The Hornets Buzz
Friday, Sept. 2, 2022
Horizon West Middle School
HWMS Community Member,

We are well into the first nine weeks of the 2022-2023 School Year. It has been wonderful seeing all our students back on campus. We are all getting adjusted to our new learning environments and we can see that our students are doing very well in their classes. Please remember your student’s teacher is always your first line of contact. If you need any assistance with classwork or grades, our teachers are here to help. You also have your grade level dean and counselor who can be of assistance to you. 

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our upcoming Open House, Thursday, September 22nd. More information regarding our Open House event will be forthcoming! We look forward to seeing you all that evening!

To encourage school spirit, we would like to have all our students participate in weekly school spirit days. For the months of August-October, each Wednesday is designated for Horizon West Middle School Colors or HWMS school spirit shirts. Wear your favorite HWMS shirt or represent by wearing school colors of yellow gold, black and royal blue! Friday are designated for Collegiate or NFL shirts! Wear your favorite college or university shirt or your favorite NFL shirt! 

This year, student must have a consent form on file in order to receive health services, screenings, such as vision. Families must complete the consent form online. Please follow directions below to assess the consent forms. Once you have these completed in Skyward, the student’s records will indicate the form has been completed and can receive services. A link will be sent to parent’s email if you have one on file on how to access the form.


We are all here as a community to navigate through this new school year. We are all in this together and we are very lucky to be part of such a supportive community.

#ThrivingHornets

Sincerely,

Michelle Thomas
Proud Principal

Pictured very top: Hands on Science in the classroom! Student’s in Ms. Rifenberg's 7th grade Science classes were busy trying to solve “The Case of the Missing Mascot!” Students worked together to collect inferences and observations to see which 7th grade teacher took Hugo the Hornet!
Reminder- NO SCHOOL on Monday, September 5th
Useful Links
Connect with HWMS
8200 Tattant Drive
Orlando, FL 37486
(407) 554-1570
Hornet Spirit!
August snapshots . . .
Sixth grade students Polina and Jordynn sporting their HWMS Spirit Gear!!
Students Natalia, Gunnar, and Rayan show their Hornet spirit!
"Bloom where you're planted"
Mrs. Moore, STEM & SGA teacher, spent time this summer painting her classroom for her students!
"Learn, imagine, believe" and "Keep going, keep growing"
Hornet Athletics
Our 2022-23 Boys Soccer Team!
Congratulations to our boys and girls with their first win against Lakeview Middle on Monday! 

Come cheer on our boys and girls soccer teams in their upcoming games!

ADMISSION: $2.00 Students, $3.00 Adults, CASH ONLY!!

Wednesday, 9/7: Bye
Monday, 9/12: HOME vs. Ocoee Middle
Wednesday, 9/14: HOME vs. Hamlin Middle
Monday, 9/19: HOME vs. Water Spring Middle
Wednesday, 9/21: HOME vs. Bridgewater Middle

Game times:
  • Monday games start at 5:30pm.
  • Wednesday games start at 5:00pm.
  • Girls play first, followed by boys.
Science Curriculum
More examples of hands-on Science in the classrooms!
Ms. Martinez’s 8th grade students using the scientific method to test which brand of paper towel is the most absorbent. 
In our STEM Lab students took on a Marshmallow challenge and grade 6 took the lead with a structure that was 29 inches tall. Pictured: Valentina, Anabella, and Manuela.
Eighth grade STEM students had to work on their communication skills and partnering together. One partner created a structure using the provided materials and they had to give their partner verbal instructions to recreate their structure. 
After School Zone / Mega Mornings
PTSO
PTSO General Meeting - Please join us!

September 19, 2022

5:30 PM

"Back to School Safety"

Special guest speakers discussing various safety Do's & Don'ts for our Hornets
Come visit our SPIRIT store! The Spirit store will be open on Friday, September 16th during school lunches!

A special thank you to all of our AWESOME PTSO parents who helped out during Picture Day!!
Student Health & Safety
Motorists: School is Back in Session and Your Awareness is Important to Students' Safety
Be alert and watch for children, especially near schools, bus stops, school buses and in school parking lots.
To keep students safe while driving:
• Be especially careful when children are present in school zones and residential areas and pay attention to lower speed limits in school zones.
• Watch for and obey signals from school crossing guards.
• Only drive or park in authorized areas to drop off or pick up children at school.
• All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn.
• On a highway divided by a paved median, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children AND the school bus stop arm is withdrawn. (see diagram, MULTI-LANE)
• The only time traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop, is if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic. (see diagram, DIVIDED HIGHWAY)

For your safety and the safety of others always use caution around pedestrians, school buses and bicyclists. Thank you very much for looking out for our young Hornets!
A group of parents put these signs out throughout their neighborhood to remind drivers to please be careful of the kids with school back in session.

Friday's Motivational Moment!
Wisdom To Live By
Bindi Irwin On Self Worth
To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.
~ Bindi Irwin, naturalist

Keanu Reeves On Awareness
The simple act of paying attention can take you a long way.
~ Keanu Reeves, actor

Arnold Palmer On Determination
I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win.
~ Arnold Palmer, golfer

Angela Duckworth On Grit
Enthusiasm is common. Endurance is rare.
~ Angela Duckworth, psychologist

Sir Richard Steele On Reading
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
~ Sir Richard Steele, playwright
Florida flag
Happy Labor Day!
Ms. Thomas, Principal
Horizon West Middle School
Friday, September 2, 2022
Social Media
Stay Connected with Us
Horizon West Leadership Team
Michelle Thomas - Principal - michelle.thomas@ocps.net
Nicole Hargrett - Assistant Principal - nicole.hargrett@ocps.net
Kevin Flanagan - Assistant Principal - kevin.flanagan@ocps.net
Brian Boland – Dean 6th Grade - brian.boland@ocps.net
Judy Logan - Dean 7th Grade - judy.logan@ocps.net
Danielle Riepe- Dean 8th Grade - danielle.riepe@ocps.net
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Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS-Horizon West Middle School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and OCPS-Horizon West Middle School. Please contact Ms. Tiffany Stanley at tiffany.stanley@ocps.net with any questions.