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T I M B E RW O L F T I M E S
A M e ssa g e F ro m M s . M c G r aw :
S h i r l e y C . H e i m M i d d l e S c h o o l
3 2 0 T e l e g r a p h R d .
S t a f f o r d , V A 2 2 5 5 4
5 4 0 - 6 5 8 - 5 9 1 0 f a x : 5 4 0 - 6 5 8 - 0 3 2 9
M a y /J u n e , 2 0 1 1
Vo lu me 3 , I s su e 8
The Spring SOL tests will be given May 20-June 7 this year. We will attach an abbreviated schedule of testing to our
school webpage for you to see. All students will be taking a test in reading and math. Sixth and Seventh grade students
who are currently taking social studies will be taking an SOL in that subject. Eighth graders who are currently taking
science will also have an SOL test. It is very important that all students attend school on time during these days of
testing.
This year’s summer school program will run from Monday, July 11 through Thursday, July 28. There will be no
classes on Fridays. The summer school program is for students who have failed a course, failed SOL tests, or have a
general weakness in basic skills. Students who have failed a course or have failed an SOL will be mailed a registration
form for summer school. Students may take language arts/reading and/or math during summer school. Registration
forms will be available on June 1 and can be found in the main office and on our website. There is no charge for the
middle school remedial program; however the parent/guardian must provide transportation. Summer school
registration forms will be due by June 24.
Exams for 7th and 8th graders will begin Tuesday, June 14. This is a full day of school. Beginning Wednesday, June
15, all students will be dismissed at 12:25 p.m. for the rest of the week. Exams will continue through Friday, June 17,
which is the last day of school. As part of the middle school exam exemption policy, 7th and 8th graders who passed an
SOL tests will be exempt from the exam in that SOL tested subject. If students are exempt from an exam, they do not
need to attend school during that exam period. Of course, any parent who wishes for their child to take an exam may do
so. Students will be taking exams in their elective and PE classes. Parents of 7th and 8th graders should receive a letter
from their student’s teachers to let you know which exams he/she may be exempted. Sixth graders do not take exams
and therefore will be expected to be in school during the early dismissal days.
As the school year comes to a close, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support. I
especially want to thank our wonderful PTO for all of their hard work supporting our students and staff. I wish our
departing eighth graders the best of luck as they enter high school. This is our first class of students who have attended
all three years at Shirley Heim Middle! I wish everyone a safe and relaxing summer. I look forward to seeing you
during our Open House in September!
Sincerely,
Mary Grace McGraw
P.S. Just a reminder that Friday, May 27, is now a full day of school due to snow
make-up days.
Chorus Notes
Our final concert of the year will be Monday, May 9th at 7:00 at the SHMS cafeteria. This will be our pops concert and I
am very excited about the music we are preparing for this concert. Please come out and hear a variety of songs from the
70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Students should plan on arriving at the choir room at approximately 6:45 for attendance and
warm-ups.
On Tuesday, May 10th the choir department will have their second Karaoke Concert. Students have ―auditioned‖ over
the course of the year and have been selected based on their performances. The concert will start at 3:30 in the forum,
and will last approximately one hour. Please consider coming out and supporting these talented students!
The 7th and 8th grade choirs will be traveling to King’s Dominion on Friday, May 13th. More information will be sent
home with those who have turned in their payment and paperwork. Additionally, there will be a combined rehearsal on
Wednesday, May 11th for those students who are participating. This is our only opportunity to rehearse together before
the event so it is extremely important that all students are in attendance.
Although the Karaoke Concert has already been held, we will still have Karaoke Fridays in May and June. The May
date is the 27th, the June date is the 14th (a Tuesday, due to finals being held on Friday).
Upcoming Events:
May 9 – Pops Concert; 7:00 PM; Students report at 6:45; SHMS Cafeteria
May 10 – Karaoke Concert; 3:30 PM; SHMS Forum- FREE
May 11 – Combined rehearsal for King’s Dominion
May 13 – 7th & 8th grade trip to King’s Dominion
May 27 – Karaoke Friday
June 14 – Karaoke Tuesday
Alyssa Irby
Shirley Heim Middle School Choirs
Page 2 Timberwolf Times
Timberwolf Times Page 3
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2
3
Softball -Away
Track-Away
4
NJHS Induction
Ceremony
7 pm Forum
5
Softball-Home
Track-Home
6
7th & 8th Grade
Band/Orch. Field
Trip-King’s
Dominion
7
8
9
Chorus Concert
7 p.m.
