Calendar
| Sept 18 |
3rd & 4th Grades Outdoor School |
| Sept 19-20 |
5th & 6th Grades Outdoor School |
| Sept 20 |
Soccer game @ Campion |
| Sept 21-22 |
UC Youth Rally @ VRA |
| Sept 26 |
Dress Up Day |
Hot Lunch/Pizza
| Sept 19 |
Cheese ravioli |
| Sept 20 |
Hot dogs |
| Sept 24 |
Pizza by the slice |
| Sept 25 |
Baked potatoes |
| Sept 26 |
Mac & cheese |
Hot Lunch & Pizza
Reminder: Each slice is $ 1.50 and you must have cash or a Pizza card. Pizza cards can be purchased in $15 or $30 amounts.
If there is any extra food after hot lunch has been served and your child is served seconds they will be charged $0.50 which will be added to your bill.
Classroom News
Kindergarten
Ms. Blankenship
The kindergarten class got a new student this week. She is very small (about 2 pounds) and only talks when she hears plastic bags or the refrigerator door open. She loves lettuce and other fresh vegetables and fruits, in fact, that is about all she will eat!
If you haven’t guessed it yet our new “student” is a guinea pig. Her name is Sweet Pea. She lived in a first grade classroom last year so she is quite accustomed to the noise and activity that go with a classroom of busy, active children. She is adapting well and the kids already love her. They can’t wait to share their lunches with her so if you think your child is suddenly eating a lot of healthy vegetables that may not be the case.
Be sure to stop by and say hi to Sweet Pea. She is very friendly and would love to meet you.
Grades 1-2
Mrs. Gaines
Track and Field day went smoothly, thanks to our many volunteers. It was a beautiful day and the kids had a great time!
Our field trip to the Berry Patch is planned for next Tuesday, Sept. 25th. However, Berry Patch has not yet confirmed , so this is a tentative date. Please watch for permission slips which will have the confirmed date on them. Students should wear shoes and socks. Watch the weather forecast. A light jacket may be needed. Mr. Britt will drive the bus for us. Be sure to bring a lunch. We’ll leave the school at 10:15 and return about 2:30. Parents are you planning to join us?
Thanks for the Snack Shack donations. I hope the schedule for bringing items reached each of you last week. If you missed it be sure to ask for one.
Grades 3-4
Mrs. Hansen
The 3rd and 4th grade students are having Outdoor school at Glacier View camp today.
Grades 5-6
Mrs. Hodgson
We depart for Outdoor School tomorrow morning! Mr. Britt will be taking us to Glacier View Ranch in the bus. We will leave between 8:30-9:00 a.m. Another packing list is in today’s folder. Please remember to bring a sack lunch. Our adult sponsors for Outdoor School are Emily Cecil, Greg Floyd, Corene Gildersleeve, Dee Larson, and Jeff Wagnaar. Thank you SO much for coming.
An updated grade report is in today’s folder.
Grades 7-12
Service Day
September 25: The students in grades 7-12 will spend the day helping with community service projects. They will be fulfilling one of the new requirements for graduation. The students have made suggestions as to what they would like to do for their service day. Stay tuned for future updates of the activity.
Mr. Wuerfel
Seventh and Eighth English and Reading:
Their short stories are well on their way to being completed. After our short story unit we will head into our competition and then No Promises in the Wind. This novel revolves around life during the Great Depression and how children dealt with the problematic situations of that time period.
We are half way through the Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe which has been an exciting and insightful unit. Students have learned how an allegorical story can enhance ones spiritual experience and promote growth.
Nine and Ten English and Bible:
The Ninth and Tenth Graders are finishing up with their third steps in their exegetical papers. Most students are learning to understand how history, authorship, context, and cross textual support help in understanding Biblical passages.
In English, we are quickly moving toward our short story competitions. Each student will write one of their own, creative short stories. The winner of the short story contest will be given the opportunity to take themselves and a friend to an all paid dinner at The Cheese Cake Factory.
Eleventh Grade English:
The Eleventh graders are beginning a new unit entitled Freedom Writers. This unit will historically cover the revolutionary battles, speeches, and written documents which will move toward the Civil War Era. They are reading authors like Thomas Pain, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and many others. This section will be more than enjoyable and will help students to understand how history and literature go hand in hand.
Drama:
The drama class is working hard on two new plays and they’re going far beyond all my expectations! They will be performing on the 28th of September at the Denver Youth Rally. This drama year is going to be an exceptional one which will be concluding with the Easter Play entitled Passion. If you’re interested at all in helping with this play please call or e-mail me if you’re willing to help.
