WawonaNews.com - January 2026
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Dec. 9.
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
Gail and Rick Stevens Fund $1,000
Michelle Stauffer $1,000
Ed Mee $1,000
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Dec. 9.
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
Gail and Rick Stevens Fund $1,000
Michelle Stauffer $1,000
Ed Mee $1,000
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- APPROVE THE AUDIT FINDINGS FOR THER 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR
- PURCHASE OF A SCHOOL CELL PHONE
INFORMATION ITEMS
- REVIEW P1 ATTENDANCE REPORT
- STAFF REPORTS
- BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS PROJECTS UPDATE
- DISCUSSION OF FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- ADJOURNMENT
Injured and Orphaned Bear Cub in Wawona Needs Help
There is an injured orphan bear cub in Wawona. Several people – Mike Mariant, Peter Mark, Rich Apple, and Katy Jacobson – have posted photos and are now talking about getting help for him. If you’re interested, you can see them on the Wawona Community Facebook page.
Here’s the information they have to report where he is, if you see him:
If/when you do see the little bear, FIRST do call local Wawona Dispatch at (209) 379-1992, and then the office at (209) 375-9520. You'll get an actual person, and they are here locally. But then by all means call the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322 to get the info into their Little Bear Dossier.
Trish Peterson
There is an injured orphan bear cub in Wawona. Several people – Mike Mariant, Peter Mark, Rich Apple, and Katy Jacobson – have posted photos and are now talking about getting help for him. If you’re interested, you can see them on the Wawona Community Facebook page.
Here’s the information they have to report where he is, if you see him:
If/when you do see the little bear, FIRST do call local Wawona Dispatch at (209) 379-1992, and then the office at (209) 375-9520. You'll get an actual person, and they are here locally. But then by all means call the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322 to get the info into their Little Bear Dossier.
Trish Peterson
Badger Pass Will Open for Nordic Operations on Friday 1/9
The news we've all been waiting for! Badger Pass will officially open for the season with Nordic (cross-country skiing and snowshoeing) opening this Friday 1/9, and Alpine (downhill skiing and snowboarding) and the grill will open the following Friday, 1/16! (C. Layman
The news we've all been waiting for! Badger Pass will officially open for the season with Nordic (cross-country skiing and snowshoeing) opening this Friday 1/9, and Alpine (downhill skiing and snowboarding) and the grill will open the following Friday, 1/16! (C. Layman
Badger Pass Nordic Winter Condition Report for the Week of January 5
The Badger Pass Road, Badger ski area, and Nordic Rental Center have not yet opened for the season. Nordic Routes in this area are open, however, and only accessible via the #7 Chinquapin trail, located to the right of the restroom from the Chinquapin parking area. The Chinquapin trail is 2.5 miles long, gains 1000' in elevation and ends at the Badger Pass A-Frame, where overnight visitors must obtain a Wilderness Permit.
The Badger Pass A-frame is currently open and staffed 7 days/week by NPS Wilderness staff to answer questions and issue Overnight Wilderness permits. A-frame hours are 8:45am-4:15pm, intermittently. The Ostrander Ski Hut is open for the season; reservations are required and available from Yosemite Conservancy. Call (209) 372-0408 with questions or for current ski/snow conditions.
Snow conditions: The current snow conditions at Badger Pass are dynamic and changing rapidly. Temperatures have been warm since the last storm cycle, but snow is expected over the early part of the week. The Nordic Routes and Glacier Point Road from Badger Pass currently have 100% snow coverage. Last week, we received over 12 inches of water along with 18 inches of new snow. The high temperature was 56 degrees(12/28) and the low temperature was 15 degrees(12/28).
CAUTION: Attempting to hike on the Nordic Routes will be very slow going and lead to wet shoes, socks and bottom layers. These routes are not intended for hiking, and it is not advised. Designated Nordic Routes are intended for ski or snowshoe travel only. Please be prepared with the proper gear.
Reminder: Access within the ski area boundary, including all buildings and terrain, is prohibited while the operation remains closed. Sledding is never allowed at Badger Pass.
