OCRS News

Another Winning Season for OCRS Teams

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:43:00 +0000

The OCRS Wildcats have won their share of league championships this year and our teams this spring were just as impressive. Oak Creek Ranch School took home three more trophies capturing 1st place and the league championship in softball; finishing second place in soccer and capturing a third place victory in golf. The OCRS Wildcat basketball team won the championship after an undefeated season.

The OCRS softball team completed another undefeated season with an 18 to 3 win over American Heritage Academy and an impressive win over South Verde High School to clinch the championship. Coach Hernandez remarked, “...I’m so proud of our players not only for the way they played but for their tremendous teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the season...” Outstanding players for the OCRS Wildcats were Kaitlin, Greg , Megan and Andre.

Oak Creek Ranch School’s soccer team lost a heart-breaker to undefeated Verde Valley by a score of 3 to 0. The Wildcats came out in full force, trailing by only one score at the half. “Things really looked promising for a possible upset. However, when Evan twisted his ankle and was lost for the second half and star player Avalon was sidelined with a sprained ankle, the obstacles proved too great for us to overcome...” remarked Athletic Director, George Ireland. Coach Yassi added “...Our kids played with all their heart through the last second of the game but they just couldn’t pull the rabbit out of the hat. I’m very impressed with the way we played all year and this championship game was no exception...”

Outstanding players for the OCRS included Evan, Kayden, Stephen, Michael and Jenn.

Meanwhile, the OCRS golf team finished 3rd in the league championship that included seven other teams. Outstanding golfers for the Wildcats were Cody,, Justin, and Matt. Coach Ireland who is retiring this Spring reflects on the season. “... I can’t tell you how much our team has improved this year and how much progress the kids have made in mastering the critical skills they need to keep lowering those scores....’

In the 2011/2012 school year, OCRS teams have won an impressive four championships, placed 2nd and brought home a 3rd place and 4th place finish

Congratulations to all the teams and the coaching staff who made our sports program so successful!

OCRS Athletic Director, George Ireland

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Wildcat Softball Team Off To A Great Start!

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:36:00 +0000

The Oak Creek Ranch School softball team has started its season with five straight wins. They include victories over Canyon View of Prescott, Copper Canyon School, American Heritage School and two wins over South Verde High School. With the team midway through the season, things are looking good for a possible undefeated season and league championship.

Under the guidance of Coach Tony Hernandez the team has really come together. In an interview with Coach Hernandez he remarked that “This season has been a great way for students to learn sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, and accountability. We have players that range from very experienced to no experience at all. They are all expected to go to practice every day and maintain their grades above 70% in order to be eligible to participate. I have seen a great deal of improvement among all players and a tremendous growth in teamwork. I am extremely excited and proud to be the coach of the 2012 OCRS softball team”.

The league championship tournament will be held on Wednesday, May 2. Coach Hernandez says the team is ready to compete.

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

OCRS Students Explore Fossil Creek

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:27:00 +0000

This past weekend twenty-one OCRS boarding students took to the wilderness for a three day, two night camping adventure at Fossil Creek.
Fossil Creek, only an hour drive from Oak Creek Ranch School, is a scenic area along the rim country of Central Arizona. It creek has 14 miles of crystal blue water fed from several natural springs. In addition to enjoying the water, OCRS students spent hours hiking along the beautiful creek.

The first day, students trekked eight miles to visit the location of the old Fossil Creek Dam and discover the springs that feed the creek. They enjoyed the incredible views and had the opportunity to swim next to the magnificent waterfall. Later that day, the kids still had enough energy to hike another three miles to visit the scenic Hot Springs at the Verde River. On the last day students divided up into groups, some choosing to run the eight mile hike of the day while others visited another waterfall that required about four miles of hiking. This incredibly active group truly had an amazing trip! Students are already asking when they can go again!

Kim Hollingsworth.
Assistant Dean of Residential Life

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

OCRS Students learned while having fun during Adventure Week 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:09:00 +0000

Every year our Adventure Week program offers students a great variety of learning experiences all while having fun! We wanted to share photos and stories from Adventure Week 2012. Enjoy!

Girls Only Hawaiian Chicks Adventure Week
Ms. Devine & Ms. Karczewski
During the ultimate ‘Girls Only’ adventure week in Oahu, Hawaii our students explored the geology, history, and culture of Hawaii. With trips to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Circle Island Tour, it was a wonderful trip!

Build Your Own Adventure
Mr. Hernandez & Ms. Foutz
This year we decided to make use of the local resources and let the students "Build their Own Adventure." We ended up with a week filled with laughter and adventure. We first went to Out of Africa Wildlife Park, then took a Jeep Tour. We went camping, boating, fishing, and biking at Dead Horse Ranch State Park. We finished the week with a trip to Sedona where students got to hike and swim. It was a wonderful trip!

Baseball, Hotdogs and Apple Pie
Mr. Ireland
This group had a great time experiencing Major Leauge Baseball at spring training games in Phoenix. Not only did they learn the fundementals of the game, scoring and team rules, but also had a great time!

Focus on Photography
Mr. O'Brien
Students in this group took their photography skills to the next level, while building their portfolios exploring Sunset Crater, Wupatki National Park (ruins & lava flow) and Dinosaur Track near Tuba City. Stay tuned, as we will be sharing some of the students' photography soon from this excellent trip!

On the Job with the Pros
Ms. Miller
Mr. Wick congratulated Miss Lynn on her excellent Job Shadowing experience. Miss Lynn worked at a local Montesori school with pre-K and kindergarten students. Well done!

'The Hansen-Riffel 2012 Regional Tour'
Mr. Hansen & Mr. Riffel
The trip began with a full day of bouldering and hiking in Joshua Tree, which is a geological and climbing Mecca. With stops in Quartzite and Salton Sea, the group then headed to Los Angeles for sight-seeing and cultural discoveries, experiencing new music at the Ahmanson Theater. The group learned the physics of rollercoasters first-hand during their trip to Disneyland. The trip would not have been complete without a stop at Venice Beach to experience the areas greatest waves, walking the boardwalk and visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame. An action-packed, fun trip had by all!

