Welcome!
We are delighted to welcome you to Christian Heritage Academy for the 2022-23 school year.
This page will be updated with information to make sure you are ready for the new year as you integrate into the CHA family. You’ll also find important Action Steps for you to take this summer as you prepare for the first day of school.
We look forward to partnering with you for a wonderful year of spiritual, academic, emotional, and physical growth. To God be the glory!
Mr. Joseph Torgerson
Head of School
Miss Joan Okamoto
Early Education and Lower School Principal
Rev. Stephen Farish
Interim Middle and Upper School Principal
School Hours
Full-Day Hours (K-12)
8:30 AM – 3:20 PM
Half-Day Hours (K-12)
8:30 AM – 11:40 AM
Important Events
Parent Nights
7:00 PM on these dates:
PK-K – Thurs., Aug. 11
Grades 1-5 – Tues., Aug. 23
Grades 6-8 – Thurs., Aug. 25
Grades 9-12 – Wed., Aug. 31
These designated evenings (adults only) provide parents with the opportunity to hear from their child’s teachers on topics such as curriculum, classroom guidelines, homework expectations, and communications. It’s a wonderful way to strengthen this partnership. So save your date(s) now, make arrangements for child care, and watch for more details via email.
New Family Reception
Saturday, August 13
3:00 PM
All new families are invited to come together for a special reception prior to the CHA Family Gathering.
CHA Family Gathering
Saturday, August 13
4:00-6:00 PM
Join with all CHA for fellowship, frozen treats, activities, and meeting teachers on the back lawn. You’ll also have an opportunity to sign up for parental involvement at CHA throughout the year.
First Day of School
Grades 1-12
Monday, August 15
8:30-11:40 AM (half day)
(PK-K please refer to the modified first week schedule posted on the Preschool & Kindergarten page)
New Family Orientation
Thursday, August 5
6:30-8:00 PM
While this event has already taken place, please join us for an additional opportunity: New Family Reception on Saturday, August 14, 3:30 PM, one-half hour before the CHA Family Gathering begins. (See next section for information and registration.) Looking forward to seeing you there!
New Family Reception
Saturday, August 14
3:30 PM
All new families are invited to come together for a special reception prior to the CHA Family Gathering.
CHA Family Gathering
Saturday, August 14
4:00-6:00 PM
Bring your own picnic and join with all CHA for fellowship, frozen treats, activities, and meeting teachers on the back lawn.
First Day of School
Grades 1-12
Monday, August 16
8:30-11:40 AM (half day)
(PK-K please refer to the modified first week schedule posted on the Preschool & Kindergarten page)
Parent Preview Nights
7:00 PM on these dates:
PK-K – Thurs. Aug. 12
Grades 1-5 – Tues. Aug. 24
Grades 6-8 – Thurs. Aug. 26
Grades 9-12 – Wed. Sept. 1
These designated evenings (adults only) provide parents with the opportunity to hear from their child’s teachers on topics such as curriculum, classroom guidelines, homework expectations, and communications. It’s a wonderful way to strengthen this partnership. So save your date(s) now, make arrangements for child care, and watch for more details coming soon!
Action Steps
Recommended for Early Summer
➜ Complete student health file
Make sure your student’s health file is complete before the first day of school by submitting all the required information detailed on our Health Services page.
➜ Start summer homework
Required reading and math summer homework for students in Grades 1-12 can be found in the spotlight article section on CHA Central.
➜ Add key dates to your calendar
School calendars, including 2022-2023 Key Dates, can be accessed by clicking the calendar icon at the very top of the CHA website homepage or on CHA Central.
➜ 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.
Action Steps
Recommended for Midsummer
➜ Purchase school supplies
Visit CHA Central to find all the required supplies for your student by grade level, as well as instructions on how to save time by ordering the bulk of supplies from School Tool Box (for grades PK-8).
➜ Complete summer homework
Required reading and math summer homework for students in Grades 1-12 can be found on CHA Central.
➜ Set up your FACTS account
In mid-July, all parents will receive an email with instructions on how to set up an account on FACTS, our tuition management system. This is where you’ll pay and/or arrange payments for 2022-23 tuition. Please contact our Coordinator of Financial Services, Mrs. Sandi Decker, if you have any questions.
