Horizon West Middle School celebrates five years

When Horizon West Middle School opened in August 2019, the new community voiced its initial goal in the form of a hashtag: #OneSchoolOneFamily.

Now, the Hornets have become an essential part of the Horizon West hive and are set to celebrate five years in the community with a festival Friday, April 26, in the school’s courtyard.

The Jump N’ Jive — The Hive is Five Festival will celebrate the school’s greatest achievements and accomplishments throughout the years with myriad activities — including food trucks, yard games, mini golf, a deejay and a photo booth — for students, family and friends, and other community members.

In addition, a special awards ceremony will be hosted for the 31 teachers and staff members who have been with the school since its inception, and the school will showcase its new Hero Game Room with a dedication by the Parent Teacher Student Organization.

What makes the year even more special is HWMS’ first group of eighth-graders will graduate from Windermere High School as seniors in May.

“It has truly been an incredible journey here from the first days to where we are now,” Principal Michelle Thomas said. “I’m big about procedures and policies. So, to start something fresh from scratch was such a unique, exciting and intimidating opportunity at the same time. 

“Everything from picking out the school colors to its name; it was hard work, but it was a ton of fun,” she said. “We had to create our own culture separate from the Bridgewater Middle School culture, where a lot of our students were coming from. We had to be different, and we had to be us and figure out what that looked like. We built a lot of it around pride. This was our school, and this was our family. Seeing the students and their joy in that is something I will always remember.”

HISTORY OF THE HIVE

HWMS opened its doors to the community in August 2019.

With the Horizon West population exploding in the last decade, the school was one of three to open that year, joining Castleview and Water Spring elementary schools.

According to Orange County Public Schools, HWMS was planned to hold 1,185 students, serving as a relief school for Bridgewater Middle School and taking 900 of its students.

HWMS opened with a larger student population than both Horizon and Lake Buena Vista high schools and is still one of the largest middle schools in the district today.

The new school featured classrooms with new computers and interactive touch screens, art and music labs, and expansive sports fields.

OCPS helped to host a dedication ceremony for the school Nov. 15, 2019.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“The pandemic was something that was totally unexpected, and it heavily impacted our school during the first few years,” PTSO President Beth Siegmann said. “It was something that none of us (had) ever experienced in our lifetime, and it kind of turned everyone’s lives upside-down, especially schools. We couldn’t do fun events or festivals in the beginning. To see how we bounced back as a group, as a PTSO, as a school and as a community was just absolutely amazing to see. Who would have thought that we would be where we are now?”

Following the pandemic, Siegmann said the growth of the school community has been massive, and the school now is able to do more than ever before.

“I love that this school does its best to appreciate all kids,” she said. “Sometimes, the accolades always go to the Honor Roll kids or the top performer kids — which they do deserve because they work hard for that. But there (are) also children that may not get the best grades, but they’re good kids who make good choices and who are kind. The diversity at our school is one of the things that makes it the most special. Our programs like the HERO program help honor students who encompass the qualities we want to see in our community. The kids can gain points to win prizes, and they love it.”

Siegmann, who has an eighth-grade son at the school and has been part of the PTSO since the beginning, said she believes serving schools is something that’s in her blood.

In total, she has been part of PTOs within OCPS for 15 years, starting with her older son, who graduated in 2022 from Windermere High School

She already is set to serve on the Windermere High PTSO when her younger son moves on to his new school next year; she previously served as president when her older son attended.

Because she has served with many of the same parents throughout the years, she is excited to see friendly faces lead the incoming HWMS PTSO board with the same love and passion.

“It’s a great way to be part of the community,” Siegmann said. “I know not all parents are able to be involved, but when you do have the opportunity to be part of your child’s life in this way — especially middle school because it’s a hard three years — they see that you’re committed to them, as well. It’s special being able to work with a group of people who share the same common goal of creating an environment that works best for the children while also helping give back to the teachers and staff at the school. I have so much respect for the work they do for our kids. I just truly do love being part of this organization, no matter what school I’m at.”

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COMMUNITY COLONY

This year marks Thomas’ 25th year in education, her 16th year in an administrative position and her eighth year as a principal.

Before coming to HWMS, she served as the principal at Dillard Street Elementary School in Winter Garden.

She said she always has had a special place in her heart for middle school students. 

In one of her previous positions, she helped to support the Horizon West area and was familiar with Bridgewater Middle and its families, which inspired her to pursue the position at HWMS.

“I really enjoy the area and the community,” she said. “There’s high parental involvement, and it’s very diverse. We serve one of the largest ESOL populations in the district. The kids here are just amazing. It’s neat watching the students work together and collaborate. When language is their only barrier, they overcome that and just love one another.”

Thomas believes it takes a special person to teach the middle school age group.

Ashley Aulerich, reading specialist at HWMS, started as an ELA teacher and moved into a leadership position this past school year. 

One of the things she loves most about the school is the culture that has been built over the last five years.

“We’ve proven to be resilient and have an amazing support system here,” she said. “One thing I am constantly hearing from our teachers is that they always feel supported, whether it be in the classroom, with students or even personal matters. Everyone here goes above and beyond to help each other, and I’m very blessed to be a part of that.”

She said one of the biggest changes she has seen at the school has been the steady growth of community involvement. 

“When we first opened, that, of course, was a goal of ours, but when COVID occurred, that put a big barrier up, and we had to work to tear it down,” she said. “Now, when we have community events we’re reaching an attendance of about 400 people, like our Multicultural Night back in March. Having our second PTSO-sponsored community event on April 26; we know that attendance is just going to keep rising. We have such a great team at HWMS from staff, students, parents and community members. It’s so rewarding to see everyone come together.”

Courtesy photo