Happy Hall @ Ortega Newsletter | August
- Brigette Gauthier
- Aug 29
- 4 min read
Director's Message
We’re so happy to welcome back our returning families and send a big hello to all the new ones joining us this year! Whether your child is in preschool or school age, we’re excited to kick off another great year at Happy Hall Ortega. Our team is here to create a safe, caring, and fun space where kids can learn, grow, and make great memories. We’re looking forward to all the laughter, friendships, and exciting moments ahead. Here’s to a fantastic year together at Happy Hall!
Program Highlights
Engagement Activities
We’re starting the year at Happy Hall Ortega by helping all our preschool and school-age students settle in, feel welcome, and build a strong sense of community.
In preschool, we’re focusing on learning classroom routines, understanding rules, and getting to know teachers and new friends through songs, stories, and fun activities. Preschoolers are also starting their letter learning journey with the letters F and B, exploring these sounds through hands-on activities and engaging games. Our discovery centers offer a variety of experiences, including science, literacy, art, dramatic play, and building, giving children plenty of opportunities to explore, create, and learn in a playful environment.
For our school-age kids, we’re focusing on building friendships, teamwork, and kindness to create a positive after-school community. We’ve spent time welcoming everyone, setting goals, and celebrating diversity. Now, students are learning about the people, places, and systems in their community, helping them understand how they can make a positive impact and be caring, active members of the group.
It’s a great start to a year full of learning, growth, and fun!
Professional Development
As part of our ongoing commitment to high-quality care and education, the Happy Hall Ortega team recently participated in professional development sessions. Our staff reviewed key procedures to ensure consistency, safety, and a smooth start to the year. Team members also completed additional trainings, including Mandated Reporter certification and best practices in classroom management and child development. These sessions gave our team time to reflect, learn, and grow together, which strengthens our ability to support your children socially, emotionally, and academically throughout the year.
Community Events
Thank you to all the preschool families who joined us for our Orientation Google Meet events! It was so great to connect and start the year together. We’re looking forward to a wonderful year of learning, growth, and fun!
We’re excited to share some fun opportunities for our preschool families to connect and get involved!
Park Day Sunday Sept 21 | 10:00am–12:00pm You’re invited to a fun playdate on our Happy Hall playgrounds! Come meet your child’s friends and connect with new families in our Happy Hall community.
Learning in Action Wednesday Sept 24 3:00–4:00pm Join us for an interactive hour in your child’s classroom. We’ll share learning objectives, and then children will join you for circle time and discovery time.
Student Achievements
At Happy Hall Ortega, we love to celebrate all the ways our students grow and shine!
In our school-age program, we’re focusing on life skills like kindness, responsibility, teamwork, and patience. Each week, teachers will recognize STAR STUDENTS who show these skills—like helping others, being a good friend, or showing effort in group activities.
In preschool, children are learning important life skills too—such as caring, patience, and cooperation. When they show these skills during the day, they get to add a colored dot to our classroom Gumball Machine. Once it’s full, we’ll celebrate with a fun themed party for the class!
These moments help build confidence, encourage kindness, and strengthen our classroom community.
Reminders
For your child’s safety, please notify us if they will be absent from aftercare on a scheduled day. If a child does not arrive within 5–7 minutes of school dismissal, our staff will begin our safety protocol. This includes checking with the school, contacting parents or guardians, and, if necessary, notifying the authorities. To avoid delays or confusion, we ask that you inform us in advance whenever possible. Absences can be reported through the 1Core app, by calling or texting (650) 355-5026, by emailing Ortega@happyhall.com, or by letting us know a few days ahead of time in person.
We also ask that students leave toys, collectibles, and personal items at home, as we cannot be responsible for anything that may get lost, broken, or misplaced during aftercare.
Our school-age program at Happy Hall Ortega is open before school from 7:00 AM until the start of the school day, and after school until 6:00 PM. Please note that late fees apply for any pickups after 6:05 PM. Our preschool program runs from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with extended care available from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM for families who need additional coverage. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us keep our program safe, smooth, and fun for everyone!
Looking Ahead
Next month, our school-age students will finish up our “Community” theme and jump into a new adventure called “The Natural World.” They’ll explore different ecosystems and learn about the plants, animals, and environments that make our planet special. Through fun activities and discussions, they’ll gain a deeper love and understanding of nature and why it’s important to take care of it.
Meanwhile, our preschoolers will be exploring the themes of apples and transportation. They’ll learn about the life cycle of apples, enjoy hands-on activities like apple tasting and apple-themed art projects, and discover different ways people and things move around, from cars and buses to bicycles and trains. Through stories, songs, and play, preschoolers will develop their curiosity and understanding of the world around them.
Stay Connected
Check out our photo galleries:
Thank You!
We’re really grateful to all our preschool and school-age families for trusting us and being part of the Happy Hall community. It’s such a pleasure to be part of your child’s day and to work together to help them learn and grow. Your support and involvement mean a lot to us, and we can’t wait for all the fun and learning ahead this year!
Brigette Gauthier & Nichole Lancaster
Program Director & Assistant Program Director
Happy Hall @ Ortega
