Monday Morning Update
Options Program - February 10, 2020
COMPASS & OPTIONS SCHOOL NEWS
ACADEMIC SUPPORT SESSIONS ~ We have many exciting new Academic Support Sessions being offered during the month of February! All Options scholars are invited to participate using the links provided:
* CAASPP Math Prep for Middle and High School Scholars with Mrs. Heather Hathaway
Scholars in Grades 6-12
Tuesday, February 18th @ 11 am
https://compasscharters.adobeconnect.com/academicworkshops/
* Holocaust and Resistance with Ms. Rebecca Jacobs
Scholars in Grade 10
Wednesday Feb. 12, 26, and March 11 @ 10 - 10:50am
https://compasscharters.adobeconnect.com/academicworkshops/
* Read Aloud - The Gingerbread Baby with Mrs. Danielle Arnheiter
Scholars in Grades TK-2
Friday, February 21 @ 2:30
https://compasscharters.adobeconnect.com/academicworkshops/
To see recordings of any previous support sessions, please click here.
ASSESSMENTS ~ The Physical Fitness Test (PFT) window is now open!
You should receive an email this week from your EF with more information about this test. This health-related fitness test, developed by the Cooper Institute, is intended to help scholars acquire lasting habits of regular physical activity. We believe the physical fitness of our scholars is important to their overall academic success, and in accordance with our mission and vision, believe physical fitness will help prepare scholars for their future success.
Please contact your EF if you have any questions about PFT.
AVID ~ The AVID Program (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. The mission of AVID focuses on providing access to four-year colleges and career-readiness support for scholars, so that they are prepared for life after high school.
* Weekly AVID Support Sessions - Middle and High School with Mr. Jason Bee
CCS Learning Coaches and Scholars in Grades 6-12
Mondays @ 1 pm
https://compasscharters.adobeconnect.com/ccscpr/
Weekly academic resources and support based on the AVID College and Career Readiness Program. Strategies will focus on AVID’s WICOR (writing, collaboration, organization, and reading) elements.
* Weekly AVID Support Sessions - Elementary School with Mr. Jason Bee
CCS Learning Coaches and Scholars in Grades K-5
Wednesdays @ 1 pm
https://compasscharters.adobeconnect.com/ccscpr/
Weekly academic resources and support based on the AVID College and Career Readiness Program. Strategies will focus on AVID’s WICOR (writing, collaboration, organization, and reading) elements.
COFFEE WITH COMPASS ~ Coffee with Compass returns this week with a stop in Simi Valley (tomorrow, Tuesday, February 11). Visit ParentSquare to learn more and to RSVP!
ENERGY BUS TIP OF THE WEEK ~ Take a moment to let your family members know you appreciate them. Also, don’t forget to check out this week’s Make a Difference Monday Message from the Energy Bus!
OPTIONS HANDBOOK HIGHLIGHT ~ Vendors: Vendors have gone through an application and approval process to be on our list of approved vendors. For service vendors, we require them to complete an application form, provide proof of liability insurance, submit a W-9, and complete a fingerprint background check since they will be working with your children. Requesting Services and Materials: Order requests may only be made for products and services from our approved vendors, and a signed Family Order Agreement must be on file in order for material orders to be placed. Furthermore, there are guidelines to determine what materials and services are approved by these approved vendors. CCS expects learning coaches to use instructional funds in a reasonable manner that furthers the instructional needs of their scholar. If any unusual orders are noted outside the scope of these guidelines, they will be subject to review and, if necessary, those orders may be delayed or denied. When using instructional funds, the focus should be on selecting materials and services that support the educational goals of the scholar. The Educational Facilitator will assist with suggested curricula as needed. There is also a guide of acceptable purchases that will be provided. The learning coach submits an order request to the EF who then reviews it and, if approved, submits it to the Vendor Department for ordering. When the appropriateness of requested materials or services is in doubt, the EF and the Vendor Department will evaluate using their best professional judgment. Generally, any decision made at this level is final.
PARENT TOWN HALL ~ February is the month that we are hosting our third quarterly Superintendent's Town Hall for the Online Learning Program! We will share exciting updates on our 2020-21 program during this Town Hall. Learn more and RSVP through our ParentSquare calendar!
SUBSCRIPTION FEEDBACK SURVEY ~ Want to have a say in the subscriptions we offer next year? We are evaluating our subscription package for the 2020-21 school year and would love to have your input! Please take the time to complete this brief survey by Monday, February 24.
TESTING PREPAREDNESS MONTH ~ February is our school-wide testing preparedness month. Compass is on a mission to increase scholars’ participation rates in state testing and increase overall testing scores. This month-long initiative meant to inform scholars and learning coaches about the importance and benefits of test participation. The final goal is to increase our participation rates and to simultaneously improve our scholars’ scores.
Scholars can participate in Virtual Workshops:
Tuesday, February 18 at 12 pm
Subject: Combating Test Anxiety, presented by our Counseling Services Department
Thursday, February 20 at 12 pm
Subject: Test Prep Workshop, presented by Arris S. and Elaine A. & Monique G. & Erin T.
VENDOR NEWS
VENDOR REVIEW FORM ~ We have created a new form to collect feedback on our approved vendors. If you have feedback on any of our approved vendors that you would like to share with our Vendor Relations Department, please complete our new Vendor Review Form, which will be reviewed on a regular basis.
Northern California
Contra Costa County
Gianatiempo Fine Art (Martinez)
Mulatto Meadows (Pinole)
Performing Academy (Lafayette)
Sonoma County
Unfold Your Creative Spirit Studio (Cotati)
Ralene A. Stine (Healdsburg)
Materials
HiGASFY Productions (Art History)
Child Diagnostics, Inc.
