Horizon High School

Welcome to the 2022 - 2023 school year! On behalf of our teachers, staff, and administration, I want you to know that we are excited to share in the upcoming school year with each of you. We want to extend a special welcome to our incoming 9th graders (Class of 2026!) and all students that will be attending Horizon for the first time this school year! You picked a GREAT place to attend high school!

To walk the halls of HHS on any given day and witness incredible instruction from our teachers, determination in learning from our students, and the willingness of support staff to serve our school each day is something I do not take for granted. Our school was founded on the core values of collaboration, integration, inclusion, and communication. If you were to walk the halls with me, you would see students working in collaboration as their teachers give the highest-quality of instruction, oftentimes integrating content from other curricular areas but specifically integrating English Language Arts and Social Studies. You would also witness teachers collaborating and planning lessons together in our staff centers, students being welcomed into classrooms and finding safe spaces to learn, and all around, you would witness effective communication through the physical and organizational structures of #HawkNation. Our teachers and staff members take time to connect with our students and with each other because we know that caring connections are crucial to the learning environment. Lastly, you would see students involved in the life of #HawkNation far beyond the classroom. Our students experience the community of HHS at a much greater level when they get involved with athletics, clubs, and activities. That’s my ask of our parents this school year -- please encourage your students to get involved! The high school experience is so much more meaningful and rewarding when students experience it two-fold through academics and athletics/activities!

Our administrative team, teachers, and staff look forward to connecting with our students, parents, and #HawkNation community in the school year ahead. It is a great day (and exciting time!) to be a Hawk, where we take pride in serving #EveryStudentEveryDay!

See you all very soon!

Erica Fleeman

p.s. -- To stay connected, please consider following us on social media at:

Facebook - @HorizonHighHawks

Instagram- @hhshawknation, @horizonhawksad, @hhs_studgov

Twitter- @HHSHawkNation, @HorizonHawksAD

Erica Fleeman- Principal

Terra Paul- Assistant Principal/Activities Director

Lisa Saunar- Assistant Principal

Marty Tonjes- Assistant Principal/Athletic Director

Cassidy Gussman A - F

Nicole Ward G- M

Ralph Garcia N-Z

Dean Secretary: Brittany Mekelburg - 720-972-4413

Counseling Secretary: Paula Rhoads - 720-972-4423

Mrs. Rossing - School Psychologist

Mrs. Morganfield - School Psychologist

Click on the link below for a list of important dates:

IMPORTANT DATES

All comprehensive high schools in Adams 12 will start the school day at 7:40 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) requires all schools to provide a minimum number of instructional hours during the school year. Each year, schools and school districts must calculate these hours of opportunity during the school year. As part of this annual review, it has become necessary to increase the high school day by five minutes. Currently, all Ad12 high schools meet the CDE requirements. When school cancellations occur due to inclement weather or other unexpected closures, these hours must be subtracted from the yearly total. When we experience multiple days of closure, we can potentially fall below the required hours. Adding five minutes per day will allow for a greater cushion and prevent any school from needing to make up time by eliminating in-service days, requiring all students to attend on testing days, and/or adding days to the end of the school year. Morning bus pick-up and drop-off times for school transportation will not change.

The day will begin at 7:40 a.m. and end at 1:00 p.m. (just like a Wednesday will be in future weeks of the school year), and students will report to the HHS Gym upon arrival. A light lunch will be provided for students from 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. in our school’s courtyard, and bus transportation will only be available for students with special needs.

The purpose of the orientation is to: Help students become familiar with the building, meet students and staff, and transition into high school. Students will be involved in the following activities: welcome assembly, meeting staff and administration, activities to orient them to high school, building tours, and what it means to be a Hawk.

New students in 10th – 12th grades should arrive at 10:30 a.m. for lunch and the mini-schedule, if they would like to attend.

Back to School Night will be on Tuesday, August 16th, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. The purpose of this event is to allow for parents/students to meet their teachers before the first day of school, gain a stronger understanding of the school’s physical layout, and simulate through the student’s schedule to learn more about each class. **PLEASE have your student’s schedule on hand for the mini-schedule. You may access it through the parent portal of Infinite Campus.

High School students do not have a detailed school supply list, but instead, your student needs to come prepared for class each day with plenty of pens and pencils, their Adams 12 Chromebook. From there, they can decide what they will need based on the instructions from teachers on the first few days of school. Students must have their Adams12 Chromebook with them each day for school.

As you may have heard, breakfast and lunches will no longer be free for all students. We will return to our pre-covid service schedule at Horizon which means breakfast will no longer be served through the cafeteria. We will however open our Hawk Haven Cafe once the school year gets under way.

Lunch will be served starting 4th hour and will end 15 minutes into 7th hour.

Students will need to either scan or type their student ID number when they go through the line.

2022-2023 Lunch Price: $4.00.

