elementary teacher at Midland Elementary School. Sarah brings a wealth of experience, an educator's perspective, and a collaborative spirit to our SSC - we are lucky to have her!

There are some great opportunities coming up for students to get involved at TPMS - please take a look at the sections below for more information on the following opportutnities:

• 6th Grade WEB Carnival - last day to purchase a ticket is Tuesday, September 8th!
• TPMS Choir - practice starts on September 22nd!
• CA Junior Scholastic Federation - applicants for 8th graders now available!
• Reflections Art Contest - Calling all artists! Submit your original work by October 11th!
• TPMS Spirit Wear Online Store - now open for your orders!!
• Titan Cheer Jr. Camp - check out their session on October 2nd!

Calling all Parents!! I strongly encourage you to join our PTSA and the TPMS Foundation! Not only do they organize and run amazing student programs and provide amazing resources for our students, but many of our current parent leaders have 8th graders and will be leaving at the end of this school year when their students promote to high school... 6th and 7th grade parents we need you!! Please consider attending one of our PTSA or Foundation meetings happening next week - they are always a lot of fun and we do great things to support our students!

TPMS Bike Permits are now being issued through the Assistant Principal's Office. Thank you to all of the students that have followed our new process and completed the necessary steps! If you still need to secure your bike permit for this school year, please see Assistant Principal Coats or Mrs. Maryann in the AP Office ASAP! Starting this week, bikes without updated permits will not be allowed to remain on campus.

6th Grade Camp registration packets are DUE FRIDAY, October 2nd to Homeroom teachers. This is a phenomenal opportunity for all sixth grade students and we hope your student will be joining us! If your child will need medications while at camp, the Medical Authorization Form must be completed by their medical physician and turned in with their packets. Please reach out to Ms. Maryann at mahamilton@powayusd.com with any questions or concerns about 6th Grade Camp registration.

Thanks for reading this far in the newsletter - it is greatly appreciated!! There are a few other items below in this week's newsletter for parents to take a look at:

• Raising Cane's Fundraiser - please stop by on 9/9 to help raise money for the PTSA!
• EL Meet & Greet - come meet Mrs. Moreno, our Bilingual Liaison this Friday, 9/10 @8:30am
• Suicide Awareness Presentations - for 7th and 8th graders next week
• TPMS Military Family Survey - please complete if you are active duty, reserves, or a veteran
• Fall Book Fair - volunteers needed!
• San Diego Wave Tickets - discounted tickets for Educator Appreciation Night extended!
• Pre-Order your TPMS Yearbook - links below to order online
• Free Parent Mindfulness Class - online classes through SDCOE each week in September

Have a wonderful Labor Day holiday and I look forward to seeing students back on campus on Tuesday, September 8th!

In Partnership,

Steve Mills

Proud Principal

Twin Peaks Middle School

stmills@powayusd.com

1(858)748-5131 x2806

Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks

September 7th: Labor Day Holiday, No School

September 9th: Make-Up Picture Day, all grades

September 9th: Raising Cane's Fundraiser, 4-8pm

September 10th: 6th Grade Carnival, 3:30pm, TPMS Quad

September 11th: Bilingual Liaison Parent Meet and Greet, 8:30am

September 12th: San Diego Wave - Back to School Bash

September 15th: Foundation Meeting, 6pm (TPMS Library)

September 17th: PTSA Meeting, 6:15pm (TPMS Library)

September 21st-2th: Fall Book Fair!

September 22nd: TPMS Choir Session Begins!

September 28th: Minimum Day, 12:35 pm release for students

September 29th: Minimum Day, 12:35 pm release for students

September 30th: AVID Induction Ceremony

Dine in or order to-go at Raising Cane's on Poway Road on Wednesday, September 9th, from 4-8pm. Mention Twin Peaks PTSA or apply RCFUND96, and Cane's will give back 15% of sales!"

