Calendar
| Aug 30 |
No Band |
| Aug 31 |
Gr. 7 & 8 Swim Party |
| Sept 3 |
Labor Day - NO SCHOOL! |
| Sept 4 |
Soccer Home Game vs. Campion
5:30 p.m.
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| Sept 6 |
Parent's Night |
| Sept 8 |
Gr. 3/4 Recorder Group to Twin Peaks SDA Church |
| Sept 16 |
Track & Field Day |
Hot Lunch/Pizza
Hot lunch and pizza lunch will begin after Labor Day. If you are interested in these programs please make sure you have handed in your hot lunch forms. Pizza cards can be purchased in the office. Hot Lunch is charged to your account and billed to you monthly.
Classroom News
Kindergarten
Ms. Blankenship
Kindergarten has gotten off to a great start! There have been no tearful goodbyes for a whole week. They are learning each other’s names and playing together.
We are reading books by Laura Numeroff. They are so much fun. Last week we read the book, If You Give a Pig a Pancake and made pancakes that you bake in the oven. This week we will be reading, If You Give a Moose a Cookie. Can you guess what Friday’s cooking project will be? Just follow your nose to the Kindergarten classroom!
Grades 1-2
Mrs. Gaines
I can’t believe how busy our school days have been! Is this really only the second week of school? We are still working on organizing our reading groups. We have such a diverse class, that it has been difficult. Encourage your child to listen to and follow instructions, raise their hand to speak, and to stay at their seat.
Thanks to those who have volunteered to help in the classroom. If there is someone who could pick up Icky and Tuffy food once a week at PETCO please let me know. I will purchase a card at the store just across I-25 in the Larkridge Mall.
When folders are sent home each Tuesday, please sign the sheet and take all the papers out. There may be forms that need to be returned to the school. Just put them in the folder for your child to bring the next day. With the reading records, fill them out and return them to the folder.
Grades 3-4
Mrs. Hansen
We have begun Northeast State projects. Your child is bringing home an assignment on the state they have chosen. This project will be mostly HOMEWORK and is DUE by Sept. 30. If your child needs help, they may bring it to school.
Parents, if you are having any concerns, please feel free to bring them to my attention. I would rather we deal with any problems early, than let them build to mountains! Thanks.
Grades 5-6
Mrs. Hodgson
Today we enjoyed our first Toast Tuesday!
We are off to an excellent start with an exciting group of students. We are busy working on state brochures, math review (multiplication tables and long division), and our first spelling test will be on Friday.
Thank you, parents, for the wonderful response to helping with Outdoor School. We have great sponsorship and should have a fun two days at Glacier View Ranch. More information will be coming home soon.
Upcoming important dates to put on your calendar are: September 6—Parents Night; September 16—Track and Field Day; and September 19-20—Outdoor School. ITBS Testing has been moved to October.
Grades 7-12
Mr. Wuerfel
Assignments are being turned in, reading projects have begun, and vocabulary words are being learned.
English 7/8:
The short story unit is well on its way. We have already finished two of the many stories that are to come. Students are learning concepts of theme, character, plot, and conflict.
Reading:
Reading class is reading the novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Thus far, as a class, students are learning the reasoning behind this wonderful allegorical story and its usage within faith building.
* Parents: I am entertaining the idea of having a reading group twice a month to discuss the novel in depth and pull from it the gems of symbolism Lewis incorporates. If you are interested please e-mail or call me at tonywuerfel@yahoo.com or 269-277-1226.
9/10 English:
Short stories are being read as well as story elements are being recapped. These students are scholars.
English 11/12:
Early settler literature has never been so much fun — for me J. Students are progressively learning why and how our country was founded and how that relates to American Literature.
Drama:
The drama team list has been posted. Drama members will need to be present, in class, and prepared. Great job everyone!
Miss Schneider & Mr. Force
The 9-12 grade students have been at Glacier View Ranch yesterday and today getting to know one another better. Miss Schneider and Mr. Force are the sponsors for these activities.
Fine Arts
Mrs. Helbley & Mrs. Force
Mrs. Helbley
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the following music programs please contact me via email at rhelbley@yahoo.com or 303 459 0771 ext.27. Thank you for your support.
3rd and 4th Recorders
The students are doing so well with their recorders. We have conquered 12 songs already and can’t wait to show you our progress. We will be performing as part of Education Sabbath at Twin Peaks Church on Sept. 8th. I look forward to meeting you there.
5th and 6th Beginning Band
The students are in the midst of choosing their favorite instrument to learn. Many were able to play a few notes last week. Beginning students shouldn’t practice more than 10 mins./day until they build muscle and airpower. We will continue to experiment with instruments this week and next.
Advanced Band
I was so impressed with the musical ability of those in band. I’m already picking new music to conquer. We practice every Tuesday and Thursday. Students are welcome to bring homework to class to work on while I work other instrumentalists. Our first performance is scheduled for November.
