Hózhó Academy Newsletter

August 12th-16th, 2024

Weekly Updates

First Week of School

Welcome Hózhó families, both new and returning! We are looking forward to another great year of learning!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the open house. We enjoyed seeing our families and students on campus again!

Planners and Binders: If you were not able to pick up planners and binders during the open house, you may send $10 in with your child to purchase them this week. Students in the elementary school may give money to their teachers. Students in upper school may purchase them from the admin office in their building.

Drop off: Any time after 7:45am and before 8:20am, students may be dropped off at the elementary playground. After 8:20am, students must be dropped off at the high school. Students must arrive at school by 8:30am to be considered on time.

Pick up: We have introduced new dismissal procedures with the aim of making dismissal quicker and safer for our students and families. Most bus riders will be dismissed at 3:25 and load onto the buses at 3:30. Elementary students needing to meet older siblings will dismiss with the bus riders and meet their siblings at the northwest corner of the gym.

Elementary students being picked up will be with their teacher on the track West of the elementary school. Cars at the sports complex will start being sent to the elementary school when the buses have completed loading (approximately 3:37).

Elementary parents choosing to walk their students to a parked vehicle may meet their students by the track at 3:35. There will be no dismissals from the office after 3:00 PM.

High school bus riders will be dismissed at 3:25. Junior high school buses will arrive to the bus area at 3:29. Junior high students will transfer to their buses or walk to the high school for pick-up. High school students being picked up will be released at 3:30.

During the first five school days dismissal may take longer than normal. It is a complex process involving 750 students and dozens of staff members. Your patience and understanding is appreciated as we refine the process.

* Extreme weather: During hazardous or extreme weather elementary students will be called by radio from their classroom as we have done in the past.

After-school Clubs and Fitness: Information on after-school activities will be coming soon!

Uniforms: 11th grade students may wear the same uniform as last year or they may choose some new options which include khaki pants and button down white shirts, navy sweaters etc... All other uniform shirts will remain the same. Please do not send students in tight leggings or sweatpants.

In some cases, families are still waiting for uniforms from Sportsworld. Students who do not have uniforms will be given alternate choices until all uniform orders have been fulfilled.

If you have a rental uniform from last year that still fits, keep it. If it no longer fits, please return it to the school’s front office. Shoes are part of the uniform. Students must be in athletic closed-toe shoes and ready for PE every day. Sandals and boots, etc. are too dangerous for PE.

Attendance: Daily attendance is critical for student success. For junior high and high school students, we strictly enforce prompt attendance to class. Any tardiness to class will be addressed. Please note that attendance can impact enrollment. If students miss 10 days in a row, they are considered disenrolled.

Detention and Saturday School: Students in 7-11th grade who do not complete homework assignments, may be given lunch detention to complete this work. In some cases, students may be given after-school or Saturday school detention.

Cell phones and smartwatches: Please remember students may not have cell phones out at any time during the school day. This also applies when students are riding on buses. Cell phones must be silenced and in the student's backpack during the school day. Students with smartwatches or other internet or texting/calling devices must refrain from using those features during the school day. If students use watches or other devices to text, make calls, take photos, or access the internet while on Hozho property during the school day, the item will be confiscated, and parents will be contacted.

If you have questions, please reach out to our front office at (505) 722-8922.