Horizon ElementaryHorizon ElementaryHorizon ElementaryHorizon Elementary

October 2013 October 2013 October 2013 October 2013

Comet CourierComet CourierComet CourierComet Courier

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER EVENTS Fri Oct 4 3rd Gr. FT to Mount Vernon PTA Walk-a-thon 3:00-4:00pm

Wed Oct 9 Sweet Frog PTA Spirit Night 3:00-8:00pm

Mon Oct 14 NO SCHOOL—HOLIDAY

Tue Oct 15 PTA General Meeting 6:30 Horizon Library

Wed Oct 16 Make-up Fall Pictures

Fri Oct 18 Rain Date PTA Walk-a-thon 3:00-4:00pm

Sun Oct 27 PFHS Trunk or Treat—PFHS Parking Lot 1:00—2:00pm

Fri Nov 1 End of Grading Period

Mon Nov 4 NO SCHOOL/Student Holiday Teacher Workday

Tue Nov 5 NO SCHOOL/Student Holiday Teacher Workday

Sat Nov 9 Turkey Trot/Pancake Breakfast 8:00am

Horizon Elementary SchoolHorizon Elementary SchoolHorizon Elementary SchoolHorizon Elementary School 46665 Broadmore Drive • Sterling, VA 20165 • Telephone 571.434.3260 • Fax 703.444.7418 • Absentee Line 571.434.326146665 Broadmore Drive • Sterling, VA 20165 • Telephone 571.434.3260 • Fax 703.444.7418 • Absentee Line 571.434.326146665 Broadmore Drive • Sterling, VA 20165 • Telephone 571.434.3260 • Fax 703.444.7418 • Absentee Line 571.434.326146665 Broadmore Drive • Sterling, VA 20165 • Telephone 571.434.3260 • Fax 703.444.7418 • Absentee Line 571.434.3261

Absentee Email hrzabsentee@lcps.orgAbsentee Email hrzabsentee@lcps.orgAbsentee Email hrzabsentee@lcps.orgAbsentee Email hrzabsentee@lcps.org Horizon Elementary School website: www.lcps.org/horizon

Principal: Mrs. Jennifer Ewing Bookkeeper: Mrs. Jeanne Becker Assistant Principal: Mr. Chris Painter Attendance Secretary: Mrs. Violet Sowa-Badders

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Greetings Comets! The 2013-2014 school year has started off extremely well! It is hard to believe we are already in the middle of the first grading period.

This year all our Back to School Nights occurred before the first day of school with students. These evenings were opportunities for parents to visit with teachers in their classrooms. If you were not able to join us, please remember that parent/teacher conferences will be another opportunity to meet your child’s teacher face to face. Please make sure to take advantage of the opportunity when each teacher is scheduling conferences.

This year we welcomed new staff to first grade, second grade, third grade, fourth grade, and fifth grade, preschool, PE, Reading, ELL, and Guidance. We have listed their names on page 2 of the Comet Courier.

Please remember to review and return the Emergency Cards, if you have not done so. This will make sure that we have the best way to contact you in the event of an emergency. It will also ensure that you receive the Connect Ed calls and emails about important school information. If you are not currently receiving calls or email messages you may need to provide updated information on your child’s Emergency Card. Please request a copy to update from the teacher or the office.

We are continuing our efforts to GO GREEN. The Comet Courier will be accessible from the Horizon Website, and it will be sent out monthly via email through Connect Ed. If you would like a printed copy of the newsletter each month please, complete the request form included in the newsletter or notify Mrs. Jeanne Becker or Mrs. Violet Badders in the office.

It continues to be a pleasure to serve the students and families of Horizon Elementary. I wish all our staff, students, and families much success this school year.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Ewing

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For Grades 2 – 5 only Horizon Elementary is happy to introduce the Reflex web based math program for grades 2 through 5. Reflex helps students to fully master their math facts. It continuously monitors each student's progress and creates the optimal experience for every child. To access Reflex math go to our school website www.lcps.org/Horizon ‐ hover over For Students – click on your child’s grade level – click on Reflex Math. Students then select their class and their name. Their password is the same one they use for logging in at school. All classes have practiced this at school. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have questions regarding your child’s password.

