NewsFlash
*Note: You will need free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF documents on this website
All Optimist Club contest essays due to front office for Mrs. Hayes Thursday, February 16th, by noon! 
Important Bulletin for Yosemite Skiers and Snowboarders!!!It looks like we will have snow at Badger Pass! Paperwork for ski/snowboard equipment is with Nickki at front office. It is necessary for all people wanting equipment and $20 lift tickets to complete paperwork no later than Friday, February 17. Please indicate if you want lift tickets, lessons, and equipment or if a different combination. If you don't yet have accommodations but are interested in skiing, Tenaya Lodge may have a good rate for Sunday and Monday nights so give the reservation desk at Tenaya a call (559) 683-6555. Also, email Linda at smith2224@gmail.com with confirmation of number of skiers/snowboarders and whether you need equipment for one or two days.
Reminder: Online Enrichment 4 Sign-ups tomorrow Thursday, February 16 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PMEnrichment 4 is March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. Click on Enrichment Online Sign-up from the menu on the left (available on February 16). No late sign-ups. Please contact your resource teacher for questions.
Note: Constitution and Constitution Research Paper students are not required to sign-up online for the second half of the courses.
Enrichment 4 Descriptions
Enrichment 4 Schedule
New Classes Forming for Wednesdays Starting February 296th – 8th Digital Photography Course
This year Mrs. Rosander will be offering Digital Photography on Wednesdays February 29, March 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 2:00-3:30 using the Mac lab in classroom B/C. This course will include instruction in basic photography composition, camera operation, photo organization, and enhancement. End of class student photography projects will be on display at Elegant Evening. To enroll, a student must have a working digital camera, flash drive, and a computer at home with Internet access. Weekly photography assignments will be given focusing on the skills taught in class. Please email Mrs. Rosander to sign-up at christyrosander@gmail.com . Class size is limited and enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Note: Students are welcome to use their own laptops.
Elegant Evening 4th-8th grade Choir call!
If you'd like to perform at Elegant Evening with a 4th-8th grade choir, please join us on Wednesdays beginning February 29th through March 28th. We will be practicing from 1:45-2:45 in Classroom F. Please email Mrs. Hayes at cmhayes317@gmail.com to sign up for this class. There will be one or two extra practices in April before the Elegant Evening performance date of April 27th.
Tehachapi News Features: VOCS Tehachapi Lego Robotics Team
Check it out on page 20: http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODE/TehachapiNews/
Project Ideas for Authentic Learning
Parent Workshop
Wednesday, February 22
11:30-12:15
With the pressure of testing, it is sometimes easy to forget that our children's most memorable learning is experiential. As a home schooling parent, you have the opportunity to tailor your curriculum to the interests of your child(ren). Project-based learning will allow your child(ren) to research and develop a memorable project about any topic of interest. Many examples will be shown and discussed. These projects can be displayed at our Open House / Student Showcase on May 16th in Tehachapi.
Why WASC?
The WASC acronym has been buzzing around our school lately. Perhaps you’ve wondered as a parent or a student why it’s so important to our school? Here are a few reasons why we go through the process of the WASC accreditation:
-A WASC accredited school is like the “Good Housekeeping” label of trustworthiness to other institutions, such as colleges, universities, and our military. The pathway to one of these institutions is much smoother for a student if he/she has graduated from an accredited school.
-As a WASC accredited school, we will always be in the process of “self-improvement” and attempting to find better ways to help our students and families. This translates to up-to-date teaching methods, better-equipped resource teachers, and safely run facilities.
-Being part of a WASC accredited school means that this is your school. The administration and staff are here to serve you and value your input on practical ways we can improve. Thank you for taking the time to respond to our student and parent surveys a few months ago. Your resource teacher and administrator welcome any further thoughts and suggestions you have.
Attention All 4th and 7th Graders Writing Test on March 7th
The STAR Standardized Writing test for all 4th and 7th graders only is March 7th at 10:00 at our school in Tehachapi.
Check out the new February ACORN Newsletter
Winter Robotics Workshop!
What do light and motion sensors and robots have in common? How many degrees does it take to turn a Tri-bot in a complete circle? Come to the Winter Robotics workshop to find the answers to these questions and many more. This workshop is intended to teach you about engineering, robotics, computer programming, math, and FLL competition. It will be structured like a class with lectures, lab activities, mini-competitions, and lots of homework. Because the number of robots are limited, class size will also be limited. Please complete the application and submit to Mrs. Prestage or to Miss Nickki. Admission will be on a first come, first served.
Workshops will be held on Thursday evenings in classroom B/C starting February 16, 2012 and ending March 29, 2012 from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Winter Robotics Workshop Application
Announcing "Elegant Evening of the Arts 2012" Auditions!
It's time to start practicing and polishing for excellence if you would like to be a performer at our annual "Elegant Evening of the Arts". We will be looking for performances in the following categories: instrumental, vocal, vocal & instrumental, dance, oral language. The auditions will be held on Wednesday, March 7th at 3:30pm in Classroom BC. Vocalists and oral language speakers need to submit a copy of their piece at the audition; please make sure words and lyrics are appropriate for a school/family atmosphere. If you would like to audition, please email Margo Hayes at cmhayes317@gmail.com by Friday, March 2nd to be put on the audition list.
Enrichment Assignments
Be sure to check weekly the Enrichment 3 Assignments web page to access what your student is learning, homework assignments, and important web links.
Optimist International Essay Contest
Tehachapi is well known for sudden changes in weather. VOCS follows the Tehachapi Unified School District for all snow delays or snow days. Also, Kern County Schools Alert Line is an excellent place to visit for the latest updates during inclement weather. However, if there is a school closure, VOCS will not be holding classes on campus. If there is a two hour delay, the first two classes will be canceled and workshops will start at 10:30. Also, if classes are already in session and the snow begins to fall then please feel free to pick up your child. If you have any questions, please contact your Resource Teacher.
Upcoming Field Trips
Yosemite: Ski Trip - February 27-28
Camp KEEP - April 23-27
*Please visit the Field Trip web page for dates, sign-up, and contact info.*
Curriculum CornerWelcome to a new section of our NewsFlash page. Each week will feature something new that will enhance your homeschooling experience.
February 16 - Language Arts
Long, Long Time Ago Stories
Age Range: 6-11
Children's book author, Rohini Chowdhury, retells a collection of timeless tales for kids that you can read online or print out to read offline. There are no bells and whistles at this website just interesting stories that children will enjoy reading or hearing.
When you get to the site you'll see a menu that includes:
Fables
Folktales
Fairytales
Myths
Festival Stories
Tales from History
Classics
Science Fiction & Fantasy
Stories Behind Great Discoveries
Tales Behind Nursery Rhymes
Short Stories
Click on any item and a new page opens with a brief historical introduction and a short menu of stories in that tradition. Most are retold by Chowdhury, unless otherwise indicated. The stories are presented in plain text, and a few of the stories are accompanied by colorful illustrations.