Dear Families, Faculty and Community,

At Horizons at SFFS we are committed to eliminating barriers and creating real pathways to success for each and every one of our students, regardless of demographics or background. Our values of equity, opportunity, and community are at the heart of this mission. 

Today's divisive political environment challenges us to defend and uphold these values amidst widespread uncertainty and cuts to programs and resources for the most vulnerable amongst us. We remain dedicated to protecting and celebrating our youth, building on their strengths, and helping them reach their dreams.   

Every summer, Horizons welcomes our caring, hardworking students, families, volunteers, and faculty to San Francisco Friends School. Our students learn to read and swim. They learn that they are safe and that they matter. They learn that they have the power and courage to create positive change in their own lives and in the world around them. 

We are deeply grateful for the kindness, conviction, and generosity of the Horizons at SFFS community. Your support at this critical time makes our work possible.

Sincerely,
Abby Rovner, Founding Executive Director                                              
Dan Hirsch and Andrew McNaught,  Board Co-Clerks
Plans and Partnerships for Summer 2017
Summer 2017 at Horizons will include hands-on academic projects, exciting enrichment opportunities, healthy meals and weekly field trips from Dolores Park to the Exploratorium. Each grade's exploration of Horizons' 2017 theme will culminate in an annual end-of-program celebration and student exhibition on August 4. Our K-2nd graders will continue to swim at  Mission Pool and, for the first time, our 3rd graders will go swim at the Embarcadero YMCA. Horizons 1st-3rd graders will also participate in dance, music and art classes taught by professional arts educators from Nagata Dance and the SF Community Music Center while our kindergarten students will enjoy a broad range of weekly cultural and athletic "specials" taught by SFFS faculty and staff volunteers.
Horizons loves our students, families and community partners!
Horizons at SFFS will serve 68 K-3rd grade children this summer! All students qualify for free and reduced price lunch, most are bilingual, and, by design, ⅔ are below grade level when they enter the program.

We're thrilled that 100% of last year's students will return this summer. They will be joined by two new 1st graders, one new 3rd grader, and 17 new kindergarteners from Marshall Elementary, Buena Vista and Mission Prep! We have heard much feedback from the teachers and administrators at these partner schools about the positive progress our students have made, and also about the vast need for programs like Horizons for the many low-income and struggling students in their communities.
We keep students and families connected and learning all year 
Horizons provides tutoring to our highest need students, as well as hands-on family learning activities throughout the school year.  In April, families participated in the annual Earth Day Book Swap at SFFS, where they received free bilingual children's books and snuggled bunnies from Animal Care and Control. At events in May and early June, we will welcome returning and new families to the program and administer pre-assessments of our students' reading and math skills.
Our Team is Growing!
Horizons is now fully staffed for the summer, with six returning staff, six new ones and 12 SFFS alum volunteers. In July, we will also be joined by an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer, who will work full time on capacity building projects for a year.

A fond farewell to founding members Laura Monterosso and Sophie Ziegler as they roll off of the Horizons Board this Spring. We are so grateful for their leadership and support during Horizons' first three summers! We are also delighted and proud to welcome Rocky Koplik and Laura Fontana to the Board for 2017/18.

For more information about Horizons at SFFS Board and staff, please check out the program's "Who We Are" page.
Come Visit Us This Summer!

We look forward to seeing you this summer!  If you would like to schedule a visit, please contact Executive Director Abby Rovner.

We'll be posting lots of pictures and updates to Horizons Facebook page all summer too, so make sure to follow us there. Thank you for helping us continue to spread the word and build support as Horizons at SFFS grows!
On May 17, 2017, Horizons at SFFS will again join forces with over 50 Horizons programs across the country for an annual, nationwide digital  Horizons Giving Day. The goal of Giving Day is to raise awareness about summer learning loss and $1.2 million across the Horizons network (!!). There's also a fun competition to see which Horizons programs can raise the most money in 24 hours, with prizes awarded throughout the day.  Please join us for a special Horizons Giving Day happy hour at Slate on May 17th and help us spread the word by liking and sharing our Giving Day posts on  Facebook and  Twitter!  
Horizons at San Francisco Friends School | 415-565-0400 | a[email protected] | http://www.sffriendsschool.org/horizons
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