What's Buzzing at the Heights
Week 23: February 6 - 11 , 2023
Message from the Principal
Dear Hornet Families,
Wow! 103 days of INSTRUCTION are in the books!
On Saturday, our Destination Team competed at the West Texas DI Competition held at Pebble Hills HS. I am PROUD to announce that our scholars are State Bound! They worked as a team to showcase their creativity! Thanks to our coaches: Ms. Gonzalez and Ms. Lazarin! Thank you to all of the parents that supported our scholars!
Our DI Team is comprised of the following incredible scholars:
- Vivienne S.
- Peyton D.
- Alexander G.
- Juan M.
- Alyssa G.
- Adabella M.
- Jade B.
On Monday, we will recognize our Counselors, Ms. Ana Salazar & Ms. Bea Valdez, for National Counselors Week. This dynamic due serves our leanring community with HEART! They are leaders who care, share and make our school a better place! Happy National Counselors Week!
On Tuesday, we will begin our 2 weeks on Spring Interim Testing for our 3rd, 4th & 5th graders. It is vital that our scholars are in school to prepare for these important tests. Please ensure they get a good nights rest before their scheduled test. These tests will be a good predictor of how they will perform on the STAAR tests.
On Tuesday, we will implement our campus policy on students that are tardy. If your child has 3 tardies in a 9 weeks, starting MP3, they will get a referral and serve one day of lunch detention. If they are perfect attendance scholars, this will affect their award at the end of the year. All scholars on a transfer will be reviewed. Please arrive before 7:45 AM and avoid tardies. You will receive a text and email if your child has been tardy and will serve.
On Saturday, we will host our 6th Saturday Learning Camp. We NEED your child in attendance if the teacher has invited them. We provide support in the areas of math and reading. We will provide scholars time to receive supports in a small group setting where they can ask questions, practice their strategies and have time to APPLY their skills. Camp is scheduled from 8 AM to 12 Noon! Don't miss it!
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 addition & subtraction facts (practice in a timed app);
- practice multiplication & division facts (practice in a timed app);
- go to bed realy 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 $1,800 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 23nd 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
State Bound, Destination Imagination Team
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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Horizon Heights Scholastic Book Fair is HERE!
February 6-10, 2023
Please send your child with money or take advantage of the electronic wallet. We will not host an evening this week due to Interim Testing. Scholars will each have the opportunity to attend the book fair during the school day.
- Classes will visit the book fair this week.
- Due to interim testing, we will not be having a family event.
- Parents may shop the online book fair or
- set up an E-wallet (safe, cashless way to pay).
- Please visit our Book Fair Homepage.
- Thank you for supporting our school!
Horizon Heights Book Fair Homepage
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Valentine's Day Candy Grams 2023
Next week starting Monday 2/6/23 through 2/10/23 NEHS will be selling candy grams before school, lunch time, and after school for $2.
The candy gram will be a cute Valentine’s themed colored message from a friend or family member to a student with a candy bar attached. Candy grams will be delivered with the help of NEHS students on Monday, 2/13 and Tuesday, 2/14.
The money collected will go to helping support the Spring Games and the school. So bring your money to purchase your candy grams next week.
Thank you for your support!!
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 22 Lexia SuperSTARS
Lexia Levels
Congratulations for Completing All 21 Levels
Little FREE Library Needs Our HELP
Our Little Free Library in front of our school needs our help. If you are doing any spring cleaning and have some books to spare/donate, PLEASE share.
The Little Free Library is designed to help anyone that needs a book.
Take a BOOK.
SHARE a book.
We will encourage all who take a book to bring a book. It is such a TREASURE for those in need. I will bring from my home too.
Again, this is a great donation to our learning community!
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 22
This week's attendance percentages as as follows:
- PreKinder: 90.11% to 91.37%
- Kinder: 93.49% to 91.01%
- 1st Grade: 92.56% to 93.93%
- 2nd Grade: 93.40% to 93.91%
- 3rd Grade: 93.80% to 94.57%
- 4th Grade: 93.84% to 95.72% (Super job 4th Grade!)
- 5th Grade: 96.03% to 96.79% (Way to go 5th Grade!)
Total for Horizon Heights, Week 22: 94.13%; Year to Date (YTD): 95.06% (we are 4th in the district). TeamSISD: 93.28%.
