February 28, 2025

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

CMAS Information

“Written Expression” is something that is assessed on the English Language Arts CMAS test. Students meet expectations in this area by showing they can compose well-developed writing, using details from what they have read. Our school-wide writing style of Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) does a great job of preparing students to succeed in this area. Historically, our scores on Written Expression have been lower than other areas assessed. What we have learned is that 35-45% of HCMS students receive a score of zero. We know that this certainly is not an accurate measure of our students’ writing abilities. What we have learned from talking to students is that they at times leave this portion of the CMAS test blank. To help students demonstrate perseverance on the entire CMAS, especially the writing portion, we are asking that all community members talk with your students about the importance of trying on the entire assessment in April.

Some additional reminders:

• CMAS matters – A LOT!
• Our goal is 100% participation.
• Testing will occur from Monday April 7^th – Friday April 18^th (full schedule coming soon).
• Students whose families choose to opt out of testing will arrive to school after all tests for the day are completed. This will typically be near/after 10:30am.

If you have any questions about the CMAS Assessment, please contact Mrs. Shayna Buckman, Coordinator of Student Achievement, at sbuckman@cherrycreekschools.org.

Electives Registration – Last Chance!

On Monday, our 6^th & 7^th grade students completed a Google Elective Registration Form during Advisory based on the planning sheet they received last week. If your student was absent, please make sure they complete the appropriate Google Form today, Friday February 28^th, or as soon as possible. Below are links to the Google Forms and additional information. 

Parent Conferences – New Week

Our next and final round of in-person conferences are next Thursday morning from 8:00am – 11:30am. Feel free to drop-in to visit teachers in the gymnasiums. Teachers are also engaging in phone calls home to families. If you would like to speak with a teacher but cannot attend on Thursday morning, feel free to call/email them at any time.

No School Friday & Quarter 3 Grades

There is no school next Thursday or Friday. The following week is our last week before Spring Break. This means that grades are due in all classes. 

Thank you!

Brad

Dr. Brad Weinhold
Principal
Horizon Community Middle School
720.886.6101 (office)
720.767.2352 (cell)

Spring into Reading

HCMS Student Council is kicking off Spring into Reading—a schoolwide push to keep students motivated and excited about reading as we head into the final stretch of the school year! Reading regularly builds lifelong skills, fosters a love for books, and helps students feel confident for upcoming assessments like CMAS. Plus, during CMAS students can use any extra time to work on reaching their reading goals!

Students can join the fun with these reading-themed activities:

Bookmark Design Contest (2/21–3/3) – Create a unique bookmark! The winning design will be printed for the whole grade, and the artist will win a prize.

Pajama Reading Day (3/3) – Get cozy in your PJs and enjoy a relaxed reading session in ELA. Snacks will be provided by StuCo.

Book Review Prize Drawing (3/3–5/1) – Submit a book review for a chance to win a prize! Look for the QR code around school.

Shelfie & “Why We Read” Display (3/3–5/1) – Share a photo with your favorite book and why you love reading to be featured in our school display. Staff members will join in too! Bonus: It counts as an entry in the prize drawing!

We can’t wait to see HCMS students Spring into Reading!

25-26 Class Registration Information

CURRENT 6th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR 7th GRADE: Class of 2031

• Future 7th Grade Horizon Community Elective Registration Form for SY25-26
• For additional information, please click here.

CURRENT 7th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR 8th GRADE: Class of 2030

• Future 8th Grade Horizon Community Elective Registration Form for SY25-26
• For additional information, please click here.

QUESTIONS? 

Please contact Damien Dawson, Counseling Administrative Assistant, at 720-886-6250.

SHHS Football

Mark your calendars for our upcoming Parent Meeting for all incoming students interested in playing football in the fall. Please join us on March 26th @ 6:30 in the Smoky Hill Cafeteria. You do not want to miss this, as all registration information and scheduling will be released at this time. See you there! (Please email president@shtdc.org with any questions.)

It's not too late to sign up for our Spring Lifting Clinic, where middle school athletes will sweat, grind, and learn the ropes of proper weightlifting techniques. It’s not just about lifting weights; it’s about building strength and resilience alongside seasoned high school athletes and dedicated coaches who push you to your limits. Join us Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:15-5:30 PM, February 18 - March 14 & March 24 - April 6 at the SHHS Weight Room. This isn’t just a camp; it’s a chance to transform your game. Don’t let this opportunity slip away—Register here today! and step into the grind!

And for those looking to sharpen their skills over the summer, mark your calendars for our Summer Youth Skills Camp from June 24-26, 6-8 PM. This non-contact camp, led by Smoky Hill coaches and players, is open to kids entering grades 3 to 8. You’ll learn crucial skills, embrace teamwork, and dive into drills to prepare you for the season ahead. Don’t forget to register by June 1 to snag your camp t-shirt! 

February 21, 2025

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

Each year we recognize three HCMS students as Aurora Scholars. These students are selected based on their performance in school and their contributions to HCMS and our community, and they will attend a ceremony at the city-level in the spring. Please join me in recognizing the 24-25 HCMS Aurora Scholars Abdul Camara (6), Siifan Erbo (7), and Lenore Silva (8). Congratulations, students!

On Wednesday night, seven HCMS Orchestra students performed in the CCSD String-a-thon Festival at Thunder Ridge Middle School. String-a-thon is a district-wide festival that combines all middle school orchestra students into a large group. Congratulations to Alastor Benedict, Vianney Campos Medina, Mars Cole, Rosejane Contreras, Mahtab Hoseini, Evangeline Jones, and Hannah Jones. Way to rep HC!

Today in Advisory we played the first of several videos we will be making to motivate students for CMAS. I had some fun with the recording (and some help from a few of our students) – please ask your child about it! Throughout the next six weeks, we will continue to stress the importance of not only taking the test, but also trying hard for the full time on all sessions. Our students have elevated our school to new academic levels, and we want them to know how capable they are of achieving greatness.

CMAS will be spread over a two-week period starting on Monday, April 7^th. Tests will mostly occur in the mornings, with shortened classes for the remainder of the days. Our goal is to reach 100% participation – please help us make this happen! Students whose families choose to opt out of testing will arrive to school after all tests for the day are completed. 

Elective registration for our current 6^th & 7^th graders began this week. Students watched a registration video and received a planning sheet during Advisory on Friday. Please take some time this weekend to discuss this planning sheet with your student and help them decide their elective preferences for next year. On Monday, February 24^th, students will complete a Google Registration Form during Advisory based on their planning sheet. See below for additional information.

Thank you!

Brad

Dr. Brad Weinhold
Principal
Horizon Community Middle School
720.886.6101 (office)
720.767.2352 (cell)

CCSD Voices of Color Meeting

The CCSD VOICES of Color engages community members in meaningful and effective partnerships that lead to positive outcomes for all students, but more specifically, students of color. Please join for this month’s district-level opportunity:

When: Wednesday, February 26, 2025 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Where: Smoky Hill HS Library – 16100 E. Smoky Hill Rd Aurora, CO 80015

Topic: Language Support and Services

Please note, child care will be provided as well as interpreter services for our Spanish speaking families. For other language interpretation, please submit a request to the email address below at least five days prior to the meeting. Additionally, District VOICES of Color meetings are not recorded nor live streamed. If you have any questions or concerns, please email CCSDEquity@cherrycreekschools.org. For more information about District Voices of Color visit the Cherry Creek School District website: https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/Page/12789.

Spring into Reading

HCMS Student Council is kicking off Spring into Reading—a schoolwide push to keep students motivated and excited about reading as we head into the final stretch of the school year! Reading regularly builds lifelong skills, fosters a love for books, and helps students feel confident for upcoming assessments like CMAS. Plus, during CMAS students can use any extra time to work on reaching their reading goals!

Students can join the fun with these reading-themed activities:

Bookmark Design Contest (2/21–3/3) – Create a unique bookmark! The winning design will be printed for the whole grade, and the artist will win a prize.

Pajama Reading Day (3/3) – Get cozy in your PJs and enjoy a relaxed reading session in ELA. Snacks will be provided by StuCo.

Book Review Prize Drawing (3/3–5/1) – Submit a book review for a chance to win a prize! Look for the QR code around school.

Shelfie & “Why We Read” Display (3/3–5/1) – Share a photo with your favorite book and why you love reading to be featured in our school display. Staff members will join in too! Bonus: It counts as an entry in the prize drawing!

We can’t wait to see HCMS students Spring into Reading!

