July 2025 Family Newsletter Horner

Welcome Back to Horner Middle School!

Dear Horner Middle School Families,

Welcome back to another exciting school year at Horner Middle School! As we prepare to embark on the 2025-26 academic year, our entire staff is thrilled to reconnect with our students and families after a refreshing summer break. We hope you and your family had a wonderful summer filled with joy, relaxation, and memorable moments.

Our Commitment to Excellence

At Horner Middle School, we are passionate about creating a vibrant and supportive learning environment where every student can thrive. This year, our dedicated team of educators is more eager than ever to work closely with each student and family to foster academic success and emotional well-being.

Our commitment extends beyond just academics. We believe that every child deserves a strong sense of belonging and multiple layers of support. This school year, we will continue to focus on both the academic and social-emotional aspects of your child's development. Our goal is to create a nurturing atmosphere where students feel valued, understood, and empowered to reach their full potential.

What's New This Year

Here's a glimpse of what we have in store for the upcoming year:

🎓 Engaging Curriculum

Our teachers are excited to deliver a curriculum that not only meets educational standards but also inspires curiosity and a love for learning.

🤝 Enhanced Support Systems

We have strengthened our support systems to ensure that each student has access to:

• Academic assistance and counseling
• Full-time wellness center
• PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) with a widespread focus tailored to meet all student behavioral and individual needs
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support for every student
• PBIS rewards and incentives to promote a positive school culture

🌟 Expanded Opportunities

We are committed to building an inclusive environment where every student feels a strong sense of belonging. This year we've added:

• New elective classes including:
  • 6th grade band
  • 7th and 8th grade film production
  • Additional sections of Hindi and Spanish
• Enhanced after-school enrichment programs

💬 Improved Communication

We believe that collaboration between home and school is vital for student success. We encourage you to stay engaged and communicate openly with us throughout the year. Our staff is more committed than ever to using our communication tools such as Parent Square and Aeries email and notifications to keep both students and parents informed. Also it is critical that you regularly check the school website for updates, events and notices. Our calendar is also on the website for your review.

New lunch shade structure and rennovated hallways

We are lucky to finally have our outdoor lunch shade structure for the 25-26 school year. This will allow shelter for rainy and hot days so that students have an outdoor shaded and covered area to eat lunch. We also had some construction completed in the indoor hallways with protective covering on the hallway walls which has made the indoor space much more inviting and looking fresh.

Looking Ahead

As we look forward to the new school year, we invite you to join us in making this an extraordinary year for your child. Together, we can build on the successes of the past and create new opportunities for growth and achievement.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Here's to a fantastic year ahead, filled with learning, growth, and many joyful moments. We can't wait to welcome your child back to Horner Middle School!

Warmly,

Cindy Hicks-Rodriguez
Principal, Horner Middle School

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!

Please see this year's bell schedule for Horner posted on the attachment below. We have also listed days that are early release which are NOT Wednesdays. Every Wednesay is an early release but we also have 5 other days in which students are out early. On those "other days" there will be no AC transit bus right after school. Please make arrangements for your student transportation on those "other" minimum days. Students may walk to the Blacow bus stop to catch the bus immediately after school on those non Wednesday short days.

What is Maze Day?

Maze Day is an event that is held every August for students in grades 6-8 and their parents/guardians. During Maze Day students and parents receive student schedules, take yearbook pictures, obtain student ID cards, purchase a number of items for the school year as well as sign up for clubs and express interest in sport teams. Returning students may also return textbooks found over summer.

MAZE DAY SCHEDULE –

There will be two different MAZE day's in August for the new school year.

August 6th will be for incoming 6th grade students only. MAZE day for our incoming 6th grade students will be from 9 AM - 200 pm at Horner Middle School. Please know that only 6th grade materials will be available on this day.

August 7th will be for our 7th and 8th grade students only. MAZE day for our 7th gand 8th grade students will be from 9 AM - 200 pm at Horner Middle School. Pleae know that only 7th and 8th grade materials will be available on this day.

The purpose of having two different days is to specialize for those grade levels and to also cut down on long lines. Thank you for your understanding with the grade level break downs for MAZE day.

