
What's Buzzing at the Heights
Week 10: October 16 - 20, 2023
Campus Mission Statement:
Campus Vision Statement:
Message from the Principal
Dear Hornet Families,
Wow! 45 days of INSTRUCTION are in the books!
We hope each of you had quality family time to play some board games, enjoy the beautiful cooler, fall weather and make some family memories. The Fall Intersession is a great time to reflect on where we need to continue to help support our children. Marking Period 2, MP2, will be filled with NEW curriculum. Please keep your children healthy as every day counts for them to learn new material, apply it in class and practice it to proficiency.
I read a quote that stated, "It's not about perfect. It's about EFFORT. And when you bring that effort every single day, that's where transformation happens. That's how change occurs." Our goal is for our scholars to have the best instruction and opportunities to apply their knowledge until they can't get wrong.
We want to THANK all of the scholars that participated in our Fall Intersession Learning Camp. We had a record 235 scholars in session to gain hours in accelerated learning, tutoring, Loss of Credit and ESL support for our PK & Kinder scholars! Thank you parents and scholars for your continued support to help us provide the BEST learning opportunity for our scholars!
A special THANKS to all of the TEACHERS that gave from their intersession time to build capacity in our scholars! We are blessed to have teachers that treat our scholars as if they were their own! We had 35 teachers participate! WOW! We love our TEACHERS at the Hive!
On Monday, scholars will have one more day of vacation as our teachers will be in professional development getting ready for instruction.
On Tuesday, scholars will return for the 1st day of our 2nd Marking Period. MP2 will go by quickly as we have many holidays to celebrate.
On Tuesday, we will honor Digital Citizenship Week with Dress up days. Be sure to see the calendar of events.
On Wednesday, we will begin with Vision & Hearing Screenings with Nurse Barrera. Please be sure that your children have their glasses.
This month, we ask for your support to help our scholars with the following:
- read daily for 20 minutes (anything of interest to child);
- complete 5 units of Lexia daily,
- practice addition & subtraction facts (these bring confidence);
- practice multiplication & division facts (upper grades need for problem solving);
- go to bed early enough to be ready to learn the next day; &
- continue to communicate with classroom teachers
Arrival & Dismissal.
Arrival and Dismissal will be our greatest challenges. Please be patient and kind. We will have all staff on duty to assist and create a system that is safe and efficient.
For Dismissal, we do ask families to ensure their SIGN with child's name in posted in the front windshield so that we can read & call out the name.
Attendance.
If your child is absent, we must have a doctor's note or a personal note explaining why they were absent upon their arrival. For doctor's appointments, take your child to appointment, but bring them back with a doctor's note the same day and it will be counted as present.
NEW: This year, district policy indicates parents/guardians have 72 hours to submit excuse notes justifying child's absence.
Attendance in vital to our scholars success. Every day gone from school, they lose 7 hours of skills, strategies and support for learning. Help us by keeping your children healthy.
We track attendance daily and will communicate with families when children have 5 absences & tardies to establish a Loss of Credit Contract. Our goal is for your child to be healthy and at school without losing credit.
Reporting Absences.
If you need to report an absence, our PEIMS Clerk will be able to assist you. Our team will be receiving the email to help assist you. I will forward all of your messages to the classroom teachers so they are aware of the absence.
Email: attendancehorizonheights@sisd.net
Please include as much detail as possible:
- Child's name
- Grade
- Teacher
- Student ID
- Reason for the absence
All notes will be collected via this email as well. Be sure to include details in the note as the child returns to class.
Tardies.
Children will be counted TARDY whey they enter the building at 7:45 AM. Please ensure you are allowing enough time for your child to arrive to school on time. After 3 tardies, children will be given lunch detention. The traffic is hectic. We begin to receive children at 6:45 AM. Help your child to arrive on time and start their day ready to learn.
Birthday Snacks.
We ask parents to please refrain from bringing in cupcake trays. If you would like for your child to share a treat, it must be a treat individually packaged by the manufacturer. Candy bags, individually wrapped snacks are allowed. Call or email Ms. Hansen and we can help to clarify. We appreciate you!
Traffic in the Bus/Daycare Area.
The area where the busses & daycare drop off/pick up is "private property". The land owner has granted us permission to use the land. There should NOT be any parents parking in that area. Yes, we are limited in parking and therefore ask for your support to use the curbside service.
Thank you for your continued support! We are blessed with an amazing learning community!
Together, we are better!
Respectfully,
Jenifer Hansen
Proud Principal of Horizon Heights ES
Office Number: 915-937-7402
Arrival & Dismissal Times
Picking Up Scholars Early
We are asking for your assistance when picking up children early from school. We need your support to be able to process your request in a timely manner.
