September 24, 2026
FALL FEST | September 26
PICTURE DAY - PENINSULA | September 29 - 30
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES | October 1
NO SCHOOL - TEACHER IN-SERVICE | October 2
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES | October 8
ANNUAL STATE OF THE SCHOOL MEETING | October 13
ANNUAL DINNER | November 6
FIRST ANNUAL STATE OF THE SCHOOL MEETING
Heritage families and friends are warmly invited to join us for our first Annual State of the School Meeting on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Pepper Pike Chapel. This special evening will be an opportunity to give thanks for the Lord’s continued faithfulness to Heritage, reflect on significant milestones from the past year, and look ahead with hope and purpose to the opportunities before us. Daniel Bond, Head of School, will share his heart for Heritage and the vision for the school’s future. John Zaller, Board Finance Chair, will also provide a brief review of the past year’s financials, offer perspective on the school’s stewardship, and share a glimpse of several initiatives for the coming year.
Please RSVP here to help us prepare for the evening. We hope you will join us for this special gathering in the life of our school.
FALL FEST
Fall Fest is this Saturday, September 26, at Luther’s Farm! This beloved Heritage tradition is a wonderful opportunity for families to gather in fellowship and celebrate the start of another school year.
Tickets are on sale until 12:00 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, September 25. Sales are now open to extended family and friends. Click here to reserve your tickets. Tickets will also be available at the door. Cash only, please.
Volunteers are needed! Please sign up here to help make this special event a success. If you have any questions, please contact Ana Frock-Herceg at afherceg@gmail.com
SPIRIT WEAR FRIDAYS
Fridays are a time to show our HCA Griffin spirit! Students may wear approved Heritage spirit wear in place of their standard uniform shirt while maintaining the rest of the school uniform dress code. We look forward to seeing our students proudly display their Griffin pride each Friday throughout the school year.
Please visit one of our spirit wear shops by clicking on the links below:
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
Congratulations to twelfth grader Breanna Yang, who has been named a Commended Student in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. Breanna has demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the competition by taking the 2025 PSAT. It is a joy to celebrate Breanna and this exceptional accomplishment within our Heritage community.
THE GRIFFIN RUNDOWN PODCAST
What does it mean for a student to flourish? This week on The Griffin Rundown, Mr. Bond is joined by Heritage’s new Dean of Student Success, Mr. Doug Walker, for a thoughtful conversation about student growth and success. Listeners will have the opportunity to get to know Mr. Walker, learn about his newly established role, and hear how his work will contribute to the formation and flourishing of students within the Heritage community.
Click here to listen to this week’s episode.
GRIFFIN RUNDOWN PODCAST JOKE OF THE WEEK
Does your student have a great joke to share? Students who would like to record a joke for The Griffin Rundown podcast with Mr. Bond should submit a note including their full name, grade, and teacher's name (for students in K-5th grade). If possible, please include the joke as well. Notes may be delivered to your campus coordinator. We look forward to hearing from our aspiring comedians.
HOT LUNCH
We are pleased to welcome back our Chick-fil-A and Pizza Hot Lunch programs for the school year! Families who wish to participate should remember that all hot lunch orders must be placed by Sunday evening each week.
Please note: Chick-fil-a is not served every week.
For your convenience, please use the links below:
Thank you for helping us ensure meals are ordered and prepared on time for our students. We look forward to another delicious year of hot lunches!
PIKMYKID
Thank you for your patience and encouragement as we continue implementing the PikMyKid system. Traffic flow has improved significantly, and we are grateful for everyone’s cooperation as we refine our afternoon dismissal procedures.
To help ensure a smooth and efficient pickup each day, please remember the following:
Open the PikMyKid app when you arrive on campus.
Select “Pick Up” and confirm that your student has been announced. If not, tap the green “Announce” button.
Any delegate or pickup changes should be made before 2:24 p.m.
Thank you for partnering with us as we work to provide a safe, orderly, and efficient dismissal process for all of our students.
THE ANNUAL DINNER
Please join us for the HCA Annual Dinner on Friday, November 6, at the Marriott Key Tower in downtown Cleveland. This special evening will feature a panel discussion centered on the Portrait of the Graduate ideal “Love Learning,” along with an opportunity to support HCA’s mission through giving.
The Annual Dinner is a meaningful opportunity for our HCA community to gather in fellowship, celebrate the work God is doing through our school, and give thanks for His continued faithfulness. Tickets and table sponsorships are available through October 17. Please click here to reserve your place.
To learn more about partnering with HCA through this event, please contact Senior Development Officer Rick Eimers at rick.eimers@heritageclassicalacademy.org.
We look forward to gathering with our community for an evening of fellowship, gratitude, and celebration.
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PENINSULA CAMPUS
PEPPER PIKE CAMPUS - LOWER SCHOOL
PEPPER PIKE CAMPUS - UPPER SCHOOL
ATHLETICS AND CLUBS
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on October 1 and October 8 from 4:00–7:00 p.m. These evenings are a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, hear early observations from the classroom, and begin the school year with a strong partnership between home and school.
Please check your email for details and a link to sign up for a conference time. We look forward to connecting with you!
SPELLING BEE
Our Annual Spelling Bee will take place on November 17. Practice spelling lists will be sent home with students this week, giving participants plenty of time to prepare. Study Center students are also invited to participate and may sign up if they would like.
CONSUMER NOTICE
The HCA Peninsula recently completed its standard drinking water testing for lead and copper. We are pleased to report that the results were excellent and well below the established maximum thresholds. This notice is being shared in accordance with EPA requirements. View the official EPA notice here.
PICTURE DAY
Picture Day will be held on Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30. We are pleased to welcome Visualizations Photography to Heritage Classical Academy's Pepper Pike campus. This is a wonderful opportunity to capture a lasting memory of the school year, and families are encouraged to place their photo orders in advance.
Online ordering is now open at:
https://ospgo.com/118935
To place an order, simply search for your student by last name, select their name from the list, and complete the purchase using your email address.
Please note that all orders must be submitted online, and the preorder window closes at 11:59 p.m. on September 30. Families with multiple students should complete a separate order for each child. After ordering, be sure to watch for a confirmation email, as this serves as verification that your order has been successfully received.
Should you have any questions regarding photographs or orders, please contact Visualizations Photography at joanna@vizphoto.com or 330-923-3686 during business hours.
We look forward to another memorable Picture Day and the opportunity to preserve this special season in your student's Heritage journey.
SPIRIT WEAR FRIDAYS
Fridays are a time to show our HCA Griffin spirit! Students may wear approved Heritage spirit wear in place of their standard uniform shirt while maintaining the rest of the school uniform dress code. We look forward to seeing our students proudly display their Griffin pride each Friday throughout the school year.
Please visit one of our spirit wear shops by clicking on the links below:
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
To help ensure accurate attendance records, please direct all attendance-related communications, including absences, tardies, and midday appointments, to peninsulaattendance@heritageclassicalacademy.org. Please also copy your child’s teacher and, when the absence is medical in nature, the school nurse.
All absences, tardies, and midday appointments should be reported by 9:00 a.m. Your communication should include your child’s full name, the date, and the reason for the absence. For end-of-day transportation changes, including bussing, carpool, or After Care, please update PikMyKid by 2:24 p.m.
Please note that attendance-related matters should not be communicated directly to the Campus Coordinator by phone or email. Thank you for helping us maintain clear and timely communication.
SPECIAL LUNCH VOLUNTEERS
We are currently seeking volunteers to assist with our Special Lunches throughout the school year. Each week volunteers help these days run smoothly by assisting with Chick-fil-A on Wednesdays and Gionino's on Thursdays. Responsibilities may include receiving lunch deliveries and helping distribute meals to students. Whether you are available to serve regularly or only on occasion, we would be grateful for your support. Click the button below to sign up and serve alongside us this year.
PRAYING DADS
Praying Dads is a wonderful opportunity for Heritage fathers to come together in prayer for our students, faculty, staff, and school community. Through fellowship and faithful prayer, dads can play a meaningful role in supporting the mission of Heritage and encouraging one another. The group meets in the HCA Peninsula Library from 6:30-7:30 a.m. on the second Friday of each month. Our first meeting will be held on Friday, October 9. All HCA dads are warmly invited to join us as we lift up our campus, our children, and their teachers in prayer.
PRAYING MOMS
Mothers are warmly invited to join us for Praying Moms, a monthly time to gather in prayer for our students, faculty, staff, and school community. This gathering provides an opportunity to support of the work God is doing at Heritage. Praying Moms meets on the first Tuesday of each month in the Library following morning drop-off. Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 6.We hope you will join us as we lift up our children, teachers, and school in prayer throughout the year.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on October 1 and October 8 from 4:00–7:00 p.m. These evenings are a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, hear early observations from the classroom, and begin the school year with a strong partnership between home and school.
Please check your email for details and a link to sign up for a conference time. We look forward to connecting with you!
