Timberwolf Times

Timberwolf Families,

September is Attendance Awareness Month—a nationwide push highlighting how crucial consistent attendance is to your middle schooler's success. As students gain independence, keeping them on track takes a strong partnership between home and school.

Why Every Day Matters

• The 9-Day Goal: To stay engaged and on track for high school graduation, students should aim to miss no more than 9 days total all year.

• The 2-Day Danger Zone: Missing just 2 days a month adds up to 10% of the school year, putting a student at risk of chronic absenteeism.

• Setting Habits at Home: Strong daily routines—like consistent bedtimes and turning off devices at night—make a huge difference in getting students to school rested and ready to learn.

Being in class on time is just as important as being in school. When students arrive late, they miss key instruction and disrupt class for their peers. Because we value every minute of learning time, students who accumulate three tardies to any one class will be assigned before-school detention on Thursday mornings from 8:15 to 9:10 AM.

All students use headphones on Tuesdays and Thursdays during Advisory for Lexia and Math Space, as well as in class when needed. Please provide your child with a pair of cheap over the head headphones for them to use.

Sincerely,

SHMS Admin Team

Tues., Sept. 22: 5:00 pm Home football game vs. Stafford MS

Wed., Sept. 23: 5:00 pm Home Field Hockey & Volleyball games vs. Gayle MS

Wed., Oct. 7: picture day during PE classes

Thurs., Oct. 8: picture day during PE classes

Mon., Oct. 12: No school for students

Fri., Oct. 16: No school for students

Mon., Oct. 19: 9-10 AM Annual Title 1 meeting, 10 AM-6 PM Parent Teacher Conference Day, and no school for students

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

ANNUAL TITLE 1 MEETING OCTOBER 19

Shirley Heim Middle School is excited to invite you to our Title I Community Meeting here at Shirley Heim Middle School! This important event will take place on Monday, October 19, from 9:00-10:00 a.m.

The Title I Community Meeting is a valuable opportunity for families to learn more about the academic programs and supports we offer to help every student succeed. We will also share ways for you to stay involved and connected as a partner in your child’s education. While this event is open to all SHMS families, we believe it will be especially beneficial for families who believe their student would benefit from additional academic support. This may be a product of a language barrier, social-emotional challenge, or simply a new transition.

To make the morning even more enjoyable, breakfast will be served for all attendees. Following the meeting, families will have time to connect with teachers, coaches, and administrators to ask questions, share feedback, and build relationships that support student success.

Your involvement makes a big difference in your child’s learning journey, and we hope you will join us for this engaging and informative event.

Please RSVP using this Google Form, and feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

We look forward to seeing you there!

REUNIÓN ANUAL DEL PROGRAMA TÍTULO I: 19 DE OCTUBRE

¡La Escuela Intermedia Shirley Heim se complace en invitarles a nuestra reunión comunitaria del programa Título I aquí en la escuela! Este importante evento se llevará a cabo el lunes 19 de octubre, de 9:00 a 10:00 a. m.
La reunión comunitaria de Título I es una excelente oportunidad para que las familias conozcan más sobre los programas académicos y los recursos de apoyo que ofrecemos para ayudar a que cada estudiante tenga éxito. También compartiremos formas en las que pueden participar y mantenerse conectados como colaboradores en la educación de sus hijos. Si bien este evento está abierto a todas las familias de SHMS, creemos que será especialmente beneficioso para aquellas familias que consideren que su estudiante podría aprovechar un apoyo académico adicional. Esto puede deberse a una barrera lingüística, a desafíos socioemocionales o simplemente a una nueva etapa de transición.

Para hacer la mañana aún más agradable, se ofrecerá desayuno a todos los asistentes. Después de la reunión, las familias tendrán tiempo para conversar con maestros, entrenadores y administradores; podrán hacer preguntas, compartir sus opiniones y fortalecer los vínculos que favorecen el éxito estudiantil.

Su participación marca una gran diferencia en el proceso de aprendizaje de sus hijos, y esperamos contar con su presencia en este evento interesante e informativo.

Por favor, confirme su asistencia mediante este formulario de Google y no dude en contactarnos si tiene alguna pregunta.

¡Esperamos verles allí!

Dear Timberwolf Families, Great news! Our school has partnered with Smile Programs...the dentist is

coming to Shirley Heim Middle School Thursday, September 24th 2026. Permission Forms were

previously mailed , please return them by September 23rd. If you have lost the application you can pick up a new application at the school or scan the QR code to register online. The dentists offer in-school dental care. Sign up your child today at www.myschooldentist.com.

Even better, dental care is usually at no cost to you, with insurance. All insurance is accepted including Medicaid and CHIP. For those without insurance, a low cost self-pay option is available.

Convenient and comfortable

Our in-school dental program saves you time and provides a safe and comfortable place for your child to receive gentle dental care from licensed local professionals. Dental care includes a complete dental exam, x-rays, cleaning, fluoride and sealants when necessary, and in some cases, restorative care such as fillings.

Dental care for a healthy life

Children who see a dentist regularly may have fewer health issues like:

● Early tooth loss due to dental decay

● Gum disease

● Heart disease

● Impaired speech development

Help keep your child healthy, in school and learning.

Nurse Evelyn Reyes Ford , BSN, RN

Estimadas familias de Timberwolf: ¡Buenas noticias! Nuestra escuela se ha asociado con el programa

Smile... El dentista llegará a la escuela secundaria Shirley Heim el jueves 24 de Septiembre 2026. Los formularios de autorización se enviaron previamente por correo; por favor, devuélvanos antes del 23 de septiembre. Si ocupan un nuevo formulario, pueden recoger uno nuevo en la escuela o escanear el código QR para registrarse en línea. Los dentistas ofrecen atención dental en la escuela. Registre a su hijo hoy en www.myschooldentist.com.