For Doctor's Appointments:
If possible, pick you your children before 1:00 PM.
For PK & Kinder:
Children must be picked no later than 2:00 PM.
For 1st-5th Grade:
Children must be picked up no later than 2:30 PM.
Thank you for your support!
Digital Citizenship Week 2023
Vision & Hearing Screenings
Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23-27
Annual Fall Festival, Oct. 27
Skyward Parent Portal
The Socorro Independent School District is implementing Skyward Family Access for parents and students for the 2023-2024 school year. Skyward Family Access will replace the Tyler360 portal.
Skyward Family Access is an easy-to-use website that allows parents and guardians to access information about their students, such as attendance, grades, assignments, schedules, progress reports and report cards. Skyward Family Access is available on any device with an internet connection.
Skyward Family Access is now available to students and parents. Click here to learn more about how to use Skyward. Information also will be shared with parents via email.
SISD appreciates parents’ patience and understanding during the transition to Skyward Family Access.
Walk a Mile
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes supports YWCA El Paso’s Sara McKnight Transitional Living Center for survivors of domestic violence.
At this event, we ask men to walk in high-heeled shoes to actively engage in solidarity in confronting gender stereotypes and expectations. Together we can face the root causes of many gender violence instances.
Superintendent of Schools:
Dr. Nate Carman
https://give.ywcaelpaso.org/fundraiser/4876062
Col. John O. Ensor MS Principal:
Mr. Stephen Fernandez
https://give.ywcaelpaso.org/fundraiser/4909734
Eastlake HS Principal:
Mr. Gilbert Martinez
https://give.ywcaelpaso.org/fundraiser/4957588
All of the funds collect go to help support the Sara McKnight Transitional Living Center for women and children in need.
Dyslexia Awareness Month
A special thanks to Ms. Amanda Gomez, our Dyslexia Provider. Daily, she works with our scholars to provide a nurturing environment where they set goals and use their strategies to become strong and confident readers!
Happy Dyslexia Awareness Month!
Lexia Celebrations, Week 5
Scholars are encouraged to reach their weekly goals. Scholars must work independently to make the progress necessary to become proficient in their reading skills.
Goal: Scholars should be working towards 5 units a day, each week.
Thank you for your continued support for Lexia.
School Uniforms
Pre-Kinder students:
- Red polo tops only
- Khaki or blue pants/shorts/skirts
Kinder -5th Grade Students:
- Hunter green, navy blue or white polos
- Khaki or blue pants/shorts/skirts
The school uniform does NOT have to have the school name or logo.
Monday-Wednesday: School uniform: uniform shirt & uniform slacks/shorts/skirts
Thursday: College Day (attire from your favorite college) with jeans/slacks
Friday: Spirit Day Shirts and jeans (with no holes, no tears/ripped)
Attendance, Week 9
Our goal as a school is to reach 98% attendance each week. We know that staying healthy is as important as learning each day.
This week's attendance percentages as as follows:
- PreKinder: 95.21% to 97.17%
- Kinder: 96.86% to 97.91% (Super Work, Kinder!)
- 1st Grade: 95.81% to 95.73%
- 2nd Grade: 96.16% to 97.48% (Way to Go, 2nd Grade!)
- 3rd Grade: 95.89% to 94.57%
- 4th Grade: 95.67% to 96.89%
- 5th Grade: 97.57% to 97.46%
Week 8: 96.71%; YTD: 96.85%, Good start to the year!
We are 5th highest in the district. Let's aim for 98% and reach 1st place! We can do this!
Stay healthy and make it count! Be at school daily! We will have a great year Hornets!
Classes with Perfect Attendance
Way to go Hornets!
The following classes have FREE DRESS on Wednesday:
- PreKinder: Ms. Chavez & Ms. Muniz, 100%
- 2nd Grade: Ms. Galvan, 100%
We will ask that our PK still wear their RED shirt as this is a safety protocol to know that an adult must be with them. They can accessorize with hats, glasses, etc. Thank you!
Stay healthy! We can do this Hornets!
Technology Updates...
Classes come to the Library every other week, and books are checked out for those 2 weeks. Students need to keep books safe and clean in a Ziploc bag. Fees are charged for lost/damaged books based on the cost of the book. Fees will be paid on My School Bucks through the Web Store on our school web page.
Parents may come in to sign up for a library account with a valid Driver's License and email address. Parents may check out 5 books at a time. The library hours for parents are:
7:45am-8:15am and 2:00pm-3:15pm
Student devices have been distributed to PK-5th grade students to use in class. There are still a few of our new scholars needing devices. They have been requested and will be distributed as soon as they arrive.
