October 16, 2025
ANNUAL DINNER TICKET PURCHASE DEADLINE | October 17
ANNUAL PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST | October 20–22
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES | October 22–23
FALL BREAK | October 23–24
DRESS DOWN DAY | October 28
SPELLING BEE (1st-8th Grade) | November 18 (Please note: This has been changed from the original date)
ADMISSIONS APPLICATIONS OPEN
Applications for the 2026/2027 school year are open! Due to continued high demand, several classes maintained waiting pools last year, and we anticipate another strong enrollment cycle. Priority Enrollment for current families is available through January 9.
Please note: Current students are automatically re-enrolled for the next school year; no action is required to maintain their enrollment.
If you wish to apply for a sibling who is not currently enrolled, please log in to your existing FACTS Family Portal account. (Do not create a new account). From there, go to “Apply/Enroll,” choose “Application,” and then select “Click Here to Add an Application” on the main screen.
For any questions, contact our Admissions Director, Laura Calo, at laura.calo@heritageclassicalacademy.org.
SAVE THE DATE: CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Join us for our annual Christmas Concert on Wednesday, December 10 at Parkside Church.
Peninsula Campus performance begins at 5:30 p.m.
Pepper Pike Campus performance begins at 7:00 p.m.
The concert will feature Academy students from Kindergarten through 12th grade, along with Study Center choir students. Please note: Early Childhood students do not participate.
All students will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m. on December 10 to allow time for preparation and travel.
More information will follow. We look forward to celebrating the season together.
HCA ANNUAL DINNER
There is only 1 day left to purchase tickets for the Heritage Classical Academy Annual Dinner. This memorable evening will be held on November 7 at the Marriott Key Tower in downtown Cleveland. We are eager to come together as a community to hear our keynote speaker, HCA’s Dr. Jason Valley, and to celebrate the mission we share at Heritage.
For additional details, please visit the Annual Dinner webpage or click here to reserve your tickets or sponsor a table.
Please note: The deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, October 17.
We look forward to sharing this meaningful evening with you.
ANNUAL DINNER SPONSORS
We extend our sincere thanks to Crawford Law for generously sponsoring valet services for the evening, and to The WALCO Organization for serving as our Gold Sponsor. Your partnership makes this special evening possible.
PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST
The Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest is here! A beloved tradition among our students, the Pumpkin Decorating Contest will be held on October 20–22. We invite all participants to showcase their creativity and school spirit. Click here for full details, including contest categories and the entry form. We look forward to seeing your festive creations.
THE GRIFFIN RUNDOWN
We invite you to listen to this week’s episode of The Griffin Rundown, where we begin a special three-part series focused on understanding student development and fostering responsibility at home and school. Mr. Nees speaks with Carrie Serafimov, Assistant Head of Lower School at Peninsula, about supporting young children—specifically those in Junior Kindergarten through 1st grade—as they grow in character and resilience. This thoughtful conversation highlights the value of daily family prayer, respectful guidance, and helping children accomplish hard things with confidence. Click here to listen to this week’s episode.
HCA APP
Click here to download the HCA app for easy access to class details, lunch orders, directories, the Griffin Rundown podcast, and more.
ATTENDANCE REPORTING POLICY
For all attendance related communications—including absences, tardies, midday appointments, and early pick-ups—please do one of the following:
1) Call the appropriate Attendance Line and leave a message. You will still need to contact your child’s teacher and the nurse (when medical).
Peninsula: (330) 548-1738, Ext 1, Ext 1
Pepper Pike Upper School: (330) 548-1738, Ext 2, Ext 1
Pepper Pike Lower School: (330) 548-1738, Ext 2, Ext 2
2) Send an email to the appropriate Attendance Email address, your child’s teacher, and the nurse (when medical).
All absences, tardies, and midday appointments should be communicated by 9:00 a.m. Any end-of-day pick-up changes should be communicated by 1:00 p.m. Please do not contact the Campus Coordinator by email or by phone regarding attendance related issues. Please continue to share attendance information with your student’s teacher, nurse (when medical), and the Attendance Line or Email.
MORNING DROP-OFF
To help ensure a safe and efficient arrival process for all students, please keep the following guidelines in mind during morning drop-off:
Students must exit their vehicle on the side closest to the building, even if it requires adjusting or maneuvering around car seats.
Once you have safely pulled into the designated drop-off zone, students may exit independently.
It is not necessary for students to wait for a staff member before exiting the vehicle.
Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our mornings smooth and safe.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Conference registration is now open. Please watch for a teacher’s invite, then select a 15-minute time slot in the Renweb Family Portal calendar. These conferences are a valuable opportunity to partner with your child’s teacher to support academic success.