Academic Tutorials Update

In an effort to ensure that After School Academic Tutorials is a time where students can receive targeted academic support, the following adjustments will be made to our format:

• Tutorials will resume on Monday, February 24^th.
• Tutorials are in the library from 3:50pm – 4:40pm, Monday – Thursday.
• Students interested in attending Tutorials will speak to one of their teachers during the school day and inform them of their interest in attending Tutorials.
• The teacher will complete an online sign-up form with the student, indicating the academic area of focus for their time at Tutorials.
• Upon arriving at Tutorials, only students who have already signed up and have an academic plan for the day will be permitted to attend.
• Students must arrive to Tutorials by 3:55pm and will remain in Tutorials until 4:40pm.

Amplify Sports Basketball Program

Amplify Hoops (Club/Competitive) Basketball Program is gearing up for their Spring/Summer 2025 season! They are looking for boys in 5^th – 8^th grade who are ready to compete, grow, and ball out in a high-energy tournament season! Please see attached for more information.

Resources for Families

Our school district has compiled a list of resources for families, including food pantries, immigrant supports, language supports, mental and physical health resources, and supports for unhoused families. You can access the list here.

25-26 Class Registration Information

CURRENT 6th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR 7th GRADE: Class of 2031

1. Watch the Internal Registration Video
2. Learn about Elective Classes:
   • Visit the Horizon Community Website & review our Course Description Guide to learn more about our elective offerings & other important middle school information.
3. Decide your Elective Class Preferences:
   • Complete the Future 7th Grade Elective Registration Planning Sheet. This planning sheet will not be collected but will help you complete our Google Registration form on Monday 2/24/25 during Advisory.

CURRENT 7th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR 8th GRADE: Class of 2030

1. Watch the Internal Registration Video
2. Learn about Elective Classes:
   • Visit the Horizon Community Website & review our Course Description Guide to learn more about our elective offerings & other important middle school information.
3. Decide your Elective Class Preferences:
   • Complete the Future 8th Grade Elective Registration Planning Sheet. This planning sheet will not be collected but will help you complete our Google Registration form on Monday 2/24/25 during Advisory.

QUESTIONS? 

Please contact Damien Dawson, Counseling Administrative Assistant, at 720-886-6250.

SHHS Football

Get ready to elevate your game with Smoky Hill Football Camps and Clinics! 

This spring, dive into our Lifting Clinic, where middle school athletes will sweat, grind, and learn the ropes of proper weightlifting techniques. It’s not just about lifting weights; it’s about building strength and resilience alongside seasoned high school athletes and dedicated coaches who push you to your limits. Join us Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:15-5:30pm, February 18 - March 14 & March 24 - April 6 at the SHHS Weight Room. This isn’t just a camp; it’s a chance to transform your game. Don’t let this opportunity slip away—Register here today! and step into the grind!

But wait, there’s more! Registration for the Spring Smoky Hill Futures Team is now open. Seventh and eighth graders can try out for this FREE opportunity on March 10! This is your shot to learn from the best - our SHHS Varsity, JV, and Freshman Coaches will be there to guide you and help you tackle the playbook. Join the ranks of the reigning champions and prove you’ve got what it takes! Register for Futures Football here today!

And for those looking to sharpen their skills over the summer, mark your calendars for our Summer Youth Skills Camp from June 24-26, 6-8pm. This non-contact camp, led by Smoky Hill coaches and players, is open to kids entering grades 3 to 8. You’ll learn crucial skills, embrace teamwork, and dive into drills to prepare you for the season ahead. Don’t forget to register by June 1 to snag your camp t-shirt! 

February 14, 2025

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

Thank you to all who attended PT Conferences on Wednesday! Despite the cold evening, we were still able to interact with and support our families. The next opportunity for in-person conferences will be on Thursday, March 6th from 8:00am – 11:30am. If you completed our survey last month and indicated that you prefer a phone call, please expect calls within the next few weeks. Also, feel free to reach out to any teacher at any time with questions.

And thank you to the students and families who attended our Voices of Color meeting on Wednesday night. Our students are amazing change agents who are committed to our continuous improvement as a society. It was so inspiring to see and hear their leadership in action as social justice advocates. 

Academic Tutorials Update: In an effort to ensure that After School Academic Tutorials is a time where students can receive targeted academic support, the following adjustments will be made to our format:

• There will be no Academic Tutorials next week.
• Tutorials will resume on Monday, February 24th.
• Tutorials are in the library from 3:50pm – 4:40pm, Monday – Thursday.
• Students interested in attending Tutorials will speak to one of their teachers during the school day and inform them of their interest in attending Tutorials.
• The teacher will complete an online sign-up form with the student, indicating the academic area of focus for their time at Tutorials.
• Upon arriving at Tutorials, only students who have already signed up and have an academic plan for the day will be permitted to attend.
• Students must arrive to Tutorials by 3:55pm and will remain in Tutorials until 4:40pm.

As a reminder, there is no school on Monday (holiday) or Tuesday (teacher workday).

Thank you, and have a great weekend!

Brad

Dr. Brad Weinhold

Principal

Horizon Community Middle School

720-886-6101 (office)

720-767-2352 (cell)

Resources for Families

Our school district has compiled a list of resources for families, including food pantries, immigrant supports, language supports, mental and physical health resources, and supports for unhoused families. You can access the list here.

Indigenous 8th Grade Celebration and Hawai’i Cultural Class

Check out the attached opportunity sponsored by the CCSD Office of Equity, Culture, and Community Engagement, as well as this invitation to the CCSD Indigenous 8th Grade Celebration on April 5th.

Updating Family Contact Information

As the chances of inclement weather continue, please make sure your phone number and email address are up to date in PowerSchool. This will allow our district to reach you with messages about closures, late starts, etc. Please also take this opportunity to ensure that your emergency contact information is up to date.

Smoky Hill High School Football Information

Smoky Hill Football is excited to offer a Spring Lifting Clinic! This clinic is designed to introduce middle school athletes to proper techniques for weightlifting while also emphasizing proper movement technique and movement efficiency. The best part is they will be working out with our high school athletes and coaches! Lifts will focus on Olympic lifts as well as upper body, lower body, core specific lifts, and speedwork.  

• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:15-5:30pm
• February 18th – March 14th & March 24th – April 6th
  Location | SHHS Weight Room​​
• ​Cost | $100 for entire clinic (12 sessions) or $10/session

Register here today!

In addition, registration is open for our Spring Smoky Hill Futures Team sponsored by the Denver Broncos. All 7th and 8th grade student athletes that are planning to attend Smoky Hill HS are invited to attend tryouts on 3/10. This is an incredible (FREE!) opportunity as you will be coached and recognized by SHHS Varsity, JV, and Freshman Coaches as well as get a jump on the Smoky Hill playbook. Smoky Hill Futures are the reigning champs this year! This is also a great chance to bond with your future teammates! 

Register for Futures Footbal here today! 

We are excited to be offering a Summer Youth Skills Camp-June 24th – 26th, 6-8pm! This non-contact camp is coached by current Smoky Hill coaches and players on the Smoky Hill Practice Field. Our camp's purpose will be to encourage youth participation in physical activity and help develop the skills and fundamentals associated with the sport of football. Campers will learn techniques at all positions, the value of teamwork, and participate in drills and scrimmages. Camp is open to any and all campers, limited to kids entering 3rd through 8th grades. Sign up here before 6/1 to receive your t-shirt. 

25-26 Class Registration Information

CURRENT 6th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR 7th GRADE: Class of 2031

• Friday, 2/21/25 - Students view registration video during Advisory classes & receive 1 page handout.
• Friday, 2/21/25 - Registration video link & course guide link posted on Schoology & sent to families.
• Monday, 2/24/25 - Students complete Google Registration Form during Advisory. Google link will also be posted on Schoology and sent to families. 
• Friday, 2/28/25 - Students’ registration Google Form responses due. 

CURRENT 7th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR 8th GRADE: Class of 2030

• Friday, 2/21/25 - Students view registration video during Advisory classes & receive 1 page handout.
• Friday, 2/21/25 - Registration video link & course guide link posted on Schoology & sent to families.
• Monday, 2/24/25 - Students complete Google Registration Form during Advisory. Google link will also be posted on Schoology and sent to families. 
• Friday, 2/28/25 - Students’ registration Google Form responses due. 

CURRENT 8th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR HIGH SCHOOL: Class of 2029

      PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION: 

• Smoky Hill High School Website
• International Baccalaureate Information

      SMOKY HILL HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION:                

• Friday, 2/7/25 during Advisory - SHHS Counselors present to 8th grade students & students receive registration information/directions. 
• Wednesday, 2/12/25 - SHHS Counselors will be present during Parent Teacher Conferences
• Friday, 2/14/25 during Advisory - SHHS Counselors return to help students complete the registration process through PowerSchool. 

