Horizon Middle School

September 15th - PAC Meeting - ALL Parents Welcome to Join

September 19th - Autumnfest Parade 4 PM Capital Grounds - Band Marches

September 21st - Staff Development Day - No School

October 19th and 20th - Parent Teacher Conferences

October 29th and 30th - 6th Grade Musical " We Are Monsters!"

We wanted to provide a quick update regarding the resurfacing project in the south parking lot.

Currently, only half of the parking lot is being resurfaced. The portion closest to the front doors will remain open and available for student drop-off and pick-up. Traffic will continue to be able to move through this area during arrival and dismissal.

The project is expected to take approximately one more week to complete. As with any outdoor project, wet weather could impact that timeline.

We will continue to have Horizon staff outside during arrival and dismissal to help direct traffic and get students to and from school as safely and efficiently as possible.

Thank you for your patience and flexibility while this work is being completed. We appreciate everyone taking a little extra care when traveling through the construction area.

Horizon families, thank you for helping us keep our students safe and our traffic flowing smoothly! Here are a few important reminders:

🚗 Student Drop-Off & Pick-Up

• All students must be dropped off and picked up at the front of the school.
• To help improve traffic flow, we’ve added a crossing guard—please follow their directions to keep things moving quickly and safely.

🚍 Back of the Building
The back of the building is only for:

• Bus students
• Bike riders
• Walkers
• Students with special needs

This allows us to split student arrivals and dismissals about 50/50 between the front and back, reducing congestion and keeping everyone safer.

We’re All in This Together
Please respect the rules and the many families who follow them each day. By working together, we ensure a smoother process and, most importantly, a safer environment for our kids.

Like the School Board, Horizon Middle School encourages students to use sound judgment in dress and grooming and recognizes that personal attire and grooming are primarily matters of concern between students and their parents / guardians. No student shall be prevented from attending school or school-sponsored activity because of appearance if style, fashion, or taste is the sole criterion for such action. Student attire becomes a concern of the school when grooming and / or attire create or pose to create a substantial disruption, endanger the health and safety of the student, or result in the destruction of school property.

Prohibitions:

The District prohibits the following articles of attire on school property and / or at school sponsored functions. Attire that:

1. Is reasonably likely to substantially disrupt the educational environment, including attire associated with gang affiliation, attire associated with use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs, and attire that is discriminatory, obscene, profane, lewd, vulgar, or sexually suggestive;

2. Poses a health or safety risk;

3. Is destructive to school property and / or causes excessive maintenance issues.

At Horizon Middle School we ask that students dress appropriately. Clothing styles that are excessively revealing or show a student’s undergarments may not be worn in school. Hats of hoodies/sweatshirts will be kept down. Hats and caps are to be left in one’s locker. Finally, no clothing that distracts from the educational program of the school will be allowed (such as costumes). Administration will make reasonable efforts to notify students of these rules. Horizon Middle School building administration has developed procedures for teaching students about this policy and for handling issues that develop when students are in violation of these rules.

As part of our commitment to preparing students for success beyond the classroom, our schools are integrating Career Ready Practices (CRPs) into instruction and assessment. These practices focus on essential skills such as time management, communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and self-direction.

Career Ready Practices align with Bismarck Public Schools’ Strategic Plan and support a well-rounded education by connecting classroom learning to skills students will use in the real world. CRPs are assessed alongside academic standards, providing a more complete picture of each learner’s growth. The feedback students receive helps them strengthen skills that support success in school, future education, careers, and life.

What are Career Ready Practices?

CRPs are skills that help learners be successful in school, work, and life. Some examples include:

• Managing time, materials, and responsibilities

• Prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines

• Communicating clearly and respectfully

• Listening, asking questions, and advocating for yourself

• Working effectively with classmates and adults

• Setting goals and taking ownership of your learning

• Showing responsibility, adaptability, and perseverance

Families can support by:

• Encouraging students to plan ahead, prioritize, and manage their time

• Helping students set goals and follow through on responsibilities

• Practicing clear, respectful communication and active listening

• Encouraging students to ask questions and advocate for themselves

• Reinforcing responsibility, perseverance, and problem-solving

• Providing opportunities to contribute at home, school, or in the community

CRP scores will be assessed by each content-area teacher once per quarter and will appear on your student’s grade page in Infinite Campus.

