NHA Schools Celebrate Holiday Season
NHA Communications TeamNHA Communications Team
Articles by NHA Communications Team
The holiday season has come and gone, and many National Heritage Academies (NHA) partner-schools celebrated with fun activities for scholars and their families alike. Here are some highlights of how schools engaged their communities.
Alliance Academy of Cincinnati
Alliance Academy of Cincinnati scholars were each given toys as a part of the Smith League’s annual Christmas Giveaway. The local basketball league partnered with JD Sports, a clothing and athletic apparel brand, to shop for and gift every Alliance scholar a toy off their wish list. Payton Smith, founder of the Smith League, shopped for the gifts himself and went classroom to classroom delivering presents and holiday cheer.
Bennett Venture Academy and Regent Park Scholars Charter Academy
Scholars at Bennett Venture Academy and Regent Park Scholars spent time building gingerbread houses, helping everyone spread holiday cheer. Regent Park’s celebration was on Dec. 12, which marks National Gingerbread House Day, and scholars used creativity and imagination to design and build festive crafts.
Center Line Preparatory High School
Young 5s through second-grade students at Center Line Preparatory Academy caroled through the halls, getting everyone in the holiday spirit. They sang songs such as Jingle Bells, Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, and S-A-N-T-A (to the tune of B-I-N-G-O). The school’s National Honor Society also helped organize a schoolwide food and supplies drive. These materials went to families at the school in need during the holiday break.
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
Alliance Academy of Cincinnati
Alliance Academy of Cincinnati scholars were each given toys as a part of the Smith League’s annual Christmas Giveaway. The local basketball league partnered with JD Sports, a clothing and athletic apparel brand, to shop for and gift every Alliance scholar a toy off their wish list. Payton Smith, founder of the Smith League, shopped for the gifts himself and went classroom to classroom delivering presents and holiday cheer.
Bennett Venture Academy and Regent Park Scholars Charter Academy
Scholars at Bennett Venture Academy and Regent Park Scholars spent time building gingerbread houses, helping everyone spread holiday cheer. Regent Park’s celebration was on Dec. 12, which marks National Gingerbread House Day, and scholars used creativity and imagination to design and build festive crafts.
Center Line Preparatory High School
Young 5s through second-grade students at Center Line Preparatory Academy caroled through the halls, getting everyone in the holiday spirit. They sang songs such as Jingle Bells, Jolly Old Saint Nicholas, and S-A-N-T-A (to the tune of B-I-N-G-O). The school’s National Honor Society also helped organize a schoolwide food and supplies drive. These materials went to families at the school in need during the holiday break.
Center Line Preparatory Academy’s National Honor Society organizes donations from the school’s food and supplies drive. These items were donated to families in need during the holiday season.
Emerson Academy
Winter Fest was quite the celebration for families at Emerson Academy of Dayton. It was a day full of family time where activities included decorating cookies, decorating ornaments, taking pictures with Santa, drinking hot chocolate, and watching a holiday movie in the school’s auditorium. Hot chocolate was provided through local partnerships, as well.
Gate City Charter Academy
Scholars at Gate City Charter Academy collected school supplies and small toys throughout the fall to donate for the holiday season. These items were donated to Impact Church and delivered to those in need. School leaders were proud of the community service students provided and look forward to continuing service efforts in the future.
Gate City Charter Academy collected school supplies and small toys to donate to Impact Church, who distributed materials to families in need.
Knapp Charter Academy
Knapp Charter Academy's Holidays Around the World event invited current and incoming families to learn more about how holidays are celebrated in different countries. Families took part in traditions and customs with foods and decorations from countries such as, Italy, China, Nigeria, India and more. Scholars also painted and decorated wood ornaments, enjoyed a sweet treat from the hot chocolate bar, and took pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, and Elsa from “Frozen.” Third-grader Kamren Hojnacki was also named the winner of the NHA Holiday Art Contest. Kamren’s winning submission was featured on this year’s NHA holiday card sent to staff.
Paramount Charter Academy
Paramount Charter Academy held its second annual Elf Fun Run, where scholars were tasked with running as many laps as possible. They were treated afterwards with hot chocolate and candy canes. Elf costumes were all over Paramount as students and staff dressed in festive attire for the event, which also served as a fundraiser for the school.
Pinnacle Academy
Special Education Teaching Assistant Joe Johnson and the Alpha Omega chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity selected Pinnacle Academy for the organization’s SeKret Santa Giveaway. The fraternity raised money to purchase clothes, toys, bikes, tablets, and groceries and donated these gifts to 10 scholars and their families.
Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy and River City Scholars
The holiday spirit was alive and well at Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy and River City Scholars and with one of the most popular holiday celebrations. Staff members decorated their doors with festive theming, bringing the joy of the season to the threshold of their classrooms.
