Horizon Happenings October 2026

Posted Date: 10/05/26 (10:51 AM)

Horizon Happenings

October 2026

Land Acknowledgement

We, the Ferndale School District, acknowledge we are residing on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Lummi People. The Lummi People are the original inhabitants of Washington's northernmost coast and southern British Columbia. They lived in villages throughout this territory and continue to have an ongoing relationship with these areas. Since Time Immemorial, they have celebrated life on their waterways and on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded lands of their People to perpetuate their way of life. We honor their ancestors as we acknowledge the past, present, and future Lummi People as the original inhabitants of this land.

Principal's Message

Hornet Families,

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers."

— L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

I love this quote as Fall is my favorite season and October my favorite month. The start of this school year has been fantastic and the “feel” at Horizon is very positive and calm. I’ve been thinking as the days get shorter, the time we spend together is too precious to waste, so we must be intentional and work to create an environment where all who enter feel welcome.

This month we have numerous opportunities for our students to showcase what is important to them. At today’s assembly students were treated to a performance by our Latinos In Action (LIA) students in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. On Wednesday, October 7th we hope to see many of you for our 2026 Back-to-School Night event; additional information is included within this newsletter. On October 12th, our students will participate in the Ferndale School District SEL survey where they’ll have a chance to let us know how they feel about school and their own ability to learn. Towards the end of the month our ASB will also host a Spirit Week; more details will be sent via Parent Square in a few weeks.

Be on the lookout for a Parent Square with directions on how to sign up for Parent Teacher Conferences, which will be held November 23 and 24th; evening conference slots will be available for Monday, November 23rd.

We hope this October brings your family peace and an opportunity to connect with the beauty of what is Whatcom County in the Fall.

Always be kind,

Christine McDaniel

Principal, Horizon Middle School

Upcoming Dates & Events

📅 Important Dates & Events

October 2 - Hispanic Heritage Assembly

October 7th - Back to School Night

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

October 14th - Materials Review Night 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Town Hall - Fund Schools Now 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

October 15th - Pop-Up Library during lunch

October 16th - Picture Retakes

October 30th - SWARM Assembly

We Want to Hear From You!

At Horizon, we want families to feel connected to the learning happening every day in our classrooms. We’re asking for your feedback to better understand what questions you have, what concerns you may have, and what ideas you have for helping families stay connected to their child’s learning.

The survey is short, and your feedback will help us think about ways we can strengthen the partnership between home and school. Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts with us!

https://forms.gle/F2VrTVyug1wN7Zme7

2026-2027 Device Insurance

Student Device Insurance

Ferndale Schools District Device Insurance.

$25/year as part of the school's technology program.

*$10 for students who qualify for free/reduced lunch (bring the food service free/reduced approval letter to the office when paying)

Athletics Information

Subtitle for context

7th and 8th Grade Basketball

7th- and 8th-grade basketball sign-ups are now open! Sign up on Final Forms

https://ferndale-wa.finalforms.com/

Season dates: Girls - 10/19-12/4

Boys - 11/30-1/29

Come Cheer on Our Hornets!

Game schedule: Games start at 4 p.m.

FOOTBALL:

October 1st: 8th grade vs. Lynden Christian at Horizon

October 8th: 8th grade vs. Nooksack at Nooksack Middle School

October 13th: 7th grade vs. Lynden at Horizon

October 15th: 8th grade vs. Blaine at Blaine HS

October 20th: 7th grade vs. Blaine at Horizon

October 22nd: 8th grade vs. Meridian at Meridian MS

October 27th: 8th grade vs. Lynden at Horizon

SOFTBALL:

October 5th: vs. Mount Baker at Mount Baker HS

October 7th: vs. Blaine at Ferndale HS

SOCCER:

October 5th: vs. Lynden at Horizon

October 7th: vs. Lynden Christian at Horizon

October 13th: vs. Meridian at Horizon

October 15th: vs. Nooksack at Horizon

CROSS COUNTRY:

October 7th at Hovander

October 14th at Lynden Christian HS

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS

Study Table

Mondays and Thursdays: 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm, starting October 12th!

