The whole school is going to see the progress of our new re-locatable classrooms at the factory on Thursday! We are leaving here as close to 8:30 a.m. as we can and returning approximately 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. We will be taking busses so there is a small cost at $3.00 per child, except for the kindergarten who are carpooling because they are going on an extended field trip somewhere else after the factory visit.
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The two things that stood out for me when Mr. Weber, Chris Willis (board chair) and I visited the factory where our buildings are being constructed a couple of weeks ago:
1) THE “BEEFINESS” OF THEIR CONSTRUCTION. From the steel frame undergirdings to the 2×6 framing, heavy duty flooring, and the reinforcement throughout, I was very impressed with the construction quality. I’d seen this all in the plans, but it was so much more graphic to see it firsthand.
2) THE CEILINGS. The architect’s initial plans called for very high vaulted ceilings. We’d opted for a more affordable compromise – with 8 foot ceilings on one half of each building (most of the ductwork will run through this side) and the other half vaulting up to 11 feet. While we really couldn’t afford the fully vaulted ceilings, I guess I’d wondered if they would be as open and dramatic as we’d like. You can see Chuck and Chris standing next to the high wall in one of the photos above. With all of the windows and this high wall in place, I was really excited to get a sense of how open these rooms will be.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS. I was also blown away with the size of the buildings and the classrooms. Each of the buildings you see here will be twice as wide as what you see here. And, each of these three buildings will be longer than our existing building. Two will open up into an 1800sf multi-purpose room when needed (30×74′, with an entryway and two restrooms in the front center side). The third (we’re calling it the Observation Building) will have 10 toilets and two classrooms that will open up to create a nice rectangular room (about 1200sf) and deck overlooking the ski race finish line.
We were seeing sheetrock, but I could easily envision the completed buildings now. The finishes are lovely – walls will be carpeted for sound and warmth. The room dividers are the type you see in hotel conference centers – with good quality soundproofing, and white boards across. Each building will have an entryway to help with heat loss in the winter. The teachers (and students) will love the fact that every classroom will have its own thermostat and climate control.
TIMING. Once a modular building goes onto the factory’s floor, construction generally takes only about 1-2 weeks. During the hour we were there, they set all three walls for one of our buildings (two modules will be joined together on-site). In order to work at that rapid pace, however, they generally receive a visit from their normal state-certified building inspector every day.
Since our buildings are being overseen by the Utah Division of Facilities and Construction Management (DFCM), DFCM requires that the factory use an inspector who’s been approved by them. We experienced some frustrating delays in January just trying to set up a first inspection by the inspector DFCM had assigned. I’m waiting for a progress report today, but I think they’ve now been able to set up an advance schedule for inspections, so hopefully this will more more quickly now.
As of last week, they had framed the first two buildings and started installing electrical.
You may run into some electricians at the school over the coming weeks. They’ll be updating our existing alarm system and installing an intercom and bell system that we can hook into once the buildings come on site.
The factory is brand new, and pretty high tech. Mr. Weber would like to take all of our kids on a field trip to see the construction in progress – hopefully next week.
Once again – thanks so much for your patience! We’re hoping that when you see these buildings, you’ll forget about our growing pains!
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Check out the photos on the groundbreaking article below!
This turned out to be a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity for our students. The Olympians (Nordic Combined team) who helped with our groundbreaking ended up making history in Vancouver – shattering several barriers that Americans had never before achieved. Here are some of their “firsts:” First medal for the USA (ever!) in Nordic Combined. First Nordic Combined Team race medal. First gold medal for the United States in ANY Nordic event, ever! It was a blast to meet these men and then be able to follow their exploits in Vancouver.
Snow flew on February 5th as US Olympic Team members helped student leaders and other dignitaries break ground for new facilities that will jointly serve Soldier Hollow Charter School, Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation and Wasatch Mountain State Park.
Five members of – the now medal winning – 2010 Olympic Team USA dug their skis deep into the snow: Johnny Spillane, Todd Lodwick and Taylor Fletcher from Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Billy Demong from the Lake Placid region; and Park City-based Brett Camerota.
Coached by Heber City residents, Dave Jarrett and Greg Poirier, along with Chris Gilbertson, this year’s remarkable US Nordic Combined Team spends much of its time training at Soldier Hollow. Five-time Olympian (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010) Todd Lodwick came out of retirement last winter to chase that elusive Olympic medal. Rather than starting with the World Cup Tour, the Steamboat Springs-based Lodwick came here to compete, then burst onto the international scene later in the season – ultimately winning two World Championships in 2009.
“It meant a lot to Soldier Hollow and the entire community for our Olympians to join us for the event,” said Soldier Hollow General Manager Howard Peterson. “They are heroes to the kids here. And as you looked out on the crowd, you could just sense that there’s a future Olympian or two in the group.
