As we welcome the official start of fall and enter our second grading period, it is an ideal moment to reflect on our students’ growth. Over the past two months, our school focus has centered on two foundational blocks from Coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success: Ambition and Sincerity.
In our school community, ambition isn't about seeking personal praise or winning at all costs; it is about setting worthy personal goals, striving for continuous improvement, and daring to tackle new challenges. Sincerity complements this ambition by grounding our students in authenticity, fostering honest self-reflection, genuine effort in their daily work, and true kindness toward peers. Together, these traits teach our children to reach high while staying true to themselves, whether in the classroom, on the field, or on the stage.
We have seen these values in action across our entire campus:
In the Classroom: Students are taking ownership of their learning and tackling new concepts with sincere dedication. A special thank-you to Nurse Garcia, who brought science to life by teaching several classes about anatomy, body systems, and personal health.
In Electives and Athletics: Our art, PE, and music programs continue to blend discipline with imagination, providing a daily reminder that academic growth, physical health, and artistic expression must work in harmony to develop the whole child.
On the Field: A major highlight was the Fall Cheer Clinic, where our younger students trained alongside ECHS cheerleaders and performed with them at a varsity football game. Their enthusiasm, hard work, and genuine pride brought our school spirit to life!
In Our Community: We recently celebrated our 5th- and 6th-grade scholars at our Academic Awards Assemblies. In an inspiring moment perfectly timed for Constitution Day, Ms. Neptune’s current and former fifth-grade students led an impromptu recitation of the Preamble to the Constitution. It was a wonderful testament to the culture of learning and the community our teachers build every day. Between student motivators, spirited chants, corny jokes, and raffle prizes, it was a joy to celebrate these achievements alongside so many proud families.
As we settle into the steady rhythm of the second grading period, your partnership at home remains our greatest asset. Parents of students in grades 4–6 can check the Grades Portal this week for updated progress reports. Beyond reviewing grades, I encourage you to ask your child about a specific challenge they faced recently and how they worked through it. Taking time to praise their honest effort and perseverance at home powerfully reinforces the character traits we are building together at school.
Thank you for your dedication to nurturing creative, resilient, and virtuous leaders. Please review the important announcements below for upcoming events and updates for the weeks ahead.
Yours in learning,
Marc Gilbertson
Important Announcements:
Upcoming Minimum Day (12:00 p.m.): Mark your calendars for Monday, September 21, our first minimum day, with 12:00 noon student dismissal for staff training.
End of the Grading Period:The first grading period ended on Friday for the students in grades 4-6. We encourage all parents to check the Grades Portal
to stay up-to-date on their child’s academic progress, and please consult the syllabus for your child’s class for information about missing/late assignments. If parents are having trouble accessing the grades portal, please email Mrs. Cook <lcook@amhcs.org> or give us a call at (760) 737-3111.
Student Portraits: We hope you are pleased with the picture proofs that came home with your student last week. For those interested in purchasing photos, please visit the Gerardy website, and use the ordering information found on your child’s picture proofs. Wednesday, September 23 is the ordering deadline.
On Time, All the Time: All students need to be in their seats and ready to learn each morning before the 8:00 a.m. starting bell.
Student drop-off begins at 7:35 a.m. (note: no supervision for students will be available before 7:35 a.m.).
Breakfast will be available for students in the MPR each school day until 7:50 a.m.
Mondays are modified days with 2:00 p.m. dismissal.
Tuesdays through Fridays are regular days with 2:45 p.m. student dismissal.
Now would be a great time to check out the bell schedule
and enter the scheduled 12:00 noon minimum days on your family calendar.
Free Family Fun: Explore Hands-On Science at Scripps Discovery Day! Join the Scripps Research Outreach team for Discovery Day on Saturday, October 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Scripps Research Auditorium Courtyard in La Jolla! This free event invites students and families to explore interactive activity stations, enjoy chemistry demonstrations, and chat with scientists in a fun, casual setting. It is a fantastic opportunity to experience hands-on scientific discovery and learn about the groundbreaking work happening right in our community. Pre-registration is requested—visit scripps.edu/discoveryday or scan the QR code on the linked flyer
to sign up.
