We've officially reached the halfway point of the fall semester, and it's a perfect time to reflect on our students' journey so far. Our dedicated teachers have diligently assessed your child's understanding of grade-level objectives through a variety of recent assessments. Even with the preparation tests at all grade-levels, our students also had a lot of fun on campus, as evidenced in the photos that follow.
Midterm Reports & Parent Conferences
To provide you with valuable insights into your child's progress and discuss how we can encourage this spirit of initiative, we'll be conducting parent conferences throughout the week. This is a productive opportunity to discuss your child's strengths, areas for growth, and strategies for continued success. You will also receive a mailed copy of your child’s official midterm progress report toward the end of the week.
Thank You: The Consortio on Cultivating Affections
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all the parents who took the initiative to attend the Consortio meetings this past Thursday and Friday. A special thanks goes to our very own Mrs. Scarpello for sharing how implementing classical teaching techniques has beautifully transformed her classroom.
Her discussion highlighted how these ideas extend into the home as we intentionally consider the stories, music, and experiences that we introduce to our children that help them build affections for what is good, true, and beautiful. We hope you will take the initiative to join us for our next Consortio in November, where we will explore how we can create a culture of joy in our families. Check out the notes below for more details.
Third Grade Field Trip
To further nurture our students' learning through direct experience, our third-graders will be taking their second field trip to the S.T.E.A.M. program at the Deanna Smith Ranch. This "farm-to-fork" and "birdhouse-to-barn" model provides a wealth of hands-on experiences for students to extend their classroom learning to the world that surrounds them.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with you to ensure your child's academic and personal well-being as we move into the second half of the semester. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or need additional support. From all of us at Heritage Elementary School, we wish you and yours an excellent week. Go White Tigers!
Yours in learning,
Marc Gilbertson
Important Announcements:
October Scheduling Reminders: Please mark your calendars with the following schedule notes for October:
Monday, October 20 will be a non-student day to allow teachers to meet with parents for conferences.
During Parent-Teacher Conference week (Oct. 21-24), students will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m.
Thanks for planning ahead for these changes and for your flexibility and understanding!
End of the Second Grading Period and Parent-Teacher Conferences: The midterm grading period ended on Friday, October 17. Midterm progress notices will be mailed home this week. For grades 4-6, we encourage all parents to check the Grades Portal
regularly to stay up-to-date on your child’s academic progress. Teachers will also provide detailed information about each student’s progress at this week’s parent-teacher conferences. These conferences are a perfect opportunity to have personalized discussions about a student’s academic strengths and identify measurable growth areas. Please make sure that you have signed up for a time with your child’s teacher. Thank you in advance for your time spent meeting with your child’s teacher and for partnering with us in supporting his/her needs.
Fall Book Fair Presented by Literati: Our online book fair is now open! Use this link to get a head start on finding new favorite books, games, and more. Don't forget to check out your teacher's wishlist while you're there! Then join us at our in-person fair from November 14 - November 21.
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. For more family resources, check out the Common Sense website.
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!
AHCS Musical Theater presents The Wizard of Oz: Ready to see a musical that will give you all the feels? Join us as American Heritage Charter School students of all ages showcase their talents in this year’s production of The Wizard of Oz! This show is guaranteed to make your heart grow three sizes, and you’ll quickly realize there's no place like the theater! Just follow the yellow brick road to a show packed with heart, brains, and courage, incredible songs, and spectacular sights. Tickets are on sale now, with shows at the American Spirit Theater on the Escondido Charter High School campus from November 6-9. Check out the show times below, and click here
to purchase your tickets. It's a gale-force of fun you won't want to miss!
SHOWTIMES
Thursday, November 6*: 4:30 p.m. (EMERALD CAST)
*ECHS Students $6 cash at the door while supplies last
Friday, November 7: 7:00 p.m. (RUBY CAST)
Saturday, November 8
2:00 p.m. (RUBY CAST)
7:00 p.m. (EMERALD CAST)
Sunday, November 9
2:00 p.m. (EMERALD CAST)
7:00 p.m. (RUBY CAST)
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 flier for 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 20 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.
Walk-off Authorization Forms: If your child will be 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.
AMERICAN HERITAGE CHARTER SCHOOLS 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR LOTTERY INFORMATION: Lotteries for the 2026-2027 school year are NOW OPEN 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 9, 2026. 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 6, 2026. Please contact the Heritage Elementary office at 760-737-3111 if you have any questions.
