November 6, 2026

Veterans Day Celebration

You are invited to join us for this very special annual community event held at Heritage on Wednesday, November 11th. We are thankful for our veterans, and we look forward to honoring them. The event's prelude will begin at 9:30am and will conclude by 10:45am. Please join us outside after the ceremony for an honorary flyover at 11:00am.

Guest Speaker - MAJ Andrew R. Smith

MAJ Smith is a native of Urbana, Iowa. He has over 24 years of military service as both an enlisted Soldier and as a commissioned Officer. He enlisted into the Army Reserves in January 2002 as a 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist. He commissioned from the University of Iowa ROTC into the Iowa National Guard as a 19A Armor Officer in 2009. 

He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from University of Iowa as well as an Entrepreneurship certificate. He is a graduate of the Maneuver Captains Career Course at Ft Benning, GA, Intermediate Level Education and Advanced Operations Course as part of CGSOC.

MAJ Smith has deployed two times: Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq (2003-2005); and Operational Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan (2010-2011).

MAJ Smith’s decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal. He has been awarded the Combat Action Badge and Parachutist Badge. MAJ Smith is also a recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice.

MAJ Smith has held the following positions as a commissioned officer; Cavalry Platoon Leader, Cavalry Troop Executive Officer, Cavalry Troop Commander, Infantry Battalion Operations Officer, Operations and Training Officer for Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of Northern Iowa Reserve Officer Training Corps, and is currently the Assistant Personnel Officer for the 67th Troop Command.

MAJ Smith resides in Independence, Iowa, with wife, Mandi, daughters Brenlee and Preslee, and sons Oaklee and Axlee.

Feel free to spread the word to your friends and neighbors so that we can once again celebrate and honor the brave men and women that have served our country

Veterans Day Volunteers

In order to make the event a success, we need volunteers to help set up and also help the morning of the event. Please help us thank and honor our Veterans by joining us to make our celebration special!

Veterans Day Sign-Up

Picture Retakes

Picture retakes will take place on Thursday, November 12, right away in the morning. Only students who need their photo retaken or missed the initial date will be photographed. Here is additional information from Halverson.

• Those getting portraits retaken will need to return their portrait package at the time of the shoot. If a digital download was originally ordered, please send a note stating that.
• Order forms can be filled out and returned with payment on picture day.
• Alternatively, online payments can be made with a credit card at https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001400772 This link will be on presale status a day or two before retakes. Pictures that were previously visible will not be visible until retakes are processed.
• Pictures will be available to purchase throughout the year. Please note that after sale prices are slightly higher than pre-sale prices, and a shipping fee will be charged.
• If you or your parents have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Halverson Photo directly at service@halversonphoto.com.

Parent Teacher Conferences - November 23rd & 24th



If you haven't signed up for a time for Parent Teacher Conferences for your students, please do so soon! Conferences are scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 23rd and 24th.You should have received an email with a signup genius for each of your child's teachers. If you did not receive that or you have questions regarding Parent Teacher conferences, feel free to contact Erica Wallace at wallacee@hcs-nl.com or your child's teacher.

Book Fair Results

Thank you to all the families that participated in the book fair! I really enjoyed meeting each of you! Every order counted! We had $1960 worth of books ordered. With the $260 in book donations and the $980 in book rewards! God is Good!

We had 20 entries for the Free book giveaway and these 5 were chosen: Bennet G, Tenley B, Jasaiah M, Joshua E, and Landon S.



There is a new event link online for any birthday or Christmas orders coming up. Check out the Book Friday Sale for November. All event rewards will benefit the school on the next book fair. 

~Chrissy Middle

*Thanks to Chrissy Middle for doing this for us each year. We appreciate it!

1st Grade Teacher's Aide Needed

We're looking for a teacher's aide to help in both sections of our 1st grade classrooms beginning after Christmas. We're sad that our current aide, Mrs. Mahon, will be moving to Florida but are grateful for her time here and excited for their family to begin a new adventure there. This will be a roughly 25/hour week position and there is some flexibility in scheduling. If you or someone you know is interested, contact Dr. Gilbaugh (gilbaughg@hcs-nl.com) or feel free to get more details from Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Burrus, or Mrs. Mahon!

