T I M B E R WO L F T I M E S S 3 S 5
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A Message From Ms. McGraw:
Volume 6, Issue 1 Aug./Sept.
2013
Welcome new and returning Timberwolf families! September 3rd is fast approaching. I think I hear the moans of many children out there…We are excited and re-energized for another successful year! We have had an exciting summer with lots of construction both inside and outside the building as our roof is being replaced. On a side note, this spring and summer SCPS tested schools throughout the Division for radon gas to ensure compliance with Virginia Department of Education and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Several schools registered radon levels higher than the recommended EPA standard (4 pci/l) including our school. A small three (3) room area had slightly elevated readings. Increased ventilation is the preferred remediation plan to address elevated radon readings. There is no need for alarm or concern; however, I wanted to make you aware. Our Operations & Maintenance staff in conjunction with our school maintenance staff has adjusted the ventilation system in this part of the school to permanently address the elevated levels. Staff retested the three (3) room area this week (August 19 - 23) to confirm the remediation plan is adequate and levels have decreased. Results will be available to staff and posted on our web page prior to Aug 30. Our Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, August 28, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Due to the lack of parking spaces to accommodate all of our Timberwolf families at the same time, we are requesting that families attend the Open House based on the first letter of the student’s last name. If your child’s last name begins with A-G, you will meet his/her teachers from 4:00-5:00 p.m.; if your child’s last name begins with H-O, you will meet his/her teachers from 5:00-6:00 p.m.; and if your child’s last name begins with P-Z, you will meet his/her teachers from 6:00-7:00 p.m. You will pick up a copy of your child’s schedule when you arrive Wednesday evening. If you are unable to come Wednesday evening, you may pick up a copy of your child’s schedule in the front office on Thursday, August 29 or Friday, August 30. I thank you in advance for following this schedule and helping alleviate any problems due to lack of parking spaces. In addition to meeting your child’s teachers, we will have several other things going on during our Open House. Members of our PTO will be here to share information, sell spirit wear, and encourage you to volunteer. Representatives from our cafeteria staff will also be here to help you set up lunch accounts. Our P.E. teachers will be selling gym suits for our 7th and 8th graders in the gym ($10 for shirts, $10 for shorts). 6th graders do not change for PE. I strongly believe communication between home and school is vital to the success of our students. Our online grade book system allows you to access your child’s grades at anytime. Teachers are asked to input grades into their grade book at least once per week. Please remember that you can email the teacher should you have any questions regarding your child’s progress. Teachers check their email at least once per day. We will be asking for your continued help and support throughout the school year. All of our families are automatically part of our PTO. You are not required to join. I encourage you be an active member and be involved. Please become familiar with our School Fusion website as it will be the most convenient way to disseminate information. I hope you will feel free to contact me, should you have any concerns or questions at mmcgraw@staffordschools.net. I look forward to an exciting school year and hope to see you at the Open House on August 28th! Sincerely, Mary Grace McGraw
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Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! The Shirley Heim PTO has been working on some great plans for the new year. An excellent way to help the school is to participate in our wonderful PTO. But don’t worry we understand life is busy, we make getting involved simple. First thing to do is to take a minute to fill out the Volunteer Opportunities form and send it back into the school. The front office will put them in the PTO mailbox and we will take it from there. It is our way to track your interests and availability. When we have an opportunity an email will be sent using the Volunteer Opportunity form as a guide. Remember you need to fill out the form every year to be included in the current database. You can find the form in the Open House packet or it can be downloaded from the PTO Fusion page. The PTO Fusion page is the second way to stay informed of what we having going on at Shirley Heim. It is a great way to keep up with any upcoming events. You can have any updates delivered straight to your inbox