Colorado Igloo building

Using bricks of perfect wet spring snow, Windy shows Intermediate students how to make an igloo. The group effort paid off...



























until......a child with a load of 4 snow bricks stumbled and beat the sun in destroying the hut. Nonetheless, the project was a success, rewarding and a wonderful way to spend an April morning.

Snow Sculptures in April!

This penguin was made during a sculpture class after Tuesday's snowfall. Using non-toxic paints, the children pictured sculpted it, and then spray-painted it lying on it's own blue ice floe.

The world's smallest snowman.

Earth Day at CCS Campus

On Earth Day, the Primary and Intermediate classes combined forces for playground work.

First we did a trash pick up around the school and onto the greenbelt behind.

Then the tool shed was emptied into 31 pairs of youthful hands for moving new sand around under the play equipment.

Earth Day, Every Day...

Please drive less and burn less... produce less carbon dioxide every day... for our future!

We marched an extra mile to let our community know...

Governor Ritter Gives us some quality time...

According to Governor Ritter, this new photovoltaic plant will save an amount of carbon equal to two million cars for a year from getting into the atmosphere! Sun Edison and Excel Energy are also partners in this project.

Senator Salazar spends some time with CCS Middle

Sen Salazar (D Manassas) took the time to learn all of our names and ask about our school.

A Memorable Earth Day for CCS Middle Students

After starting the day with a "March for Carbon", CCS Middle School Students attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Alamosa Solar Plant in Hooper. We had a chance to meet and talk with both US Senator Ken Salazar and Governor Bill Ritter. Both were very interested to meet us and spent some real quality time with the students. Gov. Ritter charged us to stay open and work hard saying that "No one knows what new technologies will be in your future." It was really cool to see all of the hoopla that goes with these kinds of events including the media and lots of friends from around the San Luis Valley.

And yet another art winner!

Earlier in the spring, the US EPA held a contest to see what students conception of global climate change is and guess what! Another Crestone Charter School student won! In this case, Maya's work will be on the internet for a year at www.epa.gov/region8/ee/artwinners and her work will be on display in the atrium of the new EPA Region 8 building in Denver - for a whole year! They will unveil it on Suinday April 22, 2007 - Earth Day!

Jen's Primary Class Trip to Taos

Hi all!!!!

The Primary Class is having a great time in New Mexico! The kids had a fun drive-time including a walk out to the middle of the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. After a sandwich lunch at the Kit Carson Park in Taos we went into the neighboring cemetery and did rubbings of old headstones; some were well over 100 years old.

Next we went to the Millicent Rogers Museum and viewed a wide variety of Native American articles including textiles such as carpets, cloaks, pottery, jewelry, stone and wooden carvings, and more. Each child chose a favorite piece and documented artist, tribe, title, and did a description and sketch of the item. They really got into it!

After dinner at a Mexican restaurant, we headed to the hotel for an hour of swimming, followed by stories and bedtime. We are off to the Pueblo right after breakfast, and we’ll be at Medano Ranch near the Great Sand Dunes tonight.

Middle School Poster Contest Winners!

We received our ribbons, posters and checks from the Center Conservation District Annual Poster Contest Today! Wow! Josh won third in our school, Jade won second in our school and Zasquin won first in our school and in the District! We are very proud of our wonderful artists... And thank you Jugy Lopez from CCD for helping us participate... The theme this year was "Water Wise".

Back Home Again...

We're Back! After following the Arkansas, visiting in the swamp and the Big Easy, to the Gulf and back through Graceland - 3750 miles in all - we are all back safe and sound to Colorado. We arrive tired and full of lasting memories...

India: Sarah's Post

We are all waking up from a couple hours of sleep at Thomas' sister's house. We came here straight after getting off of a night train from Haldwani, where we stayed at a quiet ashram for four nights, to hectic New Delhi. I can smell meat cooking for the first time where I'm actually going to get to eat it. Today is our last day in India. I have a mixed feelings of being sad we're leaving but at the same time I'm excited to go home and see my mom, sleep in my clean room with no one else, and get to eat cereal with milk. I've had really great experiences here, and got to know some people in the LINK a lot better. I think school will be a lot better when we get back... people will be able to connect somehow better than before. I have learned a lot more than just about the people in my class... I have opinions of the religions I used to know nothing about and the people involved with them. We've been here so long now that it seems normal, but I had never before seen a person with polio scooting around the streets without help, covered in dirt. Its things like this that make me feel stupid to talk about what I'm going to eat when I get home. We visited a slum in New Delhi where a group of teenagers gave us a tour of their home. At the end they gave every one of us a cup of chai for us to drink. One of the guys giving the tour asked us if anyone had any questions. One of us simply asked, "are you happy?". The guy smiled, paused and said, "yes". He seemed much happier than a lot of people I know back in the states... It just makes me ask, what is really important in life?