Hiking, Biking and Rafting in Moab
Ms. Hollingsworth
The Moab Trip visited both the Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. We went on some terrific hikes and enjoyed beautiful country. The highlight of the trip was definitely the rapelling at Ephedra's Grotto. It was amazing to watch the students overcome their fears and the confidence that radiated from them when the rapel was complete.

Overall a wonderful Adventure Week - a big thank you to all of our great teachers, staff and students for making these experiences fun and memorable!

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Adventure Week 2012 is here!

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 22:33:00 +0000

GIRLS ONLY Hawaiian Chicks Adventure Week!
Ms. Devine & Ms. Karczewski
The ultimate ‘Girls Only’ adventure week in Oahu, Hawaii provides students with the opportunity to learn and explore the unique historical, cultural, and geological aspects of the island of Oahu. We will be spending an entire day at the Polynesian Cultural Center where we will meet, learn about, and interact with the people of Hawaii, Samoa, Maori New Zealand (Aotearoa), Fiji, Tahiti, the Marquesas and Tonga. Another tour, the Circle Island Tour will take the group to Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, the Pali Lookout, Dole Plantation, famous North Shore beaches and the Hawaii Temple. Our native guide will be explaining the geographical and historical aspects along the way.

This trip would not be complete without a tour of the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, where students will learn first-hand about this historic event, visiting the Arizona Memorial and learning about the USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the ship's 1,177 crewmen who lost their lives on December 7, 1941.

These three tours, combined with visits to the Aloha Stadium, the International Market, and Waikiki Beach will round out this very memorable, educational, and enjoyable trip for 9 girls and two very lucky teachers of OCRS.

Upon their return, our group will prepare a presentation to share with the rest of the school, demonstrating their newfound knowledge of the geology, history, and culture of Hawaii.
Limit 9
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Anasazi Archaeology
Mr. Schieve
Our group will tour the lesser known Anasazi archaeological sites of the Verde Valley. We will be looking for arrowheads, pottery shards and artifacts that pertain to a culture that disappeared 600 to 700 years ago. Why did they disappear, where did they go? How did they survive in the desert? We plan to delve deeper into the mysteries of this culture, learning about farming techniques, trade groups, routes and time periods. Discussion will revolve around the theories of their disappearance and which modern day groups arose after the disappearance of the Anasazi.
Limit: 6
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Build Your Own Adventure
Mr. Hernandez & Ms. Foutz
During this week we will explore as many intriguing places as we can find. In addition to our own list, OCRS students will be encouraged to add their own ideas.

First and foremost this trip is designed to help students enhance their cooperation skills through a variety of team building activities such as kayaking, hiking, and an overnight camping trip. Throughout the week our boarding school students will explore the geological and biological buildup of their surroundings. The Grand Canyon is an important part of this region and students will learn “why” first hand. Our guided tour of the ‘Out of Africa’ park will offer students a better understanding of animal behavior. The week also includes a dip into the art culture of the Verde Valley, exploring some of the museums and art galleries in the area. Last, but not least, the group will delve into to the history of the Verde Valley. We plan to visit Fort Verde State Park, the Polacki and and Hanaki ruins nearby. During adventure week, students will expand their knowledge in Geology, Biology, Art, History and gain a much better cultural perspective of our surrounding region.
Limit: 8
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‘Baseball, Hot Dogs & Apple Pie’
Mr. Ireland
This group of boarding school students will travel to the Phoenix area to attend Major League Baseball Spring Training games. We will watch live games involving the Cubs, Diamondbacks, Indians, Padres, Angels, Rangers, Dodgers and Rockies. Bring your gloves and autograph pens. Students will learn the fundamentals of baseball, including the rules of the game, scoring and the techniques players must develop to become professional players.
Limit: 8
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Focus on Photography
Mr. O’Brien
Take your photography to the next level! This group of students will earn how to transform their best photographs into gallery-quality showpieces, ready for entry in competitions. Students will build a portfolio of their best work to submit to colleges and photo schools. This adventure group itinerary will include 3 field trips to nearby photogenic locations to allow students many opportunities to shoot beautiful scenery at different times of the day. The group will also study printing, matting and framing techniques.  No previous photography class required.
Limit 6
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On the Job with the Pros
Mrs. Miller
OCRS Students will spend the week shadowing a professional in chose field of interest. These students must be at least 16 years of age to participate. Students will have the opportunity to learn first-hand about a chosen profession and the required technical skills as well as other skills employers require such as effective communication, eagerness to learn, strong ethics, an ability to work well in teams, the importance of maintaining a professional appearance, punctuality and reliability. Job shadowing helps OCRS students make better decisions about which career path they should pursue after graduation.
Limit: 5
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‘The Hansen-Riffel Regional Tour 2012’
Mr. Hansen & Mr. Riffel
We take off EARLY Monday morning en route to Joshua Tree for a day full of bouldering and hiking, then head to Los Angeles. At our first stop in L.A, we’ll catch up on some culture by attending Green Day’s Broadway Musical, American Idiot, make more stops on a typical sightseeing excursions but not before stopping off in historic places such as the Salton Sea and Quartzite. What will we learn? Joshua Tree is a geological and climbing Mecca, where people from all around the world visit. The Ahmanson Theater will be an opportunity for students to hear a combination of alternative and contemporary music in wonderful cultural setting. The physics of roller coasters will be the focus of study at the famed Disneyland Park. Our last day in the city of angels, we’ll search for nirvana on some of the areas greatest waves, sightsee on the Venice Boardwalk and visit the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Limit:10 
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‘Gone Fishing’
Mr. Galley
This activity is a great way to either learn how to fish or to further develop your fishing skills. We will learn various methods of casting, how to rig tackle, how to tie knots, and how to effectively catch fish! While exploring many of the Verde Valley fishing hotspots, we will be relaxing and enjoying the Arizona sun. The final day will consist of learning how to create various meals through the barbecuing of our catch of the week!
Limit: 6 
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Hiking, Biking and Rafting Moab
Ms. Hollingsworth
Hike, bike, and raft the world-renowned scenery of Moab Utah. Moab is an area ideal for exploring the geology of the glacial period, learning about the literature that has inspired American authors, and the basics how to take care of yourself and others while living in the wilderness. The trip begins with a hike at the Arches National Park. The next day students will explore part of the Slickrock trail by mountain bike. A rafting tour down the Colorado River will be the end of this awe-inspiring adventure week activity.
Limit: 8
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Waterfalls of Havasupai
Dr. Yassi
Imagine swimming next to huge waterfalls, climbing along cliff walls preparing to jump into Blue-Green pools, and checking out the Green Room, an underwater cave secret known by few. This area is a combination of adventure and beauty, involving hiking remote side canyons, semi-technical slot canyons, hiking to the Colorado River, and carefully navigating chain ladders to the bottom of Mooney Falls... a roaring 200 foot tall waterfall. At night our students will view the narrow canyon walls over 1000 feet above us. The hike into the camp will be a tremendous accomplishment, made only more spectacular by turning the final corner and seeing Havasu Falls for the first time. During this trip, students will learn to survive in the wilderness with basic food for 4 days. Maybe the best lessons will result from the group experience that requires patience with one another, problem solving and living with no electronic gadgets for four days! We hope our students will see how important it is to enjoy the beauty of nature and respect our environment, emphasizing the need to preserve our wondrous earth for future generations.
Limit: 6
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Exploring Zion and Bryce
Mr. Elm & Ms. Hollingsworth
This group of OCRS students will spend the week camping and hiking in beautiful Zion and Bryce National Parks. Along the way we will visit a ghost town and Hurricane Hot Springs. Students will learn about geology of hot spring formation, the paleontology of the Big Water area, plants that are native to the area and of course, those all important outdoor survival skills.
Limit: 10
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Mastering the Art of Horsemanship
Equestrian Director
This adventure week activity is for serious and experienced riders. We will spend the week exploring the more advanced trails giving OCRS equestrian students the opportunity to improve their riding skills. During this week, these students will gain knowledge in the use of equipment, how to care for and maintain the health of their horse and the all important skill of cowboy cooking! The week will end with an overnight pack trip that’s sure to please.
Limit: 6

