March 9, 2010. After this long, long wait, it is FANTASTIC to see these buildings coming together! The first of our three new buildings – a Classroom/Waxing Building – is almost complete. I’m so excited for teachers, students and some of our parents to get their first glimpse on Thursday. Now that they’re coming together, I think these classrooms are going to be even nicer than I anticipated. The exterior is lovely. In addition to what you see, accent trim at the top and the bottom will be a nice Hardi-Plank “Countryside Red”.

Mr. Weber picked the wall carpeting – and did a wonderful job. It has enough color to be low maintenance, but doesn’t darken the room. It looks so warm and comfortable! I’d been told that they weren’t going to be able to have vaulted ceilings in the entryway (because of all the ducts and plumbing in ceiling), so was delighted to see that they’re vaulted anyway.

The second building you see here – the Observation Building – is about 2 weeks behind the first in construction. This building will house 5 boys and 5 girls’ restrooms (accessible from interior or exterior entrances) and two classrooms. These two classrooms will open up into a really nice, spacious multipurpose room. We’ve dubbed it the “Observation Building” because it will overlook the race course finish line. It has a small entryway (for energy conservation), but will open up nicely to create a space that’s not much smaller than the open room up at the lodge. It’ll be great to have all those open areas when we need them for assemblies and large group settings.

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!

#####

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.

**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)

• 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.

SOLDIER HOLLOW, UT (Feb. 5) – The five members of the U.S. Olympic Nordic Combined Ski Team were on hand Thursday to help break ground on a new project at Soldier Hollow, site of the 2002 Olympic Winter games. The Soldier Hollow Charter School and Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation have partnered together to design three new multi purpose buildings for the Olympic venue.

“The Soldier Hollow Olympic legacy is alive and thriving,” said Soldier Hollow chief Howard Peterson.

Nearly a hundred school children and parents were on hand as World Champions Johnny Spillane (Steamboat Springs, CO), Todd Lodwick (Steamboat Springs, CO) and Billy Demong (Vermontville, NY), joined teammates Brett Camerota (Park City, UT) and first-time Olympian Taylor Fletcher (Steamboat Springs, CO) in using their ski tips to break the snow near the site of the new buildings.

For most of the year, the Charter School will be utilizing the buildings for eight spacious, new classrooms and 14 restrooms.  Soundproof partitions will allow the buildings to open up for assemblies and special events. The added infrastructure will also significantly enhance the many public events held at Soldier Hollow year around, including major ski racing competitions such as the 2012 U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Junior Olympics, and will support Soldier Hollow’s ability to provide for the expansion of public outdoor recreation opportunities (such as high school cross country running meets). One of the three buildings will be placed adjacent to the existing ski racing finish line with a 70′ x 15′ deck facing the finish, and will contain ten toilets as well as a kitchenette area for race crew meals.

Soldier Hollow Charter School is a free, public school serving students grades K-8, with 208 students currently enrolled at Soldier Hollow. The school’s interest in environmental science and place-based learning attracted it to Soldier Hollow following the 2002 Olympic Games. Cross country skiing is integrated into the school’s curriculum, with students skiing 2-5 times a week.  While still quite young, two school alumni – Aren Burkemo and Tristin Lowe – are very competitive at the national level in Junior Olympics.

The Olympic Team is in Utah for a final pre-Olympic tune-up before heading to Vancouver on Monday.

“It meant a lot to Soldier Hollow and the entire community for our Olympians to join us for the event,” said 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.”

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY TOMORROW – SEND OFF FOR OLYMPIC ATHLETES  -  DON’T MISS IT!
Thursday, February 4
2:45-3:15 (time is confirmed)

Parents & Students: Please join us in a short groundbreaking ceremony right after school.

We’ll be celebrating the long-awaited commencement of our building construction and will be joined by several Olympic athletes, including reigning world champions, Billy Demong and Todd Lodwick.

This is a unique opportunity for our school family to come together and to get into the Olympic spirit.
Don’t miss it!

BUILDING PROGRESS
The factory is making good progress on our building construction. The steel frames that undergird the buildings are completed. Several of the walls have been framed and are waiting for the steel frame inspection to be lifted and attached to the steel girding. We’re planning to schedule a short factory visit as early as next week to give everyone a chance to see the building construction in progress.

The factory hopes to have the first two buildings completed by the end of February. But, as with the building approval process, this will be contingent upon getting quick response times from the building inspectors who have been appointed by the state’s Division of Facilities and Construction Management.

We’re also continuing to work with Soldier Hollow to find a suitable time and method to dig into the race course finish line. Of course, because of the mess and disruption, Soldier Hollow would prefer that we wait until after ski season is over. We’re sensitive to their concerns, but still hoping to negotiate an earlier start time for actual excavation.

From Mr. Weber
Dear Parents,

To get daily or periodical updates of this year’s legislative session, please connect to the following site and register to get email updates.

Join the UAPCS CHARTER ADVOCATE NETWORK here. We’ll send you periodic updates on issues that impact Utah charter schools.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=K25NKfV_2bIQmVIRYVjfvQsQ_3d_3d

Also, I wanted to give you the names of our local Senator and House of Representative in case you desire to call, email, or mail them with any opinions or suggestions as you receive emails about the legislative sessions concerning educational issues that will directly affect your children.

Representative Kraig Powell                    kraigpowell@utah.gov
320 State Capitol
P.O. Box 145115
SLC,  UT   84114

Representative Kraig Powell
Utah House of Representatives, District 54
943 East 530 North
Heber City, Utah 84032

Senator Kevin Van Tassell                      kvantassell@utahsenate.org
Utah State Senate, District 26
3424 West 1500 North
Vernal, Utah 84078

Senator Kevin Van Tassell
320 State Capitol
P.O. Box 145115
SLC, UT 84114

Rewards Program
This is the final week of our Home Team Rewards contest.  The two students who bring in the most Home Team Rewards by February 5th will receive their choice of a lunch box, teddy bear or an XL childs U.S. Ski Team T-shirt.  Please support this wonderful program!  Fast Fixin’ and Fast Classics make a variety of products including:  Southwest Omelets, Breakfast Burritos, Cheeseburgers, Country Fried Steaks, Meatballs, Steak Fingers and a whole variety of chicken from nuggets to Flame Roasted Chicken Breasts.  Check the bulletin board at the bottom of the stairs for a complete list of products and to see what the logos look like.  Make sure your child’s name is on everything they bring in.  Please turn in your logos by the morning of February 5th!

If you have any questions, please call or email me.  Thank you so much!
Jill Johnson                   657-2136                     gljill1@msn.com