Grade Teacher Name Reflex Class Username Grade Teacher Name Reflex Class Username

2 Mueller Mueller2 4 Ginty eginty

2 Murphy missmurphy 4 Long slong

2 Rooker mrsrooker 4 Young youngc

2 Schweizer horizon2 5 Gallagher rgallagher

3 Donovan jdonovan 5 Gang bgang

3 Cross Mrs.Cross2013 5 Jones mr.jones

3 Tate tate 5 O’Brien mrobrien

3 Wasser kwasser 5 Patterson wpatters@lcps.org

4 Robinson robinson34 Marks id24

4 Agosta magosta

4 Earl cearl

WELCOME NEW STAFF Ashley Sborz – 1st Grade

Nikki Rooker – 2nd Grade

Kristine Wasser – 3rd Grade

Claire Earl – 4th Grade

Cora Young – 4th Grade

Will Patterson – 5th Grade

Todd Funkhouser – PE

Cydni McCrea – Guidance 4th – 5th

Caroline Delaney – Preschool

Julie Breining – Preschool

Elizabeth Miller – IA/Preschool

Stephanie Edwards - -ELL/K

Farah Hickman – ELL

Kate Turner – ELL Itinerant

Beth Carnill - Reading

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Objetivos y Actividades

• Asegurar la abogacía en nombre de los temas minoritarios dentro de la Comunidad de LCPS. • Promover la participación de los padres • Desarrollar un proceso para facilitar la resolución de las preocupaciones de los padres • Fomentar un aumento en el personal y voluntarios de minoría en la escuela para:

Reforzar los esfuerzos para conseguir un conocimiento cultural y sensibilidad cultural

Proveer modelos ejemplares y asistir a los estudiantes minoritarios en el desarrollo de su auto-estima.

• Diseminar información acerca de los temas de interés, oportunidades educacionales, estrategias y apoyo de datos

• Participar y presentar en foros para fomentar el conocimiento y sensibilidad y proveer la información necesaria para los padres y el personal

• Facilitar la colaboración con las organizaciones locales y nacionales y los recursos de la comunidad • Asesorar a la Junta Escolar del Condado de Loudoun acerca de los temas que afectan al éxito minoritario • Facilitar la comunicación entre la comunidad y las Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Loudoun • Apoyar las metas y actividades de la Junta Escolar para el éxito minoritario dentro del sistema escolar y en las

escuelas participantes según se necesite • Revisar la información de los resultados de la exámenes anualmente y hacer recomendaciones • Entregar un informe anual a la Junta Escolar del Condado de Loudoun

Para averiguar acerca de cómo servir en su escuela como Delegado o Delegado Alternativo por favor contáctese con la Organización de Padres o el Director

The Minority Student Achievement Advisory Committee (MSAAC) is dedicated to work in partnership with the Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS), parents and community to further the academic, social and cultural development of every student and to ensure that the needs of all minority students are met.

MSAAC supports School Board and staff initiatives, and parent efforts to ensure that our school community becomes culturally competent, providing the corner stone to ensure fair and equitable instruction to all LCPS students.

We encourage the development of school cultures where every minority student is afforded the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential, feels welcome and is recognized as an integral member of the student body. All meetings are held at the Loudoun County Public School Administration Building in the School Board Meeting Room. For questions, please contact the Outreach office directly at (571) 252-1460. More information can be found on the school system website at www.lcps.org under the “Parents” tab, and then select Minority Student Achievement Advisory. Visit http://lcps.org/Page/109186 for meeting dates.

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THE READING CORNER MRS. LEE & MRS. CARNILL

Good news! Horizon now has an additional reading teacher. Her name is Mrs. Beth Carnill and we will share her with Ashburn Elementary School. More information about her is available on the Horizon Web Page.

More good news! One hundred and thirty four students completed the summer challenge of reading at least 1,000 pages and completing the accompanying written portion. Thank you to the parents who supported their efforts. We are all so proud of them.

The students who completed this (see list below) enjoyed six or more rounds of mini golf on Wednesday, September 25. We could not have done this without the help of wonderful volunteers. Mrs. Wallace, Mrs. Alfaro, Mrs. Shields, Mrs. Resnick , and Mrs. Marion were there to ensure student safety, initial set up and final cleanup. A big thank you to them as well as Mrs. Chillot who helped organize them. Thank you also to Mrs. Cooper, our PE teacher, who served as an advisor and official mini-golf expert ! And a final thank you to Mrs. Connery who photographed the event.