During MAZE day you will find the following:

• School pictures
• Student ID cards
• Club information
• After school enrichment program information
• Sports information and forms
• Yearbook sales
• Library/Media donations
• School activity donations
• 8th grade activity donations
• PTSA memberships
• AC Transit information/Clipper cards
• Student schedules for the 25-26 school year

Please find the school donations forms below if you are interested in donating to Horner Middle School for the 25-26 school year. Forms will be collected at MAZE day in August and note that any donation of $150 or more wil result in a free school T shirt. Shirts will be available at MAZE day when donation sheets are turned into the donation table.

More information to come as we get closer to August. Please calendar these dates for the future.

If your child is interested in trying out for a Fall, 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 Girls Volleyball: August 20

Forms due for Boys Basketball: October 17

Forms due for Girls Basketball: December 19

Forms due for Boys Volleyball: March 4

All deadlines are firm and we cannot accept forms past the due date listed above. Thank you.

Our goal is to have every student feel safe and welcome at Horner. With this goal also comes some dress code expectations for students. While summer time brings out crop tops (rightfully so due to the hot weather) we want to remind all families and students that all clothing needs to be in line with the schools dress code. As parents wind down the shopping for school, we wanted to remind everyone that some things are considered not appropriate for school. We want students to be able to attend school successfully without having dress code violations in which they would need to change into other clothing that we issue to them when a violation occurs. Thank you in advance for reviewing the dress code with students to ensure safety and adherance to the school rules.

DRESS CODE – P.E - Students are required to wear their own Horner PE uniforms with names printed (1” BLOCK letters”) on each piece. Uniforms can be purchased during PE class from your locker room PE teacher. Parents may purchase a gray T-shirt and “Horner blue” athletic shorts. Sweatpants can be black, white or light gray (and labeled with their name). PE uniforms and sweats are to be worn only in PE and not during the day in other classes or at lunch without prior permission from the administration. Athletic shoes are to be worn. No Crocs, boots, or sandals. Students are required to dress in PE uniforms for PE class everyday. Consequences for “non-dress” and “loaners” are as follows:

Office hours starting on August 4th will be from 8 AM - 300 PM until school starts. Once school starts the office hours will be 7:30 AM until 4 PM

Middle school is such an exciting time of growth and discovery for our students, and we know that the foundation for a positive school experience starts with clear expectations and consistent support both at school and at home. That's why we're asking for your help in having an important conversation with your child about our behavior expectations.

What Makes Our School Special

We're committed to fostering an environment where:

• Every student feels valued, respected, and included
• Kindness and empathy guide our interactions
• Everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow
• Differences are celebrated and embraced
• Students feel safe to be themselves

How You Can Help

We'd love for you to take a few minutes to discuss with your student what it means to be part of our school community. Talk about how their words and actions can make a positive difference in someone else's day, and how we all play a role in making sure everyone feels welcome and supported.

Together We Make the Difference

Creating this kind of environment truly takes all of us working together - students, families, and staff. When we're all on the same page about treating each other with respect and kindness, amazing things happen in our classrooms and hallways. Please see the behavior matrix below and take a moment to review with your child. We will emphasize these and many other points when we are face to face with your child but we do as that you briefly review with them prior to the start of school.

Horners 3 Tenets of behavior are: Show respect; Make good decisions; Solve Problems.

Thank you for being such an important part of our school family and for helping us create a place where every student can succeed and feel proud to belong.

We want to ensure you feel confident and informed about our emergency procedures at Horner Middle School. Your child's safety is our top priority, and we have comprehensive plans in place to handle any situation that may arise during school hours.

Our Commitment to Your Child's Safety

Please be assured that all of our staff and administration have received thorough training in emergency response procedures. Our team is prepared to respond appropriately and effectively to any emergency situation, should one occur. We regularly practice these procedures to ensure everyone knows their role and can act swiftly when needed.

Your Role as Parents

We ask that you take a few moments to review the emergency procedures outlined in the attached materials. Understanding these procedures will help you know what to expect and how to respond during different types of emergencies. This knowledge will help our entire school community work together to keep everyone safe.

