Twin Peaks Middle School

It's hard to believe, but we are already halfway through October!?! We hope you are well and resting up as we embrace the Santa Ana winds and stay prepared for any fire danger in our local area. We hope your family and friends are all safe as Southern California, and the entire west coast, once again experience devastating wild fires. Please stay up to date with local advisories by checking the CalFire website or your preferred phone app like Watch Duty regularly this weekend.

It was a busy and action-packed week at Twin Peaks! Our week kicked off with our Military Connected Student Workshop, we hosted 20 educators for a Supporting Innovative Practices visit, we participated in the Great CA Shakeout, saw our 6th grade students test their insulator science projects out in the quad, proudly sent our Cross Country runners to the Mt. Sac Invitational, and ended the week with our Extensive Support students visiting Poway High's unified PE program to watch their soccer match! It was another awesome week to be a RAM!

This week is filled with opportutnities for our parents to get involved... on Tuesday night, we have our TPMS Foundation meeting in the library starting at 6pm. All parents and new members are always welcome to attend. On Wednesday evening, we are hosting our first English Language Advisory Council (ELAC) meeting of the year starting at 5:30pm with dinner in Pride Park. All parents of our multilingual students are encouraged to attend. On Thursday, we have our monthly PTSA meeting at 6:15pm in the library. All PTSA dues-paying members are welcome to attend! Not a member yet?! You can still join the PTSA by CLICKING HERE and signing up online.

With Halloween coming up, I wanted to make sure to share with you our expectations for student costumes on campus. Twin Peaks has a great tradition of celebrating Halloween, and students and families usually select costumes that are school and age-appropriate. As you start to consider your Halloween costume this year, please remember that celebrating Halloween in today's social climate must be done with a sensitivity toward the subjects of violence, death, race, ethnicity, religious preference, physical and mental conditions, and sexual orientation. Please remember that costumes may not suggest racial attitudes that reinforce stereotypes about, mock or mischaracterize a culture, group of persons, an individual person or a religion. More specific guidelines include:

1. Costumes may not include full face masks or cover the entire face.
2. Costumes may not be violent or suggestive in nature.
3. Costumes may not have anything simulating a weapon.
4. Costumes that inflate are not encouraged and will need to be deflated during classtime.
5. Costumes must not be so distracting as to disrupt the learning environment

If you have any questions or concerns about these guidelines, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.

Please continue to read the rest of this week's newsletter for important details and information on these upcoming events and activities:

• ELAC Meeting: on 10/21 in Pride Park @5:30pm
• CPK Science Fundraiser on 10/20 and 10/21
• PTSA Staff Nacho Bar signups - your help is needed!
• 6th Grade Camp Information and packing list
• TPMS Night at PHS Football: this Friday, 10/23
• AMC Movie Tickets - Bundle, Save and Support the PTSA!
• We're Hiring - Instructional Assistants Needed!
• Free e-bike safety workshop on 10/24
• Boo on the Blacktop: event is on 10/29 - families welcome!
• And lots of other community events and announcements!!

In Partnership,

Steve Mills

Proud Principal

Twin Peaks Middle School

stmills@powayusd.com

1(858)748-5131 x2806

Instagram: @principalmills_twinpeaks

Friday was quite a day for the TPMS Cross Country Team... it started with a poster run through as the TPMS band played the Rocky theme song, a student and staff cheering gauntlet, and charter bus ride to the Mt. Sac Invitationals! Our teams did an awesome job on a hot day and an extremely challenging course - congrats to all of our teams on their success and a BIG THANK YOU to ASES, our coaches, chaperones and parents for their support in making this event happen!

October 20th: Foundation Meeting, 6pm in the TPMS Library

October 20th and 21st: CPK Science Fundraiser

October 21st: EL Parent Advisory Committee Meeting, 5:30-7:30pm

October 22nd: PTSA Meeting, 6:15pm in the TPMS Library

October 26th - 27th: Minimum Days, 12:35pm release for students

October 28th: Dia de los Muertos Celebration, outside the library

October 29th: Sea World Field Trip - Zoology

October 29th: Lunch Time Jazz Concert

October 29th: Boo on the Blacktop, 4:30-6:30PM

October 30th: Before School Halloween Concert, 8:00 - 9:00am

November 2-6: 6th Grade Camp @ Cuyamaca Outdoor School

November 4th: WEB Hop Stop Fundraiser, 5:00-8:00pm

CONTRIBUTIONS ARE STILL LOW :(

For the month of October, we would like to treat our TPMS Staff to a Nacho Bar on Thursday, October 22nd! Please sign up HERE to make a donation - there are a lot of options to choose from, or you can always make a Venmo donation. Please drop off items in the front office by 3 pm on 10/21 unless it is a hot item. Hot items need to be in the front office by 10:00 am on 10/22. Thanks in advance for your support of our amazing TPMS Staff!

