The Wolf Weekly
October 26, 2025
CTMS Family Newsletter
Wonderful Wolf Families,
What a week for the pack! We kicked off the week on Monday morning with the October PTA general meeting and parent classrooms visits and ended the week with the CTMS choir singing their way into 29 spots on the All Region Choir on Saturday! In between these two events, the pack competed on the field, court, and course. Thank you to all of our family members who work behind the scenes, volunteer at endless events, drive our wolves to and fro before the sun rises and long after the sun sets to make all of these events possible!
This week is Red Ribbon Week. The PALS organized dress up days to encourage the pack to be healthy and drug free. All dress up days must follow GCISD's dress code, no inflatables, face coverings, or weapons (real or look alike). See below for a list of dress up days. On Friday, we will have a Red Ribbon Week Assembly, thanks to the CTMS PTA, featuring BMX bike riders.
Join us THIS Thursday for our annual Trunk or Treat from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This come and go event is free to all with concessions available. Get your costumes ready for fun with the pack!
Looking forward to a wonderful week with the pack!
Howl,
Jamie Halliburton
CTMS Principal
Recovery Resource
GCISD is partnering with Recovery Resource Council to bring Drug and Alcohol prevention curriculum to middle school students. As approved by the GCISD Student Health Advisory Committee, sixth graders will receive six lessons using Positive Action curriculum during PE/Pre-Athletics in the Spring semester and seventh and eighth graders will each receive one Drug & Alcohol Prevention lesson in the Fall. All students will participate in this program unless a Parent Opt Out is received. If you need a paper copy of this, please contact your Student Advocate. To preview this program, please visit https://www.gcisd.net/page/parent-previews-24 .
If you have any questions/concerns, you can reach out to Allyiah Daniels at Allyiah.Daniels@gcisd.net or 817-251-5323.
CTMS Dates (these are subject to change)
6th Grade - 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/03, 2/10, 2/17
7th Grade - 10/22
8th Grade - 11/7
Parent Book Read Invitation
Join The CT Counseling Team in exploring The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Why this book?
In The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt explains why today’s kids are struggling with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and loneliness. He shows how the rise of smartphones and the decline of free play have reshaped childhood — and offers ideas for how parents and communities can help kids grow up healthier, happier, and more resilient.
Link:
National Junior Honor Society Members in the community!
NJHS Members Grace G.L. and Lyla R. Volunteered with Susan G. Komen to raise funds to fight breast cancer! Our next NJHS meeting will take place before and after school in the library on Monday, Nov. 10th.
The volunteer SignUp for the Trunk or Treat was posted in the Chapter Canvas!
Students can still bring candy donations for Trunk or Treat through 10/30! Each bag is worth 45 minutes of volunteering time, and students can bring up to 4 bags of candy.
Golden Apple Award
HOWL to the CTMS Staff and PTA for earning the PTA Golden Apple Award! This award is earned for having all staff members join the PTA!
Thank you to everyone who has joined PTA! Click this link to join the CTMS PTA and thank you to everyone who has already joined our PTA!
Interested in Volunteering: Volunteers make Cross Timbers Middle School great! Please consider sharing your talents and enthusiasm by volunteering! Complete this form.
Follow us on Facebook at "Cross Timbers Middle School PTA" to see updates and important information!
- October 27 -31 ~ Red Ribbon Week (see below)
- October 27 ~ CTMS Tennis @ East 5-7pm
- October 29 ~ Cross Country Meet of Champions @ West - 5-7 pm
October 30 ~ CTMS Trunk or Treat and Band Concerts (see above) / GCISD Volleyball
October 31 ~ Red Ribbon Week Assemblies (more details forthcoming) / GCISD Volleyball
- November 3 ~ No school for the wolves/staff professional learning
Cheer FUNdamentals offered by Extended Learning
Thinking About Middle School Cheer? This session will explore cheer FUNDamentals—building on core skills while introducing what to expect during middle school cheer tryouts. Participants will gain not only cheer technique and performance confidence but also teamwork, spirit, and self-esteem along the way!
Fundamentos de porristas (Cheer FUNdamentals) ofrecido por Extended Learning
¿Estás pensando en unirte al equipo de porristas en la escuela secundaria? En esta sesión se explorarán los fundamentos de las porristas, se desarrollarán habilidades básicas y se aprenderá qué esperar durante las audiciones para el equipo de porristas de la escuela secundaria. Los participantes no solo adquirirán técnicas de porristas y confianza al presentarse, sino que también fortalecerán el trabajo en equipo, el espíritu y la autoestima.
Let's Dance offered by Extended Learning
Come learn the basics from Karis Van, Director of the Panteras! In this Let’s Dance class, students can learn the basics of jazz and hip-hop. Students will explore fundamental dance techniques in a fun, active environment that encourages movement, creativity, and confidence building.
¡A Bailar! (Let’s Dance), ofrecido por Extended Learning
¡Ven a aprender lo básico con Karis Van, directora de las Panteras! En esta clase de Let's Dance, los estudiantes aprenderán los fundamentos del jazz y el hip-hop. Explorarán las técnicas de danza esenciales en un ambiente divertido y activo que fomenta el movimiento, la creatividad y la confianza.
ATTENTION 8th Grade Wolves: Collegiate Academy Applications
Collegiate Academy is the early college high school for GCISD. To learn more, please plan to attend one of their parent preview sessions on either October 9 or November 6. See the flier for more information.
Their application for students opens on September 30. Click HERE to apply.
