What a wonderful week of learning, growth, and adventure! I want to begin by celebrating our sixth-graders and their teachers on an unforgettable week at Cuyamaca Outdoor School. Our students embraced October’s virtue of adaptability as they explored new surroundings, practiced teamwork, faced challenges, and discovered new skills. Experiences like outdoor school remind us that some of life’s most important lessons happen beyond the classroom. We were thrilled to welcome our sixth-graders home safely on Friday, carrying with them new memories, stronger friendships, and a greater sense of confidence.
Our younger students enjoyed special experiences closer to home as well. We celebrated the hometown Padres and their playoff push with a fun-filled spirit day on Tuesday. When the weather cooperated, our first-graders made the most of the front playground during recess, filling the campus with laughter and excitement. On Thursday, our kindergartners visited Bates Nut Farm to celebrate the fall season and learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin. A heartfelt thank-you to our wonderful parent chaperones who helped make this first field trip such a memorable experience!
We were also fortunate to have Nurse Garcia share her expertise with our third-graders this week as they study Human Body Systems through their Core Knowledge unit. Drawing on her years of experience as a lead trauma nurse, Nurse Garcia brought the subject to life with practical knowledge and real-world insight. Opportunities like this remind us of the incredible expertise within our school community and the many ways our students benefit when learning extends beyond the textbook.
As we continue through October, we are also looking ahead to parent-teacher conferences, October 19–23, with most conferences scheduled for Monday, October 19, a non-student day. These conversations are an important opportunity for parents and teachers to come together, celebrate student growth, and discuss how we can best support each child moving forward. Your partnership truly makes a difference.
Finally, a reminder that school is closed on Monday in observance of Columbus Day. We hope you enjoy the long weekend with your families, and we look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Tuesday morning!
Thank you for your continued partnership and for helping our students approach each new experience with curiosity, confidence, and adaptability.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend. Go White Tigers!
Yours in learning,
Marc Gilbertson
Important Announcements:
October Scheduling Reminders: As we turn the calendar to the month of October, please mark your calendars with the following schedule notes:
School will be closed on Monday, October 12, for Columbus Day.
Monday, October 19 will be a non-student day to allow teachers to meet with parents for conferences.
During Parent-Teacher Conference week (Oct. 20–23), students will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m.
Thanks for planning ahead for these changes and for your flexibility and understanding!
Parent-Teacher Conferences Planned for October 19-23: The goal during conference week is for teachers to meet with parents of ALL students in their class. These conferences are a perfect opportunity to have personalized discussions about a student’s academic strengths and identify measurable growth areas. Please be on the lookout for information from your child’s teacher.
Music and Art in Action Week: Students are encouraged to share their musical and artistic talents in their enrichment classes during the week of October 20-23. During music classes, students can share their talents related to music—singing, dancing, and/or playing an instrument. In art class, students may share art that they've made at home; ideas include paintings, drawings, origami, or other creative pieces. Any questions? Reach out to Mrs. Brumfield <kbrumfield@amhcs.org> or Mrs. Morgan <amorgan@amhcs.org>.
Kids Free October! San Diego Museums: All month long, kids 12 and under receive FREE admission with a paid adult to more than 50 of San Diego County’s favorite museums, historic sites, aquariums, gardens and more. Many are even free for the whole family! View a list of all coupons here
or plan your trip today at SanDiego.org
and get ready to explore!
On Time, All the Time: All students need to be in their seats and ready to learn each morning before the 8:00 a.m. starting bell.
Student drop-off begins at 7:35 a.m. (note: no supervision for students will be available before 7:35 a.m.).
Breakfast will be available for students in the MPR each school day until 7:50 a.m.
Mondays are modified days with 2:00 p.m. dismissal.
Tuesdays through Fridays are regular days with 2:45 p.m. student dismissal.
Now would be a great time to check out the bell schedule
and enter the scheduled 12:00 noon minimum days on your family calendar.
