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Horizon West Middle School |
HWMS Community Member,
It is almost time for SPRING BREAK! Spring Break takes place the week of March 18th – 22nd. Also, Friday, March 15th is a Teacher Workday/Student Holiday.
Please take the time to fill out the Annual Family Stakeholder Survey for any family with a student in grades K-12. Families with students in more than one school should submit surveys for each school. This survey offers valuable feedback as OCPS works to ensure every student has a promising and successful future. Look for the QR Code that you can scan or click on the link below. Thank you in advance for giving your valuable feedback!
Students in grades 6-8 will be taking the survey on March 14th during the school day. Students in grades 6-12 will be asked to complete this voluntary survey during the school day. Families that do not want their children to participate can complete an online non-participation form. Families can click on this link to the 2024 Annual Stakeholder Survey Non-Participation Form at any point during the survey window. Surveys completed prior to completing the form will be deleted and responses will not be sent to schools.
Rising 7th graders are required to have a TDAP before they register or attend their 7th grade year. More information to come regarding this.
Our next SAC (School Advisory Council) meeting is scheduled on March 12th at 5:00 PM in the media center and PTSO will follow at 5:30 PM.
A reminder that we are offering Homework Help Sessions from 8:00-9:00 in the HWMS cafeteria:
- Mondays: Language Arts
- Tuesdays: Social Studies
- Wednesdays: Science & Spanish
- Thursdays: Math
I wish you all a safe and happy upcoming Spring Break!
Your proud principal,
Michelle Thomas
Pictured at the top of this issue: Our Theatre students enjoyed great success at the State of Florida Thespian Competition! Please see their story below.
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8200 Tattant Drive
Orlando, FL 37486
(407) 554-1570
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Communication is KEY to the SUCCESS of our SCHOOL, STUDENTS and FAMILIES. Stay connected to our school by following and liking our OFFICIAL social media accounts. |
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Mar. 10: Daylight Savings Time |
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Mar. 12: SAC Meeting, 5:00pm
Mar. 12: PTSO Meeting, 5:30pm
Mar. 13: Start of Track & Field Season - Away Meet vs. Hamlin Middle
Mar. 13: School Spirit Wednesday
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Mar. 15: Student Holiday / Teacher Workday |
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Mar. 17: Deadline for 2023-2024 Yearbook purchases at $40.00
Mar. 18-22: Spring Break
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Mar. 23: Girls in Aviation Day Orlando
Mar. 25: Spirit Night at Gator's Dockside Windermere, 5-8pm
Apr. 12: Last day for 2024 Family Survey
Apr. 18: Incoming 6th Grade Night
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Family Survey is now open: |
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Here is a sneak peak of our 8th graders getting ready for the class panoramic picture for the yearbook!! |
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Girls in Aviation Day (March 23): |
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School Spirit Night (March 25): |
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8th Grade Dance (May 17): |
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The Horizon West Middle School Student Government Association is proud to present A Hollywood Glam Night for our 8th Grade 2024 Dance. The event will be held on Friday, May 17th, 2024. Use this QR Code to purchase your ticket! $35 |
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Or purchase at the website below:
We will be collecting back (elementary) then and current photos (middle school) of your 8th grader to be shared at the event. If you would like to submit your past and present pictures of your student, please send them to Hwms8gradedance@gmail.com. Make sure to include your student's first and last name. |
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Congratulations to the following “Student of the Week” recipients! |
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Nominated by Nicole Pagan-
“Hansel is a student who strives for success. He always gives his best effort in class and helps others when needed. I am so proud of Hansel!”
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Nominated by Brandon Nguyen-
“Minako is a kindred spirit to the class and is always looking to help out, even cleaning messes of others!”
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7th Grade-
Krithik Mohanraj
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7th Grade-
Samuel Perdigao Do Amaral Perez
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Nominated by Raymond Hurn-
“Krithik always works hard and does his best. He is a pleasure to have in class."
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Nominated by Jacquelyn Rifenberg-
“Samuel is always eager to participate in science every day. He always has a smile on his face. He is also the best at Photoshop.”
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8th Grade-
Samantha Gonzalez Afanador
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8th Grade-
Sophia Nocerino Galanton
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Nominated by Ashley Wiggs-
“Samantha has been enthusiastic in class and been an excellent student.”
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Nominated by Mallory Cameron-
“I have had the pleasure of having Sophia in my class for two years now. She is an absolute sweetheart and is such a joy to have in class.”
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Nominated by Ms. Ford-
“I am so happy and excited to give the Hornet of the Week to Ms. Rodriquez. Ms. Rodriquez, is an amazing teacher here at HWMS. Over the years that I have been here, I have personally witnessed her share, her love and passion of photography and digital art with her students. Every student I have spoken with spoke very highly of her and how much they love being in her class. Ms. Rodriquez, thank you for always believing in your students and for challenging them to take on a whole new world of art. Thank you for putting in the extra time with them beyond your work hours. Thank you for allowing your HWMS students along with yourself to volunteer to take pictures for the holiday community events for the homeless families. You Are The Best!! Please know that your influence in and outside of the classroom is making a major difference.”
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Nominated by Ms. Rodriguez-
“This week I asked all my students who they think should get Hornet of the Week and an overwhelming amount said they think Mrs. Moore deserved it. The students say that she is a great teacher who is passionate about what she does. She also puts in the extra time for SGA and the 8th Grade Dance. I know her students appreciate her just as much as we do!”
