New Family Onboarding

➜ Start Preparing Health Forms

Schedule appointments for physical, dental, and vision exams as outlined in the Student Health Requirements for New Students on our Health Services webpage.  All necessary health documentation will be required to be uploaded in Magnus Health via the Veracross portal by September 1st.

➜ Begin summer homework

Students entering grades 1-12 are required to complete reading and math assignments over the summer. These activities will help them stay engaged and prepared for the upcoming school year. There are also many helpful resources for enrichment and tutoring opportunities.

➜ Add key dates to your calendar

School calendars can be accessed by clicking the calendar icon at the very top of the CHA website homepage or directly at christianheritage.org/calendar. An abbreviated 2024-25 calendar is currently available via a button at the top of the calendar page.

➜ Order CHA gear

Our students love repping CHA! Kindergarten-5th graders are required to wear a navy CHA polo shirt OR navy CHA T-shirt on field trips, and everyone is encouraged to wear CHA gear on Spirit Days and throughout the year. These may be purchased through the online CHA Spirit Store.

➜ Prepare for Lions’ Athletics

Visit our Athletics webpage to view athletic opportunities that 6-12th graders can be involved in at CHA. Practices for fall sports begin in early August! 

Students entering 10th-12th grade must complete an IHSA transfer eligibility form in order to participate in a sport.  

➜ Follow us on social media

While our social media channels are a bit quieter in the summer, you’ll still find helpful, fun, and shareable information.

➜ Buy school supplies

Check out the grade-specific supply lists of required items for the 2024-25 school year and have fun shopping for all the essentials. Early preparation helps avoid the last-minute rush and gets your child excited for the new school year! For those in PK-Grade 8, you may want to consider ordering the bulk of supplies from School Tool Box to save time and hassle! Instructions are located on the first page of the lists.

➜ Set up your Veracross Parent Portal

All new families will receive an email from our Registrar, Mrs. Adina Pascotescu, through Veracross with instructions on how to set up your Parent Portal. This is our primary online platform for contact information, attendance, grades, school calendar, contact information, and important updates. Setting this up in advance will help you stay informed throughout the school year. Students in Middle and Upper School will receive access to their portal once the school year begins.

➜ Update your VC Pay account, if needed

Once your Parent Portal is active, please take a moment to verify and update your VC Pay account for tuition payments. Reach out to the CHA Business Office if you have questions. 

➜ Submit health forms

Keep working on gathering and completing your child’s required health forms. You can start entering the health information and submitting the forms through your VC Parent Portal using the Magnus Health button. The first time you visit the portal you’ll need to complete health information for each child which will then carry over year to year unless changes are needed.  If you have any questions, our school nurse, Mrs. Jenny Chan is here to help.

➜ Read the Parent-Student Handbook

Be sure to review CHA’s handbook (coming soon) thoroughly to understand school policies, guidelines, and expectations. This will help you and your child know what to anticipate and how to prepare for the school year.

➜ Continue/complete summer homework

Encourage students to continue with their reading and math practice to stay sharp and ready for the upcoming school year. Some of the summer homework will be submitted for grading during the first week of school.

➜ Check out lunch options

Visit our Lunch Options link on CHA Central (coming soon) for information about our milk options and lunch catering service, KIDDOS.

➜ Plan for Parent Night

Prepare to attend your designated school level Parent Night to hear directly from your child(ren)’s teachers, learn about the curriculum, and understand how you can be an active partner in your child’s educational journey. More information to come on CHA Central.

➜ Sign up to volunteer

Our Parent Volunteer Organization (PVO) loves when new parents are interested in helping out! Consider signing up for volunteer opportunities to get involved — your participation can make a significant impact and help you connect with other parents.

➜ Become familiarized with the school traffic flow

Review the traffic flow maps below to understand the drop-off and pick-up procedures. This will help ensure a smooth and safe process during busy school hours.

Links coming soon:

• Arrival Traffic Flow Map
• Dismissal Traffic Flow Map
• Parking Map

➜ Attend Back-to-School Events

Be sure to participate in key events to meet other families, school staff, and help your child feel more comfortable and excited about starting school!

• New Family Meet and Mingle: August 10, 3:00 – 4:00 PM
• CHA Family Gathering: August 10, 4:00 – 6:00 PM

Registration coming soon!