Home of the Blue Jays

Dear HLA Families,

As September comes to a close, we’re celebrating the moments that bring our school community together. This edition includes a midterm exam update, a celebration of our mothers, a comeback win for our girls’ volleyball team, and a memorable soccer outing. We’re also looking ahead to a free community event for families in October!

Mark your calendar: October 5-9, 2026.

A little preparation today can make exam week feel more manageable! HLA Midterm Exams take place October 5-9. Start reviewing your notes, spend extra time on the topics you find challenging, and ask your teachers questions along the way. Families, help your student set aside study time and get plenty of rest. We’re cheering you on, Blue Jays!

Congratulations to our September Students of the Month, recognized for the character trait of Integrity! Integrity means being honest, doing what is right, and making thoughtful choices-even when no one is watching. We’re proud to celebrate these students and the example they set for our school community.

In October, we are focusing on Responsibility-taking ownership of our actions, choices, and learning. Being responsible means coming to school prepared, managing our time and tasks effectively, and following through on our commitments, even when things get challenging.

It also means being dependable, contributing positively to our school community, and having the courage to acknowledge our mistakes and learn from them. By practicing responsibility every day, we build trust, develop good habits, and become individuals who can be counted on to do their best.

Our girls’ volleyball team bounced back from a loss with a 2–0 win in their next match! It was a wonderful reminder that one difficult game does not define a team. Congratulations to our players on their comeback-we’re proud of their determination and excited to cheer them on as the season continues!

Meet Ms. Hannah Shin, our ELA and Social Studies teacher! With 14 years of teaching experience and two master’s degrees, she brings a commitment to creating a joyful classroom where every student feels safe, supported, and recognized for their unique potential.

Outside the classroom, Ms. Shin enjoys cooking, baking, reading novels, and watching K-dramas. HLA families, please join us in giving her a warm welcome to our school community! 💙

HLA celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a Spirit Day full of creativity, music, and learning! Students wore colorful outfits and the sombreros they created, while artwork celebrating Hispanic culture filled our hallways.

Our music teacher, Mr. Baker, and his students performed three Spanish songs for students, teachers, and staff, adding a musical highlight to the day. It was a wonderful opportunity for our school community to learn together and show appreciation for Hispanic heritage and culture.

Our recent Parent-Teacher Conferences gave families and teachers an opportunity to discuss student progress and strengthen the partnership between home and school. These conversations help us work together to support each student’s learning and growth.

Thank you to all the parents who joined us and continue to take an active role in their children’s education. Together, we help our Blue Jays grow and succeed!

Our annual Mothers’ Breakfast brought the mothers of our elementary students together for a morning of connection and appreciation. HLA moms enjoyed breakfast, a special presentation, and remarks from Principal Mr. Kaya, Dean of Academics Ms. Hasmeta, and Mr. Duran.

One of the sweetest moments came from our Kindergarten students, who performed two songs with the guidance and accompaniment of our music teacher, Mr. Baker. Their performance added a joyful musical touch to the morning!

Thank you, HLA moms, for joining us and for the love, encouragement, and support you give your children every day. We are grateful for the opportunity to share this special tradition with you!

On Saturday, September 19, our middle and high school boys headed to Shell Energy Stadium to watch Houston Dynamo FC take on FC Cincinnati. The match delivered plenty of excitement, finishing in a 2–2 draw after Cincinnati scored a dramatic equalizer in the 97th minute.

Beyond the action on the field, the best part was spending time together-sharing laughs, strengthening friendships, and experiencing the energy of a live MLS match. It was a memorable evening for our students, and we captured some great moments along the way!

On Tuesday, September 15, our 12th-grade students visited Texas A&M University! They attended an admissions presentation and spoke with a current A&M student about college life and the opportunities ahead.

The visit was part of HLA’s College and Career Readiness initiative, giving our seniors a firsthand look at the college experience and helping them prepare for their futures. Gig ’em! 👍

For more than five years, Mr. Luna has served the Horizon community, helping keep our students, staff, and families safe. He brings 30 years of security experience with the same company and a commitment to helping others in any way he can.

Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, Mr. Luna has lived in the United States for 65 years. He is married and has seven children and eleven grandchildren. Outside of work, he enjoys playing baseball, collecting toy cars, and building model cars-his collection includes 100 cars!

When asked about his role at Horizon, Mr. Luna emphasized staying aware of his surroundings and looking out for the safety and well-being of everyone on campus. His message to our community is simple: he is here to help and to do his best for our students, families, and staff.

