October 15, 2026
DEADLINE TO PURCHASE ANNUAL DINNER TICKETS | October 17
PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST | October 19-20
THE RHETORIC SCHOOL EXPERIENCE PARENT INFORMATION MEETING | October 20
FALL BREAK | October 22-23
ANNUAL DINNER | November 6
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATIONS | November 11
SPELLING BEE | November 17
STATE OF THE SCHOOL MEETING
Thank you to everyone who joined us Tuesday night for Heritage Classical Academy's inaugural Annual State of the School Meeting. We will share a recording of the evening in the coming weeks through the Griffin Gazette for those who were unable to attend. At the meeting we introduced Heritage's inaugural Annual Stewardship Report, which provides a closer look at several topics discussed during our meeting, including our 2026–2027 budget, financial priorities, and investments intended to strengthen Heritage's mission for generations to come. Click here to view the Report.
We also shared our commitment to listening to and learning from the families we have the privilege to serve. Your perspectives, experiences, and ideas matter as we work to strengthen our school and remain faithful to our mission. Please take a few moments to complete our October Parent Survey and share your thoughts with us.
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 sits down with Lower School Curriculum Director Mrs. Tracy Villers to discuss the foundations of reading instruction at Heritage Classical Academy.
Mrs. Villers shares practical insights on cultivating a lifelong love of reading, from building strong reading habits at home to creating meaningful experiences with rich literature in the classroom. Tune in to learn how Heritage Classical Academy helps students grow in both skill and delight as they become thoughtful, enthusiastic readers.
Click here to listen to this week’s episode.
CLT SCHOLAR AWARDS
We are pleased to recognize several Heritage Classical Academy students for their outstanding performance on the CLT10. The recently announced 2025-2026 CLT Scholar Awards honor exceptional achievement, and we are especially proud that this year’s award recipients earned these distinctions based on testing completed while they were in 9th grade.
2026 Distinguished Scholar Award
Awarded to the top CLT10 scorer at Heritage Classical Academy
Eli Miller
2026 Regional Scholar Award
Awarded to students scoring in the top 5% of the Midwest Region
Sophia Lambert
Eli Miller
Grace Yang
We also celebrate a previous recipient:
2025 Distinguished Scholar Award
Awarded to the top CLT10 scorer at Heritage Classical Academy
Gracie Tan
Congratulations to these students for their dedication to academic excellence and for representing HCA with distinction.
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.
THE RHETORIC SCHOOL EXPERIENCE PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
What can your family look forward to in the HCA Rhetoric School? Join us on Tuesday, October 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the Pepper Pike Chapel for an informational evening offering a glimpse into this important stage of your child’s classical Christian education.
Hear from Daniel Bond, Scott Hatteberg, Leslie Banweg, Anne Johns, and others as they share more about the Rhetoric School experience. Topics will include curriculum, extracurricular opportunities, college and career planning, College Credit Plus (CCP), and more.
Whether your child is approaching the Rhetoric School or you simply want to learn more about what lies ahead, we hope you will join us! Please click here to RSVP so we can prepare for the evening.
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.
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.
HCA ANNUAL DINNER 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
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.
To help dismissal run as smoothly as possible, please keep the following reminders in mind:
Open the PikMyKid app before entering the school driveway. If you do not appear in the Announce Line, your app may not be active. To confirm your arrival has been announced, tap “Pickup” and ensure the green “Announce” button has turned grey.
If someone else is picking up your child, please make sure they have the PikMyKid app installed and know how to use the “Announce” button upon arrival.
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.
As you prepare your entries, please remember the following:
Students should bring their pumpkins directly to their classroom. Assistance will be available for those who need help carrying them.
Pumpkins may be decorated, painted, or embellished, but must not be carved.
Carved pumpkins will be disqualified from the contest.
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 next meeting will be held Friday, November 13. All HCA dads are warmly invited to join us as we lift up our campus, our children, and their teachers in prayer.
PRAYING MOMS
Please join us every first Tuesday of the month for Praying Moms. We will be meeting in the Library again this year after drop off. Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 3.
PICTURE RETAKES
Picture retakes will be held on Wednesday, November 4. If your student needs a retake or was absent on the original picture day, please plan accordingly.
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.
As you prepare your entries, please remember the following:
Assistance will be available for those students who need help carrying their pumpkins.
Pumpkins may be decorated, painted, or embellished, but must not be carved. Carved pumpkins will be disqualified from the contest.
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.
LOST & FOUND
To help us quickly return misplaced items, please ensure that all clothing, water bottles, lunch boxes, and other personal belongings are clearly labeled with your child’s name. A few moments spent labeling items can go a long way in helping lost belongings find their way back home. Thank you for your partnership in keeping our Lost & Found manageable and organized.
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.
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.
PICTURE RETAKES
Picture retakes will be held on Monday, November 2. If your student needs a retake or was absent on the original picture day, please plan accordingly.
RHETORIC FALL DANCE | OCTOBER 16
PUMPKIN DECORATING CONTEST | October 19-20
FALL BREAK | October 22-23
RHETORIC SEMINAR-MILITARY PANEL | October 29
THE RHETORIC SCHOOL EXPERIENCE PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
What can your family look forward to in the HCA Rhetoric School? Join us on Tuesday, October 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the Pepper Pike Chapel for an informational evening offering a glimpse into this important stage of your child’s classical Christian education.
Hear from Daniel Bond, Scott Hatteberg, Leslie Banweg, Anne Johns, and others as they share more about the Rhetoric School experience. Topics will include curriculum, extracurricular opportunities, college and career planning, College Credit Plus (CCP), and more.
Whether your child is approaching the Rhetoric School or you simply want to learn more about what lies ahead, we hope you will join us! Please click here to RSVP so we can prepare for the evening.
ANNUAL DINNER STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
Upper School students are invited to serve at the HCA Annual Dinner on November 6. This is a wonderful opportunity to support our school community while gaining valuable service experience. Spaces are limited, and priority will be given to older students. Interested students are encouraged to sign up soon to reserve their spot. Click here to access the form.
SPIRIT WEEK
Get ready for a week of fun and school spirit! Spirit Week will take place October 26-30. As students participate, please remember to honor the spirit of our dress code, including appropriate lengths for shorts and dresses and no pajama pants.
Spirit Week Schedule
Monday, October 26 – House Color Day
Show your house pride by wearing your house colors and filling the halls with red, blue, green, and purple!Tuesday, October 27 – Favorite Character Day
Bring a favorite character to life by dressing as a beloved figure from a book, movie, or television show.Wednesday, October 28 – Senior Citizen Day
Have some fun with a classic look by dressing as a senior citizen, complete with cardigans, glasses, and other vintage touches.Thursday, October 29 – Neon Day
Brighten the hallways with your favorite neon colors.Friday, October 30 – HCA Spirit Day
Show your Griffin pride by wearing HCA colors from head to toe.
We look forward to a joyful week of creativity, community, and school spirit!
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.
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!
SPECIAL LUNCH VOLUNTEERS
We are seeking volunteers to help serve Special Lunches throughout the school year. In particular, we have several Thursdays in November and December where additional assistance is needed. Thank you for considering this opportunity to serve our students and support our school community. Click the button below to view available dates.
PIKMYKID
Please remember to update your student’s dismissal plans in PikMyKid each day by 2:24 p.m. Accurate dismissal information helps ensure a smooth end to the school day and allows all students to reach their destinations safely and on time. Thank you for your partnership in this important process.
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.
LOST & FOUND
We have had an increase in misplaced items on campus and would like to encourage families to clearly label their children’s belongings. With so many similar items such as sweatshirts, jackets, lunch boxes, and water bottles, a name label is often the quickest way to reunite lost items with their owners.
Because items may be found in different areas of campus, they do not always make their way to the correct division immediately. When an item is found, we first check for a name before placing it in the Lost & Found. We encourage students to check the Lost & Found regularly, as it is emptied at the end of each month.
A simple label can go a long way in helping lost items find their way home.
FALL RHETORIC DANCE
The Rhetoric Fall Dance is tomorrow, Friday, October 16, from 6:45-9:00 p.m. at Chagrin Falls Town Hall. We look forward to a wonderful evening with our students.
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.
ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
Tickets are selling quickly for Heritage Classical Academy’s production of Anne of Green Gables! Join us for an evening of heartfelt storytelling and classic theatre on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Simon and Rose Mandel Theatre, Tri-C Eastern Campus.
Seating is first come, first served, and tickets are available online only. We encourage families and friends to purchase tickets early to reserve their place for this beloved production.
VOLLEYBALL
Griffin Volleyball has an exciting week ahead. On Tuesday, October 20, the JV team will travel to Westside Christian Academy at 5:00 PM, followed by the Varsity match at 6:00 PM.
The Varsity Griffins return home on Wednesday, October 21, to face Agape at The Edge at 5:00 PM in the first round of the OCSA playoffs. We encourage the HCA community to come out and support our student-athletes as they compete with skill, perseverance, and Griffin spirit.
SOCCER
Our Middle School Soccer team will travel to Parma Heights on Tuesday, October 20, for a 5:00 PM match. We invite the HCA community to come out and support our Griffins as they conclude their season with determination, teamwork, and Christ-honoring sportsmanship. Go Griffins!
CROSS COUNTRY
Our Griffin cross country runners will compete in the Clipper Invitational on Saturday, October 17, at the YSU Gorby Family Cross Country Course in Canfield. Race times are as follows:
6th Grade Boys & Girls: 10:15 AM
Junior High Girls: 10:45 AM
Junior High Boys: 11:15 AM
Varsity Girls: 11:45 AM
Varsity Boys: 12:35 PM
Results will be available on MileSplit and Athletic.net. Meet shirts may be purchased onsite for $20.
As the postseason begins, we invite the HCA community to come out and support our student-athletes as they conclude an outstanding season of hard work, perseverance, and competition.
FALL SPORTS BANQUET
Join us on Tuesday, October 27, at 5:00 PM in the Tanglewood Golf Club Banquet Hall as we celebrate the accomplishments and character of our fall athletes. Please note that no food will be served.
Each athlete in attendance will receive a commemorative wooden medallion, and varsity letters will be presented. Teams will also recognize student-athletes with special awards that honor Christ-centered leadership, perseverance, humility, service, joy, and excellence both on and off the field.
We look forward to gathering as a community to celebrate a memorable fall season and the students who have represented the Griffins with dedication and integrity.
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.