WawonaNews.com - September 2018
Yosemite Wawona Elementary Charter School To Close for the 2018-2019 School Year
September 15, 2018
Dear Wawona Parents and Community Members,
As you may be aware, the Yosemite Wawona Elementary Charter School (YWECS) has been searching for a credentialed teacher in order to open the doors of the school for the 2018-19 school year. The teacher shortage across the entire state has contributed to the challenge of filling this position with a person that can provide the right kind of educational experience for our students. Unfortunately, the search has not been successful. With heavy hearts, The Board of Directors of YWECS has taken action to suspend operations of the Charter for the 2018-19 year and to focus its efforts on re-opening the school for the 2019-20 year. Even if a suitable teacher were to be found today, in order to provide the required 175 days of instruction, students would be in school until the end of June, 2019 – and that is with either eliminated or greatly reduced traditional breaks during the school year.
This delay will allow the school to focus on improving its charter petition and educational programs as our current authorization will expire in January. The delay will also allow the search for a teacher to begin months in advance of the new school year – when other districts are hiring as well.
While the YWECS Board of Directors and existing staff at the school is greatly disappointed by this occurrence, we are looking forward to a “better than ever” re-opening of the Wawona School for the 2019-20 school year.
Sincerely,
YWECS Board of Directors
Dear Wawona Parents and Community Members,
As you may be aware, the Yosemite Wawona Elementary Charter School (YWECS) has been searching for a credentialed teacher in order to open the doors of the school for the 2018-19 school year. The teacher shortage across the entire state has contributed to the challenge of filling this position with a person that can provide the right kind of educational experience for our students. Unfortunately, the search has not been successful. With heavy hearts, The Board of Directors of YWECS has taken action to suspend operations of the Charter for the 2018-19 year and to focus its efforts on re-opening the school for the 2019-20 year. Even if a suitable teacher were to be found today, in order to provide the required 175 days of instruction, students would be in school until the end of June, 2019 – and that is with either eliminated or greatly reduced traditional breaks during the school year.
This delay will allow the school to focus on improving its charter petition and educational programs as our current authorization will expire in January. The delay will also allow the search for a teacher to begin months in advance of the new school year – when other districts are hiring as well.
While the YWECS Board of Directors and existing staff at the school is greatly disappointed by this occurrence, we are looking forward to a “better than ever” re-opening of the Wawona School for the 2019-20 school year.
Sincerely,
YWECS Board of Directors
Updates on Different Fires Around the Park
Fire Update September 14th, 2018
There are multiple fires burning in Yosemite National Park's wilderness. Wildfires when caused by lightning are a natural phenomenon on the landscape. While hiking trails and sitting at vistas you may see smoke in some of these areas.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are currently in place inside Yosemite National Park. Please review the details for Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, which will remain in place until further notice.
Fire Name: Unicorn Date: 9/14/18
Discovery Date: 7/28/18 Location: Unicorn Peak Area, in Yosemite's Wilderness
Size: 2.6 acres Status: Active
Strategy: Occasional patrol with very low spread.
Comments: Lightning strike start at 9500 feet in elevation. Smoke may be visible from Tuolumne meadows.
Fire Name: Rancheria Date: 9/14/18
Discovery Date: 9/8/18 Location: North end of Rancheria Mountain, in Yosemite's Wilderness
Size: 3.5 acres Status: Active
Strategy: Early planning phase, planned action to insert crew for detailed assessment.
Comments: Lightning caused
Fire Name: Indian Date: 9/14/18
Discovery Date: 9/4/18 Location: Near Porcupine Camp Ground, in Yosemite's Wilderness
Size: .12 acre Status: Active
Strategy: Monitor
Comments: Lightning caused. Smoke will be visible from Tioga Pass road and Porcupine Campground. This fire is being managed for resource objectives. It will produce more smoke as it burns into heavy pockets of dense vegetation and dead and down material.
Fire Name: Chain Lakes Date: 9/14/18
Discovery Date: 9/9/18 Location: Near Chain Lakes, in Yosemite's Wilderness
Size: .1/4 acre Status: Active
Strategy: Suppression tactics, crews will continue to mop up and monitor
Comments: Human caused.
Fire Name: Ferguson Date: 9/14/18
Discovery Date: 8/6/18 Location: Merced Pass, Wilderness, South East end of the park, 9000’
Size: 96,955 acres Status: 100 Percent Contained as of 8/19/2018
Strategy: Suppression
Comments: Human caused, Ferguson Fire is 100 percent contained. This fire is being managed by Sierra National Forest (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5927/). There continues to be smoke visible inside fire control lines. Smoke will continue to be visible into the winter season. Fire crews will not chase single small smokes interior of control lines due to extreme hazards associated with dead and fire-weakened trees. Crews continue to work on repairs inside the park from the Ferguson Fire. All visitors should avoid hiking or walking in recently burned areas due to danger from hidden hot spots and hazardous trees.
For more information:
Yosemite National Park Fire Updates Page: https://www.nps.gov/yose/blogs/fireinfo.htm
Yosemite Fire and Aviation Facebook: @YosemiteFire
Yosemite Fire and Aviation Twitter:@YosemiteFire
Fire Informaiton: [email protected]
For general park information: 209-379-0200 (J. Richards)
_______________________
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualana 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 Emergency Meeting of August 23, 2018
3.3–Approve Payroll
3.4- Approve Warrants
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- SCHOOL FOR THE 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR
- CERTIFYING UNAUDITED ACTUALS REPORT for 2017-18
- ENTERING INTO A LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
- MAKE-UP OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF CURRENT EMPLOYEES
- CREATION OF A BUDGET COMMITTEE
INFORMATION ITEMS
- CONSULTANT REPORT
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
13.1
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- CLOSED SESSION: Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation
- Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)
- Employee Complaint
- RECONVENE IN OPEN SESSION: Announce Closed Session Actions
- ADJOURNMENT
Wawona Elementary School Seeking to Fill Two Board Member Vacancies
Dear Wawona Community,
If you weren't aware, the Wawona Elementary School is seeking to fill two Board member vacancies. I would encourage anyone in the community to consider joining the Board.
Our school is very important to the Wawona community. The school's charter was written to allow for and require community involvement, by having non-parent and staff community member(s) on the Board of Directors. Your opinion and your involvement matter!
We will be voting in new Board Members, among other things, at this week's meeting. That is this Thursday, September 13th, at 5:30 at the school.
See you there!
Chad Andrews
YWECS Board Secretary
Yosemite-Wawona Elementary Charter School
PO Box 2068
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA 95389
Phone: 209.375.6383 Fax: 209.375.1029
E-mail: [email protected]
School Website: http://www.yosemitewawonacharter.org/
School Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YosemiteWawonaCharterSchool/
If you weren't aware, the Wawona Elementary School is seeking to fill two Board member vacancies. I would encourage anyone in the community to consider joining the Board.
Our school is very important to the Wawona community. The school's charter was written to allow for and require community involvement, by having non-parent and staff community member(s) on the Board of Directors. Your opinion and your involvement matter!
We will be voting in new Board Members, among other things, at this week's meeting. That is this Thursday, September 13th, at 5:30 at the school.
See you there!
Chad Andrews
YWECS Board Secretary
Yosemite-Wawona Elementary Charter School
PO Box 2068
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA 95389
Phone: 209.375.6383 Fax: 209.375.1029
E-mail: [email protected]
School Website: http://www.yosemitewawonacharter.org/
School Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YosemiteWawonaCharterSchool/
It's a big event week in Wawona! Please note some changes:
---Tuesday - YOGA at the Redwoods - 6pm
--Wednesday - Dean Shenk's Retirement party and BBQ at the Grey Barn - 6pm
--Thursday - Hooting Owl Lecture Series at the Sierra Nevada Research Station - 6:30pm
Teen falls to death in at Nevada Fall while reportedly taking selfie
CBS News -- An Israeli teenager visiting Yosemite National Park in California fell hundreds of feet to his death while hiking near the top of an iconic waterfall. The Mariposa County coroner's office said 18-year-old Tomer Frankfurter of Jerusalem was near the top of Nevada Fall when he fell.
