October is officially here, and with its arrival, we are in full swing at HLA! We have a busy and exciting month ahead, so be sure to check out all of the important dates and upcoming events included in this month’s newsletter.
As we approach the end of the first quarter, each teacher has been given a dedicated day for parent-teacher conferences. Your child’s teacher will reach out with sign-up options if they haven’t already. Conferences will be held on the following dates:
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Kindergarten: October 26
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3rd Grade: October 27
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1st Grade: October 28
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2nd Grade: October 29
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5th Grade: November 3
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4th Grade: November 4
These conferences were purposefully scheduled at the end of the quarter so our teachers are able to sit down with families and really talk about how your child is doing and to share their progress and growth so far this year.
We also have our first field trips of the year coming up! On October 13, our 3rd–5th grade students will visit the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo and Planetarium, and on October 27, our K–2 students will head to Crossroad Farms. We are excited for our students to take their learning beyond the classroom and enjoy these special experiences together. Reach out to your child's teacher if you're interested in chaperoning.
As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership. We have so much to look forward to this month at HLA (and beyond), and I’m excited for all that October has in store for our students and families.
With gratitude,
Ms. Long
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HLA's Book Fair will take place from Monday, October 5th - Thursday, October 8th.
Book Fair Hours:
- Before School: 7:00 - 7:40 AM
- After school: 2:00 - 3:00 PM
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Share the Fair is the giving program built into the Scholastic Book Fair, empowered by contributions from people like you! These funds support students at our school who need help getting new books so they can experience the love of reading!
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The grading period officially ends on October 13th. All missing work must be submitted before this date to be included in your child’s final grade for the grading period.
Please communicate with your child’s teacher if you have any further questions. Thank you for helping us finish the first grading period strong!
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Our 3rd–5th grade students will be heading to the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo and Planetarium for their first field trip of the year! This experience will directly connect to concepts students are currently learning in their science curriculum, giving them an opportunity to see their classroom learning come to life. Teachers will be sending home additional information. |
Join us for an interactive, practical VIRTUAL* workshop designed to give parents actionable tools for supporting emotional growth at home!
Presented By: Ms. Bowser (School Counselor) & a Graduate Student Intern from The Nook Counseling
Topics We’ll Cover:
- Managing Big Emotions: Helping children identify, express, and move through strong feelings safely.
- Navigating Friendships: Supporting healthy peer connections, social skills, and resolving playground conflicts.
- Managing Frustration: Practical strategies to de-escalate frustration during homework, routines, or when things don't go as planned.
- At-Home Tools: Easy, research-backed strategies parents can start using right away at home.
*The Zoom link will be shared the day of the event.
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Log in to your Skyward account to view your child’s Quarter 1 grades. Students who earn all A’s will be recognized at our Honor Roll Ceremony. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s grades, please reach out directly to your child’s teacher. |
Join us in the Great Room as we recognize students who have earned all A's this quarter. We will also recognize Morning Mile accomplishments in each class. |
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Our K–2 students will be visiting Crossroad Farms on Tuesday, October 27! Please remember to have your child wear appropriate clothing and shoes for a day at the farm. If you have any questions about the field trip, please contact your child’s teacher. |
As the weather starts to cool down (hopefully?) and the pumpkins arrive, October is a very special month for our school community! This month, we're building on the momentum from our recent celebration of Start with Hello Week by continuing to focus on kindness, inclusion, and taking care of our big feelings. Our goal is to make sure every student feels safe, happy, and like they truly belong here.
Late last month, our school participated in Start with Hello Week (a program from Sandy Hook Promise)! Our students practiced three simple steps to make sure no one feels left out:
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See Someone Alone: Notice classmates who might need a friend.
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Reach Out and Help: Say hello, give a wave, or offer a friendly smile.
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Start with Hello: Invite them to sit together, play at recess, or join in a project.
Identifying Our "Trusted Adults"
As part of our Start with Hello activities, every student took time to identify their Trusted Adults both at school and at home. We talked about how a Trusted Adult is a grown-up who listens, keeps us safe, and helps us when feelings or situations feel too big to handle alone.