QUESTIONS? 

Please contact Damien Dawson, Counseling Administrative Assistant, at 720-886-6250.

February 7, 2025

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

Thank you to all who joined on Wednesday night for our Internet Safety presentation. As both the principal and a parent, I learned a lot, and this has led to some complex but critical conversations in our home. The topic of internet safety can be scary, but we all must engage as parents, and we must be VERY aware of what our children are doing online and on their phones. Some of the tips I picked up include:

• Be smart with privacy filters, posting personal information, and downloads,
• Including identifying information in a video/picture that will be posted can be dangerous,
• The sharing of any inappropriate photos/videos by a minor can result in very serious and permanent legal implications. (please re-iterate this with your children)

There is definitely more, and one of the best things we can do as parents is to know everything that our children are doing online and with their phones.

In other news, congratulations to four HCMS students, Avisha Barkat, Fabiana Peña Gómez, Alex Dulin, and Fernando Rivera, for competing in the CCSD Spelling Bee last Friday! Way to go showing your spelling skills at the district level!

And, both yesterday and today HCMS students attended the Colorado Middle All-State Choir event. These exceptional singers will be performing at the Bellco Theatre tonight! Congrats and good luck to Louella Ashley, Michelle Becerra Lopez, Clara Eaves, Emily Hughes, Abigail Mcandrew, Michael Rodrigez, and Genevieve Stevens.

We are looking forward to a great turnout at conferences and Voices of Color next Wednesday. See below for more info and a lot of other topics as well.

Thank you!

Brad

Resources for Families

Our school district has compiled a list of resources for families, including food pantries, immigrant supports, language supports, mental and physical health resources, and supports for unhoused families. You can access the list here.

Spring Parent Teacher Conferences & Voices of Color

Our first opportunity for spring Parent-Teacher Conferences is on the evening of Wednesday, February 12^th from 4:15pm – 7:30pm. Families are welcome to visit any teacher in a drop-in format in our gymnasiums.

On February 12^th from 5:30pm – 6:30pm we will also host a Voices of Color meeting. Through this work, we will intentionally include multiple perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all voices, particularly those of our students of color, are not only heard, but are seen as a source to drive our work.

The focus of our conversation during this meeting will be around the school experiences of our students of color, as we want to ensure that we are actively listening in order to support continuous improvement. Please join to share feedback on your student’s experiences and collaborate on ways we can improve learning outcomes for all students. We will also be joined by some students from our Student Equity Team who will be sharing their experiences.

Hawai’i Cultural Class

Check out the attached opportunity sponsored by the CCSD Office of Equity, Culture, and Community Engagement.

Updating Family Contact Information

As the chances of inclement weather continue, please make sure your phone number and email address are up to date in PowerSchool. This will allow our district to reach you with messages about closures, late starts, etc. Please also take this opportunity to ensure that your emergency contact information is up to date.

Vision and Hearing Screenings

Vision and hearing screenings will take place on Tuesday, February 11^th for all 7^th grade students, as well as students who are new to the school this year and students who receive additional support through an IEP. Please make sure your student remembers to wear their glasses or contacts for their vision exam. For questions, please contact the Horizon Community Clinic at 720-886-6210. 

8^th Grade Registration for High School

School Counselors from Smoky Hill High School came by during advisory this week to talk to our 8^th graders about graduation requirements, information, and registration. Students were shown how to register for their 9^th grade classes and were given a sheet for registration to take home. Please work with your 8^th grader to make choices on their classes and get registered in PowerSchool before February 14^th. Smoky Hill Counselors will return on February 14^th to finalize registration. A few of Smoky Hill's School Counselors plan to attend our conferences on February 12th from 4:15-6:00pm and will be available for any questions. For more information you can click here or if you have any questions about registration, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Bustamante, 8^th grade counselor, at 720-886-6207 or gbustamante2@cherrycreekschools.org.

Smoky Hill High Schol Football Information

Things are already underway for the Smoky Hill Football Team! Smoky Hill Football is excited to offer a Spring Lifting Clinic! This clinic is designed to introduce middle school athletes to proper techniques for weightlifting while also emphasizing proper movement technique and movement efficiency. The best part is they will be working out with our high school athletes and coaches! Lifts will focus on Olympic lifts as well as upper body, lower body, core specific lifts, and speedwork.  

• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:15-5:30pm
• February 18^th – March 14^th & March 24^th – April 6^th
• Location | SHHS Weight Room​​
• ​Cost | $100 for entire clinic (12 sessions) or $10/session

Register here today!

In addition, registration is open for our Spring Smoky Hill Futures Team sponsored by the Denver Broncos. All 7^th and 8^th grade student athletes that are planning to attend Smoky Hill HS are invited to attend tryouts on March 10^th. This is an incredible (FREE!) opportunity as you will be coached and recognized by SHHS Varsity, JV, and Freshman Coaches as well as get a jump on the Smoky Hill playbook. Smoky Hill Futures are the reigning champs this year! This is also a great chance to bond with your future teammates!

Register for Futures Footbal here today! 

25-26 Class Registration Information

CURRENT 6^th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR 7th GRADE: Class of 2031

• Friday, 2/21/25 - Students view registration video during Advisory classes & receive 1 page handout.
• Friday, 2/21/25 - Registration video link & course guide link posted on Schoology & sent to families.
• Monday, 2/24/25 - Students complete Google Registration Form during Advisory. Google link will also be posted on Schoology and sent to families. 
• Friday, 2/28/25 - Students’ registration Google Form responses due. 

CURRENT 7^th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR 8th GRADE: Class of 2030

• Friday, 2/21/25 - Students view registration video during Advisory classes & receive 1 page handout.
• Friday, 2/21/25 - Registration video link & course guide link posted on Schoology & sent to families.
• Monday, 2/24/25 - Students complete Google Registration Form during Advisory. Google link will also be posted on Schoology and sent to families. 
• Friday, 2/28/25 - Students’ registration Google Form responses due. 

CURRENT 8^th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR HIGH SCHOOL: Class of 2029

      PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION: 

• Smoky Hill High School Website
• International Baccalaureate Information

      SMOKY HILL HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION:                

• Friday, 2/7/25 during Advisory - SHHS Counselors present to 8^th grade students & students receive registration information/directions. 
• Wednesday, 2/12/25 - SHHS Counselors will be present during Parent Teacher Conferences
• Friday, 2/14/25 during Advisory - SHHS Counselors return to help students complete the registration process through PowerSchool. 

QUESTIONS? 

Please contact Damien Dawson, Counseling Administrative Assistant, at 720-886-6250.

January 31, 2025

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

Happy Friday! We ended the week spending time with our future Huskies, as we hosted Husky Highlight Night last evening and today 5^th graders visited our school. We look forward to our new students and families joining us in the months to come.   

I know that there is a lot of info below, but it is all important! Please be sure to read about:

• Internet Safety Night – Next Wednesday
• PT Conferences – Complete the Survey!
• Voices of Color
• Updating Contact Information
• Vision and Hearing Screenings
• Course Registration

Thank you, and have a great weekend!

Brad

Dr. Brad Weinhold
Principal
Horizon Community Middle School
720.886.6101 (office)
720.767.2352 (cell)
 

Internet Safety Night

While increased access to technology and personal devices has provided many benefits for us all, this has also increased concerns related to privacy and safety. As a school, we have found that almost every conflict we help students navigate involves some sort of negative online behavior. We are also aware of the increased concern related to privacy and sharing of information that may be obtained from someone’s online activity.

On Wednesday, February 5^th from 6:00pm – 7:00pm, we will be hosting an Internet Safety Presentation. Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Gallo from the 18^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office will be presenting on the topics of internet and cell phone safety. We strongly encourage our community to join for this very important night, as it takes the continuous education of us all to ensure that our students remain safe, especially in the rapidly evolving world of technology. We will also have members of our school administration and district security team to answer questions as needed. Parents are encouraged to bring their students. Child-care for younger children and a Spanish-speaking interpreter will be provided.

Spring Parent Teacher Conferences

Our first opportunity for spring Parent-Teacher Conferences is on the evening of Wednesday, February 12^th from 4:15pm – 7:30pm. Families are welcome to visit any teacher in a drop-in format in our gymnasiums. In addition to this evening, teachers will be available for phone calls as well as an additional in-person opportunity on Friday, March 6^th (8:00am – 11:30am). Please complete this survey to express your interest and desired format for conferences this spring.

