July 25, 2019

This edition of the Weekly Heritage is filled with very important information about the upcoming school year . Please read it thoroughly and call or email the office if you need clarification on any of the items below. We hope you are having a wonderful summer and we can't wait to kick off another great school year in August!
School Day Schedule Change - 8:15am to 3:15pm

Please note that this year, the school day will start at 8:15am and will be dismissed at 3:15pm for K-8th grade. The doors will be open each morning at 8am so you can drop your children off any time between 8 and 8:15am. Students should be picked up at the end of the day between 3:15 and 3:30pm. Pre-K school hours will be 8:30am-1:30pm.
School Calendar and Updated Parent/Student Handbook

Please take note of the school calendar for the upcoming 2019-20 school year. Did you know? You can subscribe to the Heritage Calendar by going to our website and clicking on 'Calendar' under the 'Parents' tab. Click on the Subscribe button at the bottom and choose the option that you prefer. That will save you a lot of time entering in each event individually!

In addition, revisions to the Parent/Student Handbook have also been made. All revisions from previous years are highlighted and you are strongly encouraged to take a look at those changes by clicking the following link: Parent Student Handbook
Class Supply Lists

If your kids are anxious to get Back to School supplies, the Class Supply Lists for this year can be found on our website or by clicking here.
Back to School Work Day

With the start of school just around the corner, we need your help to spiff up the school building and surrounding campus. On Saturday, August 17, we 'll have our annual Back to School Work Day from 8:30am to 12:00pm. As always, more hands equal less work. This is an excellent way for you to meet other school families and we would love to see you there. Be watching your email for additional information and a Sign-up Genius in the next week or two.
Pre-K Parent Orientation Night - Aug 21st

Our Pre-K teachers would like to invite all of our PreK families to come on Wednesday, August 21st at 6:00 (30 minutes earlier than the Back to School Night) to bring school supplies and get important information that will ensure our school year is started off right. There is also a time set aside for questions/answers. We will have adults available to take the kids outside if you would so choose so that you will be able to concentrate while the kiddos are having fun on our playground! 
Back to School Night

We're looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday evening, August 21st for our annual Back to School Night. The itinerary for the evening is as follows:

  • 6:30-7:00pm - Teachers will be in their classrooms welcoming families and receiving school supplies.
  • 7:00-8:00pm - Ice Cream Social in the Gymnasium

You won't want to miss this fun event to kick off the new school year! Additional information can be found in the Parent Student Handbook under the Special Events Section in the back.

The office will be open that evening if you need to finalize any paperwork or payments before the start of the school year.
Lunch Servers Needed!

We are in need of at 5 least more lunch servers in order for us to serve hot lunch this year. The time commitment is about 1.5 hours from 11-12:30pm. If your schedule is such that you are not able to commit to the entire year, we have options! If you are only available for the fall months, the winter months, or the spring months, we can arrange a schedule accordingly. if we do not get enough lunch servers, we will not be able to serve lunch each day. This is a great opportunity to volunteer and get to know the students better! It's also a great way for a grandparent to volunteer so pass the opportunity along to your child's grandparents. Please call or email Brenda Wichhart in the office if you are willing to serve in this capacity (wichhartb@hcs-nl.com)  or 626-4777.
Volunteer Screening Process

If you anticipate volunteering with direct supervision over students this year (driving for field trips, serving lunch, coaching, etc.), you will need to complete a Volunteer Application. This application needs to be done each school year so even if you filled one out last year, you will need to do it again this year before being able to volunteer . You can visit our website and click on the Parents Tab and then Volunteer Application or click here  to access the application. You'll choose the volunteer option and then click on the form for the volunteer opportunity you would like to apply for. One item to note is that if you will be driving for a field trip, we need a copy of your drivers license as well as a copy of your declarations page showing your vehicle insurance limits (not just the insurance card). If you have questions, contact Lisa Turnbough at turnboughl@hcs-nl.com
Update your child's immunization records this summer

Many of you may be scheduling health exams and athletic physicals over the summer. Please assist the office by requesting an updated record of immunization for your child at their next exam. This is especially important for students entering kindergarten and 7th grade when additional required immunizations are given. The Department of Public Health and Human Services requires the school to have an up-to-date record of immunization on file before our annual audit in the fall. Immunization records can be faxed to 319-626-4778.
Order and Pay for Lunches Online

The lunch menu for August and September will be available the 2nd week of August. You'll receive a separate email with the menus and details for ordering. As a reminder, you have the ability to pay for those lunch orders online via e-check or debit/credit card. (You're not required to pay online, checks are still accepted in the office.) There will be a convenience fee for each transaction as follows:

  • eChecks: $.85/payment
  • Credit and debit card payments: 3.75% of transaction amount

For more information about signing in to FACTS Management (formerly Renweb) and completing online lunch orders, click here .

Please place all lunch orders online regardless of your payment option.

We currently only accept online payments for lunch and Before and After School .
Sports Update
It is hard to believe it, but the start of the school year is just around the corner! It is time to start thinking about Soccer and Volleyball season. Our returning coaches will be: Head Soccer Coach Edin Wells-Minthorn and Head Volleyball Coach Sarah Franje. Optional soccer and volleyball practices will be starting in early August, so make sure your students have a current sports physical on file! If you would like to sign your student up for soccer or volleyball and haven't already done so, please e-mail Jonathan Harshman at   harshmanj@hcs-nl.com   by Friday, August 23.

All students must have the following on file in the office prior to participating in any sports practices or games:
1.      Iowa Athletic Pre-Participation Physical Examination (valid for 1 year, with a 30 day grace period)
2.      Heads Up: Concussion in High School Sports (must be signed each year)
3.      Heritage Christian School Athletic Contract
4.      Insurance Waiver
5.      Emergency Medical Authorization
6.     $40 Athletic Fee

Assistant Soccer and Volleyball Coaches Needed:
The responsibilities for these positions include providing supervision at all practices and games, teaching sports specific skills and games strategies, maintaining game stats, and upholding all policies in the HCS Parent/Student Handbook and Athletic Policy. In addition, all candidates must demonstrate a personal relationship with Christ and be in agreement with the HCS Statement of Faith. If you are interested, please contact Jonathan Harshman at harshmanj@hcs-nl.com by Friday, July 26 .

Important Dates:
Tuesday, August 6 - Optional Volleyball Practice - 6:30-8:00 pm
Monday, August 12 - Optional Volleyball Practice  - 6:30-8:00 pm & Optional Soccer Practice 5-6:30pm
Thursday, August 15 - Optional Soccer Practice - 5-6:30pm
Friday, August 23 - Fall Sports Sign-up Deadline
Saturday, August 24 - Cougar Classic Soccer Tournament
Thursday, August 29 - Team Picture Day (Soccer & Volleyball)

Upcoming Events

Back to School Work Day
Sat, Aug 17
8:30am-12:00pm

Pre-K Parent Orientation
Wed, Aug 21
6:00pm

Back to School Night
Wed, Aug 21
6:30-8:00pm

First Day of School
Fri, Aug 23

K-5th Grade Parent Orientation Night
Tues, Aug 27
6:30-7:45pm

6-8th Grade Parent Orientation Night
Thurs, Aug 29
6:30-7:45pm
Heritage Christian School exists to serve Christ by partnering with parents to provide biblically faithful, academically excellent education. The vision of Heritage Christian School is to be a leader in developing passionate life long learners committed to Christ.

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