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Traditionally, September has been the month of the year when local celebrations abound in every town and village of this nation, as Belizeans remember fondly and celebrate enthusiastically the people and events which led us to and beyond Independence. And now Horizon students, parents, faculty, and friends have even more reason to celebrate September.

Our school was officially opened on September 7, 2009, with a concise, impressive ceremony. The morning ran smoothly under the gracious guidance of Mrs. Kim Osborne, our Mistress of Ceremonies. Bishop Phillip Wright of the Anglican Diocese and Fr. Joe of St. Martin’s blessed the gathering, and Mrs. Dian Maheia, our principal, welcomed everyone to a school where students come first, in an

HORIZON CELEBRATES | a month of firsts ...environment that encourages the development of all dimensions of a child, a setting designed to embrace and challenge all its young people, an atmosphere that welcomes creativity and innovation.

Mr. Edward Osborne, our Director, paid tribute to Horizon’s founding members, and Ms. Audrey Wallace, CEO in the Office of the Prime Minister, praised the commitment, the passion, and the initiative of the founding members. Minister of Education, Hon. Patrick Faber, gave the keynote address, in which he affirmed his support of and interest in the school, and then he cut the ribbon. The staff, together with some Board members, introduced the school song in a rousing rendition, and, finally, Horizon’s first 65 students released 65 yellow,

Please consider theenvironment before printingthis newsletter.

To provide a challenging international education, from kindergarten to high school, in a progressive learning environment which focuses on the development of the whole child in preparation for national and global citizenship.

“...an awesome initiation into the wonderful new world of Horizon Academy.”

orange, and green balloons, one for each of them.

After a tour of the facilities and light refreshments, the guests departed and the first day of school truly began for us all.

Mrs. Dian then told the students a child-friendly version of the Battle of St. George’s Caye in an interactive session dotted with questions and comments from the students. After singing Happy Birthday to Belize and to the other students who celebrated birthdays in September, the students were

PATRIOTIC CELEBRATIONS|HIP HIP...A few days later, Horizon parents and friends found time to celebrate also! A late decision to hold an Independence Eve party brought a whirlwind of response and, in no time at all, food had been donated and wait service paid for. Horizon Hall was decked out for the occasion and the people who attended had a great time. Special thanks go out to everyone who contributed in any way to make the party the success that it was.

treated to sandwiches, cupcakes and a slice of a beautiful cake depicting the Belize flag, which Mrs. Claudia Crespo had donated. Dismissal was at 11.30 A.M. and the Horizon students left tired but happy, some of them already planning a Christmas parade.

On Friday, Sept. 18, patriotically dressed in red, white, and blue, Horizon students gathered to celebrate once again, this time to celebrate Belize. After raising the flag, singing the National Anthem, and reciting the National Prayer, the students and teachers jumped-up to local patriotic songs as they followed the music through the Maheias’ compound, waving flags, marching, and dancing as enthusiastically as carnival revelers.

On Tuesday Sept 8, parents gathered in Horizon Hall for a short meeting with a specific agenda. Mrs. Joy Godfrey was the guest speaker and she encouraged the group to make the most of their children’s educational opportunities, to be actively involved in reaching for the best and working hand in hand with their children’s school.

Several housekeeping details were discussed, including the cafeteria menu, drop off and pick up procedures, and the committees being planned to exemplify the Horizon belief in “Parents as Partners”. Before leaving, parents signed up for the 5 committees, which will be a very real part of the growth of Horizon Academy in all aspects. The committees are the Advancement Council and the Events, School Activities, Fundraising, and Marketing committees. If you would like to be involved in any of these groups, please contact the office for more information.

On Wednesday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m., our Back To School Night again required the presence of Horizon parents. This meeting gave the administration the chance to update everyone, to discuss various issues, to introduce the Handbook for Parents and Students and the Passport to the Hive (already dubbed the Bee Book) and to answer any questions or concerns. We appreciate your efforts to attend this very important meeting.

PARENTS|AS PARTNERS

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The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.

STUDENT ID’s|one technological step at a timeww

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bzHorizon students are now proud bearers of their student ID cards, courtesy of Ms. Susan Fuller, another generous Horizon Parent. The cards record their student numbers, and they will also be used like meal cards as soon as the computerized system is set up, to record what each student purchases from the cafeteria. Parents will soon be able to pre-pay their children’s cafeteria accounts and receive computer generated reports based on their café use.

Thank you so much, Susan, for bringing Horizon Academy in step with technology.

The biggest buzz around school is that the Character Bees are a big deal! Almost everyone has been bitten by these little positive bugs, and the energy coming from those students working hard to achieve them is itself an inspiration! Whether it’s being prepared in the classroom before the teacher comes in after their morning break or volunteering to take out the garbage from the cafeteria, we’re seeing our students, your children, take pride in their efforts to “Be There Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Thoughtful, and Be Attentive”.

Please continue to encourage them to work consistently to meet these expectations. We’ll soon be able to enjoy our first “Redeem Day” – we can’t wait!

BUZZY BUZZ | BEES

Student’s NameClassID #:

2009-2010

UPDATE|BOOKS & SUPPLIESUnfortunately, all of our books have still not arrived, indelible proof of Murphy’s Law! Our agent has assured us, however, that they will be here soon. The teachers continue to work with the texts that are available and will kick into high gear when the others come in.

All the supplies are here now though, so if your child is missing some item that should have been part of his or her supply box, please notify his or her teacher so that it can be added.

The great Eastern photographer Kahlil Gibran’s words seem so relevant in our present situation. He said, “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” Over the last few months, so many of you have given so generously in so many ways. From advice to moral support, to technical help, to valuable hours of service, to an encouraging word or smile, to tie Pins and ID

THANK YOU|THANK YOU

Those roomy bags emblazoned with the Horizon logo which contained your child’s books and supplies are another of our “greening” initiatives. We ask that you take the bags with you when you go shopping and use those instead of plastic bags and help us to save our environment one bag at a time.

cards, to loads of black soil for planting and gallons of paint, to plant seedlings and tables and chairs and bookcases, to a basketball rim and fans...

Horizon and its faculty and students have been recipients of this largesse in a steady stream. And again we say “Thank You, Thank You, Thank You” for all you have been and all you have done for us at Horizon.

Student ID Card

www.horizonacademy.edu.bzhorizonacademybz@gmail.com

Oct. - Dec. Calendar HighlightsMid Term Progress Reports distributedChildren’s Halloween PartyGarifuna Settlement DayChildren’s DayThanksgiving Lunch with ParentsSchool Christmas CelebrationArt Exhibit; Distribution of Report Cards; School closes for Christmas vacationChristmas by CandlelightSub for Santa, Community Outreach Christmas Party

Fri. Oct. 23Sat. Oct. 31

Thur. Nov. 19Fri. Nov. 20

Thur. Nov. 26Thur. Dec. 10

Fri. Dec. 11

Sat. Dec. 12Sat. Dec. 16

HANDWASHINGDAY

GARDENINGFUN

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8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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