Horner Parent/Family Newsletter
February 2024
Horner Vision and Mission Statement
Horner Vision Statement
We at Horner Middle School, envision a future in which every student receives an effective, equitable, and engaging education that allows them to reach their full and unique potential.
Horner Mission Statement
At Horner Middle School our mission is to provide students with the Knowledge, Tools, and Skills they need to master content standards, make effective decisions, and collaborate with others, which will enable them to be successful lifelong learners.
Knowledge, Tools, Skills = Master, Make, Collaborate!
Principal's Message
Hello Horner families,
As partners in the education and well-being of our students, I would like to extend a warm invitation to the upcoming Horner Institute for Parents meeting scheduled for February 27th at 6 pm.
This meeting holds particular significance as it will be presented by the Fremont Police Department, addressing crucial topics that concern the safety and well-being of our teens. The focus of the session will be on three critical aspects: vaping, fentanyl, and overall drug use prevention.
In an ever-changing landscape, staying informed about these issues is essential to help guide and support our teenagers through their formative years while keeping them safe and informed.
The meeting will provide valuable insights, strategies, and information on recognizing and preventing substance use among teens.
We believe that our collective efforts as a community can make a significant impact on ensuring the safety and health of our students.
In addition to the important content of this meeting, we would like to remind all parents to please regularly check the school website for upcoming events and crucial information. Our website serves as a central hub for updates, resources, and announcements, ensuring that you stay well-informed about all aspects of your child's academic journey.
Your partnership in supporting and guiding them through the challenges they may face is vital. Together, we can create a safe and nurturing environment that allows our teenagers to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.
We look forward to your attendance at the Horner Institute for Parents meeting on February 27th at 6 pm. This meeting is an in person meeting not a Zoom or online meeting.
Let us join hands to strengthen our community and empower our teens!
Best regards,
Mrs. Hicks-Rodriguez
Assistant Princpal's Message
Dear Horner Families,
As we embark on another semester at school, we believe in fostering a positive and inclusive environment for our students. One essential component of this is ensuring that all students are familiar with and adhere to the school rules.
To facilitate this, assistant principals had a townhall refresher earlier this month to review the schoolwide expectations.The purpose of this review was to reinforce the importance of a safe and respectful school community, and to ensure that everyone is aware of the expectations we have for behavior with the school premises.
The review covered a range of topics, including, but not limited to:
-Respect for Others: Emphasizing the significance of treating classmates, teachers, and staff with kindness and consideration.
-Academic Integrity: Reinforcing the importance of honest and ethical behavior in all academic endeavors.
-Attendance and Punctuality: Highlighting the correlation between regular attendance, punctuality, and academic success.
-Dress Code: Reminding students of the dress code policy and its role in creating a professional learning environment.
-Bullying and Harassment: Addressing the school’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of bullying or harassment, and encouraging open communication.
We encourage you to take some time to look at the student handbook with your child at home emphasizing the importance of mutual respect, responsibility, and cooperation. Your support in reinforcing these values will contribute greatly to our shared goal of providing a safe and nurturing learning environment for all students.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Horner Assistant Principals
Health and Sex education info
Hello families,
Health lessons will begin in Science classes on April 29, 2024. If you wish to opt your child out of any of the applicable opt out lessons, please email your child's Science teacher no later than March 29, 2024. We will not be able to process opt out requests after March 29th as we will need time to prepare for student locations and substitutes for opt out students. Thank you for reviewing the lessons ASAP on the district website and letting your teacher know any opt out requests by March 29th.
Buzz Buck prizes needed for students
Hello everyone....
We are still in need of $5 gift cards and bags of jolly ranchers and hard candy for our BUZZ Buckss incentive program. Any help you can give would be greatly appreicated. The kids love turning in their BUZZ bucks on Friday's for goodies AND the kids love it when their name is drawn out of the bin the the gift cards!
ELPAC testing begins in March
For students who are designated as Multi-lingual learners, they will be testing with the ELPAC assessment in March. Students will be tested on written and oral language skills as well as speaking skills. If your student is within this designated group you would have already been contacted about the testing via email by administration. Good luck to our students with this very important assessment.
SBAC State Testing coming in April
The Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments are comprehensive, end-of-year assessments for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics that are aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English language arts/literacy (ELA) and mathematics and measure progress toward college and career readiness. The tests capitalize on the strengths of computer adaptive testing—efficient and precise measurement across the full range of achievement and the timely turnaround of results.
Horner will be administering the SBAC assessments to all students in grades 6-8 during the following dates:
April 29 - May 3 : ELA testing
May 6 - May 10: Math testing
May 13- May 15: Science testing (Gr. 8)
May 16- May 17: Makeups
Please note that Horner does not grant independent study contracts during SBAC testing and parents are highly encouraged to make medical or dental appointments after school so that students do not miss their testing days.
