A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Hello HFA Families,

Welcome to November! As we enter the final stretch of the semester, it’s wonderful to see how much our students have grown. 

On Monday, November 2, we look forward to welcoming our Transitional Kindergarten students and their parents for a Kindergarten Tour at HFA. Families will visit the kindergarten classroom, meet the kindergarten team, and learn what a typical kindergarten day looks like. We’ll also share information about our Kindergarten Meet & Greet, Start Up, and Kindergarten Boot Camp. The tour will include classrooms, restrooms, the lunch area, office, playground, and garden, with time to review drop-off and pick-up procedures and ask questions. 

Thank you for supporting your child’s learning and helping them stay engaged at school and at home as we finish the semester together.

Warmly,

Mrs. Knapp

Principal, Heritage Flex Academy

AMERICAN HERITAGE CHARTER SCHOOLS 

2027-2028 SCHOOL YEAR LOTTERY INFORMATION

Lotteries for the 2027-2028 school year will open on October 13, 2026 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 at https://amhcs.org/echs/echs-admissions/. The Escondido Charter High school lottery closes on January 15, 2027. Please contact the main office at 760-737-3154 if you have any questions.

Heritage Elementary School: Lottery applications are available online at https://amhcs.org/heritage-elementary-school/hes-admissions/. The lottery closes on February 5, 2027. 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 5, 2027. Please contact the Heritage Junior High office at 760-294-5599 if you have any questions.

Heritage Flex Academy: Lottery applications are available online at https://amhcs.org/hfa/hfa-admissions/. The lottery closes on February 5, 2027. Please contact the Heritage Flex Academy office at 760-466-1166 if you have any questions.

MEAL SERVICE PROGRAM AT HERITAGE FLEX ACADEMY

Heritage Flex Academy offers free breakfast and free lunch for all students. There is no need to sign up in advance. 

NOVEMBER MEAL CALENDAR

Please remember the meals are subject to change.  Updates will be posted on the monthly menu as soon as they become available. Please be sure to check the most current version of the calendar for the most up-to-date menu information. To view the full menu from our vendor, click on “Menus and Nutrition Information” in the quick link above.

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.

AHCS MUSICAL THEATER PRESENTS

AHCS Musical Theater presents Willy Wonka Jr.: Step into a world of pure imagination! Join us as American Heritage Charter School students of all ages showcase their incredible talents in this year’s sweet and sensational production of Willy Wonka Jr.! This show is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth and ignite your sense of wonder. Grab your Golden Ticket and follow us into a magical factory packed with scrumptious songs, hilarious antics, and spectacular sights! Tickets are on sale now, with shows at the American Spirit Theater on the Escondido Charter High School campus from November 5-8. Be sure to lock in your seats early, as ticket prices will increase starting October 31. Check out the showtimes below and click here to purchase your tickets—it’s a golden opportunity for fun you won’t want to miss!

SHOWTIMES

Thursday, November 5*

5:00 p.m. (GOLDEN TICKET CAST)
*Students $5 cash at the door while supplies last

Friday, November 6

7:00 p.m. (WONKA BAR CAST)

Saturday, November 7

2:00 p.m. (WONKA BAR CAST)

7:00 p.m. (GOLDEN TICKET CAST)

Sunday, November 8

2:00 p.m. (GOLDEN TICKET CAST)

7:00 p.m. (WONKA BAR CAST)

NEW & TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION

CONSORTIO LEARNING TOGETHER: K-2 students and parents are invited to join us as we shine a spotlight on reading. Parents will connect with classroom teachers to practice practical strategies for teaching reading and phonics skills at home. Students are invited to bring homeschool workbooks to work on with help from our classroom aides. We will meet in the HFA courtyard on Monday, November 16 at 9:30 a.m. Please,  sign up here if you plan to attend.

YEARBOOKS ARE ON SALE:  Be sure to order your yearbook now so you don’t miss out on capturing all the special memories from this school year! Here’s the link: Buy Yearbook Here!

Have pictures to share? We’d love to include them in the yearbook! Please send your photos here:Also if you have pictures to share with us to put in the yearbook please send them here: Submit Photos Here.

JR HIGH FALL DANCE:

Students from HJHS and HFA will have the opportunity to show off their dance moves on Friday, November 13, for the annual fall junior high dance. This year's theme is masquerade! Masquerade masks will be provided for students at the dance. Students will not be permitted to bring or wear masks from home. We encourage students to dress their best for this special occasion, but please review the dress and behavior codes in advance. Questions should be directed to the front office at 760-297-5599. 

