Welcome Summer!
Dear Compass Families,
As the 2021-22 school year comes to a close, I am reminded of all the incredible work Compass scholars, learning coaches, teachers, and staff have accomplished this school year! I want to extend a special congratulations to our graduating seniors, who were celebrated during our in-person and live-streamed ceremonies in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Yolo last week, June 14-16. It was a privilege to celebrate our scholars’ achievements in person!
We have many things to celebrate this school year! We celebrated Compass Charter Schools 10 year anniversary on Thursday, October 28! My blog, ‘A Word from Our Superintendent,’ featured many anniversary celebration opportunities. We reflected on our commemorative FlipGrid, hosted a social media campaign, wore Compass colors on our monthly Spirit Day, and enjoyed Panda Express during our Virtual Community Fundraiser.
There were so many achievements to celebrate this year at Compass. Compass of Los Angeles, San Diego, and Yolo were designated as Purple Star Schools by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. Ascend Education named Compass as a 2022 Ascend Math Gold Medal School. And, Compass was awarded three awards, one in excellence and two in merit, from the California School Public Relations Association (CalSPRA).
We celebrated graduating scholars Alexys Vivian, Hannah Smith, Miavalery Alvarez Becerra, Christian Carter, KristiLynn Effie, and Lyric Hearne-Hooker, named recipients of the Loud and Proud Scholarships and the Rising Firebird scholarships for the 2021-22 school year! We also celebrated our Learning Coach of the Year Awards; congratulations to Jack Ayers Alexei, Sarah Carney, Maryse Bonniwell, Jessica Yglesias, Jennifer Simoni, and Marcie Franich for being recognized as Learning Coaches of the Year!
Congratulations to our 2021-22 Employees of the Year, Karle Roberts, Options Coordinator – Certificated Employee of the Year, and Vanessa Beyer, Outreach Coordinator – Classified Employee of the Year, for receiving this honor. And congratulations to Beth Foster, Middle School Math Teacher, for being named overall Teacher of the Year! Please join us in celebrating and thanking these exceptional individuals for all they do to support our school to ensure the Compass Experience fulfills Compass’s mission, vision, and values!
Our Board of Directors has guided our work, asking insightful questions and providing guidance and direction, all with the notion of putting our scholars first and supporting them along their educational journeys. We are also supported by a fantastic Parent Advisory Council and Scholar Leadership Council. The support of both councils and our board, combined with our scholars’ excellent work ethic, learning coaches, teachers, and staff, have made for a truly successful year!
The upcoming 2022-23 school year promises even more advancements at Compass. Many advances are coming down the pipeline, including alignment with our new Framework for the Future! I want to assure our families that our passion, integrity, and transparency will remain consistent. Our top priority has always been to provide our scholars and learning coaches with a positive, engaging, and memorable experience at Compass.
Thank you for a great year! I hope you enjoy your summer, and I look forward to welcoming scholars, families, and staff back to Compass this fall!
Forever Loud & Proud,
J.J. Lewis, Superintendent & CEO
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What is new in AVID?
AVID Elective Scholars worked hard this semester on their Community Service Project for a need they found in their community. In this project, the scholars collaborated on ideas of different community needs and formulated their personal Mission Statement and “why” for the project. In addition, they used their reading, writing, and inquiry skills as they organized different components of the project, including expenses, benefits, needs, and action steps, gathered feedback, and learned how to “pitch” their ideas to others. This project incorporated all the components of WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) and gave rigorous opportunity to use their creativity and scholar voice. Scholars shared their ideas and presentations on May 25.
Meet Mr. Samples!
I am a School Counselor here at Compass. I am responsible for managing my scholars’ Academic Planning and Social/Emotional Wellness and acting as an advocate for both my scholars and families. I do this by utilizing individualized and small-group counseling and creating and delivering both academic and SEL curriculum via our weekly learning labs.
Tell us your “why” for doing what you do here at Compass.
I have always seen this stage of a young person’s life as one of the most critical and exciting parts of their life, where every choice made is an important one that can change the trajectory of their future. So, I consider it an honor and a privilege to be part of that journey with them every day.
As a counselor, is there a piece of advice you’d like to share with learning coaches or scholars?
My advice would be to take things one day at a time, and when things feel overwhelming, stay present on your journey as much as possible. Young adults experience so much personal change and growth at this time in their life, so keeping lines of communication open between not only scholars and parents but also between scholars and all stakeholders is so vital for success and a smoother ride through school.
Share one thing about you that very few people know.
One thing about me that many don’t know is that I am a foster parent.
What do you and your family like to do during your free time?
My family and I love to spend time at Knotts Berry Farm with our season passes when we get the chance, and we love heading out to Oceanside for the day to get some sun, ocean breeze, and good food.
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Learning Coach Academy!
Our learning coaches have been having a great time attending our weekly live Learning Coach Academy sessions! They’ve learned some helpful Google Drive tips and tricks, how to incorporate a growth mindset into their scholars’ daily learning, and how to utilize our amazing Engagement Department offerings!
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Compass Charter Schools is a non-profit charter school. Your donation helps enhance and expand the Compass Experience for our scholars, learning coaches, and staff.
The easiest way to give is online at https://www.compasscharters.org/giving/.
If you can make a gift, the Compass family will benefit greatly.
Do not forget to check if your company will match your donation to Compass. It is an excellent way to SUPER-SIZE your donation! Thank you!
Compass Charter Schools
