Middle School Division

Grades 5-8 | 2023-24 School Year

Please Update Household Info and Submit Health Forms by Monday, August 7:

Update Household Information

1. Log on to your Parent Portal
2. Click on the "My Family" icon
3. Confirm/Update all household information, emergency contact information, dismissal information, etc.

Submit Required Health Forms via Magnus

1. Watch the Magnus Tutorial Here

2. Access your Magnus Health App Here

Immunization Information

Download Requirements for Immunizations for K-8 Students

Students are required by state law (SB 277) to have received all required immunizations unless they have a medical exemption for the missing shot(s), submitted to the school in writing by a physician.

You must upload documents directly. If you need assistance, please view the Magnus Support Center or contact Magnus directly at (877) 461-6831. If there are remaining questions, please email our Registrar, Danielle Tillman, at dtillman@turningpointschool.org.

Summer Resource Packets

The links below will provide you with information and resources we ask your child to review over the course of the summer. Please click on the link that corresponds with the grade level your child will be entering in the fall of 2023.

Parent/Student Handbook

Please carefully review the 2023-24 Parent/Student Handbook prior to the first day of school, and sign the Acknowledgment Form:

Parent/Student Handbook | 2023-24

All parents/caregivers must sign the electronic acknowledgment form provided with the Handbook to affirm that they have read it and understand its policies and guidelines.

Acknowledgment Form

School Hours | Middle School

Arrival and Dismissal
Classes begin at 8:45 am and end at 3:25 pm
Arrival: 8:30 am - 8:45 am
Dismissal: 3:30 pm - 3:45 pm

Morning Care
Available at no cost beginning at 7:45 am

After School Options | Out-of-School Experience

After School Options
After School Care is available until 6 pm (charges apply)
Students are also invited to participate in Foundations + Focus after-school classes and lessons

Please note that Foundations classes will begin earlier this year
Registration opens on Wednesday, August 30 | Classes Begin Monday, September 11

Click Here to Learn More About After-School Options

Important Dates

Key Dates for the 2023-24 School Year can be found here.

Monday, August 14 - Friday, August 18

Back-to-School Camp (rising K – 8)

Learn More and Register Here
Deadline to Register is 8/7/23

Monday, August 28
New Family Orientation (Students and Parents/Guardians)
10:00 - 10:45 am (Grades 5-8)

Tuesday, August 29
Start of Classes for all students

Friday, September 8

Back to School Picnic | 4:00 -7:00 pm

Wednesday, September 13 at 6:00 pm
New Parent Welcome Reception (more details to come)

Thursday, September 28
Middle School Back to School Night | 6:00 pm

New Family Orientation

Grades 5-8 parents and students who are brand new to Turning Point School should plan to attend the New Family Orientation.

Please mark your calendars for the morning of Monday, August 28 from 10:00 - 10:45 am.

Students will meet their teachers and Gaby Akana, Assistant Head of School for Program and Middle School Division Head, will provide specific details about school events, programs, policies/procedures, and answers to other FAQs.

Start of School Orientation Activities

For all students, the goals for the whole first week of middle school each year is to develop a positive school culture by building relationships with advisors and teachers, bonding with peers, practicing cooperative thinking, building trust, and cultivating independence and interdependence.

Grades 5 & 6 students will work toward these goals by participating in on- and off-campus activities throughout the week.

Grades 7 & 8 will work towards these goals on an Outdoor Education Trip that departs from and returns to Turning Point School via bus.

Please make note of the dates and required forms for your Grade 7-8 child:

Grades 7-8 Only
Cedar Lake Camp in Big Bear
Departure: Wednesday, August 30
Return: Friday, September 1, 2023

Action Step:
This link includes more information about the trip, packing lists, and required forms.
Please complete these forms as soon as possible, so that this task doesn't get lost in the summer shuffle.

(Note: Your name can go in the first dialog box prompt when you click the link.)
All forms are due on August 7

Middle School Grades 6-8 Elective Requests

1. Carefully read all the information in the Elective Information Packet.
2. Please click here to complete your child's elective request for Trimester 1.

All paperwork and electronic elective requests are due by Monday, August 7, 2023.
Timely submissions are imperative for a smooth start to the year.

Hot Lunch Program | Fresh Lunches

Turning Point is excited this year to partner with Fresh Lunches to provide hot lunch options for families of all students. There will be discounts available for families who receive Tuition Assistance.