HCMS Voices of Color Meeting

Our goals at Horizon Community include building and enhancing meaningful relationships with all students, staff, parents, and community members. Through our Voices of Color work, we will intentionally include multiple perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all voices, particularly those of our students of color, are not only heard, but are seen as a source to drive our work.

On the evening of Wednesday, February 12^th, we will host a Voices of Color meeting from 5:30pm – 6:30pm. Families are invited to attend while at HCMS for Parent Teacher Conferences. Members of our staff, including our principal, Dr. Weinhold, and our Family Liaison, Jhohana Avila Romero, will be present. The focus of our conversation will be around the school experiences of our students of color, as we want to ensure that we are actively listening in order to support continuous improvement. Please join to share feedback on your student’s experiences and collaborate on ways we can improve learning outcomes for all students. We will also be joined by some students from our Student Equity Team who will be sharing their experiences.

Updating Family Contact Information

As the chances of inclement weather continue, please make sure your phone number and email address are up to date in PowerSchool. This will allow our district to reach you with messages about closures, late starts, etc. Please also take this opportunity to ensure that your emergency contact information is up to date.

Vision and Hearing Screenings

Vision and hearing screenings will take place on Tuesday, February 11^th for all 7^th grade students, as well as students who are new to the school this year and students who receive additional support through an IEP. Please make sure your student remembers to wear their glasses or contacts for their vision exam. For questions, please contact the Horizon Community Clinic at 720-886-6210. 

HCMS Multicultural Night – April 30^th, 2025 (Save the Date)

We are in the initial stages of planning our Multicultural Night, which will take place on the evening of April 30^th, 2025, in conjunction with the spring Orchestra and Choir concerts. If you are interested in participating in the planning of this event please complete this form or email Erin Taylor at etaylor7@cherrycreekschools.org. We look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate our diversity!

25-26 Class Registration Information

INCOMING 6^th GRADERS: Class of 2032           

      HUSKY HIGHLIGHT NIGHT

• Thursday, 1/30/25 at 5:30pm - Horizon Community Middle School welcomes incoming 6th grade students and their families/guardians for an open house event.

      ELEMENTARY STUDENT FIELD TRIP: 

• Friday, 1/31/25 at 9:30am - 5th grade students visit Horizon Community for an electives presentation.
• Wednesday, 2/5/25 - Students’ registration Google Form responses due. 

CURRENT 6^th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR 7th GRADE: Class of 2031

• Friday, 2/21/25 - Students view registration video during Advisory classes & receive 1 page handout.
• Friday, 2/21/25 - Registration video link & course guide link posted on Schoology & sent to families.
• Monday, 2/24/25 - Students complete Google Registration Form during Advisory. Google link will also be posted on Schoology and sent to families. 
• Friday, 2/28/25 - Students’ registration Google Form responses due. 

CURRENT 7^th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR 8th GRADE: Class of 2030

• Friday, 2/21/25 - Students view registration video during Advisory classes & receive 1 page handout.
• Friday, 2/21/25 - Registration video link & course guide link posted on Schoology & sent to families.
• Monday, 2/24/25 - Students complete Google Registration Form during Advisory. Google link will also be posted on Schoology and sent to families. 
• Friday, 2/28/25 - Students’ registration Google Form responses due. 

CURRENT 8^th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR HIGH SCHOOL: Class of 2029

      PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION: 

• Smoky Hill High School Website
• International Baccalaureate Information

      SMOKY HILL HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION:                

• Friday, 2/7/25 during Advisory - SHHS Counselors present to 8^th grade students & students receive registration information/directions. 
• Wednesday, 2/12/25 - SHHS Counselors will be present during Parent Teacher Conferences
• Friday, 2/14/25 during Advisory - SHHS Counselors return to help students complete the registration process through PowerSchool. 

QUESTIONS? 

Please contact Damien Dawson, Counseling Administrative Assistant, at 720-886-6250.

January 24, 2025

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

There are lots of exciting things to share today….

To start, today we celebrated students who earned one of our four levels of honor roll for the 2^nd Quarter. These include Academic Excellence (4.0 GPA), Academic Distinction (3.75-3.99 GPA), Academic Achievement (3.0-3.74 GPA), and Academic Growth (increase of .5+ GPA). Students received ice cream during the last 15 minutes of their Advisory class and had some fun in the library.

If you have not yet, you will soon receive an automated report containing your student’s Star Assessment scores from December. This new feature (families receiving a digital report) will allow families the chance to see results in a more timely manner. If you have any questions about individual scores, please contact your student’s Math or Language Arts teacher. If you have not received this report by early next week, please contact Shayna Buckman, Coordinator of Student Achievement (sbuckman@cherrycreekschools.org).

As a school, we saw very good Star scores in both math and reading from December. We are on track with growth, and we are optimistic that this will translate to the CMAS in April.

Each year, the Cherry Creek School District hosts events at the district level for students in our Performing Arts. Students from each school prepare and submit audition materials and are selected to represent their school at a weekend event. Last weekend, two HCMS students, Arianna Atchley and Izzie Weinhold, participated in Honors Theatre held at Eaglecrest High School. This weekend, three HCMS students, Riley Zolman, Railyn Medeiros, and Michelle Bacerra Lopez, will participate in Honors Orchestra at Grandview High School. We are so proud of these Huskies for representing HCMS at this level.

Believe it or not, it is already time to begin thinking about course registration for NEXT YEAR! Below is a schedule for all major registration events throughout the spring. For incoming 6^th grade students, we will also be working with our four feeder elementary schools: Arrowhead, Cimmaron, Summit, and Sunrise. For our current 8^th graders, we will be collaborating with our single feeder high school, Smoky Hill. As a reminder, Smoky Hill High School is where all students living within the attendance boundaries of HCMS attend. Also, this is the time of year when we receive questions regarding the School Choice process. Interested in learning more? Check out the CCSD District Admissions Website.

In the coming weeks we will have several opportunities for family engagement, including Husky Highlight Night, an Internet Safety Night, Parent Teacher Conferences, and Voices. Please see below to learn more.

Thank you!

Brad

Dr. Brad Weinhold
Principal
Horizon Community Middle School
720.886.6101 (office)
720.767.2352 (cell)
 

Husky Highlight Night

We are excited for our upcoming Husky Highlight Night, where we will welcome current 5^th graders to our building. On Thursday, January 30^th from 5:30-7:00pm our soon to be Huskies will have the opportunity to tour our school and learn about their future classes and other opportunities.

Internet Safety Night

While increased access to technology and personal devices has provided many benefits for us all, this has also increased concerns related to privacy and safety. As a school, we have found that almost every conflict we help students navigate involves some sort of negative online behavior. We are also aware of the increased concern related to privacy and sharing of information that may be obtained from someone’s online activity.

On Wednesday, February 5^th from 6:00pm – 7:00pm, we will be hosting an Internet Safety Presentation. Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Gallo from the 18^th Judicial District Attorney’s Office will be presenting on the topics of internet and cell phone safety. We strongly encourage our community to join for this very important night, as it takes the continuous education of us all to ensure that our students remain safe, especially in the rapidly evolving world of technology. We will also have members of our school administration and district security team to answer questions as needed. Parents are encouraged to bring their students. Child-care for younger children and a Spanish-speaking interpreter will be provided.

Spring Parent Teacher Conferences

Our first opportunity for spring Parent-Teacher Conferences is on the evening of Wednesday, February 12^th from 4:15pm – 7:30pm. Families are welcome to visit any teacher in a drop-in format in our gymnasiums. In addition to this evening, teachers will be available for phone calls as well as an additional in-person opportunity on Friday, March 6^th (8:00am – 11:30am). Please complete this survey to express your interest and desired format for conferences this spring.

HCMS Voices Meeting

Our goals at Horizon Community include building and enhancing meaningful relationships with all students, staff, parents, and community members. Through our Voices work, we will intentionally include multiple perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all voices, particularly those of our students of color, are not only heard, but are seen as a source to drive our work.

On the evening of Wednesday, February 12^th, we will host a Voices meeting from 5:30pm – 6:30pm. Families are invited to attend while at HCMS for Parent Teacher Conferences. Members of our staff, including our principal, Dr. Weinhold, and our Family Liaison, Jhohana Avila Romero, will be present. The focus of our conversation will be around the school experiences of our students of color, as we want to ensure that we are actively listening in order to support continuous improvement. Please join to share feedback on your student’s experiences and collaborate on ways we can improve learning outcomes for all students. We will also be joined by some students from our Student Equity Team who will be sharing their experiences.

