I hope you are enjoying your weekend. We are close to reaching our 5Essentials Parent Survey goal but still need about 10% more responses to meet the threshold needed to receive feedback.
Please take a few minutes today:
https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois
Thank you for your support. ❤️💙
Dr. Norton
Heritage CUSD #8 has multiple coaching opportunities available. If you’re passionate about supporting students, building teamwork, and creating positive experiences, we would love to connect.
See current openings and apply:
https://www.heritage8.org/page/employment
#HeritageCUSD8
#ProudHawkCommunity
Our February Heritage Newsletter is now available and filled with celebrations, important updates, and upcoming opportunities for students and families.
In this edition you will find:
• Student achievements and highlights across the district
• Updates on activities, athletics, FFA, FCCLA, and student leadership
• Information about upcoming events including Parent and Student University
• A welcome to new educators and important district updates
• Opportunities for family engagement, including the Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey
February has been a busy and meaningful month at Heritage, and this newsletter reflects the learning, growth, and strong sense of community that makes our Proud Hawk Community so special.
You may view the newsletter here:
https://app.smore.com/n/pv7zy
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Dr. Kimberly Norton
Superintendent
Heritage CUSD #8
Heritage families are invited to participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Parent Survey, an important opportunity to share your thoughts about your child’s school.
This statewide survey, administered by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago on behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, helps schools understand how they are performing in five key areas that support student success:
• Effective Leaders
• Collaborative Teachers
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environments
• Ambitious Instruction
Your feedback is completely confidential and helps us better understand the conditions in each of our schools so we can continue improving for our students.
Currently, participation is at 2% at the high school and 6% at the elementary/junior high. When at least 20% of Heritage parents participate, we receive a detailed parent report that guides our school improvement efforts.
👉 Please take the survey here:
https://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/
Thank you for partnering with us and helping us grow stronger together.
Dr. Norton
❤️💙 Welcome to Our Incoming Heritage Principals! 💙❤️
We are excited to officially welcome Mr. Michael Gourley as Principal of Heritage High School and Mrs. Kristin Shanks as Principal of Heritage Elementary/Junior High School beginning July 1, 2026.
Both leaders bring extensive experience, student-centered leadership, and a deep commitment to collaboration and excellence. We are confident they will help guide our schools forward while building on the strong traditions that make Heritage such a special place.
Families will have an opportunity to meet Mr. Gourley and Mrs. Shanks at our upcoming Parent & Student University on March 3, 2026, at Heritage Elementary/Junior High.
Please review the program and sign up here:
https://bit.ly/4aVVs8q
We look forward to introducing them to our Proud Hawk Community!
#HeritageCUSD8
#ProudHawkCommunity
Tonight is also Mr. White’s final home game as Heritage High School’s basketball coach. Help us celebrate his leadership, dedication, and the countless hours he has poured into our student-athletes over the years.
Game time is 5:30 PM...let’s make it loud, proud, and unforgettable!
❤️💙
#HeritageCUSD8
#ProudHawkCommunity
Hi Hawks Families,
You're invited to come run (or walk) our hallways tomorrow evening at Heritage Elementary/Junior High, Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 6:15 PM! As part of the Heritage Digital Detox 5K, we're welcoming Hawks and their families to complete 16 laps inside the school, the equivalent to a 5K. No sign up is required. Signs are posted in the hallways to direct you on the route, and you can tally your laps on the whiteboard just inside the west entrance. Please see the flyer for more details!
Light refreshments will be provided. :)
We hope you come join us for an evening of exercise, and a break from screens.
Good Afternoon,
We continue to see an increase in student illness at the Elementary/Junior High and we understand the frustration and concern this causes for everyone. Please know that we are taking this situation seriously and are implementing additional measures to sanitize and disinfect all areas of the school throughout the day and evening.
We remain in regular communication with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District. At this time, they have advised that this illness is viral in nature and must run its course. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and follow their guidance.
We ask for your continued partnership in helping limit the spread of illness by following these safety measures:
-Keep students home if they are ill and for at least 24 hours after a fever has resolved without medication
-Do not send students to school if they are complaining of symptoms such as fever, headache, stomachache, or extreme fatigue
-Encourage frequent handwashing and good hygiene practices
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support as we work together to keep our students and staff as healthy as possible. We will continue to share updates as needed.
Please take care of yourselves and stay well.
Dr. Norton
Dear Families,
We are currently seeing a higher than usual number of student absences at the Elementary/Junior High School due to a virus circulating in our community.
We are being proactive and have implemented additional preventative measures in both of our buildings to help limit the spread of illness and maintain a healthy learning environment for students and staff.
Our custodial team continues to do an outstanding job with enhanced daily cleaning and disinfecting procedures. In addition, Mr. Wolf, our Head of Maintenance, will use electrostatic sprayers in the evenings throughout the buildings as an added layer of protection.
I am also in communication with Dr. Tounkara from the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District as we continue to monitor the situation together.
The most common symptoms we are seeing include fever, tiredness/lethargy, and in some cases a cough lasting several days.
We ask for your partnership in reinforcing healthy practices at home:
-Encourage frequent handwashing
-Sanitize high-touch surfaces
-Keep students home when they are ill
-Students must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication before returning to school.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we work together to keep our schools healthy. We will continue to monitor attendance and provide updates if needed.
Take care and stay well!
Dr. Kimberly Norton
Superintendent
At Heritage, we are proud of our strong relationships, dedicated staff, engaged families, and supportive community. Our Elementary/Junior High Principal plays a vital role in fostering a safe and welcoming environment where students are known, supported, and challenged to grow; staff are valued, supported, and empowered as professionals; families are trusted partners in learning; and community connections continue to strengthen the work we do for children. We are seeking a leader who shares these values and is committed to building on the strong foundation of our K–8 school community.
View the full job posting and application details on our employment page:
https://www.heritage8.org/page/employment
#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity #RootedInCommunityGrowingTogether ❤️💙
Due to the road conditions and extremely frigid temperatures, all activities scheduled for today are canceled to ensure the safety and well-being of all.
Please take care and stay warm today.
Dr. Norton
Students will not report to school buildings and should follow their teachers’ E-Learning plans and schedules. Attendance will be taken based on student participation.
Our priority is keeping students and staff safe, especially with concerns about travel, walking conditions, and time spent outdoors.
Coaches will communicate directly with students regarding the status of practices or events scheduled for the afternoon or evening.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support. Stay safe and warm!
Dr. Norton
