Calendar
| Oct 1-3 |
ITBS |
| Oct 4 |
Picture Day |
| Oct 5 |
Soccer Game -- VRA @ Mile High
Team leaves @ 11:30 a.m.
Game begins at 1:00 p.m.
See Brian Howard if you can drive. |
| Oct 8-10 |
ITBS Continues |
| Oct 11-14 |
Gymnastics Festival @ Union College |
| Oct 13 |
Family Night |
| Oct 17 |
Parent-Teacher Conferences
NO SCHOOL
Sign up for an appointment at the school office. |
Hot Lunch/Pizza
| Oct 3 |
Burritos - THIS IS A CHANGE!!!!! |
| Oct 4 |
Waffles |
| Oct 8 |
Pizza by the slice & Snack Shack |
| Oct 9 |
BBQ Chicken |
| Oct 10 |
Corn Dogs |
| Oct 11 |
Grillers |
Classroom News
Kindergarten
Ms. Blankenship
Kindergarten is studying about insects. We have a caterpillar that we are hoping to raise to a butterfly and the children have caught a variety of bugs on the playground (we always release them at the end of the day).
If you have a collection of insects that we could examine we would really appreciate it. Also if you have any books or videos on the subject that we could borrow we would enjoy those too.
Grades 1-2
Mrs. Gaines
We had a beautiful day at the Berry Patch! Most berries were eaten even before we returned to school.
Let’s have our biggest smiles on for picture day on Thursday.
Look at the handout about our reports. They may be scheduled any afternoon from Oct. 8-31. If you have questions, please ask.
Book orders have been sent and we will have our books the beginning of next week.
Our visit to Anderson Farms is on Tuesday, Oct. 16. See enclosed note and permission form.
Grades 3-4
Mrs. Hansen
Please make sure your child has breakfast and comes to school rested, as we are testing this week. Also, please send healthy non sugary snacks for mid morning brain food.
We are starting our science unit on bugs. Everyone must bring in a live spider, in a container, to school for 20 points of credit. There will bug requirements also.
To complete this science unit we want to take a field trip to the Butterfly Pavilion in Denver. We will try to take the bus this time. There is a cool, creepy crawly class at the pavilion, only offered on Fridays at 11:00 a.m. This would put us back to the school late. Before I schedule this, Please RSVP me on whether this will cause problems with your schedule. We are looking at a projected date of October 19. At present I have NOT made reservations.
Grades 5-6
Mrs. Hodgson
Homework should be minimal this week in order for students to get plenty of rest (mental and physical) for the ITBS Testing. Next week we will finish with CoGat testing. I am trying to provide a healthy snack mid-morning for the students during test times as well.
Anyone wishing to place another book order from Scholastic should turn them in by Friday, October 5. Please send cash or make checks payable to Sandy Hodgson.
Grades 7-12
Mr. Wuerfel
7 and 8
The seventh and eighth graders are now finished reading their short stories and will begin writing their own. We will have our yearly competition when all of the entries are submitted. Again, the winner will win an all expense dinner with a friend to the Cheesecake Factory. If you’ve ever experienced this culinary delight you’ll understand why this is of the utmost importance. In Reading class we are finished reading Lewis’s novel and are now working on reading projects.
9 and 10:
As far as Bible class is concerned, the students are almost finished with their Exegesis projects and will present their findings very soon to the rest of their peers.
11 and 12:
The Juniors and Seniors are heading toward their first novel of the year The Scarlet Letter. This piece by Hawthorne reflects what happens when a community of “believers” are faced with a problematic situation. Are we compelled to show love, grace, or judgment?
Drama:
The Drama team had their first performance last Friday night and it went extremely well! These students have TALENT! We are doing a fundraiser this Wednesday for grades 7-12. Imagine if you will: a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie enveloped in soft vanilla ice cream! If you, like me, are salivating, please bring in $1.25 to help the Vista Ridge Academy Drama Team earn money for their trip to Orcas Island.
Mr. Howard
7-12
I have my Web site working for almost everybody now. It is: www.freewebs.com/brianhoward. Check it out for information on what it coming up on all classes as well as what homework is due the next day for your student.
Soccer
This week we have an away game against Mile High on Friday at 1 PM. Once again I am looking for volunteers to help with the driving. If you can help please let me know.
Mr. Force
7 and 8
The students have just earned 15 points of positive, co-operative classroom behavior. The reward is to get a day of off campus learning. We will be focusing on social skills and learning from the lives of great Americans such as Ben Franklin, Roger Williams, Anne Hutchinson and William Penn.
9 and 10 Geography
JFK challenged us to “ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” Please ask your students more about what JFK was challenging American citizens to do.
11 and 12
We are reading about the organization of congress and discovering the origins of our American government.
Gymnastics
The Flying Eagles will be leaving for Union College next Thursday, Oct. 11 at 8:30 a.m. We are excited about learning a lot and trying new things!
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We’re Bragging
In case we need reminding of the value of our wonderful teachers and Christian education, this is an excerpt from an e-mail received at the school office that we wanted to share.
I used to come to this school in grade 2. I've been trying to write to you guys and say how grateful I am that I met an awesome God through you guys and that the school taught me a lot of valuable things and has been one of the greatest schools that I've ever been in. If you are very kind can you please say Hi to Mrs. Hodgson and all her family and tell her that I miss them a lot. Right now I’m living in Canada and I’m going to an Adventist school and the most important thing of all I’m still on the right path, which is God. He has blessed us a lot by giving us residency and bringing my brother who lived in Argentina here. God bless all of the staff members and all of the students attending.
