HORIZON ELEMENTARY

¡Este boletín se puede traducir! Primero, haga clic en el enlace "View it in your browser" en la parte superior del correo electrónico (si lo está viendo desde su bandeja de entrada). Luego, desplácese hasta la parte inferior de la página donde dice "Translate" y elija su idioma.

Hello Horizon Families,

We are ready! School starts on Tuesday, September 1. We start at 7:40 a.m. and we are making it a school goal to get kids in classrooms and up and running by 7:45 a.m. Our 4K classes start on Tuesday, September 8.

Our new staff for 2026-27:

• Grade 1 Teacher - Amy Johnson (Amy is returning after a one-year leave.)

• Library Assistant - Danielle Raether

• DHH Teacher - Jaime Teniente

• Special Education Assistant - Nina Schoate

Not new, but new position:

• Grade 5 Teacher - Steve Mulich

Things to know:

1. Start Time and Dismissal Times: School starts at 7:40 a.m. every day. School dismissal is 2:40 p.m. on M, T, W, and F. School dismissal is at 1:30 p.m. every Thursday.

2. 4K starts on Tuesday, September 8. 4K Start Time for AM Students: 7:40 a.m. to 10:23 a.m. 4K Start Time for PM Students: 11:42 a.m. to 2:40 p.m. School dismissal is at 1:30 p.m. every Thursday.

3. Drop off time is between 7:30 and 7:40 a.m. Students coming by drive thru lane will enter Door 2. Here is a map to help visualize morning drive through lane drop off.

4. We will also have Door 10 from the playground side open at that time for our walkers and bikers. Bus students will be greeted by staff members on the Heatherstone Drive side of the building.

5. We will continue to offer breakfast first thing in the morning. If you want your child to take breakfast here at school, be sure to have money in their account. You can do this through your Infinite Campus portal.

6. KINDERGARTEN Families on September 1: Park your car and walk your student into the gym.

Mrs. Kelly

Michelle Kelly, Principal

makelly@sunprairieschools.org

608.834.7901

Our school policy with cell phones (and sometimes SmartWatches when they are distracting) is that they need to be off and in backpacks/lockers the entire day. All communication between home and school should be handled by calling the classroom teacher or the office.

As we prepare for a new school year, we want to share an important update regarding how we celebrate birthdays at school. Beginning this year, we will be moving to a “no birthday treats” practice during the school day. This means that families should not send in food items or non-food treats such as pencils, stickers, gift bags, or similar items to share.

We know that birthday celebrations are meaningful for children, and this decision was not made lightly. Our goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and consistent experience for all students. There are several reasons behind this shift:

• Student safety: Food allergies and dietary restrictions continue to increase, and even with precautions, bringing in treats can pose risks to some students.

• Equity and cost: Providing treats can create financial pressure for families and can unintentionally highlight differences among students.

• Student well-being: Many students are not able to eat the treats due to allergies, preferences, or family choices, which can lead to disappointment or exclusion.

• Maximizing learning time: Distributing and managing treats can take away from valuable instructional time.

• Health and nutrition: We are working to promote healthy habits and reduce the amount of sugar during the school day.

• Consistency across classrooms: This helps ensure that all students have a similar experience, regardless of classroom practices.

We will still recognize and celebrate each child’s birthday in meaningful, non-food ways within the classroom so that every student feels special on their day. Also, every student at Horizon takes a trip to the Birthday Vending Machine and selects a book of their choice on their birthday. All summer birthdays receive their birthday book on their half birthday. Thank you to our SCO for funding this special book treat.

We appreciate your understanding and partnership as we work to create a safe and inclusive environment for all students. If you have questions about this or anything else, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

1st Day of School!

Tuesday, September 1

No School - Labor Day

Monday, September 7

First Day of 4K

Tuesday, September 8

Picture Day

Tuesday, September 8

SCO Meeting

Tuesday, September 8

6 PM - Horizon LGI

Shares Night @ Chocolate Shoppe

Tuesday, September 15

3-7 PM

Hootie Hustle

Friday, October 2

Horizon Parking Lot

As a reminder, we ask that you stop in the Main Office if you need to give your child something during the school day. The Office staff will get the item to your child. Please do not stop at the playground to do this. This is a safety precaution to keep all students safe. Thank you!

Dear SPASD Parents and Caregivers,

In response to recent activity impacting students, families, and school communities, we want to reaffirm our district’s mission, vision, and commitment to equity and remind our community of existing district policies related to access to education, protection of student information, and interactions with immigration enforcement.

