The Wolf Weekly

Wonderful Wolf Families,

Our week started with a moving tribute to the men and women who sacrificed so much for our freedom and ended with a nail biting spelling bee. See below in Wolf Spotlights for some highlights from the week.

In addition the the incredible learning that will take place this coming week, we have the PTA Thanks for Giving Auction going on all week, ending at 8:00 p.m. on Friday night as well as the student versus staff volleyball game on Friday at 2:45 p.m. The auction is full of great items and fun, one of a kind CTMS experiences. See the PTA section for more information about the auction. The student versus staff volleyball game will benefit the GRACE food pantry. Consider bringing a canned good and/or a dollar to be donated to GRACE. These items will be collected at lunch on Friday.

This is the last week of school before the pack has a week of for Thanksgiving break. Looking forward to making the most of our week!

Howl,

Jamie Halliburton

CTMS Principal

Thank you everyone for making the Veteran's Day assembly a success!

Our CTMS Wolf Band members competed in the TMEA Region 31 All-Region Band auditions on Saturday, November 9th. 25 Honors Band students earned a chair in one of the All-Region Bands! Of the 15 middle schools competing, CTMS had the 2nd highest number of students earn a chair in one of the bands!

The Math Science Team competed this past Saturday at the Azle HS Math Science Meet. Below are students who scored in the top 10 in various contests. About 400 students were competing from 18 schools.

6th Grade

Kirtan Warrier - 3rd place in Number Sense, Calculator & General Math; 9th place in Science

Vaishnav Marripelli - 5th in Science

Levi Laurence - 8th place in Science

7th Grade

Julian Christmas - 2nd place in Science

Mason Gauvin - 4th place in Science

Rima Sajan - 2nd place in Number Sense & 5th place in General Math

Team Awards

6th Grade - 3rd Place Science

7th/8th Grade - 3rd Place Math

Howl to the seven CTMS choirs for a beautiful concert on Thursday night!

Howl to all the participants in the 2024 CTMS Spelling Bee!!! The bee went pas 25 rounds, with Ben and Cayden taking first and second place respectively! Ben will represent CTMS in the coming district wide spelling bee.

We have experienced some drivers not adhering to the Wolf Way in the CTMS parking lot. After visiting with several wolf families and GCISD's safety team, we will be making some changes to the parking lot closest to the fields.

1. Safety poles will be installed to disuad cars from avoiding the speed bumps
2. Once those are installed, the gates by the gyms will be closed and locked
3. All vehicles will enter the parking lot via the entrance closest to the swim center, by the donation bin
4. All vehicles will exit in opening in the middle of the parking lot

When on the CTMS property, please drive with caution, do not use your cell phone, and allow yourself plenty of time to drop off/pick up your wolf.

Thank you for helping keep the wolf pack safe!

Looking for some wolf gear for the cooler weather, look no further than this new site from our athletic boosters. Many designs, both athletic and nonathletic, to choose from and 20% of sales go back to supporting the athletic booster!

This week NJHS was working hard to make a difference for our Wolf Pack!

Our Co-Presidents Lillian M. and Isabella H. led the Pledge of Allegiance at our amazing Veteran's Day Assembly.

The first week of the G.R.A.C.E. Food Drive is going amazing! We have already taken 2 car loads of donations to G.R.A.C.E.! We are so grateful for the generosity and support of the Wolf Pack as we work to benefit our community!

This is a reminder of our upcoming Play It Safe presentation. Please complete the Skyward Family Access Form to indicate your preference for your child’s participation in any of the above programs. If you choose for your child not to participate, your child will be provided an alternate location while this program is being presented. If the form is NOT completed by 3:00 PM the day before the presentation, your child will NOT participate in the program.
If you were unable to attend the Parent Preview for Play It Safe, you can access the recorded meeting, along with the scripts and videos for each topic, at the following website: https://www.gcisd.net/page/parent-previews-24
If you are having difficulty accessing the form through skyward, please email allyiah.daniels@gcisd.net if you would like for your student to participate in the Play It Safe presentation!
Our schedule for showing the Play It Safe Curriculum this year is as follows:

7th grade “Can’t Take It Back” - November 19th, 2024
7th grade “Abuse of Power” - February 25th, 2025

6th grade “Survivors of Abuse- March 11th, 2025

The annual Thanks for Giving CTMS Auction is LIVE until November 22nd. We are so excited about the items offered - there is something for everyone!

View the auction HERE!

Did you know --- The CTMS Auction is the largest fundraiser for our PTA? With the money raised we are able to ensure our student events are successful, offer many free events throughout the school year, provide school and teaching supplies to staff members, make updates to our campus, and SO MUCH MORE! We have an amazing PTA that does so much for our students and staff - please help support us! There are several items without any bids yet -- check them out!

Auction Website: www.32auctions.com/ThanksForGiving2024

Parents Night Out - Thank you to everyone who came to our Parents' Night Out at Sloan & Williams! It was so fun and a great opportunity to meet each other and grow our community. We appreciate you!

