WawonaNews.com - November 2024
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024
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 October 8.
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
First Interim Budget Report
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024
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 October 8.
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- APPROVAL MOF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH THE BASS LAKE DISTRICT FOR THE PROVISION OF NURSING AND SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES.
INFORMATION ITEMS
- FIRST READING OF POLICIES TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN
- STAFF REPORTS
- BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS PROJECTS UPDATE
- FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
First Interim Budget Report
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- ADJOURNMENT
Happy Halloween!
Thanks to the Pine Tree Market for such a wonderful Halloween party/potluck!
Shaping the Mist Trail: A Call for Civic Engagement
Trisha Jacobs - SNO
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–The National Park Service (NPS) is initiating a planning process for the Mist Trail Corridor at Yosemite National Park (YNP). It is one of YNP’s busiest and most popular trails, which attracts approximately 85,000 visitors annually. The park is considering a scope covering the route from Happy Isles, sections of the John Muir Trail, the stock trail, Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome trail, and the Half Dome cables. The park aims to address safety, wayfinding, stewardship, and education and to improve amenities to support sustainable visitor use.
Yosemite National Park will kick off a 30-day civic engagement period to gather input on October 24, 2024. The NPS will hold a virtual meeting on November 13, 2024, to explain the planning process. Also, to share its reasons, outline the planning area’s scope, and discuss potential environmental concerns.
Feedback from this civic engagement period will refine the project’s scope, and develop a range of alternatives. It will ensure the gathering of all necessary information for the planning process. Further opportunities for public input will arise as plans evolve for the Mist Trail Corridor.
For more information on how to participate, please visit: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/MistTrailPlan.
Trisha Jacobs - SNO
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK–The National Park Service (NPS) is initiating a planning process for the Mist Trail Corridor at Yosemite National Park (YNP). It is one of YNP’s busiest and most popular trails, which attracts approximately 85,000 visitors annually. The park is considering a scope covering the route from Happy Isles, sections of the John Muir Trail, the stock trail, Little Yosemite Valley, Half Dome trail, and the Half Dome cables. The park aims to address safety, wayfinding, stewardship, and education and to improve amenities to support sustainable visitor use.
Yosemite National Park will kick off a 30-day civic engagement period to gather input on October 24, 2024. The NPS will hold a virtual meeting on November 13, 2024, to explain the planning process. Also, to share its reasons, outline the planning area’s scope, and discuss potential environmental concerns.
Feedback from this civic engagement period will refine the project’s scope, and develop a range of alternatives. It will ensure the gathering of all necessary information for the planning process. Further opportunities for public input will arise as plans evolve for the Mist Trail Corridor.
For more information on how to participate, please visit: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/MistTrailPlan.
Mariposa County Development Code Update Workshop
Saturday, October 26 at Tenaya Lodge at 9:30 am we’ll hold a workshop on the Mariposa County Development Code Update. This update is the first such overhaul of Title 17 (Zoning) and Title 16 (Subdivisions) in about three decades, so we’re encouraging everyone to at least take a look and hopefully engage in the conversation. The Development Code will guide what the County can do over the next several years in terms of everything from land use to housing to dark sky lighting standards.
Here’s a link to the County’s website with the draft update to Title 17 --
https://www.mariposacounty.org/2904/Development-Code-Update-Project
Rosemarie Smallcombe
Mariposa County District 1 Supervisor
5100 Bullion St.
Mariposa, CA 95338
Switchboard --209-966-3222
Office — 209-742-1242
Saturday, October 26 at Tenaya Lodge at 9:30 am we’ll hold a workshop on the Mariposa County Development Code Update. This update is the first such overhaul of Title 17 (Zoning) and Title 16 (Subdivisions) in about three decades, so we’re encouraging everyone to at least take a look and hopefully engage in the conversation. The Development Code will guide what the County can do over the next several years in terms of everything from land use to housing to dark sky lighting standards.
Here’s a link to the County’s website with the draft update to Title 17 --
https://www.mariposacounty.org/2904/Development-Code-Update-Project
Rosemarie Smallcombe
Mariposa County District 1 Supervisor
5100 Bullion St.
Mariposa, CA 95338
Switchboard --209-966-3222
Office — 209-742-1242
Obituary for Heidi Escola Haley
Heidi Escola Haley (October 21, 1954-July 27, 2024) died peacefully at home in Fresno, CA, from complications of pancreatic cancer.