along with all your other school information in one easy email by joining the PTO page. To join the page you go to the PTO Fusion page at http://pto.stafford.heim.schoolfusion.us and click on the “Join this Fusion Page” in the top right corner. At Open House this year we will have a table with a limited supply of spirit wear tshirts and hoodies for sale. Make sure you check out the Fall Spirit Wear order form to see everything we have to offer. We have many great styles of tshirts, hoodies and drawstring bags. They will be hanging on display in the front office if you would like to see a sample. Our order deadline this year is Monday, September 16th! The order form will be in the Open House packet and is also available on our Fusion page. The next opportunity to buy spirit wear will not be until spring, so don’t delay. Place your order NOW. By popular demand we have a new supply of car magnets available for $5. If you missed them at Open House they will be available for sale in the front office. It is a great way to show your school spirit. Thank you for supporting our school. It is bound to be a wonderful year with such great students, teachers and parents. If you have any questions, ideas, or want to get involved please feel free to contact me at shmsptopresident@gmail.com. Sincerely, Lisa Nelson Shirley Heim PTO President
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September 2013 Sun
Mon
Tue
1
2
3
Wed
X
4
Thu
5
Y
Fri
X
6
Sat
Y
7
Football, Volleyball Football, Volleyball Football, Volleyball & Field Hockey & Field Hockey & Field Hockey tryouts 3-5 pm tryouts 3-5 pm tryouts 3-5 pm First Day of School
8
15
9
16
X
Y
10
Y
11
X
12
Y
13
X
14
Y
21
Football Parent Mtg. 5:30 pm
Field Hockey/ Volleyball Parent Mtg. 5:30 pm
School Pictures
17
18
19
X
20
26
Y
27
X
Y
School Fund Raiser Kick-Off
22
23
X
24
Y
25
X
Football @ GMS
29
30
Y
Fund Raiser Ends Field Hockey/ Volleyball Home
Word of the Month: Fairness
X
Field Hockey/ Volleyball @ RTMS
28
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IMPORTANT REMINDERS! Attendance: Regular attendance is essential to a student’s success in school. Most subjects are taught in sequence, requiring the understanding of each concept in the order of its presentation. Persistent absenteeism creates a genuine hardship for a student and is regarded as a very serious problem and will be referred to the division attendance officer. If your child is absent from school, please call the office by 10:00 a.m. to inform us of their absence. We can be reached at 658-5910. The absence will be unexcused until a written note is received.
Office Phone: Students are not allowed to use the office phone to call home for homework, lunch money, to arrange rides with friends, etc. We do not call students out of class for phone calls, and can only give messages in the event of a family emergency.
Bus Passes: If your child is planning to ride the bus home with another student, both students must have permission notes from a parent or guardian to receive a bus pass. Bus notes are to be brought to the main office before homeroom. Students are not allowed to use the phone to arrange bus notes during the school day.
Tardies: It is very important that students arrive to school on time and ready to learn. Any student arriving to class after 8:20 a.m. is considered tardy and must report to the main office for a tardy slip. A written note must be provided for each tardy in order for it to be excused. Repeated unexcused tardies may result in disciplinary action.
Car Riders: If your child is going to be a car rider, we ask that you make these arrangements with them before they arrive at school. Phone calls to classrooms are disruptive, and we cannot guarantee you a last minute message will get to your child before dismissal.
Change of Address: It is very important, for emergency and administrative reasons, that every student maintains an up-to-date address record at the school office. Notify the school immediately if you have a change of address during the school year.
Delivery of Flowers, Balloons, etc. Parents and friends are asked NOT to send flowers, balloons, etc. to students at school. It is disruptive to the education process and these items are not allowed to be transported on school buses.
School Spirit-Colors and Mascot: The mascot for Shirley C. Heim Middle School is the Timberwolf and school colors are orange and navy. We encourage our students to identify with these symbols as a representation of our school pride and spirit.
Visiting During School Hours: Visiting is permitted , but certain procedures must be followed. If you wish to meet with your student’s teacher, please make arrangements and an appointment prior to coming to school. Teachers cannot be disturbed during instructional time. SCPS will be using the Raptor Visitor Sign In system this year. A valid state issued ID is required to be scanned into the system upon entry to the school.