10
Track-Home
Softball-Away
3:30 p.m. Karaoke
Concert
11
12
Track –Away
Softball-Away
13
7th & 8th Grade
Chorus Field
Trip
King’s Dominion
14
15
16
17
Softball-Home
Track-Home
18
19
Softball Tourney
TBD
20
Reading 8 SOL
21
22 23
Reading 7
Reading 8
SOLs
Report Cards
24
Reading 7 SOL County Track Meet
Field Events
Stafford High
Softball Tourney-TBD
25
Reading 6 SOL
County Track Meet
Running Events
Stafford High
26
Reading 6
Algebra/Geometry
SOLs
Softball Tourney
TBD
27
Regular School
Day
Math 8 SOL
28
29
30
Memorial Day
NO SCHOOL
31 Math 7 SOL
May 2011
Dependability
Word of the Month:
Timberwolf Times Page 4
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
Math 7
Math 6
SOLs
2
Math 6 SOL
Band Concert
7 p.m.
3
Science 8 SOL
4
5
6 American History
6 SOL
Infinity &
Expedition
7th Grade Award
7 p.m.
7
Civics 7 SOL
Orchestra Concert
7 p.m.
.
8 SOL Make-ups
SHMS Athletic
Awards 6:30 p.m. Reception
7:00 p.m. Awards
9 SOL Make-ups
6th Grade Band/
Orch. Field Trip
Band/Orch Concert
7 p.m.
10 SOL Make-ups
8th Grade Night
With the Stars 6-8 p.m.
11
12
13
6th Grade Field
Trip Washington
D.C.
8th Grade
Academic Awards 6:30 p.m. Reception
7:00 p.m. Awards
14
7th Grade Odyssey
Awards
15
Early Release
12:25 p.m.
16
Early Release
12:25 p.m.
17
6th Grade
Thunder/Lightning
Team Awards Release at 12:25 p.m
Last Day of School
Enjoy Your Summer!
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Report Cards Mailed
25
26
27 28 29 30
Word of the Month:
June 2011
Forgiveness
Sports Physical Night: Colonial Forge High School
June 9th, 5:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m. Cost: $10
VHSL forms available in school office and online.
Timberwolf Times Page 5
Art Room News:
Mural Mania!
Students have been hard at work painting ceiling tiles adding to our Heim Art Gallery. Several Heim artists
are also painting students reading on the walls in front of the library.
Photo: Ariel Russell, Valerie Kagehiro, and Summer Dahlen
7th Grade:
Azzari, Anna Nicole
Beharry, Adrianna
Bown, Sarabeth
Byrd, Ronald
Caldwell, David
Chausse, Rebecca
Collins, Reggie
Cornwell, Danielle
Douglas, Adaisha
Ford, Maliyah
Henault, Brianna
Hernandez, David
Maas, Nicholas
McCarthy, Lamar
Mends-Cole Jr., Wil-
liam
Ross, Alicia
Serwa, Emmanuella
Shields, William
Tarr, Lindsey
Valencia, Juan
Wheeling, Taiya
8th Grade:
Alvarez, Claritsa
Baker, Donovan
Baldo, Joseph
Cameron, Elizabeth
Dahlen, Summer
Edwards, Donovan
Falk, Margaret
Flick, Angela
Folks, Yasmeen
Francis, Tristan
Garcia, Thalia
Gonzalez, Milton
Hernandez, Daniel
Hibner, Barry
Kagehiro, Valerie
King, Jaimee
Mairena, Malik
Minor-Ross, Kandace
Montano, Daffne
Olson, Brain
Ralston, Brandon
Reinboldt, John
Reys, Kelly
Riggins, Christopher
Rollin, Juwan
Rumble, Zachary
Russell, Ariel
Sanchez, Jason
Shurtleff, Janis
Simpson, Diana
Spearman, James
St. Vincent, Nicholas
Steele, Brian
Sundberg, Madison
Student Art Show at
Porter Library
Several Shirley Heim artists will have work on display at the Porter Library. The show will begin May 11th and
continues throughout the month of May. It promises to be an impressive show!
