Wolf Pack News

Grey Wolf Nation – Let’s Keep the Momentum Going!

What a week, Grey Wolves!

We are excited to officially welcome Dr. Walton as the next principal of Shoemaker High School for the 2026–2027 school year. We are looking forward to a strong future and continued excellence for our campus.

This past week, our students showed up in a BIG way. For the first time ever, we reached a 98% attendance rate during testing. That is something to celebrate! Our students took their time, stayed focused, and gave their very best effort on the English I and English II exams. We are incredibly proud of the discipline and determination they showed.

Now, we keep that same energy moving forward. This week brings Biology and U.S. History testing, and we know our Grey Wolves are ready. Let’s continue that winning spirit and finish strong!

📝 STAAR Testing This Week

This week, we are excited to support our Grey Wolves as they take their STAAR Biology and U.S. History exams.

• Tuesday, April 14 – Biology
• Wednesday, April 15 – U.S. History

🎉 What’s Happening This Week at Shoemaker

💜 April 15 – Purple Up! Day

We are celebrating our Military-Connected Students. Wear purple to show your support and let our families know that Grey Wolf Nation stands behind them.

⚾🥎 Grey Wolf Athletics

Softball and Baseball are in full swing this week. Come out and support our student-athletes as they continue to compete at a high level!

🧩 April 17 – Autism Walk

Join us as we come together in support, awareness, and unity for our students and families.

🏃‍♂️ April 18 – KISD Family Fitness & Wellness Fair

A great opportunity for families to connect, stay active, and have fun together. We encourage everyone to attend!

📘 Yearbooks Still Available

Don’t miss out on capturing this year’s memories. Secure yours today!

👕 Shoemaker Jerseys – Limited Time

Show your Grey Wolf pride! Jerseys are available at a great price through April 18.

🎓 AP Language Cram & Jam

KISD is providing an incredible opportunity for our AP Language & Culture students to prepare for this challenging exam. We are proud of the commitment our students are making toward academic excellence.

⭐ STAAR Testing Information for Families

Testing season is here, and we want our students to feel confident, prepared, and ready to do their best. Please review these important reminders for testing days:

✔️ Things to Know for Testing Day

• Get a good night’s sleep
• Eat breakfast — breakfast is free for all students every day
• Bring your student ID
• Arrive on time

🚪 Need to Get In Quickly?

If your student has no backpack, Door 40 is the fastest way to enter the building on testing days.

📱 Electronics Reminder

To protect the testing environment and follow state testing rules:

• Phones must be in Yondr pouches
• All electronics must be secured
• If possible, leave electronics at home
• If students bring electronics, they may be required to turn them in

These expectations help us protect student testing and ensure a smooth day for everyone.

Upcoming STAAR dates on your calendar:

• Tuesday, April 21 – Algebra I

We Want to Hear From You!

Your feedback matters and helps us continue to strengthen our campus for students, families, and staff.

Please take a moment to complete our family feedback survey and let us know:

• What’s going well
• What we can improve
• How we can better support our students and families

Your voice helps us make positive change.

👉 Drop us a message or complete our family survey

🐺 Looking Ahead

At Shoemaker, we are more than a school—we are a community. Every event, every celebration, and every success is made possible because of the partnership we share with our families.

From supporting our military-connected students, to showing up for athletics, to walking together in awareness and wellness events—this is what makes Grey Wolf Nation strong.

As we close out the year, we are reminded that success doesn’t happen alone. It takes all of us—students, staff, and families—working together, trusting the systems, and believing in one another.

We are proud of where we are, excited about where we are going, and grateful for the continued support of our Shoemaker community.

Let’s finish this year strong—together. 🐺💙

With appreciation,

Mary Lynn Gawryszewski
Principal, Shoemaker High School

🐺 Once a Grey Wolf, Always a Grey Wolf

Go Grey Wolves! 💙🐾

If you have any questions, please contact the front office at (254) 336-0900.

Seniors, this is YOUR moment! The finish line is in sight, and we are gearing up for an unforgettable graduation on May 29 at 7:00 PM at the Cadence Bank Center in Belton. This section is your one-stop shop for everything you need—tickets, deadlines, senior events, and all the important details to make sure you walk that stage with confidence.

• The payment deadline for the class of 2026 trip has been extended and is payable to our cashier through next week Friday, April 17th.

• Also, please encourage your seniors to complete the Board of Trustees scholarship application. This is a great opportunity for them to receive a sizeable amount of money to support their educational goals. Applications are to be typed, printed, and turned into Ms. Brooks in the counselor's office. Please do not worry about requesting their official transcripts as part of their packets for turn-in, these will be given to the committee in bulk from our registrar's office.

· If your senior has not completed the FAFSA, please remember that this is a graduation requirement. Once completed, please forward the FAFSA confirmation of completion page to your senior's counselor.

