July 2025 Family Newsletter Horner
July 2025
Principal's Message
Dear Horner Families,
Welcome back, and Happy 2026! We hope you and your family enjoyed a restful and joyful break. We are excited to welcome our students back to campus as we begin Semester 2, which officially starts tomorrow, January 6th.
A new semester is a wonderful opportunity for a fresh start, renewed focus, and continued growth. At Horner, we remain committed to supporting every student academically, socially, and emotionally, and we truly value the positive partnerships we share with our families. When home and school work together, students thrive.
As we begin the second half of the school year, we encourage you to take a few moments to talk with your student about goal setting for Semester 2—whether that means improving academic habits, staying organized, strengthening friendships, or continuing to demonstrate positive behavior. Small goals can make a big difference.
To help your student feel prepared for the first day of Semester 2, please remind them to log into the Aeries Student Portal to view and print their second-semester class schedule prior to returning to school tomorrow. Some students schedules will change from semester 2 so they will want to be prepared for tomorrow.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to a positive, productive, and successful second semester together.
Cindy Hicks-Rodriguez
Principal, Horner Middle School
Horner Vision and Mission Statement
Horner Vision Statement
We at Horner Middle School, envision a future in which every student receives an effective, equitable, and engaging education that allows them to reach their full and unique potential.
Horner Mission Statement
At Horner Middle School our mission is to provide students with the Knowledge, Tools, and Skills they need to master content standards, make effective decisions, and collaborate with others, which will enable them to be successful lifelong learners.
Knowledge, Tools, Skills = Master, Make, Collaborate!
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.
Code of conduct reminders for January 2026
ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend school everyday. The FUSD goal for attendance is 95% or higher. If for some reason a student is absent, their parents must call the office explaining why they are out of school. Parents should be specific about the child’s symptoms when calling into the school so that we can code the absence appropriately and take necessary action to ensure everyone’s safety. California law requires regular attendance at school. If parents need to pick you up early from school they are to send a note to the office prior to the start of the school day or they are to call the office well in advance of your need to leave school. If students are not in school regularly, there could be disciplinary actions that could result from you not attending school. We will not call students out of class the last 20 minutes of the end of the school day.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AT SCHOOL: We do not allow balloons and the sharing of food such as cakes and cupcakes at school due to safety reasons. If a parent would like to celebrate and acknowledge a birthday they can purchase a marque birthday wish for $10 from the front office which will be displayed on the schools main marque. Students can also buy their peers a birthday wish on the marque for $10. Requests for birthday wishes need to be submitted at least 24 hours in advance to the students birthday. All payments can be made in the office at lunch or before and after school.
BULLYING - SEXUAL HARASSMENT: Sexual harassment constitutes a violation of the California Education Code, Section 212.6 and 48900.2, as well as Federal law, Section 703 of Title VII. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature made by someone from or in the educational setting (all students, preschool to adults). The conduct must be considered to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to have a negative impact upon the individual’s academic performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. Examples of sexual harassment may be but not limited to: unwanted sexual comments, jokes or gestures; spreading sexual rumors or making inappropriate remarks; touching someone inappropriately; sharing explicit images; pressuring someone to do something that makes them feel uncomfortable regarding sexual or offensive comments. Schools are required to provide a safe learning environment, and students who experience harassment should report it to a teacher, counselor, staff member or administrator immediately.
CHARACTER TRAITS - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A HORNET?
H - Hardworking O - Open-minded R - Respectful N - Non-judgmental E - Empathetic T - Trustworthy
At Horner, we believe that success extends beyond academics — it’s about building strong character. That’s why we encourage our students to embody the traits of a true HORNET. When students demonstrate these HORNET traits, they not only contribute to a positive school environment but also develop lifelong skills that will help them succeed in school, relationships, and future careers. Being a HORNET means being the best version of yourself — every day! 🐝
LOANERS AND NON DRESS POLICY IN PE: (resets each semester)
LOANERS: For students who forgot their PE clothes, we do have clean loaners that can be checked out and used for the day. However, too many loaners will result in detention. For every third loaner the student checks out, a one-hour detention will be assigned. [Example: 1 st loaner (warning), 2nd loaner (warning), 3rd loaner (1-hour detention), 4th Loaner (warning), 5th loaner (warning), 6th loaner (1-hour detention), etc.]
NON-DRESS: For students who are NOT appropriately dressed (wearing Croc-like shoes or combat boots, have school clothing under their PE uniform, no PE or loaner uniform, etc.) will be held accountable. The first non-dress will result in a warning. Each additional non-dress will result in a one-hour detention.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES: The District does not allow the use of any personal electronic devices on school campuses. The District nor the school does not assume responsibility for lost, stolen or damaged items. Middle school students may carry cell phones but may only have them turned on before and after school. When the school bell rings to go to class, all phones and electronic devices must be powered off and put away. If students need to contact their parents during the school day they should come to the office to use the office phone. Students may not take pictures or video during school hours without permission from administration.