TPMS ASB is excited to announce our 2nd Annual TPMS Night at PHS Football! Join us in the TPMS Fan Section on October 23rd!! Get your tickets at www.gofan.com and cheer on your future team with your classmates!

Hey Rams! TPMS ASES Sports is starting back up, and if your student is interested in participating, check out the Sports Registration Packet! Basketball is our next sport, and if you would like to have your student try out, packets are due Tuesday, October 27th! Basketball skill evaluations will be separated by grade, so check out the flyer for the dates and times! You can find the ASES Sports Registration Packet HERE. If you have any questions, please reach out to the ASES Supervisor, Pierre Sobhani (psobhani@powayusd.com). Hope to see you there!

Starting on Monday, October 12th, the exit gate to Twin Peaks Road will be open to help streamline dismissal and ease traffic congestion at the front of the school. Located directly behind the 900 building off the fire lane by the baseball fields, this exit provides direct access onto Twin Peaks Blvd. Both students and teachers are allowed to use this route to exit campus at the end of the day; we will not be opening this gate in the morning for students. A Campus Security Specialist will be stationed at the gate to unlock the area and supervise traffic flow after school only.

Sixth Grade Camp is just a few weeks ago! Click HERE to access the packing list and begin planning.

If your student turned in a greed medication form, medication drop off will be Friday, October 30th (all day) and Monday, November 2nd, from 7:00 - 8:30am.

Join us for an upcoming Knowledge & Network webinar featuring the Executive Director of the Special Needs Trust Foundation and the organization’s Legal Counsels. They will share helpful information about:

• 🏡 Estate planning and planning for your child’s future
• 💰 Special Needs Trusts – what they are and when they may be appropriate
• 📝 Setting up and executing a Special Needs Trust
• 💳 How funds can be used and distributed
• ❓ Common questions and considerations for families

📅 Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026
🕐 Time: 10 to 11:30 am
💻 Location: MS Teams Webinar

🔗 Registration: Registration is required. Please register here.

Note to registrants:

After registration, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the webinar and an option to add the event to your calendar. Please check your Spam folder if you did not receive the confirmation email. It is recommended to add notifications@powayusd.com to your contacts or safe-sender list to prevent reminder emails going into the spam folder again.

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at San Diego State University, in collaboration with SWE San Diego, is bringing back Girls Day Out on Saturday, October 24.

Designed for middle and high school students who identify as female, this free event provides an opportunity to explore engineering and STEM careers through hands-on activities, guest speakers, mentorship, and connections with university students and industry professionals.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Explore engineering and STEM-related career fields
• Participate in fun, hands-on STEM activities
• Hear from guest speakers
• Connect with current university students
• Meet and learn from STEM industry professionals
• Build confidence and learn more about future education and career possibilities

• Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
• Time: 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
• Location: Engineering & Interdisciplinary Sciences (EIS) Complex Courtyard at SDSU
• Cost: Free
• Registration is required. REGISTER HERE!!

Throughout the month of October, you can support TPMS PTSA while watching your favorite movies at AMC theaters! Grab a $39 Movie Ticket Bundle with two AMC tickets, or treat yourself to the $60 Movie Ticket & Concession Bundle, complete with two drinks and a popcorn to share. For every bundle sold, AMC will give back 20% to TPMS PTSA!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKET BUNDLE AND SUPPORT OUR PTSA!

November Parent Education Courses: NEW courses are highlighted yellow

• 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
• Calm in Chaos: Helping Parents Stay Regulated During Challenging Moments – Grades 4th-12th

Please visit our website at https://powayadultschool.powayusd.com/apps/pages/parenting-classes-education and search for the course you are interested in and you can enroll directly from the site.

Please note, scholarships are available to parents who may be in need. Parent can contact the Caring Connections Center for more information.

Click Here to RSVP!

Looking for a rewarding job working with students? Like working as part of a collaborative team that supports our most needy students? Then consider applying to be an Instructional Assistant! We have immediate openings for classroom and 1:1 Instructional Assistants at TPMS and we would love to have members of our school community come and join our team! Please take a look at the flyer below and apply today!

Twin Peaks ASB is excited to announce our very first “Boo on the Blacktop!” This event will be open to TPMS staff, students, and their families, and will include Halloween-themed carnival games in addition to a traditional Trunk or Treat event with cars hosted by our very own TPMS Teachers and Staff.

Event details:

• Thursday, October 29th, 4:30-6:30 PM
• Location: TPMS Blacktop
• Cost: Free!
• Concessions and Kona Ice will be available for purchase

We know this event is still quite a way away, but to ensure this event is successful, we need YOU! If you are interested in supporting the event by either donating or volunteering, please CLICK HERE to access our online Sign Up. More information about the actual event will be coming very soon! Please direct any specific questions to our ASB Advisor, Mrs. Crow at kcrow@powayusd.com

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

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.

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.

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.

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, 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

** 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. Hope to see you there!

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