HOPE ACADEMY

Hope Academy
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NEWSLETTER #8 April 2026

AUSTISM AWARENESS MONTH

✨💙 Different Not Less: Celebrating Autism Acceptance Month at Hope Academy 💙✨

April brought a beautiful wave of awareness, understanding, and celebration as Hope Academy embraced Autism Acceptance Month with creativity, compassion, and plenty of sparkle. This year’s global theme, “Autism and Humanity: Every Life Has Value,” shone brightly throughout our campus.

✨ Three vibrant bulletin boards became the heart of our celebration. One featured a colourful infinity symbol, inviting students to write ways they can be a great friend, a daily reminder that inclusion is something we create together. Another board highlighted inspiring individuals with ASD who have made remarkable contributions across science, art, technology, and beyond. As Temple Grandin reminds us, “I’m different, but not less.” Her words echoed through our halls.

✨ Our interactive board quickly became a student favourite! Learners explored a sensory wall, coloured creative designs, flipped through delightful books like Bright Eyes and Nasser’s Wiggle Wiggle Adventure, and even watched a thoughtful clip from The Good Doctor featuring Dr. Murphy. It was hands‑on, engaging, and full of opportunities to connect with the beauty of neurodiversity.

✨ Thanks to our incredible Behavior Technicians, these displays were shared across multiple grade levels, sparking meaningful conversations and helping students build empathy, understanding, and acceptance.

This month wasn’t just about awareness; it was about celebrating strengths, embracing differences, and nurturing a community where every student feels valued and seen.

Let’s

PRIMARY MUSIC CLASS

✨🎶 Primary Music Spotlight: Sparkling Growth Across Every Grade 🎶✨

Our Primary musicians have been lighting up the term with enthusiasm, creativity, and steady musical growth. Every class has been giving their best, and it truly shows.

✨ Grade 4/5 has just begun their journey with Ukulele Prodigies, learning their very first chords and strumming patterns. They’re building strong foundations, and it’s exciting to see their confidence grow with each new skill.

✨ Grade 2 is proudly completing their Prodigies Song Series, using the C Major scale to play and sing melodies with accuracy and expression. Their musical understanding is blossoming beautifully.

✨ Grade 1 continues to shine as they explore Prodigies Fa–Sol–La, learning to read and sing melodic patterns with growing independence and tunefulness.

✨ Kindergarten is joyfully learning Mi–Sol–La, using echo songs, colourful visuals, and playful Prodigies activities to build pitch awareness and musical confidence.

Across all grades, our students have been doing a fantastic job—bringing sparkle, joy, and curiosity to every lesson. Hope Academy’s young musicians are growing one bright, musical moment at a time. ✨

FIELD TRIP

🌿🚣‍♂️ Grade 8 Mangrove Kayaking Adventure: Learning, Leadership, and “Brian Moments” 🌊✨

Our Grade 8 students teamed up with the Ambassadors of the Environment for an unforgettable mangrove kayaking adventure that blended outdoor exploration with powerful real‑world learning.

Paddling through Cayman’s rich mangrove ecosystems, students experienced firsthand the incredible biodiversity that protects our coastlines and sustains our ocean environments. As they navigated narrow channels, spotted wildlife, and learned about the vital role mangroves play, the connections to their novel study of Hatchet came alive in meaningful ways.

Each student had the chance to discover their own “Brian Moment”, building resilience, independence, problem‑solving skills, and a deeper appreciation for the natural world. From teamwork on the water to quiet moments of reflection surrounded by nature, the experience left a lasting impact.

It was a day filled with adventure, learning, and personal growth that our Grade 8 students won’t soon forget. 🌊🌿✨

AUTISM ACCEPTANCE 5K RUN

🧩🏃‍♂️✨ John Gray 5K Fun Run & Walk: Stepping Forward for Autism Acceptance ✨🏃‍♀️🧩

Hope Academy joined schools across the island for the John Gray 5K Fun Run and Walk, coming together in a powerful show of unity and support for Autism Acceptance. It was a morning filled with energy, encouragement, and community spirit as students and teachers walked and ran with purpose.

And we have a special celebration, one of our very own, Tory Yen, crossed the finish line in FIRST place! 🏆👏 A huge congratulations to Tory for this outstanding achievement and for representing Hope Academy with pride and determination.

