Oct 16 | LIFE Parent Newsletter

LIFE Parent Newsletter - October 16, 2026
Community Day
Pick an event that sounds interesting, make a plan, and give it a try. You may discover a new favorite place and have a lot of fun along the way.
Get Ready to Explore, Learn, and Connect on Community Day!
Community Day is right around the corner! To ensure a smooth, fun, and stress-free experience for everyone, please keep these essential reminders in mind as you prepare:
Re-Read Your Event Email: Double-check your specific event details before heading out. Be sure to confirm parking arrangements and any potential fees. Reminder: GCA covers entry/event fees for enrolled students and Learning Coaches; additional family members may not be covered.
Make a Lunch Plan: Plan ahead for meals and snacks depending on your event's location and schedule.
Stay Hydrated Outdoors: If your event involves outdoor activities, bring plenty of water for yourself and your students.
Leave Pets at Home: DO NOT bring any pets to Community Day events (service animals accepted per event guidelines).
We can’t wait to gather, discover new things, and build lasting connections across our school community!
Curriculum Based Instruction
Mark your calendars!
We are excited to announce our upcoming LIFE Curriculum Based Experience taking place on October 30th. This engaging day is designed to combine interactive learning, hands-on creativity, and student collaboration.
Below is everything you need to know about the schedule, activities, and what our students will be working on!
Event Schedule
1. Morning Exploration (9:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Students will explore five 30-minute fall-themed lessons led by our teachers.
2. Personalized Learning Choice Board (1:00 PM – 2:00 PM)
Following lunch, students will dive into a personalized learning assignment! Working within Canvas, students will select an activity from our interactive Fall Choice Board to showcase their creativity and explore subjects that interest them.
3. Fall Showcase (2:00 PM)
To wrap up the day, students will return to Zoom at 2:00 PM to share their special creations with peers and teachers. During the showcase, students will talk about:
- What I Learned: Key concepts and skills discovered during the morning rotations.
- What I Created: Demonstrating and explaining their personalized Fall Choice Board project.
- How I Made It: Reflecting on their creative process, challenges, and successes.
What you need:
To help students complete the Personalized Learning Choice Board activities, Learning Coaches can gather the following materials and items based on the selected activity:
Nature & Outdoor Craft Supplies
Fall items from nature: Twigs, leaves, acorns, small stones, or pinecones (for Fall Music, Fall Nature Art, and Thankful Tree)
General Art & Craft Supplies
Paper & Cardstock: Construction paper, plain drawing paper, or cardstock (for Pumpkin Challenge, Perfect Fall Day, Thankful Tree, and Create a Character)
Coloring Tools: Crayons, colored pencils, markers, or paints
Adhesives & Tools: Glue, glue sticks, tape, and safety scissors
Recycled/Craft Materials: String, rubber bands, empty containers, or cardboard tubes (useful for building instruments for Fall Music)
Writing & Storytelling Supplies
Pencils & Notebook Paper: For writing descriptions, outfits, plans, or stories (for Perfect Fall Day and Create a Character)
Household Items
Snack Ingredients: Simple fall ingredients or household snack items (for Fall Recipe)
Kitchen Tools: Basic, child-safe prep tools or writing utensils/paper to draft a recipe
Household Objects: Everyday items around the home in fall colors—red, orange, yellow, brown, or green (for Fall I-Spy)
Meet Kait Chudley
Kait Chudley is a high school English and Social Studies teacher in LIFE and is celebrating her eighth year at GCA—and eighth year as a classroom teacher. Before joining GCA, she worked as a substitute teacher across grade levels and spent about four years as a paraprofessional in a high school disabilities classroom. She says she knew special education was her calling after spending time in a preschool disabilities classroom.
Ms. Chudley loves the virtual learning environment and the way it brings students from across Georgia together each day. She especially enjoys sharing stories and moments from history, sometimes discovering them right alongside her students. Outside of work, she is a traveler at heart and hopes to visit all seven continents—she has made it to three so far! One of her favorite travel traditions is visiting local grocery stores to see what everyday life looks like in different places. She also enjoys joining Ms. Brandi for 4-H activities whenever she can.
Just Around the Bend- Upcoming Events
- Oct 21: Community Day
- Oct 30: Virtual Curriculum-Based Instruction
- Nov 9 & 10: Canvas Log In Days
- Nov 11: Enhanced Learning Day
- Nov 12: New Unit!
- Nov 23 - 27: Thanksgiving Break
Your Pit Crew
Donna Cardot, FEL
Elise Masciantonio, FEL
Buffi Shelley, FEL
Jennifer Anderson
Nikki White
Kristen Davis
If you speak another language, please click '"Translate" to choose the appropriate language.
**If you speak another language, language assistance services are available free of charge. Please email Translation Services at translations@georgiacyber.org to request.**