As we begin the school year, we are seeing an increase in students bringing energy drinks and sodas to school, so we want to remind everyone of our district expectations regarding beverages during the school day.
Because of the high levels of caffeine found in many energy drinks and the potential impact on student health, focus, and overall well-being, sodas and energy drinks are not permitted during the school day. In addition, students should not bring canned beverages of any kind to school.
Some energy drinks contain 200-300 mg of caffeine in a single can, which is significantly more than many students and families may realize.
Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school each day. Water is always an acceptable and encouraged choice, and milk and juice continue to be available through our regular meal offerings.
We appreciate families helping us reinforce this expectation at home. Our goal is simple: to support students in feeling their best and being ready to learn throughout the school day.
Thank you for your continued partnership in creating a healthy, focused learning environment and for our Hawks.
Sincerely,
Dr. Norton
1st Grade Teacher
Beginning November 30, 2026
We’re looking for another future Hawk! ❤️💙
Heritage CUSD #8 is now accepting applications for a 1st Grade Teacher, beginning November 30, 2026.
We are seeking a caring, collaborative educator to join our Heritage Elementary & Junior High School team and support our youngest Hawks.
🔗 View this position and all current openings:
https://www.heritage8.org/page/employment
Please share with someone who would be a great addition to Heritage!
🚨 9 DAYS AWAY -PLEASE REGISTER! ❤️💙
Heritage CUSD #8 Parent & Student University is coming up Wednesday, September 9, and we are finalizing food, materials, and session plans this week.
🌮 FCCLA is preparing dinner
📚 Presenters are getting their sessions ready
🐾 Anya & Sophie are ready for our younger Hawks
🔎 Detective Wilson is joining us for an important conversation about staying safe online
💵 Plus Money 101, financial aid, college & career preparation, and more!
If your family plans to attend, please register now so we can prepare enough food and materials for everyone.
📍 Heritage High School
🕔 5:00–7:15 PM
🌮 Dinner provided
🔗 REGISTER HERE:
https://bit.ly/4gLwwCC
🔗 View the full program:
https://canva.link/c8leqyfsyu6ebw2
Bring the family, grab dinner, and choose the sessions that matter most to you. We hope to see lots of Heritage families there! ❤️💙
#HeritageCUSD8
#ProudHawkCommunity
Heritage CUSD #8 Parent & Student University is back on Wednesday, September 9! ❤️💙
📍 Heritage High School
🕠 5:00–7:15 PM
🌮 Dinner provided
Families can choose from sessions designed to help students and parents prepare for what’s next, including:
🔎 Digital Life: Staying Safe Online with Detective Wilson, covering social media, scams, privacy, location sharing, online communication, and safe choices online.
📚 A special literacy experience for our younger Hawks with children’s author Anya Knecht and her beloved service dog, Sophie.
💵 Plus Money 101, financial aid, college and career preparation, and more!
🔗 View the full program here:
https://canva.link/c8leqyfsyu6ebw2
🔗Please register in advance so we can plan for meals, sessions, and activities here:
https://bit.ly/4grL5fu
Bring the family, grab dinner, and choose the sessions that matter most to you!
#HeritageCUSD8
#ProudHawkCommunity
❤️💙 Aim High. Soar Higher. Preparing for What’s Next.
We are currently seeking outstanding individuals to join our Heritage team:
🔹 Full-Time Elementary Paraprofessional
🔹 School Counselor: 2027–2028 School Year
If you are passionate about supporting students, working as part of a collaborative team, and making a difference each day, we would love to hear from you!
Learn more about our openings and apply at:
https://www.heritage8.org/page/employment
Please help us spread the word by sharing with someone who may be a great fit for Heritage!
#HeritageCUSD8
#ProudHawkCommunity
❤️💙 Aim High. Soar Higher.
Mr. Meneely joined our third graders for a hands-on tornado lab, giving students the chance to experiment, observe, and explore the science behind a pretty powerful weather phenomenon!
And the best part? This won’t be a one-time visit. Mr. Meneely will be making a regular appearance in our intermediate grades each week for science enrichment. 🔬🥽
Of course, a science guest this fun needs an official name. We’ve tossed around Mr. M, the Science Gem and Meneely the Mad Scientist…but we think our Heritage social media crew might have some wisdom to share. 😄
Drop your best science nickname ideas below! We’ll narrow down the favorites and let our students vote for Mr. Meneely’s official science alter ego! 👇🌪️
#HeritageCUSD8
#ProudHawkCommunity
#AimHighSoarHigher
We are off to a great start, and there is already so much to celebrate across Heritage! This edition is filled with highlights from our first days back: student accomplishments, classroom learning, athletics and activities, district and Board updates, upcoming events, community opportunities, and more.
Thank you to our students, staff, families, Board of Education, and community for helping make Heritage such a special place.
Take a few minutes to see what’s happening throughout our Proud Hawk Community!
https://app.smore.com/n/z67wg
Aim High. Soar Higher. ❤️💙
#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity
Being chosen by your teammates to lead is a tremendous honor. We are proud to see Tyler representing Heritage with leadership and resilience on and off the field.
Congratulations, Tyler! 💙💛❤️
And don’t forget the VGH Football season kicks off this Friday at ALAH! 🏈 We hope to see you there cheering them on!