Study Table is a quiet, safe space for students to catch up on classwork, meet with their teacher for assistance or to retake a test, pleasure read, and/or work on iReady. Sign-ups can be found in Final Forms; look for the activity labeled COED STUDY TABLE,

Capacity: 15 spots available

https://ferndale-wa.finalforms.com/

ART CLUB

Calling all 6th Graders!

Are you interested in art?

Come to ART CLUB! We will have exciting group projects to work on, or if you just want a fun, creative space to work on your own masterpieces, this is your perfect opportunity!

Host: Join Ms. Tieri
When: Tuesdays, Oct. 13th0 Nov. 17th
Time: 2:30 - 4:30 PM
Transportation: Activity bus is available if needed!
Capacity: Only 12 spots available!

Registration opens October 5th!

You must register online through Final Forms to secure your spot.

https://%20%20https//ferndale-wa.finalforms.com/

Math Olympiad

Joining Math Olympiad is more than a math competition. Students learn teamwork, strategy, and the joys of competing.

Math Olympiad will meet on Wednesdays from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, starting October 21st. Students will be bused to Vista Middle School for club meetings. The activity bus is available, or parents can pick up their students at Vista at 4:30pm

Sign-ups are available here https://ferndale-wa.finalforms.com/

Chess Club

Sign-up for Chess Club is now open on FinalForms. No experience is necessary. Chess Club meets every Monday from 2:30 pm- 4:30 pm, starting Oct.19th. Activity Bus available. All grades welcome.

https://ferndale-wa.finalforms.com/

HORIZON STUDENT STORE

WHEN: Fridays

During all Three Lunches

Snack Menu:

Chips- Fruit Snacks- Rice Krispies Treats

Juice- Ice Cream Bars

EVERYTHING IS $2.00 or Less

*CASH ONLY*

For Your Information and Planning

As there are 150-165 students present at each lunch & recess, so it can take time to locate them. If you need to pick up your child during their lunch period, please plan for a longer wait than if you arrive during the class time right before or after lunch & recess.

If you are calling to request a bus pass or leave a message for your student, please be sure to contact the main office BEFORE 2pm.

October Lunch Menu

October Menu Updates

Hello Ferndale Families,

We wanted to share two updates to our October lunch menus.

On October 9 at our Middle and High Schools and October 13 at our Elementary Schools and Whatcom Discovery, we will be serving our scratch-made Ferndale Homestyle Chili with tortilla chips.

On October 29, all schools will be serving our scratch-made Ferndale Golden Quesadilla.

These changes are now reflected on our online menus, but we know many families have already received or viewed the October menu, so we wanted to make sure you were aware of these updates.

We look forward to serving these scratch-made favorites to our students!

Ferndale Child Nutrition Team

Family Support Resources

Top 10 Tips to Protect Teens Online

This resource outlines basic online safety for parents to utilize in conversation with their child.

Top 10 Tips

Communication at the Middle Level

The link below (The Insider's Guide) will take you to a document outlining how to stay connected with your child and Horizon. The focus is on communication by presuming positive intent and how to stay connected with your middle schooler.

The Insiders Guide

Know What's Going On Around FSD

Attendance

It is very important that students attend school every day and arrive on time. If your student is sick or has an emergency and cannot attend school, please call the office at (360) 383-9850 to report their absence.

FSD 2026/27 Student Calendar

2026/27 HMS Bell Schedule

Transportation Information

Bus information can be found on the Ferndale School District Website.
Students must submit a written note from their parent or guardian to the office in order to receive a bus pass to ride a different bus.
Families may drop students off no earlier than 7:40 AM. We kindly ask that families use the designated drop-off areas to ensure smooth and safe arrival procedures.