The moment that students and communities from the old Bell View and Edgemont elementaries have eagerly awaited is rapidly approaching. Glacier Hills Elementary, where former Eagles and Mustangs will combine into one big, happy Yeti family, is nearing completion. To celebrate, we’re hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Open House on Thursday, Aug. 11.

Students, parents, teachers, alumni of Bell View and Edgemont, and community members are invited to attend the event, which kicks off with light refreshments and a reception at 5:30 p.m. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will start promptly at 6 p.m., followed by an Open House to allow time for families to tour the new two-story building.

Yetis, are you ready!?

We know one who is. Blizzard the Yeti, the “coolest” mascot around, will make his official appearance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Glacier Hills principal Julie Winfree, who’s overseen the school’s construction, couldn’t be more excited that the students and school communities will now blend into their unique space with a shared campus and future.

“It’s a great day to be a Yeti!” Winfree said. “It has been exciting to see the beautiful designs of MHTN Architects take shape. So much care has gone into making this a collaborative, warm, and welcoming space. We hope the community will join us and take a sneak peek at our amazing new school.”

As part of the inaugural school year celebration, Glacier Hills is giving every student a special Yeti T-shirt to wear. Students who attend the Open House are encouraged to visit their classrooms and pick up their shirts.

For those who can’t make it to the event in person, the event will be broadcast live on CSDTV.

Glacier Hills has been constructed on the Edgemont property, just a half-mile east of Bell View (the future home of Diamond Ridge High and Entrada Adult High School). To give Hogan & Associates Construction the space they needed to quickly complete the project with minimal disruption to students, Edgemont was temporarily relocated to the old Crescent View Middle building after the 2020-21 school year.

Bell View and Edgemont ranked as two of Canyons District’s oldest school buildings, dating back to 1966 and 1958, respectively. The new Glacier Hills, which was promised to the community when voters approved a $283 million bond issuance in 2017, features seismic stability, efficient heating and cooling, and classrooms wired for today’s technology.

Other features include:

• A secure vestibule that funnels visitors into the Main Office to check in.
  Large windows and skylights, allowing for loads of natural light — and an especially impressive view from the library.
• Special rooms designed for arts and STEM classes and a stage that will be used to teach performing arts/drama classes.
• Four all-day kindergarten classes.
• Modular furnishings that can be reconfigured to fit different teaching needs.
• Meeting rooms at the end of each classroom wing where teachers can meet and work as teams.
• Glass sliders in classrooms that open onto collaborative areas where students can work in small groups.
• Three playgrounds with inclusive equipment so Yetis of all abilities can get the most out of recess.
• Separate parent and bus drop-off zones, and ample parking.
• Designated space for counselors and other professionals, such as speech therapists, to visit with students and families.
• The coolest mascot around: Blizzard the Yeti!