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STAFFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS DRESS CODE The following is prohibited in Stafford County Schools: Clothing and accessories that promote alcohol, tobacco, or drug usage or which display weapons or violence and which cause or are likely to cause disruption within the school environment. 1) Decisions regarding the appropriateness of clothing, footwear and accessories will be made by the Principal or a designee. Items deemed inappropriate will be brought to the parent's attention for corrective action. Continued violations of the dress code will subject the student to suspension from school. 2) Clothing and accessories that contain vulgar, derogatory, or suggestive diagrams, pictures, slogans or words that may be interpreted as racially, religiously, ethically, or sexually offensive and which cause or are likely to cause a disruption within the school environment. 3) Clothing symbolic of gangs or disruptive groups associated with threatening behavior, harassment or discrimination and which cause or are likely to cause a disruption within the school environment. 4) Clothing, accessories and/or any words, pictures, diagrams, etc., thereon which are lewd, vulgar, indecent, plainly offensive, or which cause or are likely to cause a material disruption. 5) Tank tops, tube tops, mesh tops, sheer tops, sleeveless tops, halters, or bare midriff tops. 6) Shirts cannot have necklines that are lower than the straight line from top of underarm across to opposite underarm. 7) Shirts must cover shoulders, must have sleeves, and must extend pass the top of the pants. Display of cleavage is not permitted. Tops may not expose the midriff, and clothing must cover undergarments at all times. Note that at the Elementary level, sleeveless tops and dresses are permitted providing they do not violate any other part of the dress code. 8) Fringed garments in CTE areas or in Drama and Art areas, which contain machinery. 9) Leggings or tight fitting spandex type pants, pants with side slits or holes above the knees, see-through pants, tights, or leotards worn as outer garments. 10) Sagging pants, pants worn low on the hip so as to reveal underwear or skin. Pants must be worn with both legs down (not one leg rolled up), and pants legs may not extend past the sole of the shoe. Clothing must cover undergarments at all times. 11) Dresses, skirts, shorts, culottes, and skorts that are shorter than the extended tip of the longest finger with arms hanging naturally at the sides. 12) Pajamas, loungewear, and dorm pants. 13) Items of clothing that would impair the health and safety of the student during normal school activities. 14) Bedroom slippers, roller sneakers, or heels higher than 3 inches. Shoes must be worn at all times. Athletic shoes or closed shoes with a rubber sole should be worn for Physical Education and recess. At the Elementary level, high heels, loose fitting sandals and flip-flops are discouraged for safety reasons. 15) Sunglasses or permanently tinted dark glasses. 16) Dog collars, chains, wallet chains, safety pins, spike jewelry or fishhooks worn as jewelry, accessories or ornamentation. Bandanas may not be worn anywhere on one’s person. 17) Head coverings of any kind in the building (except for religious or medical reasons). 18) Curlers, picks, combs, or hair rakes in the hair.
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STAFFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS NUTRITION SERVICE Parents: If you want to make changes to your childs spending Limits, Please call your School Cafeteria manager. Every year we clear out individual Notes, Please Contact Your Childs School Cafe For Account Restrictions. Make sure when updating your child's daily spending limits, include funds for breakfast and/or lunch.
School Nutrition now offers an online payment system that allows parents to add money to their childrens' account. You can access the Parents FAQ section of MyLunchMoney.com by clicking here. Parents: If you want to make changes to your childs spending limits, Please call your School Cafeteria manager. Make sure when updating your child's daily spending limits, include funds for breakfast and/or lunch.
Lunch Prices
Ala Carte Lunch Prices
Elementary
$2.45
Entree Only (High)
$2.65
High Middle
$2.65 $2.55
Extra Entree w/ Meal
$1.95
$.40
Soy milk with lunch
Reduced Adult
$3.25
Breakfast Prices Breakfast All Levels Reduced Adults
Soy Milk Only
Breakfast Entree Only
Milk 8 oz.
$.50 Dessert
$.50
$2.85$2. 95 $3.05
Orange Juice 8 oz.
$.50
$.80
Ice Cream
$.50
Ala Carte Breakfast Prices $1.30
Ala Carte
$1.30
$.00
Breakfast Entree w/ meal $.90
$1.60
Soy milk with Breakfast
$1.70
Free / Reduced Soy Milk Price Breakfast or Lunch
$.40
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Go Timberwolves ! We are looking forward to an exciting season, including the first home football game on October 2 and home field hockey and volleyball games on September 30! Tickets to home games are $2 per person, school age and up. We look forward to your support at games!
