Horizon Elementary JUNE 2017

Comet Courier

Horizon Elementary School 46665 Broadmore Drive • Sterling, VA 20165 • Telephone 571.434.3260 • Fax 703.444.7418

Absentee Line 571.434.3261 Absentee Email hrzabsentee@lcps.org

Horizon Elementary School website: www.lcps.org/horizon Principal: Mrs. Jennifer Ewing Bookkeeper: Mrs. Holly Buehler

Assistant Principal: Ms. Stephanie Baran Attendance Secretary: Mrs. Violet Sowa-Badders

JUNE EVENTS Thursday, June 1 Field Day Friday, June 2 Fun Fair, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm Tuesday, June 6 Rain Date for Field Day New Family Tour, 3:00 pm Wednesday, June 7 4th and 5th Grade Awards, 9:00 am Thursday, June 8 5th Grade Farewell, 8:30 am 5th Grade Picnic, 11:30 am PTA Book “Shop” for Horizon Staff Friday, June 9 Last Day for Students Thursday, June 15 Report Cards Mailed Home

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL… Greetings Comets! It is hard to believe how quickly this year is flying by. A lot will be happening

in the last days of school. Please stay current with the upcoming events posted on the Horizon

calendar.

We have included a copy of the 2017-2018 adopted calendar for LCPS and Horizon’s Back to

School Nights/Kindergarten Orientation/Open House information. Please refer to these dates as

you begin your long-range planning for next year.

Over the summer, students can lose some of the learning from an entire school year. Please work

on some educational opportunities for your children to maintain their skills, even if just an hour a

day. Here are just a few suggestions:

Horizon’s Summer Reading Challenges (information on the Horizon Website) – This year

there are two to choose from or feel free to do both

Math: Dreambox (Summer Dreambox Challenge) and Reflex (students will have access

over the summer)

Grade Level recommend websites from their web pages (Math, LA, Reading, etc)

Summer Journals: encourage your child(ren) to write and/or draw pictures about summer

vacations, outings, etc. You can have them pick out the journal, special pencils or pens,

stickers, etc. to make it a fun experience.

Email pals: You can ask a family member or friend to email your child(ren) to ask

specific questions for them to answer; not yes/no responses. This will help them to

formulate well thought out answers in a fun way

Loudoun County Public Library hosts a variety of educational and fun events over the

summer

Handwriting: Practice letter or number formation with sidewalk chalk or shaving cream

on a cookie sheet. Colored paper and colored pencils or pens can also help make writing

letters/words fun.

Touch Math: Free app and number line chart

As the year is ending, it is with great sadness that I share that Mr. Palenchar will be moving to

Florida to teach at an elementary school down there. He will be greatly missed!

In 2017-2018, we will have some changes and some new staff joining the Horizon Comet Family:

K (5 Full Day Classes): Crystal Dettmer, Gina Toynbee, Natalie Walker, Ellen Perka, and Kelly

Yang

1st : Keisha Abney, Chrissy Nichols, Thuy Wallace, and Miriam Briskin

2nd: Janine Murphy, Laura Seufert, Eileen Ginty, Nikki Rooker, and Alexis Gruehn

3rd: Lisa Johnson, Kristine Wasser, Laeeqa Zahid, Kallee Mueller, Bekah Strohl, and Lorri

Johnson

4th: Stephanie Long, Amye Love, Katie Sheehan, Leanne Griffith, and Tracey Drury

5th: Linda Tate, Stephen Jones, Will Patterson, Julia Koehler, and Jennifer Hedges

Updates about each new teacher will be posted over the summer on the Horizon Facebook and

Twitter sites. Stay tuned!

I wish everyone a great last week of school! I also wish each of you a wonderful summer break!!!

Sincerely,

Jennifer Ewing

The Lost and Found

is overflowing! Please

stop by and check it

out before the last day

of school. Items will

be donated by mid-

June.

LCPS has adopted the student calendar for the 2017-2018 school year (see below). With that in mind, Horizon Elementary is happy to announce the

following dates to help you in your summer planning:

Wednesday, August 23, Kindergarten Orientation, 8:30 am

Wednesday, August 23, Open House for Students and Parents, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Thursday, August 24th, 1st Day of School for Students

Tuesday, August 29 Back to School Night, Grades 3-5, MD class, ID class, 6:30 pm

Thursday, August 31, Back to School Night, Grades 1-2, ECSE Classes, 6:30 pm

Holding the line on Meal prices.