A Note Regarding School Lunches: To ensure our students have a focused and uninterrupted learning environment, we kindly ask parents to avoid dropping off lunches at the main office. While we know life gets busy, midday deliveries create significant logistical challenges. Due to high office volume, we cannot guarantee that dropped-off meals will reach students before their scheduled lunch period ends. To help your student have a smooth lunch break, please ensure your child arrives at school with a packed lunch in the morning or chooses a lunch provided by our school-lunch program. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our front office efficient and our classrooms free of distractions!
Free Breakfast and Lunch Program: Every Heritage Elementary student is eligible for a nutritious, no-cost breakfast
and lunch, with no application required. For questions regarding student allergies or dietary restrictions, please contact our main office at (760) 737-3111.
Please note that menus are subject to change, but this week's scheduled menu is listed below. For the full month's menu, please visit the "Meal Menu" link, always available in the quick links above.
Walk-off Authorization Forms: If your child is walking home after school, a Walk-off Authorization Form will need to be completed and kept on file in the front office. All authorization forms must be approved by the Principal before students will be permitted to walk off campus, so please submit this form to the front office as soon as possible.
Calling on Volunteers!: There are so many wonderful ways for parents, grandparents, and family members to support our students and school community this year. Whether you have 30 minutes or a few hours, we’d love to have you on board!
Library Support: If you love books, organization, and seeing kids fall in love with reading, Mrs. El-Hayek needs your help in the library! If interested, contact Mrs. El-Hayek at hk6library@amhcs.org.
Campus & Classroom Support: From working with students in classrooms to supervising lunch recess, there are endless ways to make a difference throughout the year. Reach out to the main office at (760) 737-3111.
After-School Programs: There is still space available for our students in the after-school program offered at the Boys and Girls Club; students in this after-school program are bussed after school from our campus to their Escondido location on Woodard Avenue. Parents and guardians interested in the Boys and Girls Club program are requested to call (760) 746-3315 for more information.
Medications on Campus: If your student needs to take medication (prescription or over-the-counter) during school hours, you must submit a completed Medication Authorization Form. This form must be filled out by your healthcare provider, and a parent signature is required. Medication must be in its original container. All medications will be stored in the nurse’s office. Please contact Mrs. Janelle Garcia at nurse@amhcs.org if you have any questions.
YMCA Adventure Clubs: This enriching program offers a unique outdoor bonding opportunity for girls and their dads. Multiple Heritage families participate in this program, and they'd like to share it with you! Meet new friends, learn valuable life skills, and have a great time in a safe, wholesome environment with weekend camping experiences at some of the most amazing southern California outdoor destinations. Clubs are also available for dads & sons, moms & daughters, and moms & sons. Please check out the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA website
for more information.
Wooden Wins! Pyramid of Success
After launching our school year in August with Ambition, Heritage Elementary School moves into September focused on SINCERITY. Sincerity means being real, honest, and true in what we say and do: speaking and acting genuinely from the heart, without pretending or trying to trick others. As Coach John Wooden famously stated, "Sincerity may not help us make friends, but it will help us keep them."
As September brings our first full month of the semester, classroom expectations expand and academic momentum grows. Sincerity ensures that our ambition is grounded in genuine effort and authentic relationships. It encourages students to move past superficial pretense and focus on true character, honest scholarship, and lasting bonds with classmates and teachers.
In the classroom, sincerity looks like:
Authentic Effort: Giving genuine, wholehearted effort on daily assignments, rather than seeking shortcuts or doing the bare minimum.
Truthful Speech: Expressing oneself in a truthful, genuine way, admitting mistakes, and taking full responsibility for one's actions.
Pure Intentions: Acting out of the goodness of one's heart rather than solely for praise, external recognition, or the promise of a reward.
For our classical education approach, sincerity is directly connected to the pursuit of Truth. In a classical learning environment, we seek knowledge with an open and honest heart. Benjamin Franklin (American Founding Father, scientist, and writer) famously selected sincerity as one of his core virtues for a successful life, writing: "Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."