Summer Reading Challenge - 2013

Kindergarten- Mrs. Dettmer- Skyler Ortiz, Brady Marion, First Grade- Mrs. Abney- Tyler Day, Carly Channell, Bella Reuss, Ms. Addis- Elise Papadopoulos,Roshni Lobo, Abby Vasar, Lindsie Smith, Alexis Foris, Mrs. Gallihugh- Isaac Rossi, Lucas Kelly, Jason Ku, Brendan Charen, Lahsen Bachir-Bouiadjra, Mrs. Sborz- Rachel Kidwell, Devin Fuller, Abigail Thormes, Ms. Sherline- Inaya Tarafder, Edward Christopher, Alesandro Alfaro Second Grade- Mrs. Mueller- Halima Bachir-Bouiadjra, John Day, Hasan Rizv, Ms. Murphy- Angela Rutta, Anthony Sasso, Liam Potter, Julia Martinez, Layla Abshire, Melia Wallace, Raynad Chishty, Mrs. Rooker- Tomas Derrow, Domenick Arcuri, Sloan Richards, Jonathan DelMoral, Hannah Thormes, Ms. Schweizer- Christopher Liang, Lexi Pantella Third Grade- Mrs. Cross- Liliana Rossi, Katy Price, Panos Pippos, Hannah Zamani, Nathan Ward, Brad Cummings, Niyathi Jag, Kyle Moriarty Mrs. Donovan- Matthew Godek, Mohammed Mohammed, Jonathan Mason, Caroline Sagen, Ayaan Kamal, Josephine Lee, Gabriel Straub, Mrs. Tate- Lillian Loftin, Freda Zormelo, Mihir Ganguli, Ryan Kidwell, Aiden Van Voorhis, Chloe Marion, Drew Woodall, Sophie Guilfoyle, Connor Phelps, Cailin Flatla, Megan James Mrs. Wasser- Stephen Economou, Nick Inra, Aram Najarian, Steven Pereanu, Matthew Levi Fourth Grade Mrs. Agosta- Haley Ku, Hasni Bachir-Bouiadjra, Hailey Wolok, Sarah McGowan, Norah Masrour, Abby Kelly, Jacob Wesoky, Mrs. Earl- Cole MacMillan, Mia Strein, Allison Ferguson, Lily Egenrieder, Aayush Saxena, Grace Pickett, Ms. Ginty- Lareina Allred, Mia Paparella, Tim Fidarkov, Alina Alfaro, Ainsley Knapp, Ms. Long- Tess Durham, Jaclyn Huynh, Ella Wolok , Kyra Lim, , Zaina Tarafder, Winston Smith, Mrs. Robinson- Uma Pillai, Julienne Galie, Maya Papadopoulos, Mrs. Young- Aadi Dhavale, Bailey Resnick, Pete Downey, Mary MacGoy, Jack Martinez Fifth Grade Ms. Gallagher- Rishika Gaddam, Paige Calvo, Ashley Dinoso, Zach Sandridge, Katie Fox, Caleb James Ms. Gang- Amy Olivia Loftin, Nick Sibley, Katie Farthing, Sasha Cherian Mr. Jones- Kristin Jeniece Lurie, Claire Harris, Vincent Arcuri, Abigail Hooper, Madison Farthing, Savannah Allison,Melanie Woodall, Miriam Gorbach, Grey Richards, Mr. O’Brien- Noura Saulath, Mia Limongelli, Michael Godek, Natalie Sandridge, Jocelyn Nichols, Cecilia Tran, Kaley Hooper, Madison Mulhearn, Ashley Allen, Sarah Bokaee, Mr. Patterson- Anastasia Bakhouch, Divya Lobo, Luke Deeds, Jordan Briskman, Honorable Mention- Lindsay Fox (Schweizer)

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COUNSELORS CORNER MS. SMIDT & MRS. MCCREA

STOP-WALK-TALK!

That’s the message Horizon students will be hearing during the National Bullying Prevention Month in October. All students will be taught during classroom guidance lessons what bullying is and how to respond to bullying behavior.

What is bullying?