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Dramatic Ending Keys Oak Creek Ranch School Boys Basketball Championship Victory

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:14:00 +0000

Before a wildly cheering crowd the OCRS Basketball Wildcats completed only the second perfect season in school history with a come-from-behind 59-56 victory over Tri-City Prep at the 2012 Northern Arizona Athletic Association championship tournament in Prescott, Arizona. The Wildcats went into the tournament as the number one seed after finishing the regular season at 16-0.

In their first tournament game the Wildcats defeated Trinity Christian Academy 58-40. Evan H led the scoring with 20 points and Kaden M chipped in 11. Coach Galley used a balanced offensive attack that had five other players also scoring and a stingy defense to get the win.

Oak Creek’s victory over Trinity set up the final game against unbeaten Tri-City Prep who had defeated Rimrock High School 60 to 53 in their first game. During the championship game the Wildcats trailed the taller Tri-City Prep team much of the time. They trailed 26-18 at the half and 41-32 at the end of the third quarter. The boys had played well but with Evan H out with an injury for the last six minutes of the game, they needed a spark. With two minutes remaining, and the Wildcats trailing 56-55, Coach Galley called a timeout. He reminded the team that this was their last game together. He told them that the next two minutes of this game would be something they would remember forever and that it was up to them to determine what those memories would be. After the timeout the boys played inspired basketball shutting down Tri-City’s offense and scoring the final four points of the game. The final score read OCRS 59 Tri-City 56.

Kaden M. led all scorers with 24 points and was named to the All Tournament team. John D had twelve points, Evan H. had seven, Rob B had six, Brent C had three, Greg G had two and Eric L had one point to complete the scoring.

Athletic Director George Ireland commented that, “There are 16 schools in the league and 15 of them wish that they were Oak Creek Ranch School. It was a great victory to end a great season!”.

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

OCRS Girls Basketball Team Takes 4th Place

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 21:10:00 +0000

The Oak Creek Ranch School Girls Basketball Team concluded its season with a fourth place finish in the Championship Tournament in Prescott, Arizona. The tournament was the end of a memorable season, not due to the won-loss record, but because of the way that the girls played all year.

Early in the season it became apparent that the Wildcats would be outnumbered in almost every game and that other teams would have taller and probably more experienced players. The Oak Creek players, however, would never be outhustled. The girls came together and played for the fun of the game, for each other and because they are extremely competitive.

Coach Amber Randall did a wonderful job of preparing the girls and encouraging them all year. With two players out with injury, the Wildcats came in with only five eligible players. That meant that every girl would have to play the full forty minutes of every game. Displaying their fiercely competitive spirit and great courage, the Wildcats played hard during every minute of every game and simply never quit. They became crowd favorites. “It was amazing”, coach Amber said after the game. “They were champions in the hearts of the fans and the other teams. The never gave up.” They were congratulated by some of the fans and members of the other teams. As one opposing player put it, “They just wouldn’t quit”.

Members of the team included Megan M. (out with injury), Taylor W. (out with injury), Leah K., Sydney C., Mallory P. and Catarina G. Jennifer A. had 18 points and was voted to the all-tournament team by the coaches and officials.

In a show of great sportsmanship the Wildcats joined the members of two other teams and went out to dinner together after the last game.

