Although last week was shortened by the Labor Day holiday, it was packed with remarkable energy, community spirit, and meaningful experiences. A sincere thank-you to everyone who joined us on Thursday evening for Back to School Night. Our teachers thoroughly enjoyed welcoming you into their classrooms, sharing their instructional vision, and giving you a firsthand look at your children's daily experience at Heritage. Strong home-school partnerships are the cornerstone of student success, and your presence meant the world to our staff.
On Friday, our campus gathered for an important Patriot Day assembly as our students dressed in red, white, and blue to honor the lives lost 25 years ago on September 11, 2001. We were privileged to welcome Fire Captain Ty Lindberg from the Escondido Fire Department, who delivered an inspiring message about recognizing and appreciating the everyday heroes around us and the small acts of courage that we all can do to make the world a better place. The morning was made even more unforgettable by a visit from our local fire crew and engine, paired with patriotic singing performances by our students. It was a powerful reminder of the unity, service, and character that define our community.
Important Dates & Looking Ahead
As we transition into the middle of the term, please take note of several important upcoming events and deadlines:
Thursday || Academic Awards Assemblies: We will be formally recognizing students in fifth and sixth grade for their outstanding academic achievement, growth, and perseverance from the previous school year.
Friday || End of the First Grading Period: This marks a major benchmark in our term. We encourage parents of students in grades 4–6 to please log into the Grades Portal to review your child’s academic progress and celebrate his or her effort.
Mark Your Calendars — Parent/Teacher Conferences: Conference week will be during October 19–23; more details regarding sign-ups will follow soon.
As we settle into a steady academic rhythm, I encourage you to continue staying connected at home. Parents' active engagement with their child’s schooling is paramount to success. Ask your child open-ended questions about his or her day, review completed schoolwork together, and celebrate the daily growth he or she demonstrates through applied effort. Together, we are building a foundation of both strong character and high achievement.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.
Yours in learning,
Marc Gilbertson
Important Announcements:
Cheer Clinic and Friday Night Lights: The 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. Contact Coach Pound at jpound@amhcs.org with any questions. EVERYONE is welcome to come out to Escondido High School at 7:00 p.m. to cheer on our White Tiger players, cheerleaders, and of course, our White Tigerettes!
Academic Awards Assembly: We look forward to celebrating the academic accomplishments from the spring semester for our fifth and sixth grade students this Thursday, September 17. Parents of students receiving an award have been notified and are encouraged to attend the assembly at 8:30 a.m. for current 5th graders and 1:45 p.m. for current 6th graders.
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.
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.
Upcoming Minimum Day (12:00 p.m.): Mark your calendars for Monday, September 21, our first minimum day, with 12:00 noon student dismissal for staff training.
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.
Free Family Fun: Explore Hands-On Science at Scripps Discovery Day! Join the Scripps Research Outreach team for Discovery Day on Saturday, October 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Scripps Research Auditorium Courtyard in La Jolla! This free event invites students and families to explore interactive activity stations, enjoy chemistry demonstrations, and chat with scientists in a fun, casual setting. It is a fantastic opportunity to experience hands-on scientific discovery and learn about the groundbreaking work happening right in our community. Pre-registration is requested—visit scripps.edu/discoveryday or scan the QR code on the linked flyer
to sign up.
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: Sophia in Ms. Luis's class, Rafeea in Mrs. Martineau's class, Jimena in Mrs. Scarpello's class, Mckenzie in Mrs. Velasco's class, Maya in Ms. Hoffman's class, Ruby in Ms. Neptune's class, Selena in Ms. Hellinger's class, and Naya in Mrs. Lau'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!
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)
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!
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.