Bullying is a behavior that: o Is aggressive and unwanted o Is repeated over time or causes severe stress o Has the intention of harming, scaring or embarrassing the victim o Has a power imbalance

Bullying is not:

o Ordinary teasing o Horseplay o Arguments o Peer Conflict

Bullying comes in the form of:

o Physical bullying (hitting, punching) o Verbal bullying (name-calling, teasing) o Emotional or nonverbal bullying (intimidation using gestures, social exclusion) o Cyber bullying (sending insulting messages by phone or computer)

How do you respond to bullying? Our three-step program is called, “Stop, Walk, Talk.” Students are taught that if they experience or observe bullying behavior they should tell the perpetrator to “stop” in a firm, calm voice. Sometimes, even when students tell others to “stop,” the problem behavior continues. When this happens, students are to “walk” calmly away from the problem behavior. Even when students use “stop” and they “walk” away from the problem, the bully may continue to behave inappropriately toward them. When that happens, students should “talk” to an adult. All staff are familiar with this model and how to respond in a supportive way to help the victim to feel safe and the perpetrator to make better choices. Suggested Resources: www.stopbullying.gov/kids www.pacer.org/bullying

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LIBRARY MRS. HITRIK

Welcome Back to School

This summer our library went through several changes and additions. Thanks to the PTA, we received two new beautiful bookshelves to help house the Pathways collection and our series book sets in the library. Please stop by the library and take a look. The shelves are fabulous.

In addition, our catalogue system was upgraded throughout the county. The new system, called Alexandria, will be an easier system for the children to search for items in the library.

Calling all volunteers…

We need volunteers in the library. We can't do our job without you. Your help with shelving the books would be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in helping us in the library, please contact Fannie Owens at fannie.owens@lcps.org . Mrs. Owens is the library assistant and can schedule volunteer times for the library. No matter what amount of time you have to give, realize that we would love to have your help.

Important Date – The Scholastic Book Fair will be coming the week of November 18 – 22. We will need many volunteers to make this event a success for our students. Please consider helping.

What are we learning?

September has been a very busy and rewarding month in the library. I would like to thank everyone who has helped remind their children to return their library books on time.

Kindergarten and First Grade – We have had an introduction to library routines and how to care for the library books at home.

Second Grade – Students have been learning about how the library is organized. They have been reviewing book care and how to select a just “right” or good “fit” book using the Goldilocks principle.

Third Grade – The students have been learning about the Constitution and reviewing library routines and book care. We have introduced biographies and tall tales.

Fourth and Fifth Grade – We have been reviewing the library routines and procedures as well as book care. The students are also learning the new library catalogue and have practiced how to locate books by title, author, subject, and series using the catalogue.

What we are reading:

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ART NEWS

MS. QUINN

The art program is off to a really (REALLY!) quick start this year. Our first show is scheduled for the middle of October. We will have over twenty five frames displayed on the 5th floor of the LCPS Administration Building. Once the show is up, I’ll notify the students who have artwork in the show. You’re welcome to go see the display Mondays thru Fridays between the hours of eight and five! Enjoy!!

All grade levels have been working on their portfolios. This year’s theme was “empty jars.” Students needed to fill up their jars with one of their favorite things drawn in miniature. We have the usual jelly beans, candy, cookies, baseballs, footballs, etc., but we also have jars of pickles, frogs, pigs, camels, bacon, bows, and mustaches…. all very creative ideas!!

The fifth graders received their sketchbook and drawing materials. They will be using them throughout the year. We are so lucky to be able to provide each fifth grade student with quality drawing materials.

Additional projects that we have been working on include:

5th Grade: Texture/pattern elephants (sharpie)

4th Grade: Blended watercolors (white glue/watercolor)

3rd Grade: Primary and Secondary Blob Birds (some are currently displayed in the art room case) (watercolor/sharpie)

2nd Grade: Texture/lines trees (crayons/sharpie)

1st Grade: Harvest Moon lines (oil pastel/liquid watercolors)

I would love to have some volunteers who enjoy cutting, making templates, laminating, etc. Please contact me if you would like to help with some of the prep work. (It helps if you are a “precise” person when it comes to cutting and laminating.) And, as always, thank you for all your support of the art program. It’s a joy to work with each of your students.

FRONT OFFICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We will train you! If you would like to help with our copy/laminating volunteers, please contact Jeannie Willoughby, our coordinator. Times are flexible (1-2 hours), days are flexible (1 day a week, 1 day a month).

Please contact Jeannie Willoughby at 703-472-3122 or 703-404-4727.