Preferred Participation Consent for Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention- Opt In Program
As required by federal and state law, we will soon begin presenting a personal safety curriculum to middle school students. GCISD uses the Play It Safe! ® program to teach this curriculum. Play It Safe! ® is a child abuse awareness and prevention program that incorporates age-appropriate scripts and movies to teach children how to reduce the risk of sexual and physical abuse, and sexual assault. It teaches them to recognize potentially abusive behavior, provides the tools to respond to threatening situations, and encourages them to report abuse to a trusted adult. It is presented by The Women’s Center of Tarrant County, Inc. which uses trained volunteers to present the program using videos and scripted discussions at an age-appropriate level.
Play It Safe! ® meets the State and Federal guidelines for curriculum addressing personal safety issues, child sexual abuse and pedophiles. The GCISD School Health Advisory Committee has reviewed and recommended these programs for all GCISD schools.
Our schedule for showing the Play It Safe Curriculum this year is as follows:
6th grade “Sexual Harassment”- November 12th, 2025
6th grade “Survivors of Abuse- March 11th, 2026
7th grade “Healthy Relationships”- October 8th, 2025
7th grade “Can’t Take It Back” - November 18th, 2025
7th grade “Abuse of Power” - February 25th, 2026
The purpose of this personal safety presentation is to provide the students with information and practical skills to reduce their risk of being in dangerous and/or abusive situations. They will learn how to recognize, react to, and report those situations. This one-hour program is presented in an age-appropriate, non-threatening manner through the use of stories, group discussions, and an age-appropriate movie.
We hosted a parent preview on September 18 via Zoom. Please find the preview for Play It Safe here: https://www.gcisd.net/page/parent-previews-24. Videos will remain available until 9/30/2025.
The Opt In form has been posted into your Skyward Family Access. If you would like for your student to participate, please complete the Opt In form two business days prior to the scheduled program date. If you choose for your child not to participate, your child will be provided an alternate location while this program is being presented. If the form is not completed, your child will not participate in the program.
Secondary Grading Policy
Click here to see the updated secondary grading policy from GCISD. All wolf pack teachers will be following this policy this school year to communicate the progress of each wolf.
Grades are a method of communicating the progress each wolf is making at CTMS. If you ever have questions or concerns over a grade, please reach out directly to the teacher.
Personal Technology at School
House Bill 1481 prohibits the use of personal communication devices during the school day. Middle school students may use telecommunications devices before and after school. They may not use telecommunications devices during school hours except for their school issued devices.
What does this mean for the wolves?
- Personal devices will be in bags, not on wolves, throughout the entire school day.
- Families needing to relay messages can leave messages with the front office staff and office aides will deliver messages to classrooms.
- Wolves needing to contact families can use the phone in the front office during passing periods and lunch or, when appropriate, in their classrooms.
Technology Needs
- Submit a HelpDesk Ticket for the most efficient service we will be using the locker system outside of the administration building. More directions will be available in the helpdesk ticket
- Email technology@gcisd.net for assistance
Charger: In need of a new charger for a school issued Chromebook, click here for information on how to order a new one.
Volunteer Background Check
Grapevine-Colleyville ISD is pleased to announce that we will begin using the Raptor Volunteer Management System in all of our schools to strengthen our volunteer program of campus safety for students and faculty. This system is similar to what we have used in the past, AppGarden.
Please use the following link to apply to become a volunteer in GCISD.
El Distrito Escolar Independiente de Grapevine-Colleyville se complace en anunciar que comenzaremos a utilizar el Sistema de Gestión de Voluntarios Raptor en todas nuestras escuelas con el fin de reforzar nuestro programa de voluntarios para la seguridad de nuestras escuelas, para los estudiantes y el personal docente. Este sistema es similar al que hemos utilizado en el pasado, AppGarden.
Por favor, utilicen el siguiente enlace para solicitar ser voluntarios en GCISD.
To find out information on events that are not directly associated with Cross Timbers, click below to see the Peachjar flyers.
- School Hours: 8:05 a.m. to 3:35 p.m.
- Doors Open: 7:45 a.m.
- Wolves enter the building through the B hall doors or the SAC doors. 6th & 8th grade wolves wait in the SAC and 7th grade wolves wait in the lecture hall for the bell to walk to first period.
- Bell Schedule
- Campus Map (click present for easier viewing)
- Front Office: 817-251-5320
- Mascot: Wolf
- School Colors: Silver & Black
- Planners: All wolves use a planner at CTMS. This is to assist with organizing, prioritizing, and planning. You can purchase a CTMS planner for $5 on the first day of school or use one of your choosing. Wolves use their planners daily.
- Student IDs: The first IDs are free and replacement IDs are $5. Per the student code of conduct, IDs are to be worn daily by all CTMS students and staff. All wolves will receive an ID on the second day of school as they get their school picture taken.
- GCISD Student Code of Conduct & Handbook: Click here for the 2025-2026 GCISD Student Code of Conduct and Handbook.
Who to Contact
Attendance
Lache Nealy
817-251-5326
Registrar
Jacqueline Knappenberger
817-251-5314
jacqueline.knappenberger@gcisd.net
Counselors
Patricia Salazar (last names A-K)
817-251-5315
Rachel Smith (last names L-Z)
817-251-5312
Student Advocate
Allyiah Daniels
817-251-5323
Nurse
Adriana Maxwell
817-251-5337
Assistant Principals
Holly Ybarrola (last names A-K)
817-251-5313
Cinthia Morales (last names L-Z)
817-251-5317
Principal
Jamie Halliburton
817-251-5320
Cross Timbers Middle School
Website: https://ctms.gcisd.net/
Location: 2301 Pool Rd, Grapevine, TX 76051
Phone: 817-251-5320