HORIZON HIGH SCHOOL

Welcome to the 2023 - 2024 school year! On behalf of our teachers, staff, and administration, I want you to know that we are excited to share in the upcoming school year with each of you. We want to extend a special welcome to our incoming 9th graders (Class of 2027!) and all students that will be attending Horizon for the first time this school year! You picked a GREAT place to attend high school!

To walk the halls of HHS on any given day and witness incredible instruction from our teachers, determination in learning from our students, and the willingness of support staff to serve our school each day is something I do not take for granted. Our school was founded on the core values of collaboration, integration, inclusion, and communication. If you were to walk the halls with me, you would see students working in collaboration as their teachers give the highest-quality of instruction, oftentimes integrating content from other curricular areas, and taking risks to further their depth of knowledge. You would also witness teachers collaborating and planning lessons together in our staff centers, students being welcomed into classrooms and finding safe spaces to learn, and all around, you would witness effective communication through the physical and organizational structures of #HawkNation. Our teachers and staff members take time to connect with our students and with each other because we know that caring connections are crucial to the learning environment.

Lastly, you would see students involved in the life of #HawkNation far beyond the classroom. Our students experience the community of HHS at a much greater level when they get involved with athletics, clubs, and activities. That’s my ask of our parents each school year -- please encourage your students to get involved! The high school experience is so much more meaningful and rewarding when students experience it two-fold through academics and athletics/activities!

Our administrative team, teachers, and staff look forward to connecting with our students, parents, and #HawkNation community in the school year ahead. It is a great day (and exciting time!) to be a Hawk, where we take pride in serving #EveryStudentEveryDay!

See you all very soon!

Erica Fleeman, Principal

p.s. -- To stay connected, please consider following us on social media at:

Facebook - @HorizonHighHawks

Instagram- @hhshawknation, @horizonhawksad, @hhs_studgov

Erica Fleeman - Principal

Terra Paul - Assistant Principal/Attendance/Discipline

Lisa Saunar - Assistant Principal/Curriculum/Instruction

Marty Tonjes - Assistant Principal/Athletics/Activities Director

Cassidy Gussman A - F

Nicole Ward G - M

Ralph Garcia N - Z

Dean Secretary: Brittany Mekelburg - 720-972-4413

Mrs. Rossing - School Psychologist

Mrs. Morganfield - School Psychologist

Counselor Alignment

Patty Rolison A - Ce

Juana Budde Cf - Gl

Alecia Wilder Gm - Le

Deanna Gussman Lf - Og

Mike Muedeking Oh-Sh

Anjela Schwab Si - Z

Stacey Neumann SOAR

Counseling Secretary: Paula Rhoads - 720-972-4423

Here is a list of important dates and activities for the 2023-2024 school year.

IMPORTANT DATES

Horizon Master Calendar

Adams 12 adopted a new school calendar that starts this academic year.

Click on link below:

ADAMS 12 DISTRICT CALENDAR

ADAMS 12 DISTRICT CALENDAR (Spanish)

All comprehensive high schools in Adams 12 will start on a regular scheduled school day at 7:40 a.m. and end at 3:10 p.m. The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) requires all schools to provide a minimum number of instructional hours during the school year. Each year, schools and school districts must calculate these hours of opportunity during the school year. As part of this annual review, it has become necessary to increase the high school day by five minutes. Currently, all Ad12 high schools meet the CDE requirements. When school cancellations occur due to inclement weather or other unexpected closures, these hours must be subtracted from the yearly total. When we experience multiple days of closure, we can potentially fall below the required hours. Adding five minutes per day will allow for a greater cushion and prevent any school from needing to make up time by eliminating in-service days, requiring all students to attend on testing days, and/or adding days to the end of the school year. Morning bus pick-up and drop-off times for school transportation will not change.

Start and end times on Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri

Period 1 – 7:40 – 8:30 (50 min)

Period 2 – 8:35 – 9:25 (50 min)

Period 3 – 9:30 – 10:20 (50 min)

Period 4 – 10:25 – 11:20 (55 min)

Period 5 – 11:25 – 12:20 (55 min)

Period 6 – 12:25 – 1:20 (55 min)

Period 7 – 1:25 – 2:15 (50 min)

Period 8 – 2:20 – 3:10 (50 min)

1-day Academic Support (Wed)

Academic Support – 7:40 – 8:30 (50 min)

Period 1 – 8:35 – 9:20 (45 min)

Period 2 – 9:25 – 10:10 (45 min)

Period 3 – 10:15 – 11:00 (45 min)

Period 4 – 11:05 – 11:50 (45 min)

Period 5 – 11:55 – 12:40 (45 min)

Period 6 – 12:45 – 1:30 (45 min)

Period 7 – 1:35 – 2:20 (45 min)

Period 8 – 2:25 – 3:10 (45 min)

*This orientation is optional but is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED.*

The day will begin at 7:40 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. Students will report to the HHS Gym upon arrival. A light lunch will be provided for students from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. in our school’s courtyard. Bus transportation will only be available for students with IEP accomodations.

