Horizon Christian School - private, Christian school, Hood River, Oregon

04-26-10 - Student Shows Concern and Action for Impoverished African Women
Ninth grader Jessica Wagar chose a Bead for Life Party as her project for Everyday Justice, an elective class in which she is enrolled. Impoverished Ugandan women make the jewelry from colorful recycled paper and the jewelry is then sold. Jessica hosted a Party and the proceeds will go back to the women in Africa. For more information contact Jessica Wagar or Mrs. Lori Martinez, or go to www.beadforlife.org.

04-26-10 - Lessons in Economics and a Whole Lot More
There is a lot to know when you own a business. That’s what 4th and 5th grade students have been learning recently. Students earned money by completing their assignments, then used their earnings to purchase property (some of it “prime” and some of it not so prime!), developed a business proposal, created their “stores”, purchased insurance, and will calculate their taxes at the conclusion of the activities. Students will open their stores to the public (i.e. other classes) this week. Along with some principles of economics, math, writing, organization and creative skills are emphasized. What kind of businesses do 4th and 5th grade students engage in? How about a pet supply store, decorated card and bookmarks, a joke-a-rama booth, name that state game, and of course—a popcorn and candy store to name just a few.

11-10-09 - Horizon Students to Participate in Macy's Parade Jaime Ingalls and Rachel Foss, 10th grade band students, will be marching with the Great American Marching Band in this year’s Macy’s Day Parade on Thanksgiving in New York City. Jaime, a trombone player, and Rachel, who plays the trumpet, were nominated, selected, and have been raising the funds to get there. Along with playing and marching the three mile parade route, the girls will have an opportunity to see some sights including the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building, and the Rockefeller Center. They will also be treated to a Thanksgiving feast and will take in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, featuring the Rockettes. Music teacher Leslie Sullivan, will accompany the students.

11-10-09 - Horizon Jazz Band Launches Fundraisers for May Trip
The HCS Jazz Band is launching two fundraisers — an Apple & Pear Sale and Christmas Tree sale. All of the proceeds will go toward their trip to the Music in the Parks Jazz Band Festival in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho in May 2010. Band members are selling five pound bags of organic Gala apples and Red d’Anjou Pears from Mt. Hood Organic Orchards. The bags will be sold for $5.00 each with all proceeds going to the trip. The apples and pears are smaller, bite-sized fruit which makes them great for gifts and snacking! An order form is attached for your use. All order forms are due back to the school by Friday, December 11. The fruit will be delivered once your order is received. Please specify whether you would prefer picking up your fruit at the school, or having it sent home with a student. If you know of friends and family who would like to indulge in our fruit sale, please let them know! Apple/Pear Order Form

The group also has Christmas trees for sale. All trees are 6-7 feet in height and were grown in Oregon. Trees may be delivered in the local area for an additional $5.00. Three varieties — Douglas Firs ($35), Noble Firs, ($50), and Grand Firs ($50). An order form is attached for your use. Order deadline: December 1st or December 15th; pre-paid. Christmas Tree Fundraiser Form

10-01-09 - Web Resources for Students

05-27-09 - Students Share Thoughts About Horizon Students were recently asked to write a paragraph about their experiences at Horizon. The main themes that kept appearing — opportunity to grow academically and spiritually, loving teachers, acceptance by others and good friends — a family!

05-12-09 - Horizon High School Students Studying Social Justice Issues
Horizon High School students have been studying Social Justice issues that have been outlined in the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals to reduce poverty and suffering in the world. These goals are reflected in a Global Call to Action Plan to mobilize youth to undertake over a billion acts of peace and service from 2006-2016 to address ten core global problems. After studying these issues, students formed groups, researched issues and created projects to help alleviate some of the pain and suffering involved in these areas. They will be carrying out their plans of action until the end of the school year.

Check out the list of 2008-09 Service Projects (PDF) to see what Horizon students have been doing around our communities this year with the leadership of Service Coordinator Roxanne McClure.

May 2009 Classroom/Grade Doings

6th Graders
Camp Yamhill on Tuesday, May 12 – Friday, May 15th. Please do not leave your child at school on Tuesday until his/her baggage has been checked for the essential items. Students will be returning by 3:00pm on Friday.

4th Graders
On May 19 — 20 the fourth grade class is traveling to Astoria, Oregon. They will visit Fort Clatsop and Fort Stevens. They will spend the night in the yurts at Fort Stevens. They will visit the Lewis and Clark Historical Site (Fort Clatsop), The Heritage Museum, The Astoria Column, and the Civil War and WWI & WWII Fort Stevens. We are looking forward to researching our history, spending time with each other, and spending time in God’s scenic world.