2017-2018 will see a 5¢ increase in lunch price only

Grade Lunch Breakfast

K-5 Full Price $3.05 $2.10

6-12 Full Price $3.15 $2.10

K-12 Reduced Price No Charge No Charge

Adults $4.10 a la carte only

All Milk 65¢ 65¢

We will be glad to make menu substitutions for medical conditions. Contact your school nurse, health clinic assistant or

the School Nutrition Services Office for more information.

We greatly appreciate the patronage and support you show by purchasing meals and other foods from School Nutrition

Services. Please let us know how we can serve you better. Contact us

Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

Summer time is the perfect time to practice being a Comet! PBIS is most successful when we share a “common

language”. The language we use at school is the 3 C’s. The three “C’s are Courtesy, Care, and Cooperation. At

Horizon, when we notice a student using positive behavior we attach one of these three words to connect the

words with specific behaviors. “Asking her to play is being a CARING Comet”, “Using your quiet voice in the

cafeteria is being a COURTEOUS Comet”, and “Taking turns with the basketball is being a COOPERATIVE

Comet”. You can use the same language at home. “That was caring when you were talking with your brother in

the car.” “When you play your game quietly on the plane you are being courteous. “ “When you listen to the

lifeguard you are being cooperative.” So this summer, whether you are heading out on a road trip, flying to

exotic locations or just hanging out at the pool, speak the language of Comets: the 3 C’s.

Cyndi McCrea, School Counselor

Spin it to Win It

Congratulations to the following students who were selected as Students of the Month for MAY:

K 1 2 Dettmer – Ashley To Wallace – Divena Gupta Seufert – Maahrukh Mujtaba Toynbee – Lyla Frank Perka – Fay Alathari Gruehn – Kellen Habibelahy Walker – Olivia Brown Abney – Brennan Patterson Murphy – Adam Masrour Nichols – Ethan Zelakiewicz Love – Addison Interiano Koehler – Yousef Almahdawi Rooker – Charlotte Biggs Ginty – Saira Kumar

3 4 5 Mueller – Colin Atwell Palenchar – Laya Rizk Tate – Sloan Richards Wasser – Ariana Amir Sheehan – Ruhansh Satwik Drury – Evan Watkins Zahid – Tyler Shih Long – Brad Hoffert Jones – Anthony Machado Strohl – Skyler Ortiz Earl – Brody Meredith Patterson–Melia Wallace Johnson – Aaron Sasso Griffith – Vedin Goradia

Congratulations to our outstanding students for showing the 3 Cs!!

Fine Dining

Congratulations to the classes that won the Fine Dining award for the month of May: These classes will have a special table during one of their lunches the last week of school!

First Grade: Mrs. Perka Fourth Grade: Miss Griffith Second Grade: Mrs. Love Fifth Grade: Mr. Jones Third Grade: Miss Zahid

Thank you for showing the 3 C's in the cafeteria. Well done Comets!

POETRY MASTERS

Poetry Masters is an optional challenge activity that celebrates poetry of all kinds. On May 25th we had our last

Poetry Masters for the school year! A record number of students participated, many of whom composed their own,

original poems. Others recited a poem they had memorized from the list provided.

Everyone who recited a poem is recognized here in the Comet Courier and on our Poet Tree in the library - check it

out!

Congratulations to the following students who successfully recited poems in May:

Aakash Pradhan Alexander Malapira Andy Nguyen Arianna Martin

Edward Christopher Elena Kramer Fay Alathari Gerald MacKay

Grant Ewing Hannah Mottaghi Lilly Fernandez Londyn Dean

Samuel Shi Sydney Siler Tasneem Moiz Yusuf Qureshi

Austin Weitershausen Jackson Siler Henry O’Hora Kellen Habibelahy

Keira VanVoorhis Cameron Lucus Connor Heaney Grace Soto

Ivan Londergan Kai Wong Keelin Moriarty Nylah Orr

Ryleigh Rose Sophia Aquino Thomas Hagos Zeineb Gassoumi

Rayna Shah Holly Myers Chloe Shibley Matthew Cogbill

Abigail Belachew Anish Kothuru Anna Yao Anthony Sasso

Anya Meredith Arian Abdolahi Arnav Desai Ava Papparello

Ben Simpson Camila Aquino Colleen Macgoy Evie Whitehead

Geoffrey Haas Giselle Kennedy Hailey Thompson Hannah Hagos

Hayden Manor Heaven Ferdinando Jada Felix Jaden Nieves

Kysha Castillo Lacie Martin Layla Abshire Liam Tully

Lindsay Garcia Mariam Samayoa Max Monahan Nathan Cogbill

Sahar Miakhel Samiha Hamzayeva Trisha Patil Victoria Klote

Weihang Yu Zara Alhadi Zoytun Chowdhury Keira Fitch

Christo Mirevski Andrea Pantella Stori Dean Josh Ramos

Shayan Barbic Raegan Calvo Luke Egenrieder Tomas Derrow

Lindsay Fox Ryan Glasgow Nicholas Guilfoyle Fahim Hassan

Lacey Kennedy Anthony Machado Sana Khawaja Lily Reasoner

Victoria Martinez-Canas Claire Misch Diya Reddy Hasan Rizvi

Lily Simanski Iman Safi Beatrice Smith Gogo Keegan

Mohammad Tarawneh Rishab Sundar Sophia Taylor Jaeden Valle

Melisssa Vascones Sydney Waggoner Lyri Friedman Kayla Murphy

Crystal Oigara Emma Simanski

MATH SUPERSTARS!

We would like to thank the parents and students who participated in the

Math Superstars program. We would also like to thank the teachers who

supported the program and a very special thank you to the parents and

Horizon staff who volunteered their time as graders for the program. We

would like to recognize the students who earned the most star points

(correctly answered questions) for each grade:

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for most stars earned

Kindergarten: tied for 1st: Mia Hechter, Kareen Abdo, and Eli VandeVisse,

2nd: Avery Hoverman, tied for 3rd: Charlotte Dettmer, Sebastian Dettmer,

Addison Clark, and Bella Holloman

First Grade: 1st: Jason Kwok, 2nd: Mia Tso, 3rd: Samuel Shi

Second Grade: 1st: Emma Bogoslov, 2nd: Kaitlyn Hassan, 3rd: Cadence

Cerniglia

Third Grade: 1st: Kayla Tock, 2nd: Anna Yao, 3rd: Judah Abram

Fourth Grade: 1st: Sophia Dolzhenkova, 2nd: Jacquelyn Lee, 3rd: Ethan

Cheung

Fifth Grade: 1st: Christopher Liang, 2nd: Lily Reasoner, 3rd: Zach Cerniglia

You are all Math Superstars!! We hope that you will continue to participate in

the program next year.

Cara Alfaro, Sutapa Ghadiali and Anna Christopher

Horizon Elementary Families can receive $50 OFF per week @ any Overtime Athletics Summer Camp using the discount code: OTAFamily

Camps are listed here: www.otathletics.com

DRESS CODE

The primary responsibility for the proper dress and grooming of students rests with the parent

or guardian of each student. The school has the responsibility, however, to see that the

cleanliness, dress, and grooming of students does not present a danger to the health or safety

of themselves or fellow classmates. Clothing must be in good taste, of a comfortable fit and

follow school standards. Students should dress for the “business of school.” Inappropriate

attire consists of any clothing that disrupts the learning environment because it is distracting

or offensive.

Clothing students should refrain from wearing to school:

Short/tight skirts, shorts and/or dresses (must be at least fingertip length)

halter or spaghetti string tops without a shirt/sweater over it

mid-drift tops that expose the stomach area

excessively baggy shorts or pants

mesh/see-through athletic shirts without a T-shirt underneath

clothing that displays inappropriate language, artwork, symbols, alcohol/drug messages

a bandana and/or hat while at school

Heelies and/or shoes with wheels

Shoes must be worn at all times

Children must wear sneakers/athletic shoes with solid, rubber soles for all physical

education classes. Parents will be called if their child arrives to school dressed inappropriately. It may be necessary for a change of

clothing to be brought to school for the child.

