The Wolf Weekly
April 27, 2025
CTMS Family Newsletter
Wonderful Wolf Families,
HOWL: Howl to Gina Ramon, CTMS's choir teacher who was named GCISD Secondary Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Ramon was selected out of all the secondary school teachers of the year to represent GCISD for the next year. See below in Wolf Spotlights for more details a few pictures from the event.
STAAR: Wolves will take their last STAAR test of the 2024-2025 school year on Tuesday. Thank you, in advance, for charging devices before school on Tuesday in preparation for math testing.
Date adjustment: Slight adjustment from what was published in last week's Wolf Weekly, all award ceremonies will take place on Friday, May 16 during Wolf Fest. Families will receive invitations in the coming days if their wolves are being honored at the awards ceremonies.
Thank you, in advance, for reading this week's newsletter!
Howl,
Jamie Halliburton
CTMS Principal
Wolf Spotlights
GCISD Secondary Teacher of the Year
Howl to Gina Ramon for being selected as GCISD's Secondary Teacher of the Year on Thursday at the combined chambers staff recognition luncheon!
In her three years at CTMS, Mrs. Ramon has grown the choir program from around 100 wolves to 276 wolves, necessitating a second choir director. Mrs. Ramon believes music is the universal language that binds us together. The growth of this program has to do with the development of a familial culture. Students stay in choir because they know their unique gifts are cherished every day. Mrs. Ramon select music that highlights the talents of her choirs. From daring rhythmic beats to multiple solos, all Wolves have the opportunity to shine in the choir room and on the stage.
The pack is incredibly proud of Mrs. Ramon, GCISD Secondary Teacher of the Year!
Glow to the Beach
Howl to CTMS PTA for transforming the SAC into a beach themed neon dance event! The seventh graders had a great Friday night thanks to all the volunteers who make it possible!
Extracurricular Activities
CTMS PTA
7th Grade Glow to the Beach!!!!
Thank you to Brandi Rowntree & her committees for all of their hard work in making the 7th grade social a success! You are so appreciated! See above for a few pictures from Friday night.
Staff Appreciation Week
There are plenty of ways to show the pack staff our appreciation, see below for just a few.
Tissues Needed - Spring Allergies!
Purchase from our Amazon Wishlist to have tissues sent directly to CTMS!
Wolf Fest - Save the Date: May 16th!
More details coming soon about the schedule of the day & volunteer signups!
School Supplies
8th Grade Banquet
- The CTMS PTA is excited to host this year's 8th Grade Banquet on Friday, May 9th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. This year's theme is Boots & Bling. To register your 8th grader, please complete this form no later than April 30th. Early Bird tickets are $25 per Wolf and include dinner, dancing, amazing games, prizes, and a class t-shirt for early registration completed by April 18th.
- IMPORTANT: Parents, you will only be able to attend the event if you are signed up as a volunteer. You can sign up HERE! Please make sure you have completed your GCISD Volunteer Background Check.
If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Leslie Sans at leslie@dallaspetsalive.org.
Shout Out the PACK!
Your kind words of encouragement truly uplift our teachers and staff! If you have a positive experience to share, weād love to hear about it! Use this form to leave a shout out for our amazing wolf staff!
Upcoming Dates & Events
- April 29: Math & Algebra STAAR
- April 30: Spring Band Concert @ GHS
- May 2: Athletic Banquet
- May 3: Election Day
- May 5-9: Staff Appreciation Week
- May 8: CTMS Boys Soccer vs. North / Girls Soccer @ North
- May 9: CTMS Spanish Spelling Bee-LH / 8th Grade Banquet (see PTA section for more details)
- May 12: CEC 3:40 p.m.
- May 13: 8th Grade Field Trip/Choir Spring Concert/CTMS Girls Soccer vs. CMS/ Boys Soccer@CMS
- May 14: GT Symposium-SAC/LIB
- May 15: NJHS Induction Ceremony
- May 16: Wolf Fest More details coming soon!
- May 16 & 17: CTMS Boys District Soccer @ MPS / Girls District Soccer @ North
- May 22: Last Day of School/ Early Release at 12:10 p.m./8th Grade Clap-Out
District Information
Register Before May 16
Registering your student for the 2025-2026 school year before May 16. The earlier you register, the better we can plan as campuses are staffed based on registration numbers. Registering now helps GCISD avoid last-minute hiring or staff relocations when the school year begins.
Returning students: Register via Skyward Family Access
New families: Request a Skyward Family Access account first
Pre-K: Complete the pre-K online application first
New siblings: Log in to Skyward Family Access and add a new student by selecting the āNew Student Online Enrollmentā tab.
RegĆstrense antes del 16 de mayo
Registre a su estudiante para el ciclo escolar 2025-2026 antes del 16 de mayo. Cuanto antes se inscriban, mejor podremos planear, ya que el personal de los planteles se asigna según el número de inscripciones. Inscribirse ahora ayuda a GCISD evitar contrataciones de última hora o reubicaciones de personal cuando comience el año escolar.
Estudiantes que regresan: RegĆstrense a travĆ©s de Skyward Family Access
Nuevas familias: Soliciten primero una cuenta de Skyward Family Access
Pre-KĆnder: Completen primero la solicitud en lĆnea para pre-kĆnder
Hermanos nuevos: Inicien sesión en Skyward Family Access y agreguen a un nuevo estudiante seleccionando la pestaƱa āNew Student Online Enrollmentā (Inscripción en lĆnea para nuevos estudiantes)
2025-2026 Information
- Click here for the calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.
- Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open! Returning students register through Skyward.
- Wolf Camp: For incoming 6th grader is Friday, August 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Cross Timbers Information
- School Hours: 8:10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Doors Open: 7:45 a.m.
- Wolves enter the building through the C 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 and $1 for replacement lanyard. Per the student code of conduct, IDs are to be worn daily by all CTMS students and staff.
- Lost & Found: The Front Office currently has several pieces of jewelry, keys, glasses and phones that are lost and have found their way to the office! Come by to check to see if your item was found!
Who to Contact
Attendance
Lache Nealy
817-251-5326
Counselors
Molly Brown (last names A-K)
817-251-5315
Rachel Smith (last names L-Z)
817-251-5312
Student Advocate
Allyiah Daniels
817-251-5323
Registrar
Ilia Kaku
817-251-5314
Nurse
Riley Heimuli
817-251-5337
Assistant Principals
Alishia Ilic (last names A-K)
817-251-5313
Cinthia Morales (last names L-Z)
817-251-5317
Principal
Jamie Halliburton
817-251-5320
Need a Charger
In need of a new charger for a school issued Chromebook, click here for information on how to order a new one.
Thank you for helping our wolves be prepared for school each day by ensuring their Chromebooks are charged nightly!
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.
Cell Phone Policy
Middle school students may use telecommunications devices before and after school, and during
lunch. They may not use telecommunications devices during passing periods or classes.
What does this mean for the wolves?
- Devices can be used before 8:00 a.m., during lunch, and after 3:30 p.m.
- Smartwatches can be worn as long as they are used for telling time.
- Earbud, airpods, and the like will not be used in the hallway or during class time.
Updated ID Practice
Starting Wednesday, November 6th, we will implement a new CTMS practice for forgotten wolf IDs. As a reminder, the wearing of student IDs is part of the GCISD dress codes and outlined in the student code of conduct. We want to ensure consistency and encourage responsibility among our wolves, so each wolf will begin with a fresh start on this date.
The updated practice is as follows:
- First forgotten ID: Verbal warning.
- Second forgotten ID: Lunch detention.
- Third forgotten ID: Two lunch detentions.
- Fourth forgotten ID: Parent phone call, and a replacement ID will be automatically charged to the wolf's Skyward account.
- Fifth forgotten ID: In-school suspension (ISS) for repeated dress code offenses.
Additionally, please note that failure to return temporary IDs will result in lunch detention.
All wolves receive IDs, free of charge, on picture day. For those wolves who join the pack after picture day, they receive IDs when registering. Replacement IDs can be purchased from Ms. Richards in the front office before school or during lunch daily.
Thank you for your support in helping our wolves build good habits and follow GCISD expectations!
Buy Your Student I.D. Online ANYTIME!
Exciting News! CTMS Now Offers a New Online Purchase Option for Student ID's and Wolf Lanyards!
We are excited to announce that CTMS has added a new, convenient way for students and parents to complete your ID purchase needs online! This new payment option makes it easier and faster than ever before. You will find this payment option on the CTMS web page under the Quick Links heading where you can create your personal Web Store account. Once your account is created, click on the Middle Schools square and choose Cross Timbers Middle School. Complete your purchase through the Security/Dress Code option. Students will be able to finalize their order in Mrs. Richards office the following day once ID is personalized with the students' photo download. We hope this will be a helpful addition to preparing you student for a successful day at school everyday!
Student-Parent Handbook: Food Deliveries
Student-Parent Handbook page 55: Except in emergencies, delivery of messages or packages to students will not be allowed during instructional time. A parent may leave a message or a package such as a forgotten lunch, for the student to pick up from the front office during a passing period or lunch. Students are not permitted to order food using delivery services such as UberEats, DoorDash, etc.
What this means for the pack: Wolf pack family members may drop items off items to the vestibule for wolves. Delivery services are not permitted. Wolves will visit the vestibule during passing periods to pick up items dropped off by parents.
As we continue to work together to create an environment where students can thrive academically and socially, we recognize the challenges of balancing modern-day fashion trends with our district dress code standards.
In response to your feedback and after carefully reviewing dress code policies across neighboring districts, we are making an update to our guidelines to better align with current practices while ensuring that they are still appropriate for a school setting.
We have revised the item regarding the length of shorts to the following guideline: Shorts, including athletic shorts, must extend past the student's knuckles naturally and must remain visible when standing.
This has been updated in our online dress code document and in the Student Handbook (English) | (Spanish).
Our goal is that this adjustment is both clear and practical, and our administrators are committed to upholding these expectations. Thank you for your partnership and support as we continue to work together in the best interest of our students.
Volunteer Background Check
For the protection of students and staff, all volunteer applicants must read the Volunteer Handbook (in EspaƱol) and are asked to apply online authorizing the district to obtain a criminal history background check.
Note: All volunteers are required to reapply each year.
GCISD utilizes Volunteer Tracker for volunteer applications and signing up for volunteer opportunities. Please follow the steps provided to sign up. If you have any questions about registration, please contact App-Garden at support@app-garden.com or submit a help ticket.
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