When: Friday, November 13, 2026, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. (Students should be picked up promptly at 8:00 p.m. and they are not permitted to walk from the event.)

Where: Heritage Elementary MPR at 1855 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido

How: Please click HERE to access the permission slip and payment portal. The cost for the event is $8 per student, which includes a ticket for one Kona Ice; additional snacks will be available for purchase with cash at the event, with all proceeds going to HJHS Leadership.  Please bring small bills for your snack purchases! Tickets must be purchased no later than 4:00 p.m. on November 13, 2026. Tickets will NOT be available for purchase at the event. Refunds will not be issued. 

JR. HIGH CHORUS: Calling all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade singers! Heritage Flex Academy students are invited to join the HJHS Chorus, led by Music Teacher Mr. Brendan Beck. Rehearsals begin November 10 and will be held Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:10–3:50 p.m. in Room 8 at Heritage Junior High School. Scan the QR code on the flyer below to sign up.

If your student plans to walk over on their school day, a parent must complete the Off Campus Authorization Form. The form must be approved and signed by the principal before your student walks over. Please allow two business days for approval.

ACADEMIC ADVISORS CONNECTION

As we approach the holiday season we would like to suggest building in a few intentional items that sometimes go by the wayside in our kids' busy lives. These are some things to put on the schedule/calendar and most are best appreciated together:

Silent or quiet time (build-up from a few minutes gradually if they have not done it)

Music and art time (doesn’t have to be directed but should be intentional)

Keyboarding (a great filler when they say “I’m bored”)

Free reading (the best way to slow down at the end of the day)

Physical Education (yes, they are kids, and playing outside counts, just be active)

“Give her simple, healthy food. Let her run wild in the garden. Don't look after her too much. 

She needs liberty and fresh air and romping about.”

The Secret Garden

Frances Hodgson Burnett

HFA Hybrid Academic Advisors
Name:	Grade:	Email:
Jill Thomas	TK AM & PM	jthomas@amhcs.org
Gina Curley	K, 1st, 2nd	gcurley@amhcs.org
Nick Testa	3rd, 4th, 5th	ntesta@amchs.org
Audra Catlett	6th, 7th, 8th	acatlett@amhcs.org

FLEX HOME LEARNING PROGRAM

Fall is a wonderful season full of opportunities for learning. As you explore history, science, math, and literature with your children, remember to these Questions of Inquiry to spark rich discussions and discovery:

• What do you notice?
• What does it remind you of?
• What do you wonder?

Conferences - Due to Thanksgiving Break, conferences are upon us again. Please see the link in the email being sent out Monday morning to confirm your conference day and time. Adjustments can be made if needed - I’m looking forward to our time together! 

Art in the Park – Pollock

Wednesday, November 4th | 1:30–3:00 PM | Kit Carson Park                                      

Join us for our next Art in the Park, where we’ll learn about artist Jackson Pollock and complete a simple art project inspired by his work. To help us prepare enough materials for everyone, please let us know if your child plans to attend. The sign-up link can be found in the weekly email. We hope to see you there! 🎨🍂

Veteran’s Day: Next week, we will have a holiday on Wednesday, November 11th, in observance of Veteran’s Day. We have an optional Veterans Day activity available to honor those who have served our country. If your child would like to participate, please have them complete the worksheet and return it to FHL by Friday, November 6th

Join us for our first Maker's Market: HFA Blue Path has kindly invited FHL students to participate in the Maker’s Market on Saturday, November 21, from 10:00am - 2:00pm. More information and sign-ups will be sent in the FHL Weekly email tomorrow morning. 

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FHL Academic Advisor
Name:	Email:
Carol Briggs	cbriggs@amhcs.org

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

Join a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot: Want to help feed our neighbors this Thanksgiving? Here are a few local races raising funds for neighborhood food banks to try out this Thanksgiving:

• Run For Hope 5k by Father Joe's Village (run in Balboa Park) 
• O'Side Turkey Trot (run in Oceanside)
• Encinitas Turkey Trot (run in Encinitas) 
• North County Turkey Trot (run in 4S Ranch)

Check each race link for event details and sign up deadlines. Many of the races offer shorter Kid Races, Walks, or Fun Runs for those who want to participate but are less athletically inclined.