All School Thanksgiving Chapel & Dessert

On Friday, November 20, we'll be having our annual All School Thanksgiving Day Chapel. We invite families to come for chapel at 1:30pm followed by a slice of pie or a cookie and fellowship together. You are welcome to bring a blanket and we'll sit on the floor and the bleachers. You are also welcome to take your students home afterwards. This is an opportunity for the entire school community to come together at the same time to give thanks through worship and fellowship. We look forward to spending time acknowledging together how God has blessed us as individuals, families, and a school.



If you did not order a slice of pie/cookie on the November lunch order but would still like to do so, please contact the office and bring in $1/slice or $.50/cookie and we can add you up until November 13th. If you have any questions, please contact Brenda Wichhart or Erica Wallace in the office.

Grant Wood AEA Hearing Screening – November 19

Grant Wood AEA is scheduled to be at Heritage on Thursday, November 19, beginning at 8:30am to conduct hearing screenings on all students in Kindergarten and 2nd grade, as well as anyone new to the school in 1st grade. If a teacher or parent is concerned about a student’s hearing (and the student is not in kindergarten or 2nd grade) they should contact the district’s AEA team for assistance. Parents, if you would like your kindergarten or 2nd grade child to opt out of the hearing screening/testing please let the school office know by November 13.

Enrollment for 2027-2028

Enrollment for the 2027-2028 school year at Heritage Christian School is currently open. Priority will be given to current families until December 2nd. This is open to any new students (PreK-8th) desiring to enroll at Heritage. When enrollment begins, you will apply through your FACTS Family Portal. If your child currently attends Heritage, they are automatically enrolled for the next school year.

Please email Sarah Franje (franjes@hcs-nl.com) or call the office at 319-626-4777 if you have any questions

Sports Update

Volleyball Recap

We are in our last week of volleyball. On Tuesday, Heritage traveled to Trinity Lutheran in Cedar Rapids. The JV team is continuing to improve throughout the season and played some of their best volleyball. The first set, the Eagles came back from being down and only lost by two points 23-25. In the second set, the girls were able to take the lead late in the set. It went back and forth, but the girls hustled after the ball to win their first set of the season 26-24. In the third, deciding set, the girls weren’t able to pull out a win and fell 8-15. In the Varsity match, Heritage played the undefeated Trinity Trojans. They proved why they were undefeated with skilled servers and hitters. The Eagles fell in two sets 13-25 and 17-25. On Tuesday, Heritage concluded the regular season with a home game against Central Lutheran. The JV team continued to work on communicating with each other, but fell in two sets 12-25 and 13-25. Without any practice the Varsity changed up the rotations, adding a libero. The girls took on the challenge and did very well. Despite Central having a better record, the Eagles came out playing with confidence. The first set was close, with the Eagles falling 21-25. In the second set, the Eagles built a large lead and held on to win 25-16. In the third and deciding set, it was back and forth throughout. Extra points were needed to decide the game, but the Eagles fell 14-16 in a hard fought and exciting game with lots of long volleys. The girls will conclude their season at the conference tournament at Elevate Sports this Friday and Saturday. 

Basketball/Cheer Schedule

Monday – 7/8 Boys Practice 3:30-5:00pm

Monday – 6-8 Girls Practice 5:00-6:30pm

Wednesday – 5/6 Boys Practice 3:30-4:30pm

Wednesday – 5/6 Boys & 6-8 Girls Parent Meeting at 4:25pm

Wednesday – 6-8 Girls Practice 4:30-5:30pm

Thursday – 7/8 Boys 3:30-5:00; Parent Meet at 5pm

Thursday – Cheer Practice 5:00-6:00; Parent Meeting at 6pm

Friday – 5/6 Boys Practice 3:30-4:45pm

Friday – 6-8 Girls Practice 4:45-6:15pm

Winter Sports Calendar

Upcoming Events

Veterans Day Celebration

Wednesday, Nov. 11th

9:30-11:15am

Picture Retakes

Thursday, November 12th

No School

Monday, Nov. 16th

Teacher In-Service

All School Thanksgiving Chapel & Dessert

Friday, Nov. 20th

1:30-3:00pm

Report Cards go home

Friday, Nov. 20th

Parent Teacher Conferences

Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 23rd and 24th

No School

Thanksgiving Holiday

Wednesday - Friday, Nov. 25th - 27th

No School

Quick Links

Website

2026-27 School Calendar

Web Calendar

Heritage Business Guide

2026-27 Class Supply List