HOPE ACADEMY
- Hope Academy
- Sep 29
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 30
NEWSLETTER #1 SEPTEMBER 2025
Welcome Back, Hope Family!
Principal’s Welcome Message From Mrs. Sherna Leslie Barret
Welcome back, Hope families—both new and returning!
It is a joy to welcome new families to Hope Academy and to warmly greet those continuing the journey with us. Hope is more than a school—it’s a vibrant community where learning stretches beyond the classroom, nurturing each child’s academic, social, and emotional growth.
As we grow together, we recognize that progress comes with its challenges. Yet we remain grateful for the small wins, the quiet triumphs, and the joy our students bring to each day.
I encourage a strong partnership between home and school—one that supports a holistic approach to education and empowers every child to thrive.
Thank you for your trust and for the many ways you support our community. I look forward to a productive year filled with purpose, connection, and growth.
Warmly, Sherna Leslie Barrett
A Taste of Togetherness!
✨ Grateful for a Morning Full of Connection ✨A huge thank you to all the wonderful parents who joined us for Morning Coffee & Pastries last Wednesday! ☕🥐 It was more than just a delicious spread; it was a heartwarming celebration of community. From shared stories to meaningful conversations, your presence helped weave stronger bonds between families and teachers, making Hope Academy feel even more like home. 💛 The smiles, laughter, and genuine connections lit up the morning, and we’re so grateful. Here’s to many more magical moments together!
KINDERGARTEN 1
✨ This week, our K1 students were bursting with energy and creativity! Their action-packed Physical Education session was a whirlwind of fun, movement, and laughter; every jump, run, and stretch was met with enthusiastic cheers and bright smiles 🌟.
🎨 After diving into the delightful tale of the Gingerbread Man, our little artists took center stage, crafting their own imaginative renditions of the beloved character. From gumdrop buttons to candy cane shoes, their artwork was a sweet celebration of storytelling and self-expression!
💫 It was truly heartwarming to witness their ideas leap off the page and into colorful masterpieces. Stay tuned; more magical moments from our K1 crew are just around the corner!
PRIMARY MUSIC
🎶 Our Grade 2 students are hitting all the right notes as they continue their joyful journey through music! This month, they explored the C major scale, bringing melodies to life through singing and playing. With solfege hand signs guiding their voices, Do, Re, Mi, and beyond, each student built confidence and musical fluency while performing songs rooted in the scale’s bright, familiar tones 🎵.
It’s inspiring to see their enthusiasm grow as they connect movement, sound, and theory in such a harmonious way. Stay tuned for more musical milestones from our budding performers!
ART CLASS
🎨 Drip, Drop, Dazzle! A Splash of Creativity in Every Corner 🌈
Take a moment to admire the stunning ‘Drip Art’ masterpieces created by our talented Primary, Middle, and High School students! Inspired by the mesmerizing work of contemporary artist Jen Stark, this collaborative project has made a vibrant splash as we kick off the school year in Art.
Students dove into color theory, exploring how hues interact and harmonize. Their creations feature thoughtful patterns using complementary, analogous, and warm vs. cool color schemes—each section a celebration of intentional design and expressive flair. In some classes, black and white accents were added to create a bold ‘Stark’ contrast, making the colors pop even more!
This project wasn’t just about technique—it was about joy, exploration, and starting the year with a burst of imagination. We’re thrilled by the creativity already blooming in our art rooms and can’t wait to see what’s next.
Here’s to a colorful, expressive, and inspiring year ahead!– Ms. Kerry 🎨✨
ROBOTICS
🤖 Robotics at Hope Academy! 🚀
This month, our Grade 7 and 8 students began their robotics journey, diving into the world of innovation and engineering with the VEX IQ Robotics Kits. From gears to sensors, students explored the building blocks of robotics while assembling their very first robots—each one a unique creation powered by curiosity and teamwork.
This hands-on experience marks the beginning of an exciting adventure in STEM, where students will learn to design, build, and program robots that solve real-world challenges. The energy in the classroom is electric, and we can’t wait to see what these young engineers will create next!
