Monday Morning Update
Online Program ~ December 2, 2019
COMPASS SCHOOL NEWS
ASSESSMENTS ~ Welcome back! Scholars are encouraged to get back into the swing of things by taking practice and training tests for the upcoming state assessments:
CAASPP: Log into the Practice and Training Tests on the CAASPP website to practice the computer-based CAASPP tests that are scheduled for March 30 - April 10, 2020.
ELPAC: Scholars designated as English Learners can log into the Practice and Training Tests on the ELPAC website to practice the computer-based ELPAC tests that will begin the first week of February.
AVID TUTORIALS ~ AVID tutorials play an important role in our AVID Elective class because they support scholar achievement in their courses. Tutorials give scholars opportunities to use their knowledge and experience to facilitate learning in small groups, which often leads to increased participation and academic success. Tutorials are designed to develop inquiry skills and promote academic collaboration. This collaborative process helps scholars learn to ask questions about their learning and the learning of others, which can promote higher-level thinking and problem-solving. For more information about our AVID Elective course, contact Jason Bee, AVID Coordinator, at jbee@compasscharters.org.
BLOG ~ Homeschooling parents understand the importance of being involved in their child’s education, and they’re most likely not willing to give up their involvement even as their children grow older. Read our latest blog for a great option for homeschooling families when the curriculum becomes too complex!
CCS NEWS ~ In case you missed it, the second issue of the Compass Chronicle has been published! Check out the quarterly newsletter to see what scholars are up to, meet wonderful staff members and learn about the exciting things happening at CCS!
COFFEE WITH COMPASS ~ Coffee with Compass returns this month, with stops in San Diego (Tuesday, December 10) and Winters (Thursday, December 19). Visit ParentSquare to learn more and to RSVP!
ENERGY BUS TIP OF THE WEEK ~ Make a conscious effort to find the good in people! Everyone has their flaws, but if you focus on that you will miss out on the good in the people around you!
GIVING TUESDAY ~ #GivingTuesday, celebrated tomorrow, Tuesday, December 3, is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. #GivingTuesday kicks off the charitable season when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving. One of the best ways to get involved is in your own community, your Compass community! Give today to help us expand and enhance our engagement opportunities!
ONLINE HANDBOOK HIGHLIGHT ~ The end of the semester will be here before we know it! With just over six weeks remaining, don’t forget that “no extensions are provided and all end dates are final” (pg. 28). To ensure successful completion of your courses by January 29th, please stay on pace and reach out to your teachers if you need support! Also, remember that the nature of our online program provides you with an opportunity to play catch up on weekends and over our Winter Break! Let us know how we can help!
PARENT TOWN HALL ~ December is the month that we are hosting our second quarterly Superintendent's Town Hall for the Online Learning Program! Learn more and RSVP through our ParentSquare calendar!
K-8 SCHOOL NEWS
ELEMENTARY LEARNING LABS ~ Check out our Online K-5 Website to find out what exciting things are happening in online elementary this week!
ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
HOW DO I INCREASE MY GRADE? ~ Scholars may find that although they are completing their work, their grade does not increase or change much. This is due, in part, to the weighted grade categories. Scholars can find these weights and categories on the right side of their grade book. Remember, projects and exams are worth more in the course. If scholars want to increase their grade, they can double-check to ensure these assignments are completed and submitted. If you have questions, please contact the course teacher.
ONLINE SAFETY ~ During the week of December 2, scholars will be participating in digital citizenship lessons for online safety in each learning lab. The entire online team hopes that learning coaches and scholars will review these lessons and discuss digital citizenship. Our hope is for it to open an honest conversation about online practices and any changes families need to put into place.
COUNSELING SERVICES
FEATURED COUNSELING SERVICES LESSON
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL BODY IMAGE: TAKING THE FILTER OFF
Scholars in grades 6-12 are invited to join Mrs. Ayala next Tuesday, December 10 from 12:00-1:00 pm for a virtual lesson about healthy body images. This lesson will discuss the different types of eating disorders that individuals can potentially be challenged with, the different causes of eating disorder development, ways youth can cope with an eating disorder, and resources for youth and families dealing with an eating disorder. Additionally, we will look at how body image standards in modern society affect our self-worth, and how we can overcome those pressures and be happy and healthy!
