What a wonderful start to the school year! It has been a joy to welcome our students back and see them settling into their new classrooms. Learning is happening throughout the building, routines are becoming familiar, and even our youngest students, our kindergarteners, are adjusting nicely!

We began the year with our first school-wide assembly, where we reviewed our school expectations: Be Respectful. Be Responsible. Be Safe. Be a Problem Solver. We also talked about the importance of doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Students were excited to learn about soccer star Erling Haaland, a Viking who is known not only for his talent, but also for showing kindness, respect, and good sportmanship. We will be referencing Haaland throughout the year as a fun reminder that being a Viking means making good choices, being kind, and doing what is right. Our students have also worked very hard on their Reading and math diagnostic assessments. We are proud of the effort and perseverance they have shown. These assessments provide our teachers with valuable information that will help us meet students where they are and support their continued growth throughout the year.

We look forward to partnering with you throughout the year to support the success of your children. We hope you will stay connected and involved by attending school events and conferences, joining our PTO, and participating in Second Cup of Coffee and Community Nights. Your involvement makes a difference, and together we can make this a wonderful year of learning and growth, for our Little Vikes!

With gratitude,

Erika Zaleta Lastra

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It is hard to believe that we are already in April. While February brought several weather delays and closures, that certainly did not slow the momentum at Heritage Hill. The past two months have been full of learning, celebration, and community. Our students have had some wonderful experiences, including Adopt-a Class field trips, science exploration opportunities, visit from Cool Critters, and our annual Big Family Game Night. We also hosted our first after-school Black history Program, and the building was absolutely buzzing with excitement. From the wax museum and student projects to the art showcases and a read-a-loud with Mayor Hawkins, it was a beautiful celebration of student learning and culture. On the academic side, students recently completed our schoolwide iReady challenge, working in multi-grade teams to complete 1,500 lessons. Students enjoyed the friendly competition and the winning teams got to enjoy a movie and treats.

The Ohio State Testing is now underway for grades 3, 4, and 5 through the end of April. Families, please help set our students up for success by ensuring they get a good night's rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive to school on time. These small routines make a big difference in helping students to do their very best. As we approach the end of the school year, we are looking forward to several fun and meaningful activities to celebrate our students and all they have accomplished, so please stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

With gratitude,

Erika Zaleta Lastra

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November was an incredible month at Heritage Hill. Our students had rich opportunities to learn, explore and lead. Our kindergarten and second grade students enjoyed hands-on science activities during their field trips, sparking curiosity and excitement. Our 4th and 5th graders in the Character Soccer Program also had a memorable experience visiting TQL Stadium for an FC Cincinnati field trip. These same students proudly presented to our Board of Education about the program and its positive impact on their character, teamwork and confidence.

We continued to see student leadership shine across the building. Fifth grader Zoe Jones and second grader Sharon Vasquez did an outstanding job presenting our building iReady data and intervention model to district leaders. Their preparation, confidence and clarity made us all proud. Moments like these remind us that our students are growing not only academically but also as strong communicators and future leaders.

We are also excited about the ways we continue to build community together. Our partnership with the PTO is growing, and we are looking forward to hosting our very first Community Piñata Night. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our families to connect, celebrate and have fun. We are always looking for more parents to join the PTO and help shape these events and opportunities for our students.

Thank you for your continued support and for helping make Heritage Hill a place where every student thrives.

With gratitude,

Erika Zaleta Lastra

IMPORTANT DATES

• SEPT 3 - PTO Meeting

• SEPT 7 - No School

• SEPT 10 - School Smiles

• SEPT 15 - Hispanic Heritage Dress Day

• SEPT 15 - First Day Soccer Club (4:00-5:30 PM)

• SEPT 22 - Interim Reports Go Home

• SEPT 24 - PTO Meeting (4:30-5:30 PM)

• SEPT 26 - People of Princeton Festival

• OCT 1 - Parent Teacher Conferences (4:00-8:00 PM)

• OCT 7 - Blazing Vikings (2:30 PM)

• OCT 7 - Picture Day

• OCT 8 - Parent Teacher Conferences (4:00-8:00 PM)

Dismissal: Families need to communicate their child’s regular method of transportation in Final Forms and to the homeroom teacher. If you need to change your child’s transportation method for the day, you need to sign a note and have your child submit the note to the office or call by 3:00.

Bus Riders: First Student Transportation is the company that will provide bus transportation for our students. Buses were assigned to students who selected bus transportation in Final Forms by July 15. Potential bus riders should receive a postcard from the Transportation Department the week before school starts. If you have any further transportation questions, please contact the Transportation Department at 513-554-0105. Please note that during the first couple of weeks of school, buses may run late due to new routes. We kindly ask for your patience as buses may be delayed by as much as 30 minutes. Rest assured, we are committed to getting all students home safely.

Car Riders: Students will be dismissed starting at 3:45 p.m. We kindly request that parents remain in their vehicles during student dismissal for safety and efficiency. Please avoid parking and getting out of the car to pick up students. Thank you for your cooperation. If you need to change your child’s transportation method for the day, it must be communicated to the office before 3:00 p.m. to ensure students are notified in time for dismissal. You are highly encouraged to use the same method of transportation each day to avoid confusion and disruptions.

Student drop-off/pick-up takes place in front of the building. If you arrive before 9:00 a.m. and your child is not eating breakfast, we ask that you wait with your child until 9:00 a.m. Students eating breakfast may enter the building at 8:45 a.m.

Student Safety Information Needed: Please log in to Final Forms and make sure all your contact information is up-to-date. We must have accurate emergency information on all students and multiple contact numbers. If your child has any medical concerns, contact our school health aide at 513-864-1400.

School hours are 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. If your child is going to eat breakfast in the morning, they will be permitted into the building at 8:45 a.m. and must report directly to the cafeteria. Breakfast will be served daily from 8:45–9:10 a.m. If students are not in their homeroom at 9:15 a.m., they are marked tardy. Student classroom supervision begins at 9:00 a.m.; if your child needs to arrive before that time, they must participate in the before-school childcare offered by Champions. Dismissal starts at 3:45 p.m. All students must be picked up at the music room entrance before 4:00 p.m. If picking up by 4:00 p.m. is a problem for your family, you need to participate in the Champions after-school program. Before & After School Childcare is offered to our families by Champions. They can be reached at 800-246-2154 for enrollment questions. They do accept vouchers.

Please encourage your child to buy lunch at school this year. Our Food Service Program offers a consistent, nutritious menu. Meals are paid in advance. Payment can be made online through PaySchools, or by cash or check sent to school in your child’s red home folder. Free/Reduced applications are available online through PaySchools and should be completed before the first day of school each year. Monthly menus are available on the district website.

The School Messenger System is an automated phone message system used for updates, reminders, and in the event of emergencies. Please make sure you keep all contact information up to date in Final Forms so that you receive district communications. Heritage Hill Elementary utilizes ClassDojo for communication. To get started, please accept your invitation via email or text message and download the app on your phone. Once set up, you can view the school calendar and communicate with staff through ClassDojo. It's a convenient way to stay connected with our team and to stay informed about school events and activities.

We are looking forward to a fantastic school year with your family!

Principal: Erika Zaleta Lastra
Phone: (513) 864-1400