Our School Board’s Equity Statement affirms:

"We stand by all of our students, staff, and families. We celebrate and value our diverse community and support all students, staff, families, and community members of all races, ethnicities, faiths, national origins, immigration statuses, political viewpoints, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. All children will be safe and loved in our schools… Every Child, Every Day."

We want to assure you that all students, families, and staff regardless of immigration status continue to be welcome and safe in our schools. We are committed to standing together and ensuring all members of our community feel seen, supported, and protected. We want to remind families of several important district policies:

• Access to Education: All students, regardless of immigration status, have the legal right to attend school under federal law.

• Protection of Information: The district does not collect social security numbers of students or families, for purposes of enrollment. Student data is protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and district policy restricts law enforcement investigations or interviews in schools.

• Immigration Enforcement: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is not allowed to enter our buildings without a judicial warrant. Any ICE activity or inquiries will be handled by district leadership and our school district legal counsel.

To help families stay informed and connected to resources, we encourage you to visit our Resources for Immigrant Students & Families webpage.

Thank you for being our partner in making SPASD schools a safe and welcoming place for every student, family, and staff member. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Technology and social media are an important part of our students’ daily lives both inside and outside of school. Here at Horizon, we are committed to helping students use technology in a safe, responsible and age-appropriate way. We recognize that collaboration with caregivers and families only further supports students' success as they learn to navigate social pressure in this ever changing world of technology.

Below are a few resources to support you in guiding your child’s technology use:

• Teaching Your Kid to Be Smart About Social Media
• Keeping Kids Safe on Social Media
• How to Help Kids Deal with Cyberbullying

With that being said, it has been brought to our attention that students are engaging in and experiencing unsafe and unhealthy communication with peers in group chats. We encourage families to check in with their students around their interactions and communications with peers via technology and reinforce safe, responsible and age-appropriate use.

Here is additional information on why group chats are risky for younger kids and a better approach to further support your child.

Together, we can help students develop the skills they need to navigate the digital world safely and confidently while being responsible and showing respect for others.

In partnership,

Your Horizon Student Services Team

Michelle Kelly, Principal

Kelley Goplen, Associate Principal

Ashley Zwiefel, School Counselor

Andrea Faulkes, School Social Worker

Chelsea Krenn, School Psychologist

Beginning next school year, pending School Board approval of the purchase, our district will begin using i-Ready Classroom Mathematics as the core math resource for students in grades K–5.

This decision followed a careful, multi-year review process that included teachers, principals, instructional coaches, and district leaders. The team studied Wisconsin’s updated math standards, reviewed student learning data, gathered feedback from families and staff, and visited other school districts using different math programs before making a recommendation.

What families should know:

• Math learning will focus on understanding, not just answers. Students will solve meaningful problems, explain their thinking, and learn from one another.

• Teachers remain at the center of instruction. Technology supports learning but does not replace classroom teaching.

• The program supports all learners. Lessons include hands-on activities, discussion, visuals, and opportunities for extra support or challenge.

• Families will have clearer tools to support learning at home, including family guides, videos, and online dashboards that show assignments and progress.

• Students and families will have a common experience in grades K-8 as i-Ready is already the middle school math curriculum.

Investment and value:

The total cost of the adoption is estimated to be about $45 per student per school year, averaged across the 8-year adoption cycle. This includes classroom materials, digital resources, and professional learning for teachers to ensure strong implementation.

As implementation begins, families can expect continued communication, opportunities to learn more, and a thoughtful rollout that prioritizes student learning and growth.

PBIS is a school-wide approach to discipline and a process for creating safe and more effective schools. PBIS is a systems approach to enhancing the capacity of schools to educate all children by developing research-based, schoolwide and classroom discipline systems. The process focuses on improving a school’s ability to teach and support positive behavior for ALL students. With PBIS, instructional time is more effectively used for teaching and the overall school environment is calm and conducive to learning! Click below for this month's newsletter!

We want our families to stay informed and connected to resources. If you need information or support visit Resources for Immigrant Students & Families webpage.

The SPASD Transportation webpage is a great resource for contact information, maps, expectations, and frequently asked questions. Click the link below to learn more.

Our page has reminders, updates, and fun photos of our Hawks.

This app allows students, staff, and caregivers to access information quickly and easily. It provides access to school Blackboard Connect notifications, school menus, calendar, District news, Peachjar flyers, and more. Students and caregivers can also access Infinite Campus via the app, which provides information regarding attendance, grades, and more. To download the app, visit either the iPhone App Store or the Google Play Store.