April is World Autism Month, and we’re inviting our Hornets to participate in increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism. Friday April 2nd, is World Autism Day students and teacher are invited to wear BRIGHT COLORS/TIE DYE to show your support of Autism Awareness Month.

Also, please keep a look out on our social media for information in regards to Boys & Girls Club Summer Programming.

Please meet your school board leader for District 4 during next Thursday's virtual meeting: bit.ly/gouldtabletalkapril2021

The Exceptional Student Education (ESE) department is excited to host the virtual Big IDEA Conference April 17, 2021 for families of students with exceptionalities.

Students need to remember that each day they are to have a mask on when they arrive to campus and wear their mask properly during the school day. Noses and mouths should not be exposed at any time and masks should fit snuggly. Please also be sure to send your child to school with an extra mask.

Each Friday we have a different theme planned for students to dress up and show their excitement during this last quarter of 2020-2021:

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that your student will take the computer-based/paper-based Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) Grade 6, 7, 8 ELA Writing assessment(s) on April 8th.

Your student will have an opportunity to participate in a practice test to become familiar with the computer-based testing platform, item types, and response formats he or she will see on the FSA assessment(s). If you or your student would like to review the computer-based practice test at home, the practice tests and answer keys are available at http://www.FSAssessments.org/students-and-families/practice-tests/.

For information regarding test session lengths for all Spring 2021 FSA assessments, please visit the FSA Portal at www.FSAssessments.org, click on the Students and Families icon, select the Frequently Asked Questions card, then select the question: “How long are the tests?”

Please review the following policies with your student before testing:

* Electronic Devices — Students are not permitted to have any electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smartphones, and smartwatches, at any time during testing or during breaks (e.g., restroom), even if the devices are turned off or students do not use them. If your student is found with an electronic device, his or her test will be invalidated.

* Testing Rules Acknowledgment — All FSA tests include a Testing Rules Acknowledgment that reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score may be invalidated.” Prior to testing, test administrators read the rules to students, and students acknowledge that they understand the testing rules by signing below the statement on their planning sheets, worksheets, or work folders.

* Discussing Test Content after Testing — The last portion of the testing rules read to students before they sign below the Testing Rules Acknowledgment states: “Because the content of all statewide assessments is secure, you may not discuss or reveal details about the test content (including test items, passages, and prompts) after the test. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting online, for example, on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or Instagram.” Please make sure your student understands that “discussing” test content includes any kind of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, posting to social media, or sharing online. While students may not share information about secure test content after testing, this policy is not intended to prevent students from discussing their testing experiences with their parents/families.

* Working Independently — Students are responsible for doing their own work during the test and for protecting their answers from being seen by others. If students are caught cheating during testing, their tests will be invalidated. In addition, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) employs Caveon Test Security to analyze student test results to detect unusually similar answer patterns. Student tests within a school that are found to have extremely similar answer patterns will be invalidated.

* Leaving Campus — If your student leaves campus before completing a test session (e.g., for lunch, an appointment, illness), he or she will not be allowed to return to that test session. If your student does not feel well on the day of testing, it may be best for him or her to wait and be tested on a make-up day. Please remember not to schedule appointments on testing days.

* Testing Accommodations — If your student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a Section 504 Plan, or is an English Language Learner (ELL), please contact the school to discuss the testing accommodations that will be provided for your student.

If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Heather Rodriguez at [email protected]. For more information about the FSA program, please visit the FSA Portal at www.FSAssessments.org.

Thank you for supporting your student and encouraging him or her to do his or her best during this test administration.

Our counselors are always here with some sage advice for our students when they are nervous or feeling stressed. Take a few moments to review with your student some of the best practices our counselors, Ms. Ferrand and...

~ Inhale for 4 seconds

~ Hold it in for 4 seconds

~ Exhale for 4 seconds

Our Horizon West Administration Team is so proud of all the hard work from our students. We know that you all are more than prepared for the FSA Writes and will make us proud!

