July 2025 Family Newsletter Horner
July 2025
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we move into February, I would like to take a moment to share my sincere gratitude for your continued partnership this school year. Thank you for always placing your student’s needs at the forefront and for working alongside us to support their academic growth, social development, and overall well-being. When home and school work together, our students truly thrive.
Strong communication between school and home plays a vital role in student success. One simple yet powerful way to support your child is by having daily conversations about their school day. A helpful conversation starter we encourage is:
“Tell me three things that went well at school today.”
This approach helps students reflect positively on their “workday,” builds optimism, and teaches them to recognize and celebrate their successes—big or small.
Please note that there will be no school on February 13 and February 16. We hope these days provide your family with time to rest, recharge, and reconnect.
Additionally, during the month of February, students will begin signing up for their elective classes for the upcoming school year. This is an exciting opportunity for students to explore their interests and take ownership of their learning. We encourage families to talk with their students about their choices and goals as they plan ahead.
Thank you again for your trust, support, and partnership. We truly appreciate all that you do for our school community and, most importantly, for your children.
Cindy Hicks-Rodriguez
Principal, Horner Middle School
Hello Horner Families!
February already? Here are some things ASB has going on in the month of February.
ASB is in the middle of their selection for next year’s class. This was for current 6th and 7th graders. We held an info meeting on January 9th (had over 90 students come!) and then applications were due on January 16th. We then held interviews on January 20th and 21st. The application process is closed at this time.
Our 3rd social is taking place on February 27th. Ticket sales will be taking place on February 19th, February 20th, February 21st and February 22nd. Please note: This is the last social for 6th and 7th graders. The final social in April is for only 8th graders. We have 300 tickets available to sell. They cost 10 dollars and are sold at lunch. If students say they didn’t have an opportunity to purchase, we sell the whole lunch each day and rarely have a long line.
Last thing is we will be selling this year’s sweatshirts for the last time. They cost $30. This will be the final time for the year. And will take place in mid February.
Short and sweet this month, hope you and your family are healthy.
Please head to hornerhornets.org or follow us on Instagram @hornermiddle.hornets for more updates on things going on in the ASB classroom!
Mr. Shaffer
Activities Director
All Wednesday's are minimum days with early dismissal at 1:17 pm. We will also have other days that we have a 1:17 dismissal that are NOT Wednesdays. Please not on these dates below there will be NO AC transit bus right after school. Students can walk to the Grimmer bus stop near IHS to catch the bus right after school. Thank you for noting these dates below.
5/29, 6/1
If your child is interested in trying out for a Winter or Spring sport please print out the forms that are attached prior to the school year. At MAZE day you are able to turn the forms into the athletic table if you have the physical form from your doctor attached. All students trying out for a sport MUST have all paperwork and physicals completed and submitted on the due dates below in order to try out. If you have any questions you can email Mr Sean Davis at Horner Middle School as he oversees the athletic programs.
Forms due for Boys Volleyball: March 4, 2026
Boys volleyball tryouts: March 9, 2026
All deadlines are firm and we cannot accept forms past the due date listed above. Thank you.
Multicultural Week at Horner
February 2 – 6, 2026
Girls BB game @ Hopkins away
Tuesday, February 3⋅2:45 – 5:30pm
PTSA meeting online
Wednesday, February 4⋅6:30 – 7:30pm
New Gr. 7 Aeries course input - Math Dept in C133
February 5 – 6, 2026
New Gr. 8 Aeries course input - Math Dept in C133
February 9 – 10, 2026
SSC meeting on zoom
Monday, February 9⋅6:00 – 7:00pm
Girls BB game @ Horner (Centerville)
Tuesday, February 10⋅2:45 – 5:30pm
Board meeting
Wednesday, February 11
Girls BB game @ Thornton away
Thursday, February 12⋅2:45 – 5:30pm
No School
Friday, February 13
No School
Monday, February 16
ELPAC testing in C133
February 17 – 20, 2026
Boys VB meeting at lunch near locker rooms
Friday, February 20
ELPAC testing in C133
February 23 – 27, 2026
Girls BB game @ Walters away
Monday, February 23⋅2:45 – 5:30pm
Girls BB game @ Horner (Hopkins) LAST GAME
Tuesday, February 24⋅2:45 – 5:30pm
Board meeting
Wednesday, February 25
Social grades 6-8
Friday, February 27⋅2:45 – 4:45pm
College and career presentations-Counselors in History classes
March 2 – 13, 2026
Boys volleyball forms due to office
Wednesday, March 4
PTSA meeting online
Wednesday, March 4⋅6:30 – 7:30pm
PTSA Talent Show in MUR
Friday, March 6⋅6:00 – 8:00pm
Please note below the following explanations -
Incoming 7th gragers = the current 6th grade students at Horner
Incoming 8th graders = the current 7th grade students at Horner
Incoming 9th graders = the current 8th grade students at Horner
Sherman = Mr. Holmes (current 7th grade counselor)
Dayna = Mrs. Lai (current 6th grade counselor)
IHS counselors = Counselors from Irvington High School
April 30th parent orientation (This presentation is for current 5th grade parents only, no students)
We’re excited to offer a fun way to celebrate your child’s birthday at Horner Middle School! Since we do not allow treats, balloons, or other birthday items to be brought to school due to the distractions they can cause, a marquee birthday greeting is a wonderful alternative to make your child feel special.
