Timberwolf Times

Dear Timberwolf Families,

Thank you to the families who came in for our Title I meeting and Parent-Teacher conferences today! We truly appreciate your active partnership in your child's education!

Here is what’s happening at SHMS this week:

• Report Cards: First quarter report cards will be available to view in ParentVue on Friday, October 23rd.

• Digital Citizenship Week: Students will participate in digital citizenship lessons and activities during Advisory classes all week, learning how to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

• 6th Grade Social: Sixth graders, get ready! Our social is this Friday, October 23rd, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Please check the PTO section below for full details and ticket information.

• New ELA Curriculum Review: All SCPS schools are adopting a new English/Language Arts curriculum this year. SHMS currently has seven curriculum sample options on display for parents to preview. If you would like to drop in and take a look, please contact our Reading Specialist, Mrs. Davis (davisja1@staffordschools.net), or our Librarian, Mrs. Kuhfuss (kuhfussrl@staffordschools.net), to schedule a viewing time.

Thank you for your continued support!

Warm regards,

The SHMS Administrative Team

Digital Citizenship Week doesn't just happen at school. Help the families you serve support kids' critical thinking at home, too. As you talk about Digital Citizenship Week with parents and caregivers, share these helpful resources:

Grades 6–12 Family Tips for Digital Citizenship

Healthy Habits English | Spanish | More Languages (Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese)

Privacy & Safety English | Spanish | More Languages (Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese)

Digital Footprint & Identity English | Spanish | More Languages (Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese)

Relationships & Communication English | Spanish | More Languages (Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese)

Cyberbullying & Online Harms English | Spanish | More Languages (Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese)

Information & Media Literacy English | Spanish | More Languages (Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Urdu, Vietnamese)

Wed., Oct. 21: 5:00 pm home football game & 6:00 PTO meeting

Fri., Oct. 23: Report cards will be available in ParentVue and 4:30-6:30 pm 6th Grade Social "Glow-Up"

Week of October 26th: Pink Week

Mon., Oct 26: Matching Monday: Twin day-dress alike with a friend

Tues., Oct 27: Team Spirit Day: Wear your favorite team's gear!

Wed., Oct. 28: Pink out day! Wear pink from head to toe! & 5:00 pm home football game vs. Gayle MS.

Thurs., Oct. 29: Throwback Thursday! Pick a decade: ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s. ‘80s, or ‘90s!

Fri., Oct. 30: Book Character Day! Dress as your favorite book character! (no masks or fake weapons)

Wed. Nov. 4: 4:00 pm NJHS Volleyball game, $3 to go to the game.

You can subscribe to the SHMS Community Calendar: SHMS Community Calendar.

Parents-

Over the course of the past 9 weeks, several of our students were administered the VALLSS (Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System) tests. If your child was tested, a letter detailing the tests will be sent home via your child.

For some, testing data combined with their SOL scores from last year resulted in their placement on a reading plan for the 26-27 school year. The letters you will receive details the plan as well as their scores on the assessments.

Plans will go live in ParentVue on Monday, October 19.

Please reach out to Mrs. Davis, our Reading Specialist, if you have any questions. Her email is davisja1@staffordschools.net. She will also be available during the conference day on October 19.

Last Friday, over 50 SHMS 8th grade band students were invited to perform with the Brooke Point High School Marching Blackhawks at their annual 8th grade night. They participated in playing the national anthem, fight song, and playing pep tunes during the Brooke Point vs. Colonial Forge football game.

Dear Timberwolf families,

We would like to inform you that all seventh graders and new students will soon have completed the mandated hearing and vision screenings as part of our commitment to ensuring the well-being of our students. These screenings are crucial for identifying any potential issues that may affect your child's academic performance and overall health. If your child has failed any of these screenings, please be aware that a letter will be mailed to your home soon, providing further details and instructions. It is imperative that you return the completed official portion of this letter before the upcoming winter break. We understand that unexpected medical expenses can be challenging, and if financial assistance is needed, please do not hesitate to contact our school nurse, Nurse Evelyn, at reyesfordej@staffordschools.net. Your child's health is of paramount importance to us, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Estimadas familias de Timberwolf,

Nos gustaría informarles que todos los estudiantes de séptimo grado y los nuevos estudiantes habrán completado pronto los exámenes auditivos y de visión obligatorios como parte de nuestro compromiso de garantizar el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes. Estas evaluaciones son cruciales para identificar posibles problemas que puedan afectar el rendimiento académico y la salud general de su hijo. Si su hijo no ha superado alguna de estas evaluaciones, tenga en cuenta que se enviará una carta a su hogar pronto, proporcionando más detalles e instrucciones. Es imprescindible que devuelva la parte oficial completada de esta carta antes de las próximas vacaciones de invierno. Entendemos que los gastos médicos inesperados pueden ser desafiantes, y si necesita asistencia financiera, no dude en ponerse en contacto con nuestra enfermera de la escuela, la enfermera Evelyn, en reyesfordej@staffordschools.net. La salud de su hijo es de suma importancia para nosotros, y estamos aquí para apoyarlos en cada paso del camino.