Assistant coroner Andrea Stewart said Thursday the cause of the fall on Wednesday was not immediately known, but it was considered an accident. Frankfurter's mother told Israel's Channel 10 news that authorities told her that her son slipped while trying to take a selfie, the Time of Israel reports.
Nevada Fall is nearly 600 feet tall.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the death and was coordinating with U.S. officials to transfer the teen's body back to Israel.
Yosemite National Park spokeswoman Jamie Richards said the death was under investigation and could not release other details.
In June, two experienced climbers died in a fall in Yosemite. They fell while climbing the Freeblast Route on El Capitan inside the park Saturday morning.
Assistant coroner Andrea Stewart said Thursday the cause of the fall on Wednesday was not immediately known, but it was considered an accident. Frankfurter's mother told Israel's Channel 10 news that authorities told her that her son slipped while trying to take a selfie, the Time of Israel reports.
Nevada Fall is nearly 600 feet tall.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed the death and was coordinating with U.S. officials to transfer the teen's body back to Israel.
Yosemite National Park spokeswoman Jamie Richards said the death was under investigation and could not release other details.
In June, two experienced climbers died in a fall in Yosemite. They fell while climbing the Freeblast Route on El Capitan inside the park Saturday morning.
21st Book/Bake/Craft Sale Results
Fortunately, for the volunteer workers and bakers, Saturday, September 1, was the coolest day of our three day holiday weekend. After our evacuation for the Ferguson Fire and the reopening of Yosemite, it was great to see so many Wawona property owners, residents and park guests at the sale. With donations still coming in, we are over $2200.00 total for the sale.
Rachel Morrow, Lusa Andrews, Anderson Stansberry, and Zander Standen worked well as a team selling raffle tickets adding to the success of our sale. Raffle winners were:
Bird House - CJ Murray
Stereopticon - Diane Bopp
Nancy Robbins Print - Kevin Kastner
BBQ Skewers - Kevin Kastner
Nancy Robbins Metal Print – Bill Harper
Shirley Spencer Print - Meg Young
The volunteers who baked or donated crafts, those who helped set up the sale, work the sale, and break down the sale and especially those who made purchases made the 2018 sale a huge success! And, of course, we can’t forget the many donations of books for the sale. Thank you, everyone!
John Walker has been our cashier since our first sale in 1997. Thank you, John!
Kathy Scott, chairperson for the sale, got an amazing group of volunteers that helped make the sale a success! The Friends of the Wawona Bassett Memorial Library thank everyone who participated!!
Rachel Morrow, Lusa Andrews, Anderson Stansberry, and Zander Standen worked well as a team selling raffle tickets adding to the success of our sale. Raffle winners were:
Bird House - CJ Murray
Stereopticon - Diane Bopp
Nancy Robbins Print - Kevin Kastner
BBQ Skewers - Kevin Kastner
Nancy Robbins Metal Print – Bill Harper
Shirley Spencer Print - Meg Young
The volunteers who baked or donated crafts, those who helped set up the sale, work the sale, and break down the sale and especially those who made purchases made the 2018 sale a huge success! And, of course, we can’t forget the many donations of books for the sale. Thank you, everyone!
John Walker has been our cashier since our first sale in 1997. Thank you, John!
Kathy Scott, chairperson for the sale, got an amazing group of volunteers that helped make the sale a success! The Friends of the Wawona Bassett Memorial Library thank everyone who participated!!
Wawona Bassett Memorial Library Hours Labor Day through Memorial Day
Monday: Noon – 5 PM
Wednesday: Noon – 5 PM
Friday: Noon – 5 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 3 PM
Closed Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Holidays
Internet & Wi-Fi Available
How the bark beetle fueled California's wildfires
Hylastes bark beetle on wood photographed with high magnification. GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
By ED LEEFELDT MONEYWATCH August 28, 2018, 5:00 AM
Ask fire fighters, foresters and environmentalists to find the culprit for two years' worth of California wildfires and their fingers would unerringly point at a creature smaller than a grain of rice -- the bark beetle. The tiny insect has migrated from Central America up through the U.S. and now into Canada. But not before boring into and killing millions of trees, creating the fuel for the Golden State's raging forest fires.
A Columbia University study calls the bark beetle "one of the world's most aggressive tree-killing insects," while the U.S. Department of Agriculture asks, "How can something so small kill something so big?"
The answer: The bark beetle takes advantage of the Western ecosystem, which is suffering from years of drought that began in the 1990s.
Eastern flooding has been getting most of the recent weather coverage, but more than 38 percent of the nation is now bone dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Adding to the problem, California and many Western states have overplanted and not thinned out their trees. These dense forests are starving for water, and trees use their root systems to steal from one another.
Bark beetles takes advantage of stressed and thirsty trees to burrow through the bark and lay their eggs in the tree's living tissue. Healthy trees fight back by pumping out resin to drown the beetles' tunnels and force them out, similar to the way animals fight infection by bleeding and scabbing. But parched trees don't have such a defense. The beetle eggs -- and the fungus that bark beetles carry -- choke off the flow of nutrients needed for a tree to survive.
When bark beetles find such a tree, they engage in what the Agriculture Department calls "group kill." The first beetle to successfully penetrate the bark sends out pheromones, which alert every other beetle in the area about the victim. In so doing, death isn't only inevitable for the tree but it also creates a massive die-off for the surrounding trees.
"We have 129 million dead trees from drought and bark beetle infestation," said Information Officer Scott McLean of CAL FIRE, the state's lead department fighting these explosive blazes, which last year alone cost California 43 lost lives and $13.2 billion in damages. And this year could be even harsher. "September and October are historically our worst months," McLean warned.
While wildfires are spectacular, the migration of the bark beetle and its genetic cousins who prey on different trees at different elevations, is far quieter but even more insidious. Individual beetles may be small, but radar images show swarms of millions of them moving North, now killing 100,000 trees in British Columbia, Canada and entering into the Yukon's Gold Rush territory.
"You can get in a plane and fly for literally hours over dead forest," said Entomologist Diana Six of the University of Montana, who studies the bark beetle. "This is massive. Beetle outbreaks have been happening for thousands of years. But this one is estimated to be more than 10 times bigger."
Climate change also plays a major role: The biggest boost to the bark beetle population has been the change in temperature worldwide. While the planet has warmed "only" 1.5 degrees since 1880, the main enemy of the insect's eggs has been a hard freeze. The temperature on the coldest winter night is now six to seven degrees warmer in many areas of the country than it was 50 years ago, according to a Dartmouth College study.
And warmer temperatures just before and after winter allow beetles to reach maturity in one year instead of two.
Ask fire fighters, foresters and environmentalists to find the culprit for two years' worth of California wildfires and their fingers would unerringly point at a creature smaller than a grain of rice -- the bark beetle. The tiny insect has migrated from Central America up through the U.S. and now into Canada. But not before boring into and killing millions of trees, creating the fuel for the Golden State's raging forest fires.
A Columbia University study calls the bark beetle "one of the world's most aggressive tree-killing insects," while the U.S. Department of Agriculture asks, "How can something so small kill something so big?"
The answer: The bark beetle takes advantage of the Western ecosystem, which is suffering from years of drought that began in the 1990s.
Eastern flooding has been getting most of the recent weather coverage, but more than 38 percent of the nation is now bone dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Adding to the problem, California and many Western states have overplanted and not thinned out their trees. These dense forests are starving for water, and trees use their root systems to steal from one another.
