October 23, 2025
FALL BREAK | October 23–24
DRESS DOWN DAY | October 28
PICTURE RETAKE DAY - PENINSULA | November 4
ANNUAL DINNER | November 7
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATIONS | November 11
SPELLING BEE (1st-8th Grade) | November 18 (Please note: This has been changed from the original date)
CURRENT FAMILIES WEBPAGE UPDATE
We are making a few updates to our school website to enhance accessibility and improve the user experience—particularly on the Current Families page. Beginning November 1, the new password to access this section will be Heritage2526. Please feel free to share this password with family members who may need access. Thank you for your continued partnership and understanding as we work to improve our online resources.
ADMISSIONS APPLICATIONS OPEN
Admissions season is in full swing, and we are accepting applications for the 2026–2027 school year. Do you know a family who would be a fit for our mission? We kindly ask you to share about Heritage with like-minded families in your church, small group, or neighborhood. Please direct them to the website where they can learn more about Heritage, schedule a tour at one of our campuses, and submit their application.
Please note: Current students are automatically re-enrolled for the next school year; no action is required to maintain their enrollment.
Priority Enrollment for current families is available through January 9. 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 in Bainbridge. The Peninsula Campus performance begins at 5:30 p.m. and Pepper Pike’s 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. the day of to allow time for preparation and travel. More information to follow!
ANNUAL DINNER SPONSORS
We are grateful to our Silver Sponsors for their generous support of this special evening. Thank you to Element Design, Spartan Stormshield, Derek Mantel of Edward Jones Financial, and Green Vision Materials for your partnership and commitment to our school community. Your support helps make this event possible, and we are truly thankful!
THE GRIFFIN RUNDOWN
We invite you to listen to this week’s episode of The Griffin Rundown. This week we continue our thoughtful series on Building Sturdy Kids with a conversation between Mr. Nees and Mrs. Pam Larison, Head of Lower School in Pepper Pike. Together, they explore how parents and educators can deepen their understanding of what children are truly capable of—and how to support their growth with wisdom and care. 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.
LOWER SCHOOL DRESS CODE UPDATE
Beginning November 1, shorts will no longer be permitted for Lower School students. All students must wear pants or leggings under skirts and dresses. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for helping us maintain our dress code.
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
Veterans are invited to join us at our Peninsula Campus for a special Veterans Day Celebration beginning at 8:40 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11. Our guest speaker, Captain Laura Hawkins, will share reflections during Convocation on her service to our country and how it has shaped her faith. Following Convocation, veterans are invited to enjoy a light breakfast in recognition of their service and dedication. Families are encouraged to download and share our Veterans Day graphic to help spread the word, or click here to access the registration form. We look forward to honoring those who have served!
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.
PICTURE RETAKE DAY
Picture retake day at Peninsula will take place on Tuesday, November 4. This is an opportunity for students and staff who missed the original photo day or would like a retake to have their pictures taken. Please ensure you are prepared and dressed appropriately for the occasion.
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.
LOWER SCHOOL DRESS CODE UPDATE
Beginning November 1, shorts will no longer be permitted for Lower School students. All students must wear pants or leggings under skirts and dresses.
Thank you for your attention to this update and for helping us maintain a consistent and respectful dress code.
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
Veterans are invited to join us at our Pepper Pike Campus for a special Veterans Day Celebration beginning at 8:10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11. Our guest speaker, Lieutenant Commander Mitchell Monas, will share reflections during Convocation on his service to our country and how it has shaped his faith. Following Convocation, veterans are invited to enjoy a light breakfast in recognition of their service and dedication. Families are encouraged to download and share our Veterans Day graphic to help spread the word, or to click here to access the registration form. We look forward to honoring those who have served!
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 a.m.
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.
LOST & FOUND
Our Lost and Found is currently holding a number of HCA-branded fleeces, water bottles, and sweaters. To help ensure these items are returned to their rightful owners, we kindly ask families to check for any missing belongings. Items not labeled with a name will be donated at the end of each month. If you believe your child may have misplaced something, please visit the front desk at your earliest convenience.
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: 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.
DRESS DOWN DAY| October 28
GROVE CITY COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVE VISIT| October 29
CHAPEL| October 31
HILLSDALE COLLEGE ADMISSION REPRESENTATIVE VISIT| November 5
BAKE SALE | November 18-19
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
We are honored to invite our Pepper Pike campus community Veterans to join us for our Veterans Day Celebration at 8:10 a.m. on Tuesday, November 11. Guest speaker Lieutenant Commander Mitchell Monas will join us for Convocation, sharing reflections on his service to our country and how it has shaped his faith. Following Convocation, we will host a light breakfast in recognition of your service and dedication. Families are encouraged to download and share the Veterans Day graphic provided to invite others to this meaningful event, or you can click here to register. We look forward to celebrating you.
UPPER SCHOOL DRESS CODE UPDATE
New for this school year: Upper School students may wear shorts and skirts year-round.
ANNUAL DINNER HELP
We are seeking a limited number of Upper School students to serve at the Annual Dinner on Friday, November 7, at the Marriott Key Center downtown.
This is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to a meaningful school event. If you are interested in serving, please sign up here.
COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE VISITS
We are pleased to welcome college admission representatives to campus this fall. These visits offer students in grades 9–12 a valuable opportunity to learn more about each institution and ask questions directly.
Grove City College
Monday, October 29
During LunchHillsdale College
Tuesday, November 5
During Lunch
Students are encouraged to stop by and take advantage of these informative sessions.
RHETORIC FALL DANCE THANK YOU
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the staff and parents who contributed to the success of the Fall Rhetoric Dance last Saturday. Your support helped create a truly memorable evening for our students. A link to event photos will be shared soon—stay tuned!
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
Thank you to all who registered for the upcoming basketball season. Registration is now officially closed. Due to seasonal limitations and program restrictions, we are unable to accept any additional participants at this time. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to a great season ahead.
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 on Thursday, October 30 at 5:30 PM at Tanglewood Golf Club
8745 Tanglewood Trail, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
This special evening will honor our athletes and reflect on a memorable season. Please note that no food will be served to help reduce costs, and there is no fee to attend.
Evening Highlights:
Welcome & Season Recap
Honoring Our Five Seniors
Team Reflections from Each Coach
New This Year:
Six Individual Team Awards
Varsity Letters
Memorable Gifts
Photo Opportunities & Time to Reflect
We look forward to celebrating the dedication and achievements of our teams with you.
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.