This Year's Events

The Horizons calendar is unique to our program and varies from the standard Boulder Valley School District’s calendar. Following are descriptions of our site-based events, "holidays," and days off listed for the year.

Council Meetings
Monthly Council meetings occur on the second or third Thursday of every month except June and December from 6:15 PM to 8:30 PM. We begin our Council meetings with a hospitality time, followed by an explanation of our Communication Agreements. Open Forum follows, which is an opportunity to sign up to speak for one and one-half minutes about a subject you feel is of interest and/or benefit to the school community. Many Open Forum items become agenda items at later meetings. The remainder of the meeting is spent considering agenda items.

Teacher Planning Days
Throughout the school year there are days set aside for teacher planning and shared professional development for the faculty. On these days, the school is typically closed for classes, but the Adventure Day classes are offered.

All-School Work Day
At the beginning of the school year, we invite all families to participate in a work day. This gives us an opportunity to build friendships and to beautify and ready our school for the new year.

All-School Family Picnic
At the conclusion of each school year, the Horizons community shares in a family picnic and celebration. We hold this event in the schoolyard. Families bring food to share; kids play; parents get to visit with friends! Teachers get to relax with their students and families! We celebrate the success of another school year!

Open House
In early September, we host an Open House for all parents. This is an excellent time for parents to ask questions, to deepen their understanding of the Horizons experience, and to spend time with our leadership team. Parents also have an opportunity to visit with grade-level teachers, to learn about curriculum and activities for the school year, and to ask questions.

Outdoor Education Week
This week in September is devoted to grade-appropriate excursions where students have an opportunity to bond through outdoor-education teamwork and risk taking in settings that also provide learning opportunities in ecology, geology, biology, physical fitness, and native cultures and traditions. (See Outdoor Education Week in the "Academics at Horizons" section for more information.)

School Photos
Students have an opportunity to have their photos taken, both individually and with their classes. Parents receive order envelopes where they may indicate and pay for the particular set of photos they would like. Parents wishing retakes may do so on a designated date by returning a new photo form with the rejected photos.

Conferences
Hour-long conferences are held twice yearly. These student-led conferences offer parents a broad look into all phases of the student’s school progress. All efforts are made to schedule consecutive conferences for parents with more than one child. We request that you do not make family travel plans during these weeks so that you and your child will be able to participate. During these conference weeks, Horizons is closed for classes and Adventure Day classes are offered.

Vision/Hearing Screening
Students in the school receive yearly screening in vision and hearing. Parents will be notified if any irregular results occur. This screening is directed by district health personnel and Horizons volunteers and is a good way to offer volunteer services.

Open-Enrollment Period
The Boulder Valley School District’s open-enrollment period begins in late November and continues through mid January. Families interested in attending Horizons must turn in their applications during this period to the Open Enrollment office in the Education Center at 63rd and Arapahoe. This is also true for the applications for siblings of current Horizons students and children of Horizons employees, who receive priority placement, if space is available. Applications are located at Horizons as well as the Education Center and all other Boulder public schools.

Winter Sports
In January and February, Horizons participates in Winter Sports Days at Eldora Ski Resort. For one day in each of three consecutive weeks, students in K through 8th grades may choose from down-hill, cross-country, skate-skiing and snowboarding in skill groupings with trained Eldora instructors. This is a unique aspect of our physical-education program and offers students a concentrated opportunity to learn or improve their skiing abilities, as well as to build their interpersonal skills.

Grade Level Plays & Presentations
At various times throughout the year, grade level team plays and musical extravaganzas are offered. These events consistently surprise audiences as to what students are actually capable of.

Middle-School Variety Show
This event allows Middle School students to share their musical and theatrical gifts with our community.

8th Grade Aperture Evening
This exciting May evening showcases the culminating projects of our 8th grade students. Many are experiential; all are thought-provoking and creative!

8th Grade Graduation
Our 8th grade graduation is held on the final Thursday of the school year. The graduation ceremony is a moving event, offering students an opportunity to reflect upon and share a bit of their Horizons experience.