For just $10 cash, you can have a personalized birthday message displayed on our school marquee — a great way to make your child a “celebrity” for the day!
If you’re interested in purchasing a birthday greeting, please stop by the school office for more information.
Thank you for helping us celebrate our students in a fun, safe, and school-friendly way! All proceeds go towards our school safety supplies and technology needs.
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We encourage you to help your student regularly access the 5-Star Student app to check their PBIS points and stay informed about their progress.
Throughout the school day—in each class and during lunchtime—students have opportunities to earn PBIS points by demonstrating Horner’s behavioral expectations and making positive choices. These points add up quickly and can be redeemed at the end of each month for a variety of prizes and incentives during lunch.
To help you better understand what students are working toward, we have included our monthly prize chart, which outlines the items and incentives available for redemption.
PBIS points are tracked through a school store “bank account” system. Just like a bank account, students earn points, save them, and spend them. Please note that any points remaining at the end of the school year will be cleared, so it’s important for students to regularly check their balance and use their points rather than lose them.
There are some big and exciting prizes students can work toward, so we encourage you to talk with your student about getting started (or staying active) on the 5-Star app. We are not only rewarding students for positive behavior and character traits but we are also teaching them about financial literacy by keeping track of their bank account.
Students who have 25 or more points at the end of the month will receive an email from Mrs. Matian, Assistant Principal, notifying them that they are eligible to redeem their points during the next scheduled lunch redemption.
Thank you for partnering with us to support positive behavior and student success at Horner!
ID CARDS: All students receive a laminated ID card after picture day before the school year starts. Replacement ID cards cost $5 and can be purchased in the front office — but not on event days, so plan ahead! Students must have their ID card to: Attend school events (sports, dances, etc.); Get lunch at school; Check out library books. Make sure to keep your ID card with you at all times.
MEDICATION: If any mediation is to be taken at school, it must be brought to the Office in the original container, by the parent or guardian. A form must be obtained from the office staff, which details the prescription and dosage, which is reviewed by the School Nurse. The medication must be accompanied by a note from the physician indicating the time and amount of the dosage. Students are not to have any medication in their personal possession. This restriction includes any over the counter medication. After completing the proper steps, it is the student’s responsibility to come to the office to take their medication. At the end of the school year, only a parent or guardian may take the remaining medication home, per California Education Code 49423. Students must be aware that the school staff is not allowed to dispense any over-the- counter (OTC) medications to students, unless directed to do so by a doctor’s prescription and explicit instructions.
PERSONAL OR VALUABLE ITEMS:. Students should not bring personal and valuable items to school as the school is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged personal property. The school is not responsible for replacing any personal items that are lost, stolen or damaged. Items that are disruptive to the learning environment or are unsafe are not allowed at school. Students are also not allowed to sell personal items such as candy, drinks, cookies etc. unless they are doing so through ASB or a sanctioned club on campus that has prior approval of the administration. Selling or trading of personal items of any kind which include trading cards will result in disciplinary action.
SPECIAL EVENTS/ACTIVITIES:
8th grade Advancement certificate distribution
8th graders will receive their advancement certificates in their 6th period class during a specific date during the last week of school. Classroom teachers and students will recognize 8th grade students during the day and provide them with their promotion certificate.
6-8th grade Awards ceremony
Teachers will recognize 6-8th grade students who have excelled at Horner during the school year. Those students will receive an invitation to the awards ceremony that occurs in either May or June. This event is by invitation only. Stay tuned!
8th grade Reward Trip (Eligibility requirements will be addressed by Admin shortly after the start of Semester 2). The following will make you ineligible to attend:
More than one “F” on 3rd quarter report card
Any on or off campus suspensions in semester two.
10 or more hours of after school detention in semester 2.
Any type of intentional or unauthorized absence from school during semester 2. An example of this would be cutting school or not attending school without prior approval from administration.
Refunds will not be provided for students who become ineligible for end of the year activities due to being placed on the disqualification list or due to serious discipline problems. Students are required to have their school ID while on this field trip or they are in jeopardy of not attending. All students must be identifiable on the trip at all times.
8th Grade Promotion Family Carnival
This event will be a family celebration in May that will celebrate 8th graders moving to 9th grade. This will be a carnival style event. This is not a promotion ceremony but a family social with games, food and fun!
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are excited to invite you to participate in our Annual College and Career Day on Thursday, April 10. This event provides students with the opportunity to learn about a wide range of careers and post-secondary pathways by connecting directly with members of our school community.
College and Career Day will be held during students’ lunch periods and will be set up as an expo-style event. Parents and guardians are invited to host a booth showcasing their career or profession. You are welcome to create any type of display you feel best represents your work and should be prepared to answer student questions about your career path, education, and day-to-day responsibilities.
This event is always very popular with students and creates a fun, engaging, and informative lunch experience. Students truly enjoy learning about real-world careers and exploring possibilities for their future.
If you are interested in setting up a booth and sharing your career with our students, please complete the Google Form linked below. Once submitted, the Assistant Principal or Principal will contact you with additional details and next steps.
Thank you for your continued partnership and for considering this opportunity to inspire and support our students as they explore their future goals.