Here is the link for the permission slip . Please bring it to the WEB room (301) at lunch - the last day to purchase a ticket is Tuesday, 9/8! Please reach out to our amazing WEB advisors, Mrs. McKibbin and Mrs. Fenwick, with any questions or concerns!

Hey there Ram Families!

Are you looking for new TPMS Spirit Wear? We are excited to announce that the Fall Spirit Store is now open, with new designs available! We are excited to be working with a local TPMS company which will allow a portion of the proceeds from each item to come right back to supporting fun events and activities for our students and features three brand new designs! The online store will close on September 15th, so that items can be produced and shipped to campus in early October - place your order today! CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE ONLINE STORE or visit https://bit.ly/ramspirit Go Rams!

Our 7th and 8th grade students will take part in an important and engaging presentation by With Hope, The Amber Craig Foundation focusing on suicide prevention during their PE class on Thursday, September 17th and Friday, September 18th. The purpose of the presentation is to educate, equip, and empower students regarding suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Research shows that suicide is preventable through education and awareness. Patti Ferraro from With Hope will provide students with facts about suicide, alert them to warning signs related to suicide, and provide them with information about how to seek help for themselves or others. This workshop is approximately 45 minutes in length during your student’s PE class. Our counselors, mental health therapist, student services specialist, and school psychologists will be available to assist students who need additional support during and after the presentation.

To help families make an educated decision on whether this student presentation is appropriate for your student, we encourage you to review the information on the With Hope, The Amber Craig Memorial Foundation website and to attend the parent/guardian workshop hosted by With Hope on Wednesday, September 16th from 5-6pm via Microsoft Teams.

The Twin Peaks staff will take part in a presentation during professional time the morning of Wednesday, September 16th.

If you do NOT give permission for your student to attend the presentation, please email Nicole Hunting, Principal Mills' assistant, at nhunting@powayusd.com by Monday, September 14th. Please make sure to include your student’s name in your email.

The presentations are possible due to the generous support of the Twin Peaks PTSA and Foundation.

Please contact your student's counselor if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Counseling

On September 17, we’re treating our amazing teachers and staff to a Caramel Apple Bar! They work so hard every day for our kids and we want to show them just how much we appreciate everything they do. ❤️

We’re asking our wonderful families to help make this treat extra special! The Sign-Up Genius is linked below with items you can donate. If bringing an actual item doesn’t work for you, financial contributions are welcome too and will help us purchase whatever is still needed.

Every donation, big or small, helps us spoil the incredible teachers and staff who give so much to our kids every day! 🍎✨

Let’s come together and make September 17 a sweet day for our teachers! 💚

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D44A5AA2CA6FF2-65343314-ourteachers

Military Family Survey - We Thank You!

We are honored to have military families as part of our school community. If you are active duty, reserves, or a veteran, we kindly ask you to complete our Military Family Survey. Your participation helps us better support and recognize the unique experiences of military-connected students. Thank you for your service and sacrifice!

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/p2H1a5yFjFXxnY7J7

Calling all Rams dancers! TK through 8th grade dancers of all levels are invited to join Poway High's dance team at their Jr. Titans Dance Clinic on October 2nd! Jr. Titans will learn a dance, play games, enjoy a pizza dinner and dessert, then join the high school dancers for a halftime performance at the varsity football game! It is such a fun event every year! Register today at this link! Discount pricing continues through September 10th.

Our winter session will start September 22nd and we’ll meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:15-8:15 am in the Little Theater until our concert in December. We hope to see you there! Please register at this link: https://forms.gle/PaB1KFxJM4LokDpz8

"FALL INTO A GOOD BOOK!

The TPMS PTSA is excited to invite you to our upcoming Scholastic Fall Book Fair! Proceeds will benefit PTSA programs like Choir, Sixth Grade Olympics, Academic Awards, the Spelling Bee, and Five Star All Stars Student Recognition Awards.

The Fall Book Fair will be held in the TPMS Library from Monday, September 21st to Friday, September 25th. The book fair will be open before school, during lunch, and after school until 3:30pm. Students will also visit the fair with their Language Arts class.