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

OCRS Students Enjoy Team Building Retreat

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:38:00 +0000

Saturday, Oak Creek Ranch Students spent the day on campus participating in a Teambuilding Retreat. Students planned this event during coffee house, a weekly meeting where students have a voice in choosing positive programs, speakers and activities to help better their community. The group began by dividing the student body into groups, choosing students to lead each group, and devising the day's schedule. They pulled from their personal experiences and what they felt would be beneficial for the OCRS boarding community.

Students participating in the planning of this event determined what they felt defined a healthy community:
    ⁃    Listening to one another, not just in words but also actions, reactions, responses and nonverbal communications
    ⁃    Work together to solve problems, mediate conflict, and help those that are struggling
    ⁃    Care about each other, take time to get to know each other
    ⁃    Trust each other
    ⁃    Have fun together
After defining a ‘healthy community,’ students suggested activities that would help build these qualities within the chosen groups.

While the day started with varying degrees of interest (or disinterest), the student leaders did a great job pulling their teams together. The groups started off by creating team names and designing a team logo. The logo had to represent something they each brought to their group and the community. Names varied from Real Talk, ELE (everybody loves everybody), and Peace, Love and Unity. Activities included the Magic Carpet, Toxic Dump, Blind Shapes, Led through Dangerous Country (at the Corral), and Drawing Blind. After each activity, the groups answered a series of question to help them relate their experience to making the community a better place.

The retreat ended with the activity "Cross the Line". Students and staff stood together and were asked to cross a line on the field if the statement read applied to them. This helped students see how many of their peers and teachers have had similar life experiences as them. It was a very meaningful way in which to close the event.

It was exciting to watch as the groups laughed, struggled, cried and experienced success throughout the day. I am extremely proud of the student leaders who put this event together and the student body for making it a success.

Life is Good!

Kim Hollingsworth
Assistant Dean of Residential Life

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Oak Creek Ranch School Student Council Volunteers Make a Difference

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:38:00 +0000

It’s a marathon, ladies and gentlemen – 26.2 miles. It’s the distance from Sedona to Cottonwood, and back. For most it’s a chance to prove their gusto, whether it be an athletic prowess or mental tenacity. For others, like the 56-year old female runner that sat at the Elk’s Lodge pasta feed the night before the Sedona Marathon, it’s a chance to achieve a goal – specifically, running 200 marathons before her 60th birthday (she’s on pace to accomplish that goal at one marathon a week). Or maybe it’s simply running a marathon in every state. Fifty states, 50 marathons. Simple, right. Well, the OCRS Student Council didn’t partake in any of these affairs, however, they played an even more important role as volunteers.

“Volunteerism is playing a vital role in the council this year,” says advisor and teacher Nathan Hansen. “These students are learning to put receiving on the back burner. Instead, these young people are learning what it’s like to give, and give with all their heart. It’s great to see a sense of altruism in our young adults, as it’s here it all begins.”

Oak Creek Ranch School Student Council, which has already played roles in nonprofits “Homes for Heroes,” as well as “Toys for Tots,” woke early the morning of Saturday, February 4th and worked at the 13.1 mile turnaround point where all marathoners were logged in and cheered on. They worked tirelessly, nonstop, from six until eleven, giving their all, just as the runners did.

“You would have thought each runner, from first place to last, was the champion, they cheered so hard,” Hansen says. “One runner even commented, mid-stride, how he would have loved to have such ambitious fans along the entire route.”

Over thirteen miles of fans like OCRS students? Might be a little loud, but we’d take them any day. To have that many people committed to a concept of giving … what can’t be done?

Note on Photos (above): Ed W., Taylor W., Evan H., and Jen A. cheer runners on. Kaitlin M. sitting with fellow NAU volunteers logging in runners.

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

OCRS welcomes new faculty member Ms. Krystina Karczewski

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:39:00 +0000

OCRS is pleased to announce that Ms. Krystina Karczewski has joined our faculty.

Ms. Karczewski is a graduate from the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. In Biology and a minor in Environmental Science. During her time at the University of Wisconsin, she was involved in two extremely important research projects, Flooding Reoccurrence and Consumer Water Reports.

Ms. Karczewski will be teaching chemistry this semester, an important component of the research she conducted during her time at the University of Wisconsin.

When asked why she considered joining OCRS, Ms. Karczewski, explained, "When I first went to college, I was diagnosed with ADD. This surprising diagnosis explained why my high school years were full of struggle and confusion. Even though my struggles continued through college, at least I knew why I was having such a difficult time learning, During this period of time, I gained many valuable skills that I know will make learning easier for OCRS students like me. My goal is to let everyone with ADD to know that in no way means we can't learn - it simply means that we learn differently."

In her free time Ms. Karczewski enjoys playing a wide variety of sports and can be found at lunch time, playing soccer with students on the lower campus.

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Karczewski to Oak Creek Ranch School!

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

The Language of Java, a new mini-class at OCRS

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:32:00 +0000

‘Language of Java’ – taught by Mr. O’Brien

This new mini-class focuses on Java, a ‘high level’ computer programming language that enables programmers to write computer instructions with English based commands. Java has a set of rules known as ‘syntax’ that determine how the instructions are written. After a program is written, the Java instructions are then translated into numeric codes that computers understand and execute. With over 6.5 million developers worldwide, Java remains a very popular programming language. Both Google and Android, Inc. have chosen to use Java as a key pillar in the creation of the Android operating system, an open-source smartphone operating system.

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Wildcats Win Ninth Basketball Game In A Row!

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:43:00 +0000

The Oak Creek Ranch School Wildcat basketball team won their ninth consecutive game with Wednesday’s 58-22 victory over Southwestern Academy on the Wildcats home court. More than one month into the season, the team is in first place in the Eastern Division of the conference.

Coach Andy Galley attributes his team’s success to “improved play-making and teamwork”. “They just keep getting better every time they take the court” he remarked. Oak Creek Ranch School has outscored their opponents 497-375 this season. The offense has been spearheaded by Kaden M who leads the team in scoring. Rob B provides the inside presence with his much improved defense and rebounding. John D and Evan H provide the hustle necessary to play good defense and Brent C leads the team in assists.

