We’re heading into a full and festive week before Thanksgiving break. As we wrap up this stretch, I hope your family enjoys a restful week off next week with the people you love. When we return, we’ll blink and suddenly it’ll be December.
Have a great week, everyone!
Sincerely,
Sandi Knapp, Principal
AMERICAN HERITAGE CHARTER SCHOOLS
2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR LOTTERY INFORMATION
Lotteries for the 2026-2027 school year will open on October 14, 2025 for all programs. Applications are not required for currently enrolled students, but new siblings must submit a lottery application.
Escondido Charter High School: Lottery applications for enrollment in the high school programs are available online athttps://amhcs.org/echs/echs-admissions/. The Escondido Charter High school lottery closes on January 9, 2026. Please contact the main office at 760-737-3154 if you have any questions.
Heritage Elementary School: Lottery applications are available online athttps://amhcs.org/heritage-elementary-school/hes-admissions/. The lottery closes on February 6, 2026. Please contact the Heritage Elementary office at 760-737-3111 if you have any questions.
Heritage Junior High: Lottery applications are available online at https://amhcs.org/heritage-junior-high-school/hjhs-admissions/. The lottery closes on February 6, 2026. Please contact the Heritage Junior High office at 760-294-5599 if you have any questions.
Heritage Flex Academy: Lottery applications are available online athttps://amhcs.org/hfa/hfa-admissions/. The lottery closes on February 6, 2026. Please contact the Heritage Flex Academy office at 760-466-1166 if you have any questions.
MEAL SERVICE PROGRAM AT HFA
We are off to a great start with our free breakfast and lunch program! Our students are doing a wonderful job adjusting to the new system.
Breakfast Reminder Breakfast is served from 8:00–8:15 a.m. No breakfast will be served after the warning bell.
Parent Communication & Student Participation Please talk with your child each morning about whether they plan to participate in breakfast and/or lunch that day. This helps our team prepare accurate meal counts and ensures your child knows your expectations.
Allergies & Dietary Restrictions If your child has any food allergies or dietary needs, please ensure we have a doctor-signed Medical Statement Form
on file. Families may also submit a Fluid Milk Substitution Form
(parent-signed) if they prefer lactose-free, soy, or oat milk.
Questions? Please email Principal Sandi Knapp or Office Manager Sarah Sinohui.
NEW & TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION
ATTENTION ALL 8TH GRADE FAMILIES - MANDATORYECHS Parent Informational Night: Although it's only November, it's already time to start thinking about the 2026-2027 school year and the program/pathway that best fits your family’s academic and personal goals for your student. To assist you in making an informed decision, we invite you to join us for an informative Parent Information Night at Escondido Charter High School. This event will provide valuable insights into our programs, curriculum, co-curricular activities, and the registration process for the 2026-2027 school year.
Date: November 19, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. Tours begin at 5:45 p.m.
Location: American Spirit Theater, ECHS campus 1868 East Valley Parkway, Escondido 92027
We have a wonderful opportunity to bless our troops serving abroad!
Our Office Manager, Sarah Sinohui, has a son, Lucas, who is currently stationed in Puerto Rico. Lucas and his unit do not have access to a chow hall, and due to the government shutdown, they are in need of food and basic supplies.
We would love to gather items to send their way—and include heartfelt letters of encouragement as well!
We will be collecting letters and donations until Wednesday, December 17. Items can be dropped off in the office.
Here's a wish list:
pens
protein snacks
energy drinks
electrolytes
hygiene items
boot powder
Walmart gift cards
Thank you so much for your generosity and for helping us care for those who serve our country!
ATTENTION ALL K-5 PARENTS AND STUDENTS!: Get ready for some yummy science fun! At our next Consortio: Learning Together, we will use all of our senses to experiment, notice, and wonder using cookies. Join us this Monday morning, November 17, from 10:00 - 11:00 in the HFA courtyard. There will be a cookie exchange following our science time. You are invited to bring a plate of your favorite cookies to share. Please provide a list of ingredients to display next to your cookie plate. Be sure to save all future dates found on this Consortio: Learning Together Calendar. If you have any questions, please reach out to Gina at gcurley@amhcs.org.
