As we step into Week 3, our campus is settling into a great rhythm, and it’s been such a joy to watch your students grow in confidence and connection. Thank you for all you do to support a strong start.
This week brings several exciting events, especially for families who are new to HFA! On Monday, we invite Kindergarten and First Grade parents to attend their respective Boot Camps for a helpful overview of what to expect this year. School Pictures are Tuesday and Wednesday, and we’re also launching Power Hour for students in grades 4–8. Please see your teacher’s weekly email for the Power Hour schedule.
And don’t forget, the Back-to-School BBQ happens during student lunch on Thursday and Friday! This is one of our favorite traditions and a highlight of the year for students. No need to pack a lunch on your student’s BBQ day. Just come hungry and ready for some fun!
Throughout the week, we’ll also be holding a series of scheduled emergency drills to help ensure all students and staff are confident and prepared.
A Quick Reminder About Drop-Off & Pick-Up
Thank you for your patience as everyone learns our arrival and dismissal routines. Please take a moment to review the traffic map
and follow the designated traffic pattern each day.
Enter campus only from the west driveway next to Old World Meat Co.
Exit using the driveway closest to HFA.
The pick-up carline has two lanes: HFA families should use the left lane, and HJHS families should use the right lane.
Please follow the directions of staff and administrators who are helping keep traffic moving safely.
For walk-up families: We know everyone is eager to get to their children at dismissal. For student safety, walk-up families will be asked to wait outside the main gate for approximately 4–5 minutes while the first wave of carline students exits campus.
This brief pause gives our students, especially our youngest learners, a clear and safe path to the carline without having to navigate against incoming foot traffic. Once the first group has cleared, walk-up families will be welcomed onto campus.
Thank you for following the directions of our administrators and staff and for your patience as we work to keep dismissal safe and efficient for everyone.
This Week at HFA
Kindergarten and First Grade Boot Camp
School Pictures: Tuesday (Red Path) & Wednesday (Blue Path)
Power Hour: Grades 4–8
Back-to-School BBQ: During student lunch
8th Grade Catalina Field Trip Meeting
Emergency Preparedness Drills
Details for each of these events are included below and in your teacher’s weekly email.
We’re off to a strong start, and I’m excited for all that’s ahead. Wishing you a great week!
Warmly, Sandi Knapp Principal
NEW & TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION
LABEL ALL ITEMS: With school being back in session, our lost and found is already collecting items. Please label all lunch boxes, water bottles, sweaters, and jackets with your child’s name so that lost items can make their way back to who they belong to.
MONDAY DRESS CODE: Students attending campus for any reason on Mondays must still follow the school dress code. Mondays are not considered “free dress”.
MANDATORY CATALINA PLANNING MEETING (8th Grade STUDENTS AND CHAPERONES ATTENDING CATALINA ONLY): We will be having a mandatory meeting for the Eighth Grade Field Trip on Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. at Heritage Elementary in the MPR. All families who paid, or requested assistance, have a spot for their eighth grader. If you are unsure, for whatever reason, please contact the front office. This is going to be a great experience, and we are very excited for your student to participate. Here are the items we will be covering at the meeting:
Expectations
Departure and Arrival
Where we will be staying
What to bring and how to pack
Activities
Who to contact in case of emergency
If your student takes daily medication or requires an inhaler or EpiPen while on the field trip, your child's physician must complete and sign the Medication Authorization Form also linked HERE. Medications for Catalina must be turned in no later than Friday, September 4.
MAKING CONNECTIONS: One of the greatest gifts at HFA is connecting with other families in our homeschool community and sharing learning experiences. Stop by the Meet-and-Greet table in front of the magnolia tree during morning drop-off on Tuesday, September 1st and Wednesday, September 2nd to find out about some exciting field trip opportunities, chat with some co-op leaders, and make some new connections.
