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Horizon West Middle School |
HWMS Community Member,
I hope all of our Hornets and their families stayed safe the last few days during our inclement weather and school closures. The District will continue to update us on any information regarding any impact on school operations.
The end of the first quarter is rapidly approaching. As a reminder, any missing assignments from quarter one must be turned in by the end of today, Sept. 30th. Please communicate with your teacher via Canvas with any questions.
I want to thank all of our parents and community that attended our Open House event. We hope that this opportunity served as a time for you to gain a great insight on the rigorous instruction your child is receiving here at Horizon West.
On September 23rd, we had a guest speaker Marc Mero, former WWE Wrestling Champion and Founder of Champion of Choices. He shared stories of his prior wrestling career and also his personal story of overcoming insurmountable obstacles throughout his life to achieve success. Marc Mero's enthusiasm was contagious as he empowered and encouraged our students to make positive choices and to work hard to achieve their goals! This special presentation was sponsored by our amazing PTSO and SAC! Thank you to both our PTSO and SAC!!
Just a reminder that Friday, October 7th is a Teacher Workday/Student Holiday.
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Thank you very much for reading and I hope this edition finds you and your family safe in the storm's aftermath.
Sincerely,
Michelle Thomas
Proud Principal
Pictured very top: The boys’ and girls’ soccer teams have had a great season! Playoffs will start the week of October 3rd. The schedule will be released once the brackets have been created.
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8200 Tattant Drive
Orlando, FL 37486
(407) 554-1570
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Hurricane Ian aftermath tips & information for our
Horizon West Community
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Orange County Public Schools
Click here for post storm updates on the OCPS website.
Hurricane aftermath aid information and eligibility:
OUC
Use your mobile device to text OUT to 69682 (myOUC). You'll receive updates via text about the outage cause and estimated time of restoration. Use the 24-hour outage reporting line by calling 407-423-9018.
Duke Energy
Click here to see Duke Energy’s Florida outage map.
You can reach Duke Energy at 800-769-3766.
Click here for Duke Energy outage restoration text updates
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FPL
Click here for FPL outage restoration text updates
Reminder to our Horizon West families on scammers:
Please be aware that scammers may approach you either at home in the way of unlicensed contractors regarding repair work or through phone calls from supposed insurance company claims agents.
Tips to avoid Contractor fraud:
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Tips to avoid Insurance fraud after a disaster: |
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Be leery of unsolicited calls. Companies should not call you unsolicited requesting personal information or ask you to verify details of your insurance coverage.
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Do not trust the caller ID. While the name and number may appear to be that of an insurance company, it may be a scam artist attempting to obtain your personal insurance information.
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Purchase and make changes to your insurance policy through a licensed insurance agent or your insurance company directly. Verify identity before making any payments or providing personal information.
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Storm aftermath resources: |
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Visit 211.org Every Florida county has a local 211 site to help families with needed resources as well as how to later reach family members once communications are back up.
State of Florida Disaster Fund:
The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
Click here more information or to make a FDF donation.
Hurricane Ian among the most powerful storms in U.S. history:
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Only 32 hurricanes have made landfall as a category 4 storm or higher in the continental U.S. since record began in 1851 (10.6%). Category 5 starts at a wind speed of 157 miles per hour, putting Ian's 150 miles per hour winds at the upper threshold of category 4 and the fourth-strongest to ever hit Florida together with Hurricane Charley in 2004 (also 150 mph).
(More people are killed in the aftermath of the storm, especially during cleanup.)
Includes tips for:
- General safety tips
- Mold
- Hygiene & Preventing Diseases
- Potential hazards
- Special section just on hurricane aftermath issues
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Sept. 30: Schools Closed (Hurricane Ian)
Sept. 30: Any missing student assignments from the 1st quarter due
Oct. 1: Start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
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Oct. 3: Soccer playoffs begin
Oct. 5: School Spirit Day! (Wear school colors)
Oct. 7: No school for students (Teacher workday)
Oct. 10: Volleyball tryouts
Oct. 12: No early dismissal this Wednesday
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Oct. 15: Last day of National Hispanic Heritage Month
Oct. 18: Fall Chorus Concert
Oct. 18: School Advisory Council meeting
Oct. 28: HWMS Boys Chorus performs at the Orlando Magic game
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Hornet reminder about Wednesday Spirit Days . . . |
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Meet our new Superintendent of Schools!
Dr. Maria Vazquez
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Pictured from left to right: Assistant Principal Hargrett, Superintendent Vazquez, Assistant Principal Flanagan, and Area Superintendent Cannon-Brown |
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The Superintendent and Area Superintendent also met with our three guidance counselors: Ms. Ferrand, Ms. Cosme and Ms. Stepp! |
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Dr. Vazquez now prepares a very short weekly video message on important school district topics for all of our families. Please click here to view her latest message from Monday, September 26th.
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Congratulations to our Students of the Week! |
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6th Grade-
Arthur Dos Santos
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Nominated by Mrs. Rodgers
“I nominated Arthur because he is a student who is always willing to try something new and participate in class. He is willing to help others with activities and always has a positive attitude in class.”
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6th Grade-
Ana Julia Bessa
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Nominated by Ms. Hamaric
“Ana Julia has been making efforts to improve her performance in class. She is friendly and helpful to her peers. She always has a positive attitude in class!”