Mr. Howard
There is a soccer game this Thursday at Campion at 5:30 PM. We will be meeting right after school and leaving by 4 PM. Thank you to those that helped drive on Friday. If you can help this Thursday please let me now. It would be very much appreciated. We will try to be back at the school between 7 and 7:30.
Mr. Force
7 and 8
The textbook for our U.S. History class starts out with the geography of the Americas. Chapter 2 reminds us of the first Americans, the native Americans, who lived here long before they were “discovered”. The students are learning just how much we owe these first Americans. The toughest question they are struggling with is, “how did we treat these people and their societies when we came to their land”?
9 and 10
The students attempted to use the 5 themes of geography to discover all they could about the United States. They found some themes had so much material they could not possibly report on it all and that some areas had very little. We are continuing to study the U.S. this week and preparing for a mini-midterm test this Thursday.
11 and 12
The students are learning about the first attempts to understand, explain and develop governments. Aristotle in ancient Greece, Thomas Hobbes and John Locke are each given a chance to explain their ideas. The students are also discussing the purpose of government as they compare many different forms of government, past and present.
Gymnastics
The students are just finishing their tryouts. They are anxiously awaiting a letter from their coach. Congratulations to each one that tried out and worked so hard!
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We’re Bragging
The soccer team is working so hard. It is great to watch them play and work as a team. We really appreciate the effort they put into their games. And a big thanks to Mr. Howard for doing such a great job coaching.
On 9-11, Mrs. Force started 5-6th choir by talking about the historic events of the day and how they changed our country. When the discussion ended the students practiced their first song of the day which was “God is in Control.” One student promptly raised her hand and asked, “If God is in control, how come 9-11 happened?” Mrs. Force was able to spend time in choir talking about God being in control and why bad things sometimes happen. The students had a chance to share their faith with each other and to teach each other about God. Isn’t it great that we have a school where this activity is allowed and encouraged?
S.A. News
Our first Dress Up Day is Wed., Sept. 26th. We are having a Farm theme. You can dress up as anything found on a farm such as a bale of hay, animal, silo, etc. Use your imagination and let’s get creative!
BUILDING PROJECT FUNDS
Needed to break ground: $400,000.00
Amount rec’d in pledges: $391,916.00
Amount in bank: $144,432.17 |
Scrip Program
The Scrip program got off to a great start! The first order got placed yesterday with 14 families participating for a profit of $136.05! Just imagine what we could earn if all 90 school families placed even a small order! The next order will be placed at noon on Monday, October 1st.
Church Seminar
One of our local churches is having a Daniel & Revelation seminar. If you would like more information there are brochures available in the office.
Restaurant Coupons
One of our school board members is affiliated with Great Scotts Eatery restaurants and we have discount coupons available. Please come to the office if you would like one.
Invite to Ignite
On Sept. 21 & 22 Matchbox Ministry of Union College will be holding their Invite to Ignite Youth ministry program here at Vista Ridge Academy. For more info call: 1 800 228 4600 ext. 2057 or visit the Web site at: matchbox@ucollege.edu
The program on Friday evening is from 7:30–9:30 p.m. Saturday services are from 10:45-12:45 and again in the evening from 7:30-8:30.
Pathfinders & Adventurers
Please bring a snack to eat before class. We don’t want our stomach grumblings to distract us from our fun.J
8th Grade Fundraiser
Marilyn Lemke, a travel agent, has offered to donate her commission from booking your travel and vacation needs to the grade 8 class. Please contact her at 303 926 7841 and ask her how she can help you with your travel needs. Thank you, Marilyn for your generous support.
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.
Attendance/Citizenship Grade
After you turn in your planned absence notification, it is sent to the office for approval or non-approval. Please review in your academic bulletin the guidelines for an excused absence. The absence request form simply is a courtesy to the teacher and the school to notify them of an upcoming family event or appointment. It does not mean that the classes missed will automatically be excused. Sometimes, in response to an unexcused absence, you will receive in the mail a citizenship report stating your student lost a point or two for missing classes.
As long as there are not too many unexcused absences during a quarter, it does not affect your child’s citizenship grade that much. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or stop by the office.
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.
ITBS
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills is coming up fast. The dates for these tests are Oct. 1-2 and Oct. 8-10. Only grades 3-12 are tested. Please plan ahead. It is really to your student’s disadvantage to miss any of these days. The tests are very hard to make up. The results of these tests are shared with the parents at the October parent-teacher conferences.
Music Performance Schedule
Oct. 13 - K-2 Choir @ Chapel Haven Church (tentative date – this may change)
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)
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