If the Wildcats can win their remaining five conference games they will go into the February 22 league championship tournament as the favorites. Athletic Director George Ireland stated that “the team will represent the eastern division and have a good shot at winning the championship. There are two very good teams in the Western Division, so the tournament will be challenging as well as fun. We are looking forward to it”.

Below are the Wildcat’s scores thus far:

OCRS over Southwestern Academy 55-30
OCRS over Leupp School 48-44
OCRS over South Verde High School 62-55
OCRS over Rimrock High School 63-62
OCRS over American Heritage Academy 60-49
OCRS over American Heritage Academy 41-26
OCRS over Verde Valley School 41-29
OCRS over South Verde High School 69-58
OCRS over Southwestern Academy 58-22

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

January's activities were fun-filled and action-packed at Oak Creek Ranch School

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:40:00 +0000

January has been an exciting month for Oak Creek Ranch students. According to one student, "This month has the best activities yet. I wanted to go to all of them!" Sports fans had many choices with hockey and basketball in full swing in Arizona. Our boarding students enjoyed ASU basketball, Phoenix Suns basketball, Sundogs hockey, and Coyotes hockey. The Sundogs were especially popular, the seats were great and they came back talking about how often our rowdy group was shown on the scoreboard screen.

Although the weather has been rather warm for January, there is still snow in Flagstaff for our students to ski and snowboard. Oak Creek Ranch School is a regular at the the Snowbowl ski resort, making the short trip up there every Sunday. Other memorable trips for the month included Supercross Racing (watching, not participating...) and a Disney on Ice Show.

We ended the month with a cookout and Dorm War games on lower field. Taking advantage of the great weather (70 degrees!) staff and students participated in several fun games to win points for their dorm. The wheelbarrow race and ball waddle were just a few that had us rolling with laughter. Seri dorm continued their winning streak and remains the dorm to beat!

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

OCRS mini-classes earn a 'Thumbs Up' from students

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:01:00 +0000

Here’s Another great way we keep ADD/ADHD teens excited about learning!

Mini-classes give OCRS students the opportunity to explore and discover new interests in a unique 45 minute format. These courses incorporate lively discussions, practical ‘hands on’ experience, individual effort and the all important team work!

Ideas for the second semester classes were informally submitted by the OCRS student body last semester and then cultivated by our exceptionally talented group of teachers. Listed below is their crowd-pleasing line-up:

NEW AND NOTABLE
Talks with Ted’ – Taught by Mr. Hansen. This is a discussion class based on the Ted Turner Talks, an online symposium of innovators and thinkers that showcases their ideas through short videos. See how researchers, entrepreneurs and even high school students are making a difference in our world. The class will review and discuss the various topics, focusing on the opportunities available for ‘out of the box thinkers.’ Discussion and exercises will demonstrate to students with ADD/ADHD how they can harness their creativity and put it to good use.

Check out this example video: Three young women sweep the top prizes of the first Google Science Fair. Award-winning teen-age science in action

Excerpt from video (link above): "In 2011 three young women swept the top prizes of the first Google Science Fair. At 'TEDxWomen' Lauren Hodge, Shree Bose and Naomi Shah described their extraordinary projects and their route to a passion for science. Why you should listen to her: Lauren Hodge has been competing in science fair projects since she was seven years old. For her latest project, she investigated the formation of carcinogens in different methods of preparing chicken -- and found a surprising result. That work won first prize in the Google Science fair age 13-14 category."

‘Exploring Everything Solar’ - Offered by Mr. Riffel. This class will explore the uses and benefits of solar energy, introducing the class to the science behind the projects.

‘Language of Java’ – taught by Mr. O’Brien. Java is a computer programming language that enables programmers to write computer instructions with English based commands. With over 6.5 million developers worldwide, Java remains a very popular programming language. Both Google and Android, Inc. have chosen to use Java as a key pillar in the creation of the Android operating system, an open-source smartphone operating system. Students in this class will learn the fundamentals of Java programming and apply their knowledge to create Java applets (programs embedded in other applications) and increasing complex programming assignments.

‘Lessons learned from our Animal Society’– Dr.Yassi’s students will study how animals interact within their own species. The course will examine what we have learned about human interaction and relationships through studying animal behavior.

‘The Best Kind of Drama’ - Mrs. Foutz’s students will learn the fundamentals of acting, including character analysis, voice, body movement, emotional expression and memorization. Students will be introduced to different forms of theater as well as the basics of set, costume and lighting design. The class will perform several plays throughout the semester for the entire school to enjoy.

‘Chic Lit’ – Taught by Ms. Devine, the class will read selected literature by women authors who write about important issues facing women today and throughout history. From Charlotte Bronte to Maya Angelou, this class will explore the role women authors play in influencing and shaping society.

‘Mastering the Guitar’ with Mr. Shieve – This course is designed for students at all levels, from the beginner to the advanced musician. Students will be introduced to a variety of musical styles, learning about chords, chord progression, scales, picking techniques, improvisation and composition. Students will work individually with Mr. Shieve, and lessons will be created based upon their current aptitude and goals.

‘The Art of Chess’ taught by Mr. Galley will introduce students to the fundamentals of chess. Students will practice their skills against one another and then travel to Phoenix to compete in the regional chess competition. This class has been quite popular for the last two years and each spring OCRS students demonstrate their skills by holding a human chess game on campus. The academic purpose of the course is to develop the higher order thinking skills of logic and reasoning. The OCRS Human Chess Game is now becoming its signature event.

‘Marketing Essentials’ taught by Mr. Hernandez. Students with learn the principles of marketing and apply them to create products that will be sold to the OCRS community. Students will work together to design a product, develop a sound marketing plan, advertise the product and sell it profitably. Net proceeds will be donated to a local charity.