Also participating were:
The school’s student officers: Sierra MacFarlane-President, Bryn Dayton-Vice President, Jessica O’Hara-Secretary, Courtney Weese-Treasurer.
Wasatch Mountain State Park Manager Bruce Strom, Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation Executive Director Howard Peterson.
School leaders and directors: Principal Chuck Weber. Board members Claudia Heusch and Brandon Phelps. Project Manager Kimberly Gilboy.
Here are the latest pictures from our builder William Scotsman:
7:30 Volunteers help set up course
8:15 K/1st grade to lodge for equipment (kindergarten and 1st grade drop off at lodge)
8:30 2nd/3rd grade up to lodge for equipment (walk up to lodge)
8:45 4th-8th grade up to lodge for equipment (walk up to lodge)
9:15 Students get organized into teams, ready with boots, skis, poles bibs and flags
**Country leaders please meet your team at the lodge**
9:15-10:00 Opening ceremonies – athlete procession down to stadium as follows:
Japan, China, United States, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France,Germany, Great Britain, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine
10:00-11:00 Bean-Bag Biathlon
France, Finland, Norway, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Canada
10:00-10:30 Obstacle Course
Italy, Denmark, New Zealand, Poland
10:00-10:30 Relay Race
Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Spain
10:30-11:00 Obstacle Course
Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Spain
10:30-11:00 Relay Race
Italy, Denmark, New Zealand, Poland
11:00-12:00 Bean-Bag Biathlon
Italy, Denmark, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Spain
11:00-11:30 Obstacle Course
France, Finland, Norway, Bulgaria
11:00-11:30 Relay Race
Ukraine, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Canada
11:30-12:00 Obstacle Course
Ukraine, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Canada
11:30-12:00 Relay Race
France, Finland, Norway, Bulgaria
12:00 Clean-up of events and return equipment to lodge
12:45 Awards at lodge (if stadium is cleaned up and equipment put away)
Olympics:
- Wednesday, Feb 24th, the teams will meet one last time to prepare for the Olympics.
- Thursday, Feb 25th, is country presentation day. The country rotations will begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 1:00 p.m. Students can leave with their parents at 1:00, or stay at school until 2:45.
- Friday, Feb 26th, will be the SHCS Olympics. Please make sure your students are to school on time, as they won’t want to miss out on any part of these fantastic events.
Rewards Program: Congratulations Xander Valentiner (and his mom Julie) for bringing in 50 logos and winning the Home Team Rewards contest!
Today we begin our new contest for Box Tops! The 3 students who bring in the most Box Tops by March 11th will win their choice of a prize from a huge bag of assorted items donated by Bank of the West. These are nice prizes, so please help your children participate and help our school earn money. Make sure your child’s name is on the Box Tops (or the bag or collection sheet you send them in).Ne
If you have any questions, please call or email me. Thank you! J. Johnson
Open Enrollment for new students through February 26th. New families and students may pick up an application in our office. They must be turned in by Feb. 26th.
Current families need to complete and return the re-enrollment form which was sent home with each student this week. They are due in the office by Feb. 26th.
Thursday, October 29th: Picture Re-take Day
Trunk or Treat: Friday, October 30th, at 11:00. Please park your car in the corral next to the amphitheatre before 11:00.
Crossing Guard needed in the morning. Please contact Cheryl Kightlinger or the school office.
Halloween Carnival:Wasatch County Parks & Rec will be Saturday, October 31st, from 1:00-4:00 pm, at the new Parks and Rec building (345 w 600 s). Cost is $6 for an all-you-can-play wristband (pre-sold at Parks and Rec – $8 if you buy it the day of) or $ .50 per booth. Over 20 booths to choose from including spider chase, costume contest, candy, prizes and more. All proceeds go to the PTA’s of Heber Valley.
Book Fair: Nov 9th – 13th: Volunteers needed! Set up & clean up, breakfast @ the book fair, working the cash register and coordinating classroom visits. Contact: Joni Taylor inclinecos@yahoo.com
Raffle Sales – SHCS STUDENTS ROCK! Once again, our students exceeded expectations with their participation in raffle sales! Together, they raised $8,480 for new technology equipment for the school. This was an average of over $41 per student! The PTO has deposited these funds, and will make them available for specific technology-related requests from teachers. Requests from classes that raised more funds will receive priority for selection.
- Boys Rule Day: Close race! The girls’ total was $10 than the boys, but to make the races fair, we judged based on averages. The boys’ average was $43.66 per boy. Girls sold an average of $40.05 each. In celebration of their success, we’ll be declaring a lighthearted “Boys Rule” day within the next couple of weeks. (We’ll honor the girls a little bit, too.)
