The Hornet Buzz Newsletter
October 15, 2021
HORACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Book Fair
Oct. 13 - Oct. 26
- Experience the joy of book cases, characters, and much more
- View exclusive book trailers and curated reading lists
- Shop over 200 hot, new books and premium titles
Support our school by shopping The Scholastic Store Online for an expanded selection of exclusives, new releases, value packs, and more. All orders ship home and book-only orders over $25 ship free. Every purchase benefits our school and helps develop a love of reading.
Thank you for instilling a love of reading and supporting our Book Fair!
A SAFE, CASHLESS WAY TO SHOP THE FAIR
Easy to setup, eWallet funds are immediately available for use at both the in-school and virtual Book Fair. Plus, family and friends can contribute too! Create an eWallet account between 09/22 - 10/26
Music Program Schedule
Dear Horace Family.
It’s going to be a great and musical year. There will be some changes. Horace Elementary will begin to follow the West Fargo Public School District’s music guidelines by integrating grade-level programming. It is a wonderful time for us to transition as Horace Elementary is growing in enrollment and our district is becoming stronger, more equitable, and unified. Each program will begin at 8:10 am in the Horace Gymnasium. We will no longer hold concerts in the evening.
Here are the dates and times of this year’s 2021-2022 Music Programs.
- 4th Grade Program: Monday, November 8
- 2nd Grade Program: Friday, December 10
- 3rd Grade Program: Friday, February 18
- 1st Grade Program: Friday, March 18.
- Kindergarten Program: Friday, April 22
- 5th Grade Program: Friday, May 6
Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns, or celebrations!
It is going to be a marvelously musical year!
Sincerely,
Miss Ansley Cameron
Music Teacher
Horace Elementary
2021-22 Calendar Explained: Offsite Learning for Students
The school calendar this year includes four days of offsite learning for students: October 20, November 10, February 22, and April 14. While students are at home, our staff will be participating in vital professional development sessions with a focus on student-centered learning.
While students will not be meeting with teachers or engaging in new learning on these four days, they should work on assigned projects, catch up on reading and other assignments, or utilize online programs (DreamBox, EPIC, iRead, etc.). Your child's teacher will give directions closer to the time.
PTO VOLUNTEER SURVEY!
We are a local Parent Teacher Organization that is organized by interested parents and teachers. All parents are automatic members and are welcome at monthly PTO meetings where we plan a variety of special events, appreciation gifts, and other activities that benefit the staff and students.
We want to find out more about you and see if you'd be interested in getting involved. Thank you in advance for filling out this survey.
We are a Bucket Filling School!
Our positive behavior support plan for Horace is Bucket Filling highlighting behaviors that are Safe, Responsible, and Respectful. If we see any student demonstrating positive behaviors, we recognize their behavior and verbally explain how the behavior was safe, responsible, or respectful. Then follow-up that positive interaction by giving the student a YELLOW ticket to either sign their name or number on and place it in their classroom bucket. Teachers may pull tickets out for various things within the classroom, i.e. line leader, classroom helper, etc.
On Fridays, teachers pull names out of the bucket to be the Bucket Filler winners for the week. Then we will call down the bucket fillers (1 per class) to come to the counselor to choose their prize and have their photo taken for the newsletter.
STUDENT BUCKETFILLER WINNERS FOR THE WEEK!
Staff Bucket Filler Winners!
CONSTRUCTION UPDATE at Horace Elementary. Check out the presentation below.
WFPS on Social Media
Did you know West Fargo Public School is active on social media? The district’s Public Relations Department manages a district-level Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube account. If you are interested in receiving breaking news about the district and updates on construction, enrollment, and staff and student successes, be sure to follow us on social media!
PTO Information
Upcoming Meetings - UPDATE: The first meeting for PTO will be in October.
Join us at our next meeting! All parents and teachers are welcome to attend the PTO meetings. Each meeting is held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the school library. We have entertainment for the children, so bring them along!
Officers can be contacted at horacevolunteers@gmail.com
Sign up for volunteer/donation opportunities here: http://signup.com/go/N9AAWZ
Like us on Facebook to keep up to date: https://www.facebook.com/HoracePTO/
Parent Information
Here are websites that might be of interest to you.
School Newsletter https://www.smore.com/gtua7
Parent Portal Parent Portal / PowerSchool Login (k12.nd.us)
School Handbook:
Student Handbooks / Elementary School Student Handbooks (k12.nd.us)
School Supply List
Supply List / Section Overview (k12.nd.us)
School calendar:
West Fargo Public Schools / Calendar (k12.nd.us)
Lunch Menu:
Nutrislice Menus | West Fargo Public Schools
My School Bucks:
Bus information:
Transportation / Department Overview (k12.nd.us)
Return to Learn Information
Return to Learn / 2021-22 School Year (k12.nd.us)
Horace PTO
PTO / Section Overview (k12.nd.us)
Please feel free to visit our website to retrieve additional school information:
Horace Elementary School / Homepage (k12.nd.us)
The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) provides all children in participating schools with a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables during the school day at times other than breakfast or lunch. It is an effective and creative way of introducing fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options.
The goal of the FFVP is to improve children’s overall diet and create healthier eating habits to impact their present and future health. The FFVP will help schools create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices, expanding the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience, and increasing children’s fruit and vegetable consumption.
Parent Resources for the FFVP https://www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us/Page/5303
Morning Drop Off Details
7:40-4:50 Parent drop off time
Breakfast is served at 7:30-7:50
Our first bell rings at 7:50
8:00 everyone needs to be in the classroom, or they will be considered tardy.
School Emergency Information
Protocol Updates
- Mitigation Strategies: updated to reflect masks recommended for unvaccinated students and staff
- Positive Cases & Close Contacts: updated attendance information for students and the addition of small group and special services for exposure notice receipt
- When Students Are Sick: clarified the return timeframe for students that exhibit a loss of taste or smell
Voluntary Onsite Rapid Testing
In order for students to take advantage of the rapid testing available at their school, a permission form must be signed and returned to the school. In addition, the student must be registered into the testing system in order for their result to be documented for public health. If you intend to use rapid testing this year, we encourage you to complete these tasks at your earliest convenience.