October is Cyber Awareness Month || A Note from our Librarian, Mrs. El-Hayek: In our digital world, children are exposed to various online platforms, games, and social media. It's crucial for the children to understand how to navigate these spaces safely and responsibly. This is a great opportunity for parents to talk with their kids about staying safe on the internet. Parents should be involved and know what websites and apps their children are using, establish rules about screen time and create a balance between offline and online activities, discuss privacy and the importance of keeping personal information safe and private, and use parental controls to filter inappropriate content. Your kids look up to you! Be a good digital citizen and let us work together to make the internet a safe and positive place for our students. https://www.commonsense.org/education/family-resources.
Before- and After-School Program: The YMCA Character Builders
program is offered on the Heritage Elementary campus before and after school. Parents, check out the flyers in English
or Spanish
to register. Parents may reach out to their Youth Development Coordinator, Morgan Earle <mearle@ymcasd.org>, for space in the program and more information about YMCA Character Builders.
Silent Auction Basket Donations: We are excited to host a silent auction at this year’s Holiday Gift Fair, and we could use your help! We are looking for donations for our themed baskets. Check out this flierfor the grade level themes. If you are able to contribute any items, you can send them in with your child or bring the item(s) directly to the front office. Thank you in advance for your donations!
Holiday Gift Fair Vendor Applications: Parents or community members interested in having a vendor booth at the Heritage Elementary Holiday Gift Fair and Open House on Thursday, November 19 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. are invited to complete a brief vendor application survey
to request a booth. Spaces are limited.
Wanted! Donated Baskets, Totes, and Containers: We need parents’ help in the month of October to collect items we can use to package the silent auction baskets for the Open House and Holiday Gift Fair. Please bring donated items to the front office or send them to school with your child.
AHCS Musical Theater presents Willy Wonka Jr.: Step into a world of pure imagination! Join us as American Heritage Charter School students of all ages showcase their incredible talents in this year’s sweet and sensational production of Willy Wonka Jr.! This show is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth and ignite your sense of wonder. Grab your Golden Ticket and follow us into a magical factory packed with scrumptious songs, hilarious antics, and spectacular sights! Tickets are on sale now, with shows at the American Spirit Theater on the Escondido Charter High School campus from November 5-8. Be sure to lock in your seats early, as ticket prices will increase starting October 31. Check out the showtimes below and click here
to purchase your tickets—it’s a golden opportunity for fun you won’t want to miss!
SHOWTIMES
Thursday, November 5*
5:00 p.m. (GOLDEN TICKET CAST)
*Students $5 cash at the door while supplies last
Friday, November 6
7:00 p.m. (WONKA BAR CAST)
Saturday, November 7
2:00 p.m. (WONKA BAR CAST)
7:00 p.m. (GOLDEN TICKET CAST)
Sunday, November 8
2:00 p.m. (GOLDEN TICKET CAST)
7:00 p.m. (WONKA BAR CAST)
A Note Regarding School Lunches: To ensure our students have a focused and uninterrupted learning environment, we kindly ask parents to avoid dropping off lunches at the main office. While we know life gets busy, midday deliveries create significant logistical challenges. Due to high office volume, we cannot guarantee that dropped-off meals will reach students before their scheduled lunch period ends. To help your student have a smooth lunch break, please ensure your child arrives at school with a packed lunch in the morning or chooses a lunch provided by our school-lunch program. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our front office efficient and our classrooms free of distractions!
Free Breakfast and Lunch Program: Every Heritage Elementary student is eligible for a nutritious, no-cost breakfast
and lunch, with no application required. For questions regarding student allergies or dietary restrictions, please contact our main office at (760) 737-3111.
Please note that menus are subject to change, but this month's scheduled menu is listed below. For the most up-to-date menu, please visit the "Meal Menu" link, always available in the quick links above.
Walk-off Authorization Forms: If your child is walking home after school, a Walk-off Authorization Form will need to be completed and kept on file in the front office. All authorization forms must be approved by the Principal before students will be permitted to walk off campus, so please submit this form to the front office as soon as possible.
Calling on Volunteers!: There are so many wonderful ways for parents, grandparents, and family members to support our students and school community this year. Whether you have 30 minutes or a few hours, we’d love to have you on board!
Library Support: If you love books, organization, and seeing kids fall in love with reading, Mrs. El-Hayek needs your help in the library! If interested, contact Mrs. El-Hayek at hk6library@amhcs.org.