HCMS Multicultural Night – April 30^th, 2025 (Save the Date)

We are in the initial stages of planning our Multicultural Night, which will take place on the evening of April 30^th, 2025, in conjunction with the spring Orchestra and Choir concerts. If you are interested in participating in the planning of this event please complete this form or email Erin Taylor at etaylor7@cherrycreekschools.org. We look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate our diversity!

25-26 Class Registration Information

INCOMING 6^th GRADERS: Class of 2032           

      HUSKY HIGHLIGHT NIGHT

• Thursday, 1/30/25 at 5:30pm - Horizon Community Middle School welcomes incoming 6th grade students and their families/guardians for an open house event.

      ELEMENTARY STUDENT FIELD TRIP: 

• Friday, 1/31/25 at 9:30am - 5th grade students visit Horizon Community for an electives presentation.
• Wednesday, 2/5/25 - Students’ registration Google Form responses due. 

CURRENT 6^th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR 7th GRADE: Class of 2031

• Friday, 2/21/25 - Students view registration video during Advisory classes & receive 1 page handout.
• Friday, 2/21/25 - Registration video link & course guide link posted on Schoology & sent to families.
• Monday, 2/24/25 - Students complete Google Registration Form during Advisory. Google link will also be posted on Schoology and sent to families. 
• Friday, 2/28/25 - Students’ registration Google Form responses due. 

CURRENT 7^th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR 8th GRADE: Class of 2030

• Friday, 2/21/25 - Students view registration video during Advisory classes & receive 1 page handout.
• Friday, 2/21/25 - Registration video link & course guide link posted on Schoology & sent to families.
• Monday, 2/24/25 - Students complete Google Registration Form during Advisory. Google link will also be posted on Schoology and sent to families. 
• Friday, 2/28/25 - Students’ registration Google Form responses due. 

CURRENT 8^th GRADERS REGISTERING FOR HIGH SCHOOL: Class of 2029

      PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION: 

• Smoky Hill High School Website
• International Baccalaureate Information

      SMOKY HILL HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION:                

• Friday, 2/7/25 during Advisory - SHHS Counselors present to 8^th grade students & students receive registration information/directions. 
• Wednesday, 2/12/25 - SHHS Counselors will be present during Parent Teacher Conferences
• Friday, 2/14/25 during Advisory - SHHS Counselors return to help students complete the registration process through PowerSchool. 

QUESTIONS? 

Please contact Damien Dawson, Counseling Administrative Assistant, at 720-886-6250.

January 17, 2025

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

This week on Wednesday night we honored our PTCO President, Natalie Rymer, at the CCSD Exceptional Volunteer Event. We are so appreciative for the time and energy that Natalie contributes to support our students and community. Thank you, Natalie, for leading our PTCO with a student-first mindset.

As a reminder, there is no school on Monday as we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Our first opportunity for spring Parent-Teacher Conferences is on the evening of Wednesday, February 12^th. Families are welcome to visit any teacher in a drop-in format in our gymnasiums. In addition to this evening, teachers will be available for phone calls as well as an additional in-person opportunity on Friday, March 6^th. Please complete this survey to express your interest and desired format for conferences this spring.

Finally, we are excited to host our first Voices meeting during Parent-Teacher Conferences on February 12^th (please see below).

Thank you, and stay safe this weekend!

Brad

HCMS Voices Meeting

Our goals at Horizon Community include building and enhancing meaningful relationships with all students, staff, parents, and community members. Through our Voices work, we will intentionally include multiple perspectives and experiences, ensuring that all voices, particularly those of our students of color, are not only heard, but are seen as a source to drive our work.

On the evening of Wednesday, February 12^th, we will host a Voices meeting from 5:30pm – 6:30pm. Families are invited to attend while at HCMS for Parent Teacher Conferences. Members of our staff, including our principal, Dr. Weinhold, and our Family Liaison, Jhohana Avila Romero, will be present. The focus of our conversation will be around the school experiences of our students of color, as we want to ensure that we are actively listening in order to support continuous improvement. Please join to share feedback on your student’s experiences and collaborate on ways we can improve learning outcomes for all students. We will also be joined by some students from our Student Equity Team who will be sharing their experiences.

Husky Highlight Night

We are excited for our upcoming Husky Highlight Night, where we will welcome current 5^th graders to our building. On Thursday, January 30^th from 6-7:30pm our soon to be Huskies will have the opportunity to tour our school and learn about their future classes and other opportunities.

Lockers

With students now bringing larger coats and warmer clothing to school, this is a reminder that students are able to request a locker to use throughout the day. If interested, please click here to learn more and to request a locker.

Winter Wear Clothing Drive

Our Student Council is sponsoring a Winter Wear Clothing Drive for the month of January. Our students have set a goal of collecting at least 300 new/gently used winter clothing items to give out to our students and families as needed. Students should bring items to their Advisory teacher, where prizes will ultimately be awarded for the class with the most donations. Thank you for helping keep our community warm!

Smoky Hill Wish Week

Smoky Hill High School Student Government will be sponsoring Wish Week from January 15^th to January 24^th. Some ways that we all can support this inspiring and essential cause include:

Restaurant Events

• Smashburger - Wednesday, January 22 DTC Blvd & Prentice (near Cherry Creek HS) All Day
• Chick-Fil-A - Thursday, January 23 Chick-fil-A at Parker & Chambers All Day
• Slim Chickens - Saturday, January 25 Smoky Hill Road & Himalaya All Day
• Dutch Bros - Saturday, January 25 Arapahoe Rd & Jordan Rd All Day

Wish Week T-shirts

Sold during lunches, in the Activities Office and online. Shirts are $15. Here is a link to pre-order them on Revtrak: https://cherrycreek.revtrak.net/high-schools/shhs/shhs-make-a-wish/#/list

Make-A-Wish Online Donation

Donations can be made directly to our Wish Week Fundraiser: Smoky Hill Wish Week Donation Page - Make-A-Wish

HCMS Multicultural Night – April 30^th, 2025 (Save the Date)

We are in the initial stages of planning our Multicultural Night, which will take place on the evening of April 30^th, 2025, in conjunction with the spring Orchestra and Choir concerts. If you are interested in participating in the planning of this event please complete this form or email Erin Taylor at etaylor7@cherrycreekschools.org. We look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate our diversity!

January 10, 2025

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

It has been great to be with our students again as we have returned from Winter Break. To kick off Quarter 3 with some fun, today we have a whole-school assembly which will feature games, celebrations, and a performance from the SHHS Step Team!

Looking ahead, please join us for a fun night at Skate City next Thursday (January 16^th) from 6-8pm.

Lastly, you should have received a digital message this week containing a link for your student’s report card. If you have any questions, please contact our Registrar’s Office at 720-886-6240.

Please see below for additional information.

Thank you!

Brad

Lockers

With students now bringing larger coats and warmer clothing to school, this is a reminder that students are able to request a locker to use throughout the day. If interested, please click here to learn more and to request a locker.

Winter Wear Clothing Drive

Our Student Council is sponsoring a Winter Wear Clothing Drive for the month of January. Our students have set a goal of collecting at least 300 new/gently used winter clothing items to give out to our students and families as needed. Students should bring items to their Advisory teacher, where prizes will ultimately be awarded for the class with the most donations. Thank you for helping keep our community warm!

AVID Informational Night

Our school dstrict will be hosting AVID Informational Nights at the end of the month. Please see attached for more information.

Smoky Hill Wish Week

Smoky Hill High School Student Government will be sponsoring Wish Week from January 15^th to January 24^th. Some ways that we all can support this inspiring and essential cause include:

Restaurant Events

• Noodles & Company - Tuesday, December 10 Quincy & Buckley 4:00 - 8:00 pm
• Panda Express - Wednesday, December 18 Parker & Chambers All Day
• Chipotle - Wednesday, January 15 Smoky Hill Road & Himalaya Street 4:00 - 8:00 pm
• Smashburger - Wednesday, January 22 DTC Blvd & Prentice (near Cherry Creek HS) All Day
• Chick-Fil-A - Thursday, January 23 Chick-fil-A at Parker & Chambers All Day
• Slim Chickens - Saturday, January 25 Smoky Hill Road & Himalaya All Day
• Dutch Bros - Saturday, January 25 Arapahoe Rd & Jordan Rd All Day

Wish Week T-shirts

Sold during lunches, in the Activities Office and online. Shirts are $15. Here is a link to pre-order them on Revtrak: https://cherrycreek.revtrak.net/high-schools/shhs/shhs-make-a-wish/#/list

Make-A-Wish Online Donation

Donations can be made directly to our Wish Week Fundraiser: Smoky Hill Wish Week Donation Page - Make-A-Wish

HCMS Multicultural Night – April 30^th, 2025 (Save the Date)

We are in the initial stages of planning our Multicultural Night, which will take place on the evening of April 30^th, 2025, in conjunction with the spring Orchestra and Choir concerts. If you are interested in participating in the planning of this event please complete this form or email Erin Taylor at etaylor7@cherrycreekschools.org. We look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate our diversity!