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%
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%
4th Grade, Ms. Sanchez 95.65%
5th Grade, Ms. Batista 92.31%
5th Grade, Ms. Lozano 92.31%
4th Grade, Ms. Enriquez 91.3%
2nd Grade, Ms. Garcia, M. 90%
3rd Grade, Ms. Herrera, C. 90
1st Grade, Ms. Rojo 88.89%
5th Grade, Ms. Arvizu 88.46%
5th Grade, Ms. Pacheco 88.46%
5th Grade, Ms. Pena 88.46
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
Friendly February 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 23, Monday, Feb. 6:
- Bring a book to read
- Book Fair Open in Library
- National Frozen Yogurt Day
Tuesday, Feb. 7:
- Bring a book to read
- Book Fair Open in Library
- Interim Test: 4th Grade READING
- National Periodic Table & Send a Card to a Friend Day
Wednesday, Feb. 8:
- Bring a book to read
- Book Fair Open in Library
- Interim Test: 3rd Grade MATH
- National Boy Scouts & Kite Flying Day
Thursday, Feb. 9:
- Bring a book to read
- Book Fair Open in Library
- Interim Test: 3rd Grade READING
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
- National Giving Hearts, Toothache & Pizza Day
Friday, Feb. 10:
- Bring a book to read
- Book Fair Open in Library
- Interim Test: 5th Grade SCIENCE
- Wear a school spirit shirt & jeans
- National Cream Cheese Brown & Umbrella Day
Saturday, Feb. 11:
- Saturday Learning Camp, 8 AM to 12 Noon
- 3rd through 5th Graders
Week 24, Monday, Feb. 13:
- Bring a book to read
- National Cheddar & Clean Out Your Computer Day
- NO Deliveries This Week
Tuesday, Feb. 14:
- Bring a book to read
- National Valentine's, Ferris Wheel & Donor Day
- NO Deliveries This Week
Wednesday, Feb. 15:
- Bring a book to read
- National Gumdrop Day
- NO Deliveries This Week
Thursday, Feb. 16:
- Bring a book to read
- Interim Test: 4th & 5th Grade MATH
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
- National Almond Day
- NO Deliveries This Week
Friday, Feb. 17:
- Bring a book to read
- Interim Test: 5th Grade READING
- Wear a school spirit shirt & jeans
- National No One Eats Alone & Random Acts of Kindness Day
- NO Deliveries This Week
Week 25, Monday, Feb. 20:
- Bring a book to read
- National Comfy, Muffin & Love Your Pet Day
Tuesday, Feb. 21:
- Bring a book to read
- National Fat Tuesday, Pancake & Sticky Bun Day
Wednesday, Feb. 22:
- Bring a book to read
- Campus MATH Bee
- National Ash Wednesday & Cook a Sweet Potato Day
Thursday, Feb. 23:
- Bring a book to read
- Academic Technology Showcase, 5 PM at TSC
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
- National Toast, Chili & Banana Nut Bread Day
Friday, Feb. 24:
- Bring a book to read
- Spring Pictures: Free Dress, for those purchasing pictures
- Wear a school spirit shirt & jeans
- National Skip the Straw & Tortilla Chip Day
Week 26, Monday, Feb. 27:
- Bring a book to read
- 9 Weeks Testing
- National Retro, Polar Bear & Strawberry Day
Tuesday, Feb. 28:
- Bring a book to read
- 9 Weeks Testing
- National Tooth Fairy, Public Sleeping & Floral Design Day
Wednesday, March 1:
- Bring a book to read
- 9 Weeks Testing
- World Music Therapy Day
Thursday, Mar. 2:
- Bring a book to read
- 9 Weeks Testing
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
- National Read Across America Day
Friday, Mar. 3:
- Bring a book to read
- 9 Weeks Testing
- End of Marking Period 3 (MP3)
- Western Day, Western attire for all, or
- Wear a school spirit shirt & jeans
- National Anthem, Day of Unplugging & Dress in Blue Day
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Spring Intersession: March 6-17, 2023
Spring Intersession Learning Camp, 3rd-5th Graders
Monday, March 6 through Thursday, March 9, 2023
8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon
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Scholars Return on Tuesday, March 21, 2023
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Eastlake Feeder Schools
Eastlake High School | Smore Newsletters
Col. John O. Ensor MS, Mr. Stephen Fernandez:
https://www.smore.com/0h1s5-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