It’s been yet another rocking week at the outdoor school. The boogie was rocking, the banana slug song was rocking, and with all of the excitement, the earth rocked right along. On Tuesday evening, the students at Exploring New Horizons learned a practical lesson in plate techtonics, when the San Jose centered earthquake took us all for a little ride. The quake shook a few acorns loose from the trees and rattled the windows in their panes, but it didn’t quite manage to knock over any pumkins (or children).

It’s been a pumpkin-tastic sort of week in the Loma Mar. The sixth graders fromCurtner and Mattos celebrated this Halloween week in style. Students carved faces in the pumpkins grown in our organic garden, they scooped out the insides, and a few even made a fashion statement, by doning some “pumpkin bling”. By the time Wednesday night rolled around, the outdoor school was fully decorated with illuminated jack o lanterns and costumed children.

With their eyes lit up, and their grimaces glowing, the pumpkins observed the festivities with awe. They watched as witches, princesses, vampires and ninjas paraded through camp. They looked on as groups of children trick or treated for fresh baked cookies, candy and organic apples. They even heard the children admit, “I liked the organic apples best”.

It’s been a week to remember in the redwood forest, with thanks to all of the students, teachers, counselors and parents from Curtner and Mattos schools.