Upcoming events
First Day of Black History Month
Thursday, February 1
Girls basketball at Centerville
Thursday, February 1⋅2:45 – 4:45pm
Boys volleyball meeting at lunch time in C133
Monday, February 5
Girls basketball at Horner (Thornton)
Tuesday, February 6⋅2:45 – 4:45pm
PTSA meeting online
Wednesday, February 7⋅6:00 – 7:00pm
Girls basketball at Horner (Walters)
Thursday, February 8⋅2:45 – 4:45pm
PTSA reflections award night in MUR
Friday, February 9⋅6:00 – 8:30pm
CCA visits from IHS in PE 8th grade classes
Monday, February 12
Girls basketball at Hopkins
Tuesday, February 13⋅2:45 – 4:45pm
Social 3 -location outside
Friday, February 16⋅2:45 – 4:45pm
No school
Monday, February 19
Girls basketball at Horner (Centerville)
Tuesday, February 20⋅2:45 – 4:45pm
Girls basketball at Thornton
Thursday, February 22⋅2:45 – 4:45pm
Girls basketball at Walters (last game)
Tuesday, February 27⋅2:45 – 4:45pm
HIP - Horner Institute for Parents in MUR (Topic: Vaping; Fentanyl; drug awareness by Fremont PD)
Tuesday, February 27⋅6:00 – 7:00pm
Boys volleyball forms due to office
Wednesday, February 28⋅ by 3:00 pm
First Day of Women's History Month
Friday, March 1
ASB News
Hello Horner Families!
February already? Here are some things ASB has going on in the month of February.
ASB elections are taking place on February 2nd! 6th and 7th grade students will be voting in their history classes for next year’s ASB officers. It is an exciting time and a great chance for you to discuss the democratic process! (sorry I’m a history teacher!)
Our 3rd social is taking place on February 16th. Ticket sales will be taking place on February 12th, February 13th, February 14th. Please note: This is the last social for 6th and 7th graders. The final social in April is for only 8th graders. We have 300 tickets available to sell. They cost 10 dollars and are sold at lunch. I suggest you pack your student a lunch for the day they want to buy tickets as we usually give up our whole lunch to sell.
Last thing I have is mainly for current 7th grade students and their parents. ASB is a year-long elective for students to learn about different leadership skills such as conflict resolution, public speaking, self-image and project planning. On February 8th, ASB is hosting an informational meeting about how to join this awesome class for the following year. If you or your child are even thinking about this, please come to find out more! (if your child is absent that day, they can email me and I can send them the information)
Please head to hornerhornets.org or follow us on Instagram @hornermiddle.hornets for more updates on things going on in the ASB classroom!
Mr. Shaffer
Activities Director
Nurse's updates
Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children's Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health.
Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Change of Residence/Falsification
It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to notify the school their student attends, within five school days, when the student, parent/guardian moves from the address provided at the time of registration. It is considered falsification to move and fail to notify the District within five school days.
If a district employee reasonably believes that a parent/guardian provided false or unreliable evidence
of residency, the Superintendent or designee shall make reasonable efforts (document checks, phone
calls, home visits, etc.) to determine whether the student resides in the District. (BP/AR 5111.1, 5117)
Falsification of residency shall result in the student being dropped from enrollment.
Boy's Volleyball tryouts....
If your son is interested in trying out for the boy's volleyball team, please make sure that you submit your completed sports packet by Feb. 28th.
All boy's will need the following completed and turned into the office in order to tryout:
sports physical paperwork from a doctor
parent consent and insurance paperwork
student rules and expectations sheet
These packets were handed out at MAZE day and are also available on the school website under athletics/clubs. There are many clinics in Fremont that take walk in appointments for sports physicals if you can't get into your doctor prior to the due date to submit the paperwork. Please know that we do not accept late paperwork so it is important that you start this process now if you have not yet completed it. Tryouts begin in March. We will have an A and B team and those teams are based upon skill levels not grade levels. All boy's in grades 6-8 may tryout. Get on those forms now so that your son doesn't miss the tryouts. This information has been posted on the school website, marquee and in the daily bulletin previously. Mr. Martin will be our Boy's Vollebyall coach this year. Thanks for your support.
Bike safety and bike security
We would like to take a moment to remind everyone about the importance of bike safety and the necessity of securing bikes and scooters when arriving to school in the AM.
First and foremost, the safety of our students is our top priority. We encourage all parents to remind their children about the importance of following traffic rules and wearing helmets while riding to and from school. By instilling good biking habits at an early age, we can help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
In addition to promoting safety, we would like to emphasize the significance of bringing a lock and securing bikes or scooters at the designated bike racks in the front of the school. Unfortunately, instances of bike thefts have been reported in the past, and taking preventative measures is crucial to protect your child's belongings.
To make the process convenient for everyone, there are several well-maintained bike racks available for student use right in front of the school. Encourage your child to make use of these racks and lock up their bikes securely. This not only helps deter theft but also ensures a tidy and organized area for everyone.
