The Wolf Weekly
August 10, 2025
CTMS Family Newsletter
Wonderful Wolf Families,
Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year!
We are THREE sleeps from opening the doors of CTMS at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2025 to welcome all of our wolves for the start the 2025-2026 school year! On the first day we will dive right into learning the Wolf Way, building classroom communities, and getting to know other pack members in the coming days and weeks!
Thank you for reading today's newsletter to help prepare for a fantastic first day of school and wickedly wonderful school year!
Looking forward to working with each of you this school year as we build a wickedly strong Wolf Pack!
Howl,
Jamie Halliburton
CTMS Principal
Schedules are drafts until the first day of school. Our incredible counseling team is still working through conflicts, alternate choices, and adding newly enrolled wolves.
During first period on Wednesday, wolves will write out all their classes, room numbers, and teacher, including Wolf Time. Come to school knowing where to go for first period.
From our counselors: Welcome back to the Pack, Wolves and Wolf families! We're excited to get your wolf set up for success. If your wolf has an error or would like to change an elective or level up or down in a class, please fill out the Schedule Change Request Form. The guidelines and deadlines for changing levels are located in our middle school course selection guide on pages 11- 13. Our counselors will do their best to accommodate every request, and will reach out with any questions. Thank you for your support and patience!
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.
Apply Now for Free/Reduced-Price Meals
Starting on July 8, 2025, applications were made available to fill out for the 2025-2026 school year. Families are encouraged to complete the Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals available online at www.schoollunchapp.com. A paper copy may be downloaded from the website or requested at any campus or Nutrition Services office.
The application will determine a child’s eligibility for free and reduced-price meals and may assist in the determination of eligibility for other state or federal benefits. Only one application needs to be completed per household. Schools will notify the household of the child’s eligibility. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) administers school nutrition programs in Texas and offers an eligibility calculator at www.SquareMeals.org/ProgramEligibility.
Decisions regarding payment for school meals are made at the national-government level, not by the school nutrition team or TDA. The dedicated staff in Nutrition Services is looking forward to serving healthy, balanced meals to students in the new school year. If you have any questions, please call 817-251-5617 or email child.nutrition@gcisd.net
Texas legislation has approved a 2025-26 biennium budget, which includes covering the cost of school breakfasts starting August 1, 2025 and lunches starting September 1, 2025 for students whose campuses participate in the federal meal programs and are eligible for reduced price meals. Students that are approved for reduced-price meals may eat breakfast starting August 1, 2025 and lunch starting September 1, 2025 at no cost this school year. (Does not apply at Grapevine High, Colleyville Heritage High and Bridges, reduced priced is $0.30 breakfast, $0.40 lunch )
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
A partir del 8 de julio de 2025, se pusieron a disposición las solicitudes para el año escolar 2025-2026.Se alenta a las familias a completar la Solicitud de comidas escolares gratuitas y a precio reducido disponible en línea en www.schoollunchapp.com. Se puede descargar una copia en papel del sitio web o solicitarla en cualquier campus o en la oficina de Servicios de Nutrición.
La solicitud determinará la elegibilidad del niño para recibir comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido y puede ayudar a determinar la elegibilidad para otros beneficios estatales o federales. Solo es necesario completar una solicitud por hogar. Las escuelas notificarán al hogar sobre la elegibilidad del niño. El Departamento de Agricultura de Texas (TDA) administra los programas de nutrición escolar en Texas y ofrece una calculadora de elegibilidad en
www.SquareMeals.org/ProgramEligibility.
Las decisiones relativas al pago de las comidas escolares se toman a nivel del gobierno nacional, no por el equipo de nutrición escolar ni por el TDA. El dedicado personal de Servicios de Nutrición espera poder servir comidas saludables y equilibradas a los estudiantes en el nuevo año escolar. Si tiene alguna pregunta, llame al 817-251-5617 o envíe un correo electrónico a child.nutrition@gcisd.net.
La legislación de Texas ha aprobado un presupuesto bienal para 2025-26, que incluye la cobertura del costo de los desayunos escolares a partir del 1 de agosto de 2025 y de los almuerzos a partir del 1 de septiembre de 2025 para los estudiantes cuyos campus participan en los programas federales de comidas y son elegibles para comidas a precio reducido. Los estudiantes a los que se les aprueben las comidas a precio reducido podrán desayunar a partir del 1 de agosto de 2025 y almorzar a partir del 1 de septiembre de 2025 sin coste alguno durante este año escolar. (No se aplica en Grapevine High, Colleyville Heritage High y Bridges, el precio reducido es de 0,30 $ el desayuno y 0,40 $ el almuerzo).
Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.
Join CTMS PTA: Click this link to join the CTMS PTA. Thank you for supporting the pack!
Interested in Volunteering: Volunteers make Cross Timbers Middle School great! Please consider sharing your talents and enthusiasm by volunteering! Complete this form.
August 19th: Mini School Night & First PTA General Meeting - Mark your calendar for CTMS Mini School Night and the first PTA meeting of the 2025-2026 school year. See you at 5:30 p.m.
Follow us on Facebook at "Cross Timbers Middle School PTA" to see updates and important information!
August 13 ~ 1st Day of School ~ Doors open at 7:45 a.m. School starts at 8:05 a.m.
August 14 ~ Picture Day
August 16 ~ MS Bands NRH2O Day
August 18 ~ Volleyball/Cross Country Parent Meeting 6-7 pm
August 19 ~ PTA General Meeting 5:30 p.m. & Mini-School Night 6:00 p.m .
August 22 ~ PTA 6th Grade Back to School Social 3:30-4:30 pm
September 1 ~ Pack Holiday No School
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.
Each year, GCISD technology staff see an influx of devices that need repair during the first several weeks of school. This can lead to students missing valuable time in class in which their device is needed. To ensure students start off next year in the best possible way, please complete the following simple steps.
Who: All wolves
When: Before the beginning of the school year
What: Complete the following steps to ensure your device is working properly
Locate your device charger and ensure it is working properly
Power on your device
Ensure your screen and keyboard are working properly (Make sure all the keys are working properly)
If anything is not working:
- 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.
Important Information from Nutrition Services
Welcome back! Nutrition Services is excited about the upcoming school year. School Menus, the district charge policy, menu item pricing and more can be found on the department website here.
More information including menu item nutritional information and allergens may be viewed through the nutrition services website or by downloading the Meal Viewer app through the apple or android store.
In accordance with program guidelines, the Free and Reduced application will be available online as part of skyward registration. The free and reduced application should be filled out electronically at https://www.nlappscloud.com/. For those parents that still would like to complete a paper application, they may download an application on the website or stop by the Nutrition Services office at 5800 Colleyville Blvd.
Procedure for Students with Unpaid Meal Charges
Parents/Guardians shall monitor their student’s school meal account to ensure that they always have a positive balance. In the event that a student does not have a positive balance, the student may charge up to 5 meals to their account. Only reimbursable meals may be charged. A la carte items may not be charged. Communication about a negative meal balance will be sent to parents/guardians via email/text. Students who have exceeded the 5 charged meal limit, will be offered an alternative meal that will be charged to the student’s account.
If you have questions about the Nutrition Services program, please call ext. 5618 or email child.nutrition@gcisd.net.
Meal Prices
Pk-8 Breakfast - $1.85
High School Breakfast - $2.05
Reduced Breakfast* - $0.00
Adult/Guest Breakfast - $3.25
Elem. Lunch - $3.10
Middle Lunch - $3.30
High School Lunch - $4.00
Reduced Lunch* - $0.40, after Sept. 1, No cost
Adult/Guest Lunch - $4.75
*(Reduced priced at GHS, CHHS, Bridges is $0.30 breakfast, $0.40 lunch)
This institution is an equal opportunity provider
Información importante de los Servicios de Nutrición
¡Bienvenidos de nuevo! Los Servicios de Nutrición están muy entusiasmados con el próximo curso escolar. Los menús escolares, la póliza de cobros del distrito, los precios de los platos del menú y mucho más se pueden consultar en la página web del departamento aquí.
Se puede ver más información, incluida la información nutricional de los elementos del menú y los alérgenos, a través del sitio web de servicios de nutrición o descargando la aplicación Meal Viewer a través de la tienda Apple o Android.
De acuerdo con las guías del programa, la solicitud para obtener comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido estará disponible en línea como parte del registro en Skyward. La solicitud para obtener comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido debe completarse electrónicamente en https://www.nlappscloud.com/. Los padres que aún deseen completar una solicitud en papel pueden descargar una solicitud en el sitio web o pasar por la oficina de Servicios de Nutrición en 5800 Colleyville Blvd.
