As we head into Week 14, a quick reminder that school will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Wednesday, November 12, is an Independent Study Day, so there will be no classes on campus. Students should complete the learning activities provided by their teachers. Thursday and Friday will follow our regular school schedule.
A big thank-you to everyone for your patience and support as we launched our new Universal Meals Program last week. The children have been wonderful—lining up nicely and learning the new routine for meals. We’re still refining our process and will continue to make adjustments to staffing and flow as needed.
I’m so grateful for the positive feedback we’ve received from families and students. Anytime we implement something new, there’s a natural period of adjustment, and your kindness and cooperation make all the difference.
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’re excited to share that free breakfast and lunch will be available to all Kindergarten–8th grade students beginning next week, on all three Heritage campuses—Heritage Flex Academy, Heritage Elementary, and Heritage Junior High School!
All meals meet federal and state nutrition standards and are designed to support student health, focus, and learning. Breakfast will be served before school begins, and lunch will be distributed from the big kitchen in the lunch area. Gates will open at 8:00 a.m. (no change), the warning bell rings at 8:15, and students are expected to be in their seats by the 8:20 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 staff prepare accurate meal counts and ensures your child knows your preferences.
As we launch the first week of meal service, please be patient while we improve our processes. We anticipate longer lines at first as each student must be counted when receiving a meal, but the process will become faster as routines are established.
If your child has any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please make sure we have a doctor-signed Medical Statement Form
on file. Families may also complete a Fluid Milk Substitution Form
(parent-signed) if a lactose-free, soy, or oat milk option is preferred.
An email was sent to K–8 families on October 24 with complete program details and links to both forms—please reference that message for quick access.
Eligibility Requirements All requirements are the same as our previous sports seasons: • Maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher • Be in good behavioral and attendance standing • Complete all sports clearance forms prior to the first game
Bring your best effort, positive attitude, and come ready to compete!
Let’s have an awesome winter season — Go Tigers!
ATTENTION ALL 8TH GRADE FAMILIES - ECHS 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
CONSORTIO PARENT HUB!: We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new Consortio Parent Hub! This new space is designed to create a place for parents to find resources and help build community. Our goal in creating the Consortio Parent Hub is to provide families with a streamlined and accessible space that encourages meaningful connections and supports ongoing partnership between home and school. We invite all homeschool educators to explore the Consortio Parent Hub and take advantage of the tools and information available to stay connected and engaged. You can access the new Consortio Parent Hub.
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. Join us on Wednesday, November 12th at 8:30 AM in the 1845/TK Building as we discuss “Creating a Culture of Joy: Shaping the Atmosphere of Your Home.” Come enjoy a time of wisdom and encouragement! Childcare is provided, as we know this is a Virtual learning Day. We look forward to seeing you! If you have any questions, please contact Jill at jthomas@amhcs.org
8TH GRADE SISTER PROJECT: The next event is on Nov. 14 at 3:35-5:00 pm in the ECHS Student Union. The theme is Giving Back (you’ll be making hygiene kits to donate), and you’ll also be making lip glosses for fun. Bring any hygiene donations that you have that day to the event (trial size shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, razors, etc). Please bring a snack to share with the group. Pizza and water will be provided as well.
FALL JUNIOR HIGH DANCE: Students will not want to miss our fall junior high dance on Friday, November 14, 2025. Middle school students from both Heritage Junior High and Heritage Flex Academy will be showing off their dance moves from 6:00–8:00 p.m. in the Heritage Elementary MPR (1855 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido). This year's theme is country western, so pull out your cowboy boots and your favorite plaid and denim. Snacks will be available for purchase with all proceeds going to the HJHS Leadership Club. Please bring small bills for your snack purchases! Tickets cost $5 and may ONLY be purchased online in advance of the event. Please click HERE
to access the permission slip and payment portal. The portal will close at 4:00 p.m. on the day of the dance and tickets will NOT be available for purchase at the event. 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 of your campus.
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 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.
THIS WEEK AT HFA
Monday, November 10:
Power Hour: Please see your teacher’s weekly email for more information.
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
Jr. High Girl's Soccer Tryouts @ ECHS Soccer field 2:30 to 4:00 pm
Jr High Boys Basketball Tryouts @ HJHS blacktop 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Tuesday, November 11:
Veteran's Day: No School
Wednesday, November 12:
Virtual Home Day: All paths have a homeschool day.
Consortio: Partnering with Parents @ 1845 TK/FHL Building - 8:30am
Jr. High Girl's Soccer Tryouts @ ECHS Soccer field 3:30 to 4:30 pm
Jr High Boys Basketball Tryouts @ HJHS blacktop 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Thursday, November 13:
Spring Musical Information Meeting: 6:30pm to 7:30pm @ ECHS American Spirit Theater
Friday, November 14:
End of Grading Period
Sister Project Meeting: 3:30pm to 5:00pm @ ECHS Student Union
Fall Jr High Dance: 6:00pm to 8:00pm - No tickets sold at the door
NOVEMBER
INTENTNESS
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
Thank you to all of the Heritage Flex Academy families who sent pictures of your Veteran Heroes to school. We LOVE being able to honor all of our Veterans in such a personal way on campus. Please stop by this week to see all your loved ones on display and to see the White Table.
Check out the new Consortio Parent Hub - your one-stop place for resources and connection!
Flex Home Learning’s Annual Friendsgiving Gathering at the Park
We are excited to invite you to a special gathering to celebrate the season with friends and family! Please join us on Thursday, November 20, 1:00 pm at Kit Carson Park. A letter with more details and sign-ups was sent 11/6, so check your mail and plan to join in the fun!
📚Conferences - Due to Thanksgiving Break, conferences are upon us again. Please see the link in the email sent out this past week to confirm your conference day and time. Adjustments can be made if needed - I’m looking forward to our time together!
Hygiene Drive: The Sister Project Club will be creating Hygiene Kits to donate to Interfaith in Escondido. Please help us by donating the following items for our kits: razors, travel-size shampoo, bar soap, deodorant, etc. The drive will take place from October 27 to November 7. Please drop off items in the HFA front office. For those students in Sister Project, you can bring the items with you to your next event on November 14.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
November 17: Consortio: Learning Together @ HFA
November 19: HFA Campus Tour
November 20/21: Class Color Spirit Day
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
