The team at Heritage Elementary School is eager to welcome students and families back to campus for the start of a new school year! With the arrival of our newest kindergartners and new students joining nearly every grade level, we are excited to see our community grow and flourish.
As a school rooted in a classically-inspired approach to learning, we remain committed to cultivating both the hearts and minds of our students. Our curriculum challenges students academically while also encouraging them to reflect on what is good, true, and beautiful. This educational philosophy is central to our mission, and we're excited to see it come to life in our classrooms this year.
With student formation as our focus, we are proud to highlight self-control as our first Virtue of the Month, drawn from Coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. Self-control is a foundational skill that helps students develop disciplined thinking, thoughtful words, and intentional actions. It teaches us that true freedom is rooted in responsibility. We'll be highlighting this important virtue in both the classroom and on the playground.
This 2025-2026 school year is particularly special as we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we celebrate this historic milestone, we'll be directing more attention to the shared values that form the American spirit. We believe this focus will provide a rich context for our students as they learn and grow.
Our partnership with parents is essential to the success of our school's mission. One of the simplest and most powerful ways you can support your child’s growth this year is by promoting regular, on-time attendance. Arriving each morning with enough time to be seated before the 8:00 a.m. bell sets a tone of focus and respect for learning.
Thank you for your continued trust, enthusiasm, and support. We’re confident this will be a remarkable school year, and we’re grateful to share it with you. If I can be of help at any time, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Go White Tigers!
Yours in learning,
Marc Gilbertson
Important Announcements:
Open House:We would like to encourage students and parents to meet teachers at our upcoming Open House, scheduled from 9:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, August 13. Please review the information below for more detailed information.
To help maintain a safe and orderly environment, we ask that families attend according to the following schedule:
Last Names A-L: 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Last Names M-Z: 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Please bring the schedule that was mailed home, or write down the name and room number of your child’s teacher.
Parking: Parents are encouraged to park in Lot 1 of the Escondido Center of Palomar College, located just east of our school. Limited parking will be available at Heritage Elementary School.
All students in kindergarten through 6th grade will visit their classrooms to meet the teacher, drop off school supplies, and pick up any materials or paperwork.
Grades 4-6: BEFORE visiting their classroom, students in grades 4-6 must FIRST visit the library or book room to check out their textbooks.
All children must be accompanied by a parent and closely supervised.
Please bring a large tote bag or backpack to carry student textbooks home.
We will also have a used uniform swap available during the Open House.
First Day of School:We can’t wait to see all the students back on campus this Thursday, August 14, for the first day of school! Students may arrive as early as 7:35 a.m. and student dismissal will be at 2:45 p.m.
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.).
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.
Student Drop-off: We’d like to thank you in advance for your PATIENCE as we all get used to the procedures. Please help us with the following:
Student drop-off will occur in the carline or at the Zero-Period gate in front of the school.
Parents MAY NOT park in the parking lots for the shopping center, Yum-Yum Donuts, or Palomar College.
On the first day of school, only kindergarten parents will be permitted on campus in the morning to walk their children to class.
Please refrain from cell phone use while in the drop-off or pick-up lines.
Please stay in your vehicle in the carline; students will be escorted to and from your vehicle by staff.
Dismissal Reminders: We fully anticipate the dismissal process will take MUCH LONGER than usual during the start of the school year. Please help us by reviewing the following reminders:
Please be patient and respectful to staff and other drivers as we all get used to the new procedures.
There is limited parking in the front of campus--we encourage all drivers to use the carline for student pick-up.
Confirm all authorized drivers have been included on the Emergency Information Card.
Please display the green or pink PikMyKid placard for the duration of the pick-up time to expedite the pick-up process.
Consider downloading the PikMyKid app onto your mobile phone to help with student dismissal. You can use the app to “announce” your arrival for pick-up, to designate other authorized drivers, and more! Check out the Parent App User Guide
or, for our newest PikMyKid users, check out the Parent App Video Registration Video
(5:35 min) for more information.
Important Paperwork: If you have not yet submitted the Household Income Verification Form
and the Student/Parent Handbook Acknowledgment Form
for your child(ren), please complete all documents as soon as possible. Help us reach our goal of 100% completion before the start of school on Thursday. Thank you in advance!