Sarah

India: Crystal's Posts

Today is our last day at the ashram and a crowd of Indian men has gathered to watch me type this. Two days ago I re-dislocated the bones in my foot, and now, every time I move, the men follow me and want to help. Last night, I jumped because there was a spider on my foot, and they all ran to me and were like, "What's wrong? Spider, mam?" Guess what? Now they're all around me, watching me type, but at least it's mostly the younger boys. Yeesh. Now Mom's got the camera. This is one for the scrapbook. I just found Ben Harper on the computer; they really like it. I'm REALLY surrounded now. And I'm surrounded by too many flies!

This whole trip has been a trip, and I'm not kidding. There are so many different situations that Crestone, and America in general, doesn't provide for us. I have the feeling that everything we have encountered here is unlike anything many people in America will ever see. How fortunate I am to be so surrounded by interested people.

Crystal



Dear Everyone at Home (and elsewhere),

It feels like it has been forever since I was home, and yet it also feels like I'm going to go home all too quickly. Then again.... I'm writing this while watching India go by through the window of the train. A herd of cows grazes on semi- brown grass while a leper holds her rotting hands out to some touristy looking white person on the street. Fields of hemp are interspersed with crazy city-scapes and fields of wheat. A cockroach is probably crawling on one of the sleeping people on the train, but it's not as bad as it sounds. Even with the colossal piles of trash, there are still beautiful temples and amazing trees underneath. The people, when not staring because you're so exotic, are friendly; they smile, wave, and laugh as often as we in Crestone do. The crowds have caused great tension in the group; there are few arguments that don't end in laughs. All in all, this is what I knew it would be: a Charter School Trip. Parents, don't forget that we choose this path. We learn this way, that is why we are here.

Crystal

India: Kailee's Post

Two and a half weeks with 13 other teenagers in a third world country. This trip has been an incredible experience. Throughout India we have learned about many different religions and ways of life but, I believe we have learned a great deal more about ourselves. Our boundaries have been pushed, our limitations tested, our minds stretched and overloaded. Each day provides a new challenge: from hiking Mount Kailash and waking up at 2am to clean a temple, to cooperating with each other and coping with all the attention (even if unwanted) of a super star. We are not the same people who began this trip. I can only barely begin to qualify my experience here. India is an in-your-face kind of place, yet it is slow to penetrate my mind. As our teachers keep telling us "this trip is so much bigger than any of us know."

Kailee

India: Caitlin's Post

I've begun to like the train rides, except for the random drunk guys passing through from station to station, pee covered bathrooms, the cockroaches, and the fact that I have no idea where these sheets have been, because they smell remotely clean, but there are still these strange stains on them. Hmm.. I also like it because you can hang out of the train doors in the areas between. They leave them open usually, and people throw their trash out in boxes. You can lean out as far as you want as long as no one says something in Hindi which you think means 'don't do that'. That really never happens though and we sit in pairs in the doorways. Outside there are people usually that congregate in strange places and just watch you go by. You would be really surprised to see that no matter what you are doing, where you are, there is always someone watching you; not in a necessarily creepy way, they just look. 'Oh look, a white person, think I'll just stare for while, and see what happens.'

Oh my God, the chai man just went by and stuck his head in the side curtain, "CHAI (something in Hindi), " REALLY loudly at a sleeping Catharina, then just starin'. Sometimes I have no idea what fuels these people's random ways, but it sure is amusing. By the way, it's kinds weird Thomas when you come back and alter my blog. Me no like.

Caitlin

India: Nathan's Post

I really liked India but we were always on the go….. going places. I wish we just had some time to stay in one place and just chill out. The place I liked the most was Dharamsala because I met a lot of cool people, the air was cleaner, we were next to the mountains and it reminded me of home. The place I liked the least was Agra because the air has the worst out of all the places we went to, it was too hot. When we went to Miri Piri Academy, where Jessica goes, I got to play the guitar so that made it better. This trip has been a great experience for me I just wish I wasn't sick for half of it.

Nathan

India: Max's Post

I think this trip has been the most important trip that I've been on. It taught me a lot about different cultures and how different some countries are from America. Probably the place I liked the most was Dharamsala. I liked the air up their more and it looked more like Colorado. I liked that we saw the great differences between New Delhi and old Delhi. A lot of the kids were really shocked at how the people drive here. I wasn't so surprised because when I go to Trinidad people drive like that except it's less crowded in Trinidad. I'm very glad I got to go on this trip and I hope I get to come back to India some day.