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COMET CAFE MRS. ROSE CUSTER

LOUDOUN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS MENU PRICES (Effective August 2013)

SCHOOL LUNCH SCHOOL BREAKFAST Grades K-5: Full Price $ 3.00 Grades K-5: Full Price $ 2.00 Grades 6-12: Full Price $ 3.10 Grades 6-12: Full Price $ 2.00 Grades K-12: Reduced Price $ .40 Student-Reduced Price $ .30 Adult (w/coffee, tea, or milk) $ 4.00 Adult (w/coffee, tea, or milk) $ 2.30

Kindergarten Milk & Snack $200.00/year or $20.00/month for 10 months Kindergarten Milk Only (select schools) $50.00/year

FASTER LUNCH LINES? SPECIAL NEWS PRE-PAYMENT IS THE ANSWER! Pre-paying for your meals and other purchases helps the lunch line to move quickly. You may pay in the school cafeteria with cash or personal check made payable to “County of Loudoun”. Please remember to put your child’s name and lunch number in the memo line. You may also pay cash each day but please have your money ready when you reach the cashier.

New Online Payment System

"mySchoolBucks"

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/

Payments download to our system at 5:30 am, 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.

Odyssey of the Mind 2014 Season Begins

Odyssey of the Mind (OM) provides creative, problem-solving opportunities for students to practice their team work and use their imaginations! The 8-minute "Long Term" problem is performed at the Regional tournament along with a "Spontaneous" problem to test the teams creativity.

You can learn more about the program at the OM website, www.odysseyofthemind.com or attend the Interest Meeting on Tuesday, October 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Library. More information will be sent home with your student during the first week of October.

If you find a group of five to seven students who would like to work together, identify a coach, regional tournament

judge, and regional tournament volunteer, you can submit your requests as a packet until Oct 21th. A follow up meeting for team selections will be on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. If you have any questions , feel free

to contact the OM coordinators at Horizon, Mrs. Tate, 3rd grade teacher, at linda.tate@lcps.org and Mrs. Mong,

parent liaison, at robin.mong@lcps.org.

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SEARCH MS. O’SULLIVAN & MS. CORBO

Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test

All Loudoun County third grade students will take the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test in October, 2013. The test will be given to students in their regular classrooms during their usual SEARCH time. Please prepare your child by making sure that he/she is healthy, well-rested, and that he/she has eaten a good breakfast on the day of the test. No other preparation is needed!

In order to help you, as parents, better understand the NNAT2, here are some frequently asked questions.

1. What does the NNAT2 measure? The Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test 2 assesses school learning ability without requiring a student to read, write or speak. Instead, students rely on reasoning and problem solving skills to complete the test items.

Many people assume that intelligence is differentiated in two categories: verbal and nonverbal. The distinction actually refers to the content of the items on an intelligence test, not to the type of thinking or intelligence required. Verbal and nonverbal tests are two different ways of measuring intellectual ability. Currently in Loudoun County Public Schools, the main purpose for administering the NNAT2 is to identify students for gifted services in the area of general intellectual ability. The NNAT2 results may also be used to screen general ability for students whose school performance may be hindered by limited English proficiency.

2. Why the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT2)? The NNAT2 was chosen because it was nonverbal. LCPS was looking for a way to identify gifted students who may not perform well on ability tests with a large number of verbal items, including students with limited English skills or learning difficulties. 3. What types of questions are on the NNAT2? There are four categories of questions on the NNAT2:

• Pattern completion: requires the student to complete a pattern by determining both general orientation and design details of the missing portion.

• Reasoning by Analogy: requires the students to recognize a logical relationship between several geometric shapes

• Serial Reasoning: requires the student to recognize sequence of shapes and changes in a sequence • Spatial Visualization: the student must recognize how two or more designs would look when combined

The geometric shapes and designs used for each test item are culture-free. A sample test item from the NNAT2 is shown in the figure below (actual test items use blue, white and yellow because these colors are most easily perceived by those with color-impaired vision).

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SEARCH (CONTINUED) MS. O’SULLIVAN & MS. CORBO

