We wrapped up the 2025-2026 school year with a short week and an incredibly strong finish! The past few days have been a beautiful blend of diligence and joy—from our upper elementary students focusing diligently on their final exams to campus-wide field days and pancake breakfasts. These final days perfectly reflected a hallmark of classical education: the harmonious balance of working hard and playing well, of discipline and delight in learning.
Two memorable events on Thursday beautifully highlighted the formative journey our students take during their time at Heritage Elementary, serving as the perfect "bookends" to our mission:
The Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony: In the morning, we welcomed nearly 400 family members and friends to celebrate our youngest scholars. As they sang “My Country ’Tis of Thee” and proudly recited the virtues they studied this year, they reminded us all that character is built day by day, habit by habit. Watching them cross the stage was a joyful affirmation of the power of early classical learning.
The 6th Grade Clap-Out: Later that afternoon, the turf field came alive with cheers, balloons, signs, and heartfelt goodbyes as we celebrated our oldest students’ transition to Heritage Junior High School. This beloved tradition was a moving tribute to a cohort that has grown immensely not just in academic knowledge, but in character, leadership, and virtue.
Looking back at the year as a whole, our shared commitment to classical ideals shone through in every single milestone. Whether through the study of timeless texts or the daily practice of virtues like self-control, initiative, team spirit, poise, and competitive greatness, our students have been shaped in ways that extend far beyond academics.
Together with our wonderful Heritage families, we have worked hard to enrich the minds and hearts of our scholars this year:
Nurturing the Soul: We enriched our students' minds through an enhanced focus on art and music across all grades, immersing them in the joyful traditions of harmony and beauty through unforgettable talent shows and student musicals.
Strengthening Foundations: We expanded our reading intervention program, ensuring every child builds the robust literacy skills necessary to pursue wisdom and lifelong learning.
Living the Virtues: Beyond the classroom, our campus thrived with record numbers of parent volunteers who provided our children with a living, breathing example of community devotion and service.
On behalf of the entire team at Heritage Elementary School, thank you for your steadfast partnership, your encouragement, and your unwavering support. Together, we’ve built something deeply meaningful. Thank you for trusting us to cultivate a school culture that champions effort, courage, honor, and service—virtues that shape the habits of the heart long after the school year ends.
Our students leave this year more capable, more confident, and more prepared to flourish. Congratulations on a magnificent year! We wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and restorative summer, and we look forward to welcoming our scholars back this August for an incredible 2026-2027 school year.
Yours in learning,
Marc Gilbertson
Important Announcements:
Second Semester Report Cards: Parents can expect their children’s report cards for spring semester to arrive via mail this week. Thank you for your partnership this school year. Please take some time to celebrate your student’s achievements!
Medication Pick-Up Reminder: If your child has medication in the office, please pick it up by Wednesday, June 3. Medications must be picked up by a parent or guardian. We will dispose of any medications that are not taken home. Thank you!
Summer Reading Program: Heritage Elementary is once again sponsoring a summer reading program for our students to encourage literacy and the love of books by reading at home! All students will be eligible to receive a special t-shirt for meeting the summer reading goal for your grade level (see below). Between June 1 and the day we return to school, simply read a few of your favorite books, fill-in the reading log, and bring it back to school with you in August!
School Uniform Donations: We will be collecting clean and gently used school uniforms through June 12. All used school uniform items that remain in good repair will be gladly accepted and happily redistributed for free to Heritage families during our Open House in August!
Supply Lists for Next School Year: Parents may access the recommended supply lists for each grade level for the 2026-2027 school year by clicking here.
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.
Free Summer Meals: Students and teens 18 years of age and younger are eligible for free summer meals as part of the National School Lunch Program. There are several ways for families to find them. Check out the flyer in English
or Spanish
for more details.
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.
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.
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.
Summer Events at the Library: We encourage families to check out the Escondido Public Library over the summer to put great books in children's hands. Our local library has a lot of fun events planned for kids and teenagers through the summer. Check out the library's website for more information and updates.
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.
Play As One Summer (PAO) Camps in Escondido: The mission of PAO and Field of Faith is to teach the value of working hard, living pure, leading with courage and honoring Jesus Christ through the platform of Sports, Arts, Vocation, and Education. The faith-based camps from PAO offer football, soccer, volleyball and basketball during the week of June 23-27! A separate week of PAO Dance Summer Camp will be hosted on June 22-26. The summer camps are open to students entering Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Check out the Play As One Summer Camp website
for more information and to register.
Summer Splash Vacation Bible School: Mission Hills Church in San Marcos is hosting their annual Summer Splash Vacation Bible School from June 22-26. For more information and to sign up, visit their website here.
Wooden Wins! Pyramid of SuccessBringing the Pyramid Home: Summer Reinforcement Ideas
Nurturing these traits is a shared responsibility, and summer is the perfect time to bridge the gap between school triumphs and home life. To keep our students' character muscles flexing over the break and to ensure they hit the ground running this August, here are a few practical ways to reinforce the Pyramid of Success at home:
Foster Initiative & Adaptability: Give your child ownership over a summer project, such as planning a family day trip, planting a small garden, or managing a weekly chore chart. If plans get adjusted or obstacles come up, use it as a real-time lesson in adaptability.
Practice Intentness & Self-Control: Prevent the "summer slide" by establishing a dedicated, distraction-free reading or puzzle time each day. Building the stamina to sit and focus for 20 to 30 minutes keeps their intentness sharp for the upcoming school year. Limit screen-time as much as possible.
Cultivate Team Spirit & Sincerity: Family game nights are the ultimate testing ground for character. Use board games or outdoor sports to praise great sportsmanship (team spirit), handle wins and losses with poise, and practice playing fairly and speaking truthfully (honesty and sincerity).
Maintain the "Condition": Coach Wooden always emphasized physical and mental readiness. As August approaches, gradually transition back to consistent bedtime routines and healthy habits to help students feel physically and mentally prepared for day one.
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." — John Wooden
Thank you for your incredible partnership this year. Let's continue working together to help our children build strong, virtuous lives all summer long! Have a wonderful, safe, and industrious summer break!
Campus Culture:
A Year of Wisdom, Virtue, and Remarkable Growth! Thanks to the incredible partnership between the Heritage Elementary staff and our wonderful families, this school year has been a beautiful journey of both intellectual and moral growth. Since last August, we have worked hand-in-hand to cultivate not just academic excellence, but true character, guiding our students daily in the pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty!
Homework Stars: Congratulations to our Homework Stars: Jaylene in Ms. Singleterry's class, Faith in Mrs. Trecha's class, Dominik in Ms. Ybarra's class, Nora in Mrs. Velasco's class, Bradley in Mrs. Miller's class, Calvin in Ms. Neptune's class, Milania in Mrs. Lau's class, and Damian in Mr. Reinking's class. These students have consistently completed all of their homework! Keep up the good work, White Tigers!
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. Are you interested in being a contributing member of our school community for the 2026-2027 school year? Please contact the main office at (760) 737-3111.
Mark your calendars!
Monday, June 1: Report cards mailed home
End of July: Welcome Back Letter and Student Schedules mailed home
Wednesday, August 12: Book Check-Out and Meet the Teacher, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 13: First Day of Fall Semester!
Thursday, August 27: Back-to-School BBQ
Tuesday, September 1: School Picture Day
Thursday, September 10: Back-to-School Night
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.
