What's Buzzing at the Heights
Week 28: March 27 - 31, 2023
Message from the Principal
Dear Hornet Families,
Wow! 128 days of INSTRUCTION are in the books!
On Saturday, our Destination Imagination Team was in Dallas at the State DI Competition. A special thanks to Ms. Gonzalez & Ms. Lazarin as they coached & traveled with the scholars. Thank you to the families for making the trip and event a special on.
On Saturday, our Math Bee Champions competed at the District Math Bee at Eastlake HS. We are proud of each of our scholars as they braved through their competition and showcased their incredible skills and effort! All of you are champions in our eyes and hearts! A special thanks to Ms. Tammy Edwards for your leadership to our scholars.
On Tuesday, we will host our Spring Parent Teacher Conferences. This is a very important time to meet with our teachers and understand your child's academic progress for the year. We will ensure to have data to support our discussions as we want to ensure we finish the year strong. Join us on Tuesday from 4 PM to 6 PM. We are expecting 100% participation and our teachers will work throughout the week to schedule parent conferences.
This month, we ask for your suport to help our scholars with the following:
- read daily for 20 minutes (focus on comprehension of each paragraph);
- practice reading fluency (check for rate, accuracy & comprehension);
- go to bed early enough to be ready to learn the next day; and
- continue to communicate with classroom teachers
Attendance remains a priority. Our scholars must be in school so our teachers can help them reach their academic goals. Please stay healthy.
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Arrival & Dismissal.
Arrival and Dismissal will be our greatest challenges. Please be patient and kind. We will have all staff on duty to assist and create a system that is safe and efficient.
Our parking lot is CLOSED during arrival and dismissal as we don't have enough parking spaces to support traffice in the parking lot. We do ask everyone to use the curbside service.
Help us with the scholars in 1st through 5th grade that can open the vehicle door and exit on their own. Our scholars are confident and ready to help. From the basketball courts to the cross walk, they can open the doors and exit on their own.
During Arrival and Dimissal, we ask that you not use your cell phone and help us move traffic efficiently through the parking lot. ALL traffic will have to EXIT to the RIGHT.
Birthday Snacks.
We ask parents to please refrain from bringing in cupcake trays. If you would like for your child to share a treat, it must be a treat individually packaged by the manufacturer. We can't accept any cupcake trays as someone would have to pass them out. Candy bags, individually wrapped snacks are allowed. We are here to answer questions. Call or email Ms. Hansen and we can help to clarify. We appreciate you!
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Attendance.
Attendance in vital to our scholars success. Every day gone from school, they lose 7 hours of skills, strategies and support for learning. Help us by keeping your children healthy.
If your child is ABSENT, we must have a doctor's note or a personal note explaining why they were absent upon their arrival. For doctor's appointments, take your child to appointment, but bring them back with a doctor's note the same day and it will be counted as present.
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Paying for School Lunch
For families that are paying for school lunch, you will need to set up an account and manage it at the following website: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/login/postlogin.action
Please make sure your child has money in their account.
Charges in the Cafeteria.
Parents, I really need your support to ensure your child has money in their account to purchase their lunch. Currently, we have a school balance of $1,950 and we are not an entity that can have charges. We will not deny scholars their lunch, but need your assistance to pay. You can pay online through the website listed above. If you are having issues, call the school and we can assist.
Safety.
The builing will be cleaned throughout the day in high traffic areas to ensure safety. We will have hand sanitizing stations at all classrooms, restrooms, cafeteria and playground. If you wish for your child to wear a mask, please send them with a mask that fits them comfortably. We will have masks on campus for scholars that are in need.
Be sure to have your ID each time you wish to enter the campus. We must check ID and request your reason for entering the building.
All employees will be wearing their IDs at all times.
We appreciate your continued support as we work together to build capacity in our scholars. Thank you for your collaboration and communication.
Let's make our 28th week of school a great one! Together, we are better!
Respectfully,
Jenifer Hansen
Proud Principal of Horizon Heights ES
Office Number: 915-937-7402
Email: jhanse@sisd.net
Campus Mission Statement
New Arrival Time
News from the Library...
Our campus yearbooks are on sale! This is a great way to enjoy the journey of the school year and remember your teacher and classmates. Buy yours today.
2022-23 Yearbooks on Sale-$25.00
This year we are accepting online orders only.
Last day to order is April 14, 2023.
Please click the link below to order.
