Compass Chronicle
Compass Charter Schools | Options | November 2019
LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Meet Karle Roberts, Options Regional Coordinator
My name is Karle Roberts and I live in the Fresno area with my husband of 18 years and three beautiful children, Preston 10, Peyton, 8, and Presley, 6. I have been in education for 18 years and this is my sixth school year at Compass. I have LOVED being a part of the Compass Family and getting to know my families and colleagues over the years. I truly feel blessed to be a part of such an amazing school! When I am not working I love hanging out with my family and going for bike rides together or taking an early morning jog. We recently moved into the country so we are also very busy working on the property and are slowly renovating our house. My favorite vacation spot is the beach and watching the kids play in the waves.
What's Been Happening in Options?
Options Scholars' Work Samples
Siblings, Karis M. (2nd grader) and Analyn M. (Kindergarten) are proud of their “Happy Sun” art lesson which coincided with their study of light and atmosphere in Science. They painted the Happy Sun. They have also done a lot of map work and Karis has mastery of concepts including maps, and the globe, and can identify and correctly label identify the continents, oceans, equator, and tell directions on the compass rose. Karis has mastery of the meaning of City, State, Country, and Continent, and the difference between City/Municipality/Town/Barangay, and State and Province.
This project was the culmination of understanding his place in the world. Analyn understands the difference between maps and the globe, can identify and name the continents and can identify the difference between continents and oceans. She understands the difference and meaning of City, State, Country, and Continent. This project was the culmination of understanding her place in the world.
An Options Family Story!
This month, we’re featuring the Scalise family! Rachel, a learning coach, shares her family’s homeschooling experience with Compass: Take a moment to get to know their great family:
The Scalise family is a wonderful homeschooling military family. They have overcome many obstacles as a family from medical issues to many military deployments. They have grown stronger together through the consistency of homeschooling while they move around the world continuing to expand upon their studies.
They are currently stationed in Miramar, CA. Mr. Scalise is a pilot for the Marines.
Rachel chose to partner with Compass for their homeschooling journey because she loves her educational facilitator, the Options program and the ability to use her educational funds on amazing classes for her children.
All of the Scalise children are fantastic swimmers. They are in the pool multiple times a week. This allows them to stay in shape while learning great breathing techniques that can be used in all aspects of life.
Their entire family are avid hikers and love to take their love of learning with them while they hike. They have learned the different types of poisonous and non-poisonous plants, native plants and trees and local native animals on their hikes. In addition to hiking, the family loves to ride their bikes together on trails, around town, and to the beach. When they are not hiking or riding their bikes, they volunteer with the local beach clean up organization to help keep the ocean clean for animals and future children. They also volunteer with Mr. Scalise’s squadron around the base and in the community to help local children with their personal needs.
The Scalise family consists of four children, three who are scholars with Compass. They recently added a baby boy to their family named Caleb. Their daughter, Charlotte, loves to draw, swim and bike. She wants to work with lions when she grows up. She has completed many research papers on lions. She even took a behind the scenes tour at the San Diego Zoo to learn more about the lions.
Micah has overcome many obstacles with his epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder. Homeschooling has allowed him to excel in areas of his interests such a Lego design and music. He wants to be a train engineer or master Lego creator when he grows up. Harley is a middle school scholar who loves to read and write. She writes many different stories about imaginary places and characters that can capture the reader quickly. She wants to be an author when she grows up. Harley also volunteers at the Tecolote Canyon Nature Center working with kids and their art projects.
Although this family faces challenges in their lives with deployments and moving, homeschooling has been a constant in their lives that has allowed them to continue to grow.
In their home, they have a saying on their wall that helps Rachel (mom) whenever she feels overwhelmed. It states, “Children are not a distraction from the important work. They are the most important work.” - CS Lewis
Staff Spotlight
Meet Kristin Cirricione, Educational Facilitator
What is your job title and what are a couple of the things you do at Compass Charter Schools? How long have you worked for Compass?
I am an educational facilitator and I have been part of the #CompassFam since the end of September. I am still getting to know each of the homeschooling families that I work with and learning ropes, but I am really enjoying this position. I am looking forward to getting more involved in the future.
Tell us your “why” for doing what you do here at CCS?
This is my first year at Compass, but my seventh year working at a charter school that is not the traditional brick-and-mortar setting. I love that scholars are able to get an education in the way that best fits their learning styles and that families have the flexibility to explore different curricula and teaching methods. It is very fulfilling to be able to support families in their scholars' education.