Artists featured in the Porter Library show:
Becker, Kayla 8
Byrd, Ronald 7
Cameron, Lizzy 8
Collins, Reggie 7
Douglas, Adaisha 7
Flick, Angela 8
Henault, Brianna 7
Kagehiro, Valerie 8
King, Jaime 8
Olsen, Brian 8
Russell, Ariel 8
Serwaa, Emmanuella 7
St. Vincent, Nicholas 8
8th Grade Art Field Trip
8th grade art students will be on a field trip to Kings Dominion on Friday, May 13th during Career Educational Days.
They will be attending seminars exploring a variety of careers. Art students will gain insight into how advertising
agencies work and will learn about how commercials are made from start to finish.
Photo: Emanuella Serwaa, Ronald Byrd, and Adaisha Douglas
Page 6 Timberwolf Times
Mark Your Calendars ……….
The Shirley Heim PTO will be hosting the 8th grade for a
“Night With the Stars”
June 10
6-8 p.m.
More details to follow.
Page 7 Timberwolf Times
NJHS
The National Junior Honor Society has once again had a very productive
year! We went to Greenfield Assisted Living Facility and had a game night
with the residents. We orchestrated a canned food drive at the holiday
season and a Soles 4 Souls drive as well this winter. In addition, the
membership in total has put in hundreds of hours during individual service
in and around the community. The impact these young ladies and
gentlemen are having is incredible! We wish them well and continued
service and leadership as they enter into high school!
On May 4th, the students below will be Inducted into the 2011-2012
Membership of the Chapter. These students have already demonstrated
their interest and success as leaders and service providers within their
communities. We look forward to great things in the year to come as
they come together as a team to make an impact.
FOCUS
CGS/IB/STAT- Thank you to all students that applied to each of
these programs! Good luck with your studies in high school and
beyond.
Summer Programs- Be on the lookout for summer opportunities
and never stop learning. Some camps and other activities have
been posted on the Fusion page previously and will continue to
be updated. More information still to come...
Focus Referrals- Please note that all new referrals to the program
will be processed in September. If you are interested in being
evaluated for next year, please contact Mr. Bouffard for
information. Thanks to all of those who helped out in identifying
and meeting the needs of these students.
BIT (Business and Information Technology)
Career & Technical Education Department
Mrs. Walden
Computers & Keyboarding
Keyboarding: Students have been working on creating a
High School Portfolio of their productions. Our next focus
is to become workplace ready! Students have learned how
to produce a memo. Also, they learned how to create a
business letter and format a business e-mail. The focus of
the quarter is on accuracy. Be sure you are practicing
keyboarding 10 minutes nightly (Monday thru Thursday)
using proper keyboarding technique and the handouts given
to you in class.
7th grade-Computer Application: Students are having a
ball this quarter. Students are pretending to be owners of a
baseball team. As team owners, they are responsible for
giving pay raises to their staff, caring for concession
inventory and calculating batting and run averages using
the Microsoft Excel Suite software application program.
Students are working across the curriculum using various
math formulas to manipulate data.
Computer Solutions: These students have just completed
our Troubleshooting and Maintenance Unit. We will begin
to work on creating a PowerPoint and a new unit called
Computer Graphics using paint tools. They will apply their
creative skills to create a student campaign flyer. I’m
looking forward to seeing the final product.
2011 – 2012 NJHS Members
Congratulations!
Tayandra Allen Alyssa Andreno Veronica Andrews Eric Arrington
Alondra Ayala-Coria Thomas Browning Ronald Byrd Nicole Cannan
Danielle Cornwell Danielle Dias
Tariq Dodoo Andrew D’Souza Natasha Early Samantha Falk
Tajleed Hardy Theodore Learnard Seth Mayle Joseph Nelson
Mary Passley Priyanka Pattni Soleil Rivera Wilenid Rodriguez Hernandez
Grayce Rogue Shaina Rousseau Sierra Smizer Lindsay Tarr
Bailey Taylor Viktoriya Tkhoryk
Go Timberwolves !
