Horizons Phoenix Weekly Newsletter
03/07/2025
Principal's Message
Good morning Horizons Community! Congratulations to this year's art contest winners! First Place prize of $300 went to Bella Siguenza! Second Place prize of $125 went Alexis Rubio! Third Place prize of $100 went to Anna Baucom! Congratulations to our winners and to every student that took the time and effort to enter this annual contest!
Today, many of our students will travel to the Center for Academic Achievement to participate in the SMSD annual career fair. Several community businesses will be present at this event.
Our band classes will perform their third term concert on Wednesday, March 12th at 9:30.
After today there are only four days remaining in the third term and until spring break. Students will take their 1st and 3rd period finals on Tuesday, March 11th and their 2nd and 4th period finals on Wednesday, March 12th. Make up finals will be held on Thursday, March 13th and there will be no school on Friday March 14th.
Thank you for all you do to help our students succeed!
Eddie LyDay
Principal
SM Horizons HS
913-993-9500
Important Upcoming Dates
- March 7th -- Deadline to order cap and gowns for ANY school.
- March 11 & 12 - Finals
- March 13th - Last day for students
- March 14 - No school for students - Teacher Workday
- March 24th - First day of Term 4
🎓Cap and Gown Links🎓
The deadline to order cap and gowns for the upcoming graduation ceremony is March 7th. To ensure that your student has the opportunity to participate in the ceremony, it is essential that the order is placed by this date. Please find the links to the graduation packets for each high school below.
Horizons Packages: Click Here
Horizons Cap & Gown Only: Click Here
SME Packages: Click Here
SME Cap & Gown Only: Click Here
SMN Packages: Click Here
SMN Cap & Gown Only: Click Here
SMNW Packages: Click Here
SMNW Cap & Gown Only: Click Here
SMW Packages: Click Here
SMW Cap & Gown Only: Click Here
SMS Packages: Click Here
SMS Cap & Gown Only: Click Here
Ramadan Mubarak - Ramadan Begins February 28-March 30
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, is one of the most sacred times for Muslims. It is the month in which it is believed that the Holy Qur'an was sent down from heaven "as a guidance for men and women, a declaration of direction, and a means of salvation."
During this month, Muslims observe a strict fast from dawn until sunset. They are not allowed to eat or drink (even water) during daylight hours. Fasting is a private act of worship bringing about nearness to God, as well as a form of spiritual discipline and a means to empathize with those less fortunate. The fast is broken at the end of the day with prayer and a festive meal called an iftar. It is customary to visit family and friends following the iftar.
Mission Community Food Pantry - March Dates
March Dates
Fechas de Marzo
Shawnee Mission Clothing Exchange
The Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA Clothing Exchange offers gently used clothing and shoes from infant to adult sizes. The Exchange is a free service open to those who live within the SMSD boundaries. All are welcome. If school offices are closed, the Clothing Exchange is closed.
For more information, visit https://www.smac-pta.org/clothing-exchange.
Spring 2025 Dates
Fechas de primavera de 2025
💌SMSD Communications💌
Some parents have reported not receiving communications from the SMSD automated system regarding school closures. Below is a step-by-step guide to help ensure you are receiving these important notifications.
Step 1: Go to Skyward and login
Step2: Go to the tabs on the left side of your screen and select Skylerts
Step 3: Select any notifications that you would like to receive
Step 4: Hit save at the the top right to update your information
🚍Bus Information🚍
If you have not done so and would like to receive transportation for your student, please fill out the bus form below.
Attendance Procedures and Expectations at Horizons
School Day hours- Between the hours of 8:40am and 3:00pm students are expected to follow their class schedules in Skyward. Any time a student is in the hallways during designated class time they MUST have an appropriate pass and approval from a Horizons staff member.
Arrival-
Mornings are busy. Please plan to have your student here with enough time to be in the classroom and be prepared when the beginning bell rings at 8:40am.
The cafeteria serves breakfast until 8:30am. Please make timing arrangements so students can get breakfast and be in the classroom at 8:40am.
If a student arrives at school after 8:40, they need to go through office so we can record their presence.
Throughout the day
OPEN LUNCH--Open lunch is only available for Seniors. They must have an open lunch form signed by a parent/guardian. Any violation of the open lunch expectations including arriving late from lunch may result in their open lunch privileges being revoked. Students may leave for open lunch at 11:40 and MUST return by 12:15.
Food purchased off campus--Food purchased off campus during open lunch must be consumed before coming back into the school building. No outside food and beverage are allowed back in the building.
Food Delivery Services--We will not accept meals delivered by paid delivery services during the school day for students. These deliveries will be refused.
Leaving Early--We are committed to learning bell to bell. This is not just for individual class times throughout the day, but also at the end of the day. Please try to schedule appointments outside the school day and keep your students here up until 3:00.
Reporting Absences--A parent or guardian can call the attendance line (913-993-9512) anytime day or night to report an absence.
- Requesting Early Release--A parent/guardian must call the front office at 913-993-9500 with a request for early release.
- Extended Absences--If your student will miss more than three (3) consecutive days of school, a parent or guardian must submit this completed form five (5) days prior to the absence.
Parking At Horizons
To drive and park at Horizons:
- You must fill out a vehicle registration form and turn it into the office
- You must pay $20 for a parking pass
- You must have the parking permit displayed in the windshield of your vehicle.
- Student parking is only allowed in the lower lot located off Lamar. (The upper lot is for staff parking only. Student vehicles parked in staff lot may be ticketed).
Important school information
Website--contains important announcements and contact info. https://horizons.smsd.org/
Attendance Line: 913-993-9512
Bookkeeper: Josilyn Wakes @ 913-993-9501