We want to wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving. I hope that all of your students are able to enjoy the break and spend plenty of time with family and friends. It is much deserved.
When we get back from Thanksgiving Break, please note that we will only have three weeks left with the final week of school for finals!!! Encourage your students to finish out the year strong and continue to reach out if you are in need of support. The first Friday back we will be having a Wooden Wins Assembly and Reindeer Games, so get those ugly sweaters ready!
Go White Tigers!
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jason Gaylord
Principal
Action Items
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.
Announcements
Sister Project
The annual white elephant gift exchange and holiday party will be on Friday, December 12, at the ECHS student union from 3:30–5:00 p.m. Bring a holiday snack to share with the group and a gift to swap ($10-$15 price range). Please contact Mrs. Scaramuzza (jscaramuzza@amhcs.org) with any questions.
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. 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. December's virtue is Condition, which is a combination of mental, moral, and physical. Rest, exercise, and diet must be considered. Moderation must be practiced. Dissipation (wildness/vice) must be eliminated. Here is a link to the poster. We will recognize our Condition award recipients at our Wooden Wins Assembly on January 30, 2026, at the EVCC.
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!
December 5: Reindeer Games / Wooden Wins Assembly
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)
January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)
January 20–23: Parent/Teacher Conferences (2:10 p.m. Dismissal)
January 30: First Semester Academic Awards / Wooden Wins Assembly
February 13: Lincoln's Birthday (No School)
February 16: President's Day (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.