• First Semester: Students will receive scores for Time Management (CRP-MS.02: Manage Time & Space Effectively).

• Second Semester: Students will continue to receive a Time Management score and will also receive two Communication scores (CRP-MS.01: Communicate Clearly, Effectively, and with Reason).

We believe that combining academic learning with these essential practices equips learners to be both college and career ready. Together, we can support our learners in developing the confidence and competencies they need to thrive in the future.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting your child’s growth.

We are excited to announce that our T-Shirt Order Form is now available! 🎉 This is a great opportunity to show school spirit and ensure your child has their shirt in time for any upcoming events.

Sales close Sunday September 20th, 2026 (11:59pm CDT)

https://horizonmiddleschoolfall2026.itemorder.com/

We are pleased to share that the 2026-2027 Student Handbook is now available. The handbook provides important information about school policies, expectations, procedures, and resources to support a successful school year.

You can access the handbook here: 2026-2027 Student Handbook

Thank you for your partnership in helping us create a positive and productive school environment for all students.

In regards to the updated cell phone policy Horizon Middle School will follow these consequences:

First violation - The device is confiscated and turned into the attendance office. Phone will be returned to the student at the end of day after re-teach/ conversation with administrator.

Second violation - The device is confiscated and turned into the attendance office.

Required in-person parent meeting with AP or designee prior to returning device to parent

at the end of the school day. Device will not be returned until a parent meeting has been

completed. Loss of test exemption.

Third violation - The device is confiscated and turned into the attendance office. Required

in-person parent meeting with AP or designee prior to returning device to parent at the end of the school day. Device will not be returned until a parent meeting has been completed. Student will be required to turn the device into the office daily for 10 school days.

Fourth violation - The device is confiscated and turned into the attendance office. Required in-person parent meeting with AP or designee prior to returning device to parent at the end of the school day. Device will not be returned until a parent meeting has been completed. Student is required to turn device into office for remainder of school year.

*Detention and/or suspension could be added to cell phone/device consequences.

https://www.bismarckschools.org/families/cell-phones

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the new cell phone policy changes, please reach out to Horizon Middle School Office at 701-323-4550, to schedule a time to meet with our administration.

Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up soon! This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, discuss their progress, and work together to support their success.

📅 Conference Dates: October 19th and 20th
📍 Location: Horizon Middle School

Please mark your calendar and be on the lookout for more details about scheduling your conference time.

We look forward to seeing you and partnering together for your child’s growth and learning.

Pictures will be held on Wednesday, October 20th. Students will be called down from class to take pictures.

Horizon will be doing a snack drive through the end of September.

To help keep our students energized and ready to learn, we are asking for snack donations. Individually packaged, nut-free snacks are especially appreciated and will be shared with classrooms and students as needed throughout the day.

Some ideas include:

• Granola bars
• Goldfish or crackers
• Pretzels
• Fruit snacks
• Applesauce pouches

If you’d like to donate, please drop items off in the school office during school hours. Your support makes a big difference and helps us ensure every student is fueled for success.

Thank you for your generosity and continued partnership!

What we do:
• Work as a team with the HMS staff and enhance student experiences
• Organize and manage fundraising opportunities (check out the fundraiser link for info)
• Provide food for Staff Appreciation Snack Days
• Provide staff meals during parent/teacher conferences
• Help fulfill staff wish lists from funds raised which include new technology, needs within the fine arts, Phy Ed equipment, and many other items
• Fund the purchase of PBIS prizes (rewards for students to promote and reward good behavior)
• Organize and assist in funding the 8th grade farewell

Share your ideas or learn more at our monthly meetings. ALL Horizon parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to attend!

The meetings will be the second Tuesday of every month at 12:00 at HMS during the school year.
You can also attend the meetings via Google Meet here. If you have any questions, please contact the President Brittani Reim.

horizonpac678@gmail.com

Next months meeting is October 13, 2025.