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Horizon West HERO Teacher |
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OCPS Human Resources Division and the Curriculum and Digital Learning Department recognize HERO teachers and support staff from throughout the district who have been instrumental to their school's and student’s success. Mrs. Anneris Rivera-Rosa was nominated for this exceptional award. Congratulations Mrs. Rivera, for representing our HWMS! |
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Save the Dates for our Spring Performance: April 10th, 11th, and 12th |
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State Thespian Competition |
Congratulations to all of our students who did a phenomenal job in receiving Superior and perfect scores from the judges. Here are some of the highlights! |
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Solo Music Song- Faith Prendergast, Tristan Olofson & Victoria De Luca Silva
Duet Musical Song- Tristan Olofson and Victoria De Luca Silva
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Pantomime: Mariana Serna, Layla Naya, Erin King, Jordan Rozefort & Maria Sophia Costa Silva |
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Large Group Musical Song: Tristan Olofson, Victoria De Luca Da Silva, Bailey Fuentes, Gabriella Goncalves, Fabiana Granadillo, Clark Hill, Faith Prendergast, Jordan Riley, Lea Santiago and Samantha Tom |
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Publicity Design:
Marina Monteiro Cabrini
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Costume Design:
Maria Sophia Costa Silva
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Solo Acting Monologue: Emma Jimenez and Bailey Fuentes
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Jordan Riley was recognized with several Superior Scores and Perfect Scores in Scene Writing, Top Honors, Best in Room “Judges Choice” |
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Mr. Flanagan surprised the Theatre students and joined them at McDonald’s during a break during the State Theatre competition. |
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2023-2024 HWMS Boys and Girls Basketball teams with Coach Ryan and Coach Schram |
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Students in 2D art classes put their photo manipulation and editing skills to work creating artwork inspired by pop artists, Romero Britto & Roy Lichtenstein. |
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Bubble Photos- Students in Photography 2 experimented with their new lenses by capturing images of bubbles floating through the air with soft, shallow depth of field backgrounds! |
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Track & Field season begins next week. |
Congratulations to all of those who made the HWMS track team!! Come out and cheer on our Hornets!
Wednesday, 3/13 @ Hamlin Middle
Wednesday, 3/27 vs. Water Spring
Wednesday, 4/03 vs. SunRidge
Wednesday, 4/10 vs. Lakeview
April 15-18 Cluster Championships
County Championship TBA
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Horizon West Middle School is the first school to earn the Energy Star recognition to certify our high-performing schools. This award kicks off an exciting initiative to recognize schools for their energy conservation efforts. Horizon West Middle is being recognized for putting forth the effort to conserve energy while providing a healthy school environment for learning.
Energy Star is a national program to measure a building against its peers and score it based on the energy efficiency and the learning environment. This considers the school’s ventilation and lighting meeting the requirements to facilitate learning. To earn Energy Star recognition, a minimum score of 75 out of 100 is needed, which places a school in the top 25% of buildings for that type. However, Horizon West Middle School blew this score out of the water and earned a score of 92, which means it exceeds energy conservation standards significantly.
The OCPS Sustainability Office is proud to showcase Horizon West Middle School as the first of many Energy Star schools in the district! Congratulations Horizon West Middle School.
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Congratulations to all who participated in the 4-H Speaking Contest! |
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Left to right top- Ms. Aulerich, Izabella Johnson, Gabriel Lopez Vargas, Max Corber, Koushikram Balaji, Bottom row- Nicolas Moscoso Astudillo, Camila Rondon, Josephine Dubiel, Mr. Flanagan |
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1st Place- Nicolas Moscoso Astudillo, 2nd Place- Camila Rondon,
3rd Place- Josephine Dubiel
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Anthony Wiggs, Spelling Bee Winner |
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Our school Spelling Bee winner, Anthony Wiggs was one of the twenty-four students who is moving on from Districts to the Regional Spelling Bee! Good Luck Anthony! We are proud of you! |
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Students in Ms. Nkich’s Science class constructed 3D and 2D models for the plant and animal cells and labeled their organelles. |
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Science with Ms. Martinez |
Students in Ms. Martinez’s 8th grade class were learning how heat affects the reaction rate of chemical changes. They used glow sticks to provide evidence to support this scientific concept. Science, it’s like magic but real! |
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Physical Education with Coach Bergin |
PE Coach Bergin demonstrating the skills and techniques for archery! |
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Science with Ms. Martinez |
Students in Ms. Martinez’s 8th grade class were learning how heat affects the reaction rate of chemical changes. They used glow sticks to provide evidence to support this scientific concept. Science, it’s like magic but real! |
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Washington D.C. field trip fundraiser |
A few of our HWMS staff members were good sports and participated in the PIE in the FACE Fundraiser event for the Washington, D.C. field trip. |
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Ms. Gutierrez, Front Office Clerk |
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Mr. Corneau, Band/Orchestra Teacher |
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Boys and Girls Club Summer Zone Survey |
As we are planning for Summer Zone this year, we have a survey we would like you to complete. This survey is open to anyone who has a student that is currently at Horizon West Middle School or Hamlin Middle School. It will only take about 5 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous. Thank you so much for helping us design our Summer Zone program for your student and families.
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HWMS staff members take some time to play games, trivia and socialize during our staff Social last month! |
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Have a great weekend!
Ms. Thomas, Principal
Horizon West Middle School
Friday, March 8, 2024
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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. |
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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 OCPS-Horizon West Middle School. Please contact Ms. Tiffany Stanley at tiffany.stanley@ocps.net with any questions.
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