We need your help to make the Fall Fair go as smoothly as possible! Volunteers are needed to help with purchases, monitor students as they shop, and set-up/break-down the fair. Volunteer shifts are short and fun! (*Shifts are based on initial class schedules, but may be subject to change. Volunteers will be notified as needed.)

https://www.signupgenius.com/.../4090C4AAAA72FA4FC1...

No time to spare, but you would still like to help with the Book Fair? Please consider making a donation to help purchase book fair decor/supplies and books for classroom libraries - https://twinpeaksptsa.cheddarup.com/

If you're looking for something fun to do on Saturday, September 12, around 3:30pm, The San Diego Wave have extended an "Educator Appreciation" offer to us for a pretty cool deal.

Tickets (through the link below) are $25 each. In addition, each ticket will receive a $10 Concessions Voucher totally free!

I mean, come on! You can't beat that 🙂

This isn't necessarily a "school event" and we don't have blocked tickets like we have done in the past, so if you want to be seated with friends, I suggest buying the tix all at once. You know how it works...

Have Fun. Stay Cool. Support the Wave!

TICKET LINK

TPMS Yearbook Info

Yearbooks are available for $60. We sold out last year so get yours now!

Pay by card: Go to https://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.

Calling all proud families of 8th graders here at Twin Peaks! 8th Grade Recognition Ads are open and ready for purchase. Go to https://www.jostens.com and click on Recognition Ads to start the process of celebrating your 8th grader in this year’s yearbook! Deadline is January 27th so don’t delay!

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

Edupoint has released a modernized ParentVUE (New) mobile application and retired the older ParentVUE app. Families should download the updated version to maintain access to student grades, schedules, and attendance records. Here are some easy directions you might provide to families:

How to Get Started with ParentVUE (New)

• Remove Old App: Delete the old ParentVUE app from your phone first so the new version functions correctly.

• Download: Search for ParentVUE (New) directly in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or follow the upgrade prompt inside your legacy (old) ParentVUE app.

• Connect to District: Open the new app, swipe through the intro, and search for your school district using your postal zip code.

• Log In: If prompted, select "Already Activated" if you already have an account, and sign in using your existing username and password.

Sixth Grade Camp is an amazing experience for our students, and we hope your student will join! Twin Peaks will be attending camp November 2nd - 6th. All students will receive their camp packet that includes helpful information and required forms on Friday, September 4th. Below are important dates to remember:

• September 3rd: Sixth Grade Camp Orientation at 11:20am. Parents are welcome to attend! This will take place in the MPR.
• September 4th: Camp packets go home with students.
• October 2nd: Camp Packets DUE
• October 9th: Medical Authorization Forms DUE

Our district’s Caring Connections Parent Education website has new and exciting courses being offered. Check the website at the beginning of each term for the new courses offered to parents, families, and our school community; scholarship opportunities may be available. Click HERE to view the PUSD CCC Parent Education Fall Courses on the PUSD website.

September Parent Education Courses:

• Motivating Unmotivated Kids: Practical Strategies for Responsibility, Cooperation, and Independence - All Grades TK-12th
• My Kid Isn’t Bad: Understanding What Your Teen is Really Saying – Grades 6th-12th
• Raising Pre-Teens in Immigrant and Multicultural Families – Grades 5th-8th
• The Life Skills Behind Learning and Success – Grades TK-5th
• Connection Before Correction: Supporting Teens with Anxiety, Stress, and Behavior – Grades 6th-12th
• The Parent Behind Parenting: Understanding Yourself and Parent with Confidence – All Grades TK-12th
• Parenting Preteens: Growing Confidence and Connection – Grades 5th-7th
• Personal Stress and Anxiety – All Grades Tk-12th

Many of these courses above are being offered 2x - 1 In-Person and 1 Online on different dates. Please feel free to visit the website for more information. Please note, scholarships are available to parents who may be in need. Parent can contact the Caring Connections Center for more information. Thank you for supporting our PUSD Parent Education. May you have a wonderful 2026-2027 school year!