BUILDING PROJECT FUNDS
Total Cost: $840,000.00
Amount rec’d: $536,348.17
Total Needed: $303,651.83 |
Picture Day
Picture day is on Thurs. Oct 4th. The order forms will be sent today. If your student does not get his/her form all the way home, you may pick up another one in the office. EVEN IF YOU AREN’T ORDERING PICTURES, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM FOR THE PICTURE COMPANY AND RETURN IT. EACH STUDENT MUST HAVE A FORM TO GIVE TO THEM AS THEIR PICTURE IS TAKEN.
Drama Club Fundraiser
This Wednesday, for grades 7-12, fresh chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice-cream, only $1.25! Support our Drama Club as they raise funds for their Orcas Island trip in November.
8th Grade Fundraiser
CAR WASH
Interior & Exterior Shine!
Friday, October 5 11:15 am – 2:00 pm at the VRA parking lot. For no waiting call Becki Wagnaar for an appointment at 303.543.0970. Generous donation very much appreciated! Suggested minimum: $10 for interior and $10 for exterior. Thank you! Money raised goes toward the 8th grade class trip and graduation expenses.
Marilyn Lemke, a home based travel consultant, has offered to donate her commission from booking your travel and vacation needs, to the grade 8 class. Please contact her at 303 817 3752 or holidaytrip@aol.com and ask her how she can help you with your travel needs. Thank you, Marilyn for your generous support.
ITBS
Iowa Tests of Basic Skills began yesterday. 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.
Parent Teacher Conferences
It’s almost time for Parent-Teacher Conferences again! For grades K-6, we will be doing it the same way as last year. Please come into the office to sign up for an appointment. Appointments begin at 12 noon and run through 7:45 pm to try and accommodate everyone. You will be given 15 minutes for an appointment.
For grades 7-12 we will have a different format. It would make a very long day if each student was given a 15 minute appointment with each teacher now that we have 40 students in grades 7-12. This year the format will be as follows: all the upper grade teachers will be in the gymnasium. You will sign up for an hour slot. There will be 5 families signed up in each hour. You will then be able to speak at 10 minute increments to as many teachers (there are 5) that you want to. You can move from table to table as there is an opening. Please respect the 10 minute limit. The tables will be placed at a proper distance to maintain confidentiality. If you need a longer time, please make an appointment with the teacher on another day.
After School Care
Due to Soccer Practice, we have several lower grade siblings and child care students that need to stay after school while their older brother, sister or caregiver practices with the Soccer Team. Please speak with your child if they fall into this category. We are having problems with some of them misusing the playground equipment and running the halls. The VRA staff does not have the time to do after school care. We realize that it would be a great inconvenience to some of you if these children could no longer stay during soccer practice. Please help us with this problem.
Pathfinders & Adventurers
No Pathfinders and Adventurers on Oct. 17th due Parent Teacher Conferences.
The Adventist youth organizations will be hosting the Sabbath services at the following locations:
Oct. 13th: Chapel Haven Church (in Northglenn)
Oct. 20th: Boulder SDA Church
We will be performing skits and presenting music. Please ask your Pathfinder or Adventurer if they have a part in the skits and help them to memorize their parts. Also: Please have Pathfinder/Adventurers bring their Class A Uniform. We need to see if all participants have complete uniforms. Remember black sock and shoes.
Next week, Oct 10th, Pathfinders and Adventurers will be rehearsing at Chapel Haven Church we need the practice). Your children will ride the bus to the church and will need to be picked-up there at 6:00 pm If there are any problems please call John or Melinda at 303.659.1558.
Music Performance Schedule
Oct. 13 - K-2 Choir @ Chapel Haven Church – Students please wear church attire. Thank you. Directions to the church will be put in next week’s newsletter.
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)
Home and School
Cookie Dough Fundraiser
This is the last selling week for the annual cookie dough fundraiser! I have heard of several students who have earned the limousine prize! There are also lots of awesome prizes to be earned in the prize catalog. Please support your child for this very important fundraiser. REMEMBER: On-line sales count towards all prize levels. Our goal is for each student to sell a minimum of 10 items. If we achieve this goal, we will raise over $7,000! In addition to the prizes in the prize catalog, here are some more things your student can win:
- Sell 40 Items – Go to Lunch in a Limousine!
- Sell 50 Items – Enter Name in a Drawing for a Nintendo Wii! (a minimum of 10 names is required)
- Classroom w/the Most Sales Gets an Ice Cream Party! (most sales will be determined by average sales per student)
Scrip Program
The next Scrip order will be placed on Monday, October 15th – deadline is 8:30 a.m. Orders are accepted in the school office at any time. CHANGE: Please visit www.glscrip.com to view the most up to date list of retailers and see what bonus offers are currently in effect. The list is updated frequently and we want you to have the latest information. Call or email Ivy Lee with any questions. PLEASE REMEMBER – THIS DOES NOT COST YOU ANYTHING! YOU PURCHASE GIFT CARDS AT FACE VALUE – WE DO THE REST! PLEASE SUPPORT VISTA RIDGE ACADEMY WITH THIS VERY SIMPLE PROGRAM!
Family Night
On Saturday night, October 13th we will have a short vespers at sundown, then head to the gym for the Team Scramble, eat pizza and snacks, and then open the gym for basketball and volleyball, play table games and ping pong in the lunch room, etc. Slices of pizza and soda/water will be available for sale. You may bring snacks to share if desired.
Thank you and God Bless.
Ivy Lee, Home and School Leader
303.518.7811
ivyrlee@comcast.net
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