Welcome NHS Families!
August 9, 2022
Dear NHS Families,
We hope you have all had a restful summer break so far!
Summer School 2022: Our Summer School program was very successful this year.
We had 25 students enrolled, 9 student visitors, and 4 teachers. The theme was
“Space”, and teachers and students enjoyed field trips to the Museum of Flight and the
Pierce College Planetarium.
Welcome New Families: Please join us in welcoming several new students and their
families to NHS this fall:
• Harvey Sroufe, Gr. 9, Ms. Takacs’ homeroom
• Allison Watson, Gr. 7, Mr. Robnett’s homeroom
We hope you will be very happy at NHS!
3 Updated Policies: The NHS Board of Directors recently approved new revisions to 3
policies: Dress & Grooming Policy, Use of Personal Cell Phones and Other Electronic
Devices, and Acceptable Use of Technology. These updated policies are located in the
2022-2023 Student/Family Handbook. We are also attaching these policies to this
packet now, so that you may review them with your student. Please note, NHS will not
require a uniform this year, although your student is welcome to wear one if you wish or
they wish. Also please note, students will be allowed to have their cell phones or other
electronic devices turned on (silent/no vibrate) during the school day to use for
educational purposes only. As in the past, if they wish to text or call a parent, they
must come to the office and request permission. We will check out a laptop, laptop bag,
and accessories (charger, headphones/mic, wired mouse) to each student to take home
each evening and bring back to school each morning. Please talk to your student about
appropriate use of NHS technology, caring for their laptop and accessories properly, and
plugging and unplugging accessories correctly. As in the past, no videos about gaming
or gaming will be allowed.
Student Supply Lists: Our student supply list is shorter this year, in order to minimize
the amount that students carry from class to class. Please see the supply lists in the
packet.
School Readiness List: In addition, please see the School Readiness List in the packet
to help you and your student be ready for the first day of school!
First Day of School: The first day of school is Tuesday, September 6th, 8 AM – 2:30
PM. Students may be dropped off as early as 7:45 AM and will be marked tardy after 8
AM. They should be picked up at 2:30 PM. Please send your student to the bridge
outside of Building M to receive their schedule and directions to Homeroom Class.
Attendance is required, and teachers will take attendance daily for each class.
Welcome Back Zoom Meeting: I will be scheduling a welcome back meeting with
parents/guardians on Zoom on September 6th, at 10 AM. This meeting will be an
opportunity for new parents to meet returning parents, for parents to meet our mental
health counselor, for parents to ask questions, and for me to try to answer questions. I
will send out a flyer with the Zoom link prior to that date.
Please feel free to contact any of our office staff at 425-226-3717 or via email
Sincerely,
Marla Veliz
Administrator
Admin August 9th, 2022
Posted In: School News
School News
June 7, 2022
Dear NHS Families,
NHS 100% Remote Mon., 6/6, through Fri., 6/10: Due to the impacts of the current uptick in numbers of new COVID-19 cases in our county and our community, NHS will follow our Online Learning Schedule all week. We currently have a staff shortage due to COVID-19 related impacts such as an ill family member, a closed school, or a closed daycare.
COVID-19:
Vaccinations: 74.4% of Washingtonians are fully vaccinated, meaning have their first two shots and any boosters for which they are eligible. Ages 5 and up are now eligible for the booster.
Uptick: King County has been experiencing an uptick in numbers of new COVID-19 cases since Spring Vacation. In addition to new cases, the rate of hospitalization due to COVID is also up.
Treatments: Several treatments are available if COVID is diagnosed early. Contact your health care provider if you have questions.
Protect Yourself and Your Family: Get vaccinated and boosted, mask when indoors and around the public, wash hands, use hand sanitizer, avoid touching eyes/nose/mouth, avoid close contact (less than 6 ft), cover your coughs and sneezes, and stay home if you are sick.
Variants: According to the CDC, the Omicron lineages and sublineages make up the majority of new cases in the US right now. In January/February, we experienced the large surge of the BA.1 variant of Omicron. Currently, we are experiencing the uptick of the BA.2 variant of Omicron. During the week of May 28th, 49% of new cases were BA.2, 38.1% of new cases were BA2.12.1, and 5.6% of cases were B.1.1.529.
Transmissibility: According to the CDC, all of the Omicron lineages and sublineages are highly transmissible. They spread more easily than previous variants. Symptoms appear to vary from one person to another.
Symptoms of BA.2: Most commonly reported symptoms of BA.2 are sore throat, cough, congestion, fatigue, and headache. Occasionally people are also reporting shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, muscle or body aches, and fever or chills.
Data: The current available data is thought to be an underestimation of the actual numbers of new cases, since many people are using rapid antigen tests at home.
Contact us at School: Please remember to contact us at school immediately if your child or anyone in your household tests positive for COVID-19, so we can take the necessary steps to prevent transmission or a potential outbreak at NHS. Your information will remain confidential.
Annual Meeting: Thank you to those who were able to attend the Annual Meeting of the Members of the Corporation (parents of enrolled students) on May 18th. Your participation is greatly appreciated!
Spring Carnival: Thank you to all who were able to attend at yesterday’s Spring Carnival, and a big thank you to Taryn Hudgens for coordinating and to all who volunteered!
Progress Reports: The last progress reports prior to the 4th Quarter report card were distributed last week. Please be sure to check your email, review your student’s progress report, and email the teacher with any questions or concerns.
Social Coaching Groups: Our Social Coaching groups continue to meet weekly, although we lost internet connection at school on Friday, causing a disruption. Our connection has been restored.
Seniors’ Last Day: The Seniors’ last day is June 10th, unless a student has either attendance or work concerns.
Conferences: Conferences are scheduled for the week of June 13-June 17th. Please contact each teacher with whom you wish to meet to schedule a conference via Zoom.
Last Day of School: The last day of school is Friday, June 17th. Please make sure that your child has returned his/her laptop, charger, headset, mouse, and any books to school by that date. More details to follow.
Senior Graduation: Senior Graduation is scheduled for Friday, June 17th. It will be held in person, with only seniors, their immediate and extended families, and staff/faculty in person, due to COVID precautions. Graduation will also be live streamed for those who wish to view it in real time. More details to follow.
4th Quarter Report Cards: Will be distributed on June 24th.
Summer School: Summer School begins on July 6th and runs through August 2nd, 8 AM – 12 PM, M-F.
Sincerely,
Marla
Marla Veliz
Administrator
Admin June 6th, 2022
Posted In: School News
NHS will be 100% Remote Wed., 6/8 – Fri., 6/10/22
Dear NHS Friends and Families,
NHS will be 100% remote Wed., 6/8 – Fri., 6-10. Please have your student check on Schoology and follow the Online Learning Schedule. Have your student log on to Schoology and join his/her math class at 8 AM.
Marla Veliz
mveliz@new-horizon-school.org
Admin June 6th, 2022
Posted In: School News