Horizon Parent Newsletter
September 1, 2019
Welcome Horizon Families to the 2019-2020 School Year
From the Principal's Desk
It is hard to believe that summer break is over and school has started again. We are so excited to start this new school year and our goal is to build relationships with our students, the parents and the community. As a district, we are implementing 7 Mindsets which helps instill a culture of positivity, happiness and success amongst our students and staff. The following are the 7 Mindsets with a brief description of each one.
Everything is Possible reminds us that we are all capable of extraordinary lives. Embracing this fact allows individuals to envision a wonderful life, expect greatness, and effectively execute the process of making our dreams come true.
Passion First teaches individuals that we are all unique expressions of human life, and that we should be focused on finding our unique genius and sharing it with others and the world.
We Are Connected helps individuals to understand that everyone who comes into our lives can help us live our dreams.
100% Accountable reminds us that our futures are not predetermined and we are not victims of our past. We can learn that our lives are what we choose them to be at this moment, and every moment going forward.
Attitude of Gratitude helps us realize that we build our lives on either positive or negative foundations. We can learn to practice gratitude on a regular basis.
Live to Give teaches individuals that abundance in our lives is a cycle. If we want to receive love, respect, and financial security, we must first learn to give those things.
Time is Now helps individuals to understand that all your power exists in the moment. The only thing we can do is take purposeful action in the present because we cannot change the past and the present has not yet happened.
As your students learn about these 7 Mindsets, we hope that you will see evidence of this culture on our campus, and in the daily lives of your students as they learn to tap into their unlimited potential.
Social Media
Upcoming Events for September
Wednesday, September 4th - Fall Picture Day
Saturday, September 7th - Western Days Parade
Monday, September 9th - Band Fundraiser starts
Monday, September 9th - School Board Meeting @6pm - MERC
Thursday, September 12th - No School (Professional Day)
Friday, September 13th - No School (Teacher Work Day)
Friday, September 20th - PTSO Fundraiser starts
Tuesday, September 24th - Freddy's Night - Running Club
Concession Stand
Kona Ice
October 10th
October 24th
November 14th
December 12th
Orange Leaf
October 15th
November 19th
December 17th
Counselor's Corner
We are SO EXCITED to be able to move our guidance lessons, individual, and small group counseling into a classroom this year! That being said, we are in need of a few things to create an inviting space for our students. You will find examples of flexible seating options, art supplies, self-regulation gadgets, and therapeutic games and activities on our Amazon wish list. We also have a “gofundme” account, where you can make a direct monetary donation. We want to create an environment where we can educate our students, heightening their self-awareness, and improving their ability to cope with difficult situations and practice self-care.
We would greatly appreciate your support as we begin to transition into this counseling-specific space, so that we can continue to meet the different social and emotional needs of our students at Horizon.
Nurse News
The year is off and running to a great start and it’s time to talk about the upcoming months ahead. Our Health Office staff look forward to working with parents this year in keeping students healthy, happy and ready to learn. We want to ensure that children get a good night’s sleep, breakfast and are ready to do their best. Make sure to contact the school’s cafeteria if there are any food allergy or sensitivity concerns or to discuss setting up an account for them to eat breakfast before class if the mornings happen to be hectic at times. If there are any allergies please make sure to notify the school nurse as well. If your child does become sick please consider the following best policies and practices.
Your child should stay home if they:
Have a fever of 100 F or above
Are vomiting
Have diarrhea
The flu season will soon be upon us and its time to prevent the chronic illness with healthcare precautions. Flu season runs from as early as mid September to as late as May. The CDC currently recommends getting the flu shot annually as the best practice to avoid a serious case of the disease. Getting vaccinated along with covering coughs, washing hands and staying home when ill can prevent the majority of complications seen during this time of year. For more information on this year’s current Flu vaccination and science guidelines please visit the following CDC website link included below.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/flu-season-2019-2020.htm
On behalf of our Health office staff, we feel blessed to be a part of your child’s school year and look forward to working with you.
BUS INFORMATION
Parents and Guardians,
Please take a few minutes to review district-wide expectations regarding student conduct on buses. In order to provide safe transportation to and from school, it is very important that all students adhere to the following expectations.
STUDENT CONDUCT ON BUSES
Riding a school bus is a privilege and students must maintain safe and respectful conduct to ensure safe travel to and from school. Student safety is our main priority and rules that are enforced at school also apply on the bus. Our bus drivers have the same authority over pupils while riding buses as the teachers have while in school.
The following rules and regulations shall govern the conduct of school bus passengers:
Students must be respectful of the driver and other passengers at all times
All students must stay in their seats from the time they load the bus to the time they exit the bus
Students must keep hands and feet to themselves
Students must avoid tampering with the windows or the emergency door of the bus unless instructed by the driver to do so
Disruptive behaviors, which potentially jeopardize the safety of all passengers, will not be tolerated. The following are some examples of disruptive behaviors which may result in the loss of bus riding privileges:
Fighting, shouting, profanity, horseplay, using tobacco or electronic cigarettes, extending any part of the body through an open window, throwing objects, refusing to obey the bus driver, *vandalism
*Students who deface or vandalize a school bus in any way shall have bus riding privileges suspended and will not be permitted to resume bus privileges until all damages are paid.
The following items will not be permitted on the bus:
Balloons
Glass containers
Snacks and drinks (must stay in the student’s backpack)
WRITTEN CONDUCT REPORT
A written report about a student’s unsatisfactory conduct will be issued by the bus driver and delivered to the school principal for disciplinary action. The action taken by the principal may include short-term or permanent suspension from bus riding privileges and/or suspension from school- depending on the severity of the behavior.
Disciplinary action for bus conduct reports may include, but is not limited to:
1st Conduct Report- Warning and Parent Phone Call
2nd Conduct Report- 3 Day Suspension from Bus Privileges
3rd Conduct Report- 5 Day Suspension from Bus Privileges
4th Conduct Report- 10 Day Suspension from Bus Privileges
5th Conduct Report- Loss of Bus Riding Privileges- Remainder of the School Year
Before and After School Drop Off and Pick Up
Building opens at 7:35a.m. (students who arrive prior to 7:35a.m. will not be supervised)
**. PLEASE DO NOT drop your student off from the road. We ask that you follow our front drive on the west side of the building to drop students off. ***
After School:
Car Riders are to be picked up on the WEST side of the building/ front of school. Please DO NOT park in the EAST parking lot and walk around to pick up your student. This parking lot is only for BUSES and DAY CARE vans at the end of the day.
We ask that you DO NOT ask your student to meet you in the back of the building or on the street. For safety reasons, please follow the west side drive and get in the car rider line.
After School Procedures
- No student will be allowed to exit the building on the East or South side of the building.
- All students who are car riders or walkers will exit the building on the West side of the building. If you park on the East side of the building near the High School stadium or on the North side of the building you will need to walk to the West side of the building with your car rider tag to pick up your student.
- All students who ride a bus and or day car van will meet in the gym immediately following the last school bed and then be escorted to their bus when it arrives.
WE ENCOURAGE ALL PARENTS OF STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT A BUS RIDER OR WALK TO THEIR OWN HOME TO UTILIZE THE CAR RIDER LINE ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE BUILDING.
Please take the time to read these new procedures and discuss them with your student. While this may be inconvenient for some of you, these new procedures are for the safety of all the students at Horizon.
If you have any questions please feel free to email Assistant Principal Christie Combs at combsch@mustangps.org
Thank you,
Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Combs
Teacher Webpages
Need up-to-date information on your student's classes? Check out their teacher webpages!