Compass Chronicle
Online High School | Winter 2018
Happy New Year!
With a new year, often we make new resolutions. As the High School Team starts 2018, our resolution is to continue to put our scholars first and follow our mission to “inspire and develop innovative, creative, self-directed learners, one scholar at a time.” As we look towards the end of semester 1, teachers are continuing to work one on one with scholars, getting them ready for semester finals in Learning Labs and creating individual plans to help scholars finish the semester strong. As a team, we know our great high school scholars will continue to work hard and finish the semester on top!
Looking ahead at semester 2, we will continue to provide our scholars with various opportunities. Our scholars who participate in National Honors Society will be invited to attend an Induction Ceremony and Dinner in early March. Our ninth-grade scholars will be preparing for the Physical Fitness Test, while our eleventh-graders practice and prepare for SBAC testing in the spring. Our science team is continuing to coordinate our in-person a-g science wet labs for semester 2 Biology, Chemistry, and Physics classes. Plus, our seniors, our amazing Class of 2018, are busy preparing for graduation!
The High School team is looking forward to working with our terrific scholars and families and is excited to continue working to ensure success!
Sincerely,
Janae Smith, High School Coordinator
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Scholar Projects & Assignments
- Scholar Spotlights
- Staff Spotlights
- Counseling
- Share Your Story
SCHOLAR PROJECTS & ASSIGNMENTS
Take a look at what our scholars have been working on!
Our ninth-grade scholars continue to shine in their AVID elective course. In December, our AVID scholars attended the AVID Leadership Conference at California State University, Long Beach. During the conference, scholars and their families were able to tour the campus and ask questions about college life. After the tour and conference, they were able to cheer on the Long Beach 49ers basketball team during an exciting game.
In Mr. Bee’s World History class, scholars worked hard to research the effects of the Agricultural Revolution.
Scholars in Mr. Spink’s science class spent time learning how to make rock candy.
SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT
This month we're featuring the McHale Family.
Jonathan McHale is a twelfth-grade scholar at CCS.
CCS: We know that often with our scholars each day is different, but what would a typical day look like for you and your scholar?
Learning Coach: John starts his school day around 9:00 in the morning when he logs onto the CCS site and checks into the assignments for the day. He usually concentrates on completing one assignment before moving on to the next. He takes a break for lunch and continues working until mid-afternoon. He attends his weekly Learning Labs and enjoys interacting with the teachers and other scholars.
What has been your greatest joy in schooling your scholar at home?
Learning Coach: My greatest joy in schooling John at home has been the ease in which school work is completed without stress and the flexible schedule that allows our family to have more time together. I also love being in the position to learn new things every day and relearn things that I’ve forgotten over the years. I feel closer to the teachers and staff, as well as the school administration than I ever felt with those of my previous four children who attended both public and private brick and mortar schools. I have found the CCS teachers to be extremely knowledgeable, professional, personable, empathetic, and willing to take the time to help in every way possible.
Learning Coach: I can’t think of a significant challenge that I have had to overcome. The whole experience has been one of joy and freedom to live life without school regulations strangling and smothering our family.
Why did you decide to school from home with Compass Charter Schools?
Learning Coach: The main reason for choosing Compass Charter Schools is for the flexibility in completing assignments and the range of subjects offered, as well as the ability to pursue topics of interest. One of the highlights that made me choose Compass over other online schools is the opportunity for social interaction with other scholars and parents through the diverse and interesting field trips offered.
Share a piece of advice you’d give to a parent thinking about schooling at home.
Learning Coach: Schooling at home offers a less stressful environment for both scholars and their parents while still being afforded the same opportunities available in brick and mortar schools. I highly recommend schooling at home to any parent wanting the best education for their child.
What do you, your scholar, and the family enjoy doing together during your free time?
Learning Coach: We enjoy going to the movies, visiting museums, hiking, traveling, and just spending time together.
STAFF SPOTLIGHTS
David Spink, a High School Science Teacher at CCS.
CCS: What are your primary job responsibilities, and what is your background in education?
David: My primary role is to instruct and support high school scholars in their science course. I have eight years of teaching experience, four of which have been in an online environment. I also have a master's degree in secondary education.
CCS: What are some of your school-related goals for 2018?
David: I have a strong desire to continue learning as an adult by being a successful educator. I enjoy teaching my knowledge to my scholars. My other goal is to spark inquisitive minds and instill a love of learning in my scholars.
CCS: Do you have any advice for our scholars?
David: My advice to scholars is to be persistent and continue to work hard in everything you do because that will lead you to success.
CCS: Can you share one thing about yourself that very few people know:
David: One thing about myself that most people do not know is that I am an artist when I am not teaching. In high school, I received various awards for portrait drawings that I had created. I enjoy playing games and being active outdoors with my family.
Tracy Shield, an Elective Teacher at CCS.
Ms. Tracy, as her scholars know her, is the CCS HS Elective Instructor. Ms. Tracy has been with Compass for three years. She believes her purpose as an educator “is to be that piece of a child's life puzzle that helps them succeed. Without my part, they may have missed something very necessary to move forward in life.” The advice she has for learning coaches is “to just be there. Don't assume that your child is doing what they should be doing. We cannot place adult responsibilities on children. We must surrender to this position and make sure to be as actively involved as they need.” One thing that many people do not realize about Ms. Tracy is that she is 50 years old and that her grandmother raised her from birth. When she is not busy supporting scholars in her elective classes, Ms. Tracy surrounds herself with her family and loves to lay around, crack jokes, and laugh.