Max

India: Zack's Post

All together the trip has been a good experience to see the 3rd world and all the suffering. It definitely makes me want to come back here; everything is so cheap. I think the trip could have been integrated with the people, like spending more time hanging out, walking in the parks and more time to talk with people. There was too much traveling. I wish we had just spent more time on the streets of India, getting to know the people. I am ready to be home but will come back to India eventually to experience it on my own.

Zack

India: Katharina's Post

Hey,

So we're almost ready to go…

We are packing our stuff, cleaning our rooms, and saying good-bye to the gorgeous Himalayas.

I'm so thankful to have had this life opportunity to go to India. It's a wonderful country with many secrets I still would like to explore in my near future!

Thanks to everyone who helped me to come here; looking forward seeing you soon!

Katharina

India: Becca's Post

In Haidakhan everything seems to be much more sanity. The Ashram has many little villages surrounding it. The river is nice and cool. I really like it here; there is some calming and peace that I have not found anywhere else in Indian yet, I have not been everywhere though.

We have been doing karma yoga morning and noon. Karma yoga is when you get rid of your bad karma. How you do that is by doing something for others and have no desire to gain anything in return. My first karma yoga project was to wash bedding that the Ashram had not found the time to do. It was fun, but at the same time the other part of our class was doing trash pickup.

We only have two more days until we are home!!!

Becca

India: Donna's Post

Hey,

For all of you that haven't given up checking this blog all is well! Getting on the computer has been difficult. Arriving in Delhi was intoxicating and noxious; it was evening and the entire sky was a crazy pink haze with traffic like I've never seen. In America I would have been terrified but it was crazy fun; I was on an adventure after all. Then, we went touring and shopping in old Delhi. It was great fun riding in the rickshaws while the drivers argued and bumped into each other. Then we saw temples and forts that I couldn't begin to explain here in this blog. Cows, camels, bikes, and even elephants on the street: all competing for space; organized confusion. You have to be here at least three weeks just to start understanding what they're doing! To me, still today here at the ashram, India seems like a land of barriers; like the low walls that separate the land.

We're packing now to go home. I don't have much time…..always something to be done on this journey. The animals here suffer terribly and that has been my greatest sadness. Being here with Crystal and the other kid's has been a joy. Homeward bound now and I couldn't be happier.

I luv you mel and mike. Thanx for supporting me in this. I can't wait to give you hugs and tell you all about our journey.

Hello to my friends, I luv you to!

Om namah shivi

Donna

India: Sammy's Post

Hi everyone! It's our third day at the ashram. Today we hiked up Mt. Kailash, and I actually made it to the top! I kept almost turning back, but for the first half of the hike up, Thomas was urging us to do our best and get at least halfway there. Once we got halfway there, I took a rest by myself, and headed to the top alone with Becky not too far behind. It was a lot easier to go alone because I could stop whenever I wanted to take a rest. On the way back down though, it was incredibly slidey and I hated it. I would have hiked up twice, if it meant I didn't have to hike down.

I would enjoy this trip more if it wasn't so long. I don't like being away from my family for so long. I miss my parents, my kitty, and my bed. There was a kitty here that was really sweet, so I gave it lots of love and named it Chilly Pepper. I also miss music. Right now, I would listen to anything.

Tomorrow we have to get up at 3:45 and bathe in the river. That's going to be cold! I don't get how some people get up and do that every single day! I couldn't do that.

I'd better get some sleep! I miss you all! Bye!

~Sammy

India: Elise's Post

I actually do have another blogging opportunity, I guess. Which is cool. We've hardly had any chances to get on the internet here… and really I'm still not online, only typing in Word on Thomas' computer.

We are at the Ashram right now. I just went to the Chai Shop and chatted and snacked for a while. It was really nice, I like to relax like that.

We had our "solo" time earlier this evening, and went down to the river and spread out. I always enjoy those times we have on our class trips, it gives everyone a chance to wind down and releases the tension that inevitably forms in our group. I would have liked to continue longer than we did but the sun had set and it was getting dark, so we all went back inside.

Speaking of going back inside, at the ashram you have to climb 108 steps to get from the river to the main ashram building! After hiking most of the way up Mt. Kailash today, they are unbelievably difficult, and I think my knees will hate me for a long time after this. Since I've been at the ashram I have probably climbed and descended about a thousand steps, and it may become closer to two thousand by the time we leave. Seriously, I don't know what is up with India and stairs, everywhere.

