TRMS Wolf Call - Monthly Edition

Hello TR Families,

Welcome to the 1st Wolf Call of the 2026/2027 school year! We hope you had a restful, fun-filled summer and are as excited as we are to dive into the year ahead. There is nothing quite like the energy of a new beginning, and we can’t wait to see our hallways filled with enthusiasm, new friendships, and inspiring moments of growth.

At Timber Ridge, we truly believe that school is a place where every student can shine, learn, and succeed. But we know that the best learning happens when we work together! Your partnership, support, and involvement mean the world to us, and we are so grateful to have you as part of our school community.

To help make this year as smooth and successful as possible, our administrative and office team is here and ready to support you! We pride ourselves on being a strong, collaborative team dedicated to serving our students and families.

The last Friday of every month, check your text and email for a link to the "TRMS Wolf Call." Please read the newsletter as this is the method through which we share important information regarding Timber Ridge Middle School.

Please take a moment to meet our team below so you know exactly who to reach out to whenever you have questions, need assistance, or just want to connect:

Mrs. Catherine (Catie) Peterson, Principal

Mrs. Lindsey Bandy, Assistant Principal for Curriculum and Instruction

• 504s, EL, Assessments, Curriculum, Honors, Interventions etc.

Mrs. Kelly Ferraro-Leipus, Assistant Principal for Student Services (Special Education)

• IEPs, 504s, Related Services, etc.
• Mrs. Ferraro-Leipus is on maternity leave until October. In her place, contact, Ms. Denise Bauer

Mr. Paul Andler, Dean of Students

• Student Behavior & Discipline, School Safety

Mrs. Dana Fumagalli, Principal's Secretary (Fees, Field Trips)

Mrs. Kristen Wolfer, Assistant Principal's Secretary (Registration, Textbooks, Schedules)

Mrs. Maria Carrera, Office Clerk

If you have any questions about the information listed below, please call the main office at 815-439-3410.

Thank you for trusting us with your children. Let’s make this the best school year yet!

With warm regards,

Mrs. Catie Peterson, Principal

• Student Schedules available on Wednesday, August 5th at 4:00pm
• 6th grade familes - ALL back fees from elementary school MUST be paid (Zero balance) before August 5th in order for your child to receive their schedule before the first day of school.
• Schedule change requests will NOT be honored unless your child has an IEP and there was an error in placement.

RESIDENCY:

All families who lease/rent or are considered a third-party MUST prove residency every year. This policy has not changed. Please read the requirements in the link HERE to know what you need. If the required documents, as outlined on the linked form are not all turned in by August 3rd, your child(ren) will be dropped from our system and will not be able to attend school until all of the required documentation has been provided.

LOCKER MOVE-IN:

• Join us on Thursday, August 6th. Doors will open at 3:30pm and close at 6:00pm.
• No alternative dates will be offered.
• Students can decorate their lockers with items that magnatize to the locker, but we do not allow stickers, contact paper, tape, or other adhesive items to be used as it damages the surface of the lockers.
• We encourage parents to attend with their child(ren).

Aug. 5th - Student schedules availabe on Home Access Center after 4:00pm

Aug. 6th - Locker Move-In 3:30pm - 6:00pm

Aug. 13th - First Day of School (7:55am - 2:55am)

Aug. 17th-19th - 7th & 8th gr. Girls Volleyball and Boys Soccer Tryouts 3:00pm-4:30pm

Aug. 18th-19th - iReady Math Assessment

Aug. 19th - PICTURE DAY (during PE classes)

Aug. 25th-26th - iReady Reading Assessment

Aug. 27th - Curriculum Night 6:00pm - 8:00pm

7th Grade Outdoor Education is September 10th or 11th (depending on science teacher)! Sign up your child early and make the payment on August 6th. The cost is $45 per student.

The Timber Ridge Back-to-School Sale is now live! Save up to 35% OFF sitewide while shopping our newest fall designs, new apparel, and personalized gear! This sale is the best time to gear up for the school year!! Students can wear TR spiritwear for their PE uniform!!

Shop Here: https://1stplace.sale/32734

More information, including costs will come at a later date

It may be Summer, but it is never too early to raise some dough for our students! Scan the QR code below and order a few frozen pizzas from Bill Bricks Wood Fired Pizza - DELICIOUS!
Pick up will be during our Locker Move-In on Thursday, August 6th from 3:30p-6:00pm!