Campus & Classroom Support: From working with students in classrooms to supervising lunch recess, there are endless ways to make a difference throughout the year. Reach out to the main office at (760) 737-3111.
Medications on Campus: If your student needs to take medication (prescription or over-the-counter) during school hours, you must submit a completed Medication Authorization Form. This form must be filled out by your healthcare provider, and a parent signature is required. Medication must be in its original container. All medications will be stored in the nurse’s office. Please contact Mrs. Janelle Garcia at nurse@amhcs.org if you have any questions.
YMCA Adventure Clubs: This enriching program offers a unique outdoor bonding opportunity for girls and their dads. Multiple Heritage families participate in this program, and they'd like to share it with you! Meet new friends, learn valuable life skills, and have a great time in a safe, wholesome environment with weekend camping experiences at some of the most amazing southern California outdoor destinations. Clubs are also available for dads & sons, moms & daughters, and moms & sons. Please check out the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA website
for more information.
AMERICAN HERITAGE CHARTER SCHOOLS || 2027-2028 SCHOOL YEAR LOTTERY INFORMATION: Lotteries for the 2027-2028 school year will open on October 13, 2026 for all programs. Applications are not required for currently enrolled students, but new siblings must submit a lottery application.
Escondido Charter High School: Lottery applications for enrollment in the high school programs are available online athttps://amhcs.org/echs/echs-admissions/. The Escondido Charter High school lottery closes on January 15, 2027. Please contact the main office at 760-737-3154 if you have any questions.
Heritage Elementary School: Lottery applications are available online athttps://amhcs.org/heritage-elementary-school/hes-admissions/. The lottery closes on February 5, 2027. Please contact the Heritage Elementary office at 760-737-3111 if you have any questions.
Heritage Junior High School: Lottery applications are available online at https://amhcs.org/heritage-junior-high-school/hjhs-admissions/. The lottery closes on February 5, 2027. Please contact the Heritage Junior High office at 760-294-5599 if you have any questions.
Heritage Flex Academy: Lottery applications are available online athttps://amhcs.org/hfa/hfa-admissions/. The lottery closes on February 5, 2027. Please contact the Heritage Flex Academy office at 760-466-1166 if you have any questions.
Wooden Wins! Pyramid of Success
After focusing on SINCERITY throughout September, Heritage Elementary School moves into October focused on ADAPTABILITY. Adaptability means the ability to quickly adjust to new or changing situations: recognizing changes around us and growing from them rather than getting upset or giving up. As Coach John Wooden famously stated, "Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."
As October brings shifting autumn weather, schedule adjustments, and new academic milestones, adaptability keeps our growth steady. While sincerity grounds our intentions in genuine effort and authentic relationships, adaptability empowers students to face unexpected obstacles with poise and resilience. It encourages learners to pivot when plans change, embrace new methods of problem-solving, and treat every challenge as an opportunity to grow.
In the classroom, adaptability looks like:
Flexible Mindsets: Welcoming change and remaining open to new ways of doing things or solving problems.
Positive Resilience: Trying to make the most of any situation rather than getting frustrated when circumstances do not go as planned.
Action-Oriented Focus: Focusing on the things they are able to do rather than dwelling on obstacles or limitations.
For our classical education approach, adaptability reflects the practice of prudence, resourcefulness, and calm strength when navigating an ever-changing world. Clara Barton (1821–1912), a Civil War nurse, humanitarian leader, and founder of the American Red Cross, exemplified this virtue. She constantly adjusted to dangerous battlefield conditions to care for wounded soldiers and adapted international relief models to establish lasting humanitarian care. Clara Barton famously stated: "You must never think of anything except the need, and how to meet it."
Ways Our Students Are Practicing Adaptability
As seasonal routines shift and learning deepens this month, our students are putting adaptability into action through these specific habits:
Navigating Schedule Changes: Transitioning smoothly when weather, assemblies, special projects, or even between lessons require adjustments to the daily routine.
Embracing New Academic Challenges: Approaching unfamiliar concepts or complex assignments with curiosity rather than frustration, recognizing that struggle is part of growth.
