Last week we completed our H.E.R.O. training and our students and staff did a fantastic job working through the material and taking it seriously. We also had an amazing Roman Day and Wooden Wins Assembly on Friday. Nice work!
This week our schedule will be business as usual except for Padres Day on Tuesday. The following week there will be no school on Columbus Day, Monday, October 12. Please take advantage of the three-day weekend. On Tuesday, the lottery opens, so please tell and recommend your friends. We would love to educate their students. On Thursday, we will be participating in the Great California Shakeout, completing our Drop/Hold/Cover Drill; and on Friday, we will be completing the second grading period of the first semester, marking the halfway point. That means it is a great time to check up on your student's academic progress and potentially schedule a Parent-Teacher Conference. See you there.
Thank you and go white tigers!
Sincerely,
Jason Gaylord
Principal
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.
Announcements
Padres Day — Tuesday, October 6
In hopes of pushing our San Diego Padres towards a series win, we are having Padres Day at HJHS on Tuesday, October 6. Students are invited to wear their favorite Padres gear to cheer on our local team. If students are wearing a Padres shirt, they may wear appropriate Free Dress bottoms, including jeans. Otherwise, students must wear their normal uniform top and bottom to school on Tuesday. Feel free to call the front office at 760-294-5599 with any questions.
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
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.
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.
No Tutorial until Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
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
Mark your calendars!
October 6: Padres Day
October 12: Columbus Day (No School)
October 13: Lottery for 2027/2028 School Year Opens
October 15: Drop/Hold/Cover and Evacuation Drill
October 16: End of Grading Period
October 19: Non-Student Day for Parent/Teachers Conferences
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
November 11: Veterans Day (No School)
November 13: Veterans Day / Wooden Wins Assembly
November 19: Minimum Day (12:15 p.m. Dismissal)
November 23–27: Thanksgiving Break (No School)
*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.