4. Who will take the NNAT2? Currently, all third grade students in Loudoun County Public Schools take the NNAT2 in the fall of the school year. The NNAT2 is available to students in grades K-12 for intellectual ability testing. 5. How long is the test? The test has 48 items which must be completed in 30 minutes. 6. How do I interpret the scoring report? Percentile ranks range from 1 to 99, and describe a student's test performance relative to other students of the same age in the national normative reference group. A student performing in the 95th percentile, for example, scored higher than 95% of the students at his/her age. Ranks between the 25th and 75th percentile fall within the average range of normative expectations. 7. If there is a significant discrepancy between a student’s performance on the NNAT2 and his/her achievement in the classroom, should I be concerned? Students may score well on the NNAT2 who do not demonstrate high levels of achievement in the classroom. The NNAT2 demonstrates that these students have the ability to succeed in school, though they may not have acquired the skills required to achieve at that high level. Alternately, there are students who are very strong in the academic domain who may score poorly on the NNAT2. The NNAT2 helps us identify students who may not demonstrate their ability on more traditional tests of knowledge because of limited English proficiency, language or learning difficulties, or other factors that may hinder achievement. It should be kept in mind that the NNAT2 scores give only one piece of information about a student. As with any assessment, some tests will identify the strengths of students more than other tests. 8. How does the NNAT2 help my child qualify for Gifted Education services? The NNAT2 is one of the tests used by Loudoun County Public Schools to identify students in the area of general intellectual ability.

PARENT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (PIMS) The Parent Information Management System (PIMS) is an online tool that provides a convenient way for the primary parent/guardian of a student to manage changes to the phone and/or email information for the contacts in their child’s record. When using PIMS you can review, at your convenience, the current contact information that exists for your child. If you need to update the current phone/email/emergency contact information, you can easily submit the update request online.

⇒ To access the PIM system, visit the LCPS Internet site, www.lcps.org.

⇒ Click on the PIM link on the right side under “Quick Links”.

⇒ Once the request has been submitted, your child’s school will review the request before accepting.

BOKS MORNING PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We need parent volunteers to help run our morning exercise program, BOKS, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 am to 7:30 am. If you can help supervise and work on one or both of these mornings, please contact Mr. Will Patterson (5th grade teacher), Rachelle Smetana (Pre-school teacher) or Ellen

Wesoky (ewesoky@gmail.com). The program may

be limited to only one day or canceled if assistance cannot be found. The schedule is TBD.

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The Word Masters Challenge is a national competition for students in grades 3–8 that encourages growth in

vocabulary and verbal reasoning. Over 4,200 school teams participate from 50 states.

Word Masters is unlike other language-arts contests that emphasize grammar and punctuation. This competition addresses higher level word comprehension and logical abilities that help students learn to think both analytically and metaphorically.

There are three Meets per year during December, February and April. The students pick up the appropriate grade level word list (3

rd, 4

th or 5

th) three weeks prior to the challenge and start preparing. The challenge/test is to solve

analogies based on relationships among the words they have learned from the list provided. The students are given 20 minutes to complete the challenge.

All students may participate but only the scores of the top ten students count officially. The sum of these scores will represent Horizon’s team score and will be submitted to Word Masters.

If you would like more information on the program, please go to www.wordmasterschallenge.com or contact Amy Sandridge amysandridge@yahoo.com.

See the PTA website for more information and links to learn the words. http://www.lcps.org/Page/48389

We are on the web!

www.lcps.org/horizon

PARENT LIAISON MRS. ROBIN MONG

Welcome Back, Horizon families! I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer. For those families new to Horizon, I am the Parent Liaison. Parent Liaisons are employed as a Loudoun County Public Schools staff member, I work for the school to help bridge the gap between home and school by helping parents get the information and support they need to ensure their child’s academic and social success. Our goal at Horizon is to ensure that the students and their families have a positive educational experience. The Parent Liaison program is part of the LCPS Outreach Programs. Parents often times feel uncomfortable about asking questions or sharing concerns with teachers or school administration. As part of the Parent Liaison’s role, I am available to listen to your concerns and work with you to make sure that your point of view is expressed and understood. In addition, I can arrange for interpreters to come to school if you need to communicate in your own language. I am here at the school on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can reach me by e-mail at Robin.Mong@lcps.org, cell phone 703-472-1141 or call the school 571-434-3260.

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Horizon Elementary PTA News

Hello Comets! The PTA is off to a very busy start! Thanks to all of the families that have already joined the PTA, but we still need more! Our first Chipotle spirit night was a HUGE success in making $1,100! We have several important initiatives this year including new playground equipment, more technology for our classrooms and programs which every class benefits from. We have already purchased the RAZ kids reading programs for grades K-2 and hope to be able to provide additional funding for other programs in other grades, but we do need your support. Our year is planned with some new events such as our Walk-a-Thon in October and some old favorites such as the Jingle Bell Shop and Bingo. By attending these events and supporting the school, we will be able to help accomplish our many goals of the year and will provide the teachers and staff with programs that will benefit our children. Please check the PTA calendar on the school website for meetings and events! We are always looking for volunteers and hope you will consider helping in any way that you can. Whether it's providing a treat for a staff luncheon or helping for an event, we appreciate your time and efforts. Again thank you for your support and please contact us at any time with questions. Joanne Canellos and Gail Godek

