Greetings, Hawk Families,
With week 1 of school under our belts, we are now ready to move forward with increased momentum in week 2.☺️We're looking forward to seeing your children on time, eager to learn, and ready to soar on Monday, August 18th. Please read this week's parent newsletter for important information and reminders. View it here: Week 2 Hawk Parent Newsletter.
---------
Saludos, Familias Hawk,
Con la primera semana de clases ya terminada, estamos listos para avanzar con mayor impulso en la segunda semana. ☺️Esperamos ver a sus hijos puntuales, con ganas de aprender y listos para brillar el lunes 18 de agosto. Por favor, lean el boletín para padres de esta semana para obtener información importante y recordatorios. Consúltenlo aquí: Boletín para padres de la semana 2.
Warm regards,
AP Matt
about 12 hours ago, Assistant Principal Matt
Good evening, Hawk Families,
It has been a great first day of school at Highlands Estates Academy! ☺️ However, there were over 100 students absent today, so let's make sure that your child is present every day. Per district policy, if a child is not in attendance by day 3 of school (Wednesday, August 13) they will be unenrolled from Highlands Estates Academy.
It was a joy to see many of you walking your child to their classrooms to start the year off strong. If you choose to walk your child to class tomorrow (Aug 12), please ensure that you exit the campus by 8:40am. We will not allow parents into the classrooms or hallways after this time. Please note that August 12th will be the last day for parents to walk their child to their classrooms.
Additionally, today, we noticed some cars were parked in neighbor driveways and on their lawns, which is illegal. I have captured some images that neighbors have sent to us. I have also shared some language about the law. Moving forward, please do not park in neighbor driveways or in their lawns.
Thank you for working with us to ensure a smooth first day -- and we ask that you continue to be patient as we refine our system. We are asking for your understanding and kindness while we iron out all the kinks. We look forward to a great year ahead!
Warm regards,
AP Matt
7 days ago, Assistant Principal Matt
The first day of school is tomorrow!
8 days ago, Assistant Principal Greene
Good morning,
This is a reminder of our Back-To-School Orientation on August 8, 20205, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Please come to meet your child's teacher and get information about the upcoming school year. The first day of school is Monday, August 11, 2025! We look forward to another great year together as, One Band, One Sound!
11 days ago, Assistant Principal Greene
Good afternoon, Highlands Estates Academy!
This is your Assistant Principal, Mr. Greene. As we prepare for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, I solicit your support in being a change maker for our school. You can do this by supporting Changemaker, a platform that allows you to contribute funds to our school that's used to support our students and teachers. You can either set it up to donate change from transactions or give a specified amount per month. You can be assured these funds will be used for incentives and to ultimately support the needs of Highlands Estates Academy. I have personally committed to be a Changemaker and have set up a specified amount to be sent to the school out of my account. I am soliciting others to join me in this initiative. As we move into this year with our theme, One Band, One Sound, it is my desire to add many of you to this platform and help contribute to the school. Being unified and harmonious with this effort will help bring our theme this year to life. Please consider supporting using the link below. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. Thank you for your support and I can't wait to see you all again!
https://go.changemaker.app/donate/highlands-elementary
19 days ago, Assistant Principal Greene
🎉 We’re Celebrating Growth at Highlands Estates Academy! 🎉
From a D to a C with an 84-point gain — our first year as a merged school was nothing short of transformational! Enrollment doubled, expectations rose, and we delivered. 💪
📊 Highlights:
Reading: 29% ➡ 33%
Math Proficiency: 38% ➡ 52%
Math Growth: 51% ➡ 71%
Science: 20% ➡ 47%
…and more!
💎 Growth wasn’t always comfortable — but pressure creates diamonds. We’re not stopping at good. We’re going for great. Together, we win. 🏆
📅 Important Reminders:
🚌 Bus riders must register (see flyer for link)
📲 All parents must have a District Parent Account + PikMyKid app
🚗 No walk-up pickup for car riders – safety first!
📘 Schedules available on Focus: July 14
🎒 First Day of School: August 11
⏱️ Car line goal: Done by 3:15 PM by Week 2
🎶 This year’s theme: One Band, One Sound – Unified and Harmonious
Let’s stay in rhythm, stay connected, and keep climbing. The best is yet to come! 💙
#HighlandsEstatesAcademy #OneBandOneSound #FromDtoC #TogetherWeWin #APlusActions
about 1 month ago, Natalya Richie
🎉 Happy Father’s Day from Highlands Estate Academy! 🎉
To all the incredible fathers, grandfathers, and father figures in our Highlands Estate Academy family — today we celebrate YOU!
Your strength, wisdom, and unwavering support shape not only your children’s lives but also the heart of our school community. Thank you for being role models, protectors, and everyday heroes.
May your day be filled with love, laughter, and the appreciation you so richly deserve. 💙
Happy Father’s Day!
With gratitude,
The Highlands Estate Academy Team
2 months ago, Natalya Richie
Greetings Hawk Families,
As the curtains begin to close on this school year, we celebrate the incredible performances of our students, parents, and educators who have made this year truly unforgettable. From the bright lights of learning to the action-packed moments of growth, this season has been one to remember.
We are thrilled to share that all testing has concluded, with the exception of makeups, and our school is currently unofficially trending as a C school—a testament to the dedication and hard work of our students and staff!
As we wrap up this chapter, here are some final reminders:
- No school on Monday, May 26, 2025.
- The last day of school is Friday, May 30, 2025, with dismissal at 12:00 PM.
- Report cards will be available on June 12, 2025, via the parent and student portals.