LUNCH & RECESS VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
We are grateful for our Special Lunch volunteers! Volunteers serve Chick-fil-A and Gionino’s and assist with delivery, set up, distribution, and clean up, and will receive a list of student orders. A consistent weekly volunteer is especially helpful for both routine and relationships with students. If you would like to serve, please click on the link located below. Emily Thompson, our Campus Coordinator, will follow up regarding a quick background check. Thank you for considering this opportunity to bless our school community.
HOT LUNCH
The hot lunch schedule can be viewed here, and ordering instructions can be viewed on the Orientation Page. Orders must be placed by Sunday night. We kindly ask that you note the dates on which you order lunch for your child, as this service is not available every week.
AFTERCARE REGISTRATION
Aftercare registration is required for each student who will remain on campus after school hours. This includes students staying due to a sibling’s participation in after-school clubs, lessons, or athletics. Please register by 2:00 p.m. daily to ensure proper supervision and planning. Please note, students who ride the HCA Shuttle do not need to register for aftercare if they will be picked up by 3:45 p.m.
DISTRICT BUSSING SIGN-UP
Please complete daily registration for students who will be riding district buses after school. Registration must be submitted by 2:00 p.m. each day, using the appropriate district form linked below. Please do not email your campus coordinator or attendance line with bus changes. All updates must be made through the form by the daily deadline. Any students not listed on the form will not be placed on the bus after school.
CHICK-FIL-A STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to our September Chick-Fil-A Students of the Month!
Hannah Mann
Lillian Blickensderfer
Theo King
Linus Casey
MORNING DROP-OFF
Please note that student drop-off begins at 8:10 a.m. or 9:10 a.m. on Thursdays. For safety reasons, students should not exit vehicles until HCA staff are present outside at the designated time. Teachers are not in their classes for student supervision until 8:10/9:10.
Drop-off ends promptly at 8:25 a.m. Students arriving after this time must be accompanied into the building and signed in at the Front Desk by a parent.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our campus safe and efficient.
SPIRIT DAYS
Students are invited to participate in the upcoming Spirit Days with creativity and enthusiasm:
Please note: Lower School students must wear uniform bottoms.
Monday, October 20 – House Color Day
Show your house pride by wearing your designated color:Fortis – Burgundy or Red
Temperans – Green
Prudens – Blue
Iustus – Purple
Tuesday, October 21 – Alphabet Dress-Up Day
Dress as something that begins with the first letter of your name.
(Example: Bob – Baker)Wednesday, October 22 – Western Day
Celebrate the spirit of the West with western attire.
We cannot wait to see students show off their creativity and school spirit in fun and imaginative ways!
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Conference registration is now open. Please watch for a teacher’s invite and then select a 20-minute time slot using the calendar in the Renweb Family Portal. These conferences are a valuable opportunity to partner with your child’s teacher to support academic success.
LOST & FOUND
While you are on campus for conferences, please visit the Lost and Found. Any items in the Lost and Found that are not labeled with a name will be donated at the end of each month. There are many HCA fleeces and jackets among the unclaimed items. If you believe your child may be missing an item, stop by the front desk as soon as possible.
MOMS & MUFFINS
Save the date for Moms and Muffins! Early Childhood students will enjoy a special morning with their Mom on October 22. Further information to follow from your child’s teacher.
PRAYING MOMS AND DADS
Heritage moms and dads, you are invited to join together for prayer every month. Praying Dads meets at Heritage Coffee in Solon from 6:30–7:30 a.m. Mark your calendar for future dates: November 11, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10, and May 8. Reach out to HCA dad, Jason Fruh, with questions at fruhjm1@gmail.com. Praying Moms meets Mondays at the Pepper Pike campus Chapel from 8:30–9:30 a.m. Mark your calendar for future dates: October 20, November 17, December 15. Reach out to HCA mom, Julie Johnson, with questions at prayingparents@heritageclassicalacademy.org
HOT LUNCH
The hot lunch schedule can be viewed here, and ordering instructions are available on the Orientation Page. Orders must be placed by Sunday night. We kindly ask that you note the dates on which you order lunch for your child, as this service is not available every week.
LUNCH VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
HCA is grateful for the faithful partnership of parents and grandparents who generously volunteer to help supervise lunch and recess. Your presence not only supports our daily routines but also offers a meaningful opportunity to connect with students and be part of their school experience. To ensure these days run smoothly, we are in need of volunteers to assist with serving. Would you consider helping us on Pizza Thursdays? Thank you for prayerfully considering this opportunity to serve our school community.