Congratulations to Caroline C. (7th grade) for being the State of Florida Winner for the FLDOE Literacy Week. Horizon West was honored with this award out of all the middle schools in Florida! Outstanding success Caroline!!

Celebrating Horizon West and their commitment to recycling! The recycling program at Horizon West Middle School just earned top honors in the OCPS Southwest Learning Community! Horizon West received $1,500 as the reward for all the hard work of both staff and students.

On testing days it is important that your student is on time to school and remains in school for the entire day. Most tests will be completed by lunch, however technology issues happen and sometimes testing may take longer than expected.

Below are some important tips for testing from the Florida Department of Education that further explain the rules our students are expected to follow during test administration.

For additional resources, please visit: https://fsassessments.org/students-and-families/practicetests/studentpowerpoints.stml

As we approach the end of the school year, we wanted to reach out about caring for the laptop your student has access to through the OCPS LaunchED Digital Learning program. Due to an increased level of breakage, we want to ensure that students are safely using their devices both at school and at home. Please remind your student of the following best practices:

We are so proud of our HORNET showing at the 62nd Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Arts Festival. This year we had several students (listed below) who were winners. This is a very LARGE competition that goes well beyond just OCPS schools.

In just about 7 weeks we will be saying Hello to summer!!! While it has been a crazy two years at HWMS for our 8th graders, they will be a Hornet forever. The PTSO will have yard signs available for purchase to celebrate our 8 graders. You have the option to purchase a generic sign or to customize with your Hornet’s name. Please see our website at www.hornetsptso.org to order.

Teacher Appreciation Week will look a bit different this year, and celebrated a week earlier than the National week due to testing. The PTSO will post more information on ideas and needs to help celebrate our awesome staff on our Facebook page in the coming weeks.

Additionally, we are looking for some amazing parents to help create some new traditions and events for the next school year. Please contact us at [email protected] to learn more.

We are excited to announce Spirit Wear is available in new styles, shirts, sweats and tech material!

Visit our link at www.studio19shop.com and search for **Horizon West**. Each listing will have the available styles/designs in the pictures...but catch a quick glimpse here!

You may have the gear sent directly to your home or save on shipping by bulk order and it will be delivered to school for pick up every 2 weeks.

Additionally, we are closing out on our past year's sweatshirts and t-shirts. They are available on our website (for school pickup) at 50% off for a limited time. You may also find hats and Pura Vida bracelets there too! www.hornetsptso.org.

We are looking for some of our FABULOUS HORNET PARENTS to volunteer to be part of our 2021-2022 PTSO. The link below will allow you show your interest in participating in a committee or running for a leadership position.

We know we have some great parents out there! So join us in helping our students and teachers!!

Congratulations to our two students, Victoria and Manuel, who participated in the Annual OCPS Spanish Spelling Bee! Both students made Horizon West very proud!

Congrats to Andrew (8th grade) who will now be representing HWMS as a member of the auditioned Middle School All County Jazz Ensemble! Pictured just below, Andrew is right up front making Horizon West proud!!

Many congrats to Carter W. (7th grade) who is part of the Calculus Project with Ms. Pivarsi. Carter has been an amazing student and attending morning acceleration weekly.

Just a reminder to all our students, Power Hour Tutoring and Homework Help are available to any of our Hornets from 8 am to 9 am (Face to Face and Virtually). If you would like to attend, email [email protected] and we will get you set up to join in the fun.

Horizon West is committed to having a culture of acceptance, diversity and inclusivity. We want all our students to feel comfortable and at home while on campus.

As our students walk around school they will notice several of these decals on doors and windows leading to offices and classrooms of safe adults they can come in and chat with. We are happy to have everyone as part of our Horizon West Family!

Anyone interested in joining Band, Front Ensemble or Color Guard please feel free to attend.

Please see Mr. Corneau in 2-108 for any questions. All are welcome!!