COUNSELING NEWS
SPRING 2020: COURSE CHANGE REQUESTS SPRING 2020
Please review your Spring 2020 course schedule. The deadline to request any schedule changes will be Friday, February 21. Please use this form to submit the schedule change to your counselor for approval.
A-F | Gabby Ayala | gayala@compasscharters.org
G-L | Jacob Samples | jsamples@compasscharters.org
M-R | Mandy Schwartzberg | aschwartzberg@compasscharters.org
S-Z | Michelle Bateman | mbateman@compasscharters.org
FEATURED COUNSELING SERVICES LESSONS
Middle & High School - “Let’s Get Organized” - Tuesday, February 11 - 12-1 pm
Begin the spring semester with this workshop that will provide an opportunity for scholars to take an executive functioning assessment, participate in creating an individualized daily schedule and practicing how to spot disorganization. Please join Ms. Bateman and Ms. Olson in the Counseling Learning Lab to learn more about being organized.
Middle and High School - "Combating Test Anxiety" - Tuesday, February 18 from 12-1 pm
Test anxiety is a prevalent, common, and normal experience that scholars face when asked to perform on a test. It can stem from many places- such as poor past experiences, a lack of preparation, and many other unknowns that come with the testing environment. The good news is that there are techniques to help identify the testing anxiety triggers and potentially even alleviate, or at least cope, with those uncomfortable feelings. With state testing around the corner, we invite you to attend our workshop on how to cope with testing anxiety. Please join Mrs. Ayala and Mr. Samples in the Counseling Learning Lab to learn more about combating test anxiety.
Enjoy a detailed list of Spring 2020 helpful college and career planning resources for middle and high school scholars.
EXCEPTIONAL SCHOLAR SERVICES
California governor proposes nearly $1 billion to tackle teacher preparation, shortages. Next year's budget to include investments in special ed, community schools anticipating nearly $4 billion more in revenue for K-12 schools and community colleges in the next state budget, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday proposed to continue massive investments for teacher recruitment and training and for transforming special education.
He also proposed spending hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to improve performance in the lowest-performing districts and to expand community schools, which address the physical and mental health of students through partnerships with community services. Read the full article here.
FIELD TRIPS & EVENTS
Upcoming Engagement Event Registration Deadlines
*Note deadlines may be several days prior to the actual event*
Thursday, February 13 ~ Virtual Scholar Workshop - Hip Hop Dance (February 13 Event)
Friday, February 14 ~ (SD) Oasis Camel Dairy (February 24 Event)
Friday, February 14 ~ (OC) Bowers Museum (February 28 Event)
Friday, February 14 ~ (KE) Calm Zoo (March 11 Event)
Friday, February 14 ~ (SD) LEGOLAND (March 13 Event)
Friday, February 14 ~ (SD) Deering Banjo Factory Tour (February 18 Event)
Friday, February 14 ~ Deadline to sign up for the last cohort of Learning Coach Academy
Friday, February 21 - (CC) Black Diamond Geology Tour (March 5 Event)
Friday, February 21 - (MA) Bay Model Journey (March 11 Event)
Friday, February 21 - (CC) Paradise Skate (March 12 Event)
Friday, February 21 - (AL) Oakland Zoo (March 17 Event)
Friday, February 21 - (RV) Alpaca Hacienda (March 24 Event)
ENGAGEMENT NEWS
EVENT SPOTLIGHT ~ Join us on Monday, February 24 for our field trip to Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, CA! Scholars will enjoy learning about camels at the Oasis Camel Dairy! Our trip will begin with a 30-minute show presentation, followed by a tour of the dairy where we will meet camels and other animals living there! Registration is currently open and closes this Friday, February 14. Click here to learn more and sign up!
VIRTUAL EVENT SPOTLIGHT ~ Get your mid-day groove on at our Virtual Scholar Workshop about Hip Hop Dance this Thursday, February 13. This workshop is open to all scholars of all dance levels and is hosted by our very own Engagement Specialist and advisor of the Dance Club, Danielle D.! This fun workshop will focus on stretching, basic hip hop movements, and choreography. Whether you’re a beginner dancer or a seasoned pro, this workshop will be loads of fun for everyone! Click here to learn more and sign up!
CLUB SPOTLIGHT ~ The Performing Arts Club for Middle School and High School scholars is a journey into the field of movie productions, theatre, and various new forms of media story-telling available in our world today. Explore the master, Shakespeare, by viewing one of his plays and then discussing and determining what makes him "great". Enjoy different types of dance and music with other scholars, viewing impressive professional performances and sharing your own creations with each other. Learn about the different careers associated with performance and stage production. Become part of a community that values what you value and wants to openly share experiences and stories from the world of performing arts. Delve into the world of script and screenplay writing and how to turn your vision of action into a movie-style production or a theatrical stage show. Get connected to people working in the industry right now and learn about their daily professional life. Learn about education in the performing arts and post-secondary career options at universities and local institutions that may assist you in your dreams of having a performing arts career. There is so much to learn and explore, come join this club today! To learn more about this club or any of our other Scholar Clubs, please visit the “Parents & Scholars” section of our CCS website.
Compass Charter Schools
- Kristy Smith, Director of Options Learning, at ksmith@compasscharters.org
- Karle Roberts, Options Regional Coordinator at kroberts@compasscharters.org
- Laura Harvey, Options Regional Coordinator at lharvey@compasscharters.org
- Michelle Vreeman, Options Regional Coordinator at mvreeman@compasscharters.org
- Sharlie Walker, Options Regional Coordinator at swalker@compasscharters.org
- Ruth Chavez-Rivera, Options Regional Coordinator at rchavezrivera@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