Monday Morning Update
Options Program - March 23, 2020
As many uncertainties have arisen during this difficult time, Compass Charter Schools has adopted No Kid Hungry as a way for our Compass community to give back to those in need. We encourage all of our stakeholders to support this incredible organization's efforts by either advocating online or donating to our fundraiser for No Kid Hungry. Our fundraising goal is $3,095 in honor of all our 3,095 scholars. To see an overview of No Kid Hungry’s work towards COVID-19, please click here. We are grateful for the opportunity to come alongside this organization and support their efforts to ensure that no child is hungry, especially now during these uncertain times.
COMPASS & OPTIONS SCHOOL NEWS
ASSESSMENTS ~ Don’t forget to take your Physical Fitness Tests (PFT)! The window opened in February, and you should have received an email from your teacher the week of February 10. This health-related fitness test developed by the Cooper Institute, intended to help scholars acquire lasting habits of regular physical activity.
We believe the physical fitness of our scholars is essential 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. The deadline for this test is May 29.
AVID ~ One way to support scholar achievement is by developing inquiry skills. One strategy to do this is by reflecting on new and prior information. This is accomplished using such tools as focused notes and learning logs, but there are other ways too. Please join this week’s AVID Academic Support Sessions for Elementary and Secondary scholars, Learning Coaches, and instructors as we explore Costa’s Levels of Questioning Strategy and how it can be a useful instructional tool.
BLOG ~ Check out this week’s blog, 5 Reasons Why Goal Setting is Essential for High School Scholars!
ENERGY BUS TIP OF THE WEEK ~ Smile at someone you don’t know! It may make their day! Also, don’t forget to check out this week’s Make a Difference Monday Message from the Energy Bus!
OPTIONS HANDBOOK HIGHLIGHT ~ High School Paths - We have two paths for our Compass Charter School Options scholars:
● