January 29, 2026
LOWER SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES - NO SCHOOL (NO AFTERCARE) | January 30
SPEECH MEET (1st-6th Grade) | February 10
NO SCHOOL - IN SERVICE DAY | February 13
NO SCHOOL - PRESDIENTS’ DAY | February 16
HERITAGE U WITH TIM CHALLLIES | February 26
SPRING CONCERT | April 30
HERITAGE U
We invite you to join us on Thursday, February 26, at 6:45 p.m. for a special evening titled Living in a Digital World: Developing God-Honoring Practices in Your Family and Personal Life with author and speaker Tim Challies. Raising children in today’s digital age presents parents with unique challenges—screen time, content, social media, online safety, and mental health concerns. Tim Challies will address these issues and encourage us to cultivate God-honoring habits in our homes and personal lives. Click here to reserve your spot.
Please note: This evening is intended for parents and our Upper School students. There is no childcare provided.
HCA FAMILY SURVEY
As we continue our shared work of cultivating students at Heritage Classical Academy, we remain committed to serving the families God has entrusted to our care. One of the most meaningful ways we do this is by listening well.
Please submit one response per household by Friday, January 30, at 5:00 p.m. Click here to access the survey.
CASTING CALL
HCA’s Theater Department is seeking a well-trained, small dog to play Toto in our spring production of The Wizard of Oz. If your dog loves attention and can follow basic commands, please contact Sarah Klein at sarah.klein@heritageclassicalacademy.org for more details.
PARENT TEXT ALERTS
To ensure you receive all Parent Text Alerts, please log in to your FACTS Family Portal and confirm that your current cell phone number is accurately entered. Keeping this information up to date helps us communicate important school notifications in a timely manner. For questions, please contact Adam Continenza at adam.continenza@heritageclassicalacademy.org.
NEW GRIFFIN GEAR STORE ITEMS
We are pleased to announce that new House items and Heritage hoodies have been added to our Griffin Gear store. Click here to visit the store and explore these latest options.
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.
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. If you wish to request a campus or track change during priority enrollment, please notify our Admissions Director, Laura Calo, at laura.calo@heritageclassicalacademy.org. For any other questions, contact Laura directly.
SPEECH MEET
Our 1st–6th-grade students are preparing for the upcoming Speech Meet on February 10. To support their preparation, please review this document, which includes Practice Tips and Category Guidelines. Click here to view all information about the Speech Meet.
THE GRIFFIN RUNDOWN
We invite you to join us for this week’s episode of The Griffin Rundown as Mr. Nees speaks with Nolan Grame, Academic Dean and Humanities teacher, about the enduring value of a classical education. Together, they consider the philosophy and theology behind the Great Books, exploring how timeless works shape the imagination, cultivate virtue, and draw students into the Great Conversation. Their discussion offers a thoughtful glimpse into how reading widely and deeply trains young minds to seek truth and anchors them in a rich heritage of wisdom. Click here to listen to this week’s Griffin Rundown.
HCA APP
Click here to download the HCA App for easy access to class details, lunch orders, directories, The Griffin Rundown podcast, and more.
CONVERT YOUR OHIO TAX DOLLARS TO HCA SCHOLARSHIPS
The state of Ohio’s Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) tax credit allows donors who contribute to K–12 student scholarships through a certified SGO to receive a dollar-for-dollar reduction in their state taxes—up to $750 per individual or $1,500 per couple. We encourage families to prayerfully consider a gift to the OCEN SGO to support scholarship funding for HCA students, knowing their contribution will be returned to them through this tax credit. Learn more here.
WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE
Students may withdraw from the 2026–2027 school year prior to February 1, 2026, without penalty. The complete Withdrawal Policy is available here.
If there is a specific section of the Gazette you would like to view, please select it from the menu below.
PENINSULA CAMPUS
PEPPER PIKE CAMPUS - LOWER SCHOOL
PEPPER PIKE CAMPUS - UPPER SCHOOL
ATHLETICS AND CLUBS
SAVE THE DATE
We are delighted to share two upcoming events for our Heritage Classical Academy families:
Early Childhood Dads & Donuts
February 23 & 24
Our youngest learners are invited to enjoy a special morning with their dads. Please watch your classroom newsletters for additional details as the dates approach.
2nd Annual Daddy–Daughter Dance
Friday, March 13 – Peninsula Campus
Lower School families are warmly invited to join us for this treasured event celebrating the special bond between fathers and daughters. More information will be provided soon.
We look forward to these joyful community gatherings!
HCA CARES
Please bring all Suited for Hope donations by Friday, January 30. Thank you for demonstrating God’s love in such a tangible and meaningful way.
PRAYING MOMS
Praying Moms will meet on Tuesday, February 3, at 8:30 a.m. in the library. All mothers are warmly invited to join in this time of prayerful fellowship.
HIGHLANDER SPELLING BEE
Several HCA students recently competed in the Highlander Spelling Bee and represented our school with excellence. Congratulations to Judah Fritzler, Ella Crocker, Jocelyn Mears, Julia Leukhardt, Ben Warren, Alistair Pheneger, Mia Herceg, and Cooper Atkins for their strong performances. A special commendation goes to Judah Fritzler, Peninsula’s top finisher in the Queen Bee final round. Judah is now eligible to represent HCA in the Summit County Spelling Bee.