Born in Stuttgart, Germany, as the youngest of Albert and Marie Escola’s four daughters, Heidi’s early years were spent living in locations across the United States, Germany, and Hong Kong. Every summer the Escolas lived in their beloved vacation home in Wawona, Yosemite National Park, and the time there as well as lengthy family backpacking trips cemented Heidi’s lifelong love of the Sierra Nevada mountains. She spent uncountable happy hours in and around the South Fork of the Merced River at Wawona with friends, family, and the precious canine family members who accompanied her over her seven decades of life. Sharing her deep knowledge of and love for the mountains, she also led those friends and family on unforgettable backpacking trips in the high country, and spent prolonged periods in the backcountry of Yosemite and Ansel Adams Wilderness on solo trips. Later in life she achieved her lifelong dream of building her custom-designed cabin in Wawona, where she shared meals and holiday celebrations with her local friend-family.
Her loved ones benefited from her many years of holiday baking and candy-making, and are thrilled she chose to share the recipes of her mouth-watering almond toffee, fudge, peanut brittle, and baklava with them before she died, so they may remember her by (inexpertly) recreating them. Her joy in watching animated movies, finding new treats while shopping at Costco and Trader Joe’s, getting pedicures, and walking the Meadow Loop trail in Wawona will ensure those closest to her think of her each time they partake in those activities.
A gifted teacher, and a patient, encouraging mentor, Heidi came to her field of school psychology in midlife when she finished her bachelor’s degree in psychology (as first in her class) and master’s degree in education at Fresno Pacific University, followed by 25 years of service to the Fresno Unified School District, including as Lead School Psychologist. She taught as an adjunct professor at FPU for many years, fostering the development of generations of Central Valley school psychologists. Despite retiring from FUSD in June 2022, Heidi continued to teach and mentor students at FPU, and saw her last class of mentees through to their graduation this year, only weeks before her death. During her illness, scores of colleagues and former students reached out to thank her for her support over the years, underscoring the incredible impact she had on so many during her career.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert Ronald Escola and Marie Louise (Kauffung) Escola; her stepmother Patricia (Goodman) (Mohlie) Escola; her maternal and paternal grandparents; her paternal uncle, Andrew William (“Bill”) Escola; her maternal aunt Phyllis (Kauffung) (Adams) Sexton; former partner and dear friend Charles (“Chuck”) Fleming; her cat Willie; and dogs Haley and Emma. She is survived by her three elder sisters, Liv Eskola of Fresno, CA, Diana (Escola) Watson of Salem, OR, and Gail (Escola) Young of Sutherlin, OR; her nieces, Liana Eskola of Madison, WI and Georgia Watson of Houston, TX; her second cousin and “forever pal” Cherie Wolfsen and second cousin once removed Bryan Wolfsen Hall, both of Fresno; cousins Toby Delaney, Owen Escola, and Andrea Gonzales; dear friends Tama Gilbert, Kelly Hawkins, Carol Johannes, Peter and Lisa Mark, Judy Harper Dempsey, Tracy and Dave Hansen, Deeds Gill, Robin Stevens, and Diane Mello; and her loyal lap-sitting kitty companion Roxie, who has been lovingly welcomed into Cherie and Bryan’s home.
Heidi’s family wishes to thank the compassionate professionals who did everything they could to give Heidi more time when her disease denied her a cure; helped her manage her symptoms so she could continue to live as full and meaningful a life as possible while she was ill; and finally, helped her find spiritual comfort as she grappled with the injustice of having her life cut short. They especially appreciate Dr. Patrick MacMillan and the nurses of Hinds Hospice. Some of Heidi’s final sentiments included assurances that she was not afraid to die and welcomed a peaceful and speedy transition. Her bravery and equanimity heartened those who attended to her, and they are now comforted by her freedom from suffering.
A celebration of Heidi’s life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno at 2672 E. Alluvial Ave., Fresno, CA, 93720, on November 2, 2024, at 1 o’clock in the afternoon.
A livestream will be available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y63WL97HQXo.
Donations may be sent to: Wawona Friends of the Library, PO Box 2008, Wawona, CA 95389. A scholarship fund in her name is in development and further information will be available in the future.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Heidi Escola Haley please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events
Celebration of Life
NOV 2. 1:00 PM (PT)
Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno
2672 E. Alluvial Avenue
Fresno, CA 93720
Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life
Guaranteed delivery before Heidi's
Celebration of Life begins.
Heidi Escola Haley (October 21, 1954-July 27, 2024) died peacefully at home in Fresno, CA, from complications of pancreatic cancer.