MORNING DROP-OFF REMINIDER
To better accommodate our growing campus community, Lower School families should continue through the entire Maynard parking lot during morning drop-off. After passing the stop sign, please remain in the right-hand lane and proceed behind Maynard before continuing along the drop-off route.
Following this traffic pattern helps keep carline moving efficiently and prevents traffic from backing up onto Lander Road. For a complete overview of arrival and dismissal procedures, please review our September 11 email here.
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER
As the seasons change, please remember to send students to school with appropriate clothing for the weather. Fresh air and time outdoors are an important part of the school day, and students go outside in a variety of weather conditions.
Even when weather limits outdoor recess, students may still spend time outside during dismissal, and our 4th and 5th grade students take a brief walk outdoors to reach their classrooms. Please help ensure your child is prepared and dressed comfortably for the day’s conditions.
SINGLE-RIDE BUS PASS
We understand that families may occasionally need transportation on short notice. For the 2026–2027 school year, Heritage will be offering a limited number of single-ride bus seats on the shuttle, as space allows.
Single-ride passes are $5 per ride and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Families must provide at least 48 hours’ notice when requesting a ride. Because availability depends on capacity, transportation for occasional riders cannot be guaranteed. Click here to request a single-ride pass.
SPELLING BEE
Our Annual Spelling Bee will take place on Tuesday, November 17. Practice spelling lists will be sent home with students this week to help them begin preparing.
We look forward to seeing our students put their spelling skills to the test!
LUNCH AND RECESS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Thank you to the many parents and grandparents who have already joined us for lunch and recess this year. It has been a joy to see families partnering with our faculty in this meaningful way and spending time with students during the school day.
Volunteers assist with simple tasks such as helping students open lunch containers, serving as an extra set of eyes on the playground, and helping maintain an orderly environment. HCA teachers and staff are always present and responsible for leading lunch and recess, while volunteers provide valuable support and encouragement. If you would like to serve our school community in this way, please click the button below to sign up.
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES
To help ensure accurate attendance records, please direct all attendance-related communications, including absences, tardies, and midday appointments, to pepperpikeattendance@heritageclassicalacademy.org. Please also copy your child’s teacher and, when the absence is medical in nature, the school nurse.
All absences, tardies, and midday appointments should be reported by 9:00 a.m. Your communication should include your child’s full name, the date, and the reason for the absence. For end-of-day transportation changes, including bussing, carpool, or After Care, please update PikMyKid by 2:24 p.m.
Please note that attendance-related matters should not be communicated directly to the Campus Coordinator by phone or email. Thank you for helping us maintain clear and timely communication.
PRAYING DADS
Praying Dads will resume this fall at Heritage Coffee in Solon. Fathers are invited to gather on the second Friday of each month at 6:30 a.m. for a time of fellowship and prayer as we lift up our students, teachers, and the Heritage community before the Lord.
Whether you are a regular attendee or joining us for the first time, we welcome you to be part of this encouraging ministry. Upcoming gatherings will be held on October 9, November 13, and December 11. We hope you can join us as we begin the day together in prayer.
PRAYING MOMS
Praying Moms will resume on Monday, October 5, at 8:30 a.m. in the HCA Chapel. Mothers are warmly invited to gather on the first Monday of each month for a time of prayer for our students, faculty, staff, and school community.
Please mark your calendars for October 5, November 2, and December 7. We hope you will join us as we lift up Heritage together in prayer.
HOUSE MEETINGS | September 25
HOUSE CHANT COMPETITION | September 30
RHETORIC MENTORING | OCTOBER 1
PSAT | OCTOBER 8
RHETORIC FALL DANCE | OCTOBER 16
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
Congratulations to twelfth grader Breanna Yang, who has been named a Commended Student in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. Breanna has demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the competition by taking the 2025 PSAT. It is a joy to celebrate Breanna and this exceptional accomplishment within our Heritage community.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Upper School Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on the evenings of October 1 and 8. Because appointment times are limited, conferences will be scheduled by request only. Teachers have already contacted families with whom they would like to meet.
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s progress or would like to connect with a specific teacher, please email the teacher directly. They will work with you to arrange a conference time.
SPELLING BEE
Our Logic School Spelling Bee will take place on November 17. Practice word lists will be sent home soon with students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades to help them prepare.
We look forward to seeing our students rise to the challenge and put their spelling skills to work!
PSAT
Students in 10th and 11th grade will take the PSAT on Thursday, October 8, from 9:10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To ensure students have the best opportunity to focus and perform well, parents are kindly asked to avoid scheduling appointments or other absences during testing hours.
