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 Bootcamps for a helpful overview of what to expect this year. We're also launching Power Hour for students in grades 4–8—please see your teacher’s weekly email for the schedule.
And don’t forget—the Back-to-School BBQ happens during student lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday! This is one of our favorite traditions and a highlight of the year for students. No need to pack a lunch on your 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.
Details for each of these events are included below and in your teacher’s weekly email.
Wishing you a great week ahead!
Sincerely,
Sandi Knapp Principal
New & Time Sensitive Information
PICTURE MAKE-UPS Friday, August 29, is our picture make-up day. If your child was absent on picture day, this is your chance! We don’t want them to miss out on being in the yearbook! Make-ups will be held at Heritage Junior High School. For those students who are at HFA that day, the staff will take them over.
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 15, at 8:30 a.m. in the HFA courtyard. As parents and students, we will work together using our key questions to guide students through narration to create beautiful history notebooks. Bring your history notebooks, pencil, crayons, and colored pencils. Siblings are welcome. 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!
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 this coming Thursday, August 28 and Friday, August 29 to find out about some exciting field trip opportunities, chat with some co-op leaders, and make some new connections.
CONSORTIO PARENT MEETINGS: 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 AM in the 1845/TK Building, as we dive into the topic: “How to Ask Questions That Lead to Beautiful Conversations.” 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
CALLING ALL WHITE TIGER CHEERLEADERS! 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 at 3:15, the clinic will begin at 3:30 and end at 5 pm. White Tigers Cheerleaders will cheer the first and second quarters of the varsity game on Friday, September 19th, at Orange Glen High School. The cost is $125 and will include an entire week of fun, a T-shirt, and two tickets to the football game. We look forward to seeing you at our Fall Clinic! Sign up at this link.
THIS WEEK AT HFA
Monday, August 25:
New kindergarten parents, please join us for a Kindergarten Bootcamp at 10:00 a.m. in the kindergarten classroom. If you have not had a student in HFA Kindergarten, this is for you! Please see your teacher’s weekly email for more information.
New to first grade parents, please join us for First Grade Bootcamp at 10:00 a.m. in the First Grade Classroom. If you have not had a student in HFA First Grade, this is for you! Please see your teacher’s weekly email for more information.
Power Hour begins today for grades 4-8. Please see your teacher’s weekly emails for information regarding Power Hour.
Tuesday, August 26:
Back to School BBQ
Scheduled Emergency Drill
Wednesday, August 27:
Back to School BBQ
Scheduled Emergency Drill
Thursday, August 28:
Scheduled Emergency Drill
CO-OP Meet and Greet @ drop off
Friday, August 29:
Make-up Picture Day
Scheduled Emergency Drill
CO-OP Meet and Greet @ drop off
WOODEN WINS VIRTUES PROGRAM
AUGUST
SELF-CONTROL
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.
"If you lose self-control, everything will fall" -Coach John Wooden
Academic Advisors Connection
Education
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.
What do you notice? What do you wonder? What does it remind you of?
Just a quick reminder that our first Monthly Meet-Up is at the Balboa Park Natural History Museum on Tuesday, September 2, at 10:00 AM. It’s a FREE admission day, and there’s a new exhibit called “Amazement in the Basement”
that we think will be exciting to explore together.
Travel to Belize – Summer 2026 Open to All Families!
Ms. Sanchez and Mrs. Scaramuzza, teachers from Escondido Charter High School, are organizing an all-inclusive trip to Belize in Summer 2026. The trip covers airfare, lodging, meals, activities, and more—featuring visits to historical ruins, boat tours, cave exploration, ziplining, and even the Belize Zoo!
Blue Path Field Trips (Grades K–3) HFA Blue Path Parents Annie White and Heidi Fikse are organizing a field trip email list for families this year. Please complete this FORM if you’d like more information.
Science & History Co-op HFA Parent Lisa Camp is coordinating a co-op connected to the science curriculum and field trip outings this year, with possible opportunities to extend into history studies. If you’re interested, please fill out this FORM. Questions can be directed to Lisa at homeschoolgrouphfa@gmail.com
JPCatholic Theatre Productions will be showing Little Women on Thursday, August 28, @ 7:30 pm and Friday, August 29, @ 1:00 pm. Tickets are $10 and high school students can attend for free. Click here for more information.