Teachers got crafty for the holiday door decorating contest at Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy. This activity promoted staff engagement and got everyone in the holiday spirit.
Quest Charter Academy
Scholars at Quest Charter Academy had a special visitor before they went on holiday break. The Elf on the Shelf stopped by, and students completed riddles to find the life-sized toy (played by Dean of Lower Elementary Jodi Suiter). Students then kicked off the break with a pajama dance party.
Timberland Charter Academy
Scholars and their families gathered at Timberland Charter Academy for the Holiday Extravaganza. There were plenty of activities for families like writing letters to Santa, decorating ornaments, holiday-themed bingo, story time, painting, cookie decorating, and a hot chocolate bar. Some stations even incorporated math or reading fundamentals to engage students’ brains.
Emerson Academy
Winter Fest was quite the celebration for families at Emerson Academy of Dayton. It was a day full of family time where activities included decorating cookies, decorating ornaments, taking pictures with Santa, drinking hot chocolate, and watching a holiday movie in the school’s auditorium. Hot chocolate was provided through local partnerships, as well.
Gate City Charter Academy
Scholars at Gate City Charter Academy collected school supplies and small toys throughout the fall to donate for the holiday season. These items were donated to Impact Church and delivered to those in need. School leaders were proud of the community service students provided and look forward to continuing service efforts in the future.
Gate City Charter Academy collected school supplies and small toys to donate to Impact Church, who distributed materials to families in need.
Knapp Charter Academy
Knapp Charter Academy's Holidays Around the World event invited current and incoming families to learn more about how holidays are celebrated in different countries. Families took part in traditions and customs with foods and decorations from countries such as, Italy, China, Nigeria, India and more. Scholars also painted and decorated wood ornaments, enjoyed a sweet treat from the hot chocolate bar, and took pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, and Elsa from “Frozen.” Third-grader Kamren Hojnacki was also named the winner of the NHA Holiday Art Contest. Kamren’s winning submission was featured on this year’s NHA holiday card sent to staff.
Paramount Charter Academy
Paramount Charter Academy held its second annual Elf Fun Run, where scholars were tasked with running as many laps as possible. They were treated afterwards with hot chocolate and candy canes. Elf costumes were all over Paramount as students and staff dressed in festive attire for the event, which also served as a fundraiser for the school.
Pinnacle Academy
Special Education Teaching Assistant Joe Johnson and the Alpha Omega chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity selected Pinnacle Academy for the organization’s SeKret Santa Giveaway. The fraternity raised money to purchase clothes, toys, bikes, tablets, and groceries and donated these gifts to 10 scholars and their families.
Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy and River City Scholars
The holiday spirit was alive and well at Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy and River City Scholars and with one of the most popular holiday celebrations. Staff members decorated their doors with festive theming, bringing the joy of the season to the threshold of their classrooms.
Teachers got crafty for the holiday door decorating contest at Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy. This activity promoted staff engagement and got everyone in the holiday spirit.
Quest Charter Academy
Scholars at Quest Charter Academy had a special visitor before they went on holiday break. The Elf on the Shelf stopped by, and students completed riddles to find the life-sized toy (played by Dean of Lower Elementary Jodi Suiter). Students then kicked off the break with a pajama dance party.
Timberland Charter Academy
Scholars and their families gathered at Timberland Charter Academy for the Holiday Extravaganza. There were plenty of activities for families like writing letters to Santa, decorating ornaments, holiday-themed bingo, story time, painting, cookie decorating, and a hot chocolate bar. Some stations even incorporated math or reading fundamentals to engage students’ brains.
Timberland Charter Academy scholars and their families gathered for the school’s Holiday Extravaganza. There were a variety of activities for families, including writing letters to Santa, decorating ornaments, story time, and much more.
Winterfield Venture Academy
Winterfield Venture Academy scholars and families spent time together this holiday season at the school’s Bingo and Mingle event. After a light meal, everyone played spirited games of bingo with gift cards for each winner. Each scholar went home with at least six toys thanks to donations from local partners GCDC-Dash Project and the Pastor Art Battle.
Winterfield Venture Academy
Winterfield Venture Academy scholars and families spent time together this holiday season at the school’s Bingo and Mingle event. After a light meal, everyone played spirited games of bingo with gift cards for each winner. Each scholar went home with at least six toys thanks to donations from local partners GCDC-Dash Project and the Pastor Art Battle.
Scholars and their families participated in activities and games at Winterfield Venture Academy’s Bingo and Mingle event. Each scholar went home with at least six toys thanks to donations from local partners GCDC-Dash Project and the Pastor Art Battle.
About National Heritage Academies
National Heritage Academies (NHA) is a network of more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools across nine states, serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.