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7th Grade-
Karelyz Serrano
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Nominated by Mrs. Logan
“Karelyz always has a smile on her face and is willing to go the extra mile to keep the cafeteria clean. It is greatly appreciated and does not go unnoticed!”
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Nominated by Mrs. Aulerich
“Sofia is a very kind and bright young lady. She works very hard in school and her success has shown that.”
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8th Grade-
Shriya Bhaskaran
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Nominated by Mr. Skodnik
“Shriya is an amazing student who strives for the best in everything she does. She always believes that she can achieve anything. She is a very sweet and generous student. She is an amazing student for any teacher to have because she works hard, she is kind, and she keeps everyone motivated to be their best.”
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Nominated by Mrs. Stanley
“Katie is a kind and helpful person. She is always respectful and willing to go the extra mile! She is a good friend and role model for other students.”
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Congratulations to our “Hornet of the Week”
Mr. Wilson, 7th Grade Civics
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Mr. Wilson was nominated by Mr. Spangler: |
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I nominate Mr. Wilson, 7th grade Civics teacher. I asked all of my students in the 7th grade and 8th grade who I should nominate for Hornet of the Week. I had so many different responses! However, Mr. Wilson’s name came up more than any other teacher for both my 7th grade and 8th grade students.
The reasons cited by the students were:
- Mr. Wilson is nice, funny and has the best vibes.
- He makes learning easy and teaches students in a way that they can understand.
- He uses all kinds of different activities that connect to other subjects to engage his students to learn Civics and History.
- He makes it so that students want to come to his class.
Once you put this all together, it is easy to see why Mr. Wilson is this week’s Hornet of the Week!
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Please visit our website - https://www.hornetsptso.org/ to order Spirit Gear, apply to volunteer, donate and see about upcoming events! And please remember that Wednesdays are Spirit Days! Wear you blue, yellow, and black! |
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Volleyball tryouts begin on October 10th. |
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Girls volleyball team in action during the 2021 season |
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A current physical packet must be turned in prior to tryouts in order to participate. Open gym for boys’ volleyball will be after-school on Oct. 3 and for girls after-school on Oct. 5 for those interested in trying out for the team. The open gym is not required to participate in tryouts Oct. 10th. A completed physical packet must be on file to participate in open gym. Physical forms are available on the school website under Athletics. |
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Horizon West Alumni Visit |
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Coach Ryan welcomed back former HWMS 2022 basketball players to come see their County Champions Banner that was recently hung in our gymnasium! |
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Horizon West Performing Arts |
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Come see our “Game of Tiaras” Play
October 12th and October 13th
5:30 PM in HWMS Cafe
Tickets on Sale Now! Click on link below:
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Boys Chorus to perform at the Orlando Magic game on Oct. 28: |
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The Horizon West Middle Boys Chorus will be performing during the Pre-Game show at the Magic basketball game (Orlando Magic vs. Charlotte Hornets) on Friday, October 28th! After the performance, we will all be able to stay and watch the basketball game. Discounted tickets are being sold to anyone that has the link!
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Happenings Around Campus . . . |
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Club Rush took place on Friday, September 16th. It was a successful event with many students signing up for different clubs offered through our Boys & Girls Club after-school program! |
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Art Club / After school board games fun! |
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6th Grade Science Lab with Mrs. Nkich |
Students in Mrs. Nkich’s 6th grade Science classes investigated and described the types of forces through four lab stations. The nearby pictures show students investigating friction and gravitational forces along with students investigating magnetic force. |
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Calculus Project with Ms. Rea and Ms. Hockersmith |
We are so proud of all of the Calc-Project students who are attending morning tutoring with Ms. Rea and Ms. Hockersmith! |
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Special Assembly with Marc Mero |
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Motivational speaker Marc Mero inspired our students with his life story and encouraged us to make positive choices in our own lives! Thank you to our PTSO and SAC for sponsoring this special assembly! |
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National Hispanic Heritage Month |
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For Hispanic Heritage month, 3D art students in Ms. Mullings' classes are exploring the influence of Mexican culture and the history of the sombrero before creating their own versions using paper. The completed sombreros are now on display in the Media Center! |
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After School Zone / Mega Mornings |
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The SAC Committee met in September and discussed ways the committee could support the students of HWMS. The next SAC meeting will be on Tuesday, October 18th at 4:30 in the Media Center. |
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Closing Image of the Week! |
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Our school bookkeeper, Jodi Lenkel, and SGA students Luisa Munhoz, Catarina Santos, and Jayden Paul selling HWMS swag at our Open House. (In the picture they are holding up our HWMS laptop computer sleeves.) Thank you again to all of our families that turned out! |
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Please remember to visit ocps.net for the latest post storm district news. I am looking forward to seeing all of our Hornets back at school next week!
Ms. Thomas, Principal
Horizon West Middle School
Friday, September 30, 2022
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Horizon West Leadership Team |
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This communication may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure, and intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please note that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Anyone who receives this message in error should notify the sender immediately by telephone or by return e-mail, and delete the message from their computer and any printout thereof. Please note that OCPS utilizes spam and junk e-mail filtration applications in its e-mail systems. That filtering process may prevent or delay delivery of certain e-mail communications. If you do not receive a timely response to an e-mail communication, please contact the intended recipient by phone. |
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Copyright Notice
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.
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