4/19 Home vs. Gayle Middle School
5/03 Away vs. A.G. Wright
5/05 Home vs. H.H. Poole
5/10 Home vs. Drew and Stafford
5/12 Away vs. Dixon-Smith
5/17 Home vs. Rodney-Thompson
Meets begin at 3:15 p.m.
Page 8 Timberwolf Times
Shirley Heim Cafeteria staff want to thank you and your students for their loyal support throughout the 2010-11 school
year. It is hard to believe we are wrapping up another school year here at Heim. In order to close out all negative
balance accounts by the end of the school year we will be ending our lunch charge program as of May 20th. In the event
that a student forgets their lunch money we will be offering a cheese sandwich, raisin box, and a milk. If there are any
questions or concerns please feel free to give me a call at 540-658-5910 ex. 1121.
Thank you,
Terry Kistler
Cafeteria Manager
IMPORTANT CAFETERIA NEWS…………
TRACK MEET SCHEDULE SOFTBALL SCHEDULE
4/19 Home vs. Gayle Middle
4/21 Away vs. Stafford Middle
5/03 Away vs. A.G. Wright
5/05 Home vs. H.H. Poole
5/10 Away vs. Drew Middle
5/12 Home vs. Dixon-Smith
5/17 Home vs. Rodney-Thompson
B Inning begins at 3:45 p.m.
Games begin at 4:00 p.m.
Page 9 Timberwolf Times
Team Twister
Science:
As we return from our Spring Break our science classes will be
finishing up the way heat moves and affects weather on
Earth. Students will then begin to study water. Students will
learn what makes water different from most other substances and
helps make life on Earth possible. We will then discuss how
water moves through and is affected by the environment.
Language Arts:
Over the next three weeks in May we will be in full SOL review
mode. The SOL is scheduled for May 25. We will be working
on reviewing the major concepts on the test like main idea,
theme, character, roots, information sources, cause and effect,
etc. You can help your student by reading with them, having
them go on www.studyisland.com and having them read.
After the SOL we will be working on advertising, parts of
speech, and we will be reading another novel. Have a great
summer!
Social Studies:
In May we will be completing our journey through the 20th
Century with the Cold War Conflicts and Modern Civil
Rights. We will start reviewing by the last week in May and our
SOL test is June 6th. After our testing we will be exploring the
different monuments that are at the National Mall and making
remembrance memorials to take with us when we go to
Washington DC and the American History Museum on June
13th.
Math:
Students are completing their work in the Probability and
Statistics strand at the beginning of May. Included in this,
students are working on a culminating project to pull together
gathering data, calculating statistics and then creating graphs to
represent their data. The remainder of May will be used for SOL
review and remediation. Students will be engaged in a variety of
activities that will reinforce and refresh all of the material that we
have learned this year to be best prepared for the SOL's. After
the SOL's, students will be using their time in mathematics to
prepare for next year's material with some beginning lessons. As
always, please let Mrs. Hudson or Mrs. Drees know if you have
any questions.
Math 6 and Math 6 Extended
Currently in Twister math we are learning all about probability
and statistics! We have completed SOL 6.20 on Probability. We
are currently learning SOL 6.19 and 6.18 on measures of central
tendency and graphs. We will be taking the Probability and
Statistics Benchmark Test in early May. Then we will take a
practice SOL test and begin reviewing for the Math 6 SOL Test.
The time spent reviewing will be very important for success on
the standardize test. Please encourage your student to take the
review time and work seriously! Good Luck Twisters!
The Twisters are working hard to prepare for SOL testing. These
tests will begin shortly before the Memorial Day holiday and
finish up on June 6. Please help us by stressing the importance of
doing well on these tests with your child. We will know our
scores almost instantaneously and want everyone to celebrate a
successful testing!
To end our year we will be taking a field trip to the National Zoo
on June 10. Before we go, each student will research an animal -
- animals will be given out randomly. While at the zoo, each
student will be videotaped in front of their animal's zoo home
presenting their research findings. We will also be debating the
pros and cons of zoos. Our final awards ceremony will be the
morning of June 16. The year has gone by quickly. We thank
you for the privilege of helping to educate your child.