Team Members Ready to Assist
Here is a list of phone numbers, emails and the team members that will assist you with any questions you may have:
Horizon Heights Office 937-7400
- Any questions or concerns
Mrs. Hansen, Principal, email: jhanse@sisd.net, 915-937-7402
Mrs. Carrillo, Assistant Principal, email: ecarri@sisd.net, 915-937-7403
Ms. Luna, Assistant Principal, eluna01@sisd.net, 915-937-7427
Ms. DeBretto, Principal Fellow, mdebre@sisd.net, 915-937-7402
Mrs. Salazar, Counselor, email: asalaz12@sisd.net, 915-937-7421
Mrs. Valdez, Counselor, email: bvalde@sisd.net, 915-937-7420
Ms. Ortega, Librarian, email: sorteg@sisd.net, 915-937-7414
School Nurse
Our school Nurse, Diana Barrera, will continue to serve our learning community. She has been with us for one year and loves our scholars and working with our parents.
Time: 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Phone: 915-937-7407
Email: dbarre02@sisd.net
SEL: Optimistic OCTOBER
Check out these TWEETS
Administrators' Contact Information
Jenifer Hansen, Principal
Email: jhanse@sisd.net
Office Phone: 915-937-7402
Edith Carrillo, Assistant Principal
Email: ecarri@sisd.net
Office Phone: 915-937-7403
Erica Luna, Assistant Principal
Email: eluna01@sisd.net
Office Phone: 915-937-7427
Miranda DeBretto, Principal Fellow
Email: mdebre@sisd.net
Office Phone: 915-937-7402
As always, we are honored to work with each of you! Do not hesitate to ask any question which you have about the new school year!
Calendar of Events
Here is a calendar of events that will take place at our school for our scholars. Mark your calendars at home and let's make it a great year!
Scholars Return for Marking Period 2:
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Week 10, Monday, October 16:
- 10th Week of School
- No School for Scholars
- Teachers begin with Professional Development
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Scholars RETURN to school for MP2
- Digital Citizenship Dress Up: Wear Crazy Socks/Shoes Day
- Bring your favorite book to read
- TeamSISD Board Meeting, 6 PM
- Digital Citizenship Dress Up: Wear Identical Outfits as Friends
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
- Digital Citizenship Dress Up: Wear Neon Colors
- Bring your favorite book to read
- MP1 Perfect Attendance Celebration
- Wear your school spirit shirt & jeans
- Digital Citizenship Dress Up: Wear your hats/sunglasses
Week 11, Monday, October 23:
- 11th Week of School
- RED RIBBON Week Dress Up
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Fall Parent Teacher Conferences, 4-6 PM
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Wear your school spirit shirt & jeans
- Fall Festival, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, in cafeteria
Week 12, Monday, October 30:
- 12th Week of School
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Ensor Fine Arts Performance for 5th Graders, 8:30-10:00 AM
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Wear your school spirit shirt & jeans
Saturday, November 4:
- Saturday Learning Camp
- 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- District Elementary Science Fair
Week 13, Monday, November 6:
- 13th Week of School
- Annual Turkey Drive Begins with Monetary Donations
- Bring your favorite book to read
- National Elementary Honor Society Induction, 5 PM
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Fall Jumping Balloon Palooza
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
- Veteran's Day HOLIDAY
- No School for Scholars
Week 14, Monday, November 13:
- 14th Week of School
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Turkey Drop Off, 4-6 PM
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Pictures with Santa (Free Dress, if purchasing photos)
- TeamSISD Board Meeting, 6 PM
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Wear your favorite college shirt & jeans
- Bring your favorite book to read
- Walk Day during PE
- Wear your school spirit shirt & jeans
Thanksgiving Break
November 20-24
Scholars return to school on Monday, November 27, 2023
Eastlake Feeder Schools
https://www.smore.com/1akh6-eastlake-high-school
Col. John O. Ensor MS, Mr. Stephen Fernandez:
https://www.smore.com/sy9n0-ensor-eagle-news
Eastlake MS, Ms. Gabriela Elliott:
Desert Wind School, Ms. Leticia Terrazas:
Ben Narbuth ES: Mr. Fernando Miranda:
Dr. Sue Shook ES: Ms. Cristina Chavira:
Mission Ridge ES: Mr. Jesus Mendez:
Jenifer J. Hansen
Email: jhanse@sisd.net
Website: https://www.sisd.net/horizonheightses
Location: 13601 Ryderwood Avenue, Horizon City, TX, USA
Phone: (915) 308-6570
Twitter: @HHeights_ES