We have ushered in the month of March with a sense of purposeful joy. At American Heritage Charter Schools, we view education as a journey toward Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, and this past week provided a great reflection of all three. From the whimsical rhythms of Dr. Seuss to the historical depth of our California Mission projects, our students are learning that knowledge is not a series of isolated facts, but a "Great Conversation" they are invited to join.
Monday’s Read Across America Day was more than a celebration of the written word. While the mismatched attire and Dr. Seuss hats added an element of play, the core mission remained: fostering a deep love for stories that expand the moral imagination.
This week, our 4th-graders reached a significant milestone as they presented their California missions. Watching these young scholars present their findings to parents and peers was a masterclass in academic poise. Poise is often misunderstood as merely standing still; in the classical sense, it is intellectual grace under pressure. It is the ability to own one’s knowledge and deliver it with clarity and dignity.
As we reach the midpoint of the second semester and conclude the second grading period this Friday, I encourage you to sit with your children and reflect on their progress. In a classical setting, we don't just look at grades as numbers. Instead, we look at them as markers of virtues, including diligence, honesty, and perseverance.
Finally, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your continued partnership. We are not merely teaching subjects; we are raising the next generation of citizens and thinkers. By celebrating wonder and cultivating virtue together, we ensure that our students are not just "college-ready," but "life-ready," equipped with the character and foundation to navigate the world with wisdom.
Go White Tigers!
Yours in learning, Marc Gilbertson
Important Announcements:
Set Clocks Ahead One Hour (Daylight Savings Time): Hopefully, you’ve already set your clocks ahead one hour for Daylight Savings Time. Parents, the time change is no excuse for being late to school! Please plan accordingly and have your child arrive at school by 7:50 a.m. to ensure that your child is unpacked, seated, and ready to learn when the bell rings at 8:00 a.m. Thank you!
End of Second (Midterm) Grading Period: This Friday, March 13 marks the midway point of the semester. Teachers will update and post grades for students in fourth through sixth grades. We will mail midterm progress notices home for all students during the week of March 16. Please use this opportunity to review your child’s academic progress and contact the teacher with any questions. Curricular expectations increase during the second half of spring semester. Progress notices communicate important information about students’ academic performance and behavior in an effort to avoid surprises at the end of the school year.
Read Across the School Challenge: Celebrate National Reading Month with a reading streak! All students who score 100% on three Accelerated Reader quizzes within their reading level during the month of March will earn an exclusive Read Across America brag tag and a Panda Express meal coupon. Let the reading commence!
Breakfast Reminder: Our free breakfast and lunch program has been a blessing to so many families this school year! To help your child start the day right, please ensure he or she arrives at the MPR by 7:50 a.m. We stop serving at this time to give students enough time to reach their classroom and finish their meal before school starts at 8:00 a.m. Thank you for helping us keep our mornings running smoothly.
Final Weeks for School Uniform Donations: As we approach our Used Uniform Swap on March 23, we are asking for your help to stock our shelves. If your student has outgrown their gear, please consider donating it to a fellow Heritage family. Since the weather is still chilly, we are especially looking for pants, sweatshirts, and jackets. Every item donated is given away for free, helping our community stay prepared and sustainable!
March Consortio: Please join us on Wednesday, March 18th at 8:30 AM in the 1845/TK Building for a special time of encouragement and insight. Mr. Jon Goodman, our high school football coach, will be sharing on the topic “Helping your Children Flourish: Encouraging Growth with Wisdom.” Coach Goodman is passionate about developing the whole person—not just an athlete or a team focused solely on winning. His heart is to see young people grow in character, resilience, and wisdom both on and off the field. We can't wait to see you there!
Breakfast and Lunch Service: Check out the calendar below for the monthly menu. Breakfast is served each morning until 7:50 a.m. Please remember to pack a healthy snack and water bottle for each day this week!
Art Supplies Requested: Mrs. Morgan needs your help collecting empty 16 oz. plastic water bottles for upcoming projects in her art classes. Parents may send these donations to school with their children or drop off supplies in the main office. Thanks in advance!
Dress Code Reminder: During the colder months, please be reminded of the following dress code expectations:
Leggings or tights can be worn under shorts, skorts, and skirts but must be either solid navy blue, white, or maroon.
All bottoms must be a uniform type material. No denim, jeans, sweats, leggings (worn as pants), cargo pants, or sweatpants are permitted.
Sweaters, sweatshirts, and hoodies must be either solid navy blue, white, or maroon.
On especially cold days, outerwear (in the form of winter jackets, parkas, and rain jackets) can be any color but may only be worn outside.
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.
Attention Parents of 6th-Graders! It’s time to prepare for seventh grade! Students entering seventh grade in August 2025 are required by California law to submit proof that they have received the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine booster. Personal beliefs exemptions are no longer accepted. For medical exemptions, you must submit a valid CAIR medical exemption obtained through the State’s medical exemption program. Please bring your child’s updated immunization record to the Heritage office before the start of 7th grade. For more information, you can visit the California Department of Public Health "Shots for Schools" website or the San Diego Health and Human Services Agency" Immunization Requirements for Childcare and Schools.” If you have any questions, please contact Nurse Garcia at nurse@amhcs.org.