Enjoy a detailed list of Fall 2019 helpful college and career planning resources for middle and high school scholars.
EXCEPTIONAL SCHOLAR SERVICES
FEATURED ARTICLE ~ Our learning coaches are invited to read 15 Ways to Teach Better Organization to Kids with ADHD to learn how teachers and parents can help children with ADHD master better organization and time-management skills at school and at home.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Upcoming Engagement Event Registration Deadlines
*Note deadlines may be several days prior to the actual event*
Monday, December 2 - Firebird Freetime Contest Begins
Thursday, December 5 - Virtual Scholar Workshop - Winter Baking with Household Items (December 5 Event)
Friday, December 6 - (OC) Christmas Carol Performance (December 19 Event)
Friday, December 6 - (LA) LA Clippers AVID Night (February 3 Event)
Friday, December 13 - (LA) Traditional Equitation School (December 20th Event)
Friday, December 13 - (LA) Discovery Cube (January 6th Event)
Friday, December 13 - (LA) The Gentle Barn (January 8th Event)
Friday, December 13 - (SB) The Sawdust Factory (January 15th Event)
Friday, December 13 - (SA) Powerhouse Science Center (January 22nd Event)
Friday, December 13th - (MA) WildCare Center Tour (February 13th Event)
HOW TO REGISTER
*Note RSVP'ing on ParentSquare is not registering to attend the event*
· Click on “Calendar” within ParentSquare
· Locate the calendar item that corresponds with the event that you’d like to attend
· Read all details and follow “Instructions to Register Scholars & Guests”
ENGAGEMENT NEWS
CONTEST SPOTLIGHT ~ Share your favorite hobbies with Compass! Enter Our Firebird Free-Time Contest! We want to see the hobbies that our scholars enjoy! Scholars may even inspire a fellow classmate to try something new! Entries are accepted until Friday, December 20. Click here to learn more about this contest!
CLUB SPOTLIGHT ~ The Computer Code Club is a club for middle and high school scholars interested in computer science including web design, app design, and video game design. Using Code.org and other sites, scholars learn the fundamentals of computer science in a fun and interactive way. The club members are at all different levels with their computer code skills, so anyone can join...from beginners to experts! During the monthly meetings, scholars share their creations, ideas and tips while working on a Code.org lesson together. If your scholar is interested in a future career in technology, video game design, or any type of web design or computer programming, this is the club for them! To learn more about this club or any of our other Scholar Clubs, please visit the “Parents & Scholars” section of our CCS website.
EVENT SPOTLIGHT ~ Join us for the Eco-Charter program, a 2-hour voyage in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta at the Marine Science Institute on Tuesday, January 7! Scholars will experience a fishing trawl, a sediment sample collection, and a plankton tow with microscope identification. Scholars will also learn about boat safety, and experience close interaction with sea life! Registrations are currently open for this field trip and will close next Friday, December 13 (or whenever the available spots are reserved, whichever date comes first).
TALENT SHOW WINNERS ~ Thank you to all who attended and participated in our Fall Scholar Talent Show! It was a blast seeing such a wide range of our scholars’ talents and we are excited to announce our top two performances! In no particular order, we would like to acknowledge Thasya and Justin-Daniel (JD) as our top two performances for our 2019 Fall Scholar Talent Show! Congratulations to our top performers as well as all of our scholars who shared their incredible talents with us!
Compass Charter Schools
- Ashley Daugherty, Online K-8 Coordinator, at adaugherty@compasscharters.org.
- Janae Smith, Online High School Coordinator, at jsmith@compasscharters.org.
- Erin Smith, Director of Online Learning, at esmith@compasscharters.org.
Email: info@compasscharters.org
Website: www.compasscharters.org
Location: 850 Hampshire Road, Suite P, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
Phone: 855-937-4227
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CompassCS/
Twitter: @CompassCS