It has been a week of deep discovery at Heritage, where our students have stepped out of their textbooks and into the tangible world of history and science. These experiences are the bedrock of a classical education, connecting the mind’s eye to the world’s reality and developing our students’ moral imagination.

A major highlight of the past week was our third-grade excursions to Smith Ranch. Students engaged in a series of S.T.E.A.M. activities that grounded their scientific studies in nature. From planting sunflowers to explore the life cycle of plants to learning the ancient art of spinning yarn from wool, these activities provide the "sensory hooks" that make abstract concepts stick. Seeing our students work with their hands reminds us that education is most impactful when it is both intellectual and experiential.

On Friday, our campus became a living timeline during Decades Day. The creativity was truly impressive, with students representing eras ranging from the mid-20th century all the way back to the 16th and 17th centuries. This imaginative exploration does more than build school spirit; it fosters a "historical empathy," allowing students to visualize the progression of human culture and the enduring ideas that connect us across time.

Our sixth graders are currently immersed in Mildred Taylor’s Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. This novel is a cornerstone of their literature studies, touching on profound themes of loyalty, family, and the inherent dignity of the human person. Through the classical techniques of narration and Socratic seminar discussion, students are not just reading a story, they are analyzing the complexities of the human experience and learning to articulate their thoughts with clarity and conviction.

As we move through April, our focus on confidence from the Pyramid of Success becomes increasingly vital. Next week marks our final preparations before State Testing begins for grades 3–6 on April 27. In a classical context, we teach our students that true confidence is the "quiet assurance" that comes from being well-prepared. It is not about a single test score, but about having the courage to show what you know.

We want our students to approach these assessments with the confidence of a White Tiger, feeling calm, prepared, and ready to meet the challenge. We build this confidence by:

• Trusting the Foundation: Reminding students of the rigorous work they have already mastered this year.
• Positive Self-Talk: Replacing "I can't" with "I am prepared for this."
• Poise Under Pressure: Using the virtue we practiced last month to stay steady during challenging tasks.

As we head into this pivotal time, I encourage you to remain deeply engaged in your child’s daily learning. You can support this "confidence" at home by:

• Protecting Reading Time: Devote at least 20 minutes a day to reading together; it is the single best way to build the vocabulary needed for academic success.
• Rich Dialogue: Foster a communication-rich environment at the dinner table. Ask your children to narrate what they learned today. Explaining a concept back to you is the ultimate test of understanding.

Thank you for your continued partnership. Together, we are forming not just great students, but confident and virtuous citizens. Go White Tigers!

Thank you for a Successful Spring Scholastic Book Fair! We appreciated seeing so many students and their families visit the spring book fair. We hope you found some great books! Special thanks to Mrs. El-Hayek and our parent volunteers for all the planning and preparation that went into hosting such a great event!

Teacher Appreciation Week: May 4-8 is Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! We can use help from parents to help coordinate this year’s teacher appreciation events. If you are looking for ways to contribute, please see the email from Mr. Gilbertson and Mrs. Cook sent on April 15. Families who would like to contribute to the week’s events can Venmo Mrs. Osmena using this link or bring donations to the main office. You can also join the Heritage parent Facebook group entitled, “Esco Heritage Charter K-6 Parents and Friends” for updates from some of our parents. Thank you in advance for helping us celebrate our teachers and instructional aides! 

Save the Date! Heritage Talent Show and Art Display: Don’t miss "The Stars and Stripes Showcase" on May 7 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Come support our amazing students as they showcase their unique skills and hard work. It’s going to be the highlight of the spring! 

Parent Participation Requested || Children and Technology Survey: One of our very own Heritage parents is currently working toward a graduate degree and teaching credential! For her capstone research project, she is exploring the relationship between children and technology use. Could you spare a few minutes to help her cross the finish line? Here's the link to a brief anonymous survey. It takes a few minutes to complete and requires no personal information. Your participation is greatly appreciated! 

Easter Basket Donations: In preparation for the 2026 Holiday Gift Fair Silent Auction in the fall, we are always looking for donations of baskets. If you have an Easter basket that your family will no longer be using, we would gratefully accept it! These baskets will be repurposed and filled with wonderful items to be auctioned off at our joint Open House and Holiday Gift Fair next school year.

State Testing (CAASPP) Planned for April 27-May 4: Students in Grades 3-6 have begun completing CAASPP Training Tests and Practice Tests with the help of their teachers to better familiarize themselves with the format and content of the assessments. Heritage Elementary School will administer the state assessments during the week of April 27-May 4. The data collected this year will help the administrative team develop plans to support students and ensure they have mastered the foundational skills and knowledge in English Language Arts (ELA) and math. For more information, please visit CAASPP’s Parent Guides for Understanding.

Free National Parks Pass for Fourth Graders: Planning a trip for Summer Break? The Every Kid Outdoors pass is good for the 4th grade school year, until August 31. Information on obtaining the pass is available by visiting www.everykidoutdoors.gov.

Breakfast Reminder: Our free breakfast and lunch program has been a blessing to so many families this school year! To help your child start the day right, please ensure he or she arrives at the MPR by 7:50 a.m. We stop serving at this time to give students enough time to reach their classroom and finish their meal before school starts at 8:00 a.m. Thank you for helping us keep our mornings running smoothly.

A Note Regarding School Lunches: To ensure our students have a focused and uninterrupted learning environment, we kindly ask parents to avoid dropping off outside 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!

Breakfast and Lunch Service: Check out the calendar below for the monthly menu. Breakfast is served each morning until 7:50 a.m. Please remember to pack a healthy snack and water bottle for each day this week!

• Leggings or tights can be worn under shorts, skorts, and skirts but must be either solid navy blue, white, or maroon.
• All bottoms must be a uniform type material. No denim, jeans, sweats, leggings (worn as pants), cargo pants, or sweatpants are permitted.
• Sweaters, sweatshirts, and hoodies must be either solid navy blue, white, or maroon.
• On especially cold days, outerwear (in the form of winter jackets, parkas, and rain jackets) can be any color but may only be worn outside.

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.

Attention Parents of 6th-Graders! It’s time to prepare for seventh grade! Students entering seventh grade in August 2025 are required by California law to submit proof that they have received the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine booster. Personal beliefs exemptions are no longer accepted. For medical exemptions, you must submit a valid CAIR medical exemption obtained through the State’s medical exemption program. Please bring your child’s updated immunization record to the Heritage office before the start of 7th grade. For more information, you can visit the California Department of Public Health "Shots for Schools" website or the San Diego Health and Human Services Agency" Immunization Requirements for Childcare and Schools.” If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Garcia at nurse@amhcs.org. 

Reminder for Parents of Kindergartners: Headed to the doctor or dentist for your student's check-up? State law requires that all kindergartners have an oral health examination (dental exam) and a recommended health checkup from a doctor during their first year in school. When your child goes in for a dental checkup, please have the dentist fill out an Oral Health Assessment Form. When your child sees the doctor for an exam, please have the doctor fill out a School Entry Health Checkup Form. These forms are also available in the Heritage office. Completed dental forms are due by May 28, 2026. Completed health forms are due by November 1, 2026. Please contact Nurse Garcia at nurse@amhcs.org if you have any questions.