A warm welcome back to school! We hope your summer was wonderful, and our staff is excited to welcome everyone back for the upcoming school year.
To support all Horton learners, we have developed a communication plan. We encourage you to review the details provided in the attached document and contact us if you have any questions. Keeping families well-informed throughout the school year remains a top priority for our school. Working together as a team, we look forward to a successful year.
Horton ADMIN team
We are excited to welcome Mr. Stephen Rovers to the Horton administration team as vice principal. Bringing extensive experience and a passion for supportive environments, he will be a valuable asset to our school community.
Mr. Stephen Rovers – Vice Principal and Grade 9
Mr. Jodye Routledge – Principal and Grade 10
Ms Davina Melanson – Vice Principal and Grade 11
Mr Peter Morse – Vice Principal and Grade 12
Popular questions at the start of the school year
-
- Supply lists – Horton does not have a supply list for any classes. Students are asked to come to class with binders, paper, pens, and pencils.
- Homeroom lists will be posted at the main entrance and bus entrance for students that may not have saved their passed out schedule from last year.
- Students will get a copy of their schedule from their homeroom teacher, but it is easily accessible on the Student Portal.
- NO Student Fee at Horton again this year.
- Students owing chromebooks and chargers from last year will not be given devices on Day 1 until the issue has been resolved (This could take up to 1 cycle to complete investigations into missing items).
- School Bus: Please review the attached message regarding the Bus Planner / Routes sent to families in August by AVRCE. It is essential that you access this information before the first day of school to get bus pick up time(s) and location. Note that many bus times were adjusted for this year to fix previous years concerns. This resulted in a change to our bell schedule at Horton.
AVRCE Bus Planner information
New Bell Schedule:
Reminder of our new Bell Schedule (All previous bells shift 10 minutes.)
New Provincial School Lunch Program:
This school year marks an exciting milestone for the province: the school lunch program will expand to the remaining 37 high schools and will be available in all 372 public schools across Nova Scotia, giving more than 133,000 students access to a nutritious lunch every school day.
Last June, students at Horton began preparing for September by creating their school lunch accounts. Early in the school year, dedicated time will be set aside to ensure these accounts are fully established so students can order lunches in the coming weeks.
- School Lunch Poster to Review
- Setting up School Lunch Accounts (From last June)
Horton tours guided by Student Services
Many students, especially grade 9’s and new registrations, request school tours before the first day of classes. We are planning to offer tours from Wednesday, August 26th to Friday, August 28th, beginning at 11:00 AM.
Forms / Forms and More Forms
School startup typically involves numerous forms that need to be completed and returned. On Day 1, students will bring home various documents for signatures. Of particular importance is the School Demographics form, which all Horton community members must update and return. Accurate Student Demographic Data is crucial for PowerSchool. We require email addresses and cell numbers for all parents, if available. Emergency contacts need special attention. Please return all forms as soon as possible.
AVRCE has set Self identification as a Board Priority. Please review this release AVRCE Self Identification information.
September Open House
Our September parent “Open House” is scheduled for the evening of Thursday September 11th,
6:15-7:00
- School ADMIN will meet parents in the Horton Performance Center
7:15-8:15 Open House format
- Teachers will set up desks throughout the main lobby of the school for parents to meet.
- Various information tables will be available for parents; school advisory council, athletes, safe grad, IB, O2, clubs and activities, etc.
- Students Council will help as guides
Provincial School Code of Conduct Policy: YEAR 2 (please review)
The new Provincial Code of Conduct establishes standards of behaviour for all Nova Scotia public schools and sets expectations around response to unacceptable behaviours. Nova Scotia’s Safe Schools initiatives aim to create welcoming and supportive learning environments for all students. The goal is to foster positive outcomes for students, teachers, and the school as a whole by promoting learning, health, well-being, and positive relationships. This collaborative effort ensures Nova Scotia schools prioritize student learning and provide a safe working environment for all staff.
Horton’s Positive Behavior expectations:
Please review these slides (2026-27 version) to review our positive behavior expectations for Horton spaces, classrooms, washrooms, hallways, etc.
We always encourage all community members to promote these Expectations for Success:
- To be respectful of others.
- To use appropriate language.
- To attend all classes and to be on time.
- To put forth your best effort in class
- To have a positive attitude.
Other important notes we typically send monthly:
Cell Phones:
Our classrooms are guided by the Provincial Cell Phone policy, which clearly states that all cell phones be turned off and stored away in instructional areas. For specific procedures at Horton, please refer to our Cell Phone Directives.
Nut-Free Environment:
A friendly reminder that Horton must maintain a nut free environment, in order to keep students safe while at school. Please review the attached poster that is displayed throughout our school.
Allergy Aware School Poster
Scent-Aware Environment:
Due to the health concerns arising from exposure to scented products, Horton High School requires a scent-free environment for all employees and visitors. The use of scented products will not be allowed within the building at any time.
Scent Alert
School Attendance and Engagement:
With your support, Horton will continue to move towards AVRCE’s target of 75% of our students attending 90% of the time. Last year’s attendance improved to just over 64% of students attending 90% of the time but well short of the AVRCE target.
Please review the Provincial Attendance Policy.
We require community support to meet these attendance targets. Therefore, you can expect frequent communication requesting your assistance in ensuring all students arrive for school on time, attend all classes and avoid missing assessments..
Take Care
Horton administration
Important September Dates:
- Sept 1 – First day for Staff
- Sept 2 – Regional PD
- Sept 3 – First Day for Students
- Sept 17 – Parent Orientation
- 6:15-7:00 – Parents visit ADMIN in PC
- 7:15-8:30 – Parents to Visit Staff (Open House Format)
- Sept 21 to 22- School Photos
- Sept 24 – Terry Fox Walk/Run
- Sept 25 – No classes – Professional Development
- Sept 29 – Orange Shirt Day
- Sept 30 – No Classes (Truth and Reconciliation Day)
- Oct 1 – Treaty Day