Bark beetles takes advantage of stressed and thirsty trees to burrow through the bark and lay their eggs in the tree's living tissue. Healthy trees fight back by pumping out resin to drown the beetles' tunnels and force them out, similar to the way animals fight infection by bleeding and scabbing. But parched trees don't have such a defense. The beetle eggs -- and the fungus that bark beetles carry -- choke off the flow of nutrients needed for a tree to survive.
When bark beetles find such a tree, they engage in what the Agriculture Department calls "group kill." The first beetle to successfully penetrate the bark sends out pheromones, which alert every other beetle in the area about the victim. In so doing, death isn't only inevitable for the tree but it also creates a massive die-off for the surrounding trees.
"We have 129 million dead trees from drought and bark beetle infestation," said Information Officer Scott McLean of CAL FIRE, the state's lead department fighting these explosive blazes, which last year alone cost California 43 lost lives and $13.2 billion in damages. And this year could be even harsher. "September and October are historically our worst months," McLean warned.
While wildfires are spectacular, the migration of the bark beetle and its genetic cousins who prey on different trees at different elevations, is far quieter but even more insidious. Individual beetles may be small, but radar images show swarms of millions of them moving North, now killing 100,000 trees in British Columbia, Canada and entering into the Yukon's Gold Rush territory.
"You can get in a plane and fly for literally hours over dead forest," said Entomologist Diana Six of the University of Montana, who studies the bark beetle. "This is massive. Beetle outbreaks have been happening for thousands of years. But this one is estimated to be more than 10 times bigger."
Climate change also plays a major role: The biggest boost to the bark beetle population has been the change in temperature worldwide. While the planet has warmed "only" 1.5 degrees since 1880, the main enemy of the insect's eggs has been a hard freeze. The temperature on the coldest winter night is now six to seven degrees warmer in many areas of the country than it was 50 years ago, according to a Dartmouth College study.
And warmer temperatures just before and after winter allow beetles to reach maturity in one year instead of two.
Library 21st Annual Book/Bake/Craft Sale -
Sept. 1
The 21st annual sale is on Labor Day Saturday, September 1, 2018. Are you available to volunteer? We need community helpers to make the sale a success. Call the library at 209-375-6510 or stop in and let one of the librarians know you can help set up/cleanup or work during the hours of the sale. Wawona community bakers have the best recipes! What are you going to bake for the sale? We already have a great selection of books that have been donated and sorted for the sale. If you are a crafter, please consider donating an item for the sale. Book donations will be accepted until August 24th.
This Book/Bake/Craft sale will be a post-Ferguson community event! With the fire and evacuation being such a distraction, we were all hoping that we could have the sale this year after the Railroad Fire forced us to cancel in 2017.
Make the 2018 sale the best one yet!!!
We need your help!
This Book/Bake/Craft sale will be a post-Ferguson community event! With the fire and evacuation being such a distraction, we were all hoping that we could have the sale this year after the Railroad Fire forced us to cancel in 2017.
Make the 2018 sale the best one yet!!!
We need your help!
Hwy. 41 Open All The Way to The Valley Again
Posted by: gina clugston August 21, 2018 - 1:17 pm
YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park officials confirmed today (Friday) that the Wawona Road (Highway 41) inside Yosemite National Park has reopened to all vehicles between Wawona and Yosemite Valley.
There will be full access to Yosemite Valley via the Wawona Road. The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Wawona area remain open.
The Glacier Point Road remains closed and is expected to reopen within the next two weeks.
The Wawona Road has been closed since July 25 due to fire activities associated with the Ferguson Fire, which began on July 13. Firefighters have been removing hazard trees and dangerous falling tree branches and mopping up hot spots near the road over the past week.
Motorists are encouraged to drive with caution along the Wawona Road. Dirt, rocks, and other potential hazards may fall into the roadway.
Visitors are encouraged not to walk or hike into the recently burned areas, as there may be hot spots, falling trees, and other hazards in the area.
“We are excited to reopen the Wawona Road and all roads leading into Yosemite Valley are open for visitors to enjoy,” said Yosemite National Park Superintendent Michael Reynolds.