Fresh Lunches creates healthy food, great-tasting, and well-balanced meals using fresh, wholesome, minimally processed ingredients. They have a user-friendly app that you can access from computers, tablets, and phones.

Click Here for Registration Information

IMPORTANT:
If children are bringing lunch from home, it is expected that lunch will be brought to school in the morning, by the student. To encourage students to develop a sense of responsibility, we ask that lunch not be brought in later by an adult. (We will make sure they get sustenance for the day!)

Food delivery services such as DoorDash or PostMates are not permitted.

Nutrition Information | Food Awareness

Turning Point School is dedicated to helping students develop lifelong healthy patterns. Guiding students toward nutrient-dense and minimally processed foods that provide the energy required for active learning is a goal we share with our parent community.

Please read our Nutrition Policy for guidelines on encouraging proper nutrition for your child.

Daily Snacks

We ask that each student bring a nutritious snack to eat during their scheduled snack time. If a student stays for after-school activities, we ask that you provide a nutritious after-school snack. For students who stay past 5:00 pm, an additional snack will be provided by the school.

Back-to-School Supplies

The following supplies will be provided by Turning Point:
Planner
Paper
Set of folders

We ask that you provide the following supplies for Middle School Students:
A sturdy backpack
A reusable lunch box, containers, cloth napkin (if bringing lunch)
Pencils, pens, highlighters

Advisory Placements

Advisory placements are determined later in August and shared with families at that time.

It is important to note that the smaller Advisory groups are different than the slightly larger class sections in which students will rotate between core classes. Additionally, Electives (6-8) and PE classes have different groupings, so students experience various social dynamics throughout the day.

Fall Sports | Grade 5

CoEd Flag Football
Practice Monday and Wednesday after school until 5:00 pm
Games Mondays and Wednesdays after school
First practice is Monday, September 11

Girls' Basketball
Practice Monday and Wednesday after school until 5:00 pm
First practice is Wednesday, September 11

Coed Cheer
Practice Monday and Wednesday after school until 5:00 pm
First practice is Wednesday, September 6

If you have not yet done so, please fill out the Grade 5 Athletics Survey.

Fall Sports | Grades 6-8

CoEd Cross Country
Practice Tuesday and Thursday until 4:45 pm
Meets on Tuesday and Thursday after school
First practice is Tuesday, September 5

Girls’ Volleyball
Practice and games Tuesday through Thursday until 5:00 pm
Games Tuesday and Thursday after school
First practice is Tuesday, August 29

CoEd Flag Football
Practice Tuesday through Thursday until 5:00 pm
Games Tuesday through Thursday after school
First practice is Tuesday, August 29

CoEd Swimming
Practice schedule not confirmed yet
Need 8 Players to form a team

Coed Cheer
Practice Monday and Wednesday after school until 5:00 pm
First practice is Wednesday, September 6

If you are the parent of a Grade 6-8 student and have not yet done so, please fill out the Grades 6-8 Athletics Survey.

If you have questions, please contact the Director of Athletics and Safety, Jacob Snyder, at jsnyder@turningpointschool.org or 310- 841-2505 ext. 148.

Parent Association

Every parent at Turning Point School is an important member of the Parent Association. There are no extra dues or requirements to join – just a desire to lend time and talents in a way that is most meaningful for each individual.

There are a number of committees that parents (and even grandparents!) can join, and countless ways our school and students benefit from each parent's experience, interests, and abilities.

More information on how to become involved will be shared after the start of the school year.

Label Your Child's Clothing

Please help us keep track of your child's belongings by labeling all items. We have secured a 20% discount for all families through Name Bubbles, a company that creates custom labels that can be used on clothing, lunchboxes, backpacks, and more. Use the discount code TURNINGPOINT20 at checkout to receive your discount.

Parent Portal FAQ

Everything you need to know to navigate your parent experience at Turning Point School can be found on your Parent Portal. Learn about your parent portal here.

SchoolPass App for Attendance

Turning Point uses a web-based platform/app called SchoolPass to allow parents to report absences and early dismissals, track cars that enter and exit campus, reserve After Care, and manage dismissals and carpool.

Every parent will have access to SchoolPass; more information and instructions will be sent to you prior to the start of the school year.

New to Turning Point?

Welcome, new families! Many of your questions about Turning Point can be answered here.

Contact Us

Our staff is available to help you with any questions or concerns:

Middle School Division

Gaby Akana • Middle School Division Head | gakana@turningpointschool.org
Danielle Tillman • Assistant to the Middle School Division Head | dtillman@turningpointschool.org