Horizons San Diego

About 60 Horizons students visited the San Diego Zoo for our October Meetup! They were thrilled to see the panda bears and ride the Skyfari gondola. The children were surprised to learn that pandas eat 60-80 pounds of bamboo each day! Our students thought it was hilarious that the polar bear was rolling around in the mud so much that the polar bear was not white at all, but a murky brown! Gorillas stayed close to the glass so everyone could observe even the smallest details. The favorite animal of our rising third graders was the axolotl. After the visit to the zoo, our students enjoyed a picnic with sandwiches and had a fun bus ride home. Everyone was so happy to see each other, and the faculty and staff were overjoyed to connect with their little students once more.

Thank you to Mr. Roger and Ms. Mirium for being our bus drivers and to Ms. Zwartjes for organizing our bus ride. Many thanks to our Parker Horizons Club volunteers for spending the day with us. The time you spend with us is priceless, and we appreciate you!

On September 27, at Barnes Tennis Center, over 125 people came together to pickle, laugh, joke, tease, and enjoy a meal together. While the peals of laughter rang loudly on court, we never lost sight of the fact that every dollar donated supported the most worthy cause - closing the gap in educational equity.

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who attended and to our sponsors - The Goth Family, The Canale-Theakston Family, The Coppedge Family, The Joseph-Ma Family, The Benitt Family, The Blum Family Foundation, The Kempf-Smith Family, The Vadakan Family.

Horizons Hero Spotlight: Piper Theakston, Student Volunteer

Horizons San Diego is so lucky to call Piper Theakston one of our heroes. Piper is an incredibly brilliant tenth grader at Francis Parker, a talented competitive equestrian, a big sister, and a deeply involved and important member of our Horizons volunteer staff. Piper has been part of the Horizons family for two years now, and keeps coming back because of her deep attachment to the program and her little students. She loves being able to watch them grow up in front of her eyes, and watch them learn and thrive in the program whose mission she supports so deeply.

The little kids adore Piper, and her level of patience is astounding. The second graders hold a special place in her heart because Piper loves their enthusiasm and joy of learning, and their ever positive and cheery attitude. Piper has fond memories of face painting, bedazzling, and glitter-tattooing with her little students. Volunteering on field trips fills Piper with joy, and watching the kids learn to swim with all the giggles and laughs that come with it is the highlight of her summer days at Horizons.

When Piper isn’t volunteering at Horizons, studying, competing, or riding her horse, she can be found at the beach with her family and friends.

But this Saturday, Piper can be found at the Pickle for a Purpose tournament, where she will be keeping score, hosting a panel, and helping raise funds for the students she mentors and teaches every summer.

It's not too late to register and join us in supporting a great cause while having fun! Register and learn more: https://horizonssandiego.networkforgood.com/events/86674-pickle-for-a-purpose

Horizons Hero Spotlight: Dandridge Fanucchi, Grade 5/6 Teacher

Dandridge is one of those teachers who comes along once in a lifetime. Any child who has had the opportunity to study with Ms. Fanucchi knows the lasting impact that she leaves. She has been an educator for nine years and has been part of the Horizons family since its inception. She was our first Lead Teacher, and is now a Lead Teacher and a Mentor to all those who have followed.

Dandridge’s teaching philosophy is centered on creating a classroom where her students feel valued, seen, and supported. Every student feels comfortable being themselves, and this sense of belonging helps them to grow and thrive.

One of the reasons Dandridge leaves such an impact is because her journey started as many of the children in our beloved program. She grew up attending a program just like Horizons. That experience shaped who she is today, and inspired her to become the brilliant, passionate educator that students and parents love because Dandridge never forgets the “why”. She returns each summer because she is so intrinsically connected to the mission and values of Horizons.

This summer, Dandridge loved watching her class step into student mentor roles in other classrooms. Seeing them take initiative and embrace the opportunity to be role models, to reciprocate and to inspire filled her heart with joy, and was the highlight of her summer.

Dandridge’s family is her whole world, and she has lived with them in San Diego for ten years. When faced with a quiet Saturday, Dandridge loves nothing more than spending time with her family, and taking a trip to Cheesecake Factory for her favorite sweet treat!