We are just lying in our room right now. We do actually have electricity tonight, it kind of goes on and off. They also have a phone here, but it only works sometimes and this evening there is no dial tone. Maybe it will be working tomorrow.

Most of the people are at dinner at the moment, but since I was just snacking at the chai shop I'm not going to eat. The meals here are good, but rather repetitive. I've eaten three meals since I've been here, and they were all rice, subjee(spelling?), and dahl. And a chapate.

I can't wait to get home to eat food I like again. Not that the food here is gross, I do actually like most of it, but nearly everything uses the same spices, rice, potatoes, etc, and I'm just tired of it. When we went to Meemie's house for dinner last week, she fixed us a burrito bar, with fresh lettuce, and tomatoes, and black olives, and ice! Since we can't really eat those safely here, we were thrilled to have it. When I get home I want to have fish tostadas with tons of guacamole and sour cream, a huge glass of milk, ice (I guess just by itself, it doesn't really go with milk), and I really want watermelon. I want it even though it's not in season, maybe we could get some. Seriously, though, I am never taking lettuce or ice for granted ever again. :P

I guess I should pass on the computer to the next person so they can blog, too. I can't wait to be home, but by the time this entry makes it to the blog and is read, we will probably be on our way home or already there. Tomorrow we get up at 3:45 and go bathe and do the traditional ashram morning schedule. I'm not sure what we will do the rest of the day.

I miss everyone, and can't wait to see you!

~Elise

India: Samuel's Post

Today we hiked mount Kailash, I made it almost to the top before my body stopped cooperating. I enjoyed the hike up however the walk down proved to be much more of a challenge to me personally, with a trick knee on a sixty degree shale slope I found myself falling often. The one time I decided to cut the trail and cross a switch-back I slipped and rolled ten feet down the rock till I caught myself on a tree. Although slightly injured I'm in a good mood, our personal time was quite relaxing and I feel much better. Six hours ago I looked like I wandered out the forest for the first time. Anyway this is my first blog and perhaps my last, so I will close with a thanks to Thomas and Karen for putting on one he!! of a trip.

Samuel Winn

India: Lenna's Posts

I have already done one entry in the beginning of this trip but would like to say more.

The 'me' that I thought I knew wasn't really me. I thought that I was a different person. Now that I have been tuning in with my body, and actually learning to know what it's trying to tell me, I have also noticed all my actions, all my facial expressions, and even the way I react to things. I have also been thinking about how much, before this trip, I wanted more of this and that but never really realized that I could have a life way worse then what I have. I could be one of these people here that sleep on the sidewalks or in train stations or just anywhere I could. I wouldn't have the luxuries that I have at home. I wouldn't have the food that I eat everyday. I wouldn't have my bed that I get to go home to or even my family that loves me so much and that I love so much. I have also been thinking about how, before, I would say, "I'm going travel the world", but didn't really mean that I was going to travel the world. Now that I've been here, I've realized what the real world is and how different other places are, and now I actually really want to travel the world. I half know what to expect and now I'm ready for it. I have changed a lot, or maybe I'm the same person but just didn't know who I was. Well, I have to get some sleep to get ready for my big day tomorrow. Goodnight or actually I should be saying good morning because of your time zone.

Lenna P. Jones

Well, this is my third blog. Today we woke-up at 5:15 and set off to hike Mount. Kailash. It was really tiring and I was really tempted to go back down every time we took a rest but Thomas kept telling me that I could go back if I wanted to but that I could make it to my goal which was two trees of top of the mountain trail that would take us to Mount Kailash. The last stop that I took, I kind of sat there and took everything in that had happened through out the trip. When I was done taking everything in I put everything out back into the universe, and I got a migraine. Now I know why I have migraines. I get them because I don't take any time to take everything in and then let it out when I'm supposed to. I think that I was supposed to go up there to do that specific thing. I now know that the saying "everything happens for a reason" is true. As we were starting to hike, Crystal slipped one of the rocks as we were crossing the river. She twisted her ankle and she and Donna decided to go back. Donna was here to take care of Jack and everyone, including me. When I got here, there were healers for Jack and also doctors so Crystal and I also got body work. I got my spine aligned and after she did the work on me, my migraine went away. It was really nice.