Per Adams 12 District Policy #6230 (Instructional Materials, School-Based Approval), the AP Biology class would like to approve The Serengeti Rules by Sean Carroll for use this academic year. This book explains the common regulatory feedback mechanisms of cellular biology and ecology. Understanding the regulation and maintenance of living systems, at both the organism and ecosystem level, is a fundamental standard found in the Next Generation Science Standards and the College Board AP Biology Essential Understandings.

The following is praise for the book written by one of the preeminent biologist of our time, Dr. Edward O. Wilson of Harvard University:

“The Serengeti Rules is a superb journey of a book written by a scientist of the first rank. Unfolding seamlessly from molecule to ecosystems, it explains with authority and grace why modern biology is central not just to human life but to that of the planet itself.”

The book will be on display in the front office for anyone who wishes to check it out on the following days: August 29 - September 12, 2022.

The Adams 12 dress code policy has changed slightly and hats and caps are now allowed for student use. Hoods of sweatshirts and hoodies are still prohibited (see 3.4 in policy #5060). Please be mindful of all aspects of the dress code as your students prepare to attend school.

Horizon has a modified closed campus. Grades 11 & 12 have an open campus. The campus is closed for 9th grade students. 10th grade students have the opportunity to earn the right to leave campus by earning a minimum of 6 credits toward graduation by the end of their 9th grade year. Check in with the main office verification. 11th and 12th grade students taking 9th and 10th grade students off campus will lose their parking privileges. Students must go to the Student Center if they do not have a class. Permission to leave campus will be granted for verified work, emergencies, confirmed appointments and school sponsored activities. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) requesting their student to leave campus for an appointment are to call the Attendance Office at least an hour before they can leave campus. (720) 972-4597

• Monday, August 22nd through Friday, August 26th the Deans and Administration will be visiting students in their core classes to give a presentation. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce the administrators and deans to students so they feel comfortable when they need to access one of them as well as make sure all students hear the same message in regards to student behavior on and off campus.

ATTENDANCE POLICY (District Policy 5020) (Spanish: District Policy 5020) In addition to the District Policy for attendance, the following are specific Horizon High School Attendance policies and procedures:

*Teachers will be taking attendance within the first 10 minutes of each class period.*

Parents/guardians are expected to take an active role in monitoring the attendance and academic progress of their student. We strongly encourage utilizing Infinite Campus, the district’s internet-based student information system.

Parents/ guardians are asked to call the Attendance Office (720)972-4597 on the day of or within 48 hours of the absence to excuse the student for that full day. Refer to District Policy 5020 for excused absences. Pre-arranged absences may be called in at any time prior to the absence.

Attempts will be made daily utilizing the automated calling system to inform parents/guardians of absences. Therefore, it is important that the Attendance Office is provided an accurate phone number that can receive these calls. You can update contact information online or by calling Ruth Cummings @ 720-972-4430

A student’s Dean will be notified weekly when the student has had two or more unexcused absences recorded for the previous week. Consequences assigned for truancy vary and could include the following: ● Student/Dean Conference ● District Attendance Hearing ● District Discipline Hearing. Students with excessive absences risk entering non-student status resulting in withdrawal from school.

After these 5 excused absences have been accrued, documentation must be provided (i.e. a doctor’s note or court order) or contact must be made with an administrator. Non-medical absences must be excused by an administrator. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain an attendance printout signifying changes resulting from appeals and to notify teachers accordingly.

Extended absences (more than 3 days) for non-family emergencies such as vacations are discouraged and can impact student learning and academic performance, especially those at the end of a grading period. Please complete the extended absences form and share the document with your students teacher’s to ensure your student has received work expectations prior to leaving.

Parents: please make sure your Infinite Campus Parent Portal account is active. We will communicate with you regarding your student's academic progress through IC. At the end of each grading term, report cards will be available through the IC parent portal. You will also be able to check your student's grades at any time during the semester using IC.

If you have questions or need assistance please contact Ruth Cummings in the counseling office at (720) 972-4430.

You can also download Infinite Campus app on your phone.

Just a reminder, in order for students to travel for any type of field trips, school or athletic event (i.e. class field trips, sport trips, cheer/poms competitions) all outstanding or current fees must be paid. Students with an account balance in Infinite Campus cannot attend until paid or a payment plan is in place. We will work with families on setting up payment plans to pay monthly using a credit card which you will need to approve to be on file and charged monthly until all fees are cleared. Once the first payment is made your child will be released to attend events.

As a reminder surplus balance on a student's account in Infinite Campus will be applied to any outstanding fees. Any remaining balances will be refunded per District Policy 5630. (See Refund Policy)

Please reference your IC Parent Portal account for your student's fees. Payforit.net is not always accurate as this is a 3rd party payment website the district contracts through. All fees are assigned to your student in Infinite Campus.

Please go to the following link and fill out in which you are interested in:

Volunteer Form

Parents:

• Are you looking for a way to become involved in your child’s education?

• Would you like to have chance to talk directly with the Principal about educational issues?

• Are you interested in learning more about HHS and our district?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions,

The HIT team needs parents and community members to be involved in the ongoing process of establishing long-term goals and problem solving to support the Horizon’s vision for student learning. Much of this team’s work will address issues and challenges that face Horizon and our district.

