2025-2026 QUICK VIEW SCHOOL YEAR CALENDAR

OFFICES CLOSED 

Our teachers will be gathering together on Tuesday August 5th for an all staff meeting.  Both offices will be closed all day.  Also, Thursday, August 7th we will be closed starting at 11:30. 

JESSICA BINKLEY, LOWER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL | July Update

“Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God.” Psalm 147:1 We have much to be thankful for at Holy Cross Lutheran Academy. It has been a great summer with many of our students participating in summer camps, sports camps, robotics, and more. We have had the opportunity to welcome some new students as well as see many of our current students throughout the summer.

Our teachers have been busy too. We had 5 teachers attend Orton Gillingham training this summer, all of our teachers have read “The Generosity Factor” as part of our summer book study, and they have been preparing for a new school year with all of you.

We are enhancing our art program and are excited about the knowledge and expertise Mrs. Duque will bring to our school this year giving our students the opportunity to grow their talent and share it with others. We are also changing our VPK curriculum to Frog Street, which offers interactive learning experiences in areas like social-emotional development, language and communication, literacy, math, science and physical development. We will continue to focus on Biblically based instruction across all disciplines and provide our students with leadership opportunities such as safety patrol, student council, chapel leadership, and classroom helpers.

Living out our faith is essential to who we are as a school, and we look forward to partnering with our new and returning families for another successful school year both spiritually and academically and honoring to God.

Sincerely,

Jessica Binkley

CHRIS LUNARDI, UPPER SCHOOL PRINCIPAL | July Update

Hello families!

I can’t wait to see you all in a couple of weeks! I enjoy the change of pace that comes with summer, but I’m always ready for school to fill up with the life and energy of our students and families again. It’s been particularly humbling this summer to see the tireless work ethic of our office and maintenance staff, as summer for them is sometimes the busiest and most urgent season of work. They truly embody the essence of Colossians 3:23 as they understand that they are working for the Lord. 

With that said, it is amazing that 9 weeks ago today was graduation; it feels like we blinked and summer vanished. I’ve been blessed to have been able to stay in touch with many of our Class of ‘25 as they get ready for college, careers, and independent life in general. On the flip side of Upper Campus, we can’t wait to welcome our new 6th graders - the Class of 2032! For our graduates, rising 6th graders, and every student in between, I know that the Lord has good plans for them for this school year.

You’ll hear more about some of the new courses, extracurricular activities, and facility improvements here in the newsletter and other communications to come, but for now, please know how grateful we are to be able to partner with you as you raise your children. We love you all and look forward to seeing you soon!

Chris Lunardi

Principal, Upper Campus

SAFETY AND SECURITY FEES 

All K - 12th families will be billed August 1 for the $100 safety and security fee (per student).  The due date/draft date is August 15th.  You will receive an email through FACTS when those have been set up.

HANDBOOKS - Please read the handbook pertaining to your child's grade level.  If you have a student at both campuses, your review and signature acknowledging you've read the both handbooks is required.  Please do so no later than August 13th.

UPPER SCHOOL ORIENTATIONS AND COMPUTER PICK UP

Upper School Students will receive their computers at these orientations as well.  These orientations are required for all students and have a specific start time.  They are not an open house style format.  All meetings start in the gym.  If students have their locker items, they may spend some time after the meeting setting up their lockers .  We ask that students only come at their scheduled time as office staff and teachers have scheduled meetings in preparation for school to start.

RETURNING STUDENTS - 7TH - 12TH GRADERS ORIENTATION AND COMPUTER PICK UP

UNIFORM INFORMATION

Upper School Dress Code/Uniform Policy - note change:  only Holy Cross hoodies allowed in school. 

Lower School Dress Code / Uniform Policy - note change:  only branded SkoolStyle bottoms

Lower School families, thank you for your feedback regarding our change in our uniform policy. We are so excited about our new uniform options for this next school year!  We appreciate your partnership in making this transition to include Skool Style uniform bottoms.  We have listened to your input and with the help of our vendor Skool Style we have a few updates.

1.      Skool Style has reduced the pricing for our new uniform bottoms by 10%. This will remain in effect until Spring Break 2026.

2.      Florida’s tax free days are July 29 – August 11. Take advantage of these additional savings of 7% that can be combined with the already advertised reduced price of the uniform bottoms.

