POSTED AT 06:17 PM

     I just noticed Jon Hammond’s article in this week’s November 19, 2008 edition of the Tehachapi News “Sugar Pines: The Giants of the Mountains”. On our VOCS field trip hike up Tehachapi Mt. we identified 2 of the of these special trees. Check out the article for detailed information on this majestic tree.

     Last week, my husband and I were fortunate to climb the mountain in the snow (5 inches) on Veteran’s Day to gather Sugar Pine cones for Christmas baskets. To gather the precious cones we climbed down and up a very steep incline above and below the fire road about half way up the mountain. It was a glorious day and you might be wondering, who carried those things down the mountain…yep it was my husband.

Happy Hiking,

Christy Rosander

POSTED AT 04:32 PM

Dear Families,

I hope you all enjoyed yourselves as much as I did! Isn't Yosemite spectacular? We could not have asked for more beautiful skies and tree colors plus the full moon.  I'm already planning a snowshoe / ice skating trip for March 12-13 (full moon is March 11) in Yosemite at Tenaya Lodge so if interested, mark your calendars. Also, we have the great deal on skiing / snowboarding at Sierra Summit on Friday, Feb. 6. Watch the newsflash. Hope you are rested and rejuvenated from our time in nature. Have a great week.   

Linda

POSTED AT 09:40 PM

On October 21, the VOCS Lego Robotics teams traveled to Edwards AFB for a "top secret" adventure.  We were greeted by Mick, our fearless tour guide, and Don-the-bus-driver.  We traveled by stealth bus to drive the "classified-eyes-only" flight line, the newest Global Hawk model, various sections of NASA Dryden Flight Center, and the high-tech weather station.  The highlight of the trip was seeing and identifying the various flight craft landing and taking off.  The Global Hawk is unique in that it is a remote piloted craft and was designed, constructed, and put into operation specifically for the Iraq war-without extensive testing.

We enjoyed the field trip immensely and wish to thank all those involved in
making this a memorable and instructional learning trip:  Mick Bowen, Don-the-bus-driver, Major Eric Rucker, Derek Brown, Ms Van Damm, Casey Donohue, Phil Harvey, Brian Sicilano, and Regan Wolfe-for organizing this field trip.

-Shelley Prestage

POSTED AT 06:48 PM

This year’s Tehachapi climb was truly a gift for me. To view faces of wonderment and joy after accomplishing something physically challenging is a very special thing. Thank you for a great hike.

Christy Rosander

POSTED AT 11:26 AM

Thank you to all that attended our second parents ‘Tuesday Night Out’. Our next evening will feature information on designing and implementing thematic curriculum. Information on all the upcoming parent workshops can be found on the ‘Tuesday Night Out’ webpage. If you missed the last workshop on Creating Hands-On Projects and would like to receive a project idea packet, email crosander@sbcglobal.net to request a booklet.

POSTED AT 10:34 AM

POSTED AT 09:39 AM

POSTED AT 05:36 PM

 In preparation for our Parent Math Workshop scheduled for next Tuesday, September 2nd, we discovered a very helpful link on the K-5 Math site. You can access a complete explanation of the text, the teacher's edition and all their components. It is a video tutor that explains and demonstrates how best to use the math resources. We'll be sharing this wonderful hint at the Workshop. See you there!