Co-Presidents Joanne Canellos & Gail Godek president@horizonpta.org

VP Education Ginni Arcuri srvp@horizonpta.org

Treasure Meredith Pilaro treasurer@horizonpta.org

Recording Secretary Christy Sharn recsecy@horizonpta.org

Corresponding Secretary Teresa Demangos corrsecy@horizonpta.org

Co-VPs, Staff Relations Laura Chaale & Ellen Wesoky staffrel@horizonpta.org

Co-VPs, Membership & Directory Kelli Evers & Laura Wolok membership@horizonpta.org directory@horizonpta.org

Co-VPs, Social Amye Love & Kristen Sirois social@horizonpta.org

VP, After-School Enrichment Programs (ASEP) Karen Cerniglia asep@horizonpta.org Co-VPs, Fundraising Jeannie Willoughby & Missy Kingora fundraising@horizonpta.org

VP, Spirit Sales Debbie Mulhearn spiritsales@horizonpta.org

Volunteer Coordinator Kristi Chillot volunteer@horizonpta.org

“Horizon Elementary School and PTA”

www.horizonpta.org

If you have not done so already, please consider joining out 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: www.lcps.org/Horizon.

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LOST AND FOUND

Horizon Elementary has areas designated for lost items such as lunch boxes, and clothing. Students that misplace their belongings can check in the Lost and Found that is located outside the music room. 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 secretary. Items that go unclaimed will be donated at the end of each quarter to a local charity.

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 2013-2014 SIP is in revision.

OFFICE REMINDERS

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 doctors 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. 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.

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, Principa,l at 571.434.3260 at least five working days prior to the activity.

HORIZON NOW ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER!

Visit Horizon's new 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 Tom Reed, At Large - thomas.reed@lcps.org

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Starting on Tuesday October 1st through the 25th, Horizon ES will be

collecting nonperishable food to benefit Loudoun Interfaith Relief for

Make a Difference Day 2013.

Last year, students across Loudoun County Public School collected

20,000 pounds of food to help feed those in need in Loudoun County!

Please bring into school canned fruit, veggies, chicken, tuna,

Chef Boyardee products, soup, mac & cheese, jelly & jam, & 100%

juice bottles .

(please no glass)

SATURDAY , OCTOBER 26, 2013 FROM 9AM TO 3PM

For Volunteer Opportunities for Students, Faculty & Staff on Saturday October 26th from 9am to 3pm, please call Loudoun Interfaith Relief at (703) 777-5911.

Loudoun Interfaith Relief is a 501C(3) nonprofit based in Leesburg, VA. Our mission is to feed those in need in

Loudoun County.

Contact the main office for more information on Food Collection!

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2013-14 SCHOOL CALENDAR For Students

September 3 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

October 14 Holiday (Columbus Day)

November 1 End of First Grading Period

November 4-5 Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Days)

November 27-29 Holiday (Thanksgiving)

December 23-31 WINTER BREAK

January 1 Holiday (New Year’s) (Classes Resume January 2)

January 20 Holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

January 24 End of Second Grading Period

January 27 MOVEABLE STUDENT HOLIDAY**

(Planning/Records/Conference Day)

February 17 Holiday (Presidents’ Day)

March 28 End of Third Grading Period

March 31 Student Holiday (Planning/Records/Conference Day)

April 14-18 SPRING BREAK

May 26 Holiday (Memorial Day)

June 13 Last Day of School for Students/End of Fourth Grading Period

**Parents with child-care or other weekday scheduling concerns – The date of this MOVEABLE Planning/Records/Conference and Staff Development Day between first and second semesters may change, if the school calendar changes due to school closings for inclement weather or other emergencies. Parents with childcare or other scheduling concerns should be prepared.

9 Week Grading Period Ending Dates

November 1, 2013

January 24, 2014

March 28, 2014

June 13, 2014

Schedule subject to change based on possible school closing due to inclement weather.

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Loudoun County Public Schools Parent Resource Center Fall2013Event Schedule

*Unless otherwise indicated, events are held at the

LCPS Administrative Building

21000 Education Court, Ashburn, 20148

Events will be cancelled when schools are closed or after school activities cancelled.

