Summer 2024
From the Director
Horizons Colorado at Graland officially launched this summer and it was thrilling to welcome twenty five students to our program. The moment the Horizons students set foot on campus, it became real. Every decision we made had a name, personality, and smile to guide us. In six short weeks, the students quickly made new friends, engaged in hands-on academic activities, and participated enthusiastically in enrichment activities.
A friend once explained that they refer to certain experiences as “sticky” because they linger in their mind for a long time. A “sticky” event is one that makes you smile, think, and ponder long after it occurs. My first such memory of this year’s summer program happened right after a gooey s’mores activity. The students had just made solar ovens in a science class and while they waited for marshmallows and chocolate to melt, they led an impromptu sing-along of all the Camp Shai songs they had learned at the camp’s morning circle. One brave student started the call and response. Before long, everyone joined him. I witnessed leadership, collegiality, and pure joy. It was playful and silly, and absolutely not a planned part of the curriculum. I will hold onto this “sticky” fun and remember to keep our summer program flexible and open so that the students have room for their playfulness and agency.
Another memorable event occurred on the next to last day of our summer program. Imagine walking into your classroom and seeing a camping tent right in the middle of the room. One student shared, “That is the most beautiful tent,” and another chimed in “Ms. Amy, you are the best!” The first and second graders clambered into the tent, snacked on popcorn, and read stories. Meanwhile in the library, teachers Heather and Olympia were setting up an even larger tent for their students and moved every log, rock, and flame of their classroom “campfire” into this makeshift cozy reading area. The students took turns reading around the campfire and claiming the perfect reading spot in the tent. One by one, Heather and Olympia invited each student to select camping stickers and commended them on a job well done this summer. The takeaway for me? These teachers created the perfect learning environment for their kids. We need to encourage them, support them, and give them space to practice the art of teaching. Why? Because that is what is best for students.
My experience this summer was more than I could have ever imagined. I am humbled by our students’ willingness to take risks and their eagerness to learn. I am grateful for the team that came together to launch the Horizons program at Graland - our creative teachers, dedicated staff, the coordinator and family advocates at Metro Migrant Education Program, and our collaborative partners at Camp Shai. I am excited to start planning for Horizons Colorado at Graland Summer 2025.
With gratitude,
Christi James Executive Director
Scan to watch a fun highlights video!
Horizons Graland launched in 2024 thanks to the contributions of 26 families who generously donated $231,174!
Academic Skill Building
A central component of the Horizons program is building students’ literacy skills. Horizons National requires all participating students to complete the STAR assessments at the beginning and end of the six week program. The results of the initial assessments help instructors identify and prioritize the students’ needs. At the end of the six weeks, the assessment results demonstrate progress. The goal is to prevent summer learning loss and close academic gaps.
Within the first few days of the summer program at Graland, all the students completed the STAR assessments. We had the results in minutes so the teachers were able to use the data to structure their lessons and individualize instruction. Within the engaging theme of a summer camping adventure, the three teachers planned whole group literacy activities, small group phonics, and reading practice. They helped each child select reading materials that sparked their curiosity and advanced their skills.
In addition to receiving a minimum of four hours per week in reading instruction, the Horizons Graland teachers provided two to three hours of weekly math instruction and practice. Whether they were graphing favorite breakfast foods, calculating measurements to build a solar oven, or simply practicing basic math facts, the students improved their math skills throughout the summer. By the end of the six weeks, the majority of the students had maintained or improved their scores in math and reading. In the next couple of years, we plan to provide core learning support during the academic year through after-school tutoring. When Horizon students participate in year-long programming they show more signifiant learning gains.
Star Student
In the first few days of the summer program, Mung dutifully logged into the STAR reading assessment on an iPad and answered questions. The results provided a snapshot of his skills and needs, and helped his teachers know how to support his learning. The best way to improve Mung’s reading skills? Take him to the Graland Library and let him check out all the books he wanted. Over the course of the six weeks, the Horizons Graland students checked out 160 books! There is no doubt that Mung was the #1 library patron. He read books in class, during library time, at breakfast, on the bus, whenever he could find a quiet place to turn the next page of an adventure. It is not surprising that at the end of the six weeks Mung’s assessment results showed significant improvement.
I Wonder...
Are moray eels dangerous? When did the triceratops dinosaurs roam the earth? How can we create a solar oven with just cardboard and aluminum foil? Camila had many questions! Each field trip and enrichment activity piqued her curiosity. She was delighted to catch a glimpse of a sea turtle at the Downtown Aquarium and intrigued by the ancient Egyptian mummies at the Museum of Nature and Science. And when she got to meet a service dog and trainer, Camila had even more questions! Enrichment activities and hands-on learning are a hallmark of Horizons’ programs. Camila would agree that learning happens in and out of the classroom.
