Happy Hall @ Ortega Newsletter | September
- Nichole Lancaster
- Oct 7
- 4 min read
Director's Message
Hello Happy Hall Families,
I am so happy to officially step into the role of Director here at Happy Hall Ortega! Over the past few years, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know so many of our wonderful children and families, and I feel truly grateful to continue supporting this amazing community in a new way.
Early childhood education has been my passion since I began my career in 2006. Each day, I’m inspired by the curiosity, creativity, and kindness our children bring into the classroom. As Director, my goal is to continue fostering an environment where every child feels safe, cared for, and excited to learn.
October has arrived, bringing with it the crisp air of fall and a fresh wave of excitement for learning and growth. This month is a wonderful time for students to spark their creativity, connect with friends, and dive into meaningful classroom experiences. With engaging lessons and festive activities ahead, we’re looking forward to a season filled with curiosity, joy, and discovery.
Thank you for the warm welcome and for the trust you place in our team every day. I’m so excited for all that’s ahead as we continue growing, learning, and celebrating together!
Program Highlights
Engagement Activities
This month, our school-age students explored “The Natural World,” diving into ecosystems, animal habitats, and the plants that make our planet so diverse and beautiful. Through creative projects, interactive lessons, and hands-on activities, they discovered how different environments work together and why it's important to care for nature. As we step into October, we’re excited to shift our focus to new seasonal themes that will spark curiosity and keep the learning momentum going!
Our preschoolers had a busy and exciting month exploring the themes of apples and transportation! They learned all about the life cycle of an apple and enjoyed activities like apple tasting, sensory play, and apple-inspired crafts. As they explored transportation, they discovered all the ways people and things get from place to place - buses, bikes, cars, trains, and more! Through stories, songs, and interactive play, they also worked on early literacy by learning the letters A, C, H, and D, building foundational skills in a fun and engaging way.
Professional Development
We have some exciting professional development opportunities coming up for our team. This weekend, staff will take part in CPR and First Aid certification to ensure we’re well-prepared to keep our students safe and respond confidently in emergencies. Then, in mid-October, we’ll come together for a larger training session focused on key topics that support our daily work and strengthen program quality. These sessions not only help build important skills, but also give staff the chance to collaborate, share experiences, and gain new perspectives from fellow educators across centers.
Community Events
Preschool Learning in Action This month, we ended September with a special Learning in Action event in the preschool program. Families had the chance to participate in circle time and explore discovery centers alongside their preschoolers offering a fun, hands-on look at a typical day in the classroom.
🎃 Ortega School Halloween Parade – October 31 at 9:00 AM On Halloween morning, our Happy Hall preschoolers will join the Ortega School parade at 9:00 AM. Families are welcome to watch the fun by lining up along the turf field. Our afterschool students will also participate in the parade with their school-day classrooms!
🎃 Happy Hall-o-ween Celebration – October 31 from 2:30–3:30 PM In the afternoon, we’ll host our annual Happy Hall-o-ween event! Students in grades 3–5 will create and run booths featuring games and trick-or-treat activities for all ages. It’s sure to be a fun-filled way to celebrate the holiday together!
Student Achievements
Our students have been working hard to practice important life skills each day—and we love celebrating their efforts! In preschool, children earn dots for their classroom gumball machine when they demonstrate life skills like caring, responsibility, and cooperation. Once the machine is full, the class enjoys a special celebration! In our school-age program, each group has its own fun way of recognizing positive behavior. Group 1 uses punch cards—each time a student shows a life skill, they get a punch, and when the card is full, they choose a treasure from the treasure box. Group 2 is working toward filling up their sticker charts to earn exciting prizes, and Group 3 also uses punch cards to track their life skill progress and earn fun rewards. We’re so proud of all our students for growing their skills and cheering each other on along the way!
Reminders
We will be closed October 13, 2025 for staff development
Come by to check if your child is missing a jacket or a water bottle. Make sure to label all your child’s belongings with their name.
If your child will be absent from Happy Hall, please inform us via text, email, or through 1Core.
Looking Ahead
Next month, our school-age children will be exploring exciting new themes that are sure to ignite their imagination and love of learning! We’ll be launching into outer space with interactive, hands-on activities that make learning both fun and engaging. Alongside that, we’ll be celebrating the joys of fall with seasonal crafts and family-friendly fun.
Our preschoolers will be learning about pumpkins and community helpers, while also enjoying plenty of fall-inspired fun. They'll be focusing on the letters O, T, and X—explored through engaging stories, songs, hands-on activities in our discovery centers, and creative art projects.
Stay Connected
Check out our photo galleries:
Thank You!
Thank you to all of our families for your continued support and partnership. Your involvement, encouragement, and trust play a vital role in your child’s success. We’re grateful to be part of your child’s learning journey and look forward to growing together in the months ahead!
Nichole Lancaster
Program Director
Happy Hall @ Ortega