Walk-off Authorization Forms: If your child will be 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 ways parents, grandparents, and family members can get involved to support our students and the school. For instance, we would love to have volunteers to participate during school BBQs and events, lead student reading groups during the school day, help supervise during recess or lunch, copy papers or assemble packets for teachers, and so much more. Interested in being a contributing member of our school community? Please contact the main office at (760) 737-3111.
After-School Programs: Both the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club of Escondido are offering after-school programs this year for a limited number of Heritage Elementary students.
Once again, the YMCA Character Builders
program will be offered on the Heritage Elementary campus before and after school. Parents check out the flyers in English
or Spanish
to register. Parents may reach out to their Youth Development Coordinator, Stephanie Kohler <skohler@ymcasd.org> for space in the program and more information about YMCA Character Builders.
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.
Cuyamaca Outdoor School (COS) Open House: Heritage Elementary School is a proud supporter of Cuyamaca Outdoor School (COS), with the goal of sending all 6th-graders each year to this important rite of passage: Sixth Grade Camp! This year, Cuyamaca Outdoor School will welcome families of 6th grade students to its Open House on September 13, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (please see the linked flier in English
or Spanish). We look forward to welcoming you, your students, and community to COS and showcasing the countless benefits of outdoor education.
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, and for details on the upcoming Adventure Clubs Opening Day, a free family fun event on Saturday, August 16. YMCA membership is not required.
Wooden Wins! Pyramid of Success
Virtue of the Month: Self-Control
August Virtue: As we launch into a new school year, it’s a great time to help students develop the habits that will serve them well all year long. Skills such as attentive listening, respectful behavior, and focused effort in the classroom will form the foundation of student success and academic achievement in the year to come. This month’s virtue is Self-Control, a foundational trait that helps students make wise choices, manage emotions, and approach each day with purpose.
For a focal point in our first weeks of school, let’s encourage SELF-CONTROL by practicing respectful behavior, following school routines, and preparing for each day with calm focus. Arriving on time, being ready to learn, and listening attentively are all ways our students can demonstrate self-control from the very first day.
“Control yourself so others won’t have to.” —Coach John Wooden
Here are some affirmations for SELF-CONTROL and memory-work we can focus on this month:
I am self-controlled.
I take charge of my emotions and actions so that my feelings and moods are under control.
I am able to express strong emotions in appropriate ways.
Campus Culture:
Social Media Pictures: We want to see those first day of school smiles! Take a picture with your school uniform and a creative “First Day of School” sign, and send the photos to amorgan@amhcs.org. Then, check out our social media sites for pictures of you and your classmates!
Soccer After-School Program: Delanos Soccer Academy is a quality non-competitive after-school enrichment program for students in grades 1-6 that allows young players to learn, improve their skills and enjoy soccer in a positive, fun and safe environment! Soccer training will be held on the turf at Heritage Elementary on Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15 p.m. starting September 10. Please be on the lookout for the flier with more information and how to register in the week to come.
Summer Reading Program: If you enjoyed some great books this summer, remember to fill out this reading log, and bring it to school with you. You could earn a free T-shirt for meeting the goal for your grade level:
Kindergarten- 60 pages (or 7 books)
1st grade - 250 pages (or 20 books)
2nd grade - 400 pages
3rd grade - 500 pages
4th grade - 600 pages
5th grade - 700 pages
6th grade - 800 pages
Mark your calendars!
Wednesday, August 13: Open House & Book Checkout
Students with Last Names A-L: 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Students with Last Names M-Z: 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Thursday, August 14: First Day of School!
Monday, August 25: 6th Grade Camp Presentation, 9:30 a.m.
Tuesday, August 26: School Picture Day
Thursday, August 28: Back to School BBQ!
Friday, August 29: Class Color *Spirit Day*
Monday, September 1: Labor Day (No School)
Thursday, September 4: Back to School Night, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Thursday, September 11: Red, White, and Blue *Spirit Day* & Patriot Day Assembly
Friday, September 12: Academic Awards (Grades 5-6)