Call 571-252-2185 or go to www.lcps.org/prc to register. Titles are linked to event flyers.

Brunch Bunch at Paxton Campus

An opportunity for us to get together, discover resources and answer questions.

We will have the coffee ready, bring your own treats. No registration necessary.

10-11:30 am on the following dates: Wed. Oct. 16, Nov. 13, Dec. 11

*Note Location: Ally Advocacy Center Bldg. at 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg, 20176

Bright Life Initiative Presentation

Featuring a panel of students from Belmont Ridge MS, Stone Bridge and Tuscarora HS

Learn about this club/service organization of students with & without disabilities.

Wed, October 9, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Autism Series: Adolescent Issues

Topics Include Hygiene, Socialization, Fears, Behavior, Health & More

Thursday, October 24, 9-11 am (morning)

Promoting Positive Mealtimes

Causes and Strategies for Eating Challenges

Tuesday, November 7, 9-11 am (morning)

Social Media and Your Child on the Autism Spectrum or with a Developmental Disability

Tips and Tools for a Safer Online Experience for Your Child

Presented by Andrew McGahan, LCSW and Clinical Director at JSSA

Thursday, November 7, 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Autism Series: The Message of Behavior

Identifying and Analyzing the Communication Function of Behavior is Critical

Thursday, December 12, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm If due to a disability, you need assistance or an interpreter, call 571-252-2185 7 days before an event.

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Escuelas Públicas del Condado de Loudoun

Centro de Recursos para Padres

Horario de Eventos en Otoño 2013 *A no ser que sea indicado, los eventos se llevaran a cabo

En el edificio administrativo de “LCPS”

21000 Education Court, Ashburn, 20148

Los eventos serán cancelados al cerrar las escuelas o al cancelar actividades después de escuela.

Brunch Bunch” en el Campo de Paxton

Una oportunidad para reunirnos, descubrir recursos y contestar preguntas.

Nosotros tendremos el café listo, traiga sus propias golosinas

10-11:30 am: miércoles. Oct. 16, Nov. 13, Dic. 11

*Notar el lugar 601 Catoctin Circle NE, Leesburg, 20176

Presentación de Compañeritos “Brite Lite”

Con un panel de estudiantes de Belmont Ridge MS, Stone Bridge y Tuscarora HS

Aprenda sobre este club/organización de servicio de estudiantes con & sin discapacidades

Miércoles, 9 de octubre, 6:30 pm

Series de Autismo: Asuntos de Adolescencia

Los tópicos incluyen higiene, socialización, temores, comportamiento, salud & más

Jueves, 24 de octubre, 9-11 am (mañana)

Promoviendo Tiempos de Comida Positivos

Causas y estrategias de retos al comer

Martes, 7 de noviembre, 9-11 am (mañana)

Medios Sociales y su Hijo en el Espectro de Autismo o con Discapacidad de Desarrollo

Trucos y Herramientas para una Experiencia En Línea más Segura para su Hijo

Jueves, 7 de noviembre, 6:30 pm

Series de Autismo: El Mensaje de Comportamiento

Identificando y Analizando la Función de Comunicación del Comportamiento es crítico

Jueves, 12 de diciembre, 6:30 pm

Llamar al 571-252-2185 para matricularse o ir a www.lcps.org/prc. Para matricularse en línea presionar el título del taller.

Si debido a una discapacidad, usted necesita ayuda y/o intérprete, llamar al 571-252-2185 7 días antes del evento.

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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 child/children.

1. Car drop off is to the east side of the building. Pull all the way up in the circle to allow as many cars into the circle 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! We need to have as many cars pull forward so that traffic does not back up on Broadmore Dr.

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

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

4. Children should be able to exit or enter the car independently. Parents who have to assist their child/children should park in a designated parking spot in front of the school and walk the student across the crosswalk to the front entry of the school.

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Horizon Elementary Goes Green Parents/Guardians,

Please complete this form if you want to receive teacher, school, and PTA announcements in print form. If you do not provide us with the information it is assumed that you will be reading this information on our school website or from the Connect Ed emails.

Thank you for helping us save trees and preserve the environment.

Go Comets!

Jennifer Ewing

Principal

I would like to receive printed copies of all school related newsletters.

My children and their teachers are listed below:

Name _______________________________ Teacher ________________________________

Name _______________________________ Teacher ________________________________

Name _______________________________ Teacher ________________________________

Name _______________________________ Teacher ________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature ___________________________________________