Students will be dismissed at 12:00 p.m. upon completion of the exam. Anne Johns will share additional details and testing information in the coming weeks. Thank you for your support as students prepare for this important assessment.
PIKMYKID
Because Upper School students often have varied after-school schedules and transportation arrangements, we encourage families to communicate any questions or changes promptly. For assistance with after-school activities, student drivers, or pickup changes, please contact Michelle Mannino at ext. 1039 or Michelle.Mannino@heritageclassicalacademy.org. Clear communication helps us ensure a smooth and safe dismissal process for all students.
LUNCH VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
One of the many ways parents can support our school community is by serving during our weekly special lunch program. Volunteers have the opportunity to interact with students, assist with meal service, and help ensure that lunchtime runs smoothly and efficiently.
Volunteers may assist with tasks such as preparing serving areas, distributing meals, and helping students as needed. HCA staff will always be present and oversee the lunch period, while volunteers provide valuable support that helps make these meals possible.
If you are looking for a meaningful way to serve the Heritage community, we would be grateful for your partnership. Thank you for helping us care for our students and foster a joyful school culture.
FALL RHETORIC DANCE
Rhetoric students are invited to the Fall Dance on Friday, October 16, from 6:45-9:00 p.m. at Chagrin Falls Town Hall. Mark your calendars for an evening of fellowship, music, and celebration with friends. The cost of this event is $25 per student. Click here to reserve your ticket.
SINGLE-RIDE BUS PASS
We understand that families may occasionally need transportation on short notice. For the 2026–2027 school year, Heritage will be offering a limited number of single-ride bus seats on the shuttle, as space allows.
Single-ride passes are $5 per ride and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Families must provide at least 48 hours’ notice when requesting a ride. Because availability depends on capacity, transportation for occasional riders cannot be guaranteed. Click here to request a single-ride pass.
BASKETBALL
Registration is now open for HCA Basketball! This is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop their skills, enjoy friendly competition, and represent Heritage alongside their classmates.
Families interested in participating may register here.
We look forward to another exciting season and hope many of our students will join us on the court!
MOCK TRIAL
Registration is still open for Mock Trial for students in 9th-12th grade. This engaging program provides students with the opportunity to develop critical thinking, public speaking, and legal reasoning skills while working collaboratively as part of a team.
Mock Trial will begin during the first week of October and will not interfere with fall sports schedules, making it a great opportunity for students to participate in both activities.
Interested students may register by clicking here. We encourage all eligible students to consider joining this rewarding and challenging experience.
VOLLEYBALL
The Griffins had a strong week on the court! On September 18, JH and JV each earned two-set victories over Wooster Christian, while Varsity secured the win in three sets. JV and Varsity continued their success with road wins over Wooster on September 21, while JH battled through a close playoff loss to Christian Community Academy on September 22.
Looking ahead, JV and Varsity travel to Mentor Christian on September 25 before returning home to face Westside Christian at The Edge on September 29, with matches at 5:00 and 6:00 p.m.
SOCCER
The Griffins earned an impressive 7–1 victory over Wooster Christian on September 18! They return to the field on September 24, hosting Christian Community Schools at Ursuline College at 4:30 p.m., before traveling to Cornerstone Christian Academy on September 28 for a 5:00 p.m. match.
We look forward to cheering on the Griffins as they continue their season!
GOLF
The Griffins return to the course on September 25, hosting Westside Christian at Tanglewood Golf Club. Tee time is set for 4:30 p.m. We wish our golfers a great match!
CROSS COUNTRY
The Griffins had a strong showing at the Boardman Invitational, with several runners earning top-20 finishes. Leading the way were Grady Mantel, who placed 5th with a time of 11:47.71; Joseph Schvartz, who finished 16th in 12:05.03; and Mariah Harris, who placed 18th with a time of 20:47.50. Congratulations to our runners on a strong day of competition!
ATHLETICS-PIKMYKID
To help ensure a smooth and timely dismissal, families of student-athletes are asked to update their PikMyKid account to “After School – Fall Sport” on any day their student has a practice or game. Please also be sure to designate who will be responsible for picking up your student from school and transporting them to their activity.
Keeping this information current allows our staff to safely and efficiently dismiss students at the end of the school day. Thank you for your partnership and support as we begin another exciting fall sports season.
Please note: All Sports Early Dismissals will be handled by the office.
STAY CONNECTED
Join your child’s after-school sport or club on the SportsEngine App to receive updates. Didn’t receive an invite? Please email leah.hooper@heritageclassicalacademy.org.