Important Reminders

• During any emergency, please follow official communication channels such as parent square notifications and emails for updates
• Avoid calling the school directly during an emergency, as phone lines need to remain clear for emergency responders
• Trust that our trained staff will take appropriate action to protect your child
• Follow any specific instructions provided for different emergency scenarios

We understand that thinking about emergencies can be concerning, but we want you to feel confident that Horner Middle School is well-prepared. Our ongoing training and clear procedures ensure that we can respond effectively while keeping students calm and safe.

Thank you for taking the time to review this important information and for your continued partnership in keeping our school community safe.

Sincerely, Horner Middle School Administration

At Horner, we believe that strong communication between home and school is essential for student success. When we work together and stay connected, we can better support your child academically, socially, and emotionally throughout the school year.

There are several ways you can stay informed about what’s happening at school:

• ParentSquare – Our main platform for school-wide announcements and updates.

• Aeries parent/student portal - This will allow you to track student progress such as grades, attendance etc.

• School Marquee – Located outside the B building for quick reminders and event info.

• School Website – Includes important dates, resources, and announcements.

• Monthly School Newsletters – Packed with updates, highlights, and upcoming events.

If you need to reach out to our staff with questions or concerns, there are also several ways to do so:

• Staff Email – The preferred method of communication. Our team checks email regularly throughout the day and can respond more promptly this way.

• Voicemail Messaging – Available if needed, though please note that staff members are rarely near the phone during the school day.

We truly value our partnership with you and look forward to open communication throughout the year. Together, we can make this a successful and rewarding experience for your student!

Exciting After-School Enrichment Programs at Horner!

We are thrilled to announce a variety of free after-school enrichment programs available to Horner students this year! These engaging opportunities will begin in September and are a great way for students to explore new interests, express their creativity, and build new skills.

Here are the programs being offered:

Monday

• Origami – Sundaramurthy

• Calligraphy – Loya/Coco

• Ceramics – Mazerlev

• Bollywood Dance – Honawar

• Cell Phone Photography – Todd

Tuesday

• Digital Art Newspaper – Bedi

• Ballet Folklórico – Flores De Peralta

• Drama – Honawar

• Cell Phone Photography – Todd

Thursday

• Ballet Folklórico – Flores De Peralta

• Art Studio – Dekker

• Animation – Ojeda

How to Sign Up

All programs will use a lottery-style sign-up process. A Google Form link will be sent to families to register students for the programs they’re interested in. After the sign-up deadline, students will be randomly selected for enrollment using a randomizer tool.

Please note:

• Each program is limited to 35 students per semester.

• Students may sign up for as many programs as they like, but can only be enrolled in one program per semester to allow more students the chance to participate.

The Google Form will be available at MAZE Day and again once school begins. Be sure to visit the VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) booth at MAZE Day for more information!

We look forward to offering these enriching experiences to our students and appreciate your support in encouraging their participation!

Horner Drop-Off and Pick-Up Guidelines
Keeping Our Students and Community Safe

Many of our families drive their students to school in the morning and return in the afternoon for pick-up. In order to keep everyone safe and maintain a smooth flow of traffic, we kindly ask that you follow the guidelines below:

🚫 Please Do Not:

• Park in or block our neighbors' driveways.

• Use the school parking lots during drop-off or pick-up—these are for staff only.

• Drop students off in the middle of the street.

• Park on Chapel Avenue near the AC Transit bus stops (these zones are clearly marked on poles).

• Park in red zones or in any way that blocks a crosswalk.

• Allow your student to exit the passenger side of the vehicle when using the drop off lanes. This is dangerous.

✅ What You Can Do:

• Use the school loop for drop-off and pick-up, but be aware that this area experiences significant delays during peak times.

• Pull all the way forward in the loop to avoid backups on Irvington Avenue. Please do not stop early for convenience.

• Consider dropping off near the church around the corner and have your student walk along the sidewalk to campus—this helps ease congestion. We do have crossing guards on Irvington and Chapel.

• Follow all directions from staff patrolling the area. Staff will be stationed to help monitor and guide traffic during busy times.

• Drive slowly and watch for traffic signals from staff. Speeding in the drop-off zone is strictly prohibited.

Your cooperation is essential to keeping our students, staff, and community members safe. Thank you for your continued support and understanding!

Looking foward to an excellent school year! The August newsletter will come out the first week of August.