Attendance in school is vital for a successful education.

It is important that you notify the school if your student is absent or will be picked up early.

You may choose to call in your student’s absence (858-668-2730)

OR

Digitally excuse your student’s absence though ParentVUE

Below is the video link for details on how to access it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=720SAxzNzyY

For more information on attendance and absences. Please see our website for additional details!

https://twinpeaks.powayusd.com/apps/pages/attendance

Please Note: No walk-in pickups will be allowed after 2:45 p.m., unless a one hour prior notice has been received.

As the new school year begins, many students will be riding bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards, and scooters to school. To give everyone time to transition, all students may park on campus without a permit through August 31st. Beginning Tuesday, September 1st, a valid permit will be mandatory.

Safety, Walk Zones & Parking

• State Helmet Law (CA VC 21212): All riders under 18 must wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet at all times when riding any vehicle.
• Mandatory Walk Zones: Safety protocols begin at the intersection of Twin Peaks Rd. and Tierra Bonita. Students must walk or carry their vehicles in all areas in front of Twin Peaks Middle School, Tierra Bonita Elementary, in our parking lot, and anywhere on campus. Riding on walkways or in parking lots is strictly prohibited.
• Designated Bike Parking: All vehicles must be parked in the designated bike area, located through the gate to the far right of campus as you face the school.
• Securing Vehicles & Lock Advice: TPMS is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen property. We strongly encourage students to use heavy-duty U-locks—especially for e-bikes—as cable locks are easily cut.

Vehicle Restrictions & Prohibited Vehicles

• Prohibited Vehicles: E-scooters and motorized scooters are strictly prohibited for middle schoolers under Poway law and CA Vehicle Code (which require a valid driver’s license to operate).
• Allowed E-Bikes: Only Class 1 (pedal-assist) and Class 2 (throttle-assisted) e-bikes capped at a maximum motorized speed of 20 mph are allowed on campus.
• Banned E-Bikes: Class 3 e-bikes (speeds up to 28 mph) are illegal for anyone under 16 and are strictly banned. Modified "e-motos" or dirt bikes are also banned. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (Poway Station) will conduct random sweeps throughout the year; unpermitted or illegal bikes are subject to impound.

How to Obtain a Permit

• Bicycles, Skateboards & Push Scooters: Register for a standard TPMS permit via the "Parent" section of the school website.
• E-Bike Permits (Separate Steps): Go to the "Parent" section on the TPMS website to complete the following:
1. Watch the mandatory PUSD safety video with your student.
2. Submit the official PUSD Request Form to the Assistant Principal’s office.
3. Permanently affix the approved permit sticker to the e-bike frame.

This year, we're excited to launch our Give a Book, Grow a Reader! campaign to help build an even stronger school library for our middle school students.

We invite each family to donate one new book to our library. Every book added to our shelves opens the door to new adventures, fresh perspectives, and lifelong learning.

A vibrant library does more than provide books—it creates opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop empathy, strengthen literacy skills, and experience the joy of reading for pleasure. Together, we can foster a school culture where reading is celebrated, curiosity is encouraged, and every student can find a book that speaks to them.

Thank you for helping us grow our library, inspire our readers, and make a lasting difference—one book at a time!

Send a book directly to TPMS Library!

This is a friendly reminder that TPMS is a phone free school between the hours of 8:30am - 3:05pm. Students must keep their devices in their backpacks during school hours to support our learning centered classrooms.

Phones and electronic devices can be confiscated by school staff for repeated violations of our electronic devices policy. Please review page 14 in the student planner (LINKED HERE) for more information on our school's electronic devices policy. Parents - please review the appropriate use of cell phones and our school's policy with your student to avoid having to come in and pick up their phone after school.

All children in PUSD are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch meals regardless of income for the 2025-2026 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! Click here to view the school menus.

