We are on Super Week 8, and it is going to be a good one. We will be completing our HERO training throughout the week and on Friday we will be having Roman Day and a Wooden Wins Assembly for Ambition and Sincerity. It should be a lot of fun.
Please make sure to speak to your student at home about the seriousness and importance of HERO training. We want all students to complete the training safely and appropriately. Thank you in advance for having those conversations about why we have HERO training.
Here are a few updates: Several of our after-school programs are up and running. Tutorial runs from Tuesday to Friday from 3:10 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. The robotics team and Guitar Club are meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays. Athletics for cross-country, volleyball, and flag football are in full swing. Leadership, art, and chess are meeting on Wednesdays. If your student wants to get involved but doesn't know how, then just have them let me know and I will get them connected.
Finally, we have parent-teacher conferences up and coming. If you have not checked on your student's grades so far, then please do so using ParentVue. If you do not have access, then please visit our front office. We will be reaching out to parents we believe should have priority for a conference and signing up students for mandatory tutorial. Please keep a look-out in your inbox.
Thank you and go white tigers!
Sincerely,
Jason Gaylord
Principal
Students in Mrs. Franklin's Humanities 7 class voting and discussing which events impacted the assassination of Cesear.
Action Items
Sign Up for Parent/Teacher Conferences
The Heritage Junior High School faculty would like to invite you to attend Parent/Teacher Conferences to discuss any issues or concerns that you may have. Conferences are not required, but we recommend that you schedule a time to meet with your student's teachers if they are earning below a C grade or if clarification is needed for course and teacher expectations. Parent communication between home and school is extremely critical in providing an effective instructional environment for our children. Our teachers truly appreciate the support that you give your child in his/her education while at home.
This year's formal Parent/Teacher Conference schedule is as follows:
Monday, October 19, 2026: 7:40 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday–Friday, October 20–23: 2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
To request a meeting with your student's teachers, please use the link HERE to sign up. If you would like to meet with two teachers, we suggest you schedule back-to-back appointments using each teacher's link. However, if you would like to meet with three or more teachers, please call the front office at 760-294-5599, and we will coordinate a single meeting for the group, if possible. We also offer the option to schedule a telephone call rather than an in-person meeting, if that is more convenient for you. Finally, if you require a different date or time than we have listed, please do not hesitate to call the front office so that we may schedule something more convenient for you.
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.
Various photos from Back-to-School Night.
Announcements
NEW — Entreprekid After School Workshop
Sister Project
The next Sister Project event is planned for Friday, October 16, from 3:35 - 5:00 p.m. at the ECHS Student Union. Please RSVP using THIS
link. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Franklin at efranklin@amhcs.org.
Travel to Italy
We’re thrilled to share that we’re heading to Italy in Summer 2028, and your student is invited! This life-changing experience will help students build confidence, independence, and a global perspective. We’re holding a one-time informational meeting to share everything you need to know — and spots on this trip are limited. This trip is open to both HJHS and ECHS students (as well as parents)!
Find meeting info and RSVP HERE. Note: This is a non-school-sponsored trip that is offered through EF Tours. Should you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Kemp, 10th Grade History Teacher — Escondido Charter High School at ckemp@amhcs.org.
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.
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. October's menu is featured below, but you can also find September's REVISED menu HERE
for the last few days of the month.
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.
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.
Students from Mr. Reister's Humanities 8 class practicing a team-building activity related to John Winthrop's ideas about a society working together.
Athletics
Miss Corr's class reenacting the funeral of Cesear and discussing what happened to all of his belongings after he died.
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.
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!
September 29: Robotics Team Meeting (3:10–4:30 p.m.) / Yearbook Crew Meeting (3:10–3:50 p.m.) / Guitar (3:10–3:50 p.m.)
September 30: Leadership Meeting (3:10–3:50 p.m.) / Last Day to Purchase Discounted Yearbook / Chess Team (3:10–4:10 p.m.) / Art (3:10–3:50 p.m.)
October 1: Robotics Team Meeting (3:10–4:30) / Guitar (3:10–3:50 p.m.) / Entreprekid Workshop (3:15–4:30 p.m.)
October 2: Roman Day / Gladiator Games House Competition / Wooden Wins Assembly / Crochet (3:10–3:50 p.m.)
October 6: Robotics Team Meeting (3:10–4:30) / Yearbook Crew Meeting (3:10–3:50 p.m.) / Guitar (3:10–3:50 p.m.)
October 7: Leadership Meeting (3:10–3:50 p.m.) / Chess Team (3:10–4:10 p.m.) / Art (3:10–3:50 p.m.)
October 8: Robotics Team Meeting (3:10–4:30) / Guitar (3:10–3:50 p.m.) / Entreprekid Workshop (3:15–4:30 p.m.)
October 9: Crochet (3:10–3:50 p.m.)
October 12: Columbus Day (No School)
October 13: Robotics Team Meeting (3:10–4:30) / Yearbook Crew Meeting (3:10–3:50 p.m.) / Guitar (3:10–3:50 p.m.)
October 14: Leadership Meeting (3:10–3:50 p.m.) / Chess Team (3:10–4:10 p.m.) / Art (3:10–3:50 p.m.)
October 15: Drop/Hold/Cover and Evacuation Drill / Robotics Team Meeting (3:10–4:30) / Guitar (3:10–3:50 p.m.) / Entreprekid Workshop (3:15–4:30 p.m.)
October 16: Sister Project at ECHS / End of Grading Period / Crochet (3:10–3:50 p.m.)
October 19: Non-Student Day for Parent/Teachers Conferences
October 20: Robotics Team Meeting (3:10–4:30)
October 20–23, 2026: Parent/Teachers Conferences (2:10 p.m. Release) / No Tutorial, Leadership, Yearbook, or Guitar After School
October 26-30: Spirit Week
October 28: Leadership Meeting (3:10–3:50 p.m.) / Chess Team (3:10–4:10 p.m.) / Art (3:10–3:50 p.m.)
October 29: Robotics Team Meeting (3:10–4:30) / Guitar (3:10–3:50 p.m.) / Entreprekid Workshop (3:15–4:30 p.m.)
October 30: Crochet (3:10–3:50 p.m.)
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.
