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Pictured very top:
Horizon West administrative team and senior staff
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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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The end of the first quarter is rapidly approaching. Please make sure you take this time to speak to your students about their behavior and their grades. There are only a few more days for work to get turned in and graded before report cards come out mid-October.
Open House Participation
Also, thank you to all our parents and community that came out to our First Annual Open House event. It was so exciting seeing all our Hornet families buzzing around the campus. We hope that this opportunity served as a time for you to gain a great insight on the innovative, rigorous instruction your child is receiving here at Horizon West. As always, if you have any questions in regards to your child's class, reach out to their teacher. All teacher emails can be found on our school website: [email protected]
Progress Monitoring Assessments
In October students begin taking their PMA assessments if they are in 8th Grade Science, Civics, Algebra and Geometry. These assessments are to monitor students' achievement in the above courses in which they will be tested during the May FSA testing administration. Students will take a PMA each quarter to assess their skills and to help predict how they will perform during May testing.
Thank you all for another wonderful week at Horizon West and I hope you enjoy this latest edition of our community brief.
Thank you,
Michelle Thomas
Principal
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October starts our fall season and Horizon West has many events coming up for our Hornets. Mark your calendars now and SAVE THE DATES . . .
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Horizon West Celebrates: Hispanic Heritage Month
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Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402. (
HispanicHeritageMonth.gov)
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are having a SPIRIT WEEK next week!
- Monday - Flag day (wear colors of the flag of your fave Spanish-speaking country)
- Tuesday - Familia Day (dress like twins with someone you consider like family)
- Wednesday - Tie and Tiara Day (in honor of the Quinceañera, a.k.a. Sweet 15)
- Thursday - Wear Red (in honor of Hispanic Innovators)
- Friday - Soccer Jersey Day (because we all know soccer is HUGE in Latin America!)
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Plan Ahead: No Early Release
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No Early Dismissal Wednesday, October 16, 2019
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Effective October 1, 2019 for our Orange County Drivers . . .
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Dear Hornet Families,
The PTSO would like to thank the families who have come out to support us at our first Spirit Nights of the year at Gator's Dockside, Jeremiah's Italian Ice, and Bruster's Real Ice Cream. Your support has helped us to raise just over $300.
We will host our first general PTSO meeting on Monday, September 23rd in the Media Center at 6 PM. Please join us and help in creating new traditions and events at HWMS. You will have the opportunity to sign up for committees, hear more about our upcoming events, and meet other parents, teachers, and students.
The Spirit Store will be open most Fridays throughout the year for your student to pick up new gear and PTSO membership cards. You can also follow us on our FB page HWMS PTSO and on the web at www.hornetsptso.org to stay in the know on all things PTSO!
Sincerely,
Tammy Forrester
President
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Volleyball tryouts have begun and finish up this Monday, October 7th. Please be sure to congratulate all the students trying out and those who make the team.
Mark your calendars now for a great season of Hornet Action!!
Date
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Location
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Opponent
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10/23
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Chain of Lakes
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Windy Ridge
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10/28
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Bridgewater
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Bridgewater
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10/30
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HOME
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Chain of Lakes
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11/6
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HOME
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Gotha
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11/11
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Sunridge
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Sunridge
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11/13
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HOME
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Southwest
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11/20
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Carver
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Carver
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Coffee With Our Counselors
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OCPS Parent Academy: Virtual Event on Thursday
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Thursday, October 10 - "Digital Citizenship"
The OCPS Virtual Parent Academy is an extension of the OCPS Parent Academy, where parents and children are given an opportunity to join a session online from 6 to 7 p.m. The online platform is an enrichment tool for parents and students to obtain educational information and resources. The events are accessible online from any location with internet access. Parents and children may attend from home, community sites or schools serving as host sites. The presentations are conducted by district and community experts.
Note:
Free for all families
Online Platform
6 - 7 p.m.
Parents use computers to watch presentations with presenters available online to chat, personalizing the experience.
We have 2 ways to register:
- Online: Click "Register Now" located next to each event.
