Timberwolf Connection

Dear Timberwolf Family! As we approach the one-year anniversary of October 7th, I am reaching out to our entire school community with a heart full of compassion and a commitment to unity.

Our Timberwolf family is a beautiful mosaic of cultures, beliefs, and experiences. Each of you brings invaluable perspective and richness to our school. In times like these, when memories may be painful and emotions intense, it's crucial that we come together with empathy and understanding.

To every student, parent, and staff member who may be carrying a heavy heart:

• Your feelings are valid.
• Your experiences matter.
• You are an essential part of our school community.

As Timberwolves, let's embody our PACKS values more than ever:

• Be Prepared: to listen with open hearts and minds
• Act Respectfully: honoring each person's unique journey and perspective
• Be Cooperative: in creating a safe space for all voices
• Be Kind: especially to those who may be hurting silently
• Be Safe: ensuring everyone feels protected and valued in our school

For those seeking support, please remember:

• Our counseling team is here for ALL students, offering a judgment-free space to talk, reflect, or simply be heard during AST and grade-level lunch periods. Our EML Therapeutic Counselor will be at Tilden all day to provide additional support to our community.
• We have resources from various organizations to help manage stress, anxiety, and complex emotions. These include tools from the American School Counselor Association, National Association of School Psychologists, and the Child Mind Institute.
• Local mental health professionals are available for additional support if needed.
• Parents and guardians, we're here to support you too. If you need guidance on discussing these sensitive topics with your children, our team is ready to assist.

To our educators, thank you for your tireless efforts in fostering an inclusive classroom environment. Your role in nurturing understanding and respect is invaluable.

Remember, our strength lies not in uniformity, but in unity. In our diversity, we find resilience. In our differences, we discover opportunities for growth and understanding.

As we navigate this sensitive time together, let's hold space for all experiences, lean on one another, and demonstrate the true meaning of community.

With heartfelt support and unwavering commitment to ALL,

Sapna Hopkins

Principal

Our Timberwolf spirit is shining bright this week! Let's celebrate the amazing achievements that embody our PACKS core values.

Howling for Our Coaches! 🐺🏆- During Coach Appreciation Week (September 30 – October 6), we're proud to recognize Winston Miller, leader of our Tilden Athletics Program. His kids-first approach exemplifies our values:

• Securing volunteer transportation for away games
• Upholding high standards aligned with MCPS RAISE and PACKS
• Implementing weekly academic progress reports
• Recruiting parent volunteers for coaching
• Boosting our social media presence

Show your support! Recognize Tilden's coaches and athletes on Twitter and Instagram using @mcpsathletics or @mcpsad.

Empowering Our Latina Timberwolves 💪🌟 - Thanks to Mrs. Delett, Mrs. Zlotnik, and Mrs. Dixon-Settles for coordinating Tilden's participation in the Latina Legacy Jr. Conference. Fifteen young Latinas from Team Confianza explored resilience, empowerment, and cultural identity through:

• Panel discussions with local Latina leaders
• Traditional dance performances
• Workshops on entrepreneurship and cultural identity

Our students' enthusiasm made this a truly empowering experience!

No Place for Hate: Uniting for Positive Change 🤝❤️ - I am thrilled by the turnout at our first No Place for Hate committee meeting: four caregivers and forty-four students! Special thanks to the PTA and Mrs. Wang for her leadership in amplifying student voices. The students asked thoughtful questions to set the stage for important work this year.

We believe that each of us plays a vital role in making Tilden a place where every Timberwolf feels valued and respected. We ask that we keep that Timberwolf spirit alive!

We are thrilled to invite you to experience a day in the life of your student at Tilden Middle

School's Annual Open House on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. This event offers a wonderful

opportunity to immerse yourself in your child's educational journey and gain insights into their

daily school experience.

Event Highlights

• Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
• Time: 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
• Special Meet and Greet: Join administrators and counselors in the Media Center during

Visiting Schedule - To ensure a smooth experience for all, we've organized class visits by grade level:

• Grade 6 Periods 1-2 (8:30 - 9:46), Period 3 (10:30-11:13), and Periods 4-7 (11:53-2:30)
• Grade 7 Periods 1-2 (8:30 - 9:46), Periods 3-4 (10:30-12:01), and Periods 5-7 (12:41-2:30)
• Grade 8 Periods 1-2 (8:30 - 9:46), Periods 3-5 (10:30-12:49), and Periods 6-7 (1:29-2:30)

Please note: During Academic Support Time (AST) from 9:51 AM to 10:25 AM, all visitors

should gather in the Cafeteria. Classrooms will not be accessible during this period.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit

• Come Prepared: Bring your student's schedule with teacher names and room numbers

• Respect Our Learning Environment: Please silence your devices and refrain from

• Plan Your Visit: Consider focusing on one to three classes to avoid overcrowding.