➜ Set up your Veracross account
In mid-July, all parents 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 more.
➜ Prepare for athletics opportunities
Visit our Athletics webpage to learn all about how 6th-12th grade students can be involved in sports at CHA, and how to prepare. Practices for Fall sports start in August!
➜ Order CHA gear
A navy CHA polo shirt OR navy CHA T-shirt is required for all K-Grade 5 students. Older students enjoy wearing CHA gear on Spirit Days and throughout the year. These may be purchased online via a custom link from Lands’ End (school number 900166737) OR through the CHA Spirit Store.
Action Steps
Recommended for Late Summer
➜ Read the Parent-Student Handbook
It’s long, but the CHA Parent-Student Handbook full of guidelines and policies you’ll need to know! Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a read.
➜ Make your lunch plan
Please visit our Lunch Options page for information and ordering options. Important items to note:
- Milk orders for the year are due by August 19
- Optional hot lunch delivery through Kiddos does not begin until September 6, so everyone will need to bring lunch from home until then
- No lunch is needed on Monday, August 15 (half day)
➜ Mark your calendar for your Parent Night
All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend their child’s Parent Night to hear from teachers, hear about curriculum, and learn how to be an active partner in your child’s educational journey at CHA. Read more
➜ Check out our volunteer opportunities
One of the quickest ways to become acclimated to the CHA community is to lend a hand! Our Parent Volunteer Organization (PVO) is always looking for people who have a heart to serve, whether that be behind the scenes or in a more visible role. Opportunities for 2022-23 will be posted soon.
➜ Familiarize yourself with the traffic flow
➜ Attend New Family Reception & the CHA Family Gathering
We encourage all new families to attend the New Family Reception on Saturday, August 13, at 3 PM, followed by the CHA Family Gathering at 4 PM. Registration will open later this summer.
How to Prepare for Mid-Year Enrollment
Step 1
➜ Complete student health file
Make sure your student’s health file is complete before the first day of school by submitting all the required information detailed on our Health Services page.
Required reading and math summer homework for students in Grades 1-12 can be found in the spotlight article section on CHA Central.
➜ Add key dates to your calendar
School calendars, including 2022-2023 Key Dates, can be accessed by clicking the calendar icon at the very top of the CHA website homepage or on CHA Central.
➜ Follow us on social media
Follow our social media accounts to stay connected!
Step 2
➜ Purchase school supplies
Visit CHA Central to find all the required supplies for your student by grade level, as well as instructions on how to save time by ordering the bulk of supplies from School Tool Box (for grades PK-8).
➜ Set up your FACTS account
You will receive an email with instructions on how to set up an account on FACTS, our tuition management system. This is where you’ll pay and/or arrange payments for 2022-23 tuition. Please contact our Staff Accountant, Mrs. Sandi Decker, if you have any questions.
➜ Set up your Veracross account
Parents 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 more.
➜ Order CHA gear
A navy CHA polo shirt OR navy CHA T-shirt is required for all K-Grade 5 students. Older students enjoy wearing CHA gear on Spirit Days and throughout the year. These may be purchased online via a custom link from Lands’ End (school number 900166737) OR through the CHA Spirit Store.
Step 3
➜ Read the Parent-Student Handbook
It’s long, but the CHA Parent-Student Handbook full of guidelines and policies you’ll need to know! Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a read.
➜ Make your lunch plan
Please visit our Lunch Options page for information and ordering options.
➜ Check out our volunteer opportunities
One of the quickest ways to become acclimated to the CHA community is to lend a hand! Our Parent Volunteer Organization (PVO) is always looking for people who have a heart to serve, whether that be behind the scenes or in a more visible role.
➜ Familiarize yourself with the traffic flow
How to Stay Informed
Visit CHA Central
You’ll want to bookmark CHA Central, an always current section of our website where CHA families can find school news, information, forms, and documents. You can directly access CHA Central via the “people” icon at the very the top of the CHA website homepage. You’ll find:
- Spotlight articles with timely school news
- Special bulletins (tidbits of brief but important announcements)
- Shortcuts to many useful resources
- Calendar items
- Contact info
- …and more!
