As we turn the calendar to September, we have enjoyed returning to a steady school routine and immersing our students in a rich core curriculum designed to inspire wonder and curiosity. September brings a renewed energy to our campus as we deepen our commitment to classical learning and focus on our Pyramid of Success character trait of the month: Sincerity.
Coach John Wooden defined sincerity as a genuine desire to understand others and tobe understood, remaining honest in both thought and action. Throughout this month, we are encouraging our students to practice sincerity in their daily interactions by listening carefully, speaking truthfully, and engaging with one another in good faith.
Classical Learning in Action: Socratic Seminars & Hands-On Discovery
In our classrooms, our sixth-graders recently dove into their very first Socratic seminar, discussing enduring themes from the Epic of Gilgamesh. These seminars are a cornerstone of our classical Great Books curriculum. By learning to ask thoughtful questions, analyze complex texts, and listen respectfully to differing viewpoints, our students practice both critical thinking and the virtue of sincerity in conversation.
Meanwhile, our third-graders embarked on a memorable field trip to Smith Ranch right here in Escondido. Each third-grade class rolled up their sleeves to plant lettuce, feed chickens, and build birdhouses. These visits will continue throughout the year as part of an authentic farm-to-fork experience, combining STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) with a classical appreciation for nature, hard work, and stewardship. A special thank you to Deanna Smith for continuing to provide our students with this incredible opportunity!
Looking Ahead: Important Post-Labor Day Events
We have two exciting events planned for this upcoming week following the Labor Day weekend:
Back to School Night (Thursday Evening): Join us for a special evening where you'll hear a welcome message from our leadership team and enrichment teachers, followed by visits to your children's classrooms to connect with their teachers. We look forward to sharing our vision for the year with you!
"Red, White, and Blue" Spirit Day & Patriot Day Assembly (Friday): To honor Patriot Day, students are invited to wear red, white, and blue. We will host a brief assembly featuring local firefighters sharing their experiences, followed by classroom discussions on patriotism, courage, and heroism. We encourage you to continue these meaningful conversations at home.
Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to our school community. As we practice sincerity and pursue wisdom together this month, please never hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.
Go White Tigers!
Yours in learning,
Marc Gilbertson
Important Announcements:
Back-to-School Night: We look forward to welcoming all parents of students in kindergarten through 6th grade to our Back-to-School Night on Thursday, September 10. Please join us on the turf at 6:30 p.m. before visiting your child’s classroom. Parking will be limited at Heritage Elementary School, so we are encouraging parents to use Lots 1 and 2 of Palomar College’s Escondido Center, located at the corner of Midway Drive and East Valley Parkway.
Patriot Day Assembly/Spirit Day: In remembrance of the events of September 11, we will be honoring first responders and American heroes during our Patriot Day Assembly on Friday. Students are encouraged to wear red, white, and blue (or their school uniforms).
End of the Grading Period–September 18: The end of the first grading period for our fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students is quickly approaching. We encourage all parents to check the Grades Portal
to stay up-to-date on their child’s academic progress, and consult the syllabus for your child’s class for information about missing/late assignments. For more detailed information about setting up a grades portal account, parents may access a support document here. If parents are having trouble accessing the grades portal, please email Mrs. Cook at lcook@amhcs.org
or give us a call at (760) 737-3111.
Academic Awards Date Change: We look forward to celebrating the academic accomplishments from the spring semester for our fifth and sixth grade students on Thursday, September 17 (PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE). Parents of students receiving an award should have been notified last week.
Cheer Clinic: Calling all White Tigerettes! Come out and cheer with our ECHS Cheer team under the Friday Night Lights! Our fall cheer clinic will take place from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Heritage Elementary School on Tuesday, September 15 and Thursday, September 17. White Tigerettes will then cheer during the first and second quarter of the varsity game on Friday, September 18 at Escondido High School. We look forward to seeing you at our Fall Clinic! Sign up at this link, or check out this flier for more information.
Cuyamaca Outdoor School (COS) Open House: Heritage Elementary School is a proud supporter of Cuyamaca Outdoor School (COS), with the goal of sending all 6th-graders each year to this important rite of passage: Sixth Grade Camp! Folders with information were sent home and the completed information must be returned no later than September 11. Parents who would like to visit Cuyamaca Outdoor School are invited to its Open House
on September 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We look forward to welcoming you, your students, and the community to COS and showcasing the countless benefits of outdoor education.
27th Annual Fire and Water Expo: You're invited to attend this year's Fire and Water Expo on Saturday, September 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It's a free family event with fun for all ages! Check out the flier
for more information.
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.
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 week's scheduled menu is listed below. For the full month's 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.
