There is a distinct, vibrant energy humming through our hallways right now. It is that wonderful time of year when the seeds of diligence we planted back in August are reaching full bloom. As I reflect on this past week, I am consistently moved by the "Heritage Spirit," a beautiful blend of dedication, heart, and community.
As this message reaches you on Mother’s Day, I want to pause and extend a heartfelt tribute to the mothers, grandmothers, and mother-figures in our community. You are your child’s first teacher and their most enduring source of encouragement. The "seeds of diligence" we see blooming in our students are a direct reflection of the love and guidance you provide at home. We hope your day is filled with the same joy and appreciation you so freely give to others.
Our school’s dedication was on full display this past Thursday during our annual talent show. This year’s theme, the Stars and Stripes Showcase, took on special significance as we looked ahead toward our nation’s 250th anniversary. Seeing the "American Spirit" woven through our students' performances, paired with the stunning works in our Art Gallery Walk, was truly inspiring.
These moments of creative expression do more than just entertain; they reinforce our classical mission to cultivate the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. A special thank you to Mrs. Brumfield and Mrs. Morganfor their vision in organizing such a flagship event, and to the families who joined us to cheer on our talented performers.
Speaking of heart, Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week was, in a word, spectacular. Our educators were showered with a level of gratitude that truly touched them. From the delicious Monday breakfast to the legendary "woot wagons" that rolled through the halls on Friday, your generosity made our staff feel like the superstars they are. To the parents who spent hours on campus coordinating treats, writing notes, and ensuring every detail was perfect: Thank you. Your support is the fuel that keeps our team inspired, and we are deeply grateful for the partnership we share in raising and educating your children.
We have officially crossed a major finish line with the conclusion of state testing! Watching our students tackle these assessments with such grit was a proud moment for all of us. We celebrated that collective "exhale" with our annual End-of-Year BBQ, a massive undertaking that served over 700 members of our Heritage family. A huge shout-out to the volunteers who flipped burgers and served sides with such contagious enthusiasm; you transformed a large-scale event into a warm, close-knit family dinner.
The creativity doesn't stop there! This coming week, we are thrilled to host Music and Art in Action in Mrs. Brumfield’s and Mrs. Morgan’s classes. This is a unique opportunity for our students to transition from theory to practice, showcasing their growth through active, hands-on creation. It is a joy to watch them apply what they've learned with such passion.
As we enter these final weeks, our character focus remains on the pinnacle of Coach Wooden’s Pyramid: Competitive Greatness. As the weather warms and summer vacation beckons, it can be tempting for students to "coast." I want to encourage you to help your children maintain their focus and discipline until the very last bell rings. As Coach Wooden famously noted:
"Success is never final; failure is never fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts."
Let’s model that courage and enthusiasm together. By finishing strong, our students prove to themselves that they have the stamina to see their commitments through to the end. Don't forget about our Tropical Aloha Spirit Day this Friday, and thank you for your continued support as we head toward a fantastic finish to an unforgettable year. Go White Tigers!
Yours in learning,
Marc Gilbertson
Important Announcements:
THANK YOU, Parents!: We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support from our families during Teacher Appreciation Week. From the delicious breakfast and luncheons to the "Woot Wagon" treats and our annual Wednesday BBQ, your generous donations and tireless volunteering made us feel truly celebrated. Thank you for the thoughtful gifts and for making this such a memorable week for our entire staff!
Music and Art in Action Week: Building off the success of the talent show last week, students are encouraged to share their musical and artistic talents in their enrichment classes this week with Mrs. Brumfield and Mrs. Morgan! In music, students will have the opportunity to sing, dance, or play a musical instrument; and in art, students can bring in homemade art to share, including paintings, drawings, origami, and more. Check in with Mrs. Brumfield or Mrs. Morgan with any questions!
Tropical Aloha Spirit Day this Friday: With the flowers blooming and more sunshine in the forecast, the spring season is in full swing! What better way to celebrate the final month of the school year than a Tropical Aloha Spirit Day? This Friday, May 15, students may wear their best Hawaiian attire; we can’t wait to see the bright colors and floral prints!
Summer Cheer Clinic: Calling at Heritage Cheerleaders! The ECHS White Tiger Cheerleaders will be hosting a cheer clinic this summer for all students ages 4-12. The summer cheer clinic will be held on the field at Escondido Charter High School on June 8-12 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. The cost is $125 per child and will include a T-shirt. If you are interested in attending, please sign up here. Check out this flier
for more information.
Escondido Pop Warner Football and Cheer Sign-ups:Registration for youth football and cheer is now open! Options are available for flag football, tackle football, and cheer. Football season kicks off July 15! Please follow this link for more information and to register.
Special Thanks from Coach Dario: It was another successful semester of Delanos Soccer Academy! Thank you to all of our participants, and we hope to see you again next year!
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!
Minimum Days, May 26-28: Please note that the last three days of school (Tuesday, May 26 through Thursday, May 28) will be minimum days with student dismissal at 12:00 noon.
Free Dress on the Last Day of School: Thursday, May 28 will be a free dress day for all students! Please remember that the Dress for Success
guidelines still apply.
Kindergarten Promotion: On Thursday, May 28 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. we will hold a kindergarten promotion ceremony outside on the turf field. Free parking is available at Lot 1 of the Palomar College Escondido Center and parents will be allowed onto campus beginning at 8:15 a.m.
