February 13, 2025
NO SCHOOL | February 14–17
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK | March 3–7
EARLY DISMISSAL | March 6
ORATOR’S FORUM 11:30 AM EARLY DISMISSAL FOR ALL STUDENTS | March 7
SOCIETY FOR CLASSICAL LEARNING
Heritage Classical Academy is excited to announce our pursuit of accreditation with the Society for Classical Learning (SCL). We encourage you to explore more about SCL by visiting their website here. For detailed information on what this accreditation process involves for HCA, please refer to the communication sent last week by Mr. David Nees here.
As part of this important process, SCL has requested that parents complete a survey by tomorrow, February 14. Your participation is invaluable, and we appreciate your support and cooperation. Thank you!
INAUGURAL DADDY-DAUGHTER DANCE
Fathers of preschool through fifth-grade girls, you are invited to our first-ever Daddy-Daughter Dance on Friday, March 14, at both campuses. The event will be open-house style from 6:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., and the cost is $10 per family. Register below. We look forward to seeing you there!
LAND’S END OUTERWEAR
We are excited to announce that there is a new addition to the approved outerwear for students in the Land’s End Catalogue. Families may now purchase the School Uniform Quarter Zip Sweatshirt with the HCA Crest Logo for everyday wear. To purchase this item, visit the Land’s End website here. To view the Student Appearance Standards click here.
ADMISSIONS EVENTS
Do you know someone interested in classical Christian education? Invite them to join us for one of our Campus Preview Days in February or March. It's a wonderful opportunity to experience our community and learn more about Heritage’s approach to cultivating lifelong learners who think and live for Christ. For additional details, visit the Admissions Events page on our website.
FIELD TRIP FUNDRAISERS
We are excited to introduce more fundraising efforts for our 7th and 8th grade field trip and our Rhetoric School field trip.
Dress-Down Days—Students, faculty, and staff members are welcome to dress down for $2 on Tuesday, February 25. Jeans and athletic pants are permitted; however, leggings are not allowed. All proceeds from dress-down days directly support field trips.
Bake Sale—Students will have the opportunity to buy baked goods at lunch on Thursday, February 20, and Thursday, February 27. All items will be priced at one or two dollars, and the proceeds will benefit our 7th and 8th graders’ April field trip to Philadelphia. Parents of 7th and 8th graders, you have been sent a sign-up to volunteer to bake or serve.
SPEECH AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EVALUATIONS
McKibben and Monte Pediatric Therapy offers speech, language, social, fine motor, and feeding therapy for children. They will conduct evaluations from February 17–February 21 at Pepper Pike and on February 21 at Peninsula. To find developmental expectations and register, click here and enter the password MM2024. Registration closes on Thursday, February 13. Assessments are $125 (or $145 for ESL evaluations). Please contact info@mckibbenandmonte.com with questions.
THE GRIFFIN RUNDOWN
This week on “The Griffin Rundown” Mr. Nees chats with Head Principal Daniel Bond to delve into the formative nature of repetition and its impact on learning and development. They discuss the importance of memorizing scripture and hiding it in our hearts, emphasizing how these practices shape our spiritual and educational journeys at Heritage Classical Academy. Listen here!
IMPORTANT UPDATES TO EDCHOICE, OCEN SGO SCHOLARSHIPS, AND TUITION ASSISTANCE
Our Head of School, Mr. David Nees, emailed all parents on January 28 with important updates on financial aid for the 2025–2026 school year. Click here to view a copy.
ONLINE PRAYER MEETINGS
Please join us in praying with other Heritage parents, teachers, and administrators. Tuesday’s group meets at noon on Zoom. Thursday’s group meets at 8:15 a.m. via Teams.
Meeting ID: 841 3066 5990 Meeting ID: 287 430 164 757
Passcode: griffin Passcode: 694Yu6MQ
HERITAGE APP
Download the Heritage app to stay updated on all the latest information from Heritage.
DADS AND DONUTS
We invite all Dads of our Early Childhood Students at Peninsula to join us for Dads and Donuts. Come and enjoy a delightful morning filled with donuts, engaging activities, and a special visit from Outback Ray's reptiles! Dads, please accompany your child to the cafeteria when you arrive. A charge of $6.75 will be applied to your FACTS account for the event.
3s and 4s classes— Tuesday, February 18 from 8:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Jr. Kindergarten classes— Wednesday, February 19 from 8:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Families, please be on the lookout from an email from HAP with their plans for Teacher Appreciation Week, March 3–7. Our teachers and support staff are the lifeblood of HCA, and we look forward to blessing them during this fun week!