After-School Programs: There is still space available for our students in the after-school program offered at the Boys and Girls Club; students in this after-school program are bussed after school from our campus to their Escondido location on Woodard Avenue. Parents and guardians interested in the Boys and Girls Club program are requested to call (760) 746-3315 for more information.
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.
Wooden Wins! Pyramid of Success
After launching our school year in August with Ambition, Heritage Elementary School moves into September focused on SINCERITY. Sincerity means being real, honest, and true in what we say and do: speaking and acting genuinely from the heart, without pretending or trying to trick others. As Coach John Wooden famously stated, "Sincerity may not help us make friends, but it will help us keep them."
As September brings our first full month of the semester, classroom expectations expand and academic momentum grows. Sincerity ensures that our ambition is grounded in genuine effort and authentic relationships. It encourages students to move past superficial pretense and focus on true character, honest scholarship, and lasting bonds with classmates and teachers.
In the classroom, sincerity looks like:
Authentic Effort: Giving genuine, wholehearted effort on daily assignments, rather than seeking shortcuts or doing the bare minimum.
Truthful Speech: Expressing oneself in a truthful, genuine way, admitting mistakes, and taking full responsibility for one's actions.
Pure Intentions: Acting out of the goodness of one's heart rather than solely for praise, external recognition, or the promise of a reward.
For our classical education approach, sincerity is directly connected to the pursuit of Truth. In a classical learning environment, we seek knowledge with an open and honest heart. Benjamin Franklin (American Founding Father, scientist, and writer) famously selected sincerity as one of his core virtues for a successful life, writing: "Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."
Ways Our Students Are Practicing Sincerity
As our daily schedule settles into full gear this month, our students are putting sincerity into action through these specific habits:
Building Lasting Friendships: Following the initial excitement of August, students are focusing on genuine kindness and loyalty, learning Coach Wooden's lesson that sincerity helps us build and keep deep, trusted friendships.
Honest Academic Engagement: As the pace of study increases across all subjects, students practice sincerity by asking genuine questions when confused and submitting work that reflects their true best effort.
Taking Personal Responsibility: When missteps occur on the playground or in class, students practice owning their actions honestly without making excuses or shifting blame.
Authentic Class Discussions: During recitations and Socratic discussions, students express their true thoughts respectfully and speak genuinely from the heart.
Practicing Sincerity at School and Home
We encourage families to nurture this essential virtue at home through these small, meaningful habits:
Speak with Integrity: Practice saying what you mean and meaning what you say, ensuring your words and actions are genuine and free of deceit.
Act Without Expecting Rewards: Encourage your child to serve around the house or help a sibling simply from the goodness of their heart, rather than for a prize or token.
Own Your Mistakes: Model and celebrate the courage it takes to admit mistakes truthfully and take immediate responsibility to make things right.
Family Activities to Build Sincerity
The Heart-to-Heart Check-In: At dinner, invite family members to share a moment from their day where speaking or acting truthfully brought clarity or strengthened a relationship.
Benjamin Franklin Virtue Study: Read about Benjamin Franklin's list of 13 virtues and discuss why he believed sincerity was essential for a healthy community and country.
Sincere Gratitude Notes: Write a handwritten note to a teacher, mentor, or family member expressing specific, heartfelt appreciation without expecting anything in return.
Read Together: Explore stories that highlight truthfulness, integrity, and genuine heart. Recommended titles include: The Empty Pot by Demi, The Honest-to-Goodness Truth by Patricia C. McKissack, and child-friendly biographies of Benjamin Franklin.
Affirmations for SINCERITY and Memory Work for September:
I am sincere.
I express myself in a truthful and genuine way.
I act from the goodness of my heart, not the promise of reward.
I take responsibility for my actions.
Campus Culture:
Homework Stars: Congratulations to this week's Homework Stars: Sophie in Mrs. Conti's class, Ayden in Mrs. Greiner's class, Leila in Mrs. Drum's class, Charlotte in Mrs. Seavello's class, Mia in Miss Goodman's class, Santiago in Mrs. Lemus's class, and Aimee in Mr. Greiner's class. These students have consistently completed all of their homework! Keep up the good work, White Tigers!
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.
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!
Mark your calendars!
Monday, September 7: Labor Day (No School)
Thursday, September 10: Back to School Night, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Friday, September 11: Red, White, and Blue *Spirit Day* & Patriot Day Assembly
Thursday, September 17: Academic Awards (Grades 5-6)
Monday, September 21: Minimum Day (12:00 noon dismissal) AHCS Staff Development
Monday, October 5 through Friday, October 9: 6th Grade Camp at Cuyamaca Outdoor School
Monday, October 12: Columbus Day (No School)
OUR MISSION IS THE FORMATION OF THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, THROUGH A RICH CURRICULUM, WITH A PERSPECTIVE THAT CHERISHES TIMELESS VIRTUE AND THE AMERICAN SPIRIT.