RHETORIC FALL DANCE | October 18
SPIRIT DAYS | October 20-22
BAKE SALE | November 18-19
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher Conferences for the Upper School will be held on an as-needed basis during the following times:
Wednesday, October 22 from 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 23 from 9:00–10:30 a.m.
Due to limited availability, teachers are unable to meet with every parent. If you have a specific academic or behavioral concern and would like to request a conference, please email the appropriate teacher directly to receive a sign-up link.
Teachers have already contacted parents with whom they need to meet. If you did not receive a message, no conference is necessary at this time.
SPIRIT DAYS
Students are invited to participate in the upcoming Spirit Days with creativity and enthusiasm:
Monday, October 20 – House Color Day
Show your house pride by wearing your designated color:Fortis – Burgundy or Red
Temperans – Green
Prudens – Blue
Iustus – Purple
Tuesday, October 21 – Alphabet Dress-Up Day
Dress as something that begins with the first letter of your name.
(Example: Bob – Baker)Wednesday, October 22 – Western Day
Celebrate the spirit of the West with western attire.
We cannot wait to see students show off their creativity and school spirit in fun and imaginative ways!
RHETORIC FALL DANCE
The Rhetoric Fall Dance is this Saturday, October 18, from 6:45–9:00 p.m. This special evening will be full of fun, friends, and dancing! Click here for a copy of the email sent about this event.
HOT LUNCH
The hot lunch schedule can be viewed here and ordering instructions can be viewed on the Orientation Page. Orders must be placed by Sunday night. We ask that you please note the dates on which you order lunch for your child as this service is not available every week.
BAKE SALE THANK YOU & SAVE THE DATE
Thank you to all the parents who worked and baked for the Bake Sale this past week! It was a huge success. Mark your calendars for the next Bake Sale on November 18 & 19. Sign-ups will be sent in several weeks.
CHESS CLUB
We’re excited to announce the launch of our Chess Club! Open to students of all skill levels. Click here to register for Chess Club.
BASKETBALL
We invite you to join our Basketball program. This program offers students a dynamic way to stay active and engaged throughout the long Ohio winter. It promotes physical fitness, fosters teamwork, and encourages healthy competition—all within a fun and supportive environment. Whether your child is a seasoned player or trying the sport for the first time, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow, and be part of a team.
Registration is now open for winter basketball teams. The deadline to register is Friday, October 24 at 5:00 p.m. Click below for more information and to register for the upcoming season.
SKI CLUB
Ski Club is back for another exciting season! Ski club is a great way to enjoy the winter months with friends. Please click here to view the full email with additional details.
FALL SPORTS BANQUET
Join us at Tanglewood Golf Club for an evening of celebration and reflection on the fall sports season. Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 30, from 5:30–7:00 p.m.
POWER OF THE PEN & MOCK TRIAL TEAM
The Journey to State Begins Now!
Two of HCA’s premier academic teams are off to an exciting start, and there’s still time to join.
Power of the Pen (Grades 7–8)
Our creative writing team has launched with imagination and enthusiasm. Students are already crafting compelling narratives as they prepare to compete against top schools across Ohio.
Mock Trial (Grades 9–12)
The courtroom is coming to life at HCA! Under the guidance of Mrs. Danyella Johnson, students are building cases, refining arguments, and mastering the art of legal debate.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of these outstanding academic programs.
To learn more and register, click here for Power of the Pen and here for the Mock Trial Team. Registration closes on Friday, October 17.
CROSS COUNTRY
Our runners have officially wrapped up a tremendous season marked by dedication, discipline, and standout performances. From personal records to team achievements, our student-athletes ran with heart every step of the way. We’re so proud of their grit and sportsmanship. Go Griffins!
STAFF VS. STUDENTS SOCCER MATCH
Cheer on your favorites at our inaugural Staff vs. Students soccer match! Join us on Thursday, October 16, at 4:15 p.m. at Fellowship City Church—Orange Campus, for an afternoon of friendly competition and fun.
GOLF
The golf team will celebrate a successful first season with a fun skills day at the Golf Dome this Friday! Congratulations to all our players—especially for setting the foundation for future seasons. Way to go, Griffins!
VOLLEYBALL
We invite you to support our teams in the upcoming OCSAA Playoff Games.
Middle School Girls
The OCSAA Semi-Final match was a hard-fought battle, but Mansfield Christian came away with the win. We’re proud of our girls for a great season full of effort and growth. Way to go, Griffins!
High School vs. Agape
Friday, October 17 at 6:00 p.m.
Location: Agape
Come cheer on our student-athletes as they compete with excellence and sportsmanship. Go Griffins!
STAY CONNECTED
Join your child’s after-school club on the Band app to receive updates. Didn’t receive an invite? Please email mitchell.monas@heritageclassicalacademy.org.