Strong route-finding skills are helpful if you are the first one to ski a trail after fresh snow or if the trail is unbroken. In these conditions, allow extra time and expect travel to be slower and more difficult. If you find problems on the Nordic routes with downed trees or missing markers, please let the rangers know, as we do our best to maintain them throughout the season.
We look forward to seeing you up here! (C. Carter)
The Badger Pass Road, Badger ski area, and Nordic Rental Center have not yet opened for the season. Nordic Routes in this area are open, however, and only accessible via the #7 Chinquapin trail, located to the right of the restroom from the Chinquapin parking area. The Chinquapin trail is 2.5 miles long, gains 1000' in elevation and ends at the Badger Pass A-Frame, where overnight visitors must obtain a Wilderness Permit.
The Badger Pass A-frame is currently open and staffed 7 days/week by NPS Wilderness staff to answer questions and issue Overnight Wilderness permits. A-frame hours are 8:45am-4:15pm, intermittently. The Ostrander Ski Hut is open for the season; reservations are required and available from Yosemite Conservancy. Call (209) 372-0408 with questions or for current ski/snow conditions.
Snow conditions: The current snow conditions at Badger Pass are dynamic and changing rapidly. Temperatures have been warm since the last storm cycle, but snow is expected over the early part of the week. The Nordic Routes and Glacier Point Road from Badger Pass currently have 100% snow coverage. Last week, we received over 12 inches of water along with 18 inches of new snow. The high temperature was 56 degrees(12/28) and the low temperature was 15 degrees(12/28).
CAUTION: Attempting to hike on the Nordic Routes will be very slow going and lead to wet shoes, socks and bottom layers. These routes are not intended for hiking, and it is not advised. Designated Nordic Routes are intended for ski or snowshoe travel only. Please be prepared with the proper gear.
Reminder: Access within the ski area boundary, including all buildings and terrain, is prohibited while the operation remains closed. Sledding is never allowed at Badger Pass.
Strong route-finding skills are helpful if you are the first one to ski a trail after fresh snow or if the trail is unbroken. In these conditions, allow extra time and expect travel to be slower and more difficult. If you find problems on the Nordic routes with downed trees or missing markers, please let the rangers know, as we do our best to maintain them throughout the season.
We look forward to seeing you up here! (C. Carter)
12/30/25 BADGER PASS UPDATE:
Hey folks! While this last storm finally produced some snow (about 18 inches!) it's unfortunately not enough to open alpine skiing on our projected January 9th date, moving the hopeful alpine opening date to January 16.
We have however, been up training our Nordic team, grooming Glacier Point Road and removing downed trees across the road from the storm and hope to have a Nordic operations update for you all soon!
Stay tuned and let's get those snow dances going to turn the rain in the forecast this week to snow!!
Hey folks! While this last storm finally produced some snow (about 18 inches!) it's unfortunately not enough to open alpine skiing on our projected January 9th date, moving the hopeful alpine opening date to January 16.
We have however, been up training our Nordic team, grooming Glacier Point Road and removing downed trees across the road from the storm and hope to have a Nordic operations update for you all soon!
Stay tuned and let's get those snow dances going to turn the rain in the forecast this week to snow!!
“Grand Finale” of the school kids’ Puppet Show, singing the final verse of their group-written “Twelve Days of Wawona”
Badger Pass Opening Date Pushed back to January 2nd, 2026
Due to continued dry forecasts and lack of snow, Badger Pass Ski Area opening date has been pushed back to January 2, conditions permitting.
C. Layman
Due to continued dry forecasts and lack of snow, Badger Pass Ski Area opening date has been pushed back to January 2, conditions permitting.
C. Layman
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Nov. 4.
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
Michelle Stauffer $600 (for the new printer)
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Nov. 4.
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
Michelle Stauffer $600 (for the new printer)
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- APPROVE THE FIRST INTERIM BUDGET REPORT
- PURCHASE OF A SCHOOL CELL PHONE
INFORMATION ITEMS
- STAFF REPORTS
- BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS PROJECTS UPDATE
- DISCUSSION OF FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- ADJOURNMENT