Born in Stuttgart, Germany, as the youngest of Albert and Marie Escola’s four daughters, Heidi’s early years were spent living in locations across the United States, Germany, and Hong Kong. Every summer the Escolas lived in their beloved vacation home in Wawona, Yosemite National Park, and the time there as well as lengthy family backpacking trips cemented Heidi’s lifelong love of the Sierra Nevada mountains. She spent uncountable happy hours in and around the South Fork of the Merced River at Wawona with friends, family, and the precious canine family members who accompanied her over her seven decades of life. Sharing her deep knowledge of and love for the mountains, she also led those friends and family on unforgettable backpacking trips in the high country, and spent prolonged periods in the backcountry of Yosemite and Ansel Adams Wilderness on solo trips. Later in life she achieved her lifelong dream of building her custom-designed cabin in Wawona, where she shared meals and holiday celebrations with her local friend-family.
Her loved ones benefited from her many years of holiday baking and candy-making, and are thrilled she chose to share the recipes of her mouth-watering almond toffee, fudge, peanut brittle, and baklava with them before she died, so they may remember her by (inexpertly) recreating them. Her joy in watching animated movies, finding new treats while shopping at Costco and Trader Joe’s, getting pedicures, and walking the Meadow Loop trail in Wawona will ensure those closest to her think of her each time they partake in those activities.
A gifted teacher, and a patient, encouraging mentor, Heidi came to her field of school psychology in midlife when she finished her bachelor’s degree in psychology (as first in her class) and master’s degree in education at Fresno Pacific University, followed by 25 years of service to the Fresno Unified School District, including as Lead School Psychologist. She taught as an adjunct professor at FPU for many years, fostering the development of generations of Central Valley school psychologists. Despite retiring from FUSD in June 2022, Heidi continued to teach and mentor students at FPU, and saw her last class of mentees through to their graduation this year, only weeks before her death. During her illness, scores of colleagues and former students reached out to thank her for her support over the years, underscoring the incredible impact she had on so many during her career.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Albert Ronald Escola and Marie Louise (Kauffung) Escola; her stepmother Patricia (Goodman) (Mohlie) Escola; her maternal and paternal grandparents; her paternal uncle, Andrew William (“Bill”) Escola; her maternal aunt Phyllis (Kauffung) (Adams) Sexton; former partner and dear friend Charles (“Chuck”) Fleming; her cat Willie; and dogs Haley and Emma. She is survived by her three elder sisters, Liv Eskola of Fresno, CA, Diana (Escola) Watson of Salem, OR, and Gail (Escola) Young of Sutherlin, OR; her nieces, Liana Eskola of Madison, WI and Georgia Watson of Houston, TX; her second cousin and “forever pal” Cherie Wolfsen and second cousin once removed Bryan Wolfsen Hall, both of Fresno; cousins Toby Delaney, Owen Escola, and Andrea Gonzales; dear friends Tama Gilbert, Kelly Hawkins, Carol Johannes, Peter and Lisa Mark, Judy Harper Dempsey, Tracy and Dave Hansen, Deeds Gill, Robin Stevens, and Diane Mello; and her loyal lap-sitting kitty companion Roxie, who has been lovingly welcomed into Cherie and Bryan’s home.
Heidi’s family wishes to thank the compassionate professionals who did everything they could to give Heidi more time when her disease denied her a cure; helped her manage her symptoms so she could continue to live as full and meaningful a life as possible while she was ill; and finally, helped her find spiritual comfort as she grappled with the injustice of having her life cut short. They especially appreciate Dr. Patrick MacMillan and the nurses of Hinds Hospice. Some of Heidi’s final sentiments included assurances that she was not afraid to die and welcomed a peaceful and speedy transition. Her bravery and equanimity heartened those who attended to her, and they are now comforted by her freedom from suffering.
A celebration of Heidi’s life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno at 2672 E. Alluvial Ave., Fresno, CA, 93720, on November 2, 2024, at 1 o’clock in the afternoon.
A livestream will be available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y63WL97HQXo.
Donations may be sent to: Wawona Friends of the Library, PO Box 2008, Wawona, CA 95389. A scholarship fund in her name is in development and further information will be available in the future.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Heidi Escola Haley please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events
Celebration of Life
NOV 2. 1:00 PM (PT)
Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno
2672 E. Alluvial Avenue
Fresno, CA 93720
Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life
Guaranteed delivery before Heidi's
Celebration of Life begins.