Lenna P. Jones

India Update from Thomas

The last I (Thomas) wrote, we were about to catch a few winks, head to Seva (service) at the Golden Temple, and then board a train to Haldwani for a hike into Haidakhan Ashram beginning the 3rd leg of our trip. We met Ramloti at the train station and secured taxis to a hotel to drop our luggage and to shower. We went to Muniraji's house for a simple fire ceremony and breakfast, a first introduction to the Hindu traditions incorporated into the practices of the followers of Babaji. Muniraji is the leader of the Ashram in Haidakhan and Babaji devotees. We returned to the hotel and taxied to the trailhead for a 3 hour hike to the Ashram. Jack and Nathan took a 2 hour taxi to the Ashram due to asthma and chest cold issues respectively. Vehicle travel is possible but limited and quite rough. The hike was very beautiful. We hiked up a broad river valley that rages with Monsoon rains but presently had a small stream that we forded several times en route. Upon arrival we settled into our rooms, had dinner, and some students went to evening Aarti (ceremony / prayer service).

Day 14 we performed several hours of service, or Karma Yoga, including washing clothes for the Ashram and picking up trash, the latter be extremely challenging work both in terms of collecting it from a muddy gutter and because trash (plastic and all), is burned and the smoke was irritating. In the evening we went to Aarti on the Gufa side of the river, where the Nine Temples are located. Each temple is dedicated to a different God in a variety of traditions representing the open, universalistic nature of Babaji's teachings.

Day 15 we hiked Mount Kailash. About half the group made it to the summit where Babaji is reported to have spent 40 days meditating without food or water. The hike was long, hot, and hard, but gave rewarding views of the surrounding foothills of the Himalaya.

Day 16 was a day in the life of a devotee; this involved rising and bathing in the river at 4 AM, followed by a fire ceremony and morning Aarti. After breakfast came more Karma Yoga; this time we cleaned a large dorm and helped water and collect leaves from a huge garden area. After lunch we had a well deserved rest time, followed by finishing up our morning service projects. Student then went to a spot on the river for a short, individual reflection time and bathing. Evening Aarti followed, then dinner and bed. Lots of different feelings came up around this group's teachings and methods, some of the student's feelings are blogged about below, but ask your child upon our return; discussions were quite lively among some.

Day 17 we cleaned our rooms (no small undertaking) before heading out in the early afternoon to hike back to Haldwani. Again, a few rode out in a taxi with all of our luggage. After a quick dinner we hopped a night train back to Delhi.

We are now (day 18), again at my sister's house and getting ready for a home cooked breakfast. Our last day here will be spent visiting the National Museum and Craft Gallery (including some last minute shopping, although not many kids have money left!) as well as Red and Ceri Forts. We will come back here for dinner then catch our flight at just after midnight. The kids are ready to be home, some planning to return to India, others vowing to never return, but consensus is that it was an incredible, life-changing trip.

See you in Crestone.

What a great tour!

The tour is really great and is guided by these cool audio devices you get to wear... and all on a beautiful day...

Final Resting Place of the King...

And the Dining Room...

Elvis' Living room...

We're goin' to Graceland...

On our first long trip day, we stopped at the Home of the King - Graceland... Lots and lots of cool Elvis stuff and a cool 70's mansion... Tonight we sleep in St Louis... missed the storms by a mile...

Feels good to do some service...

The Beach Clean up

We also took some time to clean up a long section of the beach... actually, there was not too much... Mother Nature does a great job cleaning up when we help her out by not polluting and picking up after ourselves...

More fun in the sun...

Into the water!

Finally... The Gulf!

After the school, we went on down to Bay St Louis, MS for a picnic at the beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Despite the destruction of man-made stuff all around us, we had a great time in the warm waters of the Gulf. This is the place where the eye of Katrina came ashore... and the Hwy 90 bridge is still out... Here's a few pics... tonight we're just north of Jackson, MS.

Maya and Ava playing with the little ones...

Cole and Jessie...

Tori helps with reading...

Parker and Trevor

These guys helped with a geography lesson

Zasquin and Jigmei and their group

Zac with the kids

Zac is a good ambassador

The Group at the tempoary Brock

A very Big Day

Monday was a very big day... first, we went to visit the old, damaged Brock Elem... then over to play with the children at the present temporary Brock... lots of modulars... made us a little homesick! The Brock folks are doing well and hope to be back in their older historic building in two years...

The Peaceful Swamp...

The swamp is a very beautiful and peaceful place...

El-Whoppo the Aligator...

This guy was one big, old alligator - 15 ft long... maybe 70 years old...

Honey Island Swamp

Today we visited the Honey Island Swamp - a flooded forest, so we learned... it is on the pearl river and quite a cool place... we were amazed!