July 2025 Family Newsletter Horner

Dear Horner Middle School Families,

Welcome to April! As we move into the final stretch of the school year, our campus is buzzing with energy, growth, and exciting learning opportunities. April is a wonderful time to celebrate student progress while continuing to encourage strong habits that support success both in and out of the classroom.

This month, we also take time to recognize Earth Day on April 22. Students will have opportunities to engage in activities that promote environmental awareness and stewardship. We encourage families to talk at home about ways we can all help care for our planet—small actions can make a big difference! Also on April 22 is our open house and VAPA showcase that begins at 5 pm. Classroom visits will take place from 500-540 pm with our VAPA showcase beginning at 540 pm - 7 pm.

April is also full of fun and spirit. Keep an eye out for some playful surprises and themed days as we continue to build a positive and engaging school culture. Whether it’s a spirit week, a friendly competition, or a creative challenge, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

As we approach testing season, we want to remind families of the importance of strong attendance, a good night’s sleep, and a healthy breakfast. These simple routines go a long way in helping students feel confident and ready to do their best. SBAC testing begins on April 13th so let's all get ready for great scores in English, Math and Science.

We also encourage families to take advantage of the longer daylight and (hopefully) warmer weather by spending time together outdoors, reading, or exploring new activities as a family. Spring is a great time to reset goals and finish the year strong!

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are making a positive impact on our students each and every day. Let’s make April a month of growth, kindness, and learning!

Cindy Hicks-Rodriguez

Principal, Horner Middle School

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

Horner Middle School – April 2026 Calendar of Events

Monday, April 6

• 6:15–7:15 PM: ELAC Meeting (Online)

Tuesday, April 7

• 2:45–4:45 PM: Boys Volleyball Game vs. Walters (Home at Horner)

Wednesday, April 8

• 5:00–6:00 PM: College and Career Night for Parents (MUR)

Thursday, April 9

• 2:45–4:45 PM: Boys Volleyball Game @ Hopkins (Away)

Friday, April 10

• 12:00–12:30 PM: College and Career Day (Lunch Event)

Thursday, April 16

• 2:45–4:45 PM: Boys Volleyball Game vs. Centerville (Home at Horner)

Friday, April 17

• 5:00–7:00 PM: 8th Grade Reward Trip to Big Al’s (Milpitas)

Tuesday, April 21

• 2:45–4:45 PM: Boys Volleyball Game @ Thornton (Away)

Wednesday, April 22

• 5:00–6:00 PM: Open House
• 5:40–7:10 PM: VAPA Showcase Open House

Friday, April 24

• 6:00–7:00 PM: Spring Drama Performance (MUR)

Monday, April 27

• 2:45–4:45 PM: Boys Volleyball Game vs. Walters (Home at Horner)

Tuesday, April 28

• 2:45–4:45 PM: Boys Volleyball Game vs. Hopkins (Home at Horner)

Thursday, April 30

• 5:30–6:30 PM: 5th Grade Parent Night (MUR)

Upcoming May Events:

Friday, May 1

• 5:00–7:00 PM: 8th Grade Social

Wednesday, May 6

• 6:30–7:30 PM: PTSA Meeting (Online)

Friday, May 8

• 6:30–8:15 PM: Spring Band Concert (Gym)

Tuesday, May 12

• 6:30–7:30 PM: Spring Choir Concert (MUR)

Friday, May 15

• 5:00–7:00 PM: 8th Grade Carnival

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.

Horner Middle School is excited to announce that our MAZE Day for the upcoming school year will take place on August 4th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. MAZE Day is an important opportunity for students and families to prepare for a successful start to the school year.

During MAZE Day, students will receive their class schedules, have their school pictures taken, and obtain their required school ID cards. In addition, there will be a variety of informational booths highlighting school clubs, organizations, and athletic opportunities, along with other important resources for both students and parents. This event is a great way to get familiar with campus, connect with staff, and learn more about the many programs available at Horner Middle School.

We look forward to seeing all of our students and families there as we prepare for another exciting year!

Dear 8th Grade Families,

We are excited to announce that our 8th Grade Family Promotion Carnival will take place on May 15th from 5:00–7:00 PM. This is one of the most popular events of the year, as it celebrates our 8th graders’ advancement to high school while providing a fun and memorable evening for students and their families.

Families can look forward to an exciting carnival atmosphere featuring food trucks and traditional carnival food booths, along with a DJ and dancing, photo booths, balloon twisters, henna artists, and much more!

This event is free for all 8th grade students and their families. Each student will receive a ticket to bring home, which will allow up to 8 family members to attend the event at no cost. Please note that these tickets are non-transferable and are intended only for 8th grade students and their families.

As a reminder, this is a family event, and students may not be dropped off to attend on their own—a parent or guardian must remain at the event with their student.

More detailed information will be sent home in the coming weeks, so please keep an eye out for additional updates. We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with you!

The California Distinguished Schools Program is one of the state’s most prestigious recognitions, honoring public schools in California that demonstrate exceptional student performance and success in closing achievement gaps. Schools that receive this designation are recognized for their strong academic programs, effective instructional practices, and commitment to ensuring all students achieve at high levels.

Being named a California Distinguished School reflects the dedication and collaboration of the entire school community, including teachers, staff, students, and families. It highlights a school’s ability to implement innovative strategies, foster a positive learning environment, and support the diverse needs of its students. This recognition not only celebrates past accomplishments but also reinforces a continued commitment to excellence, equity, and continuous improvement in education. Horner wil be receiving its award in Anaheim on April 24, 2026.

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is an important statewide assessment given each year in California to measure student progress in English Language Arts and Mathematics and Science. These assessments provide valuable information about how well students are mastering grade-level standards and help schools identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth. SBAC results are also used to guide instruction, improve programs, and ensure all students are on track for college and career readiness.

As testing begins next week on April 13th, families can play an important role in helping students feel confident and prepared. Encouraging a good night’s sleep, providing a healthy breakfast, and ensuring students arrive at school on time each day can make a significant difference. It is also helpful to maintain a calm and positive mindset—remind your child to do their best and take their time. Limiting distractions at home and supporting consistent routines during the testing window will help students stay focused and perform at their highest potential.

Our school will be on block scheduling during testing with students attending 3 periods per day on a rotating basis excluding Wednesday which will always be all 6 class periods. The start and end time is the same bell schedule and we do advise that you send students a snack to have in between testing as they do get hungry. Students will still have breakfast and lunch served as usual.

We are excited to invite all parents of 6th–8th grade students to our upcoming College and Career Night at Horner Middle School on April 8th from 5:30–6:30 PM.

During this informative session, our school counselors will present valuable information to help families begin thinking about college and career readiness. Topics will include academic planning, future pathways, and ways to support your child’s long-term success. Parents will also have the opportunity to submit questions using a QR code during the presentation, and counselors will respond to commonly asked questions for the group.

It is never too early to begin these important conversations, and we encourage all families to attend. We look forward to partnering with you as we support our students in planning for a successful future.