Juniors and Seniors
AP Testing this week. PLEASE remember to be on time to each test. Monday, May 11th at 12 noon - Physics; Tuesday, May 12th at 8:00 am - Chemistry; Wednesday, May 13th at 8:00 AM - Language. After the Language test on Wednesday, students will be allowed to go home (at about 12:30). All other test days will be a regular school day. Students must be in dress code all days including Wednesday.

05-04-09 - Horizon Students Participate in Peace Jam
Last weekend Natasha Burrell, Aireann Franz, Leo Kuebler, Diep Ta and Josh Wagar participated in the Northwest PeaceJam Conference, along with chaperones Susan Wade and Roxanne McClure. PeaceJam is an international organization that educates and inspires youth to take leadership in making a difference in their schools, communities and world. Our students interacted with other service minded youth from Oregon, Washington and California and learned about global issues from Nobel Peace Prize winner, Shirin Ebadi. It was an unforgettable experience that broadened our perspective on how other people around the world live and think. It encouraged us to bring peace and justice to the situations God places us in. We are thankful for the opportunity to think and act "bigger than ourselves."

04-07-09 - Congratulations to Horizon Students
Congratulations to Juniors Shannon Foss and Mariah Roberts! They have been selected as teen representatives to the Hood River City Council. Competition was stiff as there were only four positions to be filled by Hood River students. The gals submitted an application and were chosen for an interview where they were commended for being “poised and wellspoken.” The students will attend meetings, serve on committees, give input, and learn about city government.

Congratulations to Caleb Bell and Anna Berthold! Both students have been accepted to the Unites States Naval Academy Summer Seminar in Annapolis. The Summer Seminar is a fast-paced, six-day experience for high achievers who have completed their junior year in high school. The Summer Seminar teaches about life at the Naval Academy, where academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing our nation's leaders. Each year 12,000 young people apply to the Naval Academy and 1,200 are accepted. For that reason, students interested in pursuing admission to the Naval Academy are strongly encouraged to apply for the Summer Seminar which is also intensely competitive.

02-09-09 - Valentine's Day!
The time has come for the giving of gifts to show love and appreciation to those around you. For Valentine’s Day the Leadership Team is selling gifts for students, teachers, and parents. We are selling roses, carnations, chocolate candy, and balloons. The roses and carnations are limited this year, so sign up quickly! The sign-up sheet will be on a table in the student lounge at lunch as well as at the front desk. We will also have a table at the home basketball game on Friday February 8th as well. The prices are as follows:

Single rose: $3.00
Single carnation: $2.50
Pair of roses: $4.50

Balloon & Chocolate combo $4.50
Balloon, Chocolate, Rose combo $7.00
Balloon, Chocolate, Carnation combo $6.50

Pair of carnations: $4.00
Chocolate heart: $2.00
Single Balloon: $3.00

*All orders need to be placed by Tuesday, February 10th. * Payment due when order is placed.

02-09-09 - Soldier Boxes Update
Horizon students sent 13 care packages, including cards and letters, to soldiers from Hood River during December and January. Each grade at Horizon and 2 small groups sent a package. Good job Horizon students in this worthy effort of supporting our troops, especially Sam Kirby, Kenny Collett, Andy Martinez and Alex Nielsen for coordinating the effort. We sent them to Karri Marinas, USMC Cpl. Nicholas Chacon, Airman Sarah Lee, Army Specialist Adam Vandenboss, Army Special Ops John Mattson, IPA Mike Martin, Army Pfc. Allen Harris, Navy Jeremy Fogle, Army Pilot Lacey Smith, USMC 1st Lt. Jesse Atay, Army Capt. Mary Deighton, Airman Stephen Thompson and Nikolas Angel Salas. Special thanks to Mr Jackson for heading up this great project!

01-27-09 - Second and Fourth Grade Doings
The second grade class has started a new Science unit on Plants. This will be an interesting and exciting unit as we watch a variety of seeds, bulbs, stems and roots sprout and grow. The students will be observing their own plants as they learn about the different parts of a plant. This unit will include writing, drawing and lots of investigation.

The fourth grade students have been studying the Industrial Revolution. They are learning about how machines and technology changed our world and our country. We have been discussing the good and harmful changes that took place during this piece of our history. At the conclusion of each lesson the students are building simple machines with Lego’s. They have built a drumming machine, a windshield wiper machine and are working towards more complex machines such as a merry go round. The Lego unit teaches basic engineering that integrates well with math and science. The students are learning about structures and forces, levers, how wheels and axles work. They are also going to be calculating gear ratios. They are challenged, excited and working extremely hard on this unit of study.

12-01-08 - School Sponsored Trip to Washington DC and Williamsburg
High School students, along with family and friends, are invited to travel with the 7th & 8th grade students on their trip to DC. If you would like to be part of this trip contact the office or Mr. Block for more information. All students planning to go need to get registered for the trip soon because airline tickets are being reserved and there is limited space. We leave May 9, 2009.