The purpose of the orientation is to: Help students become familiar with the building, meet students and staff, and transition into high school. Students will be involved in the following activities: welcome assembly, meeting staff and administration, activities to orient them to high school, building tours, and what it means to be a Hawk.

Back to School Night will be on Tuesday, August 15th, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. The purpose of this event is to allow for parents/students to meet their teachers, gain a stronger understanding of the school’s physical layout. More details will be sent via a Back to School Night messenger.

High School students do not have a detailed school supply list, but instead, your student needs to come prepared for class each day with plenty of pens and pencils, their Adams 12 Chromebook. From there, they can decide what they will need based on the instructions from teachers on the first few days of school. Students must have their Adams12 Chromebook with them each day for school.

Breakfast and Lunch will be free for the 2023-2024 school year.

Breakfast will be served from 7:25 am - 7:50 am

Lunch will be served from 10:39 am - 1:54 pm (4th period through 15 minutes into 7th period)

~Students will be allowed to go through the breakfast/lunch line one time for free. If the student wants to go through again, they will need to purchase their food.

~Students will need to either scan/type their student ID every time when going through the line.

Rationale for Request

Ideas in Argument will be used for the 11th grade Advanced Placement English Language and Composition class. This textbook is aligned with the new A.P. Course Framework for A.P. English Language and Composition. The textbook that we currently have is not aligned with the new course framework or the new exam. As of next year at Horizon, there will no longer be integrated cores of English and social studies. Our current A.P. English Language and Composition textbook is based solely on American works (because of the social studies’ focus on U.S. History) following America’s historical timeline. Now that the two subjects are no longer integrated, the A.P. English Language and Composition class is no longer tied to pieces written only by American authors. Ideas in Argument still contains classic American pieces but also includes more contemporary pieces from America and a few pieces from around the world - which our text and class has been lacking in the past.

AP English Language and Composition is a college level course, and the majority of the units are set up by skills that a student would encounter in a level one college English class while offering complex nonfiction pieces that students will find challenging yet engaging. The pieces are from authors of varying religious, social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds, so students will be able to see themselves in the pieces that we read, especially through the student models in each unit. The topics are real and relatable to issues in the students’ world. These issues as they are presented in the textbook allow the student to analyze the argument and rhetorical situation in which the argument was conceived and delivered. The textbook not only includes classic American works but also contemporary diverse works. Each unit has a section titled “Ideas in American Culture” that discusses various themes from a variety of perspectives which, again, allows students to look at a theme or issue through varying perspectives. Two units deal with these ideas specifically: Unit 7 - Comparing Perspectives, and Unit 9 - Joining the Conversation. This textbook allows students to explore different perspectives on issues as they build their own informed arguments and become more informed citizens.

Horizon has a modified closed campus. Grades 11 & 12 have an open campus. The campus is closed for 9th grade students. 10th grade students have the opportunity to earn the right to leave campus by earning a minimum of 6 credits toward graduation by the end of their 9th grade year. Check in with the main office verification. 11th and 12th grade students taking 9th and 10th grade students off campus will lose their parking privileges. Students must go to the Student Center if they do not have a class. Permission to leave campus will be granted for verified work, emergencies, confirmed appointments and school sponsored activities. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) requesting their student to leave campus for an appointment are to call the Attendance Office at least an hour before they can leave campus. (720) 972-4597

ATTENDANCE POLICY (District Policy 5020) (Spanish: District Policy 5020) In addition to the District Policy for attendance, the following are specific Horizon High School Attendance policies and procedures:

*Teachers will be taking attendance within the first 10 minutes of each class period.*

Parents/guardians are expected to take an active role in monitoring the attendance and academic progress of their student. We strongly encourage utilizing Infinite Campus, the district’s internet-based student information system.

Parents/ guardians are asked to call the Attendance Office (720)972-4597 on the day of or within 48 hours of the absence to excuse the student for that full day. Refer to District Policy 5020 for excused absences. Pre-arranged absences may be called in at any time prior to the absence.

