Thank you for helping us have a great second week of school. It is nice to start getting into the flow of things and learning a little bit about all of our students! Remember that next week tutorial will begin on Tuesday, August 25 and run from 3:10 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. All students staying for the tutorial must stay the entire session and not walk off campus after school. Additionally, please have your student start to pay attention to morning announcements as clubs start the next couple of weeks.
Here are a few action items I need from you to have a successful school year. Make sure that during drop off and pick up you are following our traffic pattern. Making sudden left turns and not going around the entire parking lot, puts you and others at risk. Be smart. Be safe! If you are having your student wait in the Dominoes parking lot after school, please note that we do not have supervision there, and that area can be dangerous. Please communicate to your student the importance of being vigilant and aware of their surroundings. Also, make sure they understand the importance of being respectful to those businesses. We do not want to lose the flexibility of being able to use that area.
We have nearly 100 junior high families who still need to complete this form for the 2026/2027 school year. If you have not already done so, please use the above link to submit your family's information as soon as possible. The form was originally emailed to parents on July 8 with a submission deadline of July 31, 2026.
The data collected from these forms is used to determine eligibility and provide important funding for programs that directly benefit our students, school, and community.
Parents are required to submit one (1) form that includes ALL children attending American Heritage Charter Schools in grades TK-12.
We also need all students and parents to sign our Parent/Student Handbook Acknowledgment Forms by using this link. The link will allow parents to review the 2026/2027 Parent/Student Handbook prior to signing the acknowledgment forms. Students reviewed the handbook with their teachers last week and should be familiar with the contents.
If your student requires prescription and/or over-the-counter medication during school hours, it must be stored and administered by the front office. A Medication Authorization Form, signed by both the child's doctor and parent, must accompany the medication. Medication must be provided in the original packaging or in a prescription bottle, including dosage instructions. The form is linked HERE for your convenience. Note: This process may be useful for parents who would like to have basic over-the-counter medications in the office for their student's occasional headache, stomach ache or cramps.
Announcements
Picture Day THIS Friday
Students will be taking their 2026/2027 school photo during their P.E. class on Friday, August 28, 2026. Students may come to school in free dress, adhering to our Free Dress Policy. Students not wearing appropriate attire will need to contact home and retake photos on our make-up picture date scheduled for September 4, 2026. Students absent on Picture Day will also have the opportunity to take their school photo on the make-up date.
Students will receive proofs within a few weeks of Picture Day, allowing parents and students to select their favorite pose for the yearbook. If you would like to purchase photos, online order instructions will be included with your student's proofs.
Second Semester Awards
We will be holding our Second Semester Awards (based on your student's Spring 2025/2026 performance) on Friday, August 28, 2026, in the EVCC Gym from 2:10-3:05 p.m. Parents of students recognized should have already been contacted via email informing them that their student is receiving an award. If you are unsure if your student is receiving an award, then please feel free to contact the front office.
Helpful Links
We have placed a number of helpful links at the top of our Weekly Notes page for quick reference to key documents. Please take a quick look at the options above so that you know where to find information throughout the school year. One of the most used links is our Homework/Home Study Document, which shows the work/assignment covered in each class daily so that absent students can stay on track. ParentVUE and StudentVUE can be accessed through the Grades Portal link, which allows parents and students to stay on top of missing assignments and grades by class. We hope you find these quick access documents helpful!
Breakfast & Lunch Meal Program
Heritage Junior offers free breakfast and free lunch for ALL students. Breakfast is 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. August'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 accommodation 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.
Mandatory Catalina Planning Meeting THIS Thursday Evening (Eighth Graders Attending Catalina Field Trip ONLY)
We will be having a mandatory meeting for the Eighth Grade Field Trip on Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. at Heritage Elementary in the MPR. All families who paid, or requested assistance, have a spot for their eighth grader. If you are unsure, for whatever reason, please contact the front office. This is going to be a great experience, and we are very excited for your student to participate.
Here are the items we will be covering at the meeting:
Expectations
Departure and Arrival
Where we will be staying
What to bring and how to pack
Activities
Who to contact in case of an emergency?
If your student takes daily medication or requires an inhaler or EpiPen while on the field trip, your child's physician must complete and sign the Medication Authorization Form also linked HERE. Medications for Catalina must be turned in no later than Tuesday, September 1.
Wooden Wins
Each month we will be focusing on a virtue to develop the hearts and minds of our students. This month’s virtue is Ambition, the strong desire to achieve greatness and accomplish something worthwhile. Here is a link to the poster. Please feel free to use this resource to speak to your kids about virtue at home. We will recognize our Ambition recipients at our Wooden Wins Assembly on October 2, 2026, in the East Valley Community Center (EVCC) Gym, adjacent to the HJHS campus.
Staffing Update
Mr. Liuag has become a new father and will be on paternity leave through the end of August, returning on September 1. During his absence, we are pleased to have Mrs. Sara Mass join us as your guest teacher for Humanities 8. Mrs. Mass has been a valued part of our organization, bringing extensive experience to our campus, and we are thrilled to have her with us. Please feel free to reach out to Mr. Gaylord if you have any questions.
Athletics
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.
No Tutorial until Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
Attendance Email Address
We have an electronic means for parents to communicate student absences. If it is more convenient, please feel free to email us at hjhsattendance@amhcs.org
to communicate absences from school. This email may also be used to share dates of extended absences requiring independent study. If you prefer a phone call, we are happy to speak with you at 760-297-5599. We have a voice mail system that will record your message after business hours. We appreciate your continued support in managing attendance at HJHS.
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 2026-27 school year.
Mark your calendars!
August 25: First Day of Tutorials (3:05–3:50 p.m.)
August 26: Sister Project Information Meeting (Within the School Day)
August 27: Catalina Parent Meeting (6:00 p.m. at Heritage Elementary)
August 28: Picture Day and Second Semester Awards Assembly
August 31: Fall Sports Try-Outs (2:30–4:00 p.m.)
September 1: Fall Sports Try-Outs (3:30–5:00 p.m.)
September 3: Secure Campus / Evacuation Drill
September 4: Make-Up Picture Day
September 7: Labor Day (No School)
September 7–9: 8th Grade Catalina Field Trip
September 11: Patriot Day Assembly
September 17: Back-to-School Night (6:30 p.m.)
September 18: Back-to-School BBQ
September 21: Half-Day (12:15 p.m. dismissal)
September 24: Alternate Evacuation Drill
October 2: Roman Day / Wooden Wins Assembly
October 15: Drop/Hold/Cover and Evacuation Drill
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.
