I hope that everyone is enjoying the cooler and wetter weather! It is nice to finally have a break from the heat. Because of the changing of the seasons and more activities being done inside, make sure to remind your students of good hygiene habits, specifically reminding them to regularly wash their hands.
Last week we had a really successful round of Parent-Teacher Conferences. I appreciate all of you who attended. It means a lot. Please know that regardless of the time of year, you may always request a parent-teacher conference.
Last Tuesday, we also had a successful celebration of our 30th Anniversary. Please mark your calendars and know that October 20 is AHCS Day in the city of Escondido. Fun stuff. Nice work to the entire AHCS team and our students!
This week our schedule returns to normal with 3:05 p.m. release time Tuesday through Friday. We will also be having some fun because it is Spirit Week! Please read further to be in the know for those days.
Thank you and go white tigers!
Sincerely,
Jason Gaylord
Principal
Action Items
HJHS/HFA Annual Fall Dance
If you prefer to use a link to access the permission slip, please click HERE. And, if you would prefer to access the dress and behavior code via a link, please click HERE. Questions should be directed to the front office at 760-297-5599.
7th Grade Safari Park Field Trip
All seventh-grade students are invited to participate in a full-day, no-cost educational field trip to the San Diego Safari Park on Friday, November 6, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Students will be transported to/from HJHS and the Safari Park via charter bus. To attend, parents/guardians must submit the electronic permission slip linked HEREor complete and return a hardcopy version no later than Friday, October 30, 2026, in order to participate in the field trip.
Announcements
Don't Miss Out: Order Your Yearbook Today! Our special 30th Anniversary HJHS Yearbook is now available to purchase! Save money and buy your yearbook before the price goes up! The yearbook is only $30 until September 30, 2026. After that, the price will go up to $35. Last year, we sold out of yearbooks, so ensure your student gets theirs by ordering online HERE.
8th Grade Only — Yearbook Recognition Ads If you are a parent of an HJHS 8th grade student, and you wish to purchase a recognition ad in the yearbook, you may do so using THIS
link.
Please note the following: 1) There is limited space available in the yearbook for recognition ads. Once the space is gone, we will be unable to allow additional ads; 2) Purchasing an ad does NOT include the cost of the yearbook.
Wooden Wins
Each month we will be focusing on a virtue to develop the hearts and minds of our students. October’s virtue is Adaptability, which is the ability to adjust to new situations, challenges, and opportunities with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. 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 Adaptability recipients at our Wooden Wins Assembly on November 13, 2026, in the East Valley Community Center (EVCC) Gym, adjacent to the HJHS campus.
Breakfast and Lunch Menu
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.
Athletics
Off-Campus Activities
Willy Wonka, Jr. — Ticket Sales Open
AHCS Musical Theater presents Willy Wonka Jr.: Step into a world of pure imagination! Join us as American Heritage Charter School students of all ages showcase their incredible talents in this year’s sweet and sensational production of Willy Wonka Jr.! This show is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth and ignite your sense of wonder. Grab your Golden Ticket and follow us into a magical factory packed with scrumptious songs, hilarious antics, and spectacular sights! Tickets are on sale now, with shows at the American Spirit Theater on the Escondido Charter High School campus from November 5–8. Be sure to lock in your seats early, as ticket prices will increase starting October 31. Check out the showtimes below and click here to purchase your tickets—it’s a golden opportunity for fun you won’t want to miss!
SHOWTIMES:
Thursday, November 5*
5:00 p.m. (GOLDEN TICKET CAST) *Students $5 cash at the door while supplies last
Friday, November 6
7:00 p.m. (WONKA BAR CAST)
Saturday, November 7
2:00 p.m. (WONKA BAR CAST)
7:00 p.m. (GOLDEN TICKET CAST)
Sunday, November 8
2:00 p.m. (GOLDEN TICKET CAST)
7:00 p.m. (WONKA BAR CAST
Sister Project
To help us plan thoughtfully for each event, future Sister Project participation will be limited to students who have previously attended or are on the Flower Families list on Google Classroom. Thank you for your understanding! Google Classroom Code: jptymjiy. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Franklin at efranklin@amhcs.org.
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 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.
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!
Around Campus
Students participated in the AHCS 30th Anniversary Event by reciting Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and "O Captain! My Captain!" by Walt Whitman.
Mark your calendars!
October 26-30: Spirit Week
November 6: 7th Grade Safari Park Field Trip
November 10: First Rehearsal for Chorus
November 11: Veterans Day (No School)
November 13: Veterans Day / Wooden Wins Assembly / Fall Dance
November 19: Minimum Day (12:15 p.m. Dismissal)
November 20: Leadership Field Trip
November 23–27: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
December 4: Wooden Wins Assembly / Reindeer Games
December 15–17: Fall Final Exams and Minimum Day (12:15 p.m. Dismissal)
December 17: Last Day of Semester One
December 18–January 1: Christmas Break
January 4: First Day of Semester Two
*Please see the tutorial schedule and after-school activities linked at the top of this page.
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.