Horizon Heights Yearbook Order Link
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Hornets Bid Farewell to Ms. Gamez
It will be a tough loss for our team. Ms. Gamez is truly an incredible leader that will continue to shine at the district as serves our emergent bilingual scholars.
Be sure to have your children wish her well this week! She really is going to be missed at the Heights! Thank you for your dedication to our team and for always sharing your expertise!
We love you Ms. Gamez! We will miss you dearly!
Boost Self Esteem! 50 Words of Encouragement For Kids
May this information help us all as parents!
Words have power. As parents, it’s so important to pay attention to the words we use around our kids because those words shape their self identities.
Words of encouragement for kids can be the spark that helps your children develop a growth mindset. Which is a way of looking at the world where mistakes are learning opportunities, and improvement is always possible.
For kids who are sensitive to criticism, words of encouragement can help them build a healthy self-esteem.
When you make a mistake, you’re still amazing.
Using positive phrases let’s your kids know they are valued and loved. It shows them that they are worthy, even if they mess up sometimes and make mistakes.
Plus research shows that children who receive encouragement during their formative years are more successful later in life.
This is why we put together a list of encouraging words. So that parents like you can have just the right thing to say on the tip of their tongue when a situation calls for a little confidence boost.
Ask yourself, what words of encouragement for kids do you want your children to remember?
When they’re all grown-up facing a complex and challenging world, what do you want their inner voices to say?
Let the answers guide you in your parenting strategy.
“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice”. – Peggy O’Mara
What words will you speak today that stay with your kids for the rest of their lives?
DI Team Competed at State Competition
Hornets Compete in District Math Bee 2023
Special THANKS to the Gutierrez Family for Sponsoring our Math Bee Shirts!
Lexia SuperStars
I encourage our scholars to EARN 5 UNITS daily.
We ask that you assist scholars by having a quiet area for them to work in. We encourage the use of headphones to keep them focused.
They have to work on their own independently to make GROWTH. You can sit with them, but please allow them to do the LEARNING!
We thank you for your support for Lexia. We will honor the scholars that LEVEL UP with a certificate each Monday. Start your COLLECTION of certificates!
Read, read, read! Readers become LEADERS!
Week 27 Lexia SuperSTARS
Lexia Levels
Congratulations for Completing All 21 Levels
Importance of Attendance
Be sure your child is present each day they are healthy.
Please help support our teachers by brining in your children ready to learn. We thank you for making attendance a priority.
It is vital to submit a NOTE, from the doctor or a personal note, for EVERY absence to explain why the child missed school.
For PK and Kinder, once your child begins school, they are held accountable for Texas Attendance laws.
We have been in school for 45 days. If your child has missed school, here is their attendance percentage which is BELOW the 90% State expectation:
Administration will schedule meetings with parents for the children that have MISSED more than 10 days. We will discuss options to REGAIN credit.
Attendance, Week 27
This week's attendance percentages as as follows:
- PreKinder: 93.91% to 94.53%
- Kinder: 93.13% to 94.49%
- 1st Grade: 93.54% to 96.85%
- 2nd Grade: 93.83% to 96.79%
- 3rd Grade: 95.56% to 97.85% (Way to go, 3rd Grade!)
- 4th Grade: 96.31% to 96.86% (Super job 4th Grade!)
- 5th Grade: 97.04% to 95.67%
Total for Horizon Heights, Week 27: 96.23%; Year to Date (YTD): 94.80% (we are 3rd in the district). TeamSISD: 93.03%.
Stay healthy and make it count! Be at school daily! We will have a great year Hornets!
Classess with Perfect Attendance
The following classes have FREE DRESS on WEDNESDAY:
- 3rd Grade, Ms. Almanzar 100%
4th Grade, Ms. Enriquez 100%
- 3rd Grade, Ms. Gonzalez 100%
- 3rd Grade, Ms. Herrera, E. 100%
- 1st Grade, Ms. Reyes, C. 100%
We will ask that our PK still wear their RED shirt as this is a safety protocol to know that an adult must be with them. Thank you!
Stay healthy! We can do this Hornets!
Top 10 Classes with Amazing Attendance
The goal is to work as a class to reach 98% attendance. We are super proud of our scholars for staying healthy and making school a priority!
3rd Grade: Ms. Almanzar 100%
3rd Grade: Ms. Gonzalez 100%
3rd Grade: Herrera, E. 100%
4th Grade, Ms. Enriquez 100%
1st Grade: Ms. Reyes, C. 100%
5th Grade: Ms. Lozano 96.15%
2nd Grade: Ms. Esparza, D 95.65%
2nd Grade: Ms. Luevano 95.65%
2nd Grade: Ms. Garcia, M. 95.24%
3rd Grade: Ms. Hitter 95.24%
Congratulations to these classes as they are in the top 10 for amazing attedance!
