Welcome back to Heritage Flex Academy (HFA) for Week 19! I hope your holiday break was restful, joyful, and filled with good moments together.
As we begin 2026, I am grateful to welcome our returning families back to campus routines and to extend a warm welcome to those who are new to HFA. Our community is at its best when we partner closely, encourage one another, and keep our shared goal in view: helping every student grow in knowledge, virtue, and confidence.
As you settle back in, please take a few minutes to review your child’s report card from last semester. If you have questions about progress, goals, or next steps, our teachers are happy to connect with you.
One quick scheduling reminder: there are no Power Hours on Monday, January 5, 2026 for most grades. If you have made a special arrangement to meet that day, please confirm directly with your child’s teacher.
Here’s to a strong start to the new year and a great Week 19!
Sincerely,
Sandi Knapp
Principal, Heritage Flex Academy
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
January Meals
- Nutritional information is found in a link at the top of the calendar
Breakfast Reminder Breakfast is served from 8:00–8:15 a.m. No breakfasts 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.
If you have any questions, please email Principal Sandi Knapp or Office Manager Sarah Sinohui.
NEW & TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION
DRESS CODE REMINDER: As temperatures are beginning to drop, please be reminded that sweaters, sweatshirts, hoodies, and leggings must be either solid navy blue, white, or maroon. On the especially cold days, outerwear (in the form of winter jackets, parkas, and rain jackets) can be any color but may only be worn outside.
MORNING DROP-OFF & POWER HOUR: As a reminder, HFA gates open at 8:00 a.m. Please ensure students are dropped off no earlier. If your student is attending a tutorial, drop-off should be no earlier than 7:45 a.m. Monday Power Hours do not start until 8:30. There is no supervision in the office or classrooms before that time. Our office staff and teachers use the mornings to prepare for the day ahead. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
RE-ENROLLMENT FOR TK - 7TH GRADE: It’s that time of year again! On January 8th, you will receive an email with a link to complete your re-enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year! In order to secure your seat, please take care of your paperwork no later than Thursday, February 5, 2026. If you have any questions or need assistance with the re-enrollment process, please contact Sarah Sinohui at ssinohui@amhcs.org
or by phone at (760) 466-1166. Thank you for your continued partnership, and we look forward to another successful year!
CURRENT 8TH GRADERS LETTER OF INTENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL: We are excited to announce that the enrollment period for 8th grade students planning on attending Escondido Charter High School will open on Friday, January 9, and will close on Thursday, January 15. On January 9, you will receive an email with a link to complete your enrollment from Escondido Charter High School. If you have any questions or need assistance with the re-enrollment process, please contact Leanne Megna at lmegna@amhcs.org or by phone at (760) 737-3154.
7TH GRADE FIELD TRIP TO MEDIEVAL TIMES: Seventh grade students from Heritage Junior High School and Heritage Flex Academy are invited to attend our annual Medieval Times field trip on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The cost of the field trip is $40 per person, which includes transportation via charter bus, lunch, and the show. To access the permission slip and make your payment, please click HERE. Permission slips and payment must be made online no later than Tuesday, February 3, 2026. Due to payment deadlines with the venue, we cannot add reservations after the deadline. Please contact the HFA office at 760-466-1166 with any questions. We are here to help!
CONSORTIO- READING TOGETHER BOOK CLUB: Our next meeting will be on Monday, January 26, during power hour (8:30 - 9:30), we will be discussing chapters 4 and 5 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 through the year are as follows: 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.
8TH GRADE GIRLS: SISTER PROJECT: Please join us on January 16th at 3:35-5:00pm in the ECHS Student Union. The theme is Making Vision Boards and Mocktails! Please bring any crafting supplies you'd like to use and a snack to share with the group.
ATTENTION K-5 FAMILIES: What better way to start the new year than to gaze up at the heavens and wonder about what we see. Join us at our next Consortio: Learning Together on Monday, January 12 at 1:00 in the HFA courtyard for an introduction to our Astronomy, Exploring Space, Nature Study. Mr. Erik Beck, the curriculum creator, will be with us to offer insights and inspiration and answer any questions you may have. Students are welcome to attend with their parents.
CONSORTIO: PARTNERING WITH PARENTS: All parents are invited to Consortio: Partnering with Parents—a monthly gathering created to inspire, encourage, and support you on your parenting and educational journey. Join us for our first gathering of the New Year on Wednesday, January 21st at 8:30 AM in the 1845/TK Building as we discuss “Habits of the Heart: How Daily Rhythms Shape Our Children” Come enjoy a time of wisdom and encouragement. Childcare is provided. We look forward to seeing you! If you have any questions, please contact Jill at jthomas@amhcs.org
THIS WEEK AT HFA
Monday, January 5:
First Day of Second Semester
No Power Hour or Yearbook classes (Yearbook will resume next week)
Junior High Girls’ Soccer and Boys’ Basketball practice
Tuesday, January 6:
Welcome Back Red Path
Wednesday, January 7:
Welcome Back Blue Path
Thursday, January 8:
Secure Campus Drill
Letter of Intent- Re-Enrollment for students in grades TK-7th grade
Friday, January 9:
Letter of Intent for current 8th grade students
Secure Campus Drill
Junior High Girls Soccer and Boys Basketball game @ San Paqual Union School, V - 3:30 p.m. & JV 4:30 p.m.
JANUARY
SKILL
I am skillful. I have an open mind, open ears, and an eagerness to learn. I am willing to put forth hard work and practice in order to reach my goals.
“Be true to yourself. Make each day a masterpiece.” -Coach John Wooden
ACADEMIC ADVISORS CONNECTION
Welcome back HFA Families!
Jumping back into the academic part of homeschool work can sometimes be a challenge. One of our sayings at Charter is walk first to run fast. Your commitment to sit with your kids and guide them through their work at this time will put them on the path to run later as they become more confident.
We are looking forward to an amazing second semester and can’t wait to see all of your smiling faces on Monday morning’s Google Meet check in.
Welcome back from Christmas break! We hope you and your family enjoyed a wonderful and restful holiday season. We are excited to begin a strong second semester and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming conferences on January 20–21 and January 26–28. More information about these meetings will be sent out next week. Until then, enjoy getting the year started with engaging learning, meaningful discoveries, and new opportunities to grow.
The kindergartens have had some playing in the "snow"
COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
December 19-January 4: Christmas Break
January 5: First Day of Second Semester
January 12: Freshman for a Day
January 12: Kindergarten Campus Tour (TK Families Only)
January 19: No School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday
January 21: Consortio @ TK/1845
January 26: Consortio: Reading Together
January 28: HFA Campus Tour
January 28: AHCS Board Meeting
January 29/20: Decades Day/100th Day of School Spirit Day
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.
JANUARY