Heritage Junior High: Lottery applications are available online at https://amhcs.org/heritage-junior-high-school/hjhs-admissions/. The lottery closes on February 6, 2026. 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 6, 2026. Please contact the Heritage Flex Academy office at 760-466-1166 if you have any questions.
Wooden Wins! Pyramid of Success
Virtue of the Month: Initiative
Throughout October, our school will focus on INITIATIVE, a foundational block in Coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. Initiative is about being proactive, taking the first step, acting with courage, and pursuing what is good without waiting to be prompted. It helps students grow in confidence, develop responsibility, and discover the joy of purposeful effort.
In the classroom, initiative shows up in habits like starting work promptly, asking thoughtful questions, and looking for opportunities to help others. In classical education, this ties directly to the tradition of wonder and inquiry, where true learning begins with the student’s own eagerness to explore truth, goodness, and beauty. Initiative fuels curiosity and empowers students to grow as lifelong learners.
Here are some ways our students have been practicing initiative at school:
Students in all grades are encouraged to ask open-ended questions during lessons and share their own insights in class discussions.
Our third-, fourth-, and fifth-graders will take initiative by leading short recitations, narrations, or class presentations to practice speaking with confidence.
Mrs. El-Hayek has been walking students through exercises in online safety and screen time mindfulness. Students have been encouraged to take the initiative to choose alternative activities over screen time.
Students of all ages have been taking initiative by cleaning up trash and equipment at the end of recess and lunch periods.
Mrs. Hoggatt took initiative and planned joint P.E. classes with kindergartners and sixth graders.
Practicing Initiative at School and Home
This month, we encourage families and students to nurture initiative through small but meaningful daily actions:
Take the first step: Begin homework without reminders and complete it with care.
Be curious: Ask “why” and “how” questions to deepen your understanding.
Look for ways to serve: Offer to help at home or in class before being asked.
Family Activities to Build Initiative
Independent Project: Encourage your child to choose a topic they’re curious about and share what they learn with the family.
Chore Challenge: Have your child surprise the family by completing a household chore without being asked.
Role Models of Initiative: Read short biographies of historical figures—such as Clara Barton, George Washington, or Helen Keller—and discuss how their initiative shaped history.
"We must not be afraid to act. If we are afraid to do something for fear of making a mistake, we will not do anything at all. That is the worst mistake of all. You learn from adversity. We get stronger through adversity." —Coach John Wooden
Here are some affirmations for INITIATIVE and memory work for October:
I take initiative.
I do the right thing without being told.
I am willing to work hard and take personal responsibility.
I am courageous and learn from my mistakes.
Campus Culture:
Homework Stars: Congratulations to this week's Homework Stars: Jordan in Ms. Singleterry's class, Santiago in Mrs. Trecha's class, Sasha in Miss Ybarra's class, Maya in Mrs. Velasco's class, Boston in Mrs. Miller's class, Emilio in Ms. Neptune's class, Sherlyne in Mrs. Lau's class, and Emma in Mr. Reinking's class. These students have consistently completed all of their homework! Keep up the good work, White Tigers!
Lost and Found: Missing a sweater, jacket, water bottle, or lunch box? Please check our lost and found (located just under the stairwell outside of 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!
Calling on Volunteers!: There are so many ways parents, grandparents, and family members can get involved to support our students and the school. For instance, we would love to have volunteers to participate during school BBQs and events, lead student reading groups during the school day, help supervise during recess or lunch, copy papers or assemble packets for teachers, and so much more. Interested in being a contributing member of our school community? Please contact the main office at (760) 737-3111.
Mark your calendars!
Monday, October 20: Non-Student Day for Parent Conferences
Tuesday-Friday, October 21-24: Modified Days at 2:00 p.m. Dismissal for Parent Conferences
Friday, October 31: *Spirit Day* Crazy Hair, Hat, and Socks (note: Halloween costumes are not permitted)
Thursday, November 6 through Sunday, November 9:The Wizard of Oz Performances
Tuesday, November 11: No School (Veterans Day)
Friday, November 14 through Friday, November 21: Book Fair
Thursday, November 20:
Minimum Day (and no ELO-P)
Open House/Holiday Gift Fair
Friday, November 21: Pajama Spirit Day
Monday-Friday, November 24-28: Thanksgiving Vacation
Our mission is to develop the hearts and minds of students with a rigorous core curriculum, with a perspective that cherishes timeless virtues and the American spirit.