6th Grade Clap-Out: We’re planning to send our 6th graders out in a celebratory fashion with a “clap-out” at the end of the day on the last day of school. Parents of sixth graders are encouraged to join us on campus at 11:45 a.m. to express our appreciation to our students for a job well done before they head off to Heritage Junior High School!
Class of 2032 Spirit Wear: Parents, family, and friends of this year's sixth graders: now you can purchase your own sixth grade shirt or hoodie to commemorate this year! Order yours today: SHIRT or HOODIE.
Attention Parents of 6th-Graders! It’s time to prepare for seventh grade! Students entering seventh grade in August 2026 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.
Summer Reading Programs: Interested in some additional reading practice for your child this summer? The Institute of Reading Development will be offering live online courses throughout the summer. Visit their website
for more information about the programs, schedules, and costs.
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.
Wooden Wins! Pyramid of SuccessVirtue of the Month: Competitive Greatness
As we reach the month of May, Heritage Elementary School has finally arrived at the very peak of Coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success: COMPETITIVE GREATNESS. Coach Wooden defined this crowning virtue as: “A love for a hard battle, knowing it offers the opportunity to be at your best when your best is required.”
Competitive Greatness isn't about "beating" others; it’s about the joy of the challenge itself. It is the ability to rise to the occasion, to give your absolute best when the stakes are highest, and to find a "second wind" when the finish line is in sight. As we conclude our school year, we celebrate the hard work that allows us to perform at our peak.
In the classroom, Competitive Greatness looks like:
Finishing Like a Pro (FLAP): Putting the same level of care into the very last assignment of May as you did the first assignment of August.
Rising to the Occasion: Approaching final presentations and assessments with excitement rather than anxiety, seeing them as a chance to "show what you've got."
The "Clutch" Mindset: Staying focused and positive even when end-of-year schedules get busy and energy is low.
For our classical education approach, Competitive Greatness is the embodiment of Arete—the Greek word for "excellence" or "virtue." It is the culmination of our year-long labor in the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. We teach our students that excellence is a habit, and May is the month we let that habit shine in its fullest form.
Ways Our Students Are Practicing Competitive Greatness
As the school year draws to a close, our students are demonstrating their "love for the hard battle" through these significant milestones:
Kindergarten Promotion: Our youngest scholars are showing competitive greatness as they prepare to "step up" to First Grade. They are mastering their final tricky-word lists and math basics, proving they are ready for the greater challenges of the primary years.
Sixth Grade Capstones: Our 6th graders are at a true turning point. As they prepare to transition to Heritage Junior High School, they are demonstrating greatness through their final projects and seminars, showing the leadership and academic maturity required for the Logic stage of their education.
End-of-Semester Projects: Students in all grades are finalizing portfolios, science projects, and history presentations. They are learning that "Greatness" means polishing the final details and presenting their work with pride.
Final Assessments: Instead of fearing final exams, students are practicing the "peak performance" mindset—trusting in the Condition, Skill, Poise, and Confidence they have built all year.
Practicing Competitive Greatness at School and Home
We encourage families to help students finish the year with "championship energy" through these actions:
The "Home Stretch" Mentality: When motivation dips in the final weeks, remind your child that "greatness" is defined by how we finish. Encourage them to give their best effort right up until the final bell.
Celebrate the Struggle: When a final project gets difficult, remind them of Coach Wooden's words: Love the hard battle. The difficulty is what makes the achievement meaningful.
Reflect on Growth: Ask your child, "What is one thing you can do this month to show you are ready for the next grade level?"
Family Activities to Build Competitive Greatness
The "Personal Best" Challenge: Set a family goal (like a certain number of pages read, limits to screen time, or miles walked) and work together to hit a "personal best" for the month of May.
Transition Talks: For our Promoting Kindergartners and Graduating 6th Graders, take time to discuss the "new battle" ahead. Ask: "How has your hard work this year prepared you for the challenges of next year?"
Legacy Letters: Have your child write a letter to their "September Self," describing the challenges they overcame and the greatness they achieved this year.
Read Together: Explore stories of those who performed at their best when it mattered most. Recommended titles include: Wilma Unlimited
by Kathleen Krull, and for our 6th graders, revisit The Children's Homer, which they read in class.
"Competitive Greatness is being at your best when your best is needed. It’s enjoying the challenge when the going gets tough. It’s the love of a hard battle." —Coach John Wooden
Affirmations for COMPETITIVE GREATNESS and Memory Work for May:
I work towards competitive greatness.
I try my very best even when things are difficult and challenging.
I see challenges as an opportunity to grow and become the best I can be.
Campus Culture:
Homework Stars: Congratulations to our Homework Stars: Gracie in Mrs. Colwell's class, Julian in Ms. Garduno's class, Yzabelle in Ms. Abed's class, Maggie in Miss Le Pere's class, Osvaldo in Mrs. Andrews's class, Diego in Ms. Chmara's class, Evalyn in Ms. Everett's class, and Omar in Mr. Greiner's class. These students have consistently completed all of their homework! Keep up the good work, White Tigers!
Yearbook Purchase: Less than 50 copies remain of the 2025-2026 Heritage Elementary yearbook! You may purchase your copy here
for $37. We will have a limited number of copies available this year. Please contact us at (760) 737-3111 with any questions or concerns.
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!
Friday, May 15: Tropical Aloha *Spirit Day*
Monday, May 25: Memorial Day (school closed)
Tuesday-Thursday, May 26-28: Minimum Days (12:00 noon student dismissal)
Thursday, May 28: Last Day of School! Kindergarten Promotion, 8:30 a.m.; 6th Grade Clap-Out, 11:45 a.m.
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.