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.
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.
SOCIALS/AFTER SCHOOL EVENTS: Students attending socials and other after school activities must be in good behavioral standing. Below are three ways that students could be exempt from attending the school socials and after school events -
Absence the day of an activity or less than 50% of attendance on the event day. Students leaving early on the day of the event for any unexcused reason will not be allowed to attend as well. Students leaving due to illness are not eligible to attend the after school event.
Any On or Off campus suspensions the day of the event or prior to the event date
Students kicked out of a previous school event for misconduct may not attend the next similar event.
15 or more tardies of any kind prior to each social event
TARDINESS: Students arriving late to school after the tardy bell should go directly to the office for a pass to class. All students are required to get a pass from the office to enter all classes after any tardy bell rings. Students have passing time from one class to the next. Students who are not in their classrooms by the tardy bell, will be marked tardy by the teacher. We do tardy sweeps everyday and for every period. This means that students are expected to be in the classroom by the tardy bell everyday for every period. Students caught in a tardy sweep will be assigned either a lunch detention or after school detention for their tardiness. Any student late to any class will be expected to provide their teacher an official late pass to enter the classroom. No shows to detentions will result in progressive discipline and the consequence will escalate. Thank you in advance for reviewing these items with your student. Students will also receive this in person presentation with the Assistant Principal's upon their return to school in January.
January 2026 – Parent Newsletter Calendar
Monday, January 5
-
No School
Tuesday, January 6
-
Girls Basketball Tryouts Begin (Gym)
Wednesday, January 7
-
PTSA Meeting (Online)
Townhall rules/expectations meeting in PE
Thursday, January 8
Girls Basketball Teams Posted
Monday, January 19 -
No School
Wednesday, January 21
Incoming Grade 8 Registration Presentations
(During PE classes – MUR)
Thursday, January 22
Girls Basketball Game
🏀 Away @ Centerville
Monday, January 26
AMC 8 Math Test
🕝 2:45 – 5:00 PM (Horner)
Tuesday, January 27
🎉 100th Day of School!
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Girls Basketball Game
🏀 Home @ Horner vs. Thornton
Wednesday, January 28
Incoming Grade 7 Registration Presentations in PE (MUR)
Thursday, January 29
Girls Basketball Game
🏀 Home @ Horner vs. Walters
Friday, January 30
- Evacuation Drill during school hours
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.
We are excited to share that Tuesday, January 27th marks the 100th day of school! 🎉
At Horner, this is a fun, school-wide celebration that our students, teachers, and staff truly enjoy each year.
On the 100th day, teachers and staff will be providing a variety of engaging activities for students throughout the day. We also encourage students to participate by wearing something that represents 100.
This could include:
A shirt they design themselves with 100 items on it
Clothing or accessories that feature the number 100
Any creative “100-themed” outfit
In addition, families are welcome (but not required) to help us surprise our teachers and staff with secret goodies in groups of 100. Past favorites have included:
100 Hershey’s Kisses
100 pencils
100 sheets of paper
100 Post-it notes
100 word thank you poem!
Or any other creative idea centered around 100
It is always a joy to see the creativity and thoughtfulness students and families bring to this celebration, and our staff truly appreciates the kindness.
Thank you for participating in this fun school-wide event. We know it’s going to be a hoot and a memorable day for everyone!
This winter, students in grades 6–8 will take the ELA assessment on i-Ready. Students in grades 7–8 will take the Math assessment on i-Ready. All 6th grade students will take the Math assessment in the spring, as it will be used to determine eligibility for accelerated math pathways.
The i-Ready winter assessment window will be open from January 6, 2026 through January 30, 2026.
Your child's English and Math teachers will be providing them with information upon our return from Winter break as to when their classes will be testing.
Dear Families,
As we begin planning our end-of-year PBIS celebrations, we are reaching out to see if any members of our school community may be able to assist with a special tradition we will be offering our students.
At the end of the school year, students who win our end-of-year PBIS raffle are rewarded with a fun Limo Lunch Ride experience. We are currently seeking to connect with any parents who own a limousine company or may know someone who owns or operates a limousine service and might be interested in partnering with the school to help facilitate this event.
Please note that any limousine company would be required to have adequate insurance and complete a district vendor packet for clearance prior to participation.
If you own a limousine vehicle/company or can help connect us with one, please contact Cindy Hicks-Rodriguez, Principal, with the details.
Thank you for supporting our students and helping us create memorable, positive experiences as we close out the school year. We truly appreciate our community’s continued support.