Hello Hawk Families,
I hope this message finds you well! The 2026–2027 school year is quickly approaching, and bus registration is officially open for the 2026–2027 school year. 🚌 If you would like your child to ride the bus, you must register your student for bus transportation. We also want to remind families of students receiving ESE services that bus registration is required in order for your child to receive a bus route. Without bus registration, bus transportation will not be provided.
Please review important bus transportation information right here here: https://www.duvalschools.org/page/transportation. On this page, you will be able to review bus eligibility, register for transportation, learn more about bus routes, and access other helpful transportation details. Bus transportation is a privilege, and we encourage all parents/guardians to carefully review bus safety expectations with your child once registration is complete.
Thank you, and have a great day!
🚀 Welcome to the Mission, Dr. Brown!
At Highlands Estates Academy, every successful mission begins with exceptional leaders. Today, I am honored to introduce the newest member of our Mission Possible leadership team, Dr. Easter Brown, who will serve as our new Assistant Principal.
Dr. Brown joins the Hawk Nest with a wealth of experience, a servant's heart, and an unwavering commitment to student success. She brings:
⭐ 15 years in education
⭐ 5 years of school administration experience
⭐ 3 years in district professional development, coaching, and training educators
⭐ A proud Jacksonville native dedicated to serving the community she calls home
Known for her collaborative leadership style and unwavering belief in the potential of every child, Dr. Brown believes that strong relationships, high expectations, and intentional support create the conditions for every student and educator to thrive. She is a proven instructional leader with a passion for developing teachers, building strong school cultures, and helping students achieve at high levels. Throughout her career, she has successfully led school improvement efforts that produced measurable academic gains and strengthened the communities she has served. Her experience, collaborative leadership, and commitment to excellence will be an incredible asset as we continue advancing the mission of Highlands Estates Academy.
I am excited to welcome Dr. Brown to the Hawk Nest and grateful for the experience, wisdom, and heart she brings to our leadership team. Together, we remain committed to our mission of ensuring every scholar has the opportunity to learn, lead, and soar.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Easter Brown to the Hawk Nest! We are excited for the journey ahead and all that we will accomplish together.
Warmly,
Mrs. Natalya Richie-Graham
Principal
Highlands Estates Academy
🎉📚 WE’RE FOUR WEEKS INTO OUR SATURDAY STORYTIME MISSION! 💙💛
HEA Families,
Can you believe it? We are officially FOUR weeks into our Saturday Storytime journey!
What began as a summer reading challenge has grown into something truly special. Because of your commitment…
🏅 Students have earned Storytime badges.
🍕 Families have enjoyed FREE pizza for completing their reading missions.
💳 Students have earned entries into our $25 Visa Gift Card drawings.
📚 Families have visited local libraries, discovered new books, and shared wonderful reading experiences.
📸 We’ve celebrated so many photos of our Hawks reading with parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends.
Most importantly, we’ve kept literacy alive this summer!
Every book that’s been opened, every conversation that’s been shared, and every story that’s been read together is helping our children grow into stronger readers and lifelong learners.
As we begin Week 5: Celebrate America Through Reading, I encourage every family to continue making reading part of your holiday weekend.
⭐ This Week’s Mission Challenge ⭐
After you’ve read together, become authors!
Write your own family story.
It can be:
📖 A favorite family memory
🎆 Your perfect Fourth of July adventure
🏖️ Your dream summer vacation
🏡 A story about your family traditions
✨ Or a completely made-up adventure starring your child as the hero!
Let your imagination lead the way. Draw pictures, add illustrations, and have fun creating something that is uniquely yours.
📸 I’d love to see your family stories! Share a picture of your child reading or writing their own story along with your completed response sheet.
🍕 Complete this week’s mission for a chance to earn FREE pizza from me!
💳 Every completed submission will also be entered into our $25 Visa Gift Card drawing.
Thank you for helping make this more than a reading challenge. Together, we’re building readers, writers, thinkers, and dreamers.
Let’s keep the mission going!
With Hawk Pride,
Principal Natalya Richie-Graham 💙💛
Mission Possible: No Limits. No Excuses.
Read. Imagine. Write. Soar.
#KeepLiteracyAlive #SaturdayStorytime #MissionPossible #ReadersAreLeaders #HEAReads #HawksReadToLead #ReadImagineWrite #NoLimitsNoExcuses
HEA Families,
Can you believe it? We are officially FOUR weeks into our Saturday Storytime journey!
