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8200 Tattant Blvd.
Windermere, FL 34787
(407) 250-6291
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Horizon West Middle School
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Can you believe it? We are just days away from May 27th, the final day of the 2019-2020 school year. This school year will be one for the history books for so many reasons. We have had an amazing inaugural year at Horizon West and this is due to our loyal students, supportive families and dedicated teachers and staff. We are so fortunate to be part of a remarkable "school family" that has faced distance learning head on and made it a huge success.
We also want to take a moment to say a special "thank you" and honor our 8th graders. We know for some it was not an easy decision to make Horizon West your home this year. Yet, we are very happy that you did. You have shown such grace in these difficult times and please know that Horizon West will always be your home. To show you our support it is time to CELEBRATE our 8th Grades on Thursday, May 21st with our 8th Grade Promotion Parade; more details below.
We truly do appreciate all your patience and positive support. We feel the strength of our community and hope you all know we are here for our Hornet family and community. Please enjoy this edition of our community brief.
Sincerely,
Michelle Thomas
Proud Principal
Horizon West Middle School
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8th Grade Promotion Parade
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Eighth graders we have a special treat in store for you!! Next Thursday, May 21st from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM will be your 8th GRADE PROMOTION PARADE!!
Eight graders will hop in their parents' cars, roll down the windows and parents will "drive thru" our parking lot parade route and wave and honk as our Hornet TEACHERS & STAFF CHEER, CLAP, YELL AND CELEBRATE OUR STUDENTS ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE.
This event will begin promptly at 5:30 PM. All families wishing to participate will need to be in a motor vehicle, no walk ups.
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Foundation for OCPS - Top Talent Virtual
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This year Horizon West Middle School was notified that one of our very own Hornets was selected to participate in the TOP TALENT presentation. That student is Nicolas Senior, a 7th grader at Horizon West who also is an accomplished and talented singer.
This Friday, the Top Talent Virtual Show will be held online. You can see a brief preview of the event here.
Also, our Nicolas Senior was in competition all week to be voted a FAN Favorite!! Thank you to all the families that will log on tonight and to those who voted for Nicholas!
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End of the Quarter is Coming . . .
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Students, please make sure to be VERY productive this next week of school and remember that all work you want graded will need to be turned in on Friday, May 22nd. Even if you missed an assignment Week 1 of Distance Learning, go back, get it done and turn it in for a grade!
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Spirit Week!! Our Last One for the 2019 - 2010 School Year.
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This week is our LAST SPIRIT WEEK for the school year and we wanted to take this week to HONOR OUR 8th GRADERS. Our 8th GRADE Student Government Team came up with all the themes for this SPIRIT WEEK GRAND FINALE.
All students are encouraged to participate as we are proud of all our Hornets moving up and being promoted to the next grade. Post pics to Instagram and Twitter tagging @horizonwestocps or send your images to
[email protected] and we will post them on our social media pages for you.
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* Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @HorizonWest_OCPS
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We all know that we are in DISTANCE LEARNING until the end of the school year.
Students remember we still have to complete Quarter 4 and you will be receiving grades!
Do your best every day! You are still earning grades and want to show you best work.
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Students remember that you must sign in to EVERY CLASS, EVERY DAY (Monday - Friday) in Canvas. This is how teachers are taking attendance. Also, be sure to check your EMAIL and read new ANNOUNCEMENTS when posted.
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Thank You to School Resource Officer Deputy Watts of the Orange County Sheriff's Office!
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This week is Police Week across the United States.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. This week honors those that serve and especially those law enforcement officers that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
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| Thank you to Deputy Watts for keeping our campus safe and secure this school year! |
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Distance Learning:Dance Class
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Our students got to participate in a ballet class this past week with other middle schools from OCPS. The teacher was professional dancer Ashley Baszto. She taught a ballet barre and answered questions from the students. The students were excited to listen from her and hear how she became a professional dancer.
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Grab-and-Go Food Locations
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WINDERMERE HS is now a Grab -and-Go Location. Also, many locations are beginning to serve additional meals to cover weekends.
(Visit OCPS.net for the full list of locations as they have been changing weekly.)
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Congratulations to Our 8th Graders!
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It was wonderful seeing many of our 8th graders come on campus to pick up their 8th grade yard signs! These signs were ordered by parents and developed by our 8th grade parents' group to celebrate the success of our first class promoted to high school!
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Students having issues with their laptop? We have several resources that can be found on our Horizon West Webpage, under Academics > Distance Learning. Students can also visit the Student Body Canvas Page in Canvas for more information to assist. We have developed a student help guide at:
https://tinyurl.com/hwstudenttechhelp
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These last twos weeks our Digital Lunch Bunch has been on fire with Trivia. Each Lunch Bunch, we spend time with school announcements then play games with our students. Two weeks ago we played Trivia and then this last week it is FAMILY FEUD, Teachers vs. Students. Each event was lots of fun and gave students and teachers an opportunity to interact and have fun during distance learning.
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Screen reads: "Let's Play a Game. Family Feud. It's Teachers vs. Students. We need five student volunteers for the first round."
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If you look closely, you can see some of the participants from one of last week's competition. In fact, Principal Thomas is in the top row.
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Yearbooks for Sale - Limited Quantities
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Don't miss the memories!! Only a limited quantity of Yearbooks are still available. Please visit SchoolPay.com to make your purchase and to make sure you get a copy of our inaugural edition.
Also, added to the yearbook will be some special messages from your fellow students and teachers; our way of allowing you to get your yearbook signed in a "socially-distant" manner.
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Images above are from our actual yearbook. Order yours now! |
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Resources for Families During Covid 19
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We want to make sure that all our Hornet Families have access to the many resources that available during the Covid-19 situation. We have dedicated a section of our school website to Community Resources for Families During Covid-19. Visit this page to find out about the assistance that is offered for mental, physical and financial resources.
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Instructions for collecting and dropping off items at Horizon West Middle School
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Beginning this coming Monday, May 18th, we are going to allow students to pick up personal belongings that have been left on campus such as PE materials, instruments, etc. We will also be collecting outstanding items from students, such as library books.
At this time no determination has been made about student devices, therefore students are keeping their laptops until further notice.
All pick ups will be done based on a grade level and alpha according to the following schedule posted on our social media accounts, emails, canvas, and other forms of communication.
In order to facilitate an orderly pick up, please come on your scheduled day. Parents with students in multiple grades should come on the assigned day for each student. If you are unable to make the scheduled pick up time, we will reach out later in the summer to arrange an alternative time.
Students do not need to be present to pick up items, but parents must bring student ID in order to pick up personal belongings (yearbooks will not be released without a photo ID of the student). Students may come without parents and receive personal items at the walker and biker rider station. Make sure students bring their IDs with them!
If you come by car: on the day of your scheduled pick up:
- Enter through the car loop and drive around to the cafeteria.
- Remain in your vehicle and present student ID to staff members.
- Give staff members any items that should be returned to the school (library books, instruments, or sports team uniforms) Missing items will be noted. We will release a schedule for returning these items later in the summer.
- All items will be retrieved and brought to your vehicle.
- Student or parent will sign after receiving all items listed on inventory.
- Missing items that should be returned to student will be noted. We will release a schedule for retrieving additional items later in the summer
If you walk or ride your bike: on the day of your scheduled pick up:
- Remain on the sidewalk and proceed to the outside entrance to the cafeteria
- Keep six feet of distance between you and all other students in the line.
- Present your student ID to the staff member at the table.
- Give staff members any items that should be returned to the school (library books, instruments, or sports team uniforms) Missing items will be noted. We will release a schedule for returning these items later in the summer.
- All items will be retrieved and brought to your vehicle.
- Student or parent will sign after receiving all items listed on inventory.
- Missing items that should be returned to student will be noted. We will release a schedule for retrieving additional items later in the summer
Items everyone should bring:
- Student ID
- A pen
- Library books to return
- Sports uniforms to return
- Instruments to return
We would like to thank everyone in advance for their patience as we navigate these unusual circumstances.
You can also find translated copies of this information on school website and social media accounts.
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Weekly Newscast - YOUR WEEKLY BUZZ!
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Immunization Update for 6th Graders Going into 7th Grade
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The State of Florida requires all incoming 7th graders to have the Tdap Immunization on the Florida 680 Health Form prior to the start of school. (
floridahealth.gov)
Please email the updated 680 Health Form to Mrs. Curry at
[email protected] by
July 31, 2020 to ensure your child start school on time.
If Horizon West does not have the 680 Health Form with the Tdap immunization included on the form, your child will
NOT be able to sign out their laptops and/or receive their class schedule for the 2020-21 school year until the updated form is received.
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Dear Hornet Family,
What a year this has been!?! As a first year PTSO, with lots of room to grow, a global pandemic was thrown into the mix. Everything became virtual or social distanced, but there remained one constant...our new Hornet family! While life as we know it will bring a "new" normal, the PTSO is looking to help bridge the gap and to continue fostering a stronger and better school connection. Please consider being part of this group of volunteers who want what's best for the whole school community. Sign up for a Board position (all are open) or Committee at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Lvv75O1mnyrLGnk586z6BO7wNdVw7MNUMp4O0T2WhOo/edit
A special thank you goes out to our teachers and staff for their dedication throughout distance learning (and the whole year)! We had a virtual Teacher Appreciation Week and hope that you and your student were able to participate. The PTSO was able to get yard signs out to staff members and will be purchasing microwaves for the teacher lounges when we return!
Join us Monday night for our last PTSO Meeting of the year at 8 pm. Advanced registration is required. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvc-qgrjgjEtewVkufWgQyBV-Ywuewa4eL
We miss you all!
Sincerely,
Tammy Forrester
President
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Highlights from Teacher Appreciation Week!
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Just a little over a week ago, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week. This year's Teacher Appreciation Week was extra special because we wanted to make sure we truly celebrated our teachers. This year our teacher's had to make a complete 180 turn with all their plans for the school year and transition to distance learning. They met the challenge head on and have continued to provide a quality, innovative, rigorous, standards-based education for all our Hornets. We are so thankful for the dedicated educators we have at Horizon West and made TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK extra special.
Mr. Flanagan and Mr. Ryan handing out lunches to our teachers in our drive-up Teacher Appreciation Celebration.
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Ms. Cameron and Ms. Stanley cheering our teacher on as they came by the school!! YAY!! HORNETS!
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And THANK YOU to our PTSO for providing all our faculty and staff with yard signs to show their appreciation.
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Start Planning for Next School Year
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We know that next school year will be here before we know it! Exact information for the start of the school year has not been decided by the state at this time. However, we do want to give you all the information we can to stay ahead of the game.
First, during the summer if any of your contact information changes please be sure to notify the school. This includes change of address, phone numbers emails. If you have any changes please email our school registrar,
[email protected]
Second, for our 6th graders becoming 7th graders be sure to get your immunization paperwork updated. More information on this is above in this edition of our community brief.
Finally, some families may want to start some of your school supply shopping early. Here is a list of the items that students will need.
* These items will need to be replenished during the school year.
Teachers may also request additional items that are specific to their class. These items teachers will be able to hold in their classrooms, to lighten student backpacks.
Students will be each issues a school laptop. For the safety of your laptop, students may use a sleeve or detachable case for their laptop. However, students should not place any stickers/decals on their laptop as these may cause damage.
Also, please remember when purchasing backpacks, backpacks with a laptop pocket are always added protection and students should NOT utilize rolling backpacks as these are a safety hazard in our hallways.
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2020-2021 School Year Calendar
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Posted below is the 2020-2021 school year calendar for next year. Be sure to mark your calendar now for upcoming holidays. (Please know there could be changes to this calendar due to Covid-19.)
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Motivation to Finish Strong!
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This last full week of school is going to challenging for some Hornets! This is your chance to bring your grades up and do your best. With that said, we all need to be positive because YOU CAN DO IT.
With many of us at home and binge-watching shows on television, one of documentaries we are sure many of our Hornets are watching is "The Last Dance." If you are a basketball or sports fan, this documentary takes us through the trials, challenges, and successes of Michael Jordan.
What can we learn from Michael Jordan and "The Last Dance" as we head into this last full week of school?
Seven Lessons We Can Learn From Michael Jordan
1. Our Own Expectations -"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them."
~ Michael Jordan
2. Do not Fear Failure - "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." ~ Michael Jordan
3. Just Try - "I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."
~ Michael Jordan
4. Don't Give Up - Michael Jordan never given up and that is why he is being regarded as a legend in the basketball game and not a drop out of the varsity basketball team. He was cut from the varsity team but that doesn't mean the end of his dream. Instead of whining and complaining, he doubled his effort in training and made it into his varsity roster.
5. Hard Work - "I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. "
~ Michael Jordan
6. Make Things Happen - "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."~ Michael Jordan
7. Passion - "Even when I'm old and grey, I won't be able to play it, but I'll still love the game."
~ Michael Jordan (CCHP.COM)
In short Hornets . . . If you put in really hard work this week, you will get the results you want when you see your report card this summer.
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Horizon West Leadership Team
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This communication may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure, and intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please note that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Anyone who receives this message in error should notify the sender immediately by telephone or by return e-mail, and delete the message from their computer and any printout thereof. Please note that OCPS utilizes spam and junk e-mail filtration applications in its e-mail systems. That filtering process may prevent or delay delivery of certain e-mail communications. If you do not receive a timely response to an e-mail communication, please contact the intended recipient by phone.
Copyright Notice
 Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS-Horizon West Middle School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Horizon West Middle School. Please contact Mrs. Heather Rodriguez (Administrative Dean) at [email protected] with any questions.
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