Back to School Letter

Back to School Letter

Dear HA Family,

Heritage has been a whirlwind of activity this summer!  Sports camps for elementary students were a success along with the art, STEM and Academic boot camps for Kindergarten students.  Softball and girls soccer seasons have begun.  Football, volleyball, cheer and dance are practicing as they prepare for upcoming competitions.  Summer cleaning efforts are nearing completion and summer projects at both schools are being concluded.  We are grateful to the many teachers who have spent time in classrooms a number of days thoughtfully preparing for the 2019-2020 school year.  

Our school mission states that, “Heritage Academy (HA) is a college preparatory school that inspires, challenges, and motivates its students as it prepares them for college and for life.”  As a result, one of our goals is to educate and produce the top students in the Golden Triangle while creating the best educational environment possible.  Evidence suggests the school mission and these goals are being realized.  We seek to build from the foundation of academic and extracurricular excellence that exists at HA.  In this vein, we will continue to instill a dedication to a sense of personal responsibility, honor, and integrity in all of our students.  It is important that the students, staff, parents and friends of Heritage continue to be united in these efforts, respecting the strengths and traditions of HA yet having a mind and purpose clearly focusing on the future as the school moves forward.  

We are excited about the high quality staff team that is assembled at Heritage Academy!   The following will be joining our faculty/staff team at Heritage this school year or will be assuming new responsibilities.  Please warmly welcome them to our school family!

  • Pam Abrams(middle school English)
  • Dawn Dawkins (Elementary Principal)
  • Jenna Denton(7th/8thgrade science/Environmental science)
  • Yandell Harriswill serve as the Varsity boys basketball assistant coach.
  • Candice Jordanhas been hired as a Kindergarten teacher assistant filling the vacancy left by Kerri Pittman. 
  • Sarah Kinnard(5thgrade)
  • Mollie Phillips(elementary music and high school choral)
  • Kerri Pittman(1stgrade)
  • Margaret Reed(7th/8thgrade Language Arts)
  • Miriam ‘Moe’Reed(Government/Economics – girls basketball)
  • Elizabeth Sheffield(3rdgrade)
  • Christy Shivers(upper level math/Physics)
  • Betsy Swedenburg (K5)

Important dates:

August 6:  Faculty and staff new to Heritage will report to their respective school at 8 am for the beginning of a two-day new staff orientation.
August 8:  All returning Heritage faculty and staff will report to their school at 8 am for orientation and preparation for the new school year.
August 9:  School Uniform and Logo wear sale in Fitzner Hall (elementary cafeteria) from 11:30 am-5:30 pm.
August 9:  High School New Student Orientation will take place in the High School SAB at 1 pm. This is for rising 7thgrade students/parents and new students/parents who will be in the 8th-12thgrades.
August 9:  Meet the Teachers will take place at the elementary school from 3 pm to 5 pm.
August 10 & 11:  Senior Class retreat at Timberlake camp.
August 12:  First day of school for grades 1-12. (Half Day – Elementary will dismiss at 11:15 am; High School dismisses at 11:30 am)
August 12: Kindergarten parent meetings will take place at 5:30 pm at the Elementary 
 

We are excited to have all of our faculty and staff together at the elementary school on Friday, August 9, from 9 to 11 am to hear psychometrist and licensed Dyslexia Therapist, Cathy South.  She will share a keynote presentation entitled, “What is Dyslexia.”  The focus of the presentation is to  provide practical insights into identifying and supporting students of all ages who struggle with Dyslexia.  

Thank you for partnering with Heritage Academy in the education of your children.

Looking forward to an exceptional school year!!! 

Best Regards,

Dr. Greg Carlyle