Team Thunder/Lightning
Math - Team Expedition & Infinity:
With the end of the year upon us, the math classes will be
focusing on reviewing for their SOL which takes place June 1st.
We have a lot of activities planned both fun and educational,
focusing on the essentials over the past 7 months. An after school
tutoring schedule and permission slip was sent out for the month
of May prior to spring break. Students can still sign up but space
is limited and a signed note is required. After SOL testing, we
will be using that time for fun learning activities, as well as,
preparing them for 8th grade. I want to thank you for your
cooperation this year, my first in Stafford County, and have a
wonderful summer!!! Mr. Kane
Language Arts:
We will be reviewing and practicing reading skills to prepare for
the upcoming Reading SOL test. We also will be reading folk
literature and comparing Cinderella stories from around the
world. We will end the year with a unit studying the people who
have made history. The unit will focus on using different types
of text to study the same topic. Students will be reading
biographies, short stories, and poems. Have a wonderful summer
and keep reading!
Page 10 Timberwolf Times
Team Expedition Team Infinity
Awards Night for Team Expedition and Infinity :
Science – The final exam for science will be given June 15, 16,
and 17. The exact date for each class period will be posted on
Mrs. Norman’s school fusion page as we get closer to the exam
days. The exemption policy will also be posted on school
fusion. Notification will be sent home with the student if they are
exempt from taking the science final exam.
Awards Ceremony:
Teams Infinity and Expedition will be holding a joint awards
ceremony on June 6th, at 7 pm in the SHMS cafeteria. This
ceremony is to honor students who have exhibited outstanding
academic success and good character this school year. Awards
will be given for Citizens of the year, Highest Academic
Average, Second Highest Academic Average, and the Most
Improved. Awards will be assigned for each subject and each
session. Parents will be notified in advance if their student will be
receiving an award. All students are invited to attend the awards
ceremony to support their peers, however all students must be
accompanied by a parent.
Tentative SOL dates are as follows:
Reading 7: Monday, May 23rd
Math 7 & 7 Ext: Tuesday, May 31st
Civics: Tuesday, June 7th
Civics:
The month of May will be spent covering the Economics material
and then reviewing for the SOL test. Students are reminded that
if they pass their Civics & Economics SOL test, they will be
exempt from Mrs. Leadem's final exam. Scores will be shared
with the students as soon as possible after the test on 6/7.
Language Arts:
During the month of May, Language Arts classes will be
preparing for the SOL tests and will begin reading the novel
Holes by Louis Sachar. June will be spent completing the novel
and working on the fourth quarter book project. The students will
be presenting their last book project on Thursday, June 9. Look
for information regarding the project on Ms. Harmon's School
Fusion site.
The World Geography students in Mrs. Burks’
and Mrs. Reeves’ classes recently finished
learning about various aspects of our own country and Canada.
Students are currently working hard studying about our Latin
American neighbors to the south. They will have the opportunity
to learn about the great variety of physical contrasts found in
Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and South
America. They will also study the climate, economies,
governments, and the people of that area of the world. Our next
area of study will be Europe.
We are rapidly approaching the end of the school year. Once we
come back from spring break, we have three and a half weeks
until SOL’s. Algebra and Geometry students will be testing on
Thursday, May 26th and Math 8 students will be testing on
Friday, May 27th. All students will be taking released SOL tests
in preparation for the real thing. Students will be making
corrections on everything they miss and teachers will be
remediating when necessary. Students should be well prepared
for their test at the end of May.
We ask for your help at home. Math 8 students can go online to
www.studyisland.com or to http://education.jlab.org/solquiz/
index.html to practice specific skills. Both of these websites are
a great resource for practicing problems. 15-30 minutes a night
could make a huge difference. Algebra and Geometry students
can use the jlab website (but not studyisland) also.
We will continue our Math8 after school study sessions in the
computer lab until 4:30 up until the SOL tests are taken. The
computer lab is open on Tuesdays with Mrs. Wood/Ms. Doremus
and Wednesdays with Mr. Coppage/Ms. Doremus. All students
are welcome and encouraged to come. Students must have a ride
at 4:30. After school arrangements for Algebra and Geometry
students should be made with the appropriate teacher directly.
After the SOL’s it will be time to slow down a bit, but not stop.
