We had a lot of fun last week with Spirit Week. Thank you to the teachers and students for keeping it light and fun. I appreciated being able to see the students having some fun along with their teachers.
This week will be business as usual despite the launching of our breakfast and lunch program. Please be reminded that breakfast and lunch will be available to all students starting on Monday. Most importantly, please note that if your student wants breakfast then they need to pick it up between 7:35 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. There will be no reminders or exceptions. I also want to ask that you be patient as we continue to learn more and nail down the logistics. We think that this program is going to be a very good thing. However, there will be some new challenges that we will need time to correct. Please feel free to contact our front office for clarification. Your questions help us to improve.
Finally, we have a couple of events coming up in the near future. This Saturday we will be holding our second Saturday School. Teachers will be reaching out to those of you whose students would benefit from attending. The Wizard of Oz opens this week at the American Spirit Theater. Get tickets before they sellout! We will be having our fall dance on November 14 and the seventh grade will be going to the San Diego Zoo on November 19.
Let's have another great week. Go White Tigers!
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jason Gaylord
Principal
BBQ Dad vs. Soccer Mom Spirit Day
The HJHS front office has been taken over by BBQ dads.
Action Items
Fall Junior High Dance
Students will not want to miss our fall junior high dance on Friday, November 14, 2025. Middle school students from both Heritage Junior High and Heritage Flex Academy will be showing off their dance moves from 6:00–8:00 p.m. in the Heritage Elementary MPR (1855 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido). This year's theme is country western, so pull out your cowboy boots and your favorite plaid and denim. Snacks will be available for purchase with all proceeds going to the HJHS Leadership Club. Please bring small bills for your snack purchases! Tickets cost $5 and may ONLY be purchased online in advance of the event. Please click HERE
to access the permission slip and payment portal. The portal will close at 4:00 p.m. on the day of the dance and tickets will NOT be available for purchase at the event. We encourage students to dress their best for this special occasion, but please review the dress and behavior codes
in advance. Questions should be directed to the front office or the Leadership teacher, Carli Stralo, at cstralo@amhcs.org.
Sister Project
The Sister Project club will be creating hygiene kits to donate to Interfaith in Escondido. Please help us by donating the following items for our kits: razors, travel-size shampoo, bar soap, deodorant, etc. The dates of the drive are October 27–November 7. Please drop off items in the front office. For those students in Sister Project, you may bring the items with you to our next event on November 14.
Uniform Items Needed
If your student has outgrown uniform pieces, including outerwear and P.E. clothing, we will gladly take your new or gently used items. We often have students who need a change of clothing while they are at school, so it is helpful to have a supply of extra items on hand. Parents may drop off items at the front office or send them along with your student for drop off. Please contact the front office at 760-294-5599 with any questions.
Lost and Found
Due to the large number of items already in our Lost and Found, we are clearing out any uniform or PE clothing on Friday, November 7. All unclaimed clothing pieces without names will be washed and added to our donation cupboard. If your student is missing items, please encourage them to check the Lost and Found outside of Room 8 (Mrs. Jones' room) before the end of the day this Friday.
2025–2026 Yearbooks
The 2025/2026 yearbook is on sale now. It's a lasting way to look back on friends, milestones, and school spirit. Secure your student's copy while supplies last. Go to https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A01121139 to order your copy today.
8th Grade Yearbook Ads
If you are a parent of an 8th grader and would like to purchase a personalized ad in the yearbook to celebrate your student, space is very limited, so act now before all the ad space is sold out. Visit https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=2229818
to place your ad. Note: Ads are for 8th grade students only. The price for the ad does not include the cost of the yearbook.
Students participating in Dynamic Duo Day by representing the movie Napolean Dynamite.
A BBQ dad and his grill!
Announcements
NEW Breakfast & Lunch Meal Program
Heritage Junior will begin offering free breakfast and free lunch for ALL students starting Monday, November 3, 2025. Breakfast
will be available from 7:35–8:00 a.m. each morning and must be picked up BEFORE school. Students may eat their breakfast before class begins or during the morning nutrition break, but eating is not allowed in the classrooms.