December 6, 2024

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out this article!!!!

Test scores soar at Horizon Community Middle School thanks to student voice, academic support, restorative practices, and dedicated staff

At HCMS, we love to celebrate our work and success, and this article really wraps things together. What a great example of community in action.

Some additional topics for this week…

This week our students participated in our Star Reading Assessment, and next week they will take the Star Math Assessment. We are excited to use this real-time data to monitor student achievement and growth. This will also be very helpful information for us to use as we set our sights on the CMAS assessment in April. As you’ve heard me say before, the CMAS matters. We want to continue to see an upward trajectory of participation, achievement, and growth. Please join me as a parent and make the commitment right now to the CMAS in April.

Today students in all grades from our Student Equity Teams engaged in a Student Equity Workshop. Students worked together to discuss important and complex topics like race, racism, and equity. We are so proud of our student leaders for engaging in this work to not only improve our school, but our society as a whole.

Looking ahead, it is Winter Concert season! All of our Performing Arts will be on stage at Smoky Hill High School on the following dates:

• Band – 12/9 (6:00pm)
• Orchestra – 12/12 (6:30pm)
• Choir – 12/18 (6:00pm)

Thank you for your partnership as we finish the semester strong. Please remind your students that every day, and every class period, matters. As a reminder, the quarter 2 grading period ends before Winter Break.

Thank you!

Brad

Dr. Brad Weinhold
Principal
Horizon Community Middle School
720.886.6101 (office)
720.767.2352 (cell)

Winter Wear Clothing Drive

Our Student Council is sponsoring a Winter Wear Clothing Drive for the month of January. Our students have set a goal of collecting at least 300 new/gently used winter clothing items to give out to our students and families as needed. After Winter Break, students should bring items to their Advisory teacher, where prizes will ultimately be awarded for the class with the most donations. Thank you for helping keep our community warm!

Holiday Season and School Attendance: A Reminder

As the holidays approach, we know many families have exciting plans, but we want to remind you of the importance of maintaining regular school attendance during this time. The weeks before the break are often filled with critical lessons, assessments, and preparations for the new term. Missing school can create gaps in learning that are difficult to catch up on. Make-up work does not fully help students recover missed instruction, and one student’s absence impacts classmates’ progress due to the collaborative nature of learning. Every school day counts in helping your child grow academically, socially, and emotionally. We encourage you to plan travel and events around the school calendar whenever possible. If you know your child will be absent, please let us know in advance so we can support their continued learning.

Q2 Classroom Celebration and Winter Games (6^th Grade)

Our 6^th grade teachers and support team are excited to announce our Quarter 2 Classroom Celebration and Winter Games, scheduled for Friday, December 20th! This special day will be filled with fun as each classroom hosts a game. Students will rotate between rooms, participating in different games designed by their classmates and teachers.

To ensure all students can join in the celebration, we will be conducting daily checks for required items. Students must bring these items each day, as missing them five times will make them ineligible for the Winter Games. Each day a different class will be checking for their needed item (ie. Pencil, computer, charger, notebook, etc.). Please remind your child to come prepared to school daily to participate in this exciting event!

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, December 20th
• Activity: Winter Games (each classroom will host a unique game, and students will rotate to play them)
• Participation Requirement: Bring all required items daily. Missing items five times will result in non-participation in the Winter Games.

Thank you for your support in helping us make this celebration a day to remember for all students.

Golden Heart Award – Last Chance

It is that time of year again to nominate incredible individuals for the 2024-2025 Golden Heart Awards! This prestigious award is for any individual who has "opened their heart" to touch the life of a Cherry Creek School District student with special needs. This includes, but is not limited to, bus drivers, teachers, cafeteria workers, paraprofessionals, specials teachers (media, art, P.E., music), those in support positions, students, and community employers. Learn more and submit a nomination here: 2024-2025 Golden Heart Nominations.

Educator of the Year – Last Chance

It is also that time of the year to nominate the Horizon Community Educator of the Year. All HCMS teachers, special service providers (i.e. counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, therapists, etc.) and non-teaching licensed personnel (i.e. deans, instructional coaches, etc.) are eligible to be nominated. Please complete this nomination form by Friday, December 6^th.  

November 22, 2024

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

We are so excited for our Fall Play this weekend! See below for additional information, and we’ll see you tonight/tomorrow at 6:30pm.

A special thank you goes to our PTCO, who voted this week to fund over 20 teacher grants! We are so appreciative to see our resources go right to the classroom. Thank you, PTCO, for aways supporting our students and staff.

Today during Advisory, many of our 8^th grade students participated in Funtastic Friday! This positive reward activity was for students with zero tardies for the past three weeks. Events included a photo booth and a tasty treat – root beer floats! Way to model PACK, 8^th graders!

As a reminder, next week we only have school on Monday and Tuesday. When we get back, it is already December! And we then will have three strong weeks until Winter Break. Now is a great time to review all grades with your students and make plans for a great finish to Quarter 2. And don’t forget to ask your student to show you all of their classes on Schoology.

Please see below for information on nominations for important recognitions, a schedule of our clubs and activities, and auditions for the spring musical.

Have a great weekend!

Brad

Dr. Brad Weinhold
Principal
Horizon Community Middle School
720.886.6101 (office)
720.767.2352 (cell)

Fall Play - 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse

Have you been looking for the PERFECT survival guide for the impending zombie apocalypse? We know you have... Luckily, Horizon Community's Drama Club will be performing the play 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse on Friday, November 22^nd and Saturday, November 23^rd at 6:30pm. Come and join us for the most important and informative production you have EVER seen! Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students/children. Purchase tickets online here.  

Clubs and Activities

Is your student interested in an activity/club after school? Please check out this list of activities which includes meeting dates and sponsors. Any questions? Please contact our Activities Director, Kerri Benzel (kbenzel@cherrycreekschools.org).

Golden Heart

It is that time of year again to nominate incredible individuals for the 2024-2025 Golden Heart Awards! This prestigious award is for any individual who has "opened their heart" to touch the life of a Cherry Creek School District student with special needs. This includes, but is not limited to, bus drivers, teachers, cafeteria workers, paraprofessionals, specials teachers (media, art, P.E., music), those in support positions, students, and community employers. Learn more and submit a nomination here: 2024-2025 Golden Heart Nominations.

Educator of the Year

It is also that time of the year to nominate the Horizon Community Educator of the Year. All HCMS teachers, special service providers (i.e. counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, therapists, etc.) and non-teaching licensed personnel (i.e. deans, instructional coaches, etc.) are eligible to be nominated. Please complete this nomination form by Friday, December 6^th.  

Auditions for Annie Jr. the Musical

We are excited to announce auditions for our upcoming production of Annie Jr.! All interested performers are invited to audition for this heartwarming and energetic musical. Students should stop by Room 117 to pick up audition materials as well as attend the audition meeting afterschool on Monday, November 25^th from 3:45-4:40 in the Cafeteria. For questions, please contact Crystal Jacob at cjacob3@cherrycreekschools.org

November 15, 2024

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

This week we honored military veterans from our community with a reception and ceremony. In addition to meaningful speeches from several adults, including Mr. Johnny Charles, one of our Social Studies teachers, we heard powerful performances from students, including our choir, orchestra, and band. This event was one small way that we as a community say thank you to those who have served our country as veterans of the military. We are forever thankful for your service, sacrifice, and commitment. We all can learn a lot from you.

And reflecting further on this time of year, we have learned that late fall/early winter is a time to remember to celebrate the positives. We celebrated a ton of our school-wide successes as a staff this week, including relationship building between teachers and students, collaborative work among our teams, creative ways to support reading instruction, significant improvements in our discipline data, continuous academic achievement of students, district-wide staff wellness programs, school-wide equity work of our teachers, and more. Our school is a special place with lots and lots of great things happening; we need to continue to remember this and promote the positives.

On that note, we encourage all families to celebrate wins with your children. School is hard work, and we push our students in many ways. Let’s all remember to continue to acknowledge and recognize their hard work and growth, as positive reinforcement can be critical to help students, especially as they navigate complex times as students and humans.