Thank you, Mr. Luna, for your years of service and for looking out for our Horizon family!

Keep these October dates handy as you plan ahead! Please note: October 12, 13, and 14 are student holidays.

For additional school events and schedule updates, visit the HLA Academic Calendar and HLA Events Calendar.

Bring the family for an evening of outdoor fun and community connection! National Night Out brings neighbors together to build a safer, stronger, and more supportive Houston community.

• When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026 | 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Where: Raindrop Backyard
• Address: 9301 W Bellfort Blvd, Houston, TX 77031
• Admission: Free!

Families and children can enjoy games, giveaways, refreshments, music, and entertainment, along with the opportunity to meet local police officers and firefighters.

All families-and especially our children-are warmly invited to join this outdoor celebration of community and togetherness. We hope to see you there!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Please submit an updated immunization record for your student if you have not already done so. Review your child’s record to make sure it is current and complete. If you are unsure whether any required vaccines are missing, please check with your child’s healthcare provider.

Texas school attendance rules require documentation of the required immunizations, a valid exemption, or eligibility for provisional enrollment under state rules. Missing required documentation may affect your child’s ability to attend school.

Exemptions for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs, require a completed, notarized Texas DSHS affidavit and are valid for two years from the notarization date. Medical exemptions have different requirements: a signed statement from a physician (MD or DO) is generally valid for one year unless it specifies a lifelong condition. Expired exemption documentation cannot be accepted.

Helpful resources:

• 2026–2027 Texas Minimum Vaccine Requirements — Grades K–12
• Texas DSHS School Immunization Requirements
• Texas DSHS Exemption Information and Affidavit Form

If you have already submitted a current record or valid exemption, no further action is needed. For questions about your student’s documentation, please contact the school nurse.

Thank you for your prompt attention and cooperation in keeping our student health records up to date.

Warm regards,

HLA Student Health Coordinator

Please review the school dress code flyer with your child and help them arrive dressed according to school expectations each day. If you have questions about the policy, contact the school for clarification. Thank you for being part of the Horizon Leadership Academy community. We look forward to another month of learning, leadership, and connection.

Horizon Leadership Academy’s 2026–2027 After-School Care Program is underway, and registration has been extended for students in grades K–5. The program runs Monday through Thursday, 4:00–6:00 p.m., and Fridays, 1:00–3:30 p.m. Students enjoy snacks, homework assistance, outdoor and gym activities, art, technology, games, and other enrichment opportunities. The cost is $250 per month plus a $25 registration fee; families will not be charged for August because the program started on August 31. Space is limited, and registration is required. Register for HLA After-School Care to request a spot.

Please contact the Front Office with any questions.

☎️ 832-543-8008
📧 office@myhla.org

Your next great read is waiting! The HLA Library’s online catalog is now available for HLA students and staff only. Students can browse available books and officially submit borrowing requests online using their school Google accounts.

How to request a book:

1. Open the HLA Library catalog.
2. Sign in with your school Google account.
3. Find the book you would like to borrow.
4. Submit your request and wait for confirmation.
5. Once your request is approved, visit the library to pick up your book.

Return books by their due dates. Late returns will result in a fee of $5 per calendar day.

Need help using the catalog or choosing a book? Visit the library—we’re happy to help. Happy reading, Blue Jays!

Join us in wishing a happy birthday to our students and staff celebrating in October! We hope your special day brings plenty of smiles and that the year ahead is filled with friendship, discovery, and joy. We’re celebrating Hiranur M. (October 3), Adam A. (October 6), Beyza A. (October 8), Aaron D. and Kaan B. (October 9), Davut G. (October 13), Zeyd B., Ozlem K., and staff member Seher D. (October 14), Austin B. (October 16), Ihsan A. (October 18), Etka K. (October 20), Abdurrakhman A. (October 25), Kieran J. (October 27), and Olivia J. (October 31). Wishing each of you a wonderful birthday and a year filled with friendship, discovery, and joy! 💙🎉

Help us grow our fan base!

Follow us on:

Facebook: @horizonleadershipacademytx

X: @hla_houston

Instagram: @horizonleadership.academy

Tiktok: @horizonleadershipacademy

As we turn the page to October, let’s encourage our Blue Jays to take responsibility, support one another, and approach each new challenge with confidence. We’re proud of the effort our students bring each day and grateful to share this school year with your family.

Here’s to a great October, Blue Jays!

With appreciation,