“We are grateful to all of the Incident Command Teams and the firefighters for their incredible efforts to fight the Ferguson Fire. We are also grateful and appreciative of our gateway communities for their support and understanding during this challenging event.”
For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200, press 1 and press 1 again.
Updated information is also available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/yose and on the Yosemite National Park Facebook page.
YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park officials confirmed today (Friday) that the Wawona Road (Highway 41) inside Yosemite National Park has reopened to all vehicles between Wawona and Yosemite Valley.
There will be full access to Yosemite Valley via the Wawona Road. The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Wawona area remain open.
The Glacier Point Road remains closed and is expected to reopen within the next two weeks.
The Wawona Road has been closed since July 25 due to fire activities associated with the Ferguson Fire, which began on July 13. Firefighters have been removing hazard trees and dangerous falling tree branches and mopping up hot spots near the road over the past week.
Motorists are encouraged to drive with caution along the Wawona Road. Dirt, rocks, and other potential hazards may fall into the roadway.
Visitors are encouraged not to walk or hike into the recently burned areas, as there may be hot spots, falling trees, and other hazards in the area.
“We are excited to reopen the Wawona Road and all roads leading into Yosemite Valley are open for visitors to enjoy,” said Yosemite National Park Superintendent Michael Reynolds.
“We are grateful to all of the Incident Command Teams and the firefighters for their incredible efforts to fight the Ferguson Fire. We are also grateful and appreciative of our gateway communities for their support and understanding during this challenging event.”
For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions for Yosemite National Park, please call 209-372-0200, press 1 and press 1 again.
Updated information is also available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/yose and on the Yosemite National Park Facebook page.
Wawona Yoga Returns!
Now that the apocalypse has come to a close and the smoke has cleared, we are going to resume weekly yoga.
Day: Every Wednesday
Time: 6-7pm
Location: The Redwoods
Cost: Donations Accepted $5-20 suggested scale
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Emergency Meeting
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Emergency Meeting
Thursday, August 23, 2018 5:30 PM
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualana Falls Road
Wawona, Ca.
AGENDA
ACTION ITEMS
Board of Directors Emergency Meeting
Thursday, August 23, 2018 5:30 PM
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualana Falls Road
Wawona, Ca.
AGENDA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
- CONSENT AGENDA
- Approval of minutes for 07112018 and 08152018
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- Fill two Board vacancies, candidates Michelle Stauffer and Ashley Standen
- Approve a salary range for new teacher contracts
- Approve of a date to close school and last day for employees
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- STAFF REPORTS
- NEXT MEETING DATE
- CLOSED SESSION Personnel/Negotiations/Litigation
- Employee Negotiations (Gov. Code 54957.6)
- Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)
- RECOVENE IN OPEN SESSION: ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
- ADJOURNMENT
Missing Yosemite Park Ranger Found Deceased
Posted by: gina clugston August 18, 2018 - 4:22 pm
YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park officials have announced that Ranger John Blevins Cogdell, III, an employee of the National Park Service, has been found deceased.
No further details are available pending completion of an investigation, say officials in an update to the Missing Person post made yesterday on their Facebook page.
“Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”
John was reportedly last seen on Wednesday, Aug. 15, in Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley.
YOSEMITE – Yosemite National Park officials have announced that Ranger John Blevins Cogdell, III, an employee of the National Park Service, has been found deceased.
No further details are available pending completion of an investigation, say officials in an update to the Missing Person post made yesterday on their Facebook page.
“Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”
John was reportedly last seen on Wednesday, Aug. 15, in Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley.
Missing Hiker Found Dead
YOSEMITE, Calif. (FOX26) — A hiker who was reported missing in Yosemite National Park has been found dead.
National Park Service officials say the remains of 48-year-old Scott Tenczar were found Saturday afternoon in a remote area in the northeastern portion of the park.
The cause of death is still under investigation.