Get your early bird tickets for sixth grade cotillion! Early bird tickets are $55 from now until December 15. After that day, ticket prices go up to $75. For more information and to register, visit: https://www.ctmspta.org/cotillion

Cotillion is a sixth grade only event focused on fun, etiquette, and dancing.

• January 17: Hip Hop
• January 24: Western
• January 31: Disco
• February 7: Winter Wonderland

Help us show the teachers & staff that we are thankful for them by sponsoring a pie. They can be purchased HERE for $15 each and will be delivered on the 20th.

Your kind words of encouragement truly uplift our teachers and staff! If you have a positive experience to share, we’d love to hear about it! Use this form to leave a shout out for our amazing wolf staff!

Click here for the official district calendar for the 2024-2025 school year

• Weds., Nov. 20 ~ CTMS Wrestling Match vs Coppell 5:30-7:30 pm / CTMS 7th Tennis vs GMS @ GHS 5-7 pm

• Thursday, Nov. 21 ~ CTMS Girls Basketball vs North 5-8 pm

• Friday, Nov. 22 ~ Student vs. Staff Volleyball Game (see flyer below)

• Monday, Nov. 25-29 ~ Thanksgiving Break (see flyer below)

• December 2 ~ Welcome back wolves! /Bring money for Candy Cane Grams!

As we approach the end of the semester, we would like to inform you about the upcoming mid-year assessments for GCISD middle schools. These assessments are a crucial part of gauging our wolves' progress and ensuring they meet the educational standards set by the district.

This semester, the mid-year assessments will include:

1. District Assessments (TEKS Checks): These assessments will cover the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) to ensure students are meeting the required learning objectives.

2. Algebra District Assessment: A comprehensive exam to evaluate students' understanding and proficiency in Algebra.

3. Biology District Assessment: An in-depth assessment focusing on key concepts and knowledge in Biology.

4. In addition, high school courses will have semester exams that may include hands-on projects, written assessments, or group projects.

All mid-year assessments and semester exams will be given December 16-20, 2024. We encourage you to support your wolves in their preparation for these assessments by ensuring they have a quiet place to study, a consistent study schedule, and all the necessary materials. Additionally, please remind your wolves to get plenty of rest and maintain a healthy diet during this period.

We are unable to give district assessments early. If your wolf is absent for any exams, they will have an opportunity to take them on January 7, 2025. Please contact your wolf's school counselor if this applies to your student, and they will get them scheduled to make up their tests on January 7.

Additionally, all wolves will take middle of the year iReady diagnostics for both reading and math. These will take place during reading and math class the week of December 2.

If you have any questions or need further information about the exams, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teacher or the school administration.

GCISD Voters Approve VATRE; Generate $6 Million in Revenue for District

According to unofficial results from Tarrant County, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD voters have approved the school district’s Voter-Approved Tax Ratification Election, listed as Proposition A on the ballot, with 57.9% of voters in favor and 42.1% against. Thanks to our community’s support, the VATRE will provide approximately $6 million in much-needed funding for school district operations. View this message from Superintendent Dr. Brad Schnautz.

Los votantes de GCISD aprueban el VATRE; Generan $6 millones en fondos para el distrito

De acuerdo con los resultados no oficiales del Condado de Tarrant, los votantes de Grapevine-Colleyville ISD han aprobado la Elección de Ratificación de Impuestos Aprobada por los Votantes (VATRE), que aparece como la Propuesta A en la boleta electoral, con un 57.9% de los votantes a favor y un 42.1% en contra. Gracias al apoyo de nuestra comunidad, el VATRE proporcionará aproximadamente $6 millones en fondos muy necesarios para las operaciones del distrito escolar. Vea este mensaje del Superintendente Dr. Brad Schnautz.

Starting Wednesday, November 6th, we will implement a new CTMS practice for forgotten wolf IDs. As a reminder, the wearing of student IDs is part of the GCISD dress codes and outlined in the student code of conduct. We want to ensure consistency and encourage responsibility among our wolves, so each wolf will begin with a fresh start on this date.

The updated practice is as follows:

1. First forgotten ID: Verbal warning.
2. Second forgotten ID: Lunch detention.
3. Third forgotten ID: Two lunch detentions.
4. Fourth forgotten ID: Parent phone call, and a replacement ID will be automatically charged to the wolf's Skyward account.
5. Fifth forgotten ID: In-school suspension (ISS) for repeated dress code offenses.

Additionally, please note that failure to return temporary IDs will result in lunch detention.

All wolves receive IDs, free of charge, on picture day. For those wolves who join the pack after picture day, they receive IDs when registering. Replacement IDs can be purchased from Ms. Richards in the front office before school or during lunch daily.

Thank you for your support in helping our wolves build good habits and follow GCISD expectations!

