Our mission is to develop the hearts and minds of our students through a rigorous core curriculum with a perspective that cherishes timeless virtues and the American Spirit.
I want to thank everyone for making sure that their students were well-prepared for state testing. The vast majority of our students showed up ready to crush those tests because of the hard work of parents, teachers, and themselves. I truly appreciate everyone's efforts and doing their best. Ultimately, these tests do matter to the success of our school and students. Bravo!
I want to thank all the parent chaperones who helped ensure that we had an amazing trip to Knott's Berry Farm. Our eighth graders are truly an amazing class, and I am happy we were able to give them one more good memory before promotion. You rock!
This week our focus is going to be on the teachers. It is Teacher Appreciate Week! Each year I am genuinely impressed and touched by the outpouring of generosity and love all of our families show our staff. It is amazing and well deserved. If you would like to help make our teachers' week extra special, please contact our front desk or complete this brief form, so that we may prepare for your generosity.
Finally, on Friday, we will be having the Tiger Olympics. This is an awesome and fun event. All of our students and staff members participate, building connections and camaraderie. If you would like to help out at a water station or at an event, then please contact Coach Cozzi at acozzi@amhcs.org or our front desk. We would love to have you.
8th grade students from HJHS and HFA will have the opportunity to come together on Friday, May 15, for the annual 8th Grade Hangout. Students in attendance will have the chance to socialize with their friends, listen to music, play a number of outdoor games, and celebrate their time as a junior high student.
When: Friday, May 15, 2026, 6:00–8:00 p.m. (Students should be picked up promptly at 8:00 p.m. and they are not permitted to walk from the event.)
Where: Heritage Junior High School located at 2255 East Valley Parkway
How: Please click HERE to access the permission slip and payment portal. The cost for the event is $6 per student, which includes a ticket for one Kona Ice; additional snacks will be available for purchase with cash at the event. Tickets must be purchased no later than midnight on Thursday, May 14. Refunds will not be issued.
Order your yearbook before they sell out! As the end of the school year approaches, we wanted to let you know there is a limited supply of yearbooks left, and we sell out every year. If you have not ordered your student’s yearbook yet, now is the time. Don’t miss out on all the HJHS moments and memories that shaped the 2025-2026 school year!
Reserve your copy now at Jostens. Yearbooks are $35.
Uniform Donations Needed
If you happen to do any spring-cleaning in the coming weeks, please remember that our campus is happy to accept uniform items that your student has outgrown. As long as items are clean and free of holes or stains, we would love to take them off your hands. We have a donation cupboard that is regularly used by students who are out-of-dress code, with clothing mishaps, or for those who just need extra uniform pieces. Items can be dropped off at the front office whenever convenient and your donation will be put to good use.
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.
8th grade students recovering after state testing!
Announcements
Attention All 8th Grade Student Athletes
If you are interested in playing a fall sport next year as a first-year student with ECHS, you and your parents must attend the Fall Draft this coming Monday, May 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the American Spirit Theater located at the high school. This is an opportunity to hear from the coaches, meet the athletic director, and learn more about all the requirements to participate in the sports program as a high school student! PLease direct any questions to the front office at ECHS at 760-737-3154.
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. May's virtue is Competitive Greatness, which means being at your best when your best is needed, as well as having a sense of enjoyment when the challenge is difficult. Here is a link to the poster. We will recognize our Competitive Greatness award recipients at our Wooden Wins Assembly on May 28, 2026, at the EVCC.
8th Grade Catalina Field Trip (for Current 7th Grade Students)
Rising 8th grade students have the opportunity to attend an exciting and educational overnight field trip to Catalina Island on September 7–9, 2026. The all-inclusive cost for this year’s trip is $415/person. Parents are welcome to pay in full when making the initial deposit, however, we have also established a payment plan as follows:
Friday, May 8, 2026: Initial Deposit of $215 Due
Friday, June 12, 2026: First Installment Payment of $100 Due
Friday, July 17, 2026: Final Installment Payment of $100 Due
Click HERE for the link to reserve your student’s spot and make an initial deposit for the 2026 Catalina field trip. If your student needs a prescription medication or an over-the-counter product that is not provided by the camp, please click HERE for the Medication Authorization and Plan. The form must be completed by a physician and returned to the front office no later than September 1st.
If you are in need of financial support, please contact our front office at 760-297-5599, so that we may work with you. The front office team is happy to help with general field trip questions as well, so please reach out.
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. The menu for May 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!
May 4–May 8: State Testing Make-Ups
May 8: Deposit for Catalina Field Trip Due
May 15: Eighth Grade Hangout and End of the Year BBQ
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.