Stay tuned to our robotics updates 🛠️
SCHOOL LIFE
SPORTS WEAR CIVVY DAY
🏃♀️ Sports Wear Civvy Day: Celebrating Healthy Bodies and Minds 🧠
This past Thursday, September 25, Hope Academy was bursting with energy and team spirit as our Student Council hosted Sports Wear Civvy Day in honor of Healthy Bodies and Minds Month. Students swapped their uniforms for jerseys, tracksuits, and sporty gear—bringing vibrant color and movement to Hope Academy.
Beyond the fun, this day carried a meaningful purpose. Each student was invited to contribute a $2 donation, with all proceeds going to support the National Drug Council. It was a powerful reminder that wellness is not just about physical activity, but also about making positive choices and supporting the health of our wider community.
Thank you to everyone who participated and donated—you made this day a true win for body, mind, and heart!
TECH TIPS
How to Create a Cyber Safe Home 🏠
In today's world, our homes are filled with connected devices, from phones and tablets to smart TVs and gaming consoles. While technology brings many benefits, it also opens the door to online risks. Here are some simple, practical steps parents can take to make their homes safer for kids online:
Lock Down Your Wi-Fi:
Change the default password on your router.
Use a strong password that's hard to guess.
Turn on encryption (WPA2 or WPA3).
Keep Devices Up to Date:
Set devices to update automatically.
Updates fix security issues and add new features.
Use Parental Controls:
Block inappropriate content.
Set time limits.
Monitor what your child is doing online.
Talk About Online Safety:
Discuss sharing personal information, such as school name or home address.
Talk about scams and fake messages.
Encourage kids to speak up if something doesn't feel right.
UPCOMING DATES
📚 Mark Your Calendars: October Highlights at Hope Academy 🗓️
🌟 Thank a Teacher Day – Friday, October 3: Let’s celebrate the incredible educators who make Hope Academy shine! Parents and students are encouraged to express appreciation to a teacher who has made a meaningful impact on their child’s journey. A kind note, a small gesture, or a heartfelt “thank you” can go a long way in brightening a teacher’s day.
🧠 World Mental Health Day – Thursday, October 10: A day to reflect, support, and raise awareness for mental well-being. We’ll be sharing resources and reminders that caring for our minds is just as important as caring for our bodies.
✏️ PSAT – Tuesday, October 15: Best of luck to our students sitting the PSAT! This is a great opportunity to practice test-taking skills and prepare for future academic milestones.
📸 Picture Day – Monday & Tuesday, November 3 - 4: Say cheese! Students will have their school photos taken on these dates.
NOTICES
📝 GenNow
Cayman National is excited to introduce you to our GenNow account — a powerful tool designed to help students develop strong financial habits from an early age. With the GenNow account, young savers ages 10-21 gain more than just a place to hold their funds; but begin their journey towards financial independence. With features tailored to support both students and parents, it provides a secure banking experience that includes:
No Fees
Secure Online Banking
Multi-Currency Accounts
24-Hour Card Replacement
Joint Access to parent’s debit or credit card with fixed spending limits
📝 YSU Afterschool Programs
🎬 Lights, Leadership, and Learning: Join These Exciting After-School Programs! 🗣️
The Youth Services Unit is thrilled to offer two FREE flagship after-school programs for the 2025/26 school year—open to students across the island who are ready to explore, express, and lead!
🎥 Youth Media Mashup (YMM)
Wednesdays | 3:30–5:00 PM
Dive into the world of media, communications, and creative expression! This hands-on program helps students build storytelling skills while fostering teamwork and innovation.
🏛️ Cayman Islands Youth Assembly (CIYA)
Thursdays | 3:30–5:00 PM
Step into leadership! CIYA empowers students to engage in civic education, develop public speaking skills, and contribute to youth-focused initiatives that make a difference.
Both programs offer incredible opportunities for personal growth, academic enrichment, and connection with peers from schools island-wide. Programs begin next week—October 1st!
Flyers and registration forms are attached to this email.
Water Polo is Here!
Active Polo is excited to bring one of the world’s most dynamic water sports to the Cayman Islands. Led by international coach Luke Manthe, who has coached national teams across New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the UK, our program welcomes athletes of all ages - from beginners (5/6 years old) to adults.
✅ Fun, fast-paced, team-based sport
✅ Builds fitness, discipline, and water safety
✅ Great crossover for swimmers
Registration is now open, and we welcome you to join Active Polo and be part of Cayman’s newest sporting adventure!
Contact via email or phone to register!
📧 luke@active-ky.com 📞 +1 345 3233961
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