Stay tuned as we highlight more of our incredible staff, volunteers, and supporters who make Horizons San Diego the incredibly special place it is.
Dandridge will be a part of our panel at Pickle for a Purpose. Learn more and chat with Dandridge at our Pickle for a Purpose fundraiser on Saturday, September 27! There is still time to register: https://horizonssandiego.networkforgood.com/events/86674-pickle-for-a-purpos

Horizons Hero Spotlight Week 1: Nicolette White, Site Manager

Nicolette White is a priceless gem. As a leader at Horizons, Nicolette values building relationships with students and creating a safe and fun learning environment. Her joy comes from creating an inclusive, hands-on, literacy-rich learning community where every student feels empowered, supported, and inspired to grow, both as a learner and a person.

Nicolette has been with Horizons since its inception. She was drawn to the mission, culture, and the opportunity to be a life-long learner. The family she's created at Horizons, and her belief in the mission keep her coming back year after year.

This summer, Nicolette taught students how to make friendship bracelets and mentored the older students in the art of sewing by hand. Being a teacher is what Nicolette loves most, and it shows in her care and compassion every single day. In addition to everything else she does for our students at Horizons, Nicolette is also responsible for running the program on site, organizing all the field trips, leading professional development, and supporting classroom teachers!

Nicolette has been a reading specialist and general education teacher for six years and is pursuing another credential in special education. An Orange County native, she and her husband now live in El Cajon with their two cats. She cares for 12 chickens daily at her year-round school, where she knows each of them by name and personality! Her perfect Saturday involves a cool morning (preferably with rain and thunder) in the garden, with iced coffee and hours of reading, followed by sushi from her favorite restaurant in Mira Mesa.

Stay tuned as we highlight more of our incredible staff, volunteers, and supporters who make Horizons San Diego the incredibly special place it is.

Nicolette will lead our panel at Pickle for a Purpose. Learn more and chat with Nicolette at our Pickle for a Purpose fundraiser on Saturday, September 27! There is still time to register: https://horizonssandiego.networkforgood.com/events/86674-pickle-for-a-purpose

Pickle for a Purpose committee members are hard at work preparing for our pickleball tournament in just a few weeks! Registration is still open for this fundraiser on Saturday, September 27 - support a great cause while having fun!

Register here: https://horizonssandiego.networkforgood.com/events/86674-pickle-for-a-purpose

Did you know swimming is an integral part of our summer program? In learning to swim, students do more than master an important life-saving skill; they also learn strategies for tackling fears and overcoming challenges. The resulting self-confidence and resilience foster success in and outside of school. Plus it's just plain old fun!

Swipe to see some highlights from swim lessons this summer >

As we approach a new school year, our students' summer learning helps them feel prepared and a little less nervous about the first day of school. We're looking back at the Summer Showcase and all the amazing projects students completed.

Rising grade 5/6 designed and built marble roller coasters with just paper and tape. Rising grade 1 showcased the solar system and their superhero traits. Rising grade 4 researched Native American foods and created their own menus. Swipe to see more amazing projects from the summer!

Serving up serious fun while doing good!

Pickle for a Purpose is a movement to level the playing field. Your registration directly supports out-of-school academic and enrichment programs for students from under-resourced communities in San Diego, giving them the same kind of game-changing support that great pickleball demands: precision, strategy, and a whole lot of heart.

Register today - space is limited! https://horizonssandiego.networkforgood.com/events/86674-pickle-for-a-purpose

Join us in welcoming Karishma Sinnott as our new Executive Director at Horizons San Diego!

Karishma is a beloved fifth grade teacher at Francis Parker School with over a decade of experience in education. She is known for her deep relationships with students and families, her passion for inclusion, and her commitment to cultivating spaces where all children are seen, challenged, and celebrated. Karishma brings not only a strong connection to our host school, but a personal dedication to the Horizons mission that shines through in every interaction.

The annual Summer Showcase is an opportunity for students to show off all their hard work and creativity during the six-week program. Last weekend, families celebrated their students by watching musical performances, checking out a variety of projects, and building community. Congratulations on another amazing summer program!