COUNSELING
Happy New Year to all from the Counseling Team!
This time of year signals the end of Semester 1, and our team has been working tirelessly behind the scenes preparing for Semester 2 with final details and pre-loading courses for scholars. Additionally, while the bulk of college application season is through, we are still deep into financial aid application season as the March 2nd deadline draws near. Our team continues to support scholars with various records and document requests, as well as financial aid application assistance. We are looking forward to hearing from scholars regarding college acceptance letters as they arrive in the spring!
October and November saw a great deal of college, career, and academic activities and presentations that many learning coaches and scholars were able to enjoy by attending the live sessions or receiving the recordings. We will continue to provide these valuable resources via our department presentations and our College and Career Success Cafes. We invite all of our scholars to contact their counselor for more information.
Lastly, in December our department delivered an internal presentation to our school staff about the topic of Suicide Prevention. Considering the prevalence of adolescent suicide in our culture, our goal is to ensure that our staff knows what to do if such a situation presented itself. Our team values the privilege to continue to support our Compass scholars, families, and staff.
As civil rights pioneer Harriet Tubman once said, “Every dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” As your school counseling team, we are here to help you explore your dreams and discover how to achieve them. Reach out via phone, text, email, or video conference and talk to us soon. Remember to make every day great!
~ Counseling Services Team
Counseling News
Congratulations to our scholars Alexia, Helena, and Amber, who were nominated for consideration of the Carson Scholars Fund scholarship. Our entire counseling team worked collaboratively to nominate three scholars, one from each of our schools - Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Nominations were based on scholar service to their community in addition to their academic excellence (minimum 3.75-grade point average). If awarded, each scholar stands to receive a $1,000 college scholarship for their future studies.
This February, the Counseling Department also looks forward to celebrating the 2018 National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association. This special week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping scholars achieve school success and plan for a career. Please join us in celebrating the week starting next Monday, February 5 through Friday, February 9.
We highly encourage our families to visit our website and view a variety of helpful college and career preparation resources for scholars.
Family Spotlight
Our journey to California from Texas really began in 2016 after my husband’s passing. I suppose you can say we are a military family, with my late husband serving in the U.S. Army many years ago, and my daughter serving as a 1st Class Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. My daughter’s involvement in the military is actually what brought us to California.
Having the flexibility of online schooling has been a great benefit for my son, John McHale, as he explores his post-high school options. John had the opportunity to travel this past November/December to Hawaii to meet the USS Nimitz, a naval supercarrier returning from operations in the middle east. John is considering joining the military as one of his post-high school options, and being able to travel onboard the ship for a week as it returned to the San Diego naval base was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has aided him in narrowing down a decision as to what he wants to do after he graduates high school in June 2018. He spent the better part of his time observing and assisting with missile launcher maintenance and repair duties in the shop, which was an invaluable experience for him.
While onboard the ship, there was no access to Internet or phone for national security reasons which meant 8 days on the ship without the ability to do school work. Staying on top of his school work definitely required some creativity and sacrifices on John’s part while on this trip. He completed as much work as he possibly could in the hotel room at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, while waiting for the ship to arrive, as well as working hard to catch up with work upon his return.
I’m so glad we chose Compass Charter Schools! The flexibility in completing assignments and the range of subjects offered, as well as the ability to pursue topics of interest are all reasons that brought us here. One of the highlights that made me choose Compass over other online schools is the opportunity for social interaction with other scholars and parents through the diverse and interesting field trips offered. My family’s experience with Compass has been great so far as I feel closer to the teachers, staff, and administration - more than those of my previous 4 children who attended both public and private brick-and-mortar schools. We are happy to be here.
Staff Spotlight
This month we are featuring Mr. Jacob Samples, School Counselor at CCS.
CCS: What are your primary job responsibilities?
Mr. Samples: My responsibilities as a school counselor involve providing support in academic planning and decision making, college and career exploration, and social-emotional wellness for our scholars, families, and faculty.
CCS: Can you share a little bit about your background in education and counseling?
Mr. Samples:I started out years ago as a program leader for an afterschool program called Think Together while I was completing my Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies at California State at Fullerton. I then earned my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University at Los Angeles and moved to Palm Springs, CA to work at a community mental health clinic. I went back to school at the University of Redlands to receive my Pupil Personnel Services Credential for School Counseling while working at the Edison Academy for Differentiated Learning in Ontario, CA as a counselor for grades K-8.
CCS: What is your favorite thing about working at CCS?
Mr. Samples: I truly enjoy the challenge of connecting with scholars and families in a virtual setting, and watching them progress through the program. It is gratifying to see scholars gain confidence as they become more comfortable in their independent learning roles at CCS.
CCS: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Mr. Samples: My passion is theater arts. I love acting when I have time outside of my role as a school counselor. Additionally, I love to spend time with family and friends, and I love to travel and explore new places when I have the time!
SHARE YOUR STORY
Compass Charter Schools
Email: info@compasscharters.org
Website: www.compasscharters.org
Location: 850 Hampshire Road, Suite P, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CompassCS/
Twitter: @CompassCS
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