Horizon Husky Newsletter
From the Principal's Desk
October News
Dear Horizon Families,
It is hard to believe that we are already into October! What a remarkable month September has been. Our first seven days in September were truly amazing, our teachers and families were able to connect in a focused way. During family conferences, parents / guardians and teachers strengthened our partnership to help your child(ren) grow and thrive at Horizon Elementary. Let’s continue to stay connected!
Our dedicated teachers have been working hard to create a safe, nurturing and welcoming learning environment for all students to actively engage during Zoom. We are always appreciative when your student shows up to “class” for their synchronous (live lessons) and asynchronous (video recorded/independent work). As parents and guardians, you can help us to create this wonderful learning environment. Here is how you can help your learner:
· Have a quiet learning space for your child to use.
· Be on time for learning (Live teaching starts at 9:00am.)
· Have your materials ready.
· Mute your microphone when the teacher is teaching.
· Raise your hand and wait your turn.
· Participate to the best of your ability.
Much like when we were in classrooms at school, all students will be encouraged to show expected behavior. Expected behavior means showing the Husky Way to Be: Be Responsible, Be Respectful, and Be Safe. Teachers will always give gentle reminders and re-direction to encourage and maintain expected behavior during Zoom Lessons. Our teachers and staff will always work with students and families to support positive behavior. They will also enforce our school wide discipline plan. Please follow the link below to our school wide discipline plan:
Attendance
Our goal this year is to ensure that every student is present, engaged, and supported. Supporting regular attendance is very important during this time. Students should log in to Schoology and participate in class every week. When your student misses even 2 days in a month, it can affect a student’s progress and his/her sense of belonging in a classroom. Student participation may include:
-Daily logins to Schoology
-Daily interactions with teacher (s) to acknowledge attendance (examples include texts, emails, phone calls, or video chats)
-Evidence of participation in a task or assignment.
Beginning in October, we will send attendance letters for students who have missed three or more days, either excused or unexcused absences. The hope is to bring awareness to how many days students have missed, regardless of the reason. Schools will work with families to remove barriers to attendance. If we are unable to reach you multiple times either by email or phone calls to talk with you about supporting your student attend school each day; our Student Engagement Team will do a home visit.
Please let us know how we can best support you and your child, so they are present, engaged, and supported every day.
We have an amazing team of educators at Horizon are here to support your students and families. I can say with complete confidence that we will do everything we can to support your family and provide a robust education for your student.
Meet Our Administration Team
October Is National Disability History and Awareness Month
During the month of October, we desire to increase our awareness and understanding of the contributions that people with disabilities in our state, nation, and the world, have made to our society. Recognizing disability history will increase respect and promote acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities. Additionally, students with disabilities are inspired to feel a greater sense of pride, harassment and bullying is reduced, and students with disabilities are encouraged to stay in school. For almost 30 years, The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) has provided a guarantee for children with disabilities to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) provided in the least restrictive environment (LRE).
At Horizon Elementary, we are learning to BE KIND to everyone. When we put people first, everyone wins. Disabilities may include vision impairments, hearing impairments, learning difficulties, physical challenges, autism, cognitive delays, sensory disorders, communication disorders, and others. As we learn about each other’s strengths and challenges, we can collaborate to make Horizon the best place to grow and learn. We want ALL our students to feel cared for and included in our school. We encourage you to talk with your child about how they can BE KIND to others – focusing on the strengths of their classmates and using their own strengths to help others.
“I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” ~ Christopher Reeves – physical disability
Meet Our Elementary Support Specialist Team
Horizon’s Elementary Support Specialist (ESS) team partners with students, families, and staff to support the social and emotional wellbeing of Horizon’s incredible community. Mrs. Boyle and Mrs. Mensah provide small group and one-on-one support services, as well as classroom lessons. We can help families with navigating our school, identifying community resources like food or housing, crisis support, and accessing mental health services for you or your child. We hope to have the chance to know your student(s) and your family this year!
You can contact Mrs. Boyle or Mrs. Mensah by phone or email:
Mrs. Boyle, boylemk@mukilteo.wednet.edu, call or text: (916) 546 3762
Mrs. Mensah, SarpongmensahRS@mukilteo.wednet.edu, call (425) 366 3024
Library Update
Horizon students can now check out books from the school library! Curbside Pick Up is on Thursday afternoons from 12:00-3:00 PM. Students with last names starting with A-L will pick up books on Thursday, October 15, then students with last names starting with M-Z will pick up books the following week, on Thursday, October 22. Check out Thursdays will alternate by last name every other week. Students will keep their books for two weeks and bring them back the same day they pick up their next books. Their next check out and due date will be on a bookmark with their books.
Students in grades K-2 will have books selected for them. Students in grades 3-5 will fill out a book request using a Google Form found in the library Schoology course. Students may make a special request and the library will try to fulfill it!
Students must have returned all library books and have no fines to check out books. Books that are not picked up on the student’s pickup day will be put back in the library, and the student will be able to check out books two weeks later.
Connect, Empower, and Grow
Email: FreemanKA@mukilteo.wednet.edu
Website: mukilteoschools.org
Location: 222 West Casino Road, Everett, WA, USA
Phone: 425-366-3000