Pivoting During Group Work: Listening to classmates' ideas and adjusting their own approach to collaborate effectively on shared goals.
Bouncing Back from Mistakes: Learning from incorrect answers or setbacks on assessments, using feedback to adjust strategies for next time.
Practicing Adaptability at School and Home
We encourage families to nurture this essential virtue at home through these small, meaningful habits:
Model a Positive Outlook: Demonstrate how to make the best of sudden plan changes, such as rainy day cancellations or unexpected errands, with a calm, cheerful attitude.
Focus on Solutions: When challenges arise, prompt your child by asking, "What is something within your control that you can do right now?"
Celebrate Flexibility: Highlight and praise moments when your child willingly adjusts to new rules, schedule shifts, or unexpected outcomes without complaint.
Family Activities to Build Adaptability
The "Pivot" Dinner Discussion: At dinner, invite family members to share one unexpected change from their week and how they successfully adjusted to it.
Clara Barton History Study: Read about Clara Barton’s life during the Civil War and discuss how her ability to adapt under pressure saved lives and helped found the American Red Cross.
Creative Plan-B Challenge: Play a family board game or build a project where rules slightly change mid-activity, encouraging everyone to practice flexible thinking and lighthearted cooperation.
Read Together: Explore stories that feature characters who adapt to change with courage and resourcefulness. Recommended titles include The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires, Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss, and child-friendly biographies of Clara Barton.
Affirmations for ADAPTABILITY and Memory Work for October:
I am adaptable.
I welcome change and am open to new ways of doing things.
I try to make the most of any situation.
I focus on the things I am able to do more than the things I cannot.
Campus Culture:
Homework Stars: Congratulations to this week's Homework Stars: Ronin in Ms. Luis's class, Adriel in Mrs. Martineau's class, Luka in Mrs. Scarpello's class, Mason in Mrs. Velasco's class, Aaron in Miss Hoffman's class, and Rianne in Ms. Neptune's class. These students have consistently completed all of their homework! Keep up the good work, White Tigers!
Literacy Challenge: As we closed out September, we wrapped up our focus on the character trait of Sincerity with a fun mystery word challenge! We had several correct entries—way to go! Congratulations to Jacob in second grade, Lexi in fourth grade, and Logan in sixth grade; their names were selected in this month's drawing!
Be on the lookout for our next word challenge! Visit the bulletin board by the front playground to solve a mystery word related to ADAPTABILITY coming soon. Parents, be sure to ask your child about the clues, and encourage him or her to submit a guess!
Yearbook Purchase: You may purchase the 2026-2027 Heritage Elementary yearbook here
for $38. We will have a limited number of copies available this year, so be sure to reserve yours! Please contact us at (760) 737-3111 with any questions or concerns.
6th Grade Yearbook Dedications: Send your 6th grader into middle school with a warm and encouraging message for them on our dedications page in the yearbook. Dedications only cost $20 for 1/4 of a page in our Heritage Elementary yearbook. Spaces are limited, so visit the yearbook store
to get your order in before spaces run out.
Lost and Found: Missing a sweater, jacket, water bottle, or lunch box? Please check our lost and found (located just under the stairwell outside the main office) before or after school. Please take the time to label all of your child’s belongings, as it makes it easier to return the items to the correct owner. Thank you!
Little Free Library:Our campus Little Free Library, available exclusively to Heritage staff, students, and families, is in need of books! It’s time to recycle those books your students have outgrown or finished over the summer. Books for grades TK through 6th grade can be placed directly in our Library box, or larger donations can be dropped off in the front office.
Mark your calendars!
Monday, October 12: Columbus Day (No School)
Friday, October 16: End of Second (Midterm) Grading Period
Monday, October 19: Non-Student Day for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, October 20, through Friday, October 23: Modified School Days (2:00 p.m. Dismissal) for Parent Conferences
Friday, October 30: *Spirit Day* Crazy Hat, Hair, and Socks!
Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day (school closed)
OUR MISSION IS TO FORM THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, THROUGH A RICH CORE CURRICULUM, WITH A PERSPECTIVE THAT CHERISHES TIMELESS VIRTUE AND THE AMERICAN SPIRIT.