#VGHFootball
#HeritageCUSD8
#ProudHawkCommunity
We loved welcoming the Class of 2039 for their first day today. There were lots of smiles, excitement, and a few big moments as our newest Hawks headed into their classroom to begin their Heritage journey!
A special thank you to Heritage PTC for providing breakfast for our Kindergarten families after drop-off. What a wonderful way to welcome our families and celebrate this milestone together!
We hope our Kindergarten Hawks have an amazing first day and a fantastic year ahead! ❤️💙
#HeritageCUSD8
#ProudHawkCommunity
Due to recent heavy rainfall and the potential for flooded roads tomorrow morning, please allow additional time for bus transportation. Students should still be ready for pickup at their normal time.
Please follow your bus in the Viafy app for real-time progress and updates. Thank you for your patience as our drivers work to safely transport students.
#HeritageCUSD8
#ProudHawkCommunity
We’re excited to see the Villa Grove/Heritage football partnership back on the field this season and especially proud to see Heritage senior Tyler Lisanby featured in The News-Gazette’s 2026 football preview!
After a summer of building relationships, putting in the work, and coming together as one team, they are ready to kick off the season.
We’re looking forward to the first game this Friday at ALAH! Come out and support our VGH athletes as they begin an exciting season together! 🏈
Aim High. Soar Higher. ❤️💙
Read the full News-Gazette feature below ⬇️
https://bit.ly/4bU7Dmr
Mark your calendars for Heritage Parent & Student University 2026-2027!
This year is going to be bigger and better than ever! We can’t wait to bring our students, families, and community together for three great evenings throughout the year.
📅 Save the dates and stay tuned ...more details are coming soon!
❤️💙 Aim High. Soar Higher.
#HeritageCUSD8
#ProudHawkCommunity
We’re excited to welcome our newest Hawks for their first day of kindergarten!
📍 Meet by the signs in front of the school at 8:10 AM. After kindergarten drop-off, families are invited to stay for our Kindergarten Boohoo/Yahoo Breakfast from 8:15-9:00 AM!
Whether you’re celebrating, shedding a few tears, or doing a little of both, we’d love to have you join us! 🥹🎉
A special thank you to Heritage PTC for sponsoring this fun tradition for our kindergarten families!
❤️💙
We can’t wait to see our kindergarteners Monday morning!
#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity #AimHighSoarHigher
Kira joins Heritage as our Occupational Therapy Assistant, providing occupational therapy services to students throughout the 2026-27 school year.
We are excited to have Kira as part of the Heritage team and look forward to the support and expertise she will bring to our students and schools!
Welcome to Heritage, Kira! ❤️💙
#HeritageCUSD8 #ProudHawkCommunity #AimHighSoarHigher
Today is the day! We are excited to welcome our students (1-12) back and officially begin the 2026-2027 school year!
A special thank you to everyone who joined us for School Year’s Eve. It was wonderful to see our buildings filled with students, families, staff, smiles, and excitement for the year ahead.
Please remember that today is a half day for students in grades 1–12. Our kindergarten students will join us for their first day on Monday, August 17.
Thank you to our families for your continued partnership and support as we prepare for another great year at Heritage.
We’re ready-welcome back, Hawks! ❤️💙
#AimHighSoarHigher
#HeritageCUSD8
#ProudHawkCommunity
❤️💙 School Year’s Eve is TONIGHT! ❤️💙
We’re excited to welcome our Heritage students and families back as we get ready to kick off the 2026-2027 school year!
📚 Heritage Elementary/JH Open House
🕟 4:30–6:00 PM
A special thank you to Homer New Life Church of Faith for providing school supplies for our K–8 students. We are incredibly grateful for their continued support of our students and families!
Be sure to stop by the PTC table to:
🎒 Learn about opportunities to get involved
🍪 Enjoy a special treat
🦅 Shop for Heritage Hawk apparel
🎓 Heritage High School Freshman & New Student Orientation
🕠 5:30–7:00 PM
HS Students join Student Council for a creative activity!
Come meet your teachers, visit classrooms, and get ready for a great year ahead. We can’t wait to see everyone!
#HeritageCUSD8 #AimHighSoarHigher #ProudHawkCommunity
New faces, familiar faces, and a whole lot of excitement for the year ahead! Our Heritage CUSD #8 team is together and ready to make 2026-2027 a great one!
The classrooms are ready. The halls are ready. Our staff is ready. ❤️💙
We can’t wait to welcome our students and families and get this year started!
#ProudHawkCommunity
#HeritageCUSD8
#AimHighSoarHigher
Bus routes will begin on Thursday, August 13th. Please review your child’s transportation information before the first day of school.
🚌 Viafy Transportation App:
All updated bus routes and route information can be found in the Viafy App. Please continue to use Viafy throughout the school year for the most current transportation information and updates.
During the first few days of school, route times may vary slightly as our drivers and students settle into their routines. Please have your child at their designated bus stop 5–10 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time.
Helpful Transportation Information:
Shuttle Times: https://bit.ly/45RfOML
Bus Expectations: https://bit.ly/4fRVCk0
Student Bus Transportation for Guest Riders: https://bit.ly/4z12EKy
Please take a few minutes to review the information with your child before Thursday.
Thank you for your patience and partnership as we begin the 2026–2027 school year. We look forward to safely transporting our Heritage students!
Dr. Kimberly Norton
Superintendent
Heritage CUSD #8
