Corry farm provides educational opportunity during field trip |
By Erin Flaherty Michael and Vicki Pasterik moved to Corry from Mars, PA., a year and a half ago to fulfill a dream of owning their own farm and escaping city life. The Pasteriks and their five children have since settled into a property located on Sample Flats Road in Columbus Township complete with cows and pigs. Naturally, the family was excited when they found out they would have a chance to share their farming experiences Thursday afternoon with over 100 of their children's "virtual" classmates during a field trip the kids called, "A Day at the Farm". Victoria, 9, and Michael, 7, two of the five Pasterik children, are home schooled through Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School (PAVCS) online. Matthew, 4, Elizabeth, 3, and Emily, 10 months, are too young for school at this time, but will be enrolled in the program later. PAVCS is a form of home schooling, but each student is loaned a computer and is provided with an Internet connection to log on each day for a personalized curriculum. Students take courses in English, math, science, history, art and music and also have the opportunity to participated in two field trips a month to various sites of interest in the area. Students in Erie, Crawford and Warren counties are grouped together as a unit, so normally when a field trip is held, it is within one of the three counties. Unfortunately, trips are often held in Erie or Meadville, which can be a long way to travel for those who live in smaller areas such as Corry. Vicki was pleased when she found out they could provide their farm as one of the field trip locations. Michael gave a milking demonstration and let children try it for themselves, a first time for many. An arts and craft session was held and a science lesson was given. Hay rides and a snack break were also among the list of the day's activities. "Everyone said they had a really good time," said Vicki. "We were really happy with it." The field trips are also designed as a way for students and their parents to interact with each other. Sam and Kelly Balluch and their two children, Clay, 9, and Paige, 7, moved to Corry from Meadville one year ago. |
This was their first field trip since their children became enrolled in PAVCS. Kelly stated that the main reason they enrolled their children in the home schooling program is to have an opportunity to attend events like "A Day at the Farm". |
"There is a lot of flexibility," said Kelly. "We wanted more time with the kids while they are young." So will there be a "Day at the Farm II?" "Possibly," said Vicki. |
Vicki and Michael Pasterik, along with their five children, hosted 100 students at their Sample Flats Road farm Thursday. Students traveled from Erie, Crawford and Warren counties to participate in typical farming activities. In the above photo, Michael Pasterik shows students how to milk a cow. "Annabell" is usually milked at least once a day and can produce six gallons at a time. In the photo at right, students create art during craft time. (Journal photos by Erin Flaherty) |
Corry Journal, Friday, October 10, 2003 - Page 5 |