Looking ahead, there is no school on Wednesday, November 27^th.

Please see below for information on our upcoming fall play, nominations for important recognitions, a schedule of our clubs and activities, and auditions for the spring musical.

Have a great weekend!

Brad

Fall Play - 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse

Have you been looking for the PERFECT survival guide for the impending zombie apocalypse? We know you have... Luckily, Horizon Community's Drama Club will be performing the play 10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse on Friday, November 22^nd and Saturday, November 23^rd at 6:30pm. Come and join us for the most important and informative production you have EVER seen! Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students/children. Purchase tickets online here.  

Clubs and Activities

Is your student interested in an activity/club after school? Please check out this list of activities which includes meeting dates and sponsors. Any questions? Please contact our Activities Director, Kerri Benzel (kbenzel@cherrycreekschools.org).

Golden Heart

It is that time of year again to nominate incredible individuals for the 2024-2025 Golden Heart Awards! This prestigious award is for any individual who has "opened their heart" to touch the life of a Cherry Creek School District student with special needs. This includes, but is not limited to, bus drivers, teachers, cafeteria workers, paraprofessionals, specials teachers (media, art, P.E., music), those in support positions, students, and community employers. Learn more and submit a nomination here: 2024-2025 Golden Heart Nominations.

Educator of the Year

It is also that time of the year to nominate the Horizon Community Educator of the Year. All HCMS teachers, special service providers (i.e. counselors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, therapists, etc.) and non-teaching licensed personnel (i.e. deans, instructional coaches, etc.) are eligible to be nominated. Please complete this nomination form by Friday, December 6^th. 

Auditions for Annie Jr. the Musical

We are excited to announce auditions for our upcoming production of Annie Jr.! All interested performers are invited to audition for this heartwarming and energetic musical. Students should stop by Room 117 to pick up audition materials as well as attend the audition meeting afterschool on Monday, November 25^th from 3:45-4:40 in the Cafeteria. For questions, please contact Crystal Jacob at cjacob3@cherrycreekschools.org

November 7, 2024

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

I hope your snowy and cold week was a good one! Thank you for continuing to model patience and flexibility as we as a district navigate the extremely difficult decision-making related to weather and school delays/closures. And I hope today has been fun!

AND, we are excited to celebrate that the CCSD community has supported the passing of ballot measures 4A/4B! Thank you for investing in our students and each other.

Finally, we are excited to be hiring an additional Security Specialist to join our staff. If you/someone you know is interested in learning more, please check out the posting here.

Please see below for information related to our Veterans Day Celebration, Book Fair, View of the Hill, and more.

Have a great weekend!

Brad

Dr. Brad Weinhold
Principal
Horizon Community Middle School
720.886.6101 (office)
720.767.2352 (cell)
 

HCMS Military/Veteran Celebration

We will be recognizing veterans and active-duty members of the military from our community on Tuesday, November 12th (8:30am – 9:45am). Events will include a breakfast reception and a recognition ceremony. If you or someone you know would like to attend to be honored, please check out this invitation which includes a link to RSVP.

Mobile Food Truck – Free Food Market

There will be a mobile food truck at Summit Elementary School on Tuesday, November 12th  from 4:00 – 5:00pm in the bus loop (this is a new date). This market is open to the Smoky Hill feeder area! There will be free, fresh and shelf stable food items offered on a first come, first served basis. See attached for more information.

Scholastic Book Fair

Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to connect with your child over the thrill of bringing home new books to dive into again and again. Studies show that kids read more when they choose books for themselves. And fostering a love of independent reading leads to a wide variety of benefits—including academic success and improved mental health.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Book Fair: 

Dates: November 11-15th
Location: HCMS Library
There’s even more info on our school’s Book Fair homepage. While you’re there, set up a Book Fair eWallet, the digital payment account that allows your child to shop for books at the Fair without cash. Then share your eWallet link so friends and extended family can add funds.

8th Grade Families – View of the Hill & IB Presentation

Smoky Hill High School will be hosting A View of the Hill on Tuesday, November 12th. This is an opportunity to learn about SHHS as students begin setting their sights on high school for next year. Please check out the accompanying attachment.

Additionally, students and staff members from Smoky Hill's International Baccalaureate (IB) program will soon be visiting Horizon Community to share information about the IB Program. The IB Program is a comprehensive and rigorous program designed to help students develop critical thinking skills, become confident and self-motivated, and learn to collaborate effectively. Smoky Hill is the only high school in Cherry Creek Schools that offers a full four-year program: IB Middle Years Program (MYP) for 9th and 10th graders and the IB Diploma Program (DP) for 11th and 12th graders. There is an application process for 8th grade students who are interested in being part of the IB Program.

PTCO Feedback

Our PTCO has created this Class Pass Fundraiser Feedback Form. Please complete it when convenient.

November 1, 2024

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

As we wrap up our semester 1 conferences, please remember that if you could not attend a conference this week, you are always welcome to call a teacher at any time. Some additional topics for this week:

1. As the weather changes, please ensure that your child is dressed warmly. Other than days when the weather is exceptionally poor, students will still remain outside until 8:40am, and we have outdoor recess on most days.
2. Our PTCO has created this Class Pass Fundraiser Feedback Form. Please complete it when convenient.
3. Please see information below regarding our upcoming Book Fair.
4. On Monday, November 4^th, we will be distributing ice cream to students who earned the Honor Roll from Quarter 1. This will occur during the last 15 minutes of Advisory classes (see Advisory class times below). Honor Roll certificates will be distributed to students when they arrive to Advisory class, and they will be sent to the Design Studio/Courtyard for a sweet treat and celebration. We have four levels of Honor Roll at HCMS:
   • Academic Excellence: 4.0 GPA
   • Academic Distinction: 3.75 – 3.99 GPA
   • Academic Achievement: 3.0 – 3.74
   • Academic Growth: Increase of .5+ GPA (awarded following Quarters 2, 3, and 4)

If you are interested in volunteering to help pass out ice cream, please contact Robert Jefferson, Assistant Principal, at rjefferson2@cherrycreekschools.org.

• 6^th Grade Advisory: 10:40am – 11:31am
• 7^th Grade Advisory: 11:35am – 12:26pm
• 8^th Grade Advisory: 12:30pm – 1:21pm

Thank you!

Brad

Dr. Brad Weinhold

Principal

Horizon Community Middle School

720-886-6101 (office)

720-767-2352 (cell)

HCMS Military/Veteran Celebration

We will be recognizing veterans and active-duty members of the military from our community on Tuesday, November 12^th (8:30am – 9:45am). Events will include a breakfast reception and a recognition ceremony. If you or someone you know would like to attend to be honored, please check out this invitation which includes a link to RSVP.

Scholastic Book Fair

Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to connect with your child over the thrill of bringing home new books to dive into again and again. Studies show that kids read more when they choose books for themselves. And fostering a love of independent reading leads to a wide variety of benefits—including academic success and improved mental health. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the Book Fair: 

• Dates: November 11-15^th
• Location: HCMS Library

There’s even more info on our school’s Book Fair homepage. While you’re there, set up a Book Fair eWallet, the digital payment account that allows your child to shop for books at the Fair without cash. Then share your eWallet link so friends and extended family can add funds.

Mill & Bond Information

Cherry Creek Schools is looking to make investments in safety and security, teachers, innovation, technology, and major construction and maintenance projects at schools all across the district. Learn about the proposed projects in our community here.

Mobile Food Truck – Free Food Market

There will be a mobile food truck at Summit Elementary School on Wednesday, November 6^th from 4:00 – 5:00pm in the bus loop.  This market is open to the Smoky Hill feeder area! There will be free, fresh and shelf stable food items offered on a first come, first served basis. See attached for more information.

8^th Grade Families – View of the Hill & IB Presentation

Smoky Hill High School will be hosting A View of the Hill on Tuesday, November 12^th. This is an opportunity to learn about SHHS as students begin setting their sights on high school for next year. Please check out the accompanying attachment.

Additionally, students and staff members from Smoky Hill's International Baccalaureate (IB) program will be visiting Horizon Community on Friday, November 8^th to share information about the IB Program. The IB Program is a comprehensive and rigorous program designed to help students develop critical thinking skills, become confident and self-motivated, and learn to collaborate effectively. Smoky Hill is the only high school in Cherry Creek Schools that offers a full four-year program: IB Middle Years Program (MYP) for 9th and 10th graders and the IB Diploma Program (DP) for 11th and 12th graders. There is an application process for 8th grade students who are interested in being part of the IB Program. 