Ways Our Students Are Practicing Sincerity
As our daily schedule settles into full gear this month, our students are putting sincerity into action through these specific habits:
Building Lasting Friendships: Following the initial excitement of August, students are focusing on genuine kindness and loyalty, learning Coach Wooden's lesson that sincerity helps us build and keep deep, trusted friendships.
Honest Academic Engagement: As the pace of study increases across all subjects, students practice sincerity by asking genuine questions when confused and submitting work that reflects their true best effort.
Taking Personal Responsibility: When missteps occur on the playground or in class, students practice owning their actions honestly without making excuses or shifting blame.
Authentic Class Discussions: During recitations and Socratic discussions, students express their true thoughts respectfully and speak genuinely from the heart.
Practicing Sincerity at School and Home
We encourage families to nurture this essential virtue at home through these small, meaningful habits:
Speak with Integrity: Practice saying what you mean and meaning what you say, ensuring your words and actions are genuine and free of deceit.
Act Without Expecting Rewards: Encourage your child to serve around the house or help a sibling simply from the goodness of their heart, rather than for a prize or token.
Own Your Mistakes: Model and celebrate the courage it takes to admit mistakes truthfully and take immediate responsibility to make things right.
Family Activities to Build Sincerity
The Heart-to-Heart Check-In: At dinner, invite family members to share a moment from their day where speaking or acting truthfully brought clarity or strengthened a relationship.
Benjamin Franklin Virtue Study: Read about Benjamin Franklin's list of 13 virtues and discuss why he believed sincerity was essential for a healthy community and country.
Sincere Gratitude Notes: Write a handwritten note to a teacher, mentor, or family member expressing specific, heartfelt appreciation without expecting anything in return.
Read Together: Explore stories that highlight truthfulness, integrity, and genuine heart. Recommended titles include: The Empty Pot by Demi, The Honest-to-Goodness Truth by Patricia C. McKissack, and child-friendly biographies of Benjamin Franklin.
Affirmations for SINCERITY and Memory Work for September:
I am sincere.
I express myself in a truthful and genuine way.
I act from the goodness of my heart, not the promise of reward.
I take responsibility for my actions.
Campus Culture:
Homework Stars: Congratulations to this week's Homework Stars: Camila in Ms. Singleterry's class, Jayden in Mrs. Trecha's class, Raul in Miss Ybarra's class, Nicole in Miss Young's class, Logan in Mrs. Miller's class, Paige in Ms. Stewart's class, and Sophia in Mr. Reinking's class. These students have consistently completed all of their homework! Keep up the good work, White Tigers!
Lost and Found: Missing a sweater, jacket, water bottle, or lunch box? Please check our lost and found (located just under the stairwell outside the main office) before or after school. Please take the time to label all of your child’s belongings, as it makes it easier to return the items to the correct owner. Thank you!
Little Free Library:Our campus Little Free Library, available exclusively to Heritage staff, students, and families, is in need of books! It’s time to recycle those books your students have outgrown or finished over the summer. Books for grades TK through 6th grade can be placed directly in our Library box, or larger donations can be dropped off in the front office.
Mark your calendars!
Monday, September 21: Minimum Day (12:00 noon dismissal) AHCS Staff Development
Monday, October 5 through Friday, October 9: 6th Grade Camp at Cuyamaca Outdoor School
Monday, October 12: Columbus Day (No School)
Friday, October 16: End of Second (Midterm) Grading Period
Monday, October 19: Non-Student Day for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Tuesday, October 20, through Friday, October 23: Modified School Days (2:00 p.m. Dismissal) for Parent Conferences
Friday, October 30: *Spirit Day* Crazy Hat, Hair, and Socks!
OUR MISSION IS TO FORM THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, THROUGH A RICH CORE CURRICULUM, WITH A PERSPECTIVE THAT CHERISHES TIMELESS VIRTUE AND THE AMERICAN SPIRIT.