Aún mejor, la atención dental generalmente no tiene costo para usted, con segura. Se aceptan todos los seguros, incluidos Medicaid y CHIP. Para quienes no tienen seguro, está disponible una opción de pago por cuenta propia de bajo costo.

Conveniente y confortable Nuestro programa dental en la escuela le ahorra tiempo y brinda un lugar seguro y cómodo para que su hijo reciba atención dental amable por parte de profesionales locales autorizados. El cuidado dental

incluye un examen dental completo, radiografías, limpieza, flúor y selladores cuando sea necesario y, en algunos casos, cuidados restaurativos como empastes.

Cuidado dental para una vida sana

Los niños que visitan al dentista con regularidad pueden tener menos problemas de salud como:

● Pérdida temprana de dientes debido a caries dental

● Enfermedad de las encías

● Cardiopatía

● Desarrollo deficiente del habla

Ayude a mantener a su hijo sano, en la escuela y aprendiendo.

Enfermera de escuela Evelyn Reyes Ford , BSN, RN

Recently during one of our Wednesday SEL lessons students learned about Emogers! Emogers are strategies that help us cope, stay safe, and keep learning when we face challenges or big emotions. This helps us connect what we feel in our bodies with what we understand in our brains, so we can stay focused, make safe choices, and support our learning. Feel free to ask them what they remember learning about Emogers and review the 11 Emogers with them at home whenever you see appropriate (when they are getting anxious, frustrated, excited, etc., and suggest an Emoger/strategy that they can implement effectively!)

Battle of the Books is a reading competition between all of the Stafford County Middle Schools. Participating students read a designated list of books (see below) and eventually form a team that will attend the competition. The Heim team will compete against other Stafford middle school teams by answering questions about the books they've read. The event will be held in February, but the date of our event is TBD.

Amari and the Night Brothers - Alston

Ambrose Deception - Ecton

Blackthorn Key - Sands

Bloom - Oppel

Curse So Dark and Lonely - Kemmerer

Everlost - Shusterman

False Prince - Nielsen

Ghost - Reynolds

House Arrest - Holt

Inheritance Games - Barnes

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus - Bowling

Waiting for Normal - Connor

Regina Kuhfuss

Librarian

Shirley Heim Middle School

Date & Time: Saturday, November 14, 9:00 - 4:00 pm.

Location: Gayle Middle School

In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization's agenda. Students deliver speeches, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the conference rules of procedure - all in the interest of mobilizing "international cooperation" to resolve problems that affect countries all over the world.

As a Model UN “delegate,” students take on the role of a representative of another country to the United Nations, where they have the opportunity to embrace that country’s perspective, argue for the policies of that country on the assigned topic, and write a resolution on behalf of their assigned country. This allows students to put themselves in the shoes of an international diplomat, seek to understand the issues that our world and other countries are facing, and propose implementable solutions to respond to those pressing challenges.

Each delegate is presented with the task of deciding what the UN should do about these issues, finding other delegates with similar opinions to work with, and drafting and getting other delegates in committee to approve their “resolution” - a document filled with solutions to the issue at hand.

Most of the Model UN conference is based in the “committee,” where delegates will debate and discuss the topic, negotiate with one another, and ultimately write a resolution to take action on the issue. A committee consists of 20-30 students, who are all representing different countries. Students are led by a “Chair” who helps guide the committee, foster engaging and dynamic debate, and ensure delegates are familiar with the virtual MUN elements.

If interested, please read through the form and use the student email to fill out the form by 4:00 pm Friday, September 25.

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

Games start at 5:00 pm.

Tues., Sept. 22: Home game vs Stafford MS

Tues., Sept. 29: Away game at AG Wright MS

Tues., Oct. 6: Home game vs. Dixon Smith MS

Tues., Oct. 13: Home game vs. H H Poole MS

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

Wed., Oct. 28: Home game vs. Gayle MS

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

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

Games start at 5:00 pm.

Wed., Sept. 23: Home games vs. Gayle MS

Fri., Sept 25: Away games at Dixon-Smith MS

Mon., Sept. 28: Away games at Rodney Thompson MS

Fri., Oct. 2: Home games vs. Stafford MS

Tournament Dates:

Round 1: Wed., Oct. 7

Round 2: Fri., Oct. 9

Any student can join our after school club if you have active duty military parent(s)/guardian(s)!

We have a lot of fun times after school and we even have weekend opportunities such as: Urban Air, Monster golf, and Slick City.

We would love to connect military families and students, while having a blast!!!!

Shirley C. Heim Middle PTO just created a general sale or donation form "Wolf Cart Prepaid Card" and would like to share it with you. Click the button below to view details.

SHMS PTO Wolf Cart Prepaid Punch Cards Make shopping at the Wolf Cart simple and cash-free! Families can purchase a prepaid Punch Card for their student to use toward snacks and drinks when the Wolf Cart visits classrooms. Choose from $10 (10 Paws), $20 (20 Paws), or $30 (30 Paws). Each paw has a $1 value and is punched as your student makes purchases. Important: Punch Cards are non-refundable, non-replaceable, and non-reloadable. Lost or misplaced cards cannot be replaced. Once all punches have been used, a new card must be purchased. Every purchase supports the SHMS PTO and helps fund programs, activities, and resources for our students and staff. Prepay. Punch. Enjoy. We also accept Cash. Thank you for supporting our Timberwolf community!