Every student may receive a complete, nutritious breakfast and a complete lunch at absolutely no charge. There is no need to sign up, complete any forms or submit income applications; every student is automatically eligible. Finally, we will provide balanced, delicious meals that meet all federal and state nutrition guidelines. A menu will be shared in advance for families to consider for the upcoming week. November's menu is included below.
If your student has any dietary restrictions or allergies, please use the following forms to communicate your child's needs. Please note that it may take up to two weeks to accommodate your request.
Medical Statement Form: This form is for any meal accomodation requests (allergies, intolerance, other medical needs) and it must be signed by a medical professional. The exception to needing a medical professional's signature would be for any religious preferences, such as no pork or no meat.
Fluid Milk Substitution Form: This form can be filled out and signed by the parent or guardian. This form is for when Lactaid milk, soy milk, or oak milk is required or preferred by a student.
We look forward to serving our students healthy and delicious meals each day and welcome you to contact the front office at 760-294-5599 with any questions.
American Heritage Charter Schools 2026-2027 School Lottery Information
Lotteries for the 2026–2027 school year will open on October 14, 2025, 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 at https://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 at https://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 School: 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
Each month we will be focusing on a virtue to develop the hearts and minds of our students. November's virtue is Intentness, which is setting a realistic goal and concentrating on achievement by resisting all temptations and being determined and persistent. Here is a link to the poster. We will recognize our Intentness award recipients at our Wooden Wins Assembly on November 21, 2025, at the EVCC.
AHCS Musical Theater presents The Wizard of Oz
Ready to see a musical that will give you all the feels? Join us as AHCS 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 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)
Reminders
School Hours
Monday: 8:05 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday: 8:05 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.
Tutorial is offered Tuesday through Friday 3:10-3:50 p.m.
Punctuality Reminder
We need all of our parents’ support to ensure students arrive at school no later than 7:55 a.m. Students are able to arrive at school as early as 7:35 a.m. The expectation is for all students to be unpacked, seated, and ready to learn when the bell rings at 8:05 a.m. Being on time (or early!) is a sign of respect. Thanks for your support!
Drop-off and Pick-up
Enter at the southwest corner of the parking lot, drive straight to the East Valley Community Center, make a left and drive to the front of HJHS for drop-off/pick-up. See the traffic map here. Please be patient as the first few weeks are very busy.
Parents, please make sure that you are following our traffic pattern for drop-off and pick-up. Most of our families do a great job helping us by following the rules of the road in our drop-off and pick-up areas. Please note that these rules and regulations are in place to keep you, your students, and staff safe. Additionally, these guidelines are in place to keep our neighbors safe and able to use the roadways as designed. Please support us by following the rules and the law. We really appreciate your help!
Dress Code
All students are expected to wear uniforms. Please refer to the Heritage Junior High School Dress Code here for more details. Students may wear American Heritage Charter Schools (AHCS) spirit-wear every Friday. Please feel free to use this link to purchase uniform tops throughout the 2025-26 school year.
Tutorial
On August 26, 2025, HJHS started holding tutorials. Tutorial will be regularly held Tuesday through Friday after school from 3:10-3:50 p.m. Please use this linkfor reference. Students staying for tutorial, must remain on campus. They may not leave and come back to campus. If you would like to know if your student attended, please contact the front desk. We have students sign in every day for tutorial. If you need your student to leave early, then you must sign them out in the front office like a regular school day. Please note that tutorial is a privilege and students attending must be prepared to work on homework or ask for help. Tutorial will not run on modified or minimum days. Please feel encouraged to contact your student's teacher if you would like them to address specific needs.
Mark your calendars!
November 6–9: The Wizard of Oz at ECHS
November 11: Veterans Day (No School)
November 14: Veterans Day Assembly
November 20: Minimum Day (12:15 p.m. Dismissal)
November 21: Wooden Wins Assembly (Intentness)
November 24–28: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
December 16–18: Semester 1 Finals (12:15 p.m. Dismissal)
December 18: Last Day of Semester 1
December 19–January 2: Christmas Break (No School)
We appreciate you taking the time to read this important message. We want to encourage you to check for this email weekly and call the front office if you have any additional questions.