As an educator, is there a piece of advice you’d like to share with learning coaches or scholars?
Take the time to explore your scholar's passions and the way he/she learns best. Learning can be fun!
Share one thing about you that very few people know?
My undergraduate degree is in journalism because I wanted to be a reporter. I started substitute teaching while I was looking for a job after college, fell in love with teaching and never looked back.
What do you and your family like to do during your free time?
We have four children, so we spend a lot of time playing at the park, practicing sports, reading together and playing board games.
Counseling Services Department
Meet the Director!
Counseling News
Can you believe it’s already November? We have much to be thankful for during this time of year. The counseling team has definitely been enjoying this school year and the many new families that have joined Compass. During the first few months of the school year, we have experienced some new additions to our team, introduced a counseling learning lab, and attended counseling conferences to support the professional development of our team and the services we provide to scholars. We look forward to continuing the momentum throughout the next few months as we near the end of the first semester of the school year!
We had two new additions to our team this year. We are excited to introduce our new counselor, Michelle Bateman! Ms. Bateman is the academic counselor for scholars in middle and high school grades. In addition, Mrs. Schwartzberg, also one of our school counselors, welcomed a baby boy to her family and will be returning to support her scholars after winter break.
In October, we introduced our Counseling Learning Lab. Every Tuesday during these virtual sessions various topics are discussed including academic achievement, social-emotional development, and college/career readiness to provide all scholars with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills appropriate for their developmental level. These learning labs are open to scholars and their learning coaches!
Fall is a busy time of year for school counselors, but we committed sometime away during the month of October for professional growth to better serve our scholar population by attending the California Association of School Counselors Conference, the University of California Counselor Conference, and the California State University Counselor Conference.
Counselor Spotlight
Meet Michelle Bateman, Counselor
What is your job title and job responsibilities at Compass? How long have you worked for this organization?
In my role as a Counselor, I am an advocate and a resource for scholar academic, social, and emotional development. Our team collaboratively supports scholars’ achievement and preparation for post-secondary life through comprehensive school counseling services. I strive to empower lifelong learners with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed for success while highlighting the unique strengths already present in each scholar. In addition, I collaborate and consult with staff in other departments to increase our combined capacity to serve scholars and families. I've been a proud member of the Compass family for the past three months!
Tell us your “why” for doing what you do here at Compass.
I believe all scholars deserve a caring adult in their life and support with developing their sense of awareness, belonging, confidence, and direction. I'm passionate about education and equity. By focusing on finding solutions and working together, I believe we can overcome any obstacle and foster success.
Is there a piece of advice you’d like to share with learning coaches or scholars?
No matter how experienced or knowledgeable you are, there is always something more to learn. It is OK to not know it all! Learning is a lifelong process.
Share one thing about you that very few people know.
Few people know that I worked as a professional scare-actor for six years. Some of my favorite characters to portray were clowns, dolls, and zombies!
What do you and your family like to do during your free time?
My family and I love to travel, play games, watch Netflix, and eat! I also enjoy art, yoga, and cuddles with my dog, Savannah.
Special Education Department
Meet the Director!
Special Education Teacher Spotlight
How long have you been part of the #CompassFam?
Hello! My name is Dawn and I am a Special Education Instructor at Compass. I have been working for Compass since August 2019.
Tell us your “why” for doing what you do here at CCS.
I love teaching in a virtual environment. It allows me to work closely with my scholars and their families to develop goals and educational plans tailored to their unique needs. My favorite part of my job is celebrating all the victories and progress my scholars make and watching their confidence grow with their abilities.
As an educator, is there a piece of advice you’d like to share with learning coaches or scholars?
Think outside the box! Sometimes you have to stand back and look at the problem in a new light to find another approach to teaching a concept.
Share one thing about you very few people know?
I am a huge Harry Potter fan! I have read the books and watched the movies numerous times. My children and I have traveled to see the Wonderful World of Wizarding at Universal City and Orlando and were mesmerized the entire time!
What do you and your family like to do during your free time?
My kids and I are very active. They both play soccer and basketball so their practice schedules take up a lot of our free time. When we are not at practices, we like to run together. We recently ran our first 5K and we can't wait to do another! We also love to read and play board games.
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Compass Charter Schools
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Website: www.compasscharters.org
Location: 850 Hampshire Road, Suite P, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
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