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE B Quarter begins at 3:40 p.m. FIELD HOCKEY/VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
Games begin at 4:00 p.m. September 25
Away @ Gayle
October 02
Home vs. Stafford Middle
October 09
Home vs. A.G. Wright
October 16
Away @ H.H. Poole
October 23
Home vs. Drew Middle
October 30
Home vs. Dixon-Smith
November 6
Away @ Rodney Thompson
B Quarter begins at 3:40 p.m. Games begin at 4:00 p.m. September 27
Away @ Rodney Thompson
September 30
Home vs. Dixon-Smith
October 04
Home vs. Drew Middle
October 09
Away @ H.H. Poole
October 11
Home vs. A.G. Wright
Our Shirley Heim Middle School newsletter will be available at the beginning of each month on our school website. We will not be mailing home a copy of the newsletter to you unless you specifically request a hard copy. If you would like to receive a copy of the newsletter in the mail, please contact the main office at 658-5910.
Flash Drive Wrist Bands $10.50 (with tax included)
2 GB flash drive Includes school name Use for storing class assignments and projects Purchase in room 119 or the front office
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Counseling Corner Welcome back to Shirley C. Heim Middle for another exciting year! We, in the counseling department, hope that you are as excited as we are to begin this brand new school year. Your counselors this year will be Mrs. Kitchens (6 th grade and 8th grade L-Z) and Mrs. Sáinz (7th grade and 8th grade A-K). We are welcoming Mrs. Hupman this year to the counseling department as our new counseling secretary/registrar. Counselor assignments will be noted on student schedules. Students are urged to visit the counseling center for any questions and concerns, whether big or small. Please feel free to pop in and say hello to us. Student schedules will be handed out at Open House on August 28th. If you find errors please stop in during open house. Or, if you feel like it’s too busy that night, feel free to call during the day Thursday or Friday. Unfortunately some electives were full and students may find that they did not receive their first elective choice. Our program this year will consist of classroom guidance, small group counseling, and individual counseling. Please see the optout form below, which outlines the Program. In the event that a parent or guardian wishes to eliminate or exclude participation of a student in any or all aspect of this Program, the parent or guardian may provide written notification to the principal of a school within fifteen (15) days of the publication of this notice. The family’s written notice must state specifically the goals or areas of the Program from which the student is to be excluded. Tips to Start the Year Out Right
Parent involvement at home leads to success in school Do you want your child to succeed in middle school? Then stay involved! Your involvement is the biggest factor in whether your child will do well academically. To get your child off to a great start this year:
Make your home learning-rich. Keep materials on hand that stimulate your child's mind. From simple art supplies to library books, offer creative outlets for her curiosity.
Encourage reading. Reading for pleasure will help your child build the comprehension and vocabulary skills she'll need to tackle more difficult material. Whether it's poetry, historic novels or science fiction, set aside time for your child to read every day.
Talk to your child about the importance of paying attention in class. Suggest that she take notes. Encourage her to participate. Challenge her to ask one question per day in each of her classes. This will keep her focused and engaged in what she is learning.
Start homework routines. Have a set time for homework. Offer your child a quiet place to work. Good study habits will help her through middle school--and beyond. And on days your child doesn't have homework, encourage her to read or review instead. Talk about school. Show your child that education is a priority in your family by asking her about school every day. Be sure to really listen to what she has to say. Reprinted with permission from the September 2013 issue of Parents Still make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2013 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc.
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Attendance is a priority for your middle schooler Strong attendance is as important to your child's school career as the foundation is to a house. Without it, there is nothing to build on. Here are just a few reasons your child should be in school:
School attendance is the law. Every school district requires students to attend. The only exceptions are illness or family emergency.
Missing school affects your middle schooler's grades. Studies show that when kids aren't in class to learn, they suffer academically. Peer relations often get started at school. A child who misses school may have fewer friends. To aim for top attendance:
Tell your child that school is important to your family and that you expect him to be in school on time every day.
Schedule vacations during school breaks or weekends.
Schedule appointments for non-school hours if possible.
Don't let your child stay home from school to avoid taking a test, to catch up on sleep or to finish a project. Reprinted with permission from the September 2013 issue of Parents Still make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2013 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Are you instilling respect in your middle schooler? Students can't do their best learning in an environment of misbehavior and disrespect. As a parent, it's your job to teach your child respect at home. Are you teaching your child to be respectful in all situations? Answer yes or no to the questions below to find out: ___1. Do you model respectful behavior for your child by treating others with respect? ___2. Do you make it clear to your child that you expect her to follow rules at school and home? ___3. Do you talk with your child about different points of view? ___4. Do you emphasize the importance of manners, such as saying please and thank you? ___5. Do you talk with your child about respectful ways to disagree? How well are you doing? More yes answers means you are working to raise a respectful child. For no answers, try those ideas in the quiz. Reprinted with permission from the September 2013 issue of Parents Still make the difference!® (Middle School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2013 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Stay tuned for more tips in upcoming newsletters and on the Shirley C. Heim website. Until then, we wish you a fantastic start to a new year.
