Christian Arts-Centered Preschool and Kindergarten Now Available

February 17th, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & Open House

ERIE, CO (February 17, 2017)—On February 17th the Erie Chamber of Commerce and Metro North Chamber of Commerce joined Vista Ridge Academy at a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house to celebrate the addition of 3 year-olds to the Preschool program. Vista Ridge Academy is located near highway 7 just behind the new King Soopers. Early Childhood Program Director, Sandy Hepp, and Principal, Sandy Hodgson, were joined by School Board Chairman, Shawn Nowlan, and Rocky Mountain Conference Vice President for Education, Lonnie Hetterle. Participants and visitors also included parents, students and community guests.

Principal, Sandy Hodgson, has taught 5th and 6th grades at Vista Ridge Academy since it opened in 2004. “We are pleased to expand our program to better serve our community,” said Hodgson.

Vista Ridge Academy has offered quality Christian arts-centered elementary and middle school education to families in Erie and the surrounding areas for more than ten years. This fall, Vista Ridge Academy is proud to offer a full early education program, made up of both preschool and kindergarten and serving children from ages 3 to 5. The program is offered from mid-August to late May, Monday through Friday, with children attending full days (8:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) Monday-Thursday and half days on Fridays (8:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.).

Early Childhood Program Director, Sandy Hepp, has been teaching in early childhood education for 25 years. Her career at Vista Ridge Academy began in 2014. “We are excited and honored to add a 3 year-old program to our family at Vista Ridge Academy,” said Hepp.

In addition to social and academic development—which includes phonics, reading (with a therapy dog!), math, and handwriting, children learn about the Bible, attend weekly chapels, and take classes in music, physical education, technology, and art.

Vista Ridge Academy aims for each child to become comfortable in the school setting, feel learning is fun, and find joy in who they were created by God to be, setting up a firm foundation for the rest of his or her education.

For more information about Vista Ridge Academy, call 303.828.4944 or visit www.vistaridge.org.

Students Learning Computer Science at Vista Ridge Academy

Under the direction of Marit Guild, Grades 3-8 Technology classes are using a popular website called Code.org which is a non-profit aimed at providing computer science education. It contains video tutorials by some of the world’s top programmers and developers and gives the students fun interactive ways to learn and practice writing code.

They have worked through a tutorial that is an introduction to JavaScript sponsored by Khan Academy and have begun practicing writing code through additional tutorials provided on the website. They use the context of popular computer games to give the students practice at writing code.

Fall Festival & Silent Auction 2016

Vista Ridge Academy held its annual Fall Festival and Silent Auction, a fundraiser for Home and School, on Saturday, Nov. 12 with almost 400 guests in attendance.

Brandon Hart is a member at Twin Peaks Adventist Church. He said his kids had a blast at the festival. “This is a great safe place to hang out with friends and socialize,” said Hart.

Kids painted pumpkins, played in a bounce house, grabbed cash in the cash cube, threw pies at pastors and teachers and ate yummy food.

Damaris Lopez-Morquecho, a fourth grader at Vista Ridge Academy, liked the Boxing Arena and Mrs. Hodgson’s, veggie burgers best. “The Fall Festival is exciting, fun and you can learn more about God,” said Lopez-Morquecho.

This year, the activity and food booths raised $3,600, and the school raised $1,400 dollars from the Silent Auction. Items for bid included deals on local goods and services like gift cards to local restaurants, a full-service oil change, a family photo session and a hot air balloon ride. The proceeds from the auction will go to the school’s playground.

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Vista Ridge Academy Welcomes King Soopers to the Neighborhood

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On Wednesday, November 2, students from Vista Ridge Academy took an EdVenture to the new King Soopers for their Grand Opening. The new store is located just south of the school on Highway 7 and Sheridan.

Soccer Jamboree

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On Friday, October 14, Vista Ridge Academy, in Erie, hosted 63, third through eighth grade, students for Soccer Jamboree. Players were from Adventist Christian School in Greeley, Brighton Adventist Academy in Brighton, HMS Richards Adventist School in Loveland, and Vista Ridge Academy.

Sandy Hodgson is the Principal at Vista Ridge Academy. She said this was the second year that the school has hosted Soccer Jamboree. “We love organizing it. It’s centrally located, and we just love being able to open up our facility for all the schools to come and enjoy the event together,” said Hodgson.

Every Friday, Vista Ridge Academy begins their school day with Chapel, a worship program. Six students, Juniors and Seniors, from Campion Academy presented at Chapel and following Chapel, put on a 45-minute Soccer Clinic for all the student soccer players. Players were divided into six groups and were taught fundamental soccer skills.

Maria Bass, a 7th grader from HMS Richards Adventist School, learned new skills in the clinic. “I learned how to throw in the ball, how to stop the ball with your foot and passing,” said Bass.

Randy Ottschofski, also known as Mr. O, is the Athletic Director for Campion Academy. Ottschofski said it’s no use to coach sports unless you’re teaching leadership. “This experience will give our students the chance to use their leadership skills. It also gives our students a chance to start mentorships with some of the younger kids,” said Ottschofski.

Following the clinic, all the school teams were divided and mixed into four new teams to play in a tournament. All the teams played each team, for a total of three, 30 minute, games. Each team was coached by a Campion Academy student.

Marit Guild is the Physical Education teacher at Vista Ridge Academy and one of the event organizers. “Our goal for Soccer Jamboree is to give the students fun and practical game-play experience while fostering a greater sense of camaraderie with other Adventist schools. The students really enjoy that we mix up the various schools’ teams giving them a chance to play with students they normally play against,” said Guild.

Many parents and students liked having the teams mixed into different teams. Marcia Pearson, is the mother of 7th grader, Lizzie, from Adventist Christian School. “I like it because it gives them a chance to play with the kids that they play against. It just broadens their experience,” said Pearson. Her daughter, Lizzie, played defense and said she liked being able to kick the ball really far. “Playing on the mixed team is pretty awesome, because you get to make new friends that you haven’t ever met before,” said Lizzie.

Karson is a 7th grader at Vista Ridge Academy. After his team won their first game, he said he liked being divided into new teams.  “It’s fun, and you get to meet new people,” said Karson.

Brighton Adventist Academy’s Soccer Coach, Abner Campos, is a senior at Union College and serving as Intern Associate Pastor at the Brighton Adventist Church. He said it has been special being able to cheer for other students from other teams. “Seeing our kids interact and play with students from the other teams is awesome because I’m sure they wouldn’t get the experience any other way,” said Campos.

Many volunteers helped make the event a success. Davin Hammond, the 7th and 8th Grade Teacher from HMS Richards Adventist School, was keeping score for the games. He said he hopes his students will gain a friend or two for life from this event. “Maybe they’ll all end up in Academy together, and this could be a starting point for that,” said Hammond.

Vista Ridge Academy will begin Volleyball season with its first practice on Tuesday, October 18. Their first game will be in November.

We Want to Meet You!

Come visit us and learn more about our Preschool through 8th Grade program. Call 303-828-4944 to schedule a tour.

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3100 Ridge View Drive | Erie, CO 80516
Phone: 303-828-4944 | Fax: 303-828-1525 | Email: hello@vistaridge.org

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

Our school is part of the Seventh-day Adventist church, and thus the Adventist Education system, one of the largest Christian educational systems in the world.