Procedimiento para estudiantes con cargos por comidas impagadas
Los padres/tutores deberán supervisar la cuenta de comidas escolares de sus hijos para asegurarse de que siempre tengan un saldo positivo. En caso de que un estudiante no tenga un saldo positivo, podrá cargar hasta 5 comidas a su cuenta. Solo se podrán cargar comidas reembolsables. No se podrán cargar artículos a la carta. Se enviará una notificación sobre el saldo negativo de comidas a los padres/tutores por correo electrónico/mensaje de texto. A los alumnos que hayan superado el límite de 5 comidas cargadas se les ofrecerá una comida alternativa que se cargará a la cuenta del alumno.
Si tiene alguna pregunta sobre el programa de Servicios de Nutrición, llame a la extensión 5618 o envíe un correo electrónico a child.nutrition@gcisd.net.
Precios de las comidas
Desayuno Pk-8: $1.85
Desayuno de secundaria: $2.05
Desayuno reducido*: $0.00
Desayuno para adultos/invitados: $3.25
Almuerzo de primaria: $3.10
Almuerzo de secundaria: $3.30
Almuerzo de secundaria: $4.00
Almuerzo a precio reducido*: $0.40; a partir del 1 de septiembre, sin coste alguno.
Almuerzo para adultos/invitados: $4.75
A parent preview of the program will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 at 10:00am & 6:00pm at the GCISD Administration Building – Board Room, 3051 Ira E. Woods, Grapevine, Texas 76051.
The adolescent years are marked by a roller-coaster ride of emotions—difficulty for youths, their parents, and educators. It is easy to misread depression as normal adolescent turmoil; however, depression (among the most common of mental illnesses) appears to be occurring at a much earlier age. Depression—which is treatable—is the leading risk factor for suicide.
To proactively address these issues, GCISD offers depression awareness and suicide prevention training as part of the SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program. The SOS Signs of Suicide® Prevention Program is designed for all secondary students grades 6-12. The GCISD School Health Advisory Committee has reviewed and recommended these programs for all GCISD secondary schools.
For more information, including information about how to opt your student out of the program, please click here: English Spanish
At Cross Timbers Middle School, student presentations will occur on September 15 (7th/8th) during 5th period and September 17(6th) during 2025 during pre athletics. Questions about SOS and CTMS students may be directed to Allyiah Daniels at allyiah.daniels@gcisd.net or (817) 251-5323. See permission forms links below:English:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?pli=1#inbox/FMfcgzQbgcTwJnQnpsdwDQlZFmCkFGCP?projector=1
Spanish:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11v85yQNd7e6Ijh3ALZ4kvtBORZb9kYjSDIp9iOAk3m8/edit?tab=t.0
INCOMING 7TH GRADE VACCINE REQUIREMENTS - SCHOOL NURSE
Good day Wolfpack parents and guardians!
The school nurse will need an updated shot record or waiver for all incoming 7th grade students prior to the first day of school in August. The state of Texas requires documentation for Tdap and Meningococcal vaccinations for 7th grade. These two vaccines are often given at the 11th year check up by your primary care doctor. You may email me a copy of the updated vaccination record as soon as it is available to adriana.maxwell@gcisd.net or fax to (817)305-4958. Please send this record as soon as possible to allow for a timely review.
If you are underinsured or do NOT have health insurance, the Tarrant County Health Department is available to provide students vaccines for a fee at the Bagsby-Williams location at 3212 Miller Ave. Fort Worth, Tx 76119 or the Watauga location at 6601 Watauga Road Suite 122 Watauga, Tx. Please call for an appointment as they will not take walk-ins. For the Bagsby-Williams location call 817-531-6738 or for the Watauga location, call 817-248-6066
If you DO have health insurance, please contact your primary care physician as your child may already have received these vaccines at an earlier appointment, and the school needs the updated record or contact CareNow, Walmart pharmacies, Walgreens or CVS as they are offering vaccinations as well. Call ahead to verify and/or to make an appointment. Remember to take a copy of your current vaccination record. You may obtain your child's record by logging into Skyward with family access and selecting “Health” on the bottom left column and “display options” then “immunizations”. You can also take a picture of this printed record and store it in your phone for easy access in the future. For more information on the vaccine/immunization requirements for school, see the link below to the Texa Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunizations/school
Please see the link below regarding information on conscientious waivers. The conscientious waiver forms may take up to 2 weeks to arrive to you and they require a notary signature so plan ahead. The waivers expire 2 years from the date of signature. The COVID-19 vaccine is not required by the State of Texas to attend school.
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunize/school/Exemption-Information---School-Immunizations/
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.
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
Email: ctms.info@gcisd.net
Website: https://ctms.gcisd.net/
Location: 2301 Pool Rd, Grapevine, TX 76051
Phone: 817-251-5320
Twitter: @CTMSWolfWay