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Timberwolf Times Stafford County Public Schools Guidance and Counseling Program, 2013-2014 ************************************************************************
Together with parents and educators, Stafford County’s school counselors assist all students to respond to educational, career development, and social and emotional needs. Children’s lives are constantly changing and their lives are affected by today’s societal issues. Such issues may cause children to have difficulty achieving their academic potential. All students can benefit from the assistance provided by a school counselor. STAFFORD COUNTY’S SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM GOALS AND PROGRAM AREAS The overall goal of school counseling program of the Stafford County Public Schools is to help young people develop to their maximum potential and to enhance their lives, for their future is our future. The Counseling program is preventative in its focus and is based upon the developmental stages of students in grade K-12. Because student needs vary at different age levels, the areas of emphasis will vary accordingly. The program builds a foundation for learning in the following areas: Academic and Educational Area: *orientation/transition to the educational environment; *pursuit of planned and balanced academic program consistent with abilities, interests and educational needs; *resolution of problems which interfere with learning; *awareness of academic abilities, strengths, needs and interests; *awareness of curricular alternatives, graduation requirements, and career goals; *awareness of academic and career opportunities after high school Career Area: *awareness of, and knowledge about, the world of work and career; *acquisition of information about educational and vocational/training opportunities with and beyond high school; *use of knowledge of self as it relates to career planning; establishment of tentative career objectives; *preparation for future education and employment. Personal/Social Area: *development of increased self-understanding; *establishment of positive relationships through effective communication skills; *acquisition of problem-solving/decision-making and coping skills; *encouragement of self-directive and responsible behavior; *understanding the need for positive attitudes toward school, learning, community, and society. COUNSELOR ETHICS School counselors abide by the professional ethical standards of the Virginia/American School Counselor Association and the Virginia/American Counselor’s Association. School Counselors’ relationships with others comply with all laws, policies, and ethical standards pertaining to confidentiality. Information and records of personal and social counseling with students are kept confidential and separate from a student’s educational
Timberwolf Times
Page 13 Stafford County Public Schools Guidance and Counseling Program, 2013-2014 ************************************************************************************* WHO ARE STAFFORD’S SCHOOL COUNSELORS?
SCHOOL COUNSELORS, along with all educators, participate in the guidance component of the school counseling program. SCHOOL COUNSELORS spend at least 60% of their day providing direct counseling services to students. SCHOOL COUNSELORS, in some schools, may assist the staff with the Standards of Learning testing program, at designated grade levels. SCHOOL COUNSELORS are licensed professionals
SCHOOL COUNSELORS are skilled in:
trained in:
- individual counseling;
- human development;
- group counseling;
- career information and development;
- consultation;
- tests and measurements;
- classroom guidance.
- social and cultural issues. SCHOOL COUNSELORS provide a program which
Includes:
SCHOOL COUNSELORS’ training:
- includes that specified by the Virginia Board of
- preventative services;
Education licensing requirements for school
- developmental activities;
counselors;
- individual counseling; - small group counseling; - classroom guidance lessons;
- includes counseling techniques which are part of their professional training; - does not include those prohibited by school
- information services;
policy, such as hypnosis or psychotherapeutic
- referral assistance.
techniques typically used for the treatment of mental illness or psychopathology.
ANNUAL NOTICE TO PARENTS and GUARDIANS for the PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL GUIDANCE and COUNSELING PROGRAM Families are notified annually with this notice appearing in each school’s newsletter listing the academic and career guidance counseling which is available to students. A parent or guardian has the right to determine their student’s participation in the Stafford County Public Schools’ Guidance and Counseling program described above. In the event that a parent or guardian wishes to eliminate or exclude participation of a student in any or all aspect of this Program, the parent or guardian may provide written notification to the principal of a school within fifteen (15) days of the publication of this notice. The family’s written notice must state specifically the goals or areas of the Program from which the student is to be excluded.
Shirley C. Heim Middle School
320 Telegraph Road Stafford, VA 22554