• School Hours: 8:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Doors Open: 7:45 a.m.
• Wolves enter the building through the C hall doors or the SAC doors. 6th & 8th grade wolves wait in the SAC and 7th grade wolves wait in the lecture hall for the bell to walk to first period.
• Bell Schedule
• Campus Map (click present for easier viewing)
• Front Office: 817-251-5320
• Mascot: Wolf
• School Colors: Silver & Black
• Planners: All wolves use a planner at CTMS. This is to assist with organizing, prioritizing, and planning. You can purchase a CTMS planner for $5 on the first day of school or use one of your choosing. Wolves use their planners daily.
• Student IDs: All wolves who did not attend Wolf Camp or Registration will be issued a temporary CTMS ID on the first day of school. The first IDs are free and replacement IDs are $5 and $1 for replacement lanyard. Per the student code of conduct, IDs are to be worn daily by all CTMS students and staff.
• Lost & Found: The Front Office currently has several pieces of jewelry, keys, glasses and phones that are lost and have found their way to the office! Come by to check to see if your item was found!

Attendance

Lache Nealy

817-251-5326

lache.nealy@gcisd.net

Counselors

Molly Brown (last names A-K)

817-251-5315

molly.brown@gcisd.net

Rachel Smith (last names L-Z)

817-251-5312

rachel.smith@gcisd.net

Student Advocate

Allyiah Daniels

817-251-5323

Allyiah.Daniels@gcisd.net

Registrar

Ilia Kaku

817-251-5314

ilia.kaku@gcisd.net

Nurse

Riley Heimuli

817-251-5337

riley.heimuli@gcisd.net

Assistant Principals

Alishia Ilic (last names A-K)

817-251-5313

alishia.ilic@gcisd.net

Cinthia Morales (last names L-Z)

817-251-5317

cinthia.morales@gcisd.net

Principal

Jamie Halliburton

817-251-5320

jamie.halliburton@gcisd.net

In need of a new charger for a school issued Chromebook, click here for information on how to order a new one.

Thank you for helping our wolves be prepared for school each day by ensuring their Chromebooks are charged nightly!

Click here to see the updated secondary grading policy from GCISD. All wolf pack teachers will be following this policy this school year to communicate the progress of each wolf.

Grades are a method of communicating the progress each wolf is making at CTMS. If you ever have questions or concerns over a grade, please reach out directly to the teacher.

Here is the link for the 2024-2025 GCISD Student/Parent Handbook and Code of Conduct :https://www.gcisd.net/o/gcisd/page/studentparent-handbook.

GCISD's Student-Parent Handbook contains information that students, parents and staff are likely to need during the school year. In addition, both students and parents need to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct. Both students and parents should become familiar with the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District Student Code of Conduct, which is a document adopted by the board and intended to promote school safety and an atmosphere for learning.

Middle school students may use telecommunications devices before and after school, and during

lunch. They may not use telecommunications devices during passing periods or classes.

What does this mean for the wolves?

• Devices can be used before 8:00 a.m., during lunch, and after 3:30 p.m.
• Smartwatches can be worn as long as they are used for telling time.
• Earbud, airpods, and the like will not be used in the hallway or during class time.

Exciting News! CTMS Now Offers a New Online Purchase Option for Student ID's and Wolf Lanyards!

We are excited to announce that CTMS has added a new, convenient way for students and parents to complete your ID purchase needs online! This new payment option makes it easier and faster than ever before. You will find this payment option on the CTMS web page under the Quick Links heading where you can create your personal Web Store account. Once your account is created, click on the Middle Schools square and choose Cross Timbers Middle School. Complete your purchase through the Security/Dress Code option. Students will be able to finalize their order in Mrs. Richards office the following day once ID is personalized with the students' photo download. We hope this will be a helpful addition to preparing you student for a successful day at school everyday!

Student-Parent Handbook page 55: Except in emergencies, delivery of messages or packages to students will not be allowed during instructional time. A parent may leave a message or a package such as a forgotten lunch, for the student to pick up from the front office during a passing period or lunch. Students are not permitted to order food using delivery services such as UberEats, DoorDash, etc.

What this means for the pack: Wolf pack family members may drop items off items to the vestibule for wolves. Delivery services are not permitted. Wolves will visit the vestibule during passing periods to pick up items dropped off by parents.

For the protection of students and staff, all volunteer applicants must read the Volunteer Handbook (in Español) and are asked to apply online authorizing the district to obtain a criminal history background check.

Note: All volunteers are required to reapply each year.

Apply Online

GCISD utilizes Volunteer Tracker for volunteer applications and signing up for volunteer opportunities. Please follow the steps provided to sign up. If you have any questions about registration, please contact App-Garden at support@app-garden.com or submit a help ticket.

Email: ctms.info@gcisd.net
Website: https://ctms.gcisd.net/
Location: 2301 Pool Rd, Grapevine, TX 76051
Phone: 817-251-5320
Twitter: @CTMSWolfWay