• Please check your email for more details and contact your senior's counselor if you have any questions or concerns.

Any student that needs academic support in their core courses, including Foreign Languages, can attend a tutoring session after school. This program provides students with extra support in their core subjects and a quiet space to study.

• Days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (4:30–6:00 PM)

• Wednesday: 4:45–6:00 PM

• Subjects Offered: Math, History, English, Science, Foreign Language

• Quiet Place Available for independent study or support from non-core teachers.

Students must be in their tutoring room by 4:30 and must conduct themselves in a manner that supports our building expectations. If your student is needing academic support, please encourage them to attend.

Tuesday, 4/14 baseball Varsity VS. Harker Heights 7:00 Teacher Appreciation

Tuesday, 4/14 Biology STAAR

Wednesday, 4/15 US History STAAR

Wednesday, 4/15 Purple Up Day

Thursday, 4/16 CHOIR UIL ALL Day

Thursday, 4/16 Track Area Championships @ Midway HS

Thursday, 4/16 Softball JV/V @ Harker Heights 5:00/7:00

Thursday, 4/16 baseball JV @ Harker Heights 5:30/7:30

Friday, 4/17 Autism Walk @ SHS Track

Friday, 4/17 CHOIR UIL ALL Day

Friday, 4/17 Softball JV/V ~ BYE BYE

Saturday, 4/18 KISD Family Fitness & Wellness Fair @Killeen Special Events Center (S W.S. Young Dr, Killeen, TX)

Monday 4/20 Senior Meeting SHS Auditorium 9:30 am & 1:45 pm

Tuesday, 4/21 STAAR Algebra I

Thursday, 4/23 Science National Honor Society Banquet

Thursday, 4/23 Shoemaker High School JROTC Awards Ceremony 7 pm

Friday, 4/24 No School for students / Teacher work day

Friday, 4/24 baseball Varsity VS. Temple 7:00

Saturday, 4/25 Angel Prom @ SHS

Over the past few weeks, we have observed an increase in instances of inappropriate behavior from parents and spectators at our athletic events. As a reminder, KISD has adopted the Texas Way initiative as our guiding framework for athletic competitions. This includes the 2Words / Texas Way curriculum, which has been implemented with our coaches and student-athletes.

This curriculum, in partnership with the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) and the University Interscholastic League (UIL), is designed to foster a positive and respectful gameday environment. While we are making meaningful progress with our students and coaching staff, we recognize that continued efforts are needed to engage and educate our parent community.

Please reach out if you have questions or concerns to your students counselor.

Mrs. Kyle: A-Clax Chernitra.Kyle@killeenisd.org

Ms. Hall: Clay- Gra Alexandria.Hall@killeenisd.org

Ms. Jones: Gre – Liz Nicolya.Jones@killeenisd.org

Mrs. Hicks: LL-Par bernadette.hicks@killeenisd.org

Ms. Chancellor (Faulhaber): Pas- Smith, F Tijuana.Chancellor@killeenisd.org

Mrs. Hodge-Cummings: Smith, G – Z Merium.Hodgecummings@killeenisd.org

Mrs. Stall; Career Center Jamie.Stall@killeenisd.org

Ms. Rubianes: STEM Luz.Rubianes@killeenisd.org

• FAFSA Graduation Requirement:

Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA - US Citizens), or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA - non-citizens that are Texas residents), is a graduation requirement. This means that seniors will not be permitted to walk across the stage for graduation unless they complete this application.

· Please visit www.studentaid.gov to get started.

Once completed, they will need to forward the confirmation page to their counselor to officially be cleared.

Save the Dates! Killeen ISD is excited to announce our High School Information Sessions for the 2025–2026 school year! These free sessions are designed to empower students and parents with valuable tools for college and career planning. From understanding the college admissions process to navigating scholarships, FAFSA, and student loans, there’s something for every high school family.

Sessions begin promptly at 6:00 PM with a Q&A from 7:00–7:30 PM.

The Texas Gas Association (TGA) is pleased to share information about our TGA Scholarship Program, created to support graduating high school students as they pursue their next educational step.

Who:
Graduating high school seniors who meet the eligibility requirements.

What:
TGA scholarships are awarded annually to students planning to attend a 2- or 4-year university and/or a technical school.

When:
The application deadline is listed on our website and is approaching soon - February 27, 2026.

Where / How to Apply:
Eligibility requirements, application details, and submission instructions are available online at:
https://www.texasgasassociation.com/scholarships

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has officially announced Free College Application Week (https://www.mytexasfuture.org/middle-high-school/appy-to-college/), set to take place October 13-19, 2025. This new annual initiative allows Texas residents to apply to all public colleges and universities in the state without paying application fees.

This section will be filled as new information is given to the campus.

• Tardy Policy:
  Please encourage your student to arrive on time to their classes to avoid any disruptions. We’ve implemented a 30-second reminder before the tardy bell to help students get to class on time.