Check-In Process:

• Pre-register using THIS link for quick access.
• If not pre-registered, bring your license to check in via our Visitor Management system.

• Enter through the main entrance to receive your visitor badge.

Parking:

• The bus loop will be available for parent parking from 8:25 AM to 2:30 PM.

Important Notes

• Due to space constraints, we kindly request only one parent/guardian per student.
• For logistical and safety reasons, students should remain at school during lunch.
• The staff parking lot is reserved for employees only.
• For questions about this year’s Open House, please contact, Mrs. Dixon-Settles, assistant principal and 8th-grade administrator, at Teresa_A_Dixon-Settles@mcpsmd.org.

We're excited to welcome you to Tilden Middle School and offer this glimpse into your child's

educational world. Your participation strengthens our school community and supports your

student's success.

We look forward to seeing you on October 15th!

A parent/caregiver sponsored Robotics Club is starting at Tilden MS. The Tilden MS Robotics Club will participate in the First Lego League (FLL) competition in January 2025. To learn more about First Lego League visit https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/fll.

• Meeting dates/times: 3:15-4:15 pm weekly on Thursdays, from Oct 10th to Jan 9th, 2025 (when school is on). The regional qualifiers will be in January 2025. Additional meetings may be scheduled to prepare for the competition.

• Location: Tilden MS Auxiliary Gym.

• Signup: To sign up please use this form. Spots are limited.

• Cost: $125 per student team member. This covers the cost of entry and robotics materials. If cost is a barrier please reach out to Candace Levy Candace_A_Levy@mcpsmd.org or the Tilden PTSA at TildenPTSAboard@gmail.com

• Transportation: The activity buses are available for transportation afterwards.

• Bonus: Snacks will be provided!

Please reach out to tilden.robotics@gmail.com if you have any questions. We are eager to start building!

• October 8: Bus Evacuation Drill (AM)
• October 8: Cross Country vs North Bethesda MS @3:15pm
• October 9: Girls Softball vs North Bethesda MS @3:15pm
• October 15: Open House (8:20am - 2:20pm)
• October 15: Boys Softball vs Westland MS @3:15pm
• October 17: Fall "No Place for Hate" Fun & Wellness Day
• October 18: Professional Development (No school for Students)
• October 23: Boys Softball vs Herbert MS @3:15pm
• October 24: Student Voice Forum 6
• October 25: Student Voice Forum 7/8
• October 31: Tilden's Fall Party (3pm - 4pm)

• If you are interested in participating in Best Buddies, there will be an interest meeting in Room 1049 on October 8th during AST. Please see Mrs. Gutwald or Ms. Stasko for more information.

• Congratulations to the boys’ Cross Country team in their win against Silver Creek Middle School. All of Tilden’s competitors for both the girl's and boys' Cross Country teams improved their times!

Friday, Oct. 4 is COMMUNITY NIGHT for Walter Johnson football! This is the night every fall when WJ welcomes friends, neighbors and especially FUTURE WILDCATS to cheer on our team. We invite families from our cluster elementary and middle schools to come and see all the fun that's in store when their kids become WJ students.

Game time is 6:30 p.m. versus the Wootton High School Patriots. But come early to grab dinner or snacks at our concession stand, staffed by WJ students. The WJ school store (@officialwjstore) will also be selling Wildcat gear, including $10 T-shirts for the whole family — even kids' sizes! Be sure to check out the concessions stand and store on the concourse just inside the stadium gates. There will even be prizes for our younger fans.

Elementary and middle school students from our cluster schools are FREE, but MUST be accompanied by an adult. No drop-offs, and no large groups of kids with a single adult. We want to keep all of our current and future Wildcats safe!

Please note: Fans must buy tickets on the GoFan app or site (https://gofan.co/app/school/MD24855). Tickets cannot be purchased at the gate. But that means you can go ahead and buy them now so you don't forget! Adults should buy their tickets on GoFan (no tickets needed for younger kids).

Be sure to follow WJ's All-School Booster Club on Instagram to keep up with athletics, clubs and performing arts at WJ: @walter_johnson_booster_club. And follow @wjwildcatathletics too to keep up with all of our teams.

Spread the word! We can't wait to see you on Friday, Oct. 4 which should be a great weather night for football!

Go Cats!