Thank you to all the Horizon Watch Dogs who volunteered in

small and big ways throughout this school year! We enjoyed

seeing you at Horizon! We appreciate all of your time and

effort!

Have a wonderful summer! We look forward to seeing you

again in August!

2016-17 PTA Executive Board Members

Cathy Reidy, President

Jill Pope, SVP, Educational Programs

Sree Mitra, Treasurer

Jenn Green, Recording and Corresponding Secretary

Kerry Kidwell, VP Staff Relations

Karina Andrade, VP Membership and Directory

Jennifer Kalka, After School Enrichment Programs

Liz Linn, VP Fundraising

Tisha DuHaime, Spirit Sales

Brook Gough, VP Social Events

Chris Beauregard, School Supplies

Todd Funkhouser, Volunteer Coordinator

“Schooooool’s out for SUMMER!!!” - I have this song on replay in my head and now so do you! We made it through another awesome year and could not be more grateful for the teachers and staff of Horizon making this a truly amazing community and school! Thankfully, now we finally have the weather to go with song. May was a big one for the PTA. A NEW Board was elected with one vacancy to be filled (please consider volunteering for this vital position!). Thank you so much for your continued dedication to Horizon and look forward to more success in the next school year! Please take a minute to welcome and congratulate everyone serving for the 2017/18 school year!! Scott Levin - President Gina Tufano - SVP - Educational Programs Chris Beauregard - VP Staff Relations Abby Ghanta - VP Fundraising Cyndi McCrea - VP Membership Liz Hall - VP of Social Jennifer Travis - VP of ASEP Recording Secretary – Catherine Chang Treasurer - Vacant Thank you to the previous board for the past 2 years of dedication, commitment, some long (long) nights, and an enormous amount of laughs and fun. As we exit, our hearts are full from our Comet community and it was a greatly rewarding experience. Thank you to all the parents, teachers and students for your amazing support! Fun Fair was June 2! Everyone who came out was in for some awesome fun! We had many amazingly fun activities set for an end of year bash, The perennial fan favorite was back with DJ Jazzy Patterson, moon bounces, food, candy, games - doesn’t get better than that!! We loved seeing everyone there! Keep an eye on Facebook all summer long – you never know what we may post! ;) Have a great summer! See you in August! Go Comets!

”Horizon Elementary School and PTA” www.horizonpta.org

If you have not done so already,

please consider joining our PTA. The

PTA sponsors many social and

educational activities to enrich your

child’s experience at Horizon

Elementary. You can view the many

activities and volunteer opportunities

on the PTA portion of our webpage:

Horizon Elementary PTA News

Horizon Elementary Store Fundraisers

Help support Horizon Elementary by registering your grocery store cards and cutting box tops. Our school

earned over $2,000.00 in cash and school supplies last year, and it’s so easy! Invite friends, neighbors, and

relatives to support our school. Just ask them to register and designate Horizon Elementary!

You must re-register SOME OF your cards every year.

Please visit the store links listed below to register your cards and designate Horizon Elementary, or fill out

the form below, COMPLETELY, and return it to the school. We will register for you.

Giant Food – School ID: 03686 – YOU DO NOT NEED TO RE-REGISTER!

But if you have not done it before, please do!

http://giantfood.com/savings-and-rewards/rewards-program/aplus/

Harris Teeter – School ID 5928

(Have you been to the new Harris Teeter in Cascades Overlook?)

https://www.harristeeter.com/together-in-education#/app/cms

Shoparoo – an App for your smartphone – download the app, designate Horizon

Elementary, snap pictures of your receipts, proceeds go to Horizon.

We also collect Box Tops for Education throughout the year. The next contest

for Box Tops will be next Fall. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Full Name:_________________________________________________________________________________________

Email:_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________

GIANT card number (12 digits) ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

HARRIS TEETER VIC number (First 11 digits): ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

Thank you! If you have any questions, please contact Holly Buehler at 571-434-3260 or

laura.buehler@lcps.org

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Please help us to make a smooth arrival and dismissal by reviewing the following procedures if you are dropping

off and picking up your child/children:

1. Student arrival and drop off can start once staff are on duty at 7:30 am each morning.

2. Please consider arriving at school a little earlier on inclement weather days. We have very few cars from 7:30 to 7:40 and

then a mad rush from 7:40 to 7:50, which tends to back up the line and impact the number of students who end up being

tardy. The bell rings at 7:50. Any arrivals after the bell rings are counted as tardy.