• Student IDs:
  All students must have their ID visible at all times—worn around the neck, not on backpacks or around the waist. This is crucial for maintaining campus security.

• Early Release Students:
  Students with early release Must leave campus when they do not have classes. A student who stays on campus and is found wandering the hall may loose their early release. Roaming the hallways is not permitted for safety reasons.

• Missed Bus to KCC/CTC: If your student misses the bus, they should notify the front office, and we will assist in resolving the situation. However, if the situation cannot be resolved, students must stay in the library until their next class on campus begins. Roaming the hallways is not permitted for safety reasons.

• Cell Phone and Electronic Devices Policy: Yondr Pouches will be used for electronic devises such as cell phones. Students may not display, turn on, or use phones or other personal electronic devices during instructional hours 8:00 am -4:20 pm, Monday through Friday.
  

  This includes using personal devices for texting, calling, video recording, using headphones or personal earbuds, and charging personal devices on school property.

  · Students may not bring personal laptops, iPads, tablets, or similar personal computing devices to school.

• Headphones or earbuds that cannot be locked into a Yondr pouch—such as Beats-style over-ear headphones—are not allowed on campus.

• Important Information for Parents:
• Click here to learn more

Respect is the willingness and ability to act professionally and thoughtfully with ourselves and others. Leaders can deal respectfully with opposition and provide space for both dignity and differences to coexist.

Why focus on Respect?

• Respect contributes to a positive culture. People feel safe, supported, and engaged in the context of thoughtful social, emotional, civic, and intellectual interactions.
• Respect decreases conflict. Respect helps us, and others, to be able to express ourselves without fear of being judged, humiliated, or discriminated against.
• Respect encourages empathy. Respect helps us to understand each other and put ourselves in someone else shoes.

Respect in Action:

• Teach students words have power. How we talk to others and ourselves can motivate or discourage, connect or destroy, hurt or heal. We should choose our words with care.
• Create opportunities for group decision-making. Open dialogue engages students in a process where compromise is crucial to making decisions.
• Vary protocols for classroom sharing. Frequently use open-ended questions, partner sharing, and small group activities to connect and promote understanding between students.

Responsibility in Action:

• Give students roles and responsibilities. When students have a leadership role in class, they are accountable for contributing positively to the classroom culture.
• Empower students with self-management tools. Provide students with tools to help manage stress and impulsivity while motivating them to meet goals.
• Clearly communicate consequences. Empower students to make choices and experience the consequences of their actions, both positive and negative.

• Discover everything KISD has to offer—learn more here!
• Follow us on Facebook - Click Here
• The Grey Wolf Home Page - SHS

You can find them at https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/accountability/academic-accountability/performance-reporting/school-report-cards

State law requires that the School Report Card display information about the state, the district, and the school. Where possible, the information must be reported by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status of the students and must include at least two years of results.

The School Report Cards can be found online at TEA School Report Card.

A more complete report about [name of school], the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR), is available by contacting my office or can be accessed online at Texas Academic Report Cards.

Please contact me if you have any questions concerning this report card. Thank you for your continued support of Robert M. Shoemaker High School .

Here’s an overview of the process so you can support students and families:

1. Students who provided a mobile phone number during testing can view their scores on the Big Future School app. For more information go to https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/k12-educators/bigfuture-school?excmpid=mtg826-pr-1-m9264-mt

1. Students with College Board accounts can log in at studentscores.collegeboard.org to access their results.

1. A common issue is students forgetting their login information. Please be prepared to assist with account recovery or refer them to College Board.

1. Campuses will receive official score reports, which can be printed and shared with students if desired.

1. It’s helpful to send a notification message to parents and guardians so they know scores are available. Please include the appropriate “Understanding Scores” reference document that we’ve attached to this email. A sample email is copied below for your convenience.

Parents will be able to access their child’s STAAR results by logging into Home Access Center.

Grades 3-8

· August 16 - Results for families available in the Family Portal.

End-of-Course (EOC)

· Results for families were released on June 30 through the Family Portal.

For more information, visit TexasAssesment.gov

Policies in the Student Code of Conduct, to include the Dress Code Policy, are implemented to promote student achievement through the creation of a safe and inviting environment for students and employees. Please review the dress code policy and allow it to guide the selection of your child's back to school dress. Dress Code and ID expectations begin on page 50 of the Student Code of Conduct

Download KISD's mobile app to stay connected with your student's information, district and campus events, and other valuable resources. The app delivers real-time school news to your smart device for fast, up-to-date access.

It’s FREE and easy to download:

1. From a smart device, go to the App Store® or Google Play Store®

2. Search for "Killeen ISD"

3. Select the “Killeen ISD” app for free download

4. Don't forget to customize your app by selecting to follow your student's school to view their calendar and notifications!

Click here if you need help signing into the Mobile App.