October 8, 2026
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES | October 8
ANNUAL STATE OF THE SCHOOL MEETING | October 13
PASTOR APPRECIATION BREAKFAST - PENINSULA CAMPUS | October 13
BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER | October 13
PASTOR APPRECIATION BREAKFAST - PEPPER PIKE CAMPUS | October 14
DRESS DOWN DAY FUNDRAISER ($2) | October 15
PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST | October 19-20
ANNUAL DINNER | November 6
FIRST ANNUAL STATE OF THE SCHOOL MEETING
All current Heritage parents are encouraged 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 hear more about the vision and opportunities that lie ahead for our school. Please note that this is an adult-only event, and childcare will not be provided.
Daniel Bond, Head of School, will share his heart for Heritage and his 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 every Heritage parent will make plans to attend as we look ahead together and consider the opportunities before us in the years to come.
PASTOR APPRECIATION BREAKFAST
HCA will be hosting a Pastor Appreciation Breakfast at Peninsula on Tuesday, October 13 and at Pepper Pike on Wednesday, October 14. Please invite your pastor(s) with the invitation that your student brought home. Alternatively, you can find a digital invitation to share with your pastor here.
BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER
Help support our seventh and eighth grade students by contributing to the upcoming Bake Sale on October 13, with remaining treats available on October 14. Sales will take place at the Peninsula Campus and at both the Lower and Upper Schools at Pepper Pike. Proceeds will help offset a portion of the cost of the seventh and eighth grade out-of-state field trips in May.
Students in grades 7–8 are especially encouraged to bake, but contributions from all HCA families are warmly welcomed. Peninsula families of younger students are particularly encouraged to participate to help ensure there are plenty of treats for our Peninsula students to enjoy.
NAME OUR GRIFFIN MASCOT
Our Griffin needs a name, and we want our students to help choose it! Students are invited to submit a name inspired by faith, virtue, classical history or literature, or Heritage school spirit. Faculty and staff will select the finalists, and then students will have the opportunity to vote for the winning name!
Each student may submit one name, along with a brief explanation of why it would be a great fit for our Griffin. Entries should be turned in to your teacher or campus coordinator by Wednesday, October 21. Entry forms will be coming home with students, or you may access a printable entry form here.
This is an exciting opportunity to express your creativity and help us choose a name that could become part of Heritage tradition for years to come!
THE GRIFFIN RUNDOWN PODCAST
On this week’s episode of The Griffin Rundown, Mr. Bond is joined by Latin and Greek teachers Mrs. Arlia and Mr. Hermesmann for a conversation about why we study the classical languages and how they enrich a classical Christian education. You will also hear what’s happening in the life of our school and, of course, enjoy the Joke of the Week!
Click here to listen to this week’s episode.
ADMISSIONS SEASON HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN
It’s hard to believe, but we are already looking ahead to the 2027–2028 school year! Admissions season is officially underway, and we are excited to begin welcoming prospective families who are seeking a classical Christ-centered education for their children.
Applications for the 2027–2028 school year are now available on the HCA website. We encourage our current families to invite friends, neighbors, and other families who may be missionally aligned with HCA to learn more about our school. Prospective families can explore the HCA website, sign up for an upcoming Admissions event, and even submit their application online.
A reminder for current HCA families: If you have a child who does not currently attend HCA and you are interested in applying for the 2027–2028 school year, please use your existing FACTS Family Portal to submit the application. There is no need to create a new FACTS account through the application link on our website.
If you have questions about enrollment for the 2027–2028 school year, or would like to inquire about switching campuses or tracks, please contact Laura Calo, Admissions Director, at laura.calo@heritageclassicalacademy.org.
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.
Something New at This Year’s Annual Dinner: The HCA Silent Auction
We are excited to introduce something new to this year’s HCA Annual Dinner—the HCA Silent Auction, benefiting the HCA Annual Fund!
Beginning November 1, families and friends of HCA will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of exciting experiences and items, with bidding remaining open through the Annual Dinner on Friday, November 6. This year’s offerings include tickets to a Cleveland Browns game, a lakefront weekend getaway in Geneva wine country, an HCA Performing Arts package, and more!
Whether you are attending the Annual Dinner or participating from home, we invite you to join in the fun and help support the Annual Fund, which provides important resources that strengthen the HCA experience for our students and faculty.
Would you like to learn more about the Silent Auction or have something you would like to donate for consideration? Please contact Elizabeth Joyce, Director of Advancement, at elizabeth.joyce@heritageclassicalacademy.org.
We hope the Silent Auction will be a fun new addition to our Annual Dinner and another meaningful way for HCA families and friends to enjoy and support the work we share together.
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
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held tonight, October 8 from 4:00–7:00 p.m. This evening is 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. We look forward to connecting with you.
PICK-UP REMINDER
Thank you for your patience as we have transitioned to PikMyKid. We are pleased that afternoon pick-up is now moving more quickly and efficiently.
Please remember that 2:24 p.m. is the cut-off for making changes in PikMyKid. All dismissal adjustments must be made by that time.
Pick-up ends at 3:25 p.m. Families arriving after 3:25 p.m. will need to enter the school and sign their child out of Aftercare in the library. Thank you for helping us keep dismissal running smoothly!
PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST
Our Pumpkin Decorating Contest is coming soon! Pumpkins may be dropped off on October 19 or 20 and picked up on October 21. Entries will be judged in two categories: Favorite Book and Favorite Sport. Look for additional information coming home this week.
BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER
Support our seventh and eighth grade students by purchasing a sweet treat at our Bake Sale on Tuesday, October 13. Baked goods will be available for purchase during lunchtime, with proceeds helping to offset the cost of the Grades 7–8 spring trip. This is a one-day-only event, so be sure to stop by and enjoy a treat.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE AT THE PENINSULA CAMPUS
There are several opportunities to support our Peninsula campus. We are currently seeking volunteers to assist our Student Services Department by proctoring tests in individual and small-group settings. If you are interested in serving in this way, please contact Rene Porchowsky via email, rene.porchowsky@heritageclassicalacademy.org.
We are also looking for Substitute Teachers to join our team. Training is available, and those interested may contact Heidi Butts via email, heidi.butts@heritageclassicalacademy.org for more information.
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. If there is no school on Friday, spirit wear may be worn on Thursday. 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:
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 tomorrow, 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.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held tonight, October 8 from 4:00–7:00 p.m. This evening is 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. We look forward to connecting with you.
PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST
Our Pumpkin Decorating Contest is coming soon! Pumpkins may be dropped off on October 19 or 20 and picked up on October 21. Entries will be judged in two categories: Favorite Book and Favorite Sport. Look for additional information coming home this week.
LOST & FOUND
Our Lost & Found is cleared out at the end of each month. Uniform items are moved to the Uniform Exchange, while non-uniform items, such as water bottles, binders, jackets, and other belongings, are donated.
Missing something? Parents are welcome to sign in as a visitor at the front desk and check the Lost & Found for any misplaced items. We encourage families to take a look before the end of the month.
TARDIES & MID-DAY APPOINTMENTS
A reminder regarding late arrivals and early dismissals: PikMyKid is used only for end-of-day (3:05 p.m.) dismissal changes.
For late arrivals, mid-day appointments, or early dismissals, please follow the usual attendance process:
Email pepperpikeattendance@heritageclassicalacademy.org and copy your child’s teacher.
For medical-related appointments, please also copy nurse.pp@heritageclassicalacademy.org.
Include the date and expected arrival or dismissal time in your email.
Upon arrival, please visit the front desk to sign your child in or out.
All end-of-day dismissal changes should continue to be made through PikMyKid.
BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER
Support our seventh and eighth grade students by purchasing a sweet treat at our Bake Sale on Tuesday, October 13 and 14. Baked goods will be available for purchase during lunchtime, with proceeds helping to offset the cost of the Grades 7–8 spring trip.
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 $5 per ride and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Families must provide at least 48 hours’ notice when requesting a ride. Because availability depends on capacity, transportation for occasional riders cannot be guaranteed. Click here to request a single-ride pass.
SPELLING BEE
Our Annual Spelling Bee will take place on Tuesday, November 17. We look forward to seeing our students put their spelling skills to the test!
LUNCH AND RECESS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Thank you to the many parents and grandparents who have already joined us for lunch and recess this year. It has been a joy to see families partnering with our faculty in this meaningful way and spending time with students during the school day.
Volunteers assist with simple tasks such as helping students open lunch containers, serving as an extra set of eyes on the playground, and helping maintain an orderly environment. HCA teachers and staff are always present and responsible for leading lunch and recess, while volunteers provide valuable support and encouragement. If you would like to serve our school community in this way, please click the button below to sign up.
HOUSE EVENTS | October 9
BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER | October 13-14
PASTOR APPRECIATION BREAKFAST | October 14
DRESS DOWN DAY FUNDRAISER (2$) | October 15
RHEOTRIC MENTORING | October 15
RHETORIC FALL DANCE | OCTOBER 16
PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST | October 19-20
PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST
Our Pumpkin Decorating Contest is coming soon! Pumpkins may be dropped off on October 19 or 20 and picked up on October 21. Entries will be judged in two categories: Favorite Book and Favorite Sport. Look for additional information coming home this week.
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Upper School Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held tonight, October 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.
BAKE SALE FUNDRAISER
Help support our seventh and eighth grade students by contributing to the upcoming Bake Sale on October 13, with remaining treats available on October 14. Sales will take place at the Peninsula Campus and at both the Lower and Upper Schools at Pepper Pike. Proceeds will help offset a portion of the cost of the seventh- and eighth-grade out-of-state field trips in May.
Students in grades 7–8 are especially encouraged to bake, but contributions from all HCA families are warmly welcomed. Peninsula families of younger students are particularly encouraged to participate to help ensure there are plenty of treats for our Peninsula students to enjoy.
SPELLING BEE
Our Logic School Spelling Bee will take place on November 17. We look forward to seeing our students rise to the challenge and put their spelling skills to work!
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.
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. The deadline to purchase your ticket is tomorrow, Friday October, 9.
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
Winter basketball is shaping up to be a wonderful season, and we would love to have your student on the court! Registration has been extended through Sunday, October 11, at 11:45 p.m.
Players can look forward to plenty of playing time, opportunities to grow as leaders, and a full season of competition against other Christian schools.
Girls Basketball
5th Grade: Register Here
6th–8th Grade & High School: Register Here
Boys Basketball
5th Grade: Led by Coach Stephanie Steinhoff and Coach Taylor Steinhoff
5th–8th Grade & High School: Register Here
Already registered? Keep an eye out for a link to join your team’s SportsEngine page soon!
We look forward to another exciting season and hope many of our students will join us on the court!
VOLLEYBALL
It was a memorable week for Griffin Volleyball! Our 5th & 6th Grade and Junior High teams each earned victories in straight sets, while the High School team made history with its first-ever win over Medina Christian in an exciting five-set match!
Nyah McCort led the way with six aces and 34 assists, Grace Wilsey added 12 kills, and Abi Wilsey contributed 14 digs and 34 service receptions.
The action continues this Friday, October 9, as JV and Varsity travel to Parma Community School for matches at 4:45 and 6:00 p.m. Come cheer on the Griffins!
SOCCER
The Griffins battled hard at home against Open Door Christian on Monday, leading for much of the match before falling 5–3 in a well-fought contest.
This Friday brings a favorite tradition, the much-anticipated Staff vs. Students game! We look forward to an exciting match and plenty of Griffin spirit. For more information, please contact Mitchell Monas or Leah Hooper.
GOLF
The Griffins earned a great victory over Agape Christian on September 28 at Punderson Golf Course. Our golfers closed out their season against Westside Christian on October 7.
We are proud of our Griffins for a season marked by skill, focus, and sportsmanship. Congratulations to our golfers on a season well played!
CROSS COUNTRY
The Griffins had a strong showing at the 41st Woodridge CVNP Invitational on October 3! Grady Mantel led the way, placing 2nd out of 161 runners with a time of 11:32.4. Joe Schvartz finished 14th with a time of 12:19.8, and Hudson Hawkins placed 25th at 12:51.6. Congratulations to all of our runners on a great race!
The Griffins return to competition on October 10 at the Legends Invitational at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds. Best of luck, Griffins!
FALL SPORTS BANQUET
Join us as we celebrate our fall sport athletes and give thanks for a season marked by growth, teamwork, and faithful effort. The Fall Sports Banquet will be held on Tuesday, October 27, at 5:00 p.m. at Tanglewood Golf Course. We look forward to honoring our student-athletes and expressing our gratitude to the coaches and families who have encouraged and supported them throughout the season.
ATHLETICS AND THEATER NEWSLETTER
Want to read more about what our Griffins have been up to? The weekly Athletics & Theater Newsletter is now linked right here in The Griffin Gazette! Follow along for full game recaps, photos, upcoming schedules, and more.
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.