Yosemite chaos: Suspect terrorizes park, steals car after bizarre incidents
by Stephen Hawkins
Fri, August 23rd 2024
OAKHURST, Calif (FOX26) — 40-year-old Anthony Mehlhaff was arrested following a chase and several bizarre incidents in Yosemite National Park on Wednesday.
It began around 1:45 p.m. in the Buck Meadows area of Mariposa County on Highway 120.
Investigators say Mehlhaff walked up to a pregnant waitress at a restaurant, touched her stomach, and reportedly said, "The spirits led me to you and your baby belongs to me, and what time is your break because I will be waiting for you?"
They say he then stole several drinks, assaulted another employee of the restaurant, and took off in his vehicle.
by Stephen Hawkins
Fri, August 23rd 2024
OAKHURST, Calif (FOX26) — 40-year-old Anthony Mehlhaff was arrested following a chase and several bizarre incidents in Yosemite National Park on Wednesday.
It began around 1:45 p.m. in the Buck Meadows area of Mariposa County on Highway 120.
Investigators say Mehlhaff walked up to a pregnant waitress at a restaurant, touched her stomach, and reportedly said, "The spirits led me to you and your baby belongs to me, and what time is your break because I will be waiting for you?"
They say he then stole several drinks, assaulted another employee of the restaurant, and took off in his vehicle.
Wearing only his underwear, he entered the Clubhouse and told the customers to leave or they would be in danger.
He started vandalizing the Clubhouse and then took the store manager's car keys and reportedly tried to kidnap him.
Investigators say he assaulted the manager and told him to drive him out of the area but the manager was able to get away.
Mehlhaff stole the manager’s vehicle and continued driving on Hwy 41 towards Oakhurst.
While driving, he began exhibiting extreme road rage behavior, tailgating a Tesla while making aggressive hand gestures, and even started ramming the Tesla.
Mariposa County sheriff’s deputies spotted the vehicles and tried to stop Mehlhaff.
Mehlhaff continued to drive and eventually crashed just outside of Oakhurst where he was taken into custody.
He was taken to a local hospital to be medically cleared and began assaulting deputies.
He was finally booked into the Mariposa County Jail and is being held on $100,000 bail.
While searching Mehlhaff’s abandoned vehicle, an Enola Gay smoke grenade was located inside the door panel. The Merced Bomb Squad was called in to handle the device.
He started vandalizing the Clubhouse and then took the store manager's car keys and reportedly tried to kidnap him.
Investigators say he assaulted the manager and told him to drive him out of the area but the manager was able to get away.
Mehlhaff stole the manager’s vehicle and continued driving on Hwy 41 towards Oakhurst.
While driving, he began exhibiting extreme road rage behavior, tailgating a Tesla while making aggressive hand gestures, and even started ramming the Tesla.
Mariposa County sheriff’s deputies spotted the vehicles and tried to stop Mehlhaff.
Mehlhaff continued to drive and eventually crashed just outside of Oakhurst where he was taken into custody.
He was taken to a local hospital to be medically cleared and began assaulting deputies.
He was finally booked into the Mariposa County Jail and is being held on $100,000 bail.
While searching Mehlhaff’s abandoned vehicle, an Enola Gay smoke grenade was located inside the door panel. The Merced Bomb Squad was called in to handle the device.
Yosemite National Park rangers located the suspect's vehicle and tried to pull it over on Hwy 41 inside Yosemite National Park but he continued to the Fish Camp area where he crashed.
He abandoned the car and stole a bicycle.
Investigators say he reportedly took off his shirt and handed it to a bystander, telling them, “You'll want to keep this, I'm going to be famous".
Mehlhaff then entered the Tenaya Lodge kitchen through a back door, placed his hat and other items inside a refrigerator, and grabbed a knife from the kitchen. and threatened the workers.
Multiple 911 calls came in at 3 p.m. reporting a possible car chase, kidnapping, assault, stolen vehicles, and other suspicious circumstances in the Fish Camp area.
He abandoned the car and stole a bicycle.
Investigators say he reportedly took off his shirt and handed it to a bystander, telling them, “You'll want to keep this, I'm going to be famous".
Mehlhaff then entered the Tenaya Lodge kitchen through a back door, placed his hat and other items inside a refrigerator, and grabbed a knife from the kitchen. and threatened the workers.
Multiple 911 calls came in at 3 p.m. reporting a possible car chase, kidnapping, assault, stolen vehicles, and other suspicious circumstances in the Fish Camp area.