High School Discovery Nights! will return for the 2026-2027 school year. This is an opportunity for rising 9th-grade families to learn about high school curriculum, Specialty Centers and Regional Schools.

Discovery Nights Schedule (6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.):

• Tuesday, December 1, 2026 - Stafford High School

• Wednesday, December 2, 2026 - North Stafford High School

• Thursday, December 3, 2026 - Mountain View High School

• Monday, December 7, 2026 - Brooke Point High School

• Wednesday, December 9, 2026 - Colonial Forge High School

• Thursday, December 10, 2026 - Hartwood High School

Breakout sessions will be scheduled for each night to include: AMP Center, CHAMP Center, EPIC Center, LEAPS Center, BIT Center, ASCENT Center, the Academy of Technology and Innovation at the University of Mary Washington (ATI-UMW), and Commonwealth Governor’s School (CGS). Other secondary programs, core and elective courses, and student services specific to each high school will host information tables.

Key student application and selection system dates include:

• December 1, 2026 - Secondary Programs Application System Opens

• February 1, 2027 - Secondary Programs Application System Closes

• February 26, 2027 - First Parent/Student Program Selection Notification

Practices after school till 6 pm. Please be on time to pick up your child.

Games start at 5:00 pm.

Wed., Oct. 21: Home game vs. Rodney Thompson MS

Wed., Oct. 28: PINK OUT! Home game vs. Gayle MS (Soft Treat food truck will be there too)

Championship game November 4, at 6:00 pm at Colonial Forge HS

Tryouts begin on Tuesday, October 20th.

There are three days of tryouts: 10/20, 10/21, and 10/22.

Athletes will need to have a current VHSL physical form on file in order to participate in tryouts. See the link below.

Practices after school till 6 pm. Please be on time to pick up your child.

A Games start at 5:00 pm.

Schedule:

Fri., Nov. 13: home game vs. Drew MS

Mon., Nov. 16: away game at HH Poole MS

Wed., Nov 18: away game at AG Wright MS

Mon., Nov. 23: home game vs. Gayle MS

Wed., Dec. 2: away game vs. Dixon-Smith MS

Fri., Dec. 4: away game at Rodney Thompson MS

Wed., Dec. 9: home game vs. Stafford MS

Tournament Dates:

Round 1: Fri., Dec. 11 (higher seed hosts)

Round 2: Tues., Dec. 15

Championship Game: Thurs., Dec. 17

The SHMS PTO is excited to host our upcoming 6th Grade Social – Glow Up Neon Party on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 4:30–6:30 PM in the SHMS Cafeteria and Gym.

Tickets are $10 and available online only from October 12–22, 2026. Students must have a completed permission slip and payment to attend. No permission slips will be accepted on October 23, and no exceptions can be made.

Additional details, permission slips and tickets can be found here https://shmspto.ptboard.com/formvw?store=8341&form=2

https://shmspto.ptboard.com/formvw?store=8341&form=2

Shirley C. Heim Middle School PTO Inc. would like to share the volunteer signup 6th Grade Social - Glow in the Dark Party! with you. Click the button below to sign up.

On October 23, 2026 from 4:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M. we are thrilled to have our 6th Grade Social but we need your help with behind the scenes such as, setup before the event, take down after the event, and donations (i.e. food, drink, and decor), and chaperones (i.e. teachers, staff, admin, and parents/guardians) during the event!

When signing up, your name and the organization you are affiliated with are needed (i.e. Parent/Guardian, high school student (list high school and if you are National Honors Society (NHS) or Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC)). ALL NHS and JROTC students must bring their hours sheet to get signed and will signed by the PTO President, Vice President, or Volunteer Coordinator. Volunteers need to eat before they come or wait until after the students have eaten. We are asking that no young children come with you.

Donate to this event through the Amazon wish list located on the flyer, via the QR code. Last day to order items for delivery would be Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

If you are purchasing food, drinks, or decorations please have those items dropped off to the front office no later than 4:00 P.M. on October 22, 2026.

Should there be any questions or concerns please reach out via email to shmsptopresident@gmail.com.

Thanks for supporting the students by volunteering with the PTO and donating!

If you would like to order pink week spirit wear, please place your order by October 16th.

They will deliver by the October. 23rd.