Attempts will be made daily utilizing the automated calling system to inform parents/guardians of absences. Therefore, it is important that the Attendance Office is provided an accurate phone number that can receive these calls. You can update contact information online or by calling Ruth Cummings @ 720-972-4430

After 5 excused absences have been accrued each semester, documentation must be provided (i.e. a doctor’s note or court order) or contact must be made with an administrator. Non-medical absences must be excused by an administrator. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain an attendance printout signifying changes resulting from appeals and to notify teachers accordingly.

Extended absences (more than 3 days) for non-family emergencies such as vacations are discouraged and can impact student learning and academic performance, especially those at the end of a grading period. Please complete the extended absences form and share the document with your students teacher’s to ensure your student has received work expectations prior to leaving.

Parents: please make sure your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account is active. We will communicate with you regarding your student's academic progress through IC. At the end of each grading term, report cards will be available through the IC parent portal. You will also be able to check your student's grades at any time during the semester using IC.

If you have questions or need assistance please contact Ruth Cummings in the counseling office at (720) 972-4430.

You can also download Infinite Campus app on your phone.

Click on the link below:

https://horizon.adams12.org/resources/student-handbook

Just a reminder, in order for students to travel for any type of field trips, school or athletic event (i.e. class field trips, sport trips, cheer/poms competitions) all outstanding or current fees must be paid. Students with an account balance in Infinite Campus cannot attend until paid or a payment plan is in place. We will work with families on setting up payment plans to pay monthly using a credit card which you will need to approve to be on file and charged monthly until all fees are cleared. Once the first payment is made your child will be released to attend events.

As a reminder surplus balance on a student's account in Infinite Campus will be applied to any outstanding fees. Any remaining balances will be refunded per District Policy 5630. (See Refund Policy)

Please reference your IC Parent Portal account for your student's fees. Payforit.net is not always accurate as this is a 3rd party payment website the district contracts through. All fees are assigned to your student in Infinite Campus.

Please take a minute and fill out the interest survey!

Volunteer Form

Parents:

• Are you looking for a way to become involved in your child’s education?

• Would you like to have chance to talk directly with the Principal about educational issues?

• Are you interested in learning more about HHS and our district?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions,

The HIT team needs parents and community members to be involved in the ongoing process of establishing long-term goals and problem solving to support the Horizon’s vision for student learning. Much of this team’s work will address issues and challenges that face Horizon and our district.

Meeting dates are planned for:

September 11, 2023

October 9, 2023

November 13, 2023

December 11, 2023

January 8, 2024

February 12, 2024

March 12, 2024

April 8, 2024

May 13, 2024

Please contact Lisa Suanar at Lisa.R.Saunar@adams12.org if you are interested in joining!

WHAT IS HHS PA & AG?

The Horizon High School Parent Athletic & Activities Group is a parent-based volunteer organization that works to benefit the entire school including all student organizations, clubs, arts, sports, and student classes.

Earnings are made from concessions, fundraising, and merchandise sales that are supported solely by parent and student volunteers. Some examples of items that we have helped finance:

Uniforms, Ice Machine, Scoreboards, Equipment, Bleachers, Chairs, Conferences, JV Baseball Filed, T-shirts, Sound Equipment, Tubas, Achievement Boards for State Competitions, Band Trailer, Honor Roll, etc.

WE WANT YOU TO JOIN US!!!

• Very low time commitment—all levels of participation are welcome!

• Stay informed and be involved with HHS and the activities of our students

• Share your opinions and HAVE FUN!!!

For details, please contact our PA & AG Sponsor, Marty Tonjes at 720-972-4406

MEETING DATES FOR 2023-2024

(These meetings will be held in the Staff Lounge)

September 18, 2023 at 6:00pm

October - No Meeting

November 14, 2023 at 6:00pm

December - No Meeting

January 23, 2024 at 6:00pm

February 26, 2024 at 6:00pm

March 25, 2024 at 6:00pm

April - No Meeting

May - No Meeting

FALL SPORTS 2023:

Cross Country (Co-ed)

Flag Football (Girls)

Football

Golf (Boys)

Gymnastics (Hosted by Thornton High School)

Soccer (Boys)

Softball

Tennis (Boys)

Volleyball (Girls)

Winter Sports 23/24:

Basketball (Boys)

Basketball (Girls)

Swimming (Girls)

Diving (Girls)

Wrestling (Boys)

Wrestling (Girls hosted by Legacy High School)

Spring Sports 2024:

Baseball (Boys)

Diving (Boys)

Golf (Girls)

Soccer (Girls)

Swimming (Boys)

Tennis (Girls)

Track and Field (Co-ed)

Lacrosse (Girls)

Lacrosse (Boys hosted at Mountain Range High School)

Volleyball (Boys hosted at Thornton High School)