‘Power up your Reading’ offered by Mrs. Miller. This course is designed for students who enjoy reading and want to improve their reading skills for college. Students will be exposed to challenging reading material designed to improve vocabulary, comprehension and speed with emphasis on ‘scanning skills.’

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Girls Basketball Team Impressive in First Game

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:45:00 +0000

Last week the Oak Creek Ranch School girls basketball team traveled to Cottonwood to play a tough American Heritage High School team. American Heritage’s eighteen girls were anticipating an easy victory over Oak Creek’s six girl roster but quickly realized they had a real fight on their hands.

Although American Heritage led the game most of the way they could never put the Cats away. At the half the lady Wildcats trailed by six points but in the last five minutes of the game they rallied. Kaitlin M. started making three point shots from all over the court and scored 12 points in four minutes as the Wildcats pulled within two points with 30 seconds left in the game. Kaitlin was fouled in the act of shooting a three pointer and went to the foul line for three free throws. She made two of the three, and with the boys team on their feet cheering for her, Kaitlin had tied the score at 27-27. The girls went on defense for the last 20 seconds of the game and swarmed the American Heritage team denying them a scoring opportunity. The game ended in a tie with the American Heritage team and fans staring in disbelief and the Oak Creek team celebrating. If there ever was a moral victory, this was it.

Coach Amber was excited and proud of her team. “They have only been playing together for five practices and some of our girls have never played basketball before!” Outstanding teamwork, gritty defense and great clutch shooting by Kaitlin all contributed to a great performance. The coach cited Megan M. for ball control and hustle, Jenn A. for her ball handling, Leah K. and Tori W. for their defense and Catrina G. for controlling the boards with her rebounding.

Athletic Director, George Ireland, stated after the game that “This was a wonderful way to start the season and lay the foundation for a very successful year”.

Go Wildcats!

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Wildcats Win League Championship

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:41:00 +0000

The Oak Creek Ranch School football Wildcats completed their third consecutive undefeated season with a 27-14 victory in the championship game on their home field over American Heritage High School. With quarterback Kaden M. throwing for four touchdowns and leading the team in rushing, the Wildcats jumped out to a 27-0 lead. The offensive line dominated the AHA defense for most of the game. Dillon T., Zach R., Jose W. and Greg G. did a good job of protecting the quarterback and opening gaping holes in the AHA defensive line. Jacob L. and Evan H. each caught two touchdown passes and Michael I. scored on the extra point plays to put away AHA early.

On the defensive side of the ball, Dominic G. led the team in tackles during the game as well as during the entire season. The AHA offense did not score until late when the outcome of the game was no longer in doubt. Other team members who contributed on defense all year long were Jose W., Yegor C., John D., Hayden T., Quinton J., Christian A., Mason K., Dustin B., and “Flappy” C.

The team completed a season in which they dominated the competition in every game. Coach Galley commented that “This group stayed free from outside distractions and really focused on improving as a team”. The team also made an impression on opposing players and coaches. “They were complimented all season long not just for their play on the field but for the class that they exhibited on and off it” said Coach Riffel.

Good sportsmanship, excellent teamwork and great play made this a truly special season for the OCRS Wildcat football team.

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

OCRS Volleyball Wins Again!

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:14:00 +0000

The Oak Creek Ranch School girls volleyball team concluded their 2011 season with a hard fought victory on their home court over a good Prescott Valley School team. The Wildcats defeated the Lady Lions 2-0 in their first match and 2-1 in the final match of the season.

The wins improved the Wildcats record to 8 wins and 8 losses and capped a very successful season that saw the girls win five of their last six matches. After a slow start early in the season the Wildcats defeated Spring Ridge Academy 3-1 at Spring Ridge and then again 3-0 at home. After upsetting the favored South Verde High School 3-2, Oak Creek traveled to Young High School to take on a team that they had defeated earlier in the year. The trip proved to be difficult as the girls lost to the Panthers by a score of 3-1. But the final two wins proved that this team could put the loss behind them and play well.

Every girl on the team contributed to the successful season. Their teamwork, sportsmanship and effort were acknowledged by their coaches, Amber and Kim. “We are very proud of their improvement. They learned to play together as a team and had fun.”

The team included Sydney C, Kaitlin M, Leah K, Avalon W, Taylor W, Catarina G, Diannah J, Stacey S, and Haley M.

They were congratulated after the matches by the Oak Creek Athletic Director, George Ireland. “It was so much fun to watch these girls as they jelled and became a cohesive unit, playing as a team, calling out their shots, and winning. It was a great year for OCRS Wildcat Volleyball!”

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

One Win Away From Conference Championships!

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:10:00 +0000

The team started out not even as a team, but rather as an idea. It was within this idea that a running club was sponsored by Mr. Hansen, and from that club a team that wanted to run … that wanted to win.

“There interest was there,” Coach Hansen says. “But the history here is that cross country always fizzles out by the end of the first week. Not this year. No, for some reason these student athletes are motivated.”

Oak Creek Ranch School has used that motivation to push themselves into first place at four consecutive meets. The last two meets, Northpoint Leadership Academy and Southwestern Academy respectively, have been tough runs, according to the team, but they’re continuing to place consistently strong in the top ten. Dominique G. took first and fourth in the last two meets, whereas Yegor C. took fourth and fifth. Zack B. took third and sixth with Jack B. placing fourth and seventh, respectively. For females, Kaitlin M. has proven to be a contender, always placing within the top five.

Cross Country is relatively new to OCRS, but it can be assumed that long gone are the days of the “five- day fizzle.” The last race is Tuesday, November 3rd at Spring Ridge Academy, the last stop in a long road of early mornings of gravel road runs, ins and outs, fartleks, and uphill sprints. A week away and the excitement is a pre-cursor to the runners’ high OCRS runners will all achieve after their 2.5 conference championship race.

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Oak Creek Cross Country Dominates!