We understand that mornings can be hectic, but taking a few extra minutes to secure your child's bike can go a long way in fostering a secure and respectful school environment. By working together, we can create a community where everyone feels safe and confident in leaving their bikes or scooters parked at school.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We appreciate your cooperation in promoting bike safety and maintaining a secure school environment for all our students.
If there are any parents who might be interested in donating bike locks that have a double key, for students to use if they cannot afford a lock or if they forget one on any given day, we would really appreciate any hellp you could give to the school to support our students. Thank you in advance.
Dangerous & Inappropriate Objects
It is that time of year that we ask parents to have a candid conversation with their child about what belongs at school and what should not come to school. Dangerous and inappropriate objects, including but not limited to weapons, knives, laser pointers, explosives/ fireworks, mace, pepper spray and imitation firearms (AirSoft Guns/ Pellet Guns) are not permitted on any school campus at any time or while under school jurisdiction. To furnish, possess or use any of these dangerous and inappropriate objects may result in suspension and/or expulsion. (PC 417.25 & 417.27; BP/AR 5114.11). Please ensure that your students backpack contains only items they will need for classes. Together we can support student learning and teaching. Also, expensive personal items should remain at home to ensure that they are not lost, stolen or damaged. Thanks for your support!
Independent Study
A short-term Independent Study contract is a voluntary alternative to a regular classroom program of
instruction when a student is absent from school for not less than five (5) and not more than ten (10)
consecutive school days. In Grades K-12, only one Independent Study contract per school year is allowed. Students may not be on short term Independent Study more than three (3) times while in
Grades K-12. (BP/AR 6158). No Independent Study contracts will be issued for the first 20 days, the last 20 days of the school year, or during state testing times. Schools are not obligated to provide students with an Independent Study contract. The availability of an Independent Study contract must be agreed upon by mutual consent of the principal, teacher, parent/guardian, and student. Students should only be placed on Independent Study if the student can successfully accomplish their academics. (EC 51745 and 51747)
Requests for Independent Study contracts must be given to the teacher(s) at least 10 school days prior to the first day of the absence (in the event of an emergency, contact the principal). A written Independent Study contract must be completed, signed and dated for each participating student prior to the starting date of the Independent Study. The contract must contain all the components prescribed by law. Each student’s Independent Study contract shall be coordinated, evaluated and carried out under the general supervision of a certificated teacher. All assigned work is due on the day upon which the student is scheduled to return to the classroom and shall be graded by appropriately credentialed teachers. Students, who have previously been granted an Independent Study Agreement and have not successfully completed a previous Independent Study agreement, are not eligible for any subsequent short-term Independent Study agreements.
No individual with disabilities, as defined in Education Code 56026, may participate in Independent
Study unless the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) specifically provides for such
participation. (EC 51745 (c))
Intra-District Transfers
Intra-District transfers are available for parents/guardians to request their student attend a school
different from their home school, but within the District. Parents/Guardians complete the transfer form and indicate the requested school. Transfers are approved by principals based on space availability and district guidelines. The student’s home school remains the same. Assembly Bill (AB) 1127 amended Education Code section 46600 to now require California school. districts to approve intra-district and inter-district transfer requests by victims of an act of bullying. Transfers must be approved annually. Students must maintain satisfactory grades and attendance, and excellent behavior. Intra-District transfer forms and additional instructions are available online. If a junior or senior high school student moves during the school year, the student may complete the school year at that school, after registering at the school of their new residence with an approved. Intra-District Transfer. The following year the student must attend the school of their new residence. (BP/AR 5117.2). Please be aware that Horner is full with enrollment at this time therefore the potential of any intradistrict transfer into Horner being approved will most likely be denied.
Counselor Corner and updates for February
Please see the information from the Horner Counselor's about February activities and information. Your child can make an appointment anytime to speak to their counselor during the school day.
Google accounts and Resources...important to secure student accounts when in public
Often times, students use public computers or public wifi systems outside of the school. Sometimes students log onto their Google account or drives but forget to log off of the businesses wifi which makes them accessible to anyone. Please make sure that your student logs off of their Google account and make sure they know not to save their username or password on the public computer or public wifi. Fremont Unified School District provides students and staff technology resources to make doing their work easier. Some of these resources use components that are online such as Google Workspace for Education among other online resources. Read a description of Workspace for Education at https://edu.google.com/products/workspace-for-education/. Student Google Accounts are created through an automated process in which the student’s information is transmitted to, and stored by Google, on behalf of the District. This information is used to create, manage, and maintain user accounts Google’s Privacy Policy prevents Google from sharing personal information and they do not access content stored on Google Workspace for Education unless the District gives permission to do so for troubleshooting purposes. Further details can be found by reading Google’s Privacy Notice for Google Workspace for Education at. https://workspace.google.com/terms/education_privacy.html