What began as a summer reading challenge has grown into something truly special. Because of your commitment…
🏅 Students have earned Storytime badges.
🍕 Families have enjoyed FREE pizza for completing their reading missions.
💳 Students have earned entries into our $25 Visa Gift Card drawings.
📚 Families have visited local libraries, discovered new books, and shared wonderful reading experiences.
📸 We’ve celebrated so many photos of our Hawks reading with parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends.
Most importantly, we’ve kept literacy alive this summer!
Every book that’s been opened, every conversation that’s been shared, and every story that’s been read together is helping our children grow into stronger readers and lifelong learners.
As we begin Week 5: Celebrate America Through Reading, I encourage every family to continue making reading part of your holiday weekend.
⭐ This Week’s Mission Challenge ⭐
After you’ve read together, become authors!
Write your own family story.
It can be:
📖 A favorite family memory
🎆 Your perfect Fourth of July adventure
🏖️ Your dream summer vacation
🏡 A story about your family traditions
✨ Or a completely made-up adventure starring your child as the hero!
Let your imagination lead the way. Draw pictures, add illustrations, and have fun creating something that is uniquely yours.
📸 I’d love to see your family stories! Share a picture of your child reading or writing their own story along with your completed response sheet.
🍕 Complete this week’s mission for a chance to earn FREE pizza from me!
💳 Every completed submission will also be entered into our $25 Visa Gift Card drawing.
Thank you for helping make this more than a reading challenge. Together, we’re building readers, writers, thinkers, and dreamers.
Let’s keep the mission going!
With Hawk Pride,
Principal Natalya Richie-Graham 💙💛
Mission Possible: No Limits. No Excuses.
Read. Imagine. Write. Soar.
#KeepLiteracyAlive #SaturdayStorytime #MissionPossible #ReadersAreLeaders #HEAReads #HawksReadToLead #ReadImagineWrite #NoLimitsNoExcuses
Get Mission Ready: Orientation & Back-to-School Information
We are excited to welcome our Hawk families back for a strong start to the new school year. As we prepare for an amazing year ahead, we want to make sure you have the important information needed to get mission ready for opening day.
Please join us for Family Orientation on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. This will be a great opportunity to connect, prepare, and ensure your family is ready for a successful school year.
A few important reminders:
Uniforms are ready for purchase at www.highlandsestates.com/uniforms
Summer pick-up date: July 24, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Supply lists can be found at https://app.teacherlists.com/variation/zip/search
Please be sure to download the PikMyKid app, as this will be the platform we use for dismissal and dismissal changes
We look forward to partnering with you to make this school year one of excellence, growth, and success. Thank you for your continued support of Highlands Estates Academy.
With excitement,
Principal Graham
Highlands Estates Academy
📚🚀 Mission Possible: Week 4 – STEM Saturday! 🚀📚
HEA families,
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the opportunity to be curious.
This week, our Saturday Storytime Mission is all about STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! Through this week’s books, our Hawks will meet inventors, scientists, engineers, and trailblazers who dared to ask questions, solve problems, and dream beyond what others thought was possible.
At Highlands Estates Academy, we believe that reading is more than learning words on a page—it is how our children discover new ideas, build confidence, and begin to imagine the endless possibilities for their future. Every story they read today is preparing them to become tomorrow’s innovators, leaders, and changemakers.
As you read together this weekend, I encourage you to ask your child:
💡 “What problem would you like to solve?”
💡 “What could you invent to help someone?”
💡 “How did the characters show perseverance when things became difficult?”
Those conversations help transform reading into meaningful learning experiences that will last long after summer ends.
🍕 Don’t forget! Submit your completed Storytime Response Sheet for your chance to earn FREE pizza from me!
💳 Every completed response is also entered into our $25 Visa Gift Card drawing!
A huge thank you to the families who continue to send photos of your reading adventures. Your participation is helping us Keep Literacy Alive all summer long, and I love seeing our Hawks learning, growing, and making memories together.
Let’s continue proving that reading has no season. Together, we’ll keep turning pages, sparking curiosity, and soaring to new heights—one story at a time.
With gratitude,
Principal Graham 💙💛
Mission Possible. No Limits. No Excuses.