- Top Class Sellers: Mr. Drozd’s 3rd grade were the #1 sellers, with an average of $107 sold per student. Mr. McGinn’s 4th grade came in second with $92 per student and Ms. Poirier’s 4th grade had a great final week push to end with an average of $81 per student. Since the next closest classes were in the “50s,” the committee decided to honor all three of these top selling classes, with special emphasis on Mr. Drozd’s class. We offered this class a trip to Boondocks Fun Center with unlimited ride passes. The two 4th grade classes chose between a Kamas Pool Party and a Fire Truck ride.
- Top Participation: Ms. Poirier’s class came out tops with 90% participation. Mr. Drozd’s had the highest percentage on the “official” closing date (which was extended), so we also honored them with a pizza party as well.
- Top Sellers: This year, we had 9 students who sold 50 or more tickets (with sales ranging from $210 to $485 each). These top sellers included: Sean Gilboy, Katherine Hosack, Tyrel Graves, Cooper Jenkins, Alexander Speake, Mason Heimburger, Melissa Murcko, Zander Burkemo, and Jessica O’Hara. In addition to their chosen prizes, we’ll present each of them with Olympic-style medallions on Boys Rule day.
Thanks to you parents, for your support of your children and our school, in this fun undertaking!
And the raffle winners are:
- 1st winner is: Loni Reed (ticket sold by student – Shaylen Reed- 4th)
- 2nd winner is: Suzie Turner (ticket sold by student – Isabella Bellini-4th)
- 3rd winner is: Stephen Bumentaal (ticket sold by student – Stella Trincado-6th)
Adopt-A-Native Elder Program: The Third Grade class is proud to be a part of the Adopt-A-Native Elder program. This is our fourth year sponsoring a Navajo Grandmother, Grandma Pauline Begay. As we study Native Americans of the past, we also want to recognize those that are still living! There is much to learn from these Navajo elders before they are gone and with them a culture that is truly unique. Please take the next few weeks to accumulate any canned goods, blankets, clothing, kitchen ware, etc. All items may be dropped off in Miss Drozd’s classroom. We will be delivering our donations on our field trip to the Navajo Rug Show at Deer Valley on November 5th.
*Please refrain from donating anything that requires electricity, this luxury is unavailable to the elders.
For more information on donations or the program in general, please visit www.anelder.org.
Thank you! –Miss Drozd, Mr. Drozd, and the Third Grade
Rewards Program: We began a new contest last week! We are having a horse race to see which class can bring in the most BOXTOPS! Each student in the class that brings in the most boxtops will win a coupon for a cheeseburger from McDonald’s! The points will be adjusted to percentages in order to level the different sized classes. Both 4th grade classes will be combined, as will 7th and 8th grade. Please have your children put these in the collection boxes in their classrooms. Make sure your child’s name is on the labels. This contest will end on November 13th.
Please shop through the BOXTOPS MARKETPLACE when making purchases online. This is quick, easy and free. You won’t receive junk mail! There are more than 100 stores that participate. Simply go to www.boxtops4education.com, click on “Marketplace”, select your store and shop as usual. Since it takes you to the store’s website, you are still able to use coupons and take advantage of special offers. The stores contribute up to 8% of your purchase to the school. THAT’S A LOT!! Other schools are earning $20,000 each year from this alone. Since we have very limited shopping in our valley, most of us do shop online and every one of us should be taking advantage of this program. The first time you shop you will need to fill out a brief registration so boxtops knows which school you’re supporting. After that, all it requires is 2 extra mouse clicks – seriously! Encourage your friends, family and neighbors to help, too! We collect all reward items all year long. See the bulletin board at the bottom of the stairs for current information. If you have any questions, please call or email me. Thank you so much!
Jill Johnson 657-2136 gljill1@msn.com
Soldier Hollow Lodge: Snow is coming, as are some of Soldier Hollow’s favorite events. Don’t miss:
- Pre Winter Ski Sale: Excellent used cross country ski packages as low as $189 for adults/$75 for juniors. The sale is Friday and Saturday, November 6-7, from 8 am to 5 pm. TOKO and SWIX wax, accessories, gloves and hats are 20-50% off.
- Discounted Season Passes: Saturday, November 7, is the last day for early season discounted season and ten punch passes. Remember: our ten punch passes don’t expire, and they can be shared by friends and family.
- Soup and Soldier Hollow Fundraiser: The ninth annual Soup and Soldier Hollow fundraiser is Friday evening, November 13, with great soups from eight of Heber Valley’s best restaurants. Soup’s on at 6 p.m., with many silent auction items to bid on. Our live auction starts at 7:30 p.m. Don’t miss this popular event, supporting Team Soldier Hollow.
As anticipated, it has been a busy start to the 2009-2010 season.
The Board had planned in August to have this month’s meeting moved up to today rather than the usual 2nd Tuesday of the month.
Board meetings are held at 6 pm in Mr Weber’s office.
Based on feedback from the State, we quickly resubmitted minor changes to the portables designs last Monday.
We have worked hard on these plans and are optimistic the State will soon approve them later this week.
We appreciate your support and patience as we try hard to expedite this process.
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