Glendale, AZ (7/06/11) – Heritage Elementary School, one of Glendale’s fastest- growing charter school systems, is helping parents and kids prepare for the 2011-2012 school year with a July Family Fun Fest. The event will feature free food and fun for families, and will take place on the Heritage campus on Saturday, July 23, from 12pm to 2pm. The purpose of the family-friendly event is to make enrollment at the tuition- free, K-8 charter school easy and exciting, while simultaneously getting kids enthusiastic about the upcoming school year.

The Family Fun Fest invites families to visit, tour and enroll at Heritage Elementary School, located at 6805 N. 125th Avenue in Glendale. Kids can enjoy free hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones, games, indoor jumping castles and great giveaways, while parents meet school staff and teachers.

During the event, families can learn more about what Heritage has to offer. A growing, character-based charter school, Heritage features:

• Free full-day kindergarten
• Free before- and after-school care
• Highly qualified, certified teachers
• A supportive, responsive campus community
• A free breakfast program
• A character-based curriculum
• Bus transportation
• Sports, arts, computers and more

Also during the Family Fun Fest, parents can register their children at Heritage Elementary School for the 2011-2012 school year. Parents are asked to bring their child’s birth certificate and immunization records, which are required for enrollment.

Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, but for those parents who cannot attend the Family Fun Fest, the enrollment process can be initiated online by visiting www.hesglendale.org/enrollment and filling out the online registration forms. Parents can also call (623) 742-3956 to begin enrolling their children.

Heritage Elementary School, founded in 2002, is one of Arizona’s fastest-growing charter school systems. The tuition-free, character-based charter school is home to two campuses, one in Glendale and one in Williams, and serves more than 1,000 students in preschool through eighth grade. Both the Glendale and Williams locations offer bus/van transportation. Students that go to Williams are offered a 5-day school week, while traditional schools in the area have been cut back to 4 days. Raena Janes, an active advocate for Arizona education and charter schools, is the superintendent of Heritage Elementary School. Visit the school’s website online at www.hesglendale.org.