The Wolf Weekly
August 3, 2025
CTMS Family Newsletter
Wonderful Wolf Families,
Tomorrow is one of the BEST days of the year...the pack staff returns to CTMS for a few days of learning and growing to prepare for the wolves to return to CTMS for the start of school on Wednesday, August 13! We are wicked excited to welcome back our wonderful staff!
THIS Friday, August 8, all wolves have the opportunity to come to CTMS to prepare for the first day of school.
- 7th and 8th grade wolves and families: Join us for this come and go event in the Silver Gym (smaller gym) at CTMS for Wolf Registration.Get schedules, purchase school gear, and more. See flyer below.
- 6th grade wolves and families: Join us for Wolf Camp! Parent and wolf meeting starting at 9:00 a.m. in the Black Gym (big gym), then the wolves will go off for a morning of fun with wolf leaders. Parents will stay for a brief meeting, then have the opportunity to participation in registration. See flyer below for more information.
To help your wolf be prepared for the start of the school year, complete the technology check (see below for specifics), find a lanyard to wear daily for student ID, and plan to purchase a planner at registration or find one your wolf likes.
Click here for GCISD Back to School Resources.
Howl,
Jamie Halliburton
CTMS Principal
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.
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.
Registration & Wolf Camp FAQs
- What to bring? Cash or check for lanyard, planner, and some of the sway. Cell phone for QR readers.
- How long will it take? The parent portion takes anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes (give or take depending on lines)if you are all registered in Skyward.
- How much do things cost? (remember cash or check)
- Lanyards = $5 (optional)
- Planner = $5 (optional)
- CTMS Swag anywhere from $10 to $35 (optional)
- PTA Memberships = $12 each (optional)
- Yearbook = $50 (optional)
- Where do we park? Park by the gyms towards the back of the school.
- Where do we enter? 6th graders and families will enter through the Black Gym doors, facing the softball and football fields. 7th and 8th grade families will enter through the Silver Gym doors, down from the SAC doors.
- What if we can't make it on Friday? No worries! Your wolf will get caught up on all the things the first couple days of school. Finalized schedules will be viewable on Skyward by the first day of school.
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!
August 8th: Wolf Camp - We are excited for you to join PTA, check out our digital Spirit Shop, and pick up supplies at Wolf Camp!
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 1 ~ PTA membership opens for the 2025-2026 school year!
August 8 ~ Wolf Camp for New Wolves & Registration for Returning Wolves (see above)
August 13 ~ 1st Day of School
August 14 ~ Picture Day
August 19 ~ PTA General Meeting 5:30 p.m. & Mini-School Night 6:00 p.m .
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.
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.
Morning Drop-Off & Afternoon Pick-Up
Drop-off and pick-up occur in TWO locations: In the parking lot outside the academic halls at the B-hall door and outside the SAC.
For the safety of all wolves, thank you in advance for driving slowly, keeping cell phones away, and staying alert and aware of others.
B-Hall Door
For drop-off and pick-up, the parking lot across from the football field is two lanes. Pull into the lane you will be exiting from, if you are turning right out of the parking lot, drop off and/or pick up your wolf in the inside lane (closest to the building) and if you are turning left out of the parking lot, drop off and/or pick up your wolf on the outside lane (closest to the football field). Also, please pull all the way up to let your wolf out of the vehicle. The doors to the school open at 7:45 a.m. and school dismisses at 3:35 p.m.
SAC Doors
This is a single lane drop-off and pick-up. The driveway is not for parking. If you need to assist your wolf, please park in a non-reserved space.
- 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: All wolves who did not attend Wolf Camp or Registration will be issued a temporary CTMS ID on the first day of school. 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.
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