Reminder for Parents of Kindergartners: Headed to the doctor or dentist for your student's check-up? State law requires that all kindergartners have an oral health examination (dental exam) and a recommended health checkup from a doctor during their first year in school. When your child goes in for a dental checkup, please have the dentist fill out an Oral Health Assessment Form. When your child sees the doctor for an exam, please have the doctor fill out a School Entry Health Checkup Form. These forms are also available in the Heritage office. Completed dental forms are due by May 28, 2026. Completed health forms are due by November 1, 2026. Please contact Nurse Garcia at nurse@amhcs.org
if you have any questions.
Wooden Wins! Pyramid of SuccessVirtue of the Month: Poise
Throughout March, Heritage Elementary School will focus on POISE, a pinnacle block located at the top of Coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success. Coach Wooden defined Poise simply as “Just being yourself.” It is the ability to remain at ease in any situation, never fighting yourself or trying to be something you are not.
Poise is the outward expression of inner self-control. It allows a student to function at their best regardless of the circumstances—whether they are facing a difficult exam, performing on stage, or handling a disagreement on the playground. When we have poise, we don't let outside pressures rattle our internal peace.
In the classroom, Poise looks like:
Grace Under Pressure: Staying calm and focused during a timed assessment or a challenging math problem.
Effective Communication: Standing tall and speaking clearly during a presentation, even if feeling a bit nervous.
Resilience: Handling a mistake or a correction with a steady spirit, learning from it rather than becoming overwhelmed by it.
For our classical education approach, Poise is closely linked to the Greek concept of Sophrosyne: a state of mind characterized by self-control, moderation, and a balanced soul. By practicing poise, our students are learning to govern their emotions and reactions, a key component in the pursuit of a virtuous and well-ordered life.
Ways Our Students Are Practicing Poise
As we move into the spring, our students are "keeping their cool" and staying true to themselves through these specific actions:
Public Speaking and Recitations: Many of our students are practicing poise by delivering poems and narrations in front of their peers, focusing on steady breathing, loud voices, and confident posture.
Assessment Readiness: With mid-semester evaluations and testing often occurring in March, students are practicing the "mental poise" required to approach challenges with a calm, clear mind.
Conflict Resolution: In the hallways and at recess, students are practicing poise by using "I-statements" and remaining calm when navigating social misunderstandings, rather than reacting out of frustration.
Fine Arts Performances: Our 5th-graders preparing for their musical Destination: America are learning that poise means "the show must go on" and how to stay focused and graceful even if a note is missed or something doesn't go according to plan.
Practicing Poise at School and Home
We encourage families to nurture this sense of internal balance through these daily habits:
The "Pause for Poise": Encourage your child to take a deep breath before reacting to a frustrating moment, such as a difficult chore or a lost game.
Focus on the Process: Remind your child that poise comes from being prepared. When we know we have done our best to prepare, we can be at ease with the outcome.
Model Composure: Children learn poise by watching the adults in their lives. Modeling a calm reaction to "life’s little hiccups" (like traffic or a spilled glass of milk) teaches them how to remain poised.
Family Activities to Build Poise:
The "Improvisation" Game: Practice short, silly acting skits where things go "wrong." The goal is to keep a straight face and keep going, building the ability to handle the unexpected.
Practice Performances: Have a "Living Room Recitation" night. Allow your child to stand in the "spotlight" to recite a poem or tell a story, practicing the poise of a public speaker.
Reflective Journaling: Discuss a time during the week when someone felt "rattled." Ask: "What could we do next time to stay at ease and just be ourselves?"
Read Together: Explore stories of characters who maintained their dignity and calm in the face of adversity. Recommended titles include: The Empty Pot
by Demi, Brave Irene
by William Steig, and for older students, A Night to Remember
or biographies of Jackie Robinson.
"Poise is being at ease in any situation. Never fighting yourself. Poise is not a pose. It’s not an act. It’s just being yourself." —Coach John Wooden
Affirmations for POISE and Memory Work for March:
I am full of poise.
I stay true to my deepest self.
I do not allow external forces to control how I act or feel.
I am not thrown off by events in my life.
Campus Culture:
Homework Stars: Congratulations to our Homework Stars: Lennox in Mrs. Colwell's class, Isaac in Ms. Garduno's class, Sedona in Ms. Abed's class, Samantha in Miss Le Pere's class, Maya in Mrs. Andrews's class, Justin in Ms. Chmara's class, and Charlene in Ms. Everett's class. These students have consistently completed all of their homework! Keep up the good work, White Tigers!
Yearbook Purchase: You may purchase the 2025-2026 Heritage Elementary yearbook here
for $37. We will have a limited number of copies available this year. Please contact us at (760) 737-3111 with any questions or concerns.
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.
Mark your calendars!
Friday, March 13: End of Second (Midterm) Grading Period
Monday, March 16: Minimum Day (12:00 noon dismissal)
Friday, March 27: Western Day (Spirit Day)
Monday, March 30 through Monday, April 6: Easter Break (school closed)
Our mission is to develop the hearts and minds of students with a rigorous core curriculum, with a perspective that cherishes timeless virtues and the American spirit.