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:48:00 +0000

Monday, October 1st, Oak Creek Wildcat Cross Country Runners traveled to Tri-City College Prep in Prescott to compete in the rival school’s inaugural meet. As the team anxiously awaited the starting gun to fire they warmed up and strategized how to run the 2.5 mile course.

“Run your race,” Coach Hansen told each and every one of the runners. “Run your race, but don’t cross that finish line with anything left. If you aren’t completely burned out, you’ll regret it later. Run your race.”

The team lined up along the arc having warmed themselves with light jogs and a varied series of stretches. To their right and left were teams from Southwestern Academy, Northpoint, Spring Ridge, and Tri-City Prep, the host team.

“On your mark!” the starting official yelled. Runners toed the line.
“Get set!” The Wildcats leaned in to position.

A blast of an air horn sounded and 36 runners took to the field over rolling hills and around a basin blanketed with a choking 90 degree temperature. Eighteen minutes later, runners could be seen climbing the last hill. They were making their final approach quickly, though tired and drenched with perspiration.

In the end, Zachary B. finish 3rd with a time of 19:19, followed by Dominic G. in fifth with a time of 19:43. The Wildcats earned most of the remaining top 10 positions with John D., Yegor C., and Jack B. coming in 6th, 7th, and 9th, respectively.

For Oak Creek’s first meet, there wasn’t anyone who could be prouder. The problem is defining who that anyone is; the team, Coach Hansen, Athletic Director Ireland, or the entire school of Oak Creek.

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Football Team Rolls On

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:23:00 +0000

During the past three years the Oak Creek Ranch School Flag Football Team has established itself as the dominant team in their conference. The Wildcats have a 25 game winning streak and two consecutive league championships. It appears that the 2011 edition will continue the tradition!

On Friday, September 23, the Cats traveled to American Heritage Academy in Cottonwood for the first game of the year. Behind the outstanding play of Josh G. and Kaden M., the Wildcats posted an easy 34-6 victory.

The win served as an important warm up for upcoming games with league rivals Verde Valley School of Sedona and Northpoint Academy of Prescott. Tougher opponents lie ahead and it will be important that the entire team continue to play well if the winning streak is to continue.

Go Wildcats!

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

OCRS Student Art and Photography Show - 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:29:00 +0000

Just in time for Parent’s Weekend, the students in the Art and Photography classes put the finishing touches on their projects. Many of the students had not done much art or photography before, and so it was a wonderful surprise to see so many quality projects.

The digital photography students entered work in two categories: landscapes and panoramic landscapes. Both parents and students were impressed by the craftsmanship and creativity apparent in the work. When the students viewed the work, they cast their votes for their favorites.
The results were:

Landscape
1st - James T.
2nd - Jack B.
3rd - Zachary B.

Panorama
1st - Zachary B.
2nd - Cody S.
3rd - Jack B., Hayden T.

The art students displayed their block prints and their ceramic sculptures. The block prints were inspired by artist M.C. Escher. The creativity of these works added a lot of color to the show. The students were also assigned to create a ceramic sculpture based around the theme of a “creative shoe.” The projects displayed a variety of techniques and stories centered around a shoe. We were fortunate to have a few students that were not even enrolled in the art classes want to contribute their talents. A miscellaneous category was created for all of the sculptures and pottery created on the wheel.
The voting results were:

Block Printing
1st- Ed W.
2nd Spirit F.
3rd- Roberto A.
3rd- Michael I.
3rd- Andrew M.

Creative Shoes
1st - Mariel G.
2nd - Megan C.
3rd- Andrew M.
4th - John D.

Miscellaneous Sculpture
1st- Dillon T.
2nd- Dillon T.
3rd- Christian A.
4th - John D., Christian A., Jose W.

We are so proud of the creativity and artistic talent of all our students, well done!

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. Enrollments are accepted year round. Three summer boarding school sessions are available that are tailored to help students with learning differences succeed. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

OCRS Girls Volleyball Team Rallies for First Win

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:56:00 +0000

After losing their first match to Copper Canyon Academy last week, the OCRS Girls Volleyball team came back on their home court to post a stirring victory against Young High School on Tuesday, September 26. The teams were evenly matched but in the end Oak Creek’s tenacity and effort were simply too much for Young to overcome.

The match began with Young winning the first game easily 25-14. After a timeout the Wildcats regrouped and prevailed in a close 25-23 game. They then used improved communication and teamwork to win the third game 25-16 before Young rallied to win game four 25-19. Looking into the hot afternoon sun, the Wildcats used Megan’s powerful serves and Kaitlin’s hustling digs to put away the Young team in the fifth game 15-9. It was a great victory for the young OCRS team who, after the Copper Canyon game, improved their play dramatically. At the end of the game the fans stood and cheered their team’s solid effort.

Coaches Kim and Amber were just as excited as the players. “Our team is playing together well, getting organized on the court, and learning the different parts of the game. We are proud of their effort today.” All of the girls played well and contributed to the victory.

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

Hello Oak Creek Ranch School Cross Country Supporters!

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:54:00 +0000

For all of the families that have a loved one running Cross Country at OCRS, here is an update. It’s the first year in a long series of absentee athletes refusing to give the grueling sport a try, but this year is different. Not only was there interest from day one, the sport has gained in popularity with an average of one or two new runners each week.

To let you know how dedicated these runners are, here’s a taste of their weekly routine:

1.       Wake before 6 a.m. to dress for practice.

2.       Coach Hansen releases the runners from their dorms.

3.       Senior captains lead the team in stretching after a quick warm-up

4.       Running

a.       Fartleks

b.      Ins and Outs

c.       Stairs and Uphills

d.      3-mile drop off run (dropped off at the beginning of Willow Point Road and they run in, exactly 3 miles [first two miles are up hill])

e.      Cross Country Route (2.4 miles)

5.       Upper and Core Workout

a.       Abdominal
          i.      Crunches
          ii.      Sit-ups
          iii.      Leg Lifts
          iv.      Leg Throw-downs
           v.      Planks

b.      Upper
         i.      Push-ups
         ii.      “Around the Worlds”
         iii.      Tricep Dips

6.       Dismissed between 7 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. to get ready for school

These runners have a three-fold goal. First and foremost, they want to maintain a healthy form. They’ve shown interest in either losing weight, gaining a tone definition, improving their cardio, or simply running for the fun of it. All of which link to a healthy body, mind, and spirit. From what I have witnessed, they are also more focused and attentive in class compared to waking later without the exercise before school.