#KeepLiteracyAlive #SaturdayStorytime #MissionPossible #ReadersAreLeaders #HEAReads #STEMSaturday #HawksReadToLead #ReadImagineSoar #NoLimitsNoExcuses
HEA families,
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the opportunity to be curious.
This week, our Saturday Storytime Mission is all about STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics! Through this week’s books, our Hawks will meet inventors, scientists, engineers, and trailblazers who dared to ask questions, solve problems, and dream beyond what others thought was possible.
At Highlands Estates Academy, we believe that reading is more than learning words on a page—it is how our children discover new ideas, build confidence, and begin to imagine the endless possibilities for their future. Every story they read today is preparing them to become tomorrow’s innovators, leaders, and changemakers.
As you read together this weekend, I encourage you to ask your child:
💡 “What problem would you like to solve?”
💡 “What could you invent to help someone?”
💡 “How did the characters show perseverance when things became difficult?”
Those conversations help transform reading into meaningful learning experiences that will last long after summer ends.
🍕 Don’t forget! Submit your completed Storytime Response Sheet for your chance to earn FREE pizza from me!
💳 Every completed response is also entered into our $25 Visa Gift Card drawing!
A huge thank you to the families who continue to send photos of your reading adventures. Your participation is helping us Keep Literacy Alive all summer long, and I love seeing our Hawks learning, growing, and making memories together.
Let’s continue proving that reading has no season. Together, we’ll keep turning pages, sparking curiosity, and soaring to new heights—one story at a time.
With gratitude,
Principal Graham 💙💛
Mission Possible. No Limits. No Excuses.
#KeepLiteracyAlive #SaturdayStorytime #MissionPossible #ReadersAreLeaders #HEAReads #STEMSaturday #HawksReadToLead #ReadImagineSoar #NoLimitsNoExcuses
💙 Happy Father’s Day from Highlands Estates Academy! 💚
Today, we celebrate the fathers and father figures whose love, encouragement, and everyday moments leave a lasting impact on our children.
Wishing all of our HEA dads a day filled with joy, laughter, and special moments with those you love.
Today, we celebrate the fathers and father figures whose love, encouragement, and everyday moments leave a lasting impact on our children.
Wishing all of our HEA dads a day filled with joy, laughter, and special moments with those you love.
📚💙 Keeping Literacy Alive—One Story at a Time! 💛📚
HEA families, my heart is full as I see so many of our students embracing this week’s Saturday Storytime Mission! Every picture you share, every page you read, and every conversation you have about a book is helping us build stronger readers and brighter futures.
This week, we’re shining a spotlight on the amazing families who submitted photos and completed their reading missions. Thank you for making literacy a priority and for showing our students that reading doesn’t stop when school is out—it’s a lifelong adventure.
Our Week 3 theme, Community Heroes & Everyday Changemakers, reminds us that books have the power to inspire courage, celebrate culture, and help children see themselves and others in meaningful ways. I encourage every family to take a few moments this weekend to read together, talk about the story, and complete the book response questions.
🍕 Don’t forget: Submit your completed response sheet for a chance to earn FREE pizza from me!
💳 **Plus, every completed submission is entered into our drawing for a $25 Visa Gift Card.
To the families featured in today’s highlight graphic—thank you for helping us keep literacy alive and for leading by example. Your commitment is making a difference, and I couldn’t be more proud of our Hawks!
Let’s keep reading, keep imagining, and keep soaring together.
With gratitude,
Principal Graham 💙💛
❤️🖤💚 Happy Juneteenth! Today we celebrate freedom, resilience, and the power of knowledge to shape a brighter future.
📚 This week, I’m reading The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside Our Schools because I believe great leaders never stop learning. Every page is an opportunity to grow, reflect, and become better for our students and school community.
🚨 And the excitement continues! Tomorrow we’ll release our Week 3 Saturday Storytime Summer Reading Challenge books. I can’t wait for our Hawks and their families to dive into another week of reading adventures.
🦅 At Highlands Estates Academy, we believe that readers are leaders. Let’s continue to build a culture where we read, imagine, and soar—one book at a time.
Happy Juneteenth, and happy reading! 📖✨
📚🦅 Saturday Storytime Midweek Check-In!
Hi, Hawk Family! It’s Principal Graham checking in.
I have just one question…
👀 Did you read today?
If not, there’s still time! Grab a good book, read together as a family, and keep your child’s love of literacy growing all summer long.