WINTER CLUBS
Please note the following final winter club meeting dates:
Boys Basketball— February 19
Chess, Knitting, and Sign Language Clubs—February 20
Girls Basketball—February 24
GRANDPARENTS DAY
Save the Date—Grandparents Days at Peninsula will be held on April 16 and April 17. Additional information is forthcoming.
LUNCH & RECESS VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPS
Please prayerfully consider helping with lunch and recess. If you are able to devote a portion of your day to volunteering, it would be greatly appreciated. In cases of extreme weather, we may have indoor recess. It’s always beneficial to have extra hands for helping and an additional set of eyes for observing. Thank you in advance for being willing to serve HCA in this way!
CHICK-FIL-A STUDENTS OF THE MONTH
Congratulations to our February Chick-fil-A Students of the Month!
Izri Stubbs
Laila Holmes
GRANDPARENTS DAY
Save the Date—Grandparents Days at Pepper Pike will be held on April 17 for both Upper and Lower School. Additional information is forthcoming.
LUNCH & RECESS VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPS
Please prayerfully consider helping with lunch and recess. If you are able to devote a portion of your day to volunteering, it would be greatly appreciated. In cases of extreme weather, we may have indoor recess. It’s always beneficial to have extra hands for helping and an additional set of eyes for observing. Thank you in advance for being willing to serve HCA in this way!
RHETORIC SEMINAR | February 21
11th GRADE COLLEGE FAIR | February 26
11th GRADE ACT | February 27
SCHOLE | February 28
GRANDPARENTS DAY
Save the Date—Grandparents Days at Pepper Pike will be held on April 17 for both Upper and Lower School. Additional information is forthcoming.
STUDENT APPEARANCE STANDARDS
We encourage parents to take the opportunity this week to review the HCA Student Appearance Standards with their child and ensure that everything they are wearing aligns with the standards set forth. Please remind students that outerwear, including hoodies, must be removed during classes.
PHILADELPHIA FIELD TRIP FORM
7th & 8th grade Philadelphia Field Trip FINAL PAYMENT is due March 7. We will let families know that week how much credit they’ll receive from fundraisers to offset some of the final payment due.
RHETORIC SEMINAR AND SCHOLE
At Heritage Christian Academy's Upper School, students have the unique opportunity to participate in two special programs: Rhetoric Seminar and Schole’.
Schole’
Derived from the Greek word “leisure” or “that in which leisure is employed,” Schole’ represents the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty for their own sake rather than profit or productivity. At HCA, we offer four Schole’ learning periods throughout the year. During these periods, six teams of teachers create relaxed learning opportunities on topics beyond the standard curriculum. Students select their top choices and are assigned one of these sessions. This year’s topics include Art Observation, Music Appreciation, Created in God’s Image—Designed to Create, The Life of a Leader, Language Analysis, and A Discussion on Beauty.
Rhetoric Seminar
Held during the 7th period on select Fridays, the Rhetoric Seminar is tailored for our Rhetoric students (grades 9–11). This seminar addresses academic, social, and spiritual topics crucial for soon-to-be graduates. Past topics have included ACT test preparation, Chromebook boot camp, Excel document usage, personal finance, and interview skills. We’ve also welcomed guest speakers who discuss how their faith intersects with their careers. Our final Rhetoric Seminar in May will feature a college panel with staff members sharing insights about the colleges they attended.
These programs provide our students with enriching experiences that go beyond traditional learning, preparing them for both academic and personal success.
Registration for spring clubs and summer camps will be opening soon!
TRACK & FIELD SIGN-UP
Track and Field registration is open until February 14. Register here to secure your child's spot.
TRACK & FIELD INFORMATIONAL MEETING
Did you miss the Track and Field Informational Meeting? You may view the recording by clicking here.
UPCOMING BASKETBALL GAMES
Support our 6th grade boys' basketball team in their season finale tonight, Thursday, February 13, at 4:00 p.m. at the Peninsula campus against Parma Heights Christian Academy.
OHIO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ATHLETIC BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS
We invite you to support our teams in the upcoming games!
Boys' varsity—1st round at Wooster, Monday, February 17, 7:00 p.m.
Girls' varsity— 1st round at First Baptist Elyria, Monday, February 24, 6:00 p.m.
Go Griffins!
NATIONAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION TOURNAMENT
We are excited to announce that our boys’ varsity basketball team will compete in the National Christian School Athletic Association Tournament from March 6–9 at Mount Vernon. Come and support our team as they finish the season strong!
BASKETBALL BANQUETS
We will host end of season Banquets for our basketball teams on the following dates in the Pepper Pike Chapel:
6th Grade Boys, Middle School Boys and Girls Monday, February 24, 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Varsity Girls and Boys Wednesday, March 12, 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.