3. Car drop off is to the east side of the building. Pull all the way up to the first orange cone to allow as

many cars into the Kiss and Go area as possible. If you get here first, please do not park along the circle,

PULL ALL the way up to be courteous of other cars! C a r s n e e d t o pull forward so that traffic does

not back up on Broadmore Drive.

4. When cars leave in front of you, pull as far forward as you can.

5. NEVER get out of your car and leave it unattended in the drop lane. This blocks all the traffic and creates

a backup.

6. Speed limit in the Kiss and Go area should be no faster than 10 mph. The difference in time from the entrance to the far

cone is only 10 seconds; safety first!

7. Children should be able to exit or enter the car independently. Parents who have to assist their

child/children should park in one of the designated parking spots in front of the school and walk the

student across the crosswalk to the front entry of the school.

8. Please do not use the designated handicapped parking spots if you do not have the legal authorization

(placard/license plate) from the DMV.

2012-2013 Horizon PTA Executive Board

OFFICE REMINDERS

Students are permitted to enter the building each morning at 7:30 am. Those students ordering breakfast may go straight to the cafeteria. All other students will go straight to their classrooms to start unpacking and start their morning routines. The start bell will sound at 7:50 am. The school day begins promptly at 7:50 AM. Students MUST be in their classrooms at 7:50 AM; arriving after that time results in an UNEXCUSED tardy, unless a doctor’s note is provided. Students coming in after 7:50 AM must be escorted into the building by an adult. School dismisses at 2:35 PM. Parents picking up students prior to dismissal are required to sign them out in the main office. All visitors to the building should begin their visit in the main office. Please be prepared to show proper ID at our building entrance. Once in the office, you may sign in using the computer located on the front counter. Any forgotten items should be brought to the office. This will cut down on interruptions to the class.

ABSENTEE/TARDY Please email the Horizon absentee email at hrzabsentee@lcps.org, or call the absentee line at 571-434-3261 to report the absence or late to school information for your child.

AFTER SCHOOL PLAN Anytime your child has a change in his/her after school plan, please send a note in with your child in the morning. The office cannot redirect children after school on the basis of a phone call. If an emergency necessitates a

change during the day, you may fax the instructions to us at 703-444-7418.

LOST AND FOUND

Horizon Elementary has areas designated for lost items such as lunch boxes, and clothing. Students who misplace their belongings can check in the Lost and Found that is located outside the cafeteria by the water fountains. Items of value or importance such as glasses, jewelry, and keys are kept in the front office. If your child has lost an item, please encourage them to check in the Lost and Found or with the office secretaries. Items that go unclaimed will be donated to a local charity at the end of

each quarter.

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (SIP)

The Horizon staff is dedicated to improving our strategies for increasing student achievement and in closing the achievement gap. A formal School Improvement Plan is developed by staff, with parent input. If parents are interested in participating in this process, please contact Jennifer Ewing at 571-434-3260. The plan is reviewed and revised throughout the year according to the results achieved.

The 2016-2017 SIP can be found on the Horizon

website at http://www.lcps.org/domain/7051.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

If, due to a disability, you need assistance to enable you to participate meaningfully in any of our school programs, please contact Mrs. Ewing, Principal at 571.434.3260 at least five working

days prior to the activity.

HORIZON NOW ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER!

Visit Horizon's Facebook page to keep up to date on school events and happenings! Check us out at: facebook.com/HRZSterling and be sure to Like our page to get your updates.

We are also on Twitter. Click the links below our calendar to follow us!

https://www.facebook.com/HRZSterling https://twitter.com/HorizonElem

SCHOOL BOARD REPRESENTATIVES

Debbie Rose, Algonkian District - debbie.rose@lcps.org. You can also follow her on Facebook, "Debbie Rose- School Board"

Brenda Sheridan, Sterling District - brenda.sheridan@lcps.org

Beth Huck, At Large - lcsb@lcps.org