Search Quick Links
To locate information on a specific topic, the best place to start is our QuickLinks page. (Find the QuickLinks button on CHA Central.) Content includes:
- Department Pages
- Forms
- Resources
- Early Education
- Upper School
- Financial Information
Read Digital Newsletters
Early Ed and Lower School teachers send out weekly newsletters via email with classroom updates, information, and oftentimes pictures.
Our Parent Volunteer Organization sends out email communications, as well, with PVO news, projects, and volunteer opportunities.
There is no action required on your part to receive these communications. All parents/guardians will receive the emails once the school year begins.
General Questions? Call (847) 446-5252 or email our Admissions Office. We are here for you!
Veracross, Student Records, Enrollment
Adina Pascotescu
Student Billing, FACTS
Sandi Decker
CHA Central & Forms
Rachel Mohn
Calendar
Amber Smith
Action Steps
Recommended for Early Summer
➜ Complete student health file
Make sure your student’s health file is complete before the first day of school by submitting all the required information detailed on our Health Services page.
➜ Start summer homework
Required reading and math summer homework for students in Grades 1-12 can be found on CHA Central.
➜ Add key dates to your calendar
School calendars, including 2021-2022 Key Dates, can be accessed by clicking the calendar icon at the very top of the CHA website homepage or on CHA Central.
➜ 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.
Action Steps
Recommended for Mid Summer
➜ Purchase school supplies
Visit CHA Central to find all the required supplies for your student by grade level, as well as instructions on how to save time by ordering the bulk of supplies from School Tool Box (for grades PK-8).
➜ Complete summer homework
Required reading and math summer homework for students in Grades 1-12 can be found on CHA Central.
➜ Read the Parent-Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the Parent-Student Handbook for 2021-22. It’s your go-to resource for all of the policies, procedures, and guidelines at CHA. You’ll find a button to the handbook on CHA Central, as well as on QuickLinks.
➜ Set up your FACTS account
After enrollment, all parents should have received an email with instructions on how to set up an account on FACTS, our tuition management system. This is where you’ll pay and/or arrange payments for 2021-22 tuition. Please contact our Coordinator of Financial Services, Mrs. Sandi Decker, if you have any questions.
➜ Set up your Veracross account
You will receive an email from our Registrar, Adina Pascotescu, with instructions on how to set up your Parent Portal in Veracross. This is our primary online platform for contact information, attendance, grades, school calendar, contact information, and more.
➜ Order your child’s CHA polo (Grades K-5)
A CHA polo shirt is required for all K-Grade 5 students. These can be ordered directly through Lands’ End, with ordering instructions on the first page of the 2021-22 School Supply Lists.
Action Steps
Recommended for Late Summer
➜ Make your lunch plan
Read through our Lunch Options page to read about your student’s options for lunch and milk service. If you are going to order milk, please do so by Friday, August 27. Also, please note that if you are opting in for hot lunch orders through Kiddos, they do not start until September 7. So, all students will need to bring lunch from home through 9/7/21.
➜ Mark your calendar for your Parent Preview Night
All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend their child’s Parent Preview Night to hear from teachers, hear about curriculum, and learn how to be an active partner in your child’s educational journey at CHA. Read more
➜ Read the Quick Start Guide (PK and Kindergarten parents only)
Read through the Quick Start Guide, and find other helpful documents, by visiting the Preschool & Kindergarten page.
➜ Check out our volunteer opportunities
One of the quickest ways to become acclimated to the CHA community is to lend a hand! Our Parent Volunteer Organization (PVO) is always looking for people who have a heart to serve, whether that be behind the scenes or in a more visible role. Read more on our PVO page!
➜ Familiarize yourself with the traffic flow
The most important piece of information a driver and student should know is if they are to go to an N door (on the North side of campus, so you will enter campus and turn LEFT) or an S door (on the South side of campus, so you will enter campus and turn RIGHT). The critieria for which door varies according to whether it is an arrival or pick-up, the school level of the child/ren, and which direction you intend to go on Waukegan upon leaving campus. All of this is outlined in the Parent-Student Handbook under School Guidelines – Arrival & Dismissal. The good news is there will be plenty of staff both outside and inside to direct your child safely between the vehicle and classroom (and back again). Make sure you put a gold vehicle sign in your front window for pick-up (read about that in the Parent-Student Handbook, too).
…More coming soon!