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Tutors Available
School can be overwhelming at times. Please note the following tutors that are available for your use:
Sandy Morris
Math Tutor, Certified 6-12 grade
303.955.4910
Elaine Huot
Special Educ., Language and Math
elhuot@mac.com
Parent Night
Parent Night is coming up next Thursday, September 6th. Home and School will again be hosting a potluck dinner at 6 pm. More information is being emailed and sent home with each student. We look forward to seeing all of you at the potluck and sharing our favorite dishes with each other! Please see the attached flyer for more detailed information on Parent Night.
Elaine Huot, M Ed., D. Child Study will be presenting a short demonstration of the WYNN Literacy software program on Parent Night. WYNN is a multi-sensory program that gives students access to scanned text, electronic files and the Internet. WYNN includes tools to customize the reading environment, increases comprehension and supports accurate and fluent writing. This program is easy to learn and easy to use. It enables students to actively process, analyze and synthesize information in all subject areas from 2nd grade to college level classes. Text is read to the student at their own pace and using personalized visual settings to aid comprehension, retention and mastery of material. WYNN now reads in 15 languages and makes reading, studying and writing more meaningful and effortless. This program is used world wide in educational, adult literacy and employment settings. Elaine works with all levels of students in Boulder County and at VRA. She has been teaching for 30 years throughout North America and used WYNN with her students to ensure their success across the curriculum.
Notice of Planned Absence Requests
If your student needs to come late or leave early or miss a complete day of school, we request that you come to the office in ADVANCE of the absence and fill out a form that requests such an absence. This is
a courtesy on your part to the teacher. Many times the teacher can rearrange a schedule so that your student does not miss an important activity such as a test, field trip or birthday party. You then take the form and discuss the planned absence with their teacher. You get the teacher’s signature and an explanation of any homework that would be missed. You then return the form to the office for processing their attendance.
Administration of Medication at School
If your student takes ANY kind of medication during school hours, it must be monitored by the school office. This includes asthma inhalers. Please drop by the school office to pick up a form that explains the process. We need a physician’s signature and instructions. We are not allowed to give out ANY kind of medication to your student without these instructions including Tylenol.
Vista Ridge Planning
Parents are invited to join the VRA Board in planning for the future of the school. Those interested in joining the VRA Board for two strategic planning workshops on September 9 and 30, please contact Carol Schneider this week at 303-828-4944 for further details.
Pathfinders/Adventurers
Last day for sign-ups is tomorrow after school! First day of Pathfinder and Adventurer Club activities will be Wednesday, September 5.
Labor Day Parade Float
Grades 1-6
Last week your child should have brought home a flyer about the Labor Day Parade float for Avista Adventist Hospital. If you are receiving this newsletter by email, you should have an attachment about the parade. Avista needs our help to make the parade float a success. Please call Brendan Johnson for more information at 303-673-1280.
Track and Field Day
Sunday, September 16: Track and Field Day is a required day of school. We will be meeting at Legacy High School again for our annual activity. Plan to come, enjoy and bring lots of energy. All students will be involved with the track and field activities and parents get to be the cheerleaders.
School Supplies for 7-12 Grades
Last year, we had a problem with the amount of students that needed to “borrow” a pencil, pen or other item. Each 7-12 grade student is asked to deposit $10 at the office for future office supplies. When needed, they are welcome to come and purchase those items from the office. Any unused portion will be returned at the end of the year.
Music Performance Schedule
September 8 - Grades 3 & 4 Recorders at Twin Peaks SDA Church
Oct. 13 - K-2 Choir @ Chapel Haven Church
November 3 - Grades 5-12 Band to Boulder SDA Church
Christmas Programs:
Elementary December 13
Academy December 20
Jan. 26, 2008 - Grade 3-4 Recorders @ Chapel Haven Church
January 30 – February 3, 2008 - Grades 9-12 Choir to Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska (only high school age is eligible) This is a wonderful experience for your young musicians! (Note: Correction from original calendar)
March 27 – 29 - Rocky Mountain Conf. Music Festival for Grades 5-12 at Campion Academy.
April 17 – 19 - Spring Concert Tour to Wyoming for Grades 7-12.
May 14 - Picnic and Pops (Spring Music Concert)
Grade 7 & 8 Class Swim Party
On Fri. Aug. 31st there will be a class party, from 12:30-3:30, at the Vista Ridge Community Center Pool located at 2750 Vista Pkwy (303 926 7691). Pizza and drinks will be provided. Permission slips will be sent home tomorrow.
Calling the School
When your student calls you from the school, we have a special line that they use. However, this line also receives faxes. Because the line receives faxes, we do not answer that phone line. When you return a call to the school, please call the main phone number, 303-828-4944 for best service. |