ATTENTION ALL K-5 PARENTS AND STUDENTS: Come join us as we put our Classical Learning skills into action at Consortio: Learning Together. Our kindergarten through fifth grade parents and students are invited to join us on Monday, September 14, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. in the HFA courtyard. As parents and students, we will dive into the science curriculum to explore Archimedes’ Lever. Bring your Laboratory Apprentice Journal, pencil, crayons, and colored pencils. It’s going to be a fun morning, and we don't want you to miss this opportunity to practice our homeschool habits together and connect with each other!
Jr High Fall Sports Tryout Announcement: The fall sports season is almost here! Tryouts for Boys Flag Football, Girls Volleyball, and Coed Cross Country will take place on Monday, August 31 and Tuesday, September 1. Tryouts are open to HJHS and HFA students in 7th and 8th grade. Students should come prepared with athletic clothes and appropriate shoes, water bottle, a positive attitude and willingness to compete!
Tryout Schedule:
Monday, August 31 – 2:30–4:00 PM
Boys Flag Football - HJHS Softball Field
Coed Cross Country - HJHS Softball Field
Girls Volleyball – 7th Grade ONLY - HJHS Blacktop
Tuesday, September 1 – 3:30–5:00 PM
Boys Flag Football - HJHS Softball Field
Coed Cross Country - HJHS Softball Field
Girls Volleyball – 8th Grade ONLY - HJHS Blacktop
Flag Football and Cross Country athletes should plan to attend both days of tryouts. Volleyball athletes only need to attend the tryout day for their grade level.
General Season Information:
Families should be aware of the general practice and game schedule before trying out:
Boys Flag Football practices: Mondays from 2:30–4:00 PM
Girls Volleyball practices: Tuesdays from 3:30–5:00 PM
Games: Typically played on Thursdays or Fridays, with start times generally between 2:00–4:00 PM
Coed Cross Country varies, you’ll get more information at tryouts
Game schedules and additional team information will be provided once teams have been selected.
MEAL SERVICE AT HFA
Heritage Flex Academy offers free breakfast and free lunch for all students. There is no advance sign up.
Breakfast Reminder Breakfast is served from 8:00–8:15 am. 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.
8th Grade Girls: Sister Project Assembly, 10:00 am
Thursday, August 27:
Back to School BBQ: Lunch will be provided. Please send a snack for your student.
Secure Campus Drill: Review the email that was sent out last week for more details.
Mandatory Catalina Parent Meeting: Meeting at Heritage Elementary School MPR @ 6:00 pm
Friday, August 28:
Back to School BBQ: Lunch will be provided. Please send a snack for your student.
Secure Campus Drill: Review the email that was sent out last week for more details.
WOODEN WINS MONTHLY VIRTUE
ACADEMIC ADVISORS CONNECTION
The word education stems from the Latin word educere, which means “to draw out”.
Our calling as Classical homeschool educators is to inspire wonder in our children and guide them in asking questions that will help them make connections and build their constellations of knowledge about the world they live in. A beautiful part of home learning is having the time and space to encourage our children to go deeper in those areas that pique their curiosity.
It was wonderful connecting with all the students during our morning meetings this past week! Please remember to notify me if your child is not able to attend at least two mornings each week. These meetings are a wonderful way for students to get started with their day of learning, while also giving them an opportunity to get to know some of the other Flex Home Learning students.
A Few Reminders:
Picture Day – Wednesday, August 26 Meet at the HFA Hybrid campus at 9:15 a.m. for photos.
Welcome Back-to-School Gathering– Wednesday, August 26 After pictures, we’ll head over to Kit Carson Park for our Welcome Back-to-School Gathering at 10:00 a.m. I’m looking forward to spending some fun time together!
Mark Your Calendars – Our First FHL Meet-Up! Tuesday, September 1 – Fleet Science Center at Balboa Park
We’ll meet in front of the museum at opening time, 10:00 a.m. San Diego’s Balboa Park offers free museum admission to local residents on Tuesdays through its Residents Free Days program, and we’re excited to take advantage of it for our first meet-up!
Bring along a sack lunch if you’d like to gather together afterward for lunch and some time to visit.
Looking forward to our time together on Wednesday!!
Our mission is to form the hearts and minds of our community, through a rich core curriculum, with a perspective that cherishes timeless virtue and the American Spirit.