Math 8 students will be introduced to the graphing calculator in
preparation for Algebra next year. They will learn basic
functions and how to graph lines in the calculator. Daily grades
will be taken on their understanding. Algebra students will either
get an introduction to Geometry or will be given a project to
complete – we have yet to decide. Geometry students will be
diving into statistics and will learn about mean absolute
deviation, variance, standard deviation and zscores.
It has been a great pleasure teaching the 8th graders this year. We
hope that all students have gained a deeper understanding of
whatever math they took this year and it will follow them to the
high school. As always, if you have any questions or concerns,
please contact your student’s math teacher.
Page 11 Timberwolf Times
From Sheriff Jett:
It is hard to believe that another school year is only 6 weeks
away from being over and the joys and anticipation of summer
are upon us. 5th graders are in the last days of elementary
education and are looking forward (with some bit of trepidation)
to middle school, lockers and yes, the responsibilities that
middle school presents. For some of you your last child will be
entering kindergarten. That can be both a sad and happy day!!
For many of you the end of the school year also means a chance
to get away for awhile for an out of town vacation, a visit to
family members or a brief trip to state or local spots of interest.
When considering a trip of any kind it is important to keep in
mind some basic safety tips that will help ensure a good time for
every member of the family. The American Academy of
Pediatrics has a web site, www.aap.org that gives some good
basic safety tips when travelling with young children. You may
want to take a minute and check it out. Don’t forget that a parent
setting a good example by driving with a seat belt and obeying
traffic laws is always a good idea! It is also not too early to
demonstrate good driving behavior by not texting while driving
and, if at all possible, refrain from using a cell phone while
driving.
While travelling with children can be a challenge, it can also be
a memory that the entire family remembers with warmth and
affection.
I wish all of you a most enjoyable summer. Take some time and
relax.
Sheriff Charles E. Jett
EIGHTH GRADE NEWS:
Page 12 Timberwolf Times
CLINIC NEWS
END OF THE YEAR MEDICATION PROCEDURE
All medications will need to be picked up from the clinic by parents on Friday, June 17, 2011 between the hours of
8:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. If you are unable to do so on that day, please contact the school nurse to arrange another time.
Medications will not be sent home with students. Medications not picked up will be properly disposed of by the last
working day of teaching/nursing staff.
Medication Permission forms must be renewed annually. Medication forms can be picked up in the clinic or
downloaded from the clinic fusion page.
** Parents of Rising 9th Graders
8th grade students will receive a School Health Alert Information form. Please return the completed form to the school nurse so it can
be added to your child’s records.
Rising 6th grade students
Rising 6th grade students are required by the State of Virginia to receive a tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) booster shot prior
to entry into middle school.
No student will be admitted to a Stafford middle school in September without this immunization. This shot may be listed as T,
Td, Dtap, and /or Tdap and should be within the last five years. Tdap can be given to student’s age 10 or 11.
Multiple vaccine preparations are available. If your health care provider does not carry the preparation for your student’s age you
may call the Stafford Health Department (540-659-3101) for an appointment.
Documentation of the Tdap should be taken to your child’s school nurse no later than August 1, 2011.
Sports Physicals
Sports physicals will be held at Colonial Forge High School Gym on June 9, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sport physical
application forms are available in the clinic and online.
Mrs. Granderson, RN
Page 13 Timberwolf Times
Heim Root of the Week
I enjoyed planting our first Root of the Week Program this past year. I appreciate all the support from the staff and
students for this program!
Congratulations to our most recent student winners:
Week of March 28th
6th Grade – Mark Stephens
7th Grade – Heidi Ruiz
8th Grade – Katrina Stalik
Week of April 4th
6th Grade – Arvin Sarbah
7th Grade – Jaden Aponte
8th Grade – Merik Mainz
Week of April 11th
6th Grade – Emily Gannon
7th Grade –Alejandra Recinos
8th Grade – Cody Lundquist
Week of April 18th
6th Grade – Jordyn Vannes
7th Grade – Morgan Burnley
8th Grade - Jocelyn Garcia
Mrs. Walden was the Teacher Winner for the month of March!
Mrs. Carmichael was the Teacher Winner for the month of April!