Don’t forget to:
✅ Read this week’s book (or another great choice)
✅ Complete the book report
✅ Send in a reading photo
✅ Submit your entry for a chance to be our next Saturday Storytime Raffle Winner!
💬 I’m waiting for your answer! Let me know in the comments, reply to this message, or send me a picture of your reader in action.
Remember… Mission Possible: No Limits. No Excuses.
Together, let’s Read. Imagine. Soar. 💙💛
— Principal Graham
Hi, Hawk Family! It’s Principal Graham checking in.
I have just one question…
👀 Did you read today?
If not, there’s still time! Grab a good book, read together as a family, and keep your child’s love of literacy growing all summer long.
Don’t forget to:
✅ Read this week’s book (or another great choice)
✅ Complete the book report
✅ Send in a reading photo
✅ Submit your entry for a chance to be our next Saturday Storytime Raffle Winner!
💬 I’m waiting for your answer! Let me know in the comments, reply to this message, or send me a picture of your reader in action.
Remember… Mission Possible: No Limits. No Excuses.
Together, let’s Read. Imagine. Soar. 💙💛
— Principal Graham
🚀📚 A Special Invitation from Principal Graham – Week 2: Adventure Awaits! 📚🚀
Dear Hawk Families,
🎉 Congratulations to our Week 1 Saturday Storytime Winner, Azariah Martin! 🎉
Azariah, who recently completed Kindergarten and is excited to begin 1st Grade this fall, has earned a Little Caesars Gift Card for participating in our Summer Reading Challenge. We are so proud of his dedication and hope his success inspires even more of our Hawks to join the adventure!
As we begin Week 2: Adventure Awaits, I’m personally inviting every Hawk family to continue making reading a priority this summer. Together, let’s keep literacy alive by setting aside time each day to read, talk about stories, and explore new ideas.
📸 I would love to celebrate your family’s reading journey! Please send me a picture of you reading with your child so we can highlight our amazing Hawks and inspire others to join the challenge.
📚 Looking for more summer fun? I encourage you to check out the exciting events and programs happening this week at the Highlands Regional Library. It’s a wonderful opportunity for children to discover new books, participate in engaging activities, and continue building a lifelong love of reading. Be sure to see the attached event flyers for details!
Let’s Keep Literacy Alive This Summer!
* 📖 Read together each day.
* ✍️ Complete this week’s grade-level book response questions.
* 📸 Share a family reading photo.
* 🍕 Submit your completed book report to receive a FREE pizza from me, Principal Graham!
* 💳 Every submitted book report will also be entered into our drawing for a $25 Visa Gift Card.
Please email your completed book report and family reading photo to:
📧 richien1@duvalschools.org
As both a parent and an educator, I know that some of the most meaningful moments happen when families spend time reading together. Thank you for partnering with us to keep literacy alive and inspire a love of learning that lasts well beyond the summer months. Every page turned is another step toward success.
Warmly,
Principal Natalya Richie-Graham
Highlands Estates Academy
🦅 Mission Possible: No Limits. No Excuses.
📚 Keep Literacy Alive • Read. Imagine. Soar.
🚀📚 A Special Reading Mission from Principal Graham 📚🚀
Greetings Hawk Families!
This summer, I am personally inviting every Hawk family to join me for our Mission Possible: Summer Reading Challenge. Reading together is one of the most powerful ways we can help our children grow, dream, and prepare for a strong school year.
I would love to see our families in action! Please send me pictures of you reading with your child so I can celebrate our Hawks and the families who are helping them soar.
I also encourage you to visit your local library this summer. Let your child explore, choose books that excite them, and build a love for reading.
Students who submit their book reports will receive a FREE Little Caesar's pizza from me, and they will also be entered into a drawing for a $25 Visa Gift Card.
Please email book reports and reading pictures to:
📧 richien1@duvalschools.org
Include:
Students Name
Parents Name
26-27 Grade Level
As both a parent and an educator, I know that some of the most meaningful moments happen when families spend time reading together. Thank you for helping us keep learning alive this summer. Every page turned is another step toward success.
Warmly,
Principal Natalya Richie-Graham
Highlands Estates Academy
Greetings Hawk Families!
This summer, I am personally inviting every Hawk family to join me for our Mission Possible: Summer Reading Challenge. Reading together is one of the most powerful ways we can help our children grow, dream, and prepare for a strong school year.