UNIFORM CLOSET
Did you know that a uniform closet is available for all HCA families? We gladly receive gently used uniforms and, in turn, invite families to take what they need. This a wonderful way to share resources within our community.
HOT LUNCH
The hot lunch schedule is available here, and ordering instructions can be viewed on the Orientation Page. Orders must be placed by Sunday night. Please note the dates you order lunch for your child, as this service is not available every week.
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.
SAVE THE DATE
2nd Annual Daddy–Daughter Dance
Friday, March 13 – Pepper Pike Campus
Lower School families are warmly invited to join us for this treasured event celebrating the special bond between fathers and daughters. More information will be provided soon.
MORNING DROP-OFF
Please ensure students are unpacked and seated in their classrooms by 8:30 a.m. (or 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays). Drop-off ends at 8:25 a.m. If you arrive near this time and notice a backup in the line, kindly park and walk your children into the front lobby.
Being in the drop-off line at 8:25 does not guarantee timely arrival to class. Students not in their seats by the start time will be marked tardy. Thank you for helping us maintain a smooth and punctual start to the school day.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Lower School conferences will be held on Friday, January 30, and are scheduled on an as-needed basis. Teachers who wish to meet regarding your child will contact you soon, if they have not already.
If you would like to request a conference, please contact your child’s teacher directly. Please note: There will be no school for Junior Kindergarten through 5th grade students on this day.
HOT LUNCH
Please remember to place your orders by Sunday evening for Chick-fil-A (Wednesdays) and Gionino’s (Thursdays). For your convenience, you may order for the remainder of the school year. Kindly note the specific dates you select, as this lunch service is not available every week.
LUNCH VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
We invite you to help us begin the new year in the lunchroom. Your support makes a difference, and we would greatly appreciate your assistance!
HOUSE COMPETITION | January 30
LOWER SCHOOL PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES - (NO AFTERCARE) | January 30
ITALY TRIP PARENT MEETING
Our 11th and 12th grade students are scheduled to travel to Italy during the final week of school. Parents of participating students are invited to join us online for an informational meeting with our trip coordinator from Joshua Expeditions on Wednesday, February 4, at 7:00 p.m. A meeting link will be sent to all parents prior to the event.
As a reminder, please obtain your student’s passport as soon as possible and send a copy to Mr. Hatteberg.
11th GRADE ACT TESTING
Our 11th grade students will take the ACT on the morning of Tuesday, February 24. Please avoid scheduling any appointments during this time.
Students will be dismissed at noon and should arrange their own transportation following the exam.
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Please note that Friday, January 30, is a regular school day for all Upper School students. Only Lower School students will be out of school that day due to Parent-Teacher Conferences.
SPEECH MEET
Our 6th grade students are getting ready for the upcoming Speech Meet on February 10. To support their preparation, please review this helpful document featuring Practice Tips and Category Guidelines. Click here to read all information regarding the Speech Meet.
SPECIAL LUNCH VOLUNTEERS
We are in need of additional volunteers to help serve pizza on Thursdays in the new year. Your support is greatly appreciated! If you are willing to help, please click here to sign up.
COURT OF DREAMS
Court of Dreams proved to be a tremendous success for our high school boys’ and girls’ teams. Our athletes performed with determination and pride on the Cavaliers’ court, making the experience truly special. Following their games, students stayed to enjoy the Cavaliers vs. Magic matchup—an unforgettable highlight that made the evening one to remember for all involved.
SPRING MUSICAL
Auditions for HCA’s inaugural spring musical, The Wizard of Oz, commenced this week with an impressive turnout and remarkable performances from our students. Excitement continues to build as participants await the release of the cast list. Auditions will conclude next week, marking the next step in bringing this cherished production to life.
TRACK AND FIELD
The Spring Track and Field team is back! Practices will take place at the Tri-C Track, which offers excellent facilities for training and development.
The Track and Field team will be led by high school coaches, Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Harris, and middle school coach, Mr. Dunay.
Click here to sign-up for the team.
BASKETBALL
Junior High and 5th and 6th Grade Boys Basketball Update
The Junior High Boys Basketball team delivered a strong performance on Tuesday night in the second round of the OCSAA playoffs, ultimately falling to the No. 1 seed, Open Door. Their season continues into the second week of February. Well done, Griffins!
Our 5th and 6th Grade Boys Basketball teams have also been hard at work, competing each Saturday in the Northeastern Premier League against several local schools. With only a few games remaining, we commend their hard work and dedication. Keep up the great work, Griffins!
High School Senior Night
Join us for Basketball Senior Night on Friday, January 30, at The Edge (9550 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, OH).
Girls Game: 5:30 p.m.
Boys Game: 7:00 p.m.
Come support our teams and celebrate our Seniors!
MOCK TRIAL
Our Mock Trial team will participate in the District Competition on January 30th. The exact date, time, and location will be announced soon. Stay tuned for details and join us in supporting our team as they prepare for this exciting event.
POWER OF THE PEN
We are thrilled to announce that our students will compete for the first time in the Power of the Pen State Competition on January 31 at Kenston Middle School in Chagrin Falls. This is an exciting milestone, and we wish our team the very best.
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.