The Compass Notes
Compass Elementary Parent Newsletter
November 20th, 2020
District Virtual Learning Days - 11/23/20-11/24/20
Due to the shift to virtually learning that the district communicated yesterday evening, we want to share some information that you will, hopefully, find beneficial in this endeavor:
- If your family does not have enough devices for your student(s) to use, please fill out the Elementary Technology Device Opt-In Form. This will allow us to send home a Chromebook and charger home with your student(s). We need to use this form as we don't have enough devices in our building for all of our students. If your family does not have access to internet, please notify our office at 816-858-0172. It is essential that if you are receiving a Chromebook for your student that it is returned when we come back to school on the 30th as we rely on these for learning in the building.
- Regarding devices, if you were a late request for Chromebook we will do our best to get it out today. If not, we will have it ready for you to pick up on Monday. If you requested a Chromebook and your child did not bring one home this afternoon, please call the office on Monday and arrange for pick up.
- Please check with your student(s) that they have all proper log-ins for their device and programs. Your child's teacher will also be working to make sure that students have this information as well.
- If you are having technology issues please notify your child's teacher first. As a second step, we will have office staff available to answer the phone to assist with where to direct questions regarding technology. The number for Compass is 816-858-0172.
- You child's teacher will, most likely, be sending home resources to be used for our virtual learning days. Please be on the lookout for these materials this afternoon and tomorrow.
- Please monitor your email for communication from your child's teacher as they will be communicating what learning will look like on the 23rd and 24th. You will be receiving Smore Newsletters from your child's teacher in preparation for these dates.
- Below is a schedule for how learning will occur on these days. Your child's teacher will provide a schedule for what contents (i.e. math, reading, writing, etc.) will take place within these times. Additionally, they will provide your child with links to Google Meets for instruction for core content areas. These links will be provided through the Google Classroom.
- Specials teachers will use their Google Classroom to provide a pre-recorded instruction for their time. We are only asking students to take part in their regularly scheduled special for that particular day. (Their teacher will identify what their special is in their schedule on the Google Classroom)
- Staff will do their best to record lessons so if students are unable to watch the live lesson through Google Meet they may still be able to watch the recording of the lesson through a provided link on the Google Classroom. We will do our best in this regard, and ask for your understanding as this will be an area of new learning for our staff.
Please know that the idea behind this is progress, and not perfection and that we will be doing our best to ensure that our students receive a meaningful learning experience even though they are not in-person. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to your teacher or the office. (The number at Compass is 816-858-0172.)
We hope that you and your family have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving holiday!
How to use Google Meet - Helpful Tips
Before Monday morning, students will need to:
- Download the Google Classroom and Google Meet Apps.
- Sign into the Google Meet app using their student Gmail login information (this is the same information they use to login to a Chromebook).
- Have the Google Meeting ID (that you will provide them).
Please watch the attached video (below) for more information on how to find the Meeting ID in your Google Classroom.
Additionally, we want to provide information on how to access the Google Classroom and Google Meets from a home computer (i.e. PC or Mac). Please see the additional video below for guidance on this.
Feedback for P/T Conferences
Again, here is the link for the Fall Virtual P/T Conference Feedback Form.
Car Rider Dismissal- Rotation of Car Tag Numbers
We want to continue to thank all of our families for your help in the car rider dismissal process. This process has been going very well, and has allowed our families to quickly and efficiently pick up their student(s). As mentioned in September, we want to offer an equitable process throughout the year as a whole for the time that families can move through the dismissal line. We would like to begin this rotation on Monday, November 30th. Again, thank you for your support as you in this process, we sincerely appreciate it!
The following will be the schedule for Second Quarter: (December & January)
- Families with car rider tags 36-70 arrive at Compass no earlier than 3:35 pm.
- Families with car rider tags 71-105 arrive at Compass no earlier than 3:40 pm.
- Families with car rider tags numbered higher than 105 arrive at Compass no earlier than 3:45 pm.
- Families with car rider tags 1-35 arrive at Compass no earlier than 3:50 pm.
Leader in Me Newsletter (Below) **Please click on the image to access links within it!
Virtual Guest Readers at Compass
Notes from the District
Please Complete the PCR-3 Parent Survey by December 4
The Platte County School District is conducting its annual parent survey to gather feedback on strengths of the district, as well as areas to consider for growth. We want to make sure every parent is heard so we can make meaningful improvements in our District and schools.
If you have not already, we ask that you complete the survey by clicking on the link below. If you have more than one student, please be sure to answer those questions for each building. The survey should take approximately fifteen minutes or less to complete. Thank you in advance for your feedback!
Parent Survey Link
Now Hiring: Substitutes
We are hiring substitute teachers! You pick your schedule - short and long term positions, as well as pre-scheduled and on-call positions are available.
- Long-Term Substitute: $18.67 per hour (after completion of 5 consecutive days on same job)
- On-Call Substitute: $15.33 per hour (if used day of)
- Substitute: $13.33 per hour
Dance Clinic Hosted by HS Dance Team (Click Image Below for Sign-Up Link)
The Weather Is Changing
Information for All Families
Class Placements
Class placement is one of those many things we will be considering. As we ease into second quarter we will be able to gather more information about our families' plans for their student(s) returning to in-person learning. As we start to solidify those numbers, we will have a better idea of how to approach the reintegration process at Platte County and Compass Elementary. The number of students returning will guide our decisions about the number of sections at each grade level for both in-person and remote learning (district-wide). After we know those numbers, we can start carrying out the next steps in this process including evaluating student class placements. We wanted to be as transparent as possible and let you know that there is a possibility that some students may be moved to a different classroom when we begin the second semester depending on various factors. We know that this is not what would normally happen but we have to make adjustments at school as families make adjustments at home. We will be collaborating with the other elementary buildings and with our district administration to create a plan for addressing these next steps. We will share further information about these processes as we finalize them.
Waiver Allows Free Meals for All Students
All students, whether in-person or remote, will be eligible for a free breakfast and free lunch each school day. Remote students and off-campus in-person learners can place orders for curbside pickup meals, which will include a lunch and a breakfast. Curbside pickup orders should be placed by 8am the day of pick up. Click here for further details and here to view our school menus/place orders.
Dates to Know
Thursday, November 19th:
- Board of Education Meeting - 6:30 pm
November 23-24th:
- Virtual Learning Days- All students will take part in virtual learning at home.
November 25-27th:
- No School-Thanksgiving Break
December 8th:
- PTA Meeting at Compass @ 6:30 pm
December 9th:
- PLC Early Dismissal- 1:50 pm
December 17th:
- Board of Education Meeting- 6:30 pm
December 22nd:
- Winter Party Date
December 23rd:
- Winter Break Begins
School Messenger
The District, as well as Compass Elementary, uses text messaging and automated phone calls to notify parents of upcoming events and days off, school closings due to weather, and emergency situations.
Newly enrolled families will automatically receive an opt-in message from 67587. If you missed it, simply text "Yes" to 67587 to receive these text messages.
Thanks To Our Pirates R.O.C.K. Business Partners!
Compass Elementary School
Email: archerk@platteco.k12.mo.us
Website: https://www.plattecountyschooldistrict.com/site/Default.aspx?PageID=15
Location: 401 Kentucky Avenue, Platte City, MO, USA
Phone: 816-858-0172
Facebook: Facebook.com/CompassElementarySchool
Twitter: @CompassElemPCR3
Compass Elementary School Office Hours and Arrival/Dismissal Times
8:30-Students can enter the building
8:50-Official start time for the school day
3:35-Dismissal Processes Begin
3:50-Official End of School Day
4:15-Front Office closes