Experiences at a Glance
Field Trips:
Mini Golf and Arcade Games
Downtown Aquarium
Museum of Nature and Science
Guests Speakers:
Art & Dance With Two Teachers Visiting From Mexico In Partnership With the Metro Migrant Education Program
Horizons Alumna Karen Perez and Gallop the Dog from Freedom Service Dogs
Coming and Going
In addition to off-campus field trips, Horizons Colorado at Graland provided transportation to and from home for all the students. The bus drivers headed out on their routes early in the morning and drove everyone to campus in time for breakfast.
Thanks to all the drivers who got our kids safely to and from campus.
Marco!
You know the reply to this pooltime favorite - Polo!
Emi, one of the Camp Shai counselors, led countless rounds of this popular game with his Horizons crew. His enthusiasm and laughter set even the most cautious swimmer at ease. Three times a week, all the Horizons Graland kids clambered onto a bus and headed to the JCC swimming pool. In addition to swimming like mermaids and performing cannonball splashes, the kids participated in small group swimming lessons. Megan, their swim instructor, was excited to coach them. She remarked, “It was great to see their willingness to try, their progress, and the confidence they’ve gained through swim class!” It is no wonder that swimming is an integral part of the Horizons program.
Just Keep Swimming
The Horizons Graland students will have the opportunity to continue practicing their swimming skills throughout the year. Anna Natassja Scheitler, alumni and development manager at Graland, is an avid swimmer and swim instructor. She introduced Horizons Graland to Swimming Simply, an organization that strives to make swimming accessible to everyone. In partnership with Swimming Simply, Horizons Graland is hosting its first Super Saturday event at the Aurora Central High pool. Horizons Graland participants and their families will have some swim time and also the option of signing up for a seven-week session of swim lessons.
Pizza Please
They say that “breaking bread together” is a symbol of familiarity, of welcome, of openness, as well as being a gesture of peace and friendship. At Graland this summer the bread was more likely a waffle with lots of syrup, a slice of pizza, and fresh fruit sprinkled with spicy “Tajín.”
Sharing meals together created and shaped the Horizons community. The first day students sat quietly at the tables, too shy to engage in conversation. Soon they were talking in small groups and going back for seconds. By the end of the week, there was laughter, hand-clap games, and adventuresome eating. The watermelon smoothie seasoned with chile, salt, and lime was a favorite! Arelyn and Aiden often went behind the food line to chat with Bill, Bob, and Moe, the Sodexo chefs. They loved the friendly banter and also the chance to request an extra pizza day.
Notable Guests
Board Visit
Horizons Colorado at Graland is supported and governed by a board of directors. Several members of the nine-person board visited the Graland campus this summer. The board members met teachers, interns, and the students and they got to see the program in action! We were also grateful for the treats they donated to our snack cart.
Horizons Colorado at Graland Board
Amy Corrigan (chair)
Brooke Borgen
Steven Brandwayn
Katie Jenkins
Kathy Neustadt
Mimi Saavedra
Nicole Schneider
Megan Scremin
Erin Smith
Lisa Storey
Amanda Witheiler
Visiting Team
Horizons Graland hosted a visiting team from Rowland Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah. Executive Vice President at Horizons National, José Oromi, guided this team on a tour of all three Horizons affiliates in Colorado. Rowland Hall is starting a Horizons program next summer and our guests were eager to see the newly launched programs at Graland Country Day School and Montessori School of Denver, as well as the fully developed Horizons program at Colorado Academy which is now in its 26th year.
Super Saturdays
Horizons isn’t only a summer program. Each Horizons site stays engaged with its students and their families throughout the school year, working in partnership to continually support students’ success. Horizons Graland will host three Super Saturday events between now and our next summer program. For our first event on October 5, the students are invited to join Horizons Graland at Hoffman Heights Library in Aurora. The students will tour the library, and get their own Aurora Public Library card if they do not already have one. As a special treat, the students will get their own copy of a book that they selected as their favorite at the end of the summer program. After lunch, we will provide transportation to the nearby pool at Aurora Central High, one of the sites of the Swimming Simply program. Future Saturday events will be hosted at Graland and include innovation, sports, and arts activities.
Inspiring Learning Building Community Nurturing Joy
Looking Forward to 2025
“Next year…” That was a common phrase in the Horizons Graland summer office. We imagined and planned what our program will look like next summer.
Here are our top priorities to gear up for Horizons Graland in 2025:
• Stay connected with the 2024 summer session students and families through Super Saturday events throughout the school year.
• Increase student enrollment to 45 participants.
• Develop anchor school partnerships and maintain our partnership with the Metro Migrant Education Program for student recruiting.
• Explore licensing options to have more flexibility with staffing and scheduling.
• Provide professional development and training for all Horizons Graland staff.
Fun Facts
The 25 students who participated in Horizons this summer range from ages 5-11.
Students attend 13 different schools during the academic year.
The children and their families represent 6 different countries and speak 5 different languages.