Second, a lot of the OCRS Running Club’s events are charitable, meaning they do cost between $25 - $50 to participate. A major portion of the proceeds go to a charitable cause. This year funds go to area farmers and grape growers, a parks and recreation department and the Wounded Warriors Project, to name just a few. In order to have the students attend these events,

Lastly, other running events are on a competitive basis within the conference. They do require feesto attend, but place weight on their ability to compete against other teams and the clock. I can honestly tell all of you, if the race depended on heart we’d come out champions. At the same time, I can tell you I’m certain we’ll have some top finishers this year, a feat that ought to surprise the school and the runners themselves.

Before I sign out, I wanted to make sure you all knew what a pleasure it was working with these student athletes. They’re the ones that get me out of bed each day. They’re the ones who keep me going throughout the day.

Best,

Nathan Hansen
OCRS Faculty - Senior Literature
Cross Country Coach

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

WILDCATS FLY WITH THE EAGLES

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:11:00 +0000

Only three weeks into the 2011-12 boarding school season at Oak Creek Ranch School and Academic Advisor James Herrera had the senior class on their first collegiate outing. Wednesday, September 21, two vans loaded up and ventured 'over the hill' into Eagle country where the Wildcats perched in Prescott's Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus for half the day. It was here, at one of the nation's premiere universities specializing in aerospace engineering, air traffic control, and national security studies where the 2012 graduating class toured campus buildings that housed such one-of-a-kind technologies.

Students toured buildings where mechanical engineers tested the strength of materials used for international flight, not to mention space missions. They took turns sitting in flight simulators and visiting classrooms specialized in meteorology and language studies. They viewed the jet engine Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier with; an engine with no throttle but only an 'on' and 'off' switch. They peaked in on the only student built and operated jet engine car; a car that pushes beyond 300 miles per hour.

After a tour that touched upon laboratories that were homes of near zero gravity environments (a student can place a tennis ball in the environment where it will spin, frictionless, for three days) and a multi-million dollar library that houses the world¹s largest wood carved airplane collection, the students visited Embry-Riddle¹s flight line where students were some of the first to see the new generation of planes that will be replacing already top-notch aircraft.

While on the tour students realized how quickly they could go from high school senior to freshman flier.

"I thought it would have taken a few years to get off the ground at a flight school, but you can take classes that put you in the cockpit right away. And there's even an ROTC program that could offer you advanced placement into the military as a pilot," said Michael I. "If you want to, you can really make things happen fast for you here. You can get tons of experience." Sasha, an OCRS boarding school student inquired about a new Masters Program at Embry-Riddle, one that had the possibility of landing a graduate in the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Central Intelligence Agency.

"So is there a chance I could protect the President of the United States?" asked Sasha. "Is this a stepping stone to earn a top secret clearance and work for the government?" The tour leader, a December graduate from the Air Traffic Control School, nodded the affirmative.

"That's too cool," exclaimed Sasha. "Anything is possible." And that was how the day went; learning one's potential and figuratively, as well as literally, seeing that the sky was the limit and in some cases, then some.

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com

OCRS Announces New Mini Class - 'Guys Read'

noreply@blogger.com (Oak Creek Ranch School) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:36:00 +0000

Oak Creek Ranch School English teacher and creative writer Mr. Nathan Hansen is offering a new 45 minute “mini” course that inspires OCRS boys begin reading now and keep reading throughout their lifetime.

The course is adapted from an actual movement called “Guys Read.” www.guysread.com that promotes literacy among young men by encouraging them to read books that teachers or libraries might not otherwise recommend. Mr. Hansen notes, “…there has been a steep decline in reading among the entire U.S. population and particularly among men (click here to read more on reading decline research). The focus of this course is to make reading fun and relevant...”

In addition to several books that are recommended by “Guys Read” website, Mr. Hansen has developed his own list of authors using a variety of stories and novels ranging from writers such as Chuck Palahniuk David Sedaris, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, Ernest Hemingway and J.D. Salinger. Mr. Hansen adds, “We’ll be reading short stories, novels, comic books, graphic novels, websites and even the backs of cereal boxes, if need be!”    

In addition to utilizing these materials, Mr. Hansen will be interjecting some thought provoking questions for his students to consider as they read and relate what they’ve learned to their own lives. Questions such as, “What does it mean to be a man?” and “What does it mean to be a global citizen? What kind of man are you now?” and “What kind of man do you intend to become?” Understanding each others’ values and how they impact living in a boarding school environment will be an important topic of this lively and inspiring class.

Mr. Hansen concludes, “In short, this class will be a journey of laughs and learning and I’m really looking forward to it!”

And we are too. Already, OCRS parents are anticipating great results!

  Dear Mr. Hansen,
 It looks like my son is enrolled in your class. Is that correct? If so, I think it is great!  When he came home from his summer school session at OCRS, he told me he really enjoyed your class. You must be a great teacher, because my son has NEVER enjoyed reading or writing.  Thank you for making a difference!
- OCRS Parent

Stay tuned as we check back with the ‘Guys Read’ for their insights and comments later in the semester!

Oak Creek Ranch School is an co-ed boarding school for teens, ages 13-19 (grades 7-12). For 40 years OCRS has specialized in helping ADD, ADHD, and undermotivated boys and girls become successful students. The Arizona Boarding School is located near Sedona, Arizona, 100 miles north of Phoenix. For more information please visit us online at http://www.ocrs.com