Dear Horizon Families,
OUR MISSION IS ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FOR ALL STUDENTS
Each quarter our district gives students a benchmark assessment in Reading and Math, in addition we provide a writing benchmark three times a year and this is the first year we’ve done a Science benchmark. We look closely at the results of those tests in the form of data on a district data base called GOLD. We ask the following questions: Are students making progress? Are students meeting or falling below the standards? Why are students doing well in some standards, and not in others? If students are not meeting the standards our teachers are working in small groups to help those students. We re-teach those standards our students have not yet mastered. We continue to teach new standards each quarter. We provide afterschool tutoring, while monitoring students individually during the day. It is our belief that all children will be successful.
IN A SAFE NURTURING ENVIRONMENT
Did you know that Horizon has a fire drill each month? We also practice a lock down drill several times a year. Each morning on our Horizon Today show students talk to students about making good choices. We have a social skill each month and our student agendas align with our morning announcements. The conduct bar, found in these agendas, is used in grades 3-8. Our younger students use a color card system in their classroom. At Horizon we always go for the green day. We also work with the Glendale Police Department to see that traffic laws are enforced while students are being dropped off and during dismissal.
WE PROMOTE A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AMONG HOME, CHILD, SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY
Each classroom sends a weekly or bimonthly newsletter home, to keep you in the loop of learning. Students in grades three through eight use the agenda where there is a spot for parents to sign each day. Did you know that teachers tell students what they are learning? We call that the objective of the lesson, and we want the students to be self aware of their learning. Our older students write that objective in their agenda in every class. We want you to know what is being taught too. We make use of our local merchants for incentives and refreshments for our Family nights. We ask you to call us if your child is going to miss school.
WHICH DEVELOPS LIFE LONG LEARNING
Did you know that many of our faculty are furthering their own educations? Whether it be a master’s degree, a doctoral program or monthly professional development opportunities, we see ourselves as constant learners. We hope to instill the joy of lifelong learning in our children. We teach children to read so that they can read to learn. This spring Horizon is sponsoring a Fitness Event and a Career Week celebration. Watch for more info. We need you, our community, to help us show our children all the possibilities their learning can bring them in their adult lives.