Timberwolf Times

Timberwolf Families,

As autumn officially kicks into gear, our Shirley Heim Middle School community is bustling with energy, learning, and school spirit. Whether it's setting new academic goals in the classroom, shining on the field, or supporting one another in our hallways, our Timberwolves continue to lead the pack with pride.

In this week’s issue, you’ll find important updates on upcoming school events, campus highlights, and key reminders to keep our students on track for a successful fall. Thank you to our dedicated staff, families, and students for making SHMS such a vibrant place to learn and grow—let’s make it a great week!

Reminder that no inside pick ups after 330 and if you are changing your child's transit home from bus to car or car to bus please advise them in the morning or call us as early in the day as possible so that we can be sure that they are where they need to be on time.

Sincerely,

SHMS Admin Team

Wed., Sept 30: 5:00 pm Home makeup field hockey game vs Gayle MS

Fri., Oct. 2: 5:00 pm Home football game vs. Stafford 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,

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.

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

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.

If you would like to do Model UN, please fill out the form by Tuesday, Sept. 29th. The first meeting will be Wednesday, Sept. 30th after school until 5:30 pm.

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

Games start at 5:00 pm.

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

Fri., Oct. 2: Home gave vs Stafford 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.

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

Wed., Sept. 30: Home Field Hockey game vs Gayle MS (Make-up game from 9/23)

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!!!!