Meeting dates for 2022-2023 are planned for:

September: 9/12/2022

October: 10/10/2022

November: 11/7/2022

December: 12/12/2022

January: 1/9/2023

February: 2/13/2023

March: 3/13/2023

April: 4/10/2023

May: 5/8/2023

Please contact Lisa Saunar @ sau011169@adams12.org if you are interested.

WHAT IS HHS PA&AG?

The Horizon High School Parent Athletic & Activities Group is a parent-based volunteer organization that works to benefit the entire school including all student organizations, clubs, arts, sports, and student classes.

Earnings are made from concessions, fundraising, and merchandise sales that are supported solely by parent and student volunteers. Some examples of items that we have helped finance:

Uniforms, Ice Machine, Scoreboards, Equipment, Bleachers, Chairs, Conferences, JV Baseball Filed, T-shirts, Sound Equipment, Tubas, Achievement Boards for State Competitions, Band Trailer, Honor Roll, etc.

WE WANT YOU TO JOIN US!!!

• Very low time commitment—all levels of participation are welcome!

• Stay informed and be involved with HHS and the activities of our students

• Share your opinions and HAVE FUN!!!

For details, please contact our Booster Sponsor, Marty Tonjes at 720-972-4406

MEETING DATES FOR

September 20, 2022 at 6:00pm

October 18, 2022 at 6:00pm

November 15, 2022at 6:00pm

December -TBD

January 17, 2023 at 6:00pm

February 21, 2023 at 6:00pm

March 21, 2023 at 6:00pm

April 18, 2023 at 6:00pm

May 16, 2023 at 6:00pm

FALL SPORTS 2022/23:

Cross Country (Co-ed)

Football

Golf (Boys)

Gymnastics (Hosted by Thornton High School)

Soccer (Boys)

Softball

Tennis

Volleyball (Girls)

Winter Sports 2022/23

Basketball (Boys)

Basketball (Girls)

Swimming (Girls)

Diving (Girls)

Wrestling

Spring Sports 2022/23

Baseball (Boys)

Diving (Boys)

Golf (Girls)

Soccer (Girls)

Swimming (Boys)

Tennis (Girls)

Track (Boys)

Lacrosse (Girls) Hosted by Mountain Range High School

Lacrosse (Boys) Hosted by Mountain Range High School

• ANIME...........................................................................................................LEXI HOFFMANN
• ART/NAHS........................................................................................LIZ GRIFFIN/SUZI MELLY
• BAND...............................................................................................TIM DAILEY/ALEX DURAN
• BATTLE OF THE BOOKS
• CHEERLEADING..................................................SAMANTHA LEMON/ HAYLEY HAMMANG
• CHESS.........................................................................................................RYAN HARGRAVES
• CHOIR.......................................................................................................JAY GOODMANSON
• DECA............................................................................JUSTIN SCHRADER/JILL VALENTINE
• DRAMA CLUB/THESPIAN CLUB...................................BRITTANY WALLIS/KELSEY MORSE
• FASHION CLUB......................................................................................................SUZI MELLY
• FBLA....................................................................................................................SCOTT WILKE
• FCCLA............................................................................................................EMILY MCCLOUD
• FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES
• FRENCH NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY...............................................GINGER ZANCANELLA
• FRESHMAN CLASS
• GAPP............................................................................................................JASON HERRMAN
• GERMAN NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY.....................................................JASON HERRMAN
• GREEN AND CLEAN
• GSA.............................................................................................................CARIANNE ADAMS
• JUNIOR CLASS.....................................................MELISSA HERNANDEZ/ AUSTIN ROGERS
• KNOWLEDGE BOWL.....................................................................................LEXI HOFFMANN
• LINK CREW......................................................................LEXI HOFFMANN/NANCY KATHAN
• NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY................................................................................KIELA ROSS
• NEWSPAPER................................................................................................TATIANNA DEPAZ
• ORCHESTRA........................................................................................................ALEX DURAN
• PHOTO CLUB.........................................................................................................SUZI MELLY
• PING PONG.......................................................................................................ANDY BANDOS
• PROGRESSIVE POLITICS....................................................................................LANCE BOYD
• POMS......................................................................SANTANA TRUJILLO / RAINY JENNINGS
• ROBOTICS......................................................................................................AUSTIN SPRENG
• SENIOR CLASS.......................................................................TINA WALTERS / SARAH GRAF
• SOCIEDAD HONORARIA HISPÁNICA........STACY MUENZENMAYER/ LAURA VAN ROEKEL
• SOPHOMORE CLASS.....................................................NOAH STARBUCK/ LAUREN HOOTS
• STUDENT GOVERNMENT..............................................................................MALORIE BOYES
• ULTIMATE FRISBEE.......................................................................................STEVE WINDESS
• UNIFIED CLUB...............................................................................................MOLLY UNDERLY
• WATER POLO
• WEIGHT ROOM/WEIGHTLIFTING..................................................................BARTON JOULE
• YEARBOOK.........................................................................................................ALISON ROOT