MOTORIZED RECREATION VEHICLES:

Parents/guardians are reminded that all motorized recreational vehicles (including, but not limited to mini and/or motorbikes, motorized 4-wheelers, hoverboards and motorized scooters) and other unauthorized motorized vehicles are forbidden at school property. This includes EBikes.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES: Cell phones, tablets, or any wearable technology

1. Cell Phones & all other electronic devices are to be powered off and out of sight from the time a student enters the building until they exit the building. (Must remain off and in the student's locker)

2. Cell phones & all other electronic devices are not permitted in classrooms, locker rooms, or restrooms during the school day.

3. Cell phones & all other electronic devices will be confiscated from students who do not follow this procedure and will be kept in the office for parent retrieval.

STUDENT APPEARANCE/DRESS CODE:

A student’s appearance, including dress and hygiene, must not disrupt the educational process or compromise standards of health and safety. The District does not prohibit hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture, including, but not limited to, protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists. Students who disrupt the educational process or compromise standards of health and safety must modify their appearance. Procedures for guiding student appearance are outlined in the middle school handbook.

The following rules apply to dress:

● Clothing must effectively cover the student’s torso. Shirts must touch the waistline.

● Shorts and skirts must be of a length that assures appropriate coverage for students.

● Clothing is to be worn as intended.

● Outerwear is not to be worn in school.

● Undergarments must not be visible.

● Head coverings such as hats, bandanas, etc. are not to be worn in the building during school hours unless required for medical or religious reasons.

● Hoods are not to be worn during instructional time and must be removed upon request of a staff member.

● Any item of clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, book bags, purses and other similar items may not be worn or brought to school or school-related events on which any of the following appear:

o Any reference to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, etc. including advertisements

o Any symbol, image, word, etc. that is obscene, vulgar, lewd, or profane

o Any reference, symbol, image, word, etc., to violence or gang activity

COMPUTERS/CHARGERS

Students are required to bring their charged laptop and charger with them to school every day as it is an academic resource. If a student forgets their laptop and/or charger, they will need to check out a loaner from the Tech Office. If this occurs, you will receive an email letting you know.

MATERIAL DROP OFF:

At Timber Ridge Middle School, we believe that learning responsibility is an important part of growing up. Students are expected to bring the supplies they need each day, including homework, P.E. clothes, water bottle, lunch or lunch money, instruments, Chromebooks, and other necessary items. We understand that everyone has an occasional forgetful morning. Whenever possible, we encourage families to allow students to experience the natural consequences, as these moments help build independence and accountability.

If you choose to drop off a forgotten item, please write your child's name on a sticky note and place it on the drop-off table in the vestibule where there are bins labeled by grade level. Items will be collected and distributed during student lunches so we are not interuppting instructional time.

Thank you for partnering with us to support student growth and a productive learning environment.

ATTENDANCE:

Daily attendance is crucial for a student's success academically and social-emotionally.When students miss school it leads to learning gaps, feelings of being overwhelmed, andanxious feelings regarding returning to school. While we understand that absences do occur for doctor's appointments, illness, etc, understand that when a child misses even a few days a month it creates the deficits mentioned above.

The State of Illinois and the Will County Regional Office of Education require school districts report student attendance and per their guidelines, parents will receive an auto-generated letter, via email, after 9 absences.

School Hours: 7:55am - 2:55am

Students need to be in their first period class, ready to learn by 7:55am

TARDY TO SCHOOL/CLASS

Our district uses this student tracking system totrack tardies to school and to class. If your child is tardy to class or TO school, they will receive a HERO pass which generates student information and notes the consequence the student receives for being tardy. Every time your child is trady to class or school, you will receive a system generated email, notifying you that your child was not in class when the bell rang.

Allstudents have 4 minutes to arrive at their class on time (plenty of time to go to their locker, use the restroom, etc). Please encourage your child to get to class on time and not wait until the last miniute to get there. Most often students are tardy because they talking with friends, walking up and down the hallway, not because they didn't have enough time to get their things or use the washroom.

6th graders will have tradies start on August 31st to alllow for them to acclimate to their lockers, getting the right materials, and to find their classes.Staff will help students with their lockers and using time management to get to class on time.

7th and 8th graders will start tardies on Monday, August 24th.

The school district has a “pay to participate” policy which would limit student participation in extra-curricular activities and athletics, based upon the financial status of the family. Student accounts must be current with no back fees and the sports/club fee paid in order for students to participate in any extracurricular activities.

Sports Fee - $50 per sport

Club Fee - $10

To Join the Timber Ridge PTO. There are ZERO commitment requirements, but we would love to have you join to help support our students. It is only $15 and all of that money goes right back to the kids.

Click on the link below, fill out the form and submiot it with a $15 payment through, cash, check, Venmo or Zelle. It couldn't be easier.

Your students will thank you.

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