November 6, 2025
ANNUAL DINNER | November 7
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATIONS | November 11
PICTURE RETAKE DAY - PEPPER PIKE | November 18
SPELLING BEE (1st-8th Grade) | November 18 (Please note: This has been changed from the original date)
BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER| November 18-19
DRESS DOWN DAY| November 20
THANKSGIVING BREAK | November 24-28
7TH-10TH GRADE FUNDRAISERS
Join us in supporting our 7th–10th grade students through two upcoming fundraisers held at both campuses:
November 18–19: Bake Sales – Items available for $1–$2
November 20: Dress Down Day – $2 participation
(Please note: No pajamas or leggings permitted.)
Your participation helps make these events a success. Thank you for your support!
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WEAR FUNDRAISERS
Support our students this season by participating in our Christmas Spirit Wear Fundraiser! All proceeds will support student extracurriculars. Orders are due by midnight on Saturday, November 15. All items will be delivered before Christmas Break. Order here today.
HCA FALL PLAY: THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER
We’re delighted to invite you to HCA’s Fall Play: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Performances will take place on Friday, November 14 and Saturday, November 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel at Pepper Pike.
Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the door.
Come enjoy an evening of storytelling and student talent.
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.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Heritage will participate in Operation Christmas Child again this year. HCA families are invited to pack a shoebox at home and return it to school November 17–19. Click here to view detailed instructions about this beloved service project.
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 whose values align with HCA’s mission? Please direct them to the HCA website where they can learn more about our mission, 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.
HCA CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Please join us on Wednesday, December 10, for the 2025 Heritage Classical Academy Christmas Concert. This year, we will return to Parkside Church for a one-night concert event featuring both campuses.
The Peninsula Campus Choir will perform at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Pepper Pike Campus Choir at 7:00 p.m.
We look forward to celebrating the season together through music and fellowship in this special setting.
THE GRIFFIN RUNDOWN
We invite you to listen to this week’s episode of The Griffin Rundown. In the final episode of the Building Study Kids series, Mr. Nees sits down with Mr. Scott Hatteberg, Head of Upper School, for a thoughtful conversation on helping children navigate life’s challenges. Together, they discuss the value of allowing students to struggle and grow independently, the importance of creating teachable moments, and how problems can become opportunities for meaningful dialogue. 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.
PRAYING DADS
Please join HCA dads to pray for our school, teachers, students, and each other. The next gathering is Friday, November 14 at 6:30 a.m. in the library.
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 on her service to our country and its impact on 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!
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.
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. As we continue to take children outside for recess, it is important that students are dressed appropriately for the weather, this includes snow gear. Please ensure your child comes to school prepared for outdoor activities. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe and comfortable.
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.
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.
PICTURE RETAKE DAY
Picture Retake Day for the Pepper Pike campus will take place on Tuesday, November 18. If your child was absent on the original picture day or you would like a retake, this is the opportunity to have their photo updated.
CAROL CHOIR
We are excited to announce the formation of a Carol Choir for students in grades 3–5. This special group will have the opportunity to sing for the residents of Ohman Family Living during their Tree Lighting and Christmas festivities on Saturday, December 6. If your student is interested in participating, you may sign up here. We look forward to sharing the joy of the season with our community!
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!
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. As we continue to take children outside for recess, it is important that students are dressed appropriately for the weather, including snow gear. Please ensure your child comes to school prepared for outdoor activities. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe and comfortable.
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.
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.
HOUSE MEETINGS| November 7
RHETORIC SEMINAR-INTERNET SAFTEY| November 13
CHAPEL| November 14
BAKE SALE | November 18-19
DRESS DOWN DAY| November 20
CHAPEL| November 21
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.
BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER
We invite all families to sign up for the next round of Fundraising Bake Sales. Students grade 7–10 are asked to bake and/or have parents volunteer to serve, as the proceeds will benefit students traveling on the May field trips.
Bake Sales will be held on November 18 & 19 at both campuses. Sign up here for Pepper Pike and here for Peninsula.
WINDOW WASHING
We’re seeking volunteers for a window washing project at the Maynard Building on Saturday, November 15, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity for Upper School families to serve together and demonstrate love through action.
Please bring a bucket and a willingness to help. If you plan to attend, email Jim Reichow at jimreichow57@gmail.com so we can plan accordingly.All Upper School parents and students are welcome!
PICTURE RETAKE DAY
Picture Retake Day for the Pepper Pike campus will take place on Tuesday, November 18. If your child was absent on the original picture day or you would like a retake, this is the opportunity to have their photo updated.
RHETORIC FALL DANCE HIGHLIGHTS
Experience a glimpse into the joy and fellowship from the Rhetoric Fall Dance. We’ve gathered a selection of photos and videos that capture the spirit of the evening. You can view them here. Thank you to all who helped make this event memorable!
More Winter Clubs Coming Soon!
VIOLIN CLUB
We’re pleased to announce that the second session of the Violin Club at HCA Pepper Pike is now open for November and December. Please note that dates and fees have changed for this session.
For full details and registration, please click here.
CHESS CLUB
We’re excited to announce the launch of our Chess Club! Open to students of all skill levels. The first club meeting is tomorrow, Friday, October 31. Click here to register for Chess Club.
BASKETBALL
Basketball teams are finishing their first full week of the season. We’re looking forward to an exciting season of competition and teamwork as our students take to the court. Go Griffins!
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.
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.