ECHS Cheer presents Dancing With the Teachers! Please join us for an unforgettable night of dancing, on Tuesday, November 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the theater! Some of the very best of ECHS will be performing with the White Tiger Cheer leaders in “Dancing with the Teachers.” You will not want to miss this super fun evening. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students. You can purchase your tickets here. Watch the ECHS Cheer Instagram in the coming weeks for teacher reveals. Here is a flyer with additional information.
CONSORTIO- READING TOGETHER BOOK CLUB! Our next meeting will be on Monday, December 1, during power hour (8:30 - 9:30), we will be discussing chapters 2 and 3 on Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation. See this clip for a glimpse of our topic.
These monthly gatherings will provide a space to share practical strategies for building the practice of good mental health in our children. The anticipated dates we will have throughout the year are as follows: 12/1, 1/26/2026, 2/23, 3/9, & 4/13. Sign up here
to join us for our first session and/or have your name on the announcements list.
CHRISTMAS CAROLING - SAVE THE DATE: Let’s meet up and spread joy to our retired neighbors. Save the date for our blue path caroling meet-up on Tuesday, December 16.
Save the date for our red path caroling meet-up on Wednesday, December 17.
More details coming soon.
THIS WEEK AT HFA
Monday, November 17:
Power Hour: Please see your teacher’s weekly email for more information.
Consortio: Learning Together 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Logic Class: 10:00 am to 11:00 am @ the HFA lunch tables.
Yearbook Class: 10:00 am to 11:00 am by application only
I am intent. I resist temptation, stay the course, and am determined to reach my goals. I focus my attention on the task at hand.
“The road to real achievement takes time, a long time. But you do not give up. You may have setbacks. You may have to start over. You may have to change your method. You may have to go around, or over, or under. You may have to back up and get another start. But you do not quit. You stay the course. To do that, you must have intentness.” -Coach John Wooden
ACADEMIC ADVISORS CONNECTION
As we head into the holiday season, take a little time and ponder the great things being done in your home and at school with your kiddos. They are growing and learning so much. Be thankful for the routines and skills you have built into their toolboxes.
Check-in #2 is coming up in the first week of December. Look out for an email from your AA this Monday, November 17, to help you prepare. Remember that each page of homework should have a parent grade mark on it (check, plus, smiley face, stamp, sticker…)
Please reach out with any questions. We are here to support you.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, let's gather for a Friendsgiving potluck at the park on Thursday, November 20th! We will be partnering with HFA Blue Path to share tasty treats and autumnal crafts for all those who’d like to join, plus enjoy extra time for the kids to play and parents to chat afterwards.
When: Thursday, November 20th at 1:00pm
Where: Kit Carson Park, at Tree Lake 1 Pavilion (look for the black and white checkered tablecloths) Please see letter sent on 11/6 for details and sign-ups.
Conferences continue this week and are going very well. It’s so encouraging to meet with each family and see the strong progress through the various curriculum programs you’re using. Keep up the good work!
Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving break filled with memorable moments and special time with family and friends. We truly have so much to be thankful for! 🦃🍁
One of our favorite traditions at Heritage Flex Academy is our Veterans' Day Hero Wall and the White Table to honor all those who served or currently serve.
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
This Thursday, November 20th, The Old Globe will be putting on a performance of William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar for free at CSU San Marcos. More information may be found: https://www.theoldglobe.org/arts-engagement/globe-for-all/
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
November 24-28: Thanksgiving Break
December 1: Consortio: Reading Together
December 2-5: TK-5th Grade Check-In
December 10: AHCS Board Meeting
December 15: Christmas Caroling
December 16-17: Holiday Spirit Day/Minimum Day
December 18: Virtual Learning Day/ Last Day of Grading Period
December 19-January 4: Christmas Break
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.
NOVEMBER