After School Activities & School Departure

To ensure student safety, expecially as days begin to get shorter in the months to come, we are asking that students who stay after school abide by consistent guidelines. Students who engage in after school athletics, activities, or academic tutorials should be in these spaces from 3:50pm – 4:40pm. Late buses depart at approximately 4:45pm, and rides should be arranged to pick all students up by 5:00pm. Students not engaged in these after school events should plan to leave campus at the end of the schol day (3:45pm).

Morning Traffic Information

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks for making our before school drop-off such a success! Your cooperation has helped create a smooth and efficient process, and we truly appreciate your efforts. As we move forward, here are a few reminders to ensure the continued safety and well-being of our students:

• Inclement Weather: In the event of inclement weather, students may be directed indoors, and staff will be inside supporting them. Staff may not be outside directing traffic during these times. Please continue with the same drop-off procedures, being mindful of pedestrians.
• Be Patient: Please be patient with families as they drop off their students. It is important that we all work together to make this process as safe as possible.
• Exiting the Drop-Off Zone: Once you’ve dropped off your child, please allow cars in front of you to pull out safely before moving forward.
• Speed Limit: For the safety of all, please observe a speed limit of no more than 5 miles per hour in all driving areas.
• Drop-Off Zone: Students should only be dropped off in the designated drop-off zone. This ensures their safety while exiting vehicles.
• Pedestrian Safety: Always yield to pedestrians. Our students’ safety is the top priority.
• Special Circumstances: If you need to park or if your child requires special assistance (e.g., using crutches), please notify our staff, and we will assist you.

Thank you for your continued cooperation. Together, we can ensure a safe and smooth start to the school day for everyone.

Judi’s House

Judi’s House, a local nonprofit bereavement center, is collaborating with our school to offer a grief support group called Pathfinders. Any middle school student who is grieving the death of a significant person in their life is welcome. There is no cost for families to participate in the Pathfinders program. Pathfinders is a curriculum-based peer support group that meets 10 times for about an hour each week. Group facilitators from Judi’s House are trained counselors who partner with school staff and remain in contact with parents/caregivers throughout the program via email and phone calls. Please contact Elizabeth (Lys) Adler, School Psychologist, at madler2@cherrycreekschools.org if you are interested in learning more.

October 25, 2024

Dear Horizon Community Middle School Families,

We are capping off our first week back today with a whole school assembly. In addition to playing fun games, promoting school spirit, and recognizing students who received PACK awards in the first quarter, the Smoky Hill High School Dance team is performing! Moving forward, we plan to have whole school assemblies on the Friday of the week we get back from breaks.

This week you should have received an automated email containing your student’s Quarter 1 report card. We apologize for any typos and the generic messaging. If you have any questions about your student’s report card, please contact our registrar, Terry Altman, at taltman3@cherrycreekschools.org. 

Next week our Student Council is sponsoring a Spirit Week! Fun dress up days for the week include:

• Monday: Hat and Silly Sock Day 
• Tuesday: Country vs Country Club
• Wednesday: Sports/Jersey Day
• Thursday: TV/Movie/Book Character Day

As a reminder, there is no school next Friday due to conferences (see additional information below).

Finally, in addition to other reminders below, please take time to read through information related to our morning drop off procedures. As weather begins to change, we will be asking for teamwork as a community to ensure safety for all.

Thank you, and welcome back!

Brad

Dr. Brad Weinhold
Principal
Horizon Community Middle School
720.886.6101 (office)
720.767.2352 (cell)

Guest Speakers – 6^th Grade

6^th grade students had the opportunity to engage with four guest speakers from the Colorado Refugee Speakers Bureau on Thursday. Students heard from Amani from Tanzania/Burundi, Sara from Syria/Iraq, Lojohomoi from South Sudan, and Tetiana from Ukraine. These speakers shared their journeys from their home country to Colorado and what re-establishing their lives in the United States has been like. Their stories helped students build connections between what they had read in Language Arts through the fiction book Refugee by Alan Gratz and current refugees' real-life experiences in our world.

Medicaid and CHP+ Enrollment

The automatic renewal process for individuals and families enrolled in Health First Colorado (Colorado’s Medicaid program) and Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) has ended. This means families must actively re-enroll or they will lose their Medicaid and CHP+ health coverage. CCSD is hosting a free sign-up event where Servicios De La Raza is offering Medicaid and CHP+ enrollment assistance at specific CCSD school site locations. Uninsured residents of Colorado may also apply for Medicaid and CHP+ enrollment assistance. Please see the attached flyer for details. 

Morning Traffic Information

We want to extend a heartfelt thanks for making our before school drop-off such a success! Your cooperation has helped create a smooth and efficient process, and we truly appreciate your efforts. As we move forward, here are a few reminders to ensure the continued safety and well-being of our students:

• Inclement Weather: In the event of inclement weather, students may be directed indoors, and staff will be inside supporting them. Staff may not be outside directing traffic during these times. Please continue with the same drop-off procedures, being mindful of pedestrians.
• Be Patient: Please be patient with families as they drop off their students. It is important that we all work together to make this process as safe as possible.
• Exiting the Drop-Off Zone: Once you’ve dropped off your child, please allow cars in front of you to pull out safely before moving forward.
• Speed Limit: For the safety of all, please observe a speed limit of no more than 5 miles per hour in all driving areas.
• Drop-Off Zone: Students should only be dropped off in the designated drop-off zone. This ensures their safety while exiting vehicles.
• Pedestrian Safety: Always yield to pedestrians. Our students’ safety is the top priority.
• Special Circumstances: If you need to park or if your child requires special assistance (e.g., using crutches), please notify our staff, and we will assist you.

Thank you for your continued cooperation. Together, we can ensure a safe and smooth start to the school day for everyone.

HCMS Military/Veteran Survey

HC Families: Please complete this survey if you (or a family member) are an active-duty member of the military or a veteran. We want to recognize you at our ceremony on November 12^th (8:00am – 9:45am).

CCSD & HCMS Donation Drive

Horizon Community Middle School and the Cherry Creek School District are hosting a Donation Drive to support students and families this month. Smoky Hill High School and its feeder schools will be collecting individually-packaged snacks, shelf-stable items, and toiletries to stock our school-based community pantries until October 31^st. If you would like to make a monetary donation instead, please use this link. To purchase items from our Amazon Wishlist, click here. Donation drives are one of many ways we support students through our strategic plan, which includes a focus on literacy, whole wellbeing, and disproportionality. Visit CherryCreekSchools.org/DonationDrive for more information.

Mill & Bond Information

Cherry Creek Schools is looking to make investments in safety and security, teachers, innovation, technology, and major construction and maintenance projects at schools all across the district. Learn about the proposed projects in our community here.

8^th Grade Families – View of the Hill

Smoky Hill High School will be hosting A View of the Hill on Tuesday, November 12^th. This is an opportunity to learn about SHHS as students begin setting their sights on high school for next year. Please check out the accompanying attachment.

After School Activities & School Departure

To ensure student safety, expecially as days begin to get shorter in the months to come, we are asking that students who stay after school abide by consistent guidelines. Students who engage in after school athletics, activities, or academic tutorials should be in these spaces from 3:50pm – 4:40pm. Late buses depart at approximately 4:45pm, and rides should be arranged to pick all students up by 5:00pm. Students not engaged in these after school events should plan to leave campus at the end of the schol day (3:45pm).

Judi’s House

Judi’s House, a local nonprofit bereavement center, is collaborating with our school to offer a grief support group called Pathfinders. Any middle school student who is grieving the death of a significant person in their life is welcome. There is no cost for families to participate in the Pathfinders program. Pathfinders is a curriculum-based peer support group that meets 10 times for about an hour each week. Group facilitators from Judi’s House are trained counselors who partner with school staff and remain in contact with parents/caregivers throughout the program via email and phone calls. Please contact Elizabeth (Lys) Adler, School Psychologist, at madler2@cherrycreekschools.org if you are interested in learning more.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Our second round of semester one conferences will take place next week on Wednesday, October 30^th (virtual conferences from 4:00-7:30) and Friday, November 1st (drop-in, in-person conferences from 8:00-11:30, and virtual conferences from 1:00-4:00).

Click here to sign up for a virtual conference. Once on the bookings page, select the staff member you would like to conference with and the time slot you would like to book. You will receive an email with a Microsoft Teams link for the meeting. Please be sure to enter your email address correctly and sign up for the correct staff member.

No appointments are needed for drop-in conferences.

Please contact Clare Dardis, Campus Administrator, at cdardis@cherrycreekschools.org or 720-886-6271 if you need assistance signing up for a virtual conference.