You make a difference EACH day you are in ATTENDANCE! Always, be the BEST version of YOU!
Resources to Support Our Scholars...
THANKS to our Community Sponsors...
Reporting Absences
Reporting Absences
If you need to report an absence, our PEIMS Clerk will be able to assist you. Our team will be receiving the email to help assist you. I will forward all of your messages to the classroom teachers so they are aware of the absence.
Email: attendancehorizonheights@sisd.net
Please include as much detail as possible:
- Child's name
- Grade
- Teacher
- Student ID
- Reason for the absence
All notes will be collected via this email as well. Be sure to include details in the note as the child returns to class.
This year, the district will not quarantine scholars. We will treat COVID like the flu. Be sure to get a note from the doctor to return to school. With a doctor's note, these absences will be excused absences and still accumulate towards loss of credit.
If they have a doctor’s note, it must be included in the email as an attachment.
You can also go to this email address to get the attendance note to submit:
What to Do When Children are Ill?
SISD Schools are required to follow current isolation protocols which applies to individuals who have symptoms and/or test positive/negative for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. They should isolate for a minimum of 5 days and may end isolation if:
Individuals that test NEGATIVE for COVID-19 and may have another illness unrelated to COVID may return to school if.
- After 24 hours WITHOUT fever and or the use of fever reducing medication.
- Show improvement of symptoms.
- And this concern is not related to COVID-19
Individuals that test POSITIVE for COVID-19 and are symptomatic may return to school if.
- After a minimum of a 5-day isolation and meets the following criteria.
(a) After 24 hours WITHOUT fever and or the use of fever reducing medication.
(b) Show improvement of symptoms.
Students may return to campus if the above applies.
It is strongly recommended for the student or staff member to wear a mask for an additional 5-days after their release from isolation from COVID-19 Disease
Individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 but do not have symptoms
- Should isolate for a minimum of 5 days from the date of the first positive COVID-19 test.
- It is highly recommended that individuals wear a mask for an additional 5-days when returning from isolation.
Use ESWIPE only when you have had a positive COVID Exam (home or medical facility)
Volunteers Needed
School Uniforms
Pre-Kinder students:
- Red polo tops only
- Khaki or blue pants/shorts/skirts
Kinder -5th Grade Students:
- Hunter green, navy blue or white polos
- Khaki or blue pants/shorts/skirts
The school uniform does NOT have to have the school name or logo.
Monday: TeamSISD day (gray shirts, can be purchased from District) with jeans/slacks
Thursday: College Day (attire from your favorite college) with jeans/slacks
Friday: Spirit Day (spirit shirts from our school, will be on Wednesdays afterschool, till 4 PM) with jeans
Athletic Schedule for Eastlake Feeder Games
Team Members Ready to Assist
Here is a list of phone numbers, emails and the team members that will assist you with any questions you may have:
Horizon Heights Office 937-7400
- Any questions or concerns
Mrs. Hansen, Principal, email: jhanse@sisd.net, 937-7402
Mrs. Carrillo, Assistant Principal, email: ecarri@sisd.net, 937-7403
Ms. E. Gamez, Assistant Principal, egamez04@sisd.net, 937-7427
Mrs. Salazar, Counselor, email: asalaz12@sisd.net, 937-7421
Mrs. Valdez, Counselor, email: bvalde@sisd.net, 937-7420
Ms. Ortega, Librarian, email: sorteg@sisd.net, 937-7414
Ms. Aurora Guerrero, Parent Liaison, email: agutie24@sisd.net, 937-7410
School Nurse
Our school nurse started on Friday, September 9. We are all so happy to share that Diana L. Barrera, will serve as our School Nurse.
Time: 7:15 AM to 3:15 PM
Phone: 915-937-7407
Email: dbarre02@sisd.net
Mindful March 2023
Parent Training Sessions...
Week in Review...
Administrators' Contact Information
Jenifer Hansen, Principal
Email: jhanse@sisd.net
Office Phone: 915-937-7402
Edith Carrillo, Assistant Principal
Email: ecarri@sisd.net
Office Phone: 915-937-7403
Elida Gamez, Assistant Principal
Email: egamez04@sisd.net
Office Phone: 915-937-7427
As always, we are honored to work with each of you! Do not hesitate to ask any question which you have about the new school year!