3.      The plaid skort for 4th & 5th grade girls has been changed to a full skirt style and will be the same style as the khaki performance skort with the side zipper but in the plaid material.

Thank you again for partnering with us. I have attached the Dress Code Information again to this email for your convenience. Following the dress code is mandatory. 

BACK TO SCHOOL UNIFORM SALES:  

July 24, 25 | 7:30 - 6:00PM and July 26th 7:30 - 2:00PM UPPER CAMPUS
JULY  31 | 9:00 - 2:00PM  | PALS USED UNIFORM SALE | LOWER CAMPUS
AUGUST 1 & 2, 7 & 8 | 8:00 - 5:00PM UPPER CAMPUS

CLASS OF 2025 SENIOR PICTURES - This year we have partnered with Leonards for Senior Pictures.  You will schedule your visit offsite.  Create your account here using the access code sent to you from Mrs. Evrley.  This is the picture that will be placed in this yearbook so please don't miss out on this opportunity.  You can also schedule other senior photo sessions with them for an additional charge if you are interested.  All other grades will have their pictures taken on campus in August.

All athletic paperwork/clearances will be handled through FHSAA Home Campus.  Please note we are unable to accept hard copy documents in our school office.  Instead they will be uploaded to this online portal.  Please refer to an email sent from Mrs. Bonnie Kelly regarding registering for Fall Sports.  If you have any athletic questions, please direct them to bkelly@thehcla.org.

Sports Physical Night:  We are offering this great opportunity for walk-in physicals.  Let us know if you plan to attend.  All athletes must have an up-to-date physical/athletic clearance.  9th - 12th grade students must also have an ECG before their physical this evening.  Sign up for ECG here.  If you are receiving your physical from your primary physician, the ECG is not required this year.

⚽⚽MIDDLE SCHOOL HEAD SOCCER COACH - Would you like to join our amazing HCLA coaching staff?  We are looking for an experienced soccer coach who can join our team.  Please contact Bonnie Kelly at bkelly@thehcla.org for details. ⚽⚽

Congratulations to Mrs. Vilchez on the birth of her beautiful baby boy, Noah.  He arrived on July 18th - a perfect blessing from God!  We also congratulate Mrs. Shim - while already married, she and her husband celebrated with a traditional Korean  wedding ceremony.  May God's blessings continue on your marriage.

ADMISSIONS/ENROLLMENT 

If you are sending friends our way to inquire about enrollment, please ask them to schedule a time by putting in a request online or by calling our office to schedule a tour.   We are full in most grades, but do have availability in high school.

💻LOOKING FOR A PARTICULAR TOPIC IN THE NEWSLETTER? 💻

 Did you know that you can hit CNTRL F (PC) OR CMND F (MAC) on any website and a box will pop up.  You can type in what you are searching for and you will be directed to that information.

RESURRECTION CHURCH IS HOSTING A NIGHT OF WORSHIP. 

Come worship through music, prayer, and devotions.  It's a free event and open to everyone including kids
(please note: child care is not provided).

2025-2026 TUITION PAYMENTS BEGAN IN JUNE - AFTERCARE FEES BEGIN IN AUGUST

If you are requiring before care, after care, lunch bunch or lunch bunch extended please be sure to utilize 2025-2026 Childcare Registration Form.  This form is also used should you have any changes throughout the school year.  While tuition starts in June, aftercare payments will not begin until August. All child care changes will take affect on the 1st or 15th of the month and require a 15-day notice (using the same link) to be changed. 

FACTS assesses a per family fee of $25 for families that set up a pay-in-full draft or $55 for families that set up a monthly payment plan.  You will see that fee assessed through your FACTS account when your plan is set up.  You will receive an email notification when this occurs.

As a reminder, families are responsible for checking that their tuition amount is accurate and assume responsibility for the full amount owed.  If you have any questions or see any discrepancies, please notify finance immediately at finance@thehcla.org. 

UPPER SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY FEE

1:1 Technology Fees Due May 30th.  All parents with 2025-2026 enrolled 6th - 12th graders should see an invoice on their FACTS account for the $400 technology/computer fee and $100 insurance fee (if you opted in for the insurance).  If you have questions regarding payments, please contact Finance at finance@thehcla.org.  If you did not already opt in for the insurance, you can do so here.