Well done to everyone who participated, supported, and showed up to make a difference. Together, we continue to spread awareness, acceptance, and love one step at a time. ✨

PE DEPARTMENT

🌊🤿 Grade 11 & 12 Dive Into Adventure at Don Fosters 🤿🌊

Our Grade 11 and 12 students took learning beyond the classroom this week with an exciting scuba diving experience at Don Foster's, where they explored Cayman’s world‑renowned underwater environment up close.

Under the guidance of certified instructors, students learned essential diving skills, practiced safety techniques, and gained confidence as they descended into the clear blue. For many, it was their first time experiencing the breathtaking beauty beneath the surface, colourful marine life, vibrant coral formations, and the ocean's peaceful stillness.

The dive wasn’t just an adventure; it was an opportunity for personal growth. Students demonstrated responsibility, teamwork, and resilience as they navigated new challenges and supported one another throughout the experience.

It was a memorable day of discovery, skill‑building, and appreciation for Cayman’s incredible marine world that our senior students will carry with them long after they surface. 🌟🌊

🏊‍♂️🌊 Water Polo on the Horizon! 🌊🏊‍♂️

Mr. Kelley recently took part in an exciting water polo professional development session, joining PE teachers from schools across the island to learn new skills and strategies for bringing this dynamic sport to students.

With fresh ideas and plenty of enthusiasm, he’s gearing up for something special: beach water polo coming early next year. Stay tuned for more details as we dive into this new opportunity for our students.

SECONDARY SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

🎓✨ Secondary School Assembly: Grade 12 Shares Wisdom for the Future ✨🎓

Our recent Secondary School Assembly was a standout moment of leadership and reflection, guided by our Grade 12 students, who spoke with honesty, maturity, and a genuine desire to help younger students succeed.

They shared the key things they wish they had done better before reaching their final year, lessons learned through real experience. Their reflections focused on:

Attending school consistently, and how strong attendance builds discipline and keeps students on track
Completing assignments on time, avoiding procrastination, and staying organized
Maintaining positive behaviour, making choices that support learning and healthy relationships

But they didn’t stop there. Our Grade 12s also highlighted how these habits have a direct impact on life after high school. They spoke about how attendance, behaviour, and academic responsibility can shape opportunities when applying to universities and jobs, from transcripts and recommendations to interviews and first impressions. Their message was clear: the habits students build now will follow them into their future pathways.

Their leadership set a powerful example, leaving younger students motivated to make positive choices and take ownership of their learning. It was an assembly filled with wisdom, encouragement, and the kind of guidance that only comes from those who have walked the path themselves. ✨

🏆 STUDENTS OF THE MONTH 🏆

To top off an already incredible month, we proudly celebrated our Secondary Students of the Month. These outstanding students were recognized for their hard work, positive attitude, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Their dedication shines brightly across our school community, and we congratulate each of them for setting such a strong example.

UPCOMING DATES

📚 Mark Your Calendars: May Highlights at Hope Academy 🗓️

🌟 Upcoming Events 🌟

✨ Teacher's Appreciation Week 4th-8th

✨ Mental Health Week 11th -15th

✨ Civvy Day 28th

NOTICES

✈️🌄 Announcing Our Next Student Travel Adventure: Grand Canyon & U.S. National Parks! 🌄✨

We’re excited to share the destination for our next unforgettable student travel experience! In past years, our groups have explored Washington, D.C., Costa Rica, and Orlando, and in May 2027, we’ll be heading to the Grand Canyon and the stunning U.S. National Parks in Utah and Nevada. This trip will be open to all students in Grades 9–12 during the 2026/2027 school year.

To help families learn more, we’ll be hosting a Parent Information Meeting on:

📅 Thursday, May 7th

🕕 6:00 PM

📍 Room 5

During the meeting, we’ll walk through the itinerary, costs, safety details, and the educational opportunities connected to this incredible adventure. Students are welcome to attend as well.

As a special bonus, anyone who attends the meeting and registers within 48 hours will receive a US$100 credit toward the trip.

Please take a moment to review the attached flyer before the meeting. It includes key details about the itinerary and information about WorldStrides, our trusted travel partner and a leader in educational travel.

If you have any questions, feel free to send us an email. Looking forward to seeing you there! ✨