What a wonderful first full week back at school! I’m so impressed with how smoothly our students have transitioned into their new routines. It has been a joy to walk the halls and see so many smiling faces. Our teachers have done an incredible job creating welcoming and engaging classrooms where students are already diving into their new studies. We also successfully practiced our emergency drills this past week and learned a lot through that process.
A special highlight this week was the launch of our enrichment classes in art, library, music, and PE for our students. It’s a joy to see our students exploring their creativity and developing new skills. We are so lucky to have such dedicated and talented enrichment teachers, Mrs. Brumfield, Mrs. El-Hayek, Mrs. Hoggatt, and Mrs. Morgan. A big thank you to them for bringing so much energy and passion to their classes.
Looking ahead, we have a busy and exciting week planned:
Monday 6th Grade Camp Presentation: Parents of 6th graders, please join us for a presentation from Cuyamaca Outdoor School about 6th Grade Camp. We’ve changed the time, so please note that the presentation will begin at 9:15 a.m. (please note the time change). Camp is scheduled for September 29–October 3.
Tuesday Picture Day: Please be sure to send your students to school in their favorite outfit so they can look their best for the yearbook photos.
Thursday BBQ Lunch: Our Welcome Back to School BBQ is one of our favorite community events. We can’t wait to see you there!
Friday Class Color Day: We’ll have our first Spirit Day! Students can wear their class colors and then join us for a “Wooden Wins” character assembly.
As always, thank you for your partnership. Your support is what makes our school community so special. If you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Go White Tigers!
Yours in learning,
Marc Gilbertson
Important Announcements:
School Picture Day: School pictures will take place this week on Tuesday, August 26. School picture day is a free dress day, but please refer to the “Dress for Success” guidelines.
Back-to-School BBQ: We are so excited to celebrate the start of this year with our annual Back-to-School BBQ! This Thursday, we will be serving hamburgers (or veggie burgers) and hot dogs to all students, so there is no need to pack a lunch! Please ensure your child has a healthy snack for his/her morning recess.
Cuyamaca Outdoor School (COS) Presentation and 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! Mr. Dustin Burns will be on campus this Monday at 9:15 a.m. to share information with students and parents about the camp. For parents who would like to visit Cuyamaca Outdoor School, you are invited 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 the community to COS and showcasing the countless benefits of outdoor education.
Back-to-School Night: We look forward to welcoming all parents of students in kindergarten through 6th grade to our Back-to-School Night on Thursday, September 4. Please join us on the turf at 6:30 p.m. before visiting your child’s classroom. Check out the email sent home on Thursday, August 21, for more detailed information. Parking will be limited at Heritage Elementary School, so we are encouraging parents to use Lots 1 and 2 of Palomar College’s Escondido Center, located at the corner of Midway Drive and East Valley Parkway.
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.
Grade Portal Access for Parents (Grades 4-6): ParentVUE is a wonderful tool for parents to monitor their child's education. If you already have an account, you do not need to do anything at this time. If you are new to any of our schools, please use the link below to create your account. As a parent, you will be able to register for ParentVUE and access your child(ren)'s information through the parent portal. Please click this link
to begin the activation of your account. For more detailed step-by-step information, you may access a support document here.
Cheer Clinic: Calling all White Tigerettes! Come out and cheer with our ECHS Cheer team under the Friday Night Lights! Our fall cheer clinic will take place at Heritage Elementary School from Monday, September 15 to Thursday, September 18. Check-in will take place at 3:15 p.m., clinic will begin at 3:30 p.m., and it will end at 5 pm. If your student is in ELO-P, we will work with the teacher for them to attend. White Tigerettes will cheer the first and second quarter of the varsity game on Friday, September 19 at Orange Glen High School. We look forward to seeing you at our Fall Clinic! Sign up at this link, or check out this flier
for more information.
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 for the 2025-2026 school year; the forms from the last school year are no longer valid. This medication 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.
Consortio Monthly Parent Meetings:Attention All Parents! We are excited to invite you to Consortio: Partnering with Parents—a monthly gathering created to inspire, encourage, and support you on your parenting and educational journey. Each session will feature thought-provoking topics, guest speakers, and a welcoming space to connect with fellow parents in our school community. Join us for our first gathering on Wednesday, September 17th at 8:30 a.m. in the 1845/TK Building, as we dive into the topic: “How to Ask Questions That Lead to Beautiful Conversations,” led by Jill Thomas and Kelly Beck. Come for the insight, stay for the connection—let’s grow together. We look forward to seeing you there. If you have any questions, please contact Jill at jthomas@amhcs.org
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 activities you can do as a family to focus on SELF-CONTROL this month:
Read or listen to My Mouth is a Volcano
and talk about ways to hold your words in and save them for when it's your turn.
Play Simon Says, Red Light/Green Light, or Freeze Dance to practice controlling your body!
Take a family walk. Leave all screens/devices at home or in a backpack or pocket, and focus on observing and talking about what you see.
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:
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. Check out the soccer flier for more information and how to register.
Class Color Day: We are excited to brighten up the campus THIS FRIDAY with our Class Color Day! Here are this year’s grade-level colors:
Kindergarten-ORANGE
, First Grade-PURPLE
, Second Grade-GREEN
, 3rd Grade-RED
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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. The way it works is simple. If you see something you would like to read, take it! When you're finished, share it with a friend, bring it back here, or leave it in another Little Free Library. It's up to everyone to keep this Library full of good reads! Bring books to share when you can, and continue being a friend of Little Free Libraries everywhere. Visit littlefreelibrary.org for more information or to learn how to start your own book-exchange box in your neighborhood. You can also download the Little Free Library app for your phone and use the map to find other boxes in our community.
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!
Monday, August 25: 6th Grade Camp Presentation, 9:15 a.m. (note time change)
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)
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.