I would love to see our families in action! Please send me pictures of you reading with your child so I can celebrate our Hawks and the families who are helping them soar.
I also encourage you to visit your local library this summer. Let your child explore, choose books that excite them, and build a love for reading.
Students who submit their book reports will receive a FREE Little Caesar's pizza from me, and they will also be entered into a drawing for a $25 Visa Gift Card.
Please email book reports and reading pictures to:
📧 richien1@duvalschools.org
Include:
Students Name
Parents Name
26-27 Grade Level
As both a parent and an educator, I know that some of the most meaningful moments happen when families spend time reading together. Thank you for helping us keep learning alive this summer. Every page turned is another step toward success.
Warmly,
Principal Natalya Richie-Graham
Highlands Estates Academy
Happy Summer, Hawk Families!
Looking for a fun way to kick off summer break? We still have several seats remaining for this Saturday’s FREE Movie May End-of-Year Soiree featuring the new movie, "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu!" 🎥🍿
Join in on the fun on Saturday, May 30 at 9:45 AM at AMC Regency 24 for a morning of movie magic, community, and summer celebration. Families are invited to enjoy this free viewing while seats last!
To RSVP, please scan the QR code on the flyer and complete the survey.💫
Looking for a fun way to kick off summer break? We still have several seats remaining for this Saturday’s FREE Movie May End-of-Year Soiree featuring the new movie, "Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu!" 🎥🍿
Join in on the fun on Saturday, May 30 at 9:45 AM at AMC Regency 24 for a morning of movie magic, community, and summer celebration. Families are invited to enjoy this free viewing while seats last!
To RSVP, please scan the QR code on the flyer and complete the survey.💫
Greetings Hawk Families, and welcome to the last week of school! 😊
We hope you've all had an enjoyable weekend so far and are recharging for the week ahead. Please check out this week's Hawk Family Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings at Highlands Estates Academy. You can view it right here: https://canva.link/ti1anshw06ats66
There's a lot that you won't want to miss! We look forward to seeing your child back at school on Tuesday, May 26th! Let's finish strong. 🏁
Greetings Hawk families and happy Sunday!
We hope you've had an enjoyable weekend and are recharged for the week ahead. Please review our Hawk family newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings at Highlands Estates Academy. Check out the newsletter right here: https://canva.link/t072xjecv8el9up .
Let's have a wonderful week! We look forward to seeing your child bright and early on Monday. 😊
Good morning, Hawk Families and welcome to a new week!
We hope you've had an enjoyable weekend and are recharged for what this week has in store. Check out our current Hawk family newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings at Highlands Estates Academy. Please view the newsletter here: https://canva.link/9s13tx8tx94z05p
Let's have an incredible week! 😊
Greetings, Hawk families -- and welcome to the last month of school!
We hope you've had a great weekend and are recharged for the week ahead. Check out this week's Hawk Parent newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings at Highlands Estates Academy. Please view the newsletter here: https://canva.link/u1keudo1bzq5fms
Let's have an amazing week! 😊
Greetings, Hawk families!
We hope you've had a wonderful weekend and are recharged for the week ahead. Please take a look at this week's Parent/Guardian Newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings at Highlands Estates Academy. Check out the newsletter here: https://canva.link/yng1sgsdu6k2k4y
Let's have a great week! 😊
Good evening,
The Developmental Meeting is tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the media center. If you can't make it, you can still support by filling out our form using this website: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/FsxSMemAe9
The deadline for submissions is April 23, 2026 @ 5:00 p.m. Please take a moment to provide valuable feedback. Thank you!
The Developmental Meeting is tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the media center. If you can't make it, you can still support by filling out our form using this website: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/FsxSMemAe9
The deadline for submissions is April 23, 2026 @ 5:00 p.m. Please take a moment to provide valuable feedback. Thank you!
Good morning,
As a reminder, our Developmental Meeting is today @5:30 p.m. in the media center. We look forward to collaborating with you.
As a reminder, our Developmental Meeting is today @5:30 p.m. in the media center. We look forward to collaborating with you.
Greetings, Hawk Families!
We hope you've all had a great weekend and are recharged for the week ahead. Please check out the Hawk Parent newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings at Highlands Estates Academy. You can view it right here: https://canva.link/3nqngpvgipkc688
We look forward to an amazing week ! 😊