Family Check-In at Home: Ask your child, "Who are three Trusted Adults you know you can talk to at school or at home if you ever need help or feel overwhelmed?"
Quick Coping Strategy of the Month
This school year, I will include a “quick coping strategy” (QCS) in each of our monthly newsletters.
October’s QCS: The 5-4-3-2-1
When we get big feelings, like worry or anger, sometimes it helps to stop and use our senses to feel calm again. Try the 5-4-3-2-1 with your child:
- 5 things you can see around you (like the colors in the room!)
- 4 things you can feel (like your soft shirt or feet on the floor!)
- 3 things you can hear (like the wind outside or a clock ticking!)
- 2 things you can smell (like flowers or lunch cooking!)
- 1 thing you can taste (your snack or water!)
National Bullying Prevention Month
October is National Bullying Prevention Month! Carrying our Start with Hello spirit into October means making sure everyone has a friend and feels safe.
Here's how our students can be super classmates:
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Be an "Upstander": If you see someone being left out or not treated nicely, say, "Hey, stop!" or find a trusted adult to help!
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Be the "One": It only takes ONE person to stand up for a friend, ONE friend to sit with someone who looks lonely, and ONE smile to brighten someone's day!
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Friendship Challenge: Try to invite one new classmate to play at recess this week!
As always, please feel free to reach out to me at any time. I am here to support your student!
❤️ Ms. Bowser
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October 24th - October 28th
Visit Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale, October 24-28 and browse over 500,000 books, records, games, movies and more at the Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale. The largest gently used book sale of its kind in Florida offers a vast selection from children’s books to rare find, first-edition and signed volumes in the Collector’s Corner. In addition to books of all genres, you’ll find vinyl records, CDs, films, puzzles, games, works of art and magazines. Prices on Tuesday are slashed in half, and on Wednesday everything costs 10 cents. For serious bibliophiles, the popular Collector’s Corner (open Saturday-Tuesday) offers many rare, first edition and signed volumes as well as collectible local maps, postcards and authors’ works. Most items are priced $.25 – $4; on Tuesday every item is half-price and on Wednesday every item is $.10. Please bring your own boxes and bags.
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Wednesday, October 28th from 3-7 PM
Boo at the Zoo is one of Gainesville’s favorite Halloween traditions! Each year, Santa Fe College students and staff transform the zoo into a spooky-but-safe trick-or-treating experience for the whole family. Guests of all ages are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy an afternoon full of candy, games, activities, live entertainment, food trucks, and Halloween fun!
Admission is one canned good or non-perishable food item per person, with all donations benefiting Saints Food Share at Santa Fe College and Catholic Charities to help feed families in our community.
After trick-or-treating through the zoo, families can visit the Fun4GatorKids KidsZone, featuring local organizations, crafts, activities, and even more candy! There will also be live entertainment, including Danscompany of Gainesville performing their Thriller trilogy.
And for the first time ever, HLA will have a booth at Boo at the Zoo! We are so excited to be part of this Gainesville tradition and represent Healthy Learning Academy in our community. Be sure to stop by the HLA booth and say hello! We can’t wait to see our families there!
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Monday, November 2nd
Our entire school will participate in our annual Pumpkin Day activities! Please send your child with an uncut and uncarved pumpkin that they can carry independently throughout the day. Be sure to write your child’s full name on the bottom of the pumpkin. More information to come as the date approaches!
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Save the dates for our upcoming Fall Dances.
K–2nd Grade Dance - Friday, November 6th from 6:00–8:00 PM.
3rd–5th Grade Dance -Friday, November 13th from 6:00–8:00 PM.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase, along with fun extras such as snacks, glow sticks, and more. This is a great volunteer opportunity. More information will be coming soon, so stay tuned!
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Wednesday, November 11th.
There will be no school in observance of Veterans Day. We hope our HLA families enjoy the day as we take time to honor and thank the brave men and women who have served our country.
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