Parents/Guardians are still encouraged to complete a meal application online to receive other benefits such free or reduced-price after-school care, discounts on SAT and AP testing fees, reduced internet and utility bills, and food-buying assistance during summer breaks. Meal applications also help ensure that our school receives its fair share of state funding. 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. Parents/Guardians can add money to their students account at MySchoolBucks.com or bring a check to any window to enter in their account for any a la carte items their students would like to purchase.

Help us get the year off to a great start by donating to the Twin Peaks Foundation Back to School Campaign! We will use the money within the next year or two so your student benefits! We support all kinds of programs and projects on campus, from mental health programs to school beautification. We appreciate any amount you are able to contribute but any donations over $150 will receive a special edition Twin Peaks fleece blanket. ONLY 15 BLANKETS LEFT!

Donate today! Back to School Campaign 2026 - 2027 - Cheddar Up

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 2026-27 school year:

Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 6:00pm

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 6:00pm

Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 6:00pm

Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 6:00pm

Tuesday, January 12, 2027, 6:00pm

Tuesday, February 9, 2027, 6:00pm

Tuesday, March 16, 2027, 6:00pm

Tuesday, April 20, 2027, 6:00pm

Tuesday, May 11, 2027, 6:00pm

Please visit the TPMS Foundation Web Page by CLICKING HERE!

The Twin Peaks Middle School Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) is a membership-based 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to making each school year a rewarding and enriching experience for every student. TPMS PTSA brings you the 6th Grade Olympics, 8th Grade Promotion, Academic Awards, Book Fairs, Choir, the Giving Tree program, the Reflections art program, the Spelling Bee, Staff/Teacher Hospitality, Student Character Recognition Awards, and lots more!

Whether you join as a member, donate directly to our programs, or give your time and talents (or all of the above!), we are very grateful for your contribution to TPMS. All donations are tax deductible. If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities or other ways to get involved, email Steph Cole at ptsaprestpms@gmail.com We will also be available to chat and answer questions at Back to School Night on 9/2. Come find our table!

** To join PTSA and/or donate via TOTEM, click here

** To join PTSA and/or donate via Cheddar Up, click here

PTSA Meetings 2026-2027

As a member of PTSA, you are invited and encouraged to attend our three Association Meetings, held in September, February, and April. Mark your calendars now! This is where you can learn about what's happening at the school and hear directly from Principal Mills, student leadership, staff, and the PTSA Board. Members will receive meeting packets to the email addresses used to register. Our first Association meeting is coming up on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 6:15pm in the TPMS Library. Hope to see you there!

September 17, Association Meeting at 6:15pm, Board Meeting to follow

October 22, Board Meeting

November 5, Board Meeting

December 3, Board Meeting

January 14, Board Meeting

February 11, Association Meeting at 6:15pm, Board Meeting to follow

March 18, Board Meeting

April 22, Association Meeting at 6:15pm, Board Meeting to follow

May 13, Board Meeting & Awards Night

June TBD

Our 2026-2027 Executive Board:

President - Steph Cole

Executive VP - Misa Rudge

1st VP of Fundraising - Shelly Mead

2nd VP of Membership - Beckie Barber

3rd VP of Volunteers - Shannon Lilly

Secretary - Cassie Stroben

Treasurer - Kate Dokmo

Historian - Brenda Wiese

Financial Reviewer - Chrissy Rhew

Parliamentarian - Alicia Gormican

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, Melissa Griffith, Associate Superintendent of Personnel support Services, Poway Unified School District, 15250 Avenue of Science, San Diego, CA 92128, 1-858-521-2800, extension 2121, mgriffith@powayusd.com. For students, you may contact Title IX Coordinator/504 Coordinator Jessica Pineda, Director of Attendance and Discipline, Poway Unified School District, 1-858-521-2843, jpineda@powayusd.com.

Website: https://twinpeaks.powayusd.com/l
Phone: 858.748.5131
Twitter: @TwinPeaksRams