AHWAHNEE — Wasuma Elementary School math and science teacher Amy Smith reports via digital photos that her middle schoolers have been busy experimenting in the science lab. “Students are working on measuring volume with water displacement,” Smith explained. Pictured in the foreground, left to right, are Dalton Smith and Diego Combs, examining results.

Submitted by Michael Niehoff, Principal of Minarets Charter and Minarets International High School With expressions like “School to Work,” “Career Ready,” and others, it seems like education is focused more than ever on getting students ready for the world of work. However, hasn’t this always been one of the foundational goals? Yes, there were others such as citizenship, democratic participation, ...

YOSEMITE — The Gateway Expressions Student Art and Poetry Contest celebrates the creativity and inspiration of youth in the Yosemite gateway communities. The contest is open to all students, grades K-12, who attend school or youth programs within the gateway community school districts of Yosemite National Park. Students should submit artwork and poetry no later than Friday, Oct. 25.

While some mountain schools just got back from Fall Break, we were reminded that back in August, when the school year started, we asked SNO readers to send in photos of their kids’ first day of school. As it turns out, we missed a couple of great shots, and they’re just too good to be overlooked any longer. Here is ...

OAKHURST — School leaders everywhere are often asked by parents and students how to increase the likelihood of academic success, especially during high school. The simple response, and one that should come as no great surprise, is for students to participate in as many co- and extra-curricular activities as possible during those four critical years of a child’s schooling.

BASS LAKE – Come to Pines Village at Bass Lake on Saturday, Oct. 19th for an all-day Fall Festival with Pancake Breakfast, Golf Cart Drags, a Haunted House, Pumpkin Patch and Costume Contests (for doggies, too)!

COARSEGOLD — Rivergold Elementary School held its 21st Annual Hawk Festival on Friday, Sept. 27, and had a great night with lots of fun and shenanigans. The always-anticipated event is the single largest PTA fundraiser of the year, and this time included a barbeque dinner provided by Coarsegold Miner’s Grill. That’s not all!

BEST IN SHOW! If you’ve been wondering what the Yosemite High School Marching Band has been up to, here’s your answer. Yosemite High School’s Advanced Percussion group gave an outstanding performance at this year’s 9/11 Remembrance at Sierra Telephone. Junior High Night on Sept. 20 was another exciting experience for the middle school kids to perform with the high schoolers ...

OAKHURST — What’s new at Mountain Home School Charter and Glacier High School Charter? Plenty, according to Eric Hagen, Vice Principal and Charter Teacher. Hagen says those involved at Glacier High are tackling a trend toward building opportunities for students to have vocational and marketable skills.

Schools and students have been active participants in communities since they first began. School is a place in which most families are connected and a place that represents the future of the community in which they are located. So the idea of schools teaching community service is nothing new in the education world. However, using technology to approach real world ...