Calendar of Events
Calendar of Events
Here is a calendar of events that will take place at our school for our scholars. Mark your calendars at home and let's make it a great year!
Week 28, Monday, Mar. 27:
- Bring a book to read
Tuesday, Mar. 28:
- Bring a book to read
- Spring Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 PM to 6 PM
Wednesday, Mar. 29:
- Bring a book to read
- James P. Butler Games, at the SAC
Thursday, Mar. 30:
- Bring a book to read
- SIT Meeting, 3:30 PM
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
Friday, Mar. 31:
- Bring a book to read
- At-risk Documentation due
- Wear a school spirit shirt & jeans
Saturday, April 1:
- 7th Saturday Learning Camp, 3rd-5th Grade, 8 AM to 12 Noon
**Month of the Military Child**
****National Occupational Therapy Month****
******Autism Acceptance Month******
Week 29, Monday, April 3:
- Bring a book to read
- National Assistant Principals Week, Thanks Ms. Carrillo & Ms. Gamez
- National Library Week, Thanks to Ms. Ortega and her team!
Tuesday, April 4:
- Bring a book to read
- Coffee with Principal: Safety, 9 AM in Library
Wednesday, April 5:
- Bring a book to read
- Eastlake Feeder Literacy Night, 5 PM
- HS Schoology Night for Parents, 5 PM to 7 PM
Thursday, April 6:
- Bring a book to read
- Grades due for Week 3
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
Friday, April 7:
- Good Friday Holiday, NO SCHOOL
Week 30, Monday, April 10:
- Bring a book to read
- TeamSISD All-Star Ceremonies
Tuesday, April 11:
- Bring a book to read
- STAAR Rally at Ensor MS, 3rd-5th Grades, 8 AM to 10 AM
Wednesday, April 12:
- Bring a book to read
Thursday, April 13:
- Bring a book to read
- ES Schoology Night for Parents at Ben Narbuth ES, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
Friday, April 14:
- Bring a book to read
- UIL Elementary Meet at Pebble Hills HS
- Wear a school spirit shirt & jeans
Saturday, April 15:
- UIL Elementary Meet at Pebble Hills HS
**National Public School Volunteer Week**
*****WE THANK our VOLUNTEERS!*****
Week 31, Monday, April 17:
- Bring a book to read
Tuesday, April 18:
- Bring a book to read
- MS Schoology Night for Parents, Ensor MS, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
- SISD School Board Meeting, 6 PM
Wednesday, April 19:
- Bring a book to read
- STAAR Test: 5th Grade RLA
Thursday, April 20:
- Bring a book to read
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
Friday, April 21:
- Bring a book to read
- Wear a school spirit shirt & jeans
Week 32, Monday, April 24:
- Bring a book to read
Tuesday, April 25:
- Bring a book to read
- STAAR Test: 4th Grade RLA
Wednesday, April 26:
- Bring a book to read
- Administrative Professional Day, Thanks to our Office Team!
- STAAR Testing: 3rd Grade RLA
Thursday, April 27:
- Bring a book to read
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
Friday, April 28:
- Bring a book to read
- STAAR Testing Make-Up: 3rd, 4th & 5th RLA
- Dia de los Ninos Celebration (More details Coming)
- Wear a school spirit shirt & jeans
Saturday, April 29:
- Last Saturday Learning Camp, 3rd-5th Grade, 8 AM to 12 Noon
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MP4: Last 2 Saturday Learning Camps before STAAR 2023
Saturday, April 1, 2023
Grades: 3rd, 4th & 5th Graders
Hours: Loss of Credit & HB4545
8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Grades: 3rd, 4th & 5th Graders
Hours: Loss of Credit & HB4545
8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
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Eastlake Feeder Schools
Eastlake High School | Smore Newsletters
Col. John O. Ensor MS, Mr. Stephen Fernandez:
https://www.smore.com/hef39b-ensor-eagle-news
Desert Wind School, Ms. Leticia Terrazas:
Ben Narbuth ES: Mr. Fernando Miranda:
Dr. Sue Shook ES: Ms. Cristina Chavira:
Mission Ridge ES: Mr. Jesus Mendez:
Jenifer J. Hansen
Email: jhanse@sisd.net
Website: https://www.sisd.net/horizonheightses
Location: 13601 Ryderwood Avenue, Horizon City, TX, USA
Phone: (915) 308-6570
Twitter: @HHeights_ES