Tenczar was last seen between July 25 and August 5, 2018 in the areas of Robinson Creek, Crown Lake, Matterhorn Canyon, Smedberg Lake, Seavey Pass, or Peeler Lake.
National Park officials say Tenczar was an experienced hiker and knew the area well.
National Park Service officials say the remains of 48-year-old Scott Tenczar were found Saturday afternoon in a remote area in the northeastern portion of the park.
The cause of death is still under investigation.
Tenczar was last seen between July 25 and August 5, 2018 in the areas of Robinson Creek, Crown Lake, Matterhorn Canyon, Smedberg Lake, Seavey Pass, or Peeler Lake.
National Park officials say Tenczar was an experienced hiker and knew the area well.
Ferguson Fire 100% Contained
Retirement Party for Dean Shenk
The smoke is clearing, things are returning to "normal" so it's time to think of a party! After taking 48 years to earn 41 years of retirement credit, Dean Shenk is retiring on September 1, 2018. Please join us for his RETIREMENT PARTY along with the annual "Buckshot Wawona Community BBQ". Wednesday, September 12, 2018 beginning at 6:00 pm in the Grey Barn in Wawona next to the Wawona Covered Bridge. Tri-tip, place setting, ice water and lemonade will be provided. Please bring a side dish to share and a folding chair. Donations will be accepted for those who want to help cover the cost of the meat.
If you have questions feel free to contact Burrel Maier, America's only Park Ranger/Stage Driver at (559) 737-8782
If you have questions feel free to contact Burrel Maier, America's only Park Ranger/Stage Driver at (559) 737-8782
Date Set To Reopen Highway 41 Inside Ferguson Fire
Highway 41 a few miles north of Chinquapin – photo Stuart Palley for USFS
Posted by: gina clugston August 18, 2018 – Sierra News Online
YOSEMITE – As crews continue their work to get final containment on the northern edge of the Ferguson Fire, the estimated acreage remains unchanged at 96,824 acres, and officials are reporting the containment at 87 percent for the fourth day in a row.
Highway 41 (Wawona Road) between Chinquapin Junction (Yosemite West) and the Tunnel View is expected to open on Friday, Aug. 24, at 8 a.m. Hazard tree removal continues and crews are still dealing with roll-out as rocks and debris come down into the roadway where vegetation has been lost.
Yesterday, firefighters secured the last area of active fire near Turtleback Dome and Elephant Rock. All of the Ferguson fire is now in a patrol/mop-up and repair phase. During the heat of the day, some interior islands of unburned vegetation are igniting but officials say they are not a threat to containment lines.
The estimated date for full containment is Wednesday, Aug. 22, however interior parts of the forest will continue to smolder and burn for some time, causing lingering smoke.
All other areas of Yosemite National Park are now open to the public.
There are three phases of recovery following wildfires: Fire Suppression Repair, Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) and Long-Term Recovery and Restoration. The Fire Suppression repair is currently ongoing with the repair of hand and dozer fire lines, roads, trails and safety zones used during fire suppression efforts.
The BAER team is on site doing an assessment of burned areas in order to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on public lands. Based on the assessment, corrective actions are proposed to protect fire-damaged areas.
The final phase of recovery is Long-Term Recovery and Restoration which utilizes non-emergency actions to improve fire-damaged lands that are unlikely to recover naturally.
There are currently 920 personnel assigned to the incident with equipment that includes 43 engines, 18 water tenders, 10 dozers, 6 crews, 4 helicopters and 3 masticators.
Wawona School Postpones Opening Due To Teacher Shortage
Posted by: Kellie Flanagan August 16, 2018 – Sierra News Online
YOSEMITE — When schools around the area open their doors this week, one local favorite will not be among them.
Set in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite-Wawona Elementary Charter School offers a multi-age classroom for transitional kindergarten through eighth grade students, with project-based curriculum designed to foster curiosity and life-long learning. The public charter school is tuition-free.
Yosemite-Wawona students receive a unique education, including weekly field trips, thanks in large part to the park’s natural and human resources. While fostering a deep sense of environmental stewardship, the school serves families from all nearby counties.Recently the community celebrated key accomplishments of the most recent academic year, and there were many.
In Smarter Balanced computer-based assessments, students at the Charter scored significantly higher than local, county and state schools. From a partnership with NatureBridge, to being named an Honor Roll school, the Charter was recognized for demonstrating high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in achievement over time, and reduction in achievement gaps.
But now, Yosemite-Wawona has postponed its opening day indefinitely for the 2018-19 school year.
“Due to a couple of very late resignations by two certificated personnel, the Wawona School is in need of a credentialed teacher,” explains Glenn Reid, formerly the Superintent of Bass Lake Unified School District, now serving as an administrative consultant for Yosemite-Wawona.
“Without a teacher, the school cannot open its doors.”
Two teachers signed contracts in June and then quit in August, according to Reid. While the reasons behind personnel matters are not always public, they were each said to be seeking opportunities elsewhere.
The school’s longtime director resigned last spring in order to spend time with her family, Reid adds.
“As the director there, she was never home. One of the teachers who left had finished her credential in the spring, so she was going to fill that spot.”
The “Wawona School District” was first established in the mid-1890s, according to the school’s website, prior to Wawona becoming part of Yosemite National Park. The one-room school’s rich history has spanned more than 120 years.
Despite the setback, the Board of Trustees remains committed to quality education even as they look for suitable replacements. The plan is to wait for the educators who best fill the positions.
“The teacher shortage across the nation is making our search a difficult one.” Reid says. “This is not just a Wawona problem. There just aren’t enough qualified teachers to fill the need.”
Enrollment for the new semester had been set at about 35 registered students. That’s fallen in the wake of the news that the school is regrouping.
“We remain hopeful that we will find the right person. In the meantime, we understand that some of our Wawona families will be looking for educational opportunities elsewhere.
“Once our doors are open — and we are confident that they will be again — we are hopeful that they will return to the unique educational opportunity that is Wawona School.”
Yosemite-Wawona Charter School
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Smoke Is Gone, Time To Dance! This Saturday, Aug. 18
There WILL be a Barn Dance this Saturday night, August 18 !
The smoke is gone (Well, almost!) and the musicians are returning to the Grey Barn in Wawona for a Barn Dance this Saturday night, August 18.
As always, the barn dance will begin at 8:00 pm and conclude at 10:00 pm.
Instruction provided, Beginners are welcome!
The final Wawona Barn Dance of 2018 will be Saturday, September 1.
These dances continue to exist due to the continued financial support of WAPOA, The Redwoods In Yosemite and The Yosemite Conservancy.
The smoke is gone (Well, almost!) and the musicians are returning to the Grey Barn in Wawona for a Barn Dance this Saturday night, August 18.
As always, the barn dance will begin at 8:00 pm and conclude at 10:00 pm.
Instruction provided, Beginners are welcome!
The final Wawona Barn Dance of 2018 will be Saturday, September 1.
These dances continue to exist due to the continued financial support of WAPOA, The Redwoods In Yosemite and The Yosemite Conservancy.
Upcoming Hooting Owl Lectures
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Tue, Sept 13
Dr. Stephen Hart, UC Merced
Ginormous Trees Have Big Effects: The Influence of Giant Sequoia on Soils
Thur, Oct 11
John Dill, YOSAR
Search & Rescue in Yosemite National Park
Thur, Nov 8
Sarah Stock, Wildlife Ecologist
Back from the Brink: Bighorns, Peregrines, and Foxes in Yosemite
Dr. Stephen Hart, UC Merced
Ginormous Trees Have Big Effects: The Influence of Giant Sequoia on Soils
Thur, Oct 11
John Dill, YOSAR
Search & Rescue in Yosemite National Park
Thur, Nov 8
Sarah Stock, Wildlife Ecologist
Back from the Brink: Bighorns, Peregrines, and Foxes in Yosemite