The Week of April 18th was our last Root of the Week for the Year. Our Root Review is now in progress and will
continue until SOL testing begins. A new Root Review question will be shown on the TV following morning
announcements each day. Students can put their entries in the box in the media center. One winner will be randomly
chosen for each grade level from all correct answers each week.
Visit Mrs. Blecha’s Fushion Page for more information on the program and for updates on student and staff winners!
Page 14 Timberwolf Times
Heim Library News
Summer Reading
Studies have shown that reading over the summer helps students retain more of everything they have learned, not just language arts.
So obviously encouraging summer reading is a good idea, but what should your student read? Any reading at all is great including
things we sometimes dismiss such as graphic novels, comic books, magazines, and newspapers. But if you’re stuck for ideas, try to
get your student to read books as listed below to help them with requirements for next school year.
Sixth graders
Upcoming sixth graders should focus on the HOWL books during the summer. The list of 10 books is found on our webpage and
copies will be available in our library during the summer and in the fall. Don’t forget that all sixth graders are expected to read at
least three of the HOWL titles and summer is a great time to get a head start on those books!
Seventh graders
We are entering our third year of the Stafford County Battle of the Books competition and the 15 books for next year are already on
the website. Language arts teachers will be expecting their students to read at least two of the books on the list. Students who want
to be on the team to help us steal the title from Poole Middle School should read as many as possible.
Eighth graders
Eighth graders do not have a specific list of books from which to choose but they will be required to read at least three titles during
the first semester. Any reading that they are doing over the summer will help them out in the fall!
Author visit
Authors Jon and Pamela Voelkel will be visiting Heim in spring 2012. They are the authors of Middleworld, an exciting adventure
set in a fictional Central American country and filled with Mayan history and gods – none of whom were very nice. Middleworld is
on the HOWL list but all students are encouraged to read it.
Parent book club
Mrs. Ashby will be starting a book club for parents next year. We will meet after school and will be reading and discussing one
young adult title each month. I hope this will be a wonderful opportunity to see some current books your students are reading or to
find titles to suggest to them as well as a chance to meet with other parents and staff members who like to read. Although official
sign up won’t begin until the fall, please let me know if you are interested in order to get an idea of how many people might
participate. You can call the school or contact me at [email protected]
Book recommendation of the month
MIddleworld by J & P Voelkel
Max is looking forward to a family vacation when his parents announce that they will be going to an ancient Maya pyramid on an
archeological expedition instead. They plan to send Max to a summer camp where he can learn some discipline. Shortly after his
parents leave his housekeeper tells him that "they" say he must fly to San Xavier where he will be met by his Uncle Ted, whom he
has never met. When Max arrives in San Xavier he learns that his parents have disappeared from their dig site in a mysterious way
after activating one of the ancient, and powerful, jaguar stones. Uncle Ted has basically made Max a prisoner in his mansion but with
some spying Max figures out that Ted is selling Mayan artifacts and dealing with a very shady man who is a relative of an historical
Spanish explorer. While snooping, Max also sees another of the jaguar stones being stolen and sets off to follow the thieves. When
he meets Lola - a girl his own age - in the rainforest his adventure really begins! This is an exciting read full of action, Mayan
mythology, mystery, and humor.
All students’ books will be due back to the library on Tuesday, May 31. If your student has lost a
book he or she will need to pay to have it replaced.
Notices have been sent throughout the school year but a large number of books are still overdue. The cost of missing books is huge and cuts into the number of new titles we can buy for the library
so please help your child find and return books.
Page 15 Timberwolf Times
Thank You!
Thank you to the students and teachers who participated in our 2nd Annual Heim Technology Night. It was a
fun filled night with SMART Board demonstrations from Ms. Park and Ms. Doremus, and a Qwizdom
demonstration from Mr. Finch. Mrs. Van Husen, Mrs. Lloyd, and Mrs. Wolf were also on hand to show
technology projects from their classes. Projects from Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Newton, Mrs. Ashby, Ms. Park, and
Mrs. Irby’s classes were also represented. Also a BIG thank you to Mrs. White-Murill’s FACS classes that
prepared delicious treats and catered the event! We are looking forward to even bigger event next year!
SOLs Are Fast Approaching
This time of year is always stressful as we prepare to take the SOLs online and get ready for the close of the
school year. If your student wants some extra study time to prepare, there are some great online resources to
take a look at. However, first visit our online school bookmarking website, Delicious, at www.delicious.com/
HeimMS/SOL.
We also have a school account with www.SOLpass.org. This is website that has material on Science and
Social Studies. If your student does not know the username and password, please contact your student’s
Science and Social Studies teacher for this information. Study Island questions are also based on Virginia
SOL strands and is another great resource to use.
Study Island This Summer
Parents, are you looking for ways to keep your student’s skills up to date this summer? Study Island is still
available to use during the summer. Students use their same log in and password as during the school year and
have access to all the same material (Math, Language Arts, and Social Studies). They can even look at
material for the next school year and get a jump on what they will be studying. Take advantage of this service
this summer at www.studyisland.com.
www.virginiasol.com/test.htm http://guest.portaportal.com/cgoodwin
www.wise.k12.va.us/alted/SOL/sol.htm www.quia.com/pages/sol8.html
http://education.jlab.org/solquiz/index.html www.iq.poquoson.org
http://mssol.wikispaces.com www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/
released_tests/index.shtml
www.phschool.com/curriculum_support/
ss_skills_tutor/content/pop.html
Technology Corner Check out the parent and student technology page on SchoolFusion for all things in SHMS technology.
Page 16 Timberwolf Times
Shirley Heim Middle School Students are Taking Action with Recognition at the
2011 Virginia FCCLA State Leadership & Recognition Conference
FCCLA 2011 Shirley Heim Middle State Winners- Virginia Beach, Virginia
April 28th- May 1st
Mary Passley- Bronze Medal- Entrepreneurship- Vice President
Chyann Hooker-Bronze Medal- Recycle & Redesign- President
Emmanuella Serwaa- Bronze Medal- Focus on Children- Secretary
Katrina Stalik- Silver Medal- Career Investigation- Member
Katrina is Advancing to the National FCCLA Competition July 10-14
In Anaheim, California
CONGRATULATIONS FCCLA MEMBERS
Page 17 Timberwolf Times
“Penny War”
Stomping Out Cancer at Shirley Heim
Students & Staff have raised over $500 so far
for the National Cancer Society
__________________________________________________
“FCCLA CAREER DAY at KINGS DOMINION”
Students will be attending workshops on May 13th
on Food Preparation & Catering, Advertising, or Horticulture
Then we plan to have a some fun in the Park
_____________________________________________________________________
“RELAY for LIFE” Held on May 14th at PRATT PARK @ 5p.m
Please make a donation to support the Fight Against Cancer
or Come Out and Join us in the Relay
____________________________________________________________
“CATERING EVENTS- Community Service Opportunity”
April 12- Technology Night
June 8- Athletic Banquet
June 13- Academic Awards Banquet
SOL testing will begin on May 20th and end on June 7th. Please speak with your child about which days he/she will
be testing and try not to schedule appointments on those days. Attendance is very important during this time.
*Please make sure your child gets a good nights rest, a good breakfast and gets to school on time. Please
refrain from making doctors appointments during the testing window.
Registration for next year has been completed. Please make sure your child returned their registration sheet to
their homeroom teacher.
Please be on the lookout for information about our summer school programs.
*If you are planning on moving this summer, please let the guidance office know by the end of this school year.
Final report cards for 7th and 8th graders will be mailed out by June 24th.
As exam time is quickly approaching remember to Create a study plan that works for your child :
By Middle school, your child should have a sense of the study plan that works best for them. If they are still studying in
a haphazard fashion, they are robbing themselves of the chance to do their best in school. Their plan should include
things like: When to study, Where to study, How to focus and other study methods that work for them. For some
students this may mean reading a chapter and taking notes from it. Some may need to photocopy the chapter so
they can use a high lighter on the pages. Some may need help with getting quizzed on the information. Some may
need to make flashcards. It is important that you help your child figure out what methods work best to help them
retain information.
(This is taken from Middle School Parents still make the difference Volume 11, No. 4)
Please remember to visit the counseling website for up to date information.
Counseling News
Page 18 Timberwolf Times
320 Telegraph Road
Stafford, VA 22554
S h i r l e y C . H e i m M i d d l e
