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.
Principal's Note
Dear Heritage Junior High School Families,
Welcome back White Tiger Families! We are ready for the home stretch! Just a little over a month and a half, and we will be closing the books on the 25/26 school year!
For our ELL students, we will be completing ELPAC testing throughout the week. This will be the speaking portion of the test. It should take roughly thirty minutes per student. Encourage your students at home to do their best.
For our seventh grade families, please join us for a mandatory Catalina Parent Meeting at the MPR at Heritage Elementary. We plan to get started at 6 p.m. sharp and the meeting should take about forty-five minutes. Also, if you would like to be a chaperon on the trip, it is a good idea to sign up and get started with completing your paperwork. There is limited space for parent chaperones. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thank you.
Go White Tigers!
Sincerely,
Jason Gaylord
Several students had the opportunity to trade places with HJHS teachers by teaching the day's lesson and even coaching students through their PE class. The experience gave our "Student Teachers" a new appreciation for just how challenging it can be to manage a classroom, while having a great deal of fun in the process. Excellent job done by all!
Action Items
Catalina Field Trip — Parent Informational Meeting for Current 7th Grade Students
Heritage Junior High School and Heritage Flex Academy are excited to announce an informational meeting for the parents of our 7th grade students to discuss plans for the 8th grade trip to the Catalina Island Marine Institute for the 2026/2027 school year.
The Catalina Island field trip experience is designed to build camaraderie among the 8th grade students as they prepare to enter high school, and it directly supports the middle school science curriculum. The field trip consists of a 3-day adventure from September 7–9, 2026. Students will be transported from the HJHS/HFA campus to Long Beach, where they will then board a ferry to be transported to Toyon Bay, one of the most beautiful and ecologically diverse locations on Catalina Island. Upon arrival, Catalina Marine Institute (CIMI) Toyon Bay will provide science curriculum instruction, marine science learning opportunities, snorkeling, kayaking, and a host of other activities. Students will be lodged in dorms and will be supervised by school faculty and parent chaperones.
The informational meeting will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at Heritage Elementary located at 1855 E. Valley Parkway. Jason Gaylord, Principal of Heritage Junior High School, will present details of the science camp field trip, provide families with an overview of what the trip entails, and answer any questions. Parents interested in chaperoning (spots are limited) may sign up at the parent meeting. We hope to see you there!
NEW Attendance Email Address
We have launched a new 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.
Order Your Student's Yearbook Before It's Too Late
For the past four years, we have sold out of yearbooks before the last day of school, so get yours while they are still available. You can order your student's 2025/2026 yearbook by clicking HERE.
Announcements
Sister Project
The last Sister Project meeting of the year will be Friday, April 10, in the ECHS theater. The theme is "movie night" with pizza, water and snacks. Please bring a snack to share. Questions should be directed to Mrs. Scaramuzza at jscaramuzza@amhcs.org.
AHCS Musical Theater Presents Footloose
Get out your favorite sweat band because Footloose is coming to ECHS! Footloose, set in the '80s, tells the story of Ren, who sets out to prove that "Dancing is Not a Crime" along with the unavoidable adjustment of moving from Chicago to a small farming town (with no cell phones). When we hope "Somebody's Eyes" are watching, we hope they're yours! Footloose tickets
go on sale on March 14th, with shows at the American Spirit Theater on the Escondido Charter High School campus from April 16–19. The cast list is HERE. Ticket cost is $13.
Showtimes and Pre-Show Activities:
Thursday, April 16
5:00 p.m. (Bomont Cast): For this show, all students will be able to buy tickets at the door, $5 cash/Google/Apple Pay, first come, first served while supplies last. Pre-show activity: costume contest!
7:00 p.m. (Bomont Cast): Pre-show activity: learn the Footloose dance with a cast member!
Sunday, April 19
2:00 p.m. (Bomont Cast)
7:00 p.m. (Chicago Cast): Pre-show activity: learn the Footloose dance with a cast member!
2026-2027 AHCS Calendars
Parents and guardians, the 2026–2027 Calendars
are here. Please feel free to download and/or print this calendar, so that you are in the know about what is coming up next year. Things are moving quickly. What better way to get and be prepared? Go White Tigers!!!
Wooden Wins
Each month we will be focusing on a virtue to develop the hearts and minds of our students. April's virtue is Confidence, which means respecting without fear. It may come from being prepared and keeping all things in proper perspective. Here is a link to the poster. We will recognize our Confidence award recipients at our Wooden Wins Assembly on April 24, 2026, at the EVCC.
Breakfast & Lunch Meal Program
Heritage Junior is now offering 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. April'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.
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.
Attendance Reminder
If a student is absent or will be late for school, please contact the front office at 760-294-5599. We have an answering machine, so calls made before or after school hours will be recorded. For the safety of our students, it is important that all students are accounted for by 8:30 a.m. each morning. For absences due to illness, students must be fever free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school. Thank you for your support and assistance.
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!
April 9: Catalina Island Field Trip — Parent Informational Meeting for Current 7th Grade Students
April 10: Sister Project Meeting
April 24: Wooden Wins Assembly / ECHS Cheer Tryouts
April 28–May 8: State Testing
May 1: 8th Grade Knott's Berry Farm Field Trip
May 22–May 27: Spring Final Exams and Minimum Day (12:15 p.m. Dismissal)
May 25: Memorial Day (No School)
May 28: Last Day of School / Wooden Wins & Awards Assembly / Promotion / Minimum Day (12:15 p.m. Dismissal)
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.