Looking ahead to our next blockbuster season, here are a few key dates to mark on your calendar:
- Back to School Orientation – Friday, August 8, 2025 (Time to be determined).
- Summer Newsletter– Arriving July 14, 2025, with important updates.
- Student schedules on Focus – Available Monday, July 28, 2025.
Additionally, parents of 3rd-grade students, please note that if your child has been assigned Summer School, attendance is imperative, as non-attendance will result in retention.
Thank you for being part of this year’s unforgettable production. Your partnership and support have been the driving force behind our success, and we can't wait to see what next season holds. Wishing all our families a summer filled with joy, rest, and excitement for the adventures ahead! 🎬✨
Principal Natalya Richie-Graham
3 months ago, Natalya Richie
Greetings Parents,
Please check your child's book bag for permission slips due on or before this FRIDAY.
Thank you
3 months ago, Natalya Richie
Hawk Family Weekly Update
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our amazing parents and families for showing our teachers so much love and appreciation during Teacher Appreciation Week! Your kindness and support mean the world to us.
As a reminder, our Hawk scholars are testing this week, and it is absolutely crucial that they arrive on time and remain at school for the full day to ensure the best testing experience.
🚗 Traffic & Safety Reminders:
- No student pick-up after 2:15 PM—please plan accordingly.
- No speeding in the car loop—let’s keep our children safe!
- No drop-offs before 8:00 AM—while we love our students’ energy, early arrivals cannot be supervised.
- Respect and adhere to traffic routes to keep things running efficiently.
Finally, we want to wish all our amazing Hawk moms a very Happy Mother’s Day! We appreciate you and all the love, care, and support you give to our students each day.
Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to our school community!
Principal Natalya Richie-Graham
3 months ago, Natalya Richie
Dear Hawk Families,
I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who made Principal’s Day so special. Your kind words, thoughtful gestures, and generosity truly meant the world to me—I feel incredibly honored to be part of this amazing community.
This week, we shift our focus to celebrating our wonderful teachers! Our educators work tirelessly to inspire, support, and guide our children each day, and this is the perfect opportunity to show them how much they are appreciated.
Please take a look at the attached Teacher Appreciation Week flier for ideas on how you can join in the celebration.
Also, be sure to review the upcoming testing fliers for important details about state assessments. Our 3rd graders will take their state reading test this week, while our 5th graders will take their state science test. Let’s encourage them to do their best by ensuring they get plenty of rest and feel supported throughout the week!
Thank you for your continued partnership in making our school a fantastic place to learn and grow!
Thank you,
Principal Natalya Richie-Graham
4 months ago, Natalya Richie
Happy Day, Hawk Families!
Next week is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, and we've put together some fun themed days to help you celebrate your child's amazing teachers! These are simply suggestions, so feel free to participate in whatever way works best for you.
Additionally, we could use your help in stocking the Teacher's Lounge for the week! We are still in need of the following donations:
- Soda
- Bags of chips
- Cupcakes
If you're able to contribute, donations can be dropped off at the front office on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Thank you so much for your support—our incredible educators truly appreciate it! 😊
Let me know if you’d like any further tweaks! 💙
4 months ago, Natalya Richie
Good morning Highlands Estates Academy! This is your assistant principal, Mr. Greene reminding everyone that tomorrow, May 1st is School Principal Appreciation Day! Please remember to show love to our amazing principal, Mrs. Richie-Graham! No one truly knows the weight of leading a school and she has done an outstanding job. Tomorrow, I'm asking that we all show her some love and appreciation. Thanks so much! May 1st is her day! Let's make it one to remember!
4 months ago, Assistant Principal Greene
4 months ago, Natalya Richie
Good evening,
We will have a Developmental Meeting from 4:30-5:00 to develop the Parent & Family Engagement Plan for the 2025-2026 school year. Use this link to fill out the survey to help provide necessary feedback by Friday at 12. The QR code is also provided. Thanks so much!
https://forms.office.com/r/Rin3P0wbFb4 months ago, Assistant Principal Greene
4 months ago, Natalya Richie
Join us this evening for our Financial Literacy Parent Night
4 months ago, Natalya Richie
Happy Day Hawk Families,
Please see weekly newsletter for updates:
https://bit.ly/42ox2z3
See you all tomorrow :-)
4 months ago, Natalya Richie
🌟 Today is Autism Awareness Day! 🌟
Did you know our school is home to an incredible program that supports students with autism? 💙 It’s called the Communication and Social Skills (CSS) Program, and it’s part of Duval County Public Schools’ commitment to helping every child succeed.
Through personalized support, the CSS program helps students grow in communication, social interaction, academics, and everyday life skills—all in a positive and supportive environment.
This month, we’ll be sharing facts, busting myths, and highlighting the strengths of our amazing students in the CSS program. 🧩💡
5 months ago, Natalya Richie
Attention Parents:
Starting Monday, April 7, 2025, the entrance to the school at the corner of DePaul Drive and Mayan Drive will be blocked. All parents are required to use the Monaco Drive route, as highlighted in yellow on the provided map. We kindly ask for your cooperation in following this new traffic pattern.
The DePaul Drive/Mayan Drive entrance will be closed to incoming traffic during the following times:
• Morning: 8:00 AM - 8:25 AM
• Afternoon: 2:50 PM - 3:10 PM Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
I have included pictures and a video for your reference of our drop off and pick up traffic flow expectation.
Link to Video
https://www.canva.com/design/DAGjgVcOHdk/2F9111TQgdSz05LNjOqjaA/edit?utm_content=DAGjgVcOHdk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton
5 months ago, Natalya Richie