- Phone: Participants can contact the Parent Academy office to be registered online by staff members at (407) 317-3300.
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Horizon West: Digital Moment - Read&Write App
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As we dig deeper in to digital technologies, students are beginning to utilize the many digital resources that they now have at their fingertips. One of these resources is the Read&Write App that can be downloaded from Google.
The Read & Write App allows students to highlight, annotate, and provide comprehensive reading and writing supports to Google Docs. Students can even research, translate and define terms all in this one simple app. You may notice the icon below downloaded on your students Google Chrome. Try it out and have your student show you how it is being used in class.
You can check out more about Google Read&Write here:
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PTSO Information and News
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Happy Fall Hornet Family!
The PTSO is excited to see more things falling into place this fall. We have a 6th grade mixer on October 9th right after school. This is a chance for our 6th graders to mingle and snack without the need to run to class.
We are also excited to announce that through your support, we have been able to purchase a mascot costume for the school and are looking forward to seeing our Hornet at upcoming events and games.
We have also launched our Community Sponsorship Program this month. If you have a business or know someone who does, and would like to join us in a partnership, please check out our opportunity on our website at www.hornetsptso.org
Thank you for supporting the PTSO and we look forward to seeing you all at our next meeting, November 18th.
Sincerely,
Tammy Forrester
President
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Mr. Evans - 6th Grade & 8th Grade A- L
Q: Where did you graduate?
University of Florida - B.S. in Exercise and Sports Science - Specialization in Sports Management and Coaching
Q: What is your history with OCPS?
Graduated from Dr. Phillips High School - Class of 1989
I have been with OCPS for 24 years. I have taught science, social studies, and PE at the middle and high school levels. I have served as a Dean at the middle school level for the past 4 years. I am also our school's Athletic Director and have also served in that capacity for over 13 years at the middle school level.
Q: What do you want our students to know about you?
Avid Philadelphia sports fan, love going to Disney and traveling with my wife and daughter. I am always there to listen to students and want them to believe in themselves and never lose sight of their goals.
Fun Fact:
Was on the same youth baseball team with former major league all-star Johnny Damon!
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Mrs. Rodriguez - 7th Grade & 8th Grade M-Z
Q: Where did you graduate?
I graduated from Nova Southeastern University with my Bachelor's in Business Administration. In addition I have earned an MBA from Webster University specializing in Human Resources Development and my ED.S. in Education Leadership also, from Nova Southeastern.
Q: What is your history with OCPS?
I am a very proud product of OCPS and was one of the first graduates to open and graduate from Cypress Creek High School. I began my career at Dr. Phillips High School where I taught Digital Arts & Web Design and was the leader of the DPHS Business Academy for 11 Years. I then became the Special Education Dean and 9th Grade Dean for 2 years. Next, I moved to Chain of Lakes Middle School as their 7th Grade Dean, MTSS Coach and Testing Coordinator. Then excited about opening a new school, I came to my Horizon West family.
Q: What do you want our students to know about you?
I want our Hornets to know that I am here for them and want us to all be a part of our school family. My number one job is to make sure that our students have a safe, educational, positive day at school and I will do whatever they need to make sure they are enjoying and learning during their school day. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family going to Disney, especially Disney Cruises, watching movies and the beach.
Fun Fact:
I used to be a competitive roller-skater and even competed in the Junior Olympics!
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Monday's Motivational Moment!
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NO SHORTCUTS
 William Danforth, who became the owner of the huge Ralston Purina Company, learned a lesson about success when he was a young man. He said, "When I was sixteen I came to St. Louis to attend high school. It was about a mile from my house to the school. A teacher, who lived nearby, and I would start out for school at the same time every morning. But he always beat me there. Even back then I didn't want to be beaten, and so I tried all the shortcuts. Day after day, however, he arrived ahead of me. Then I discovered how he did it. When he came to each street crossing, he would run to the other curb. The thing that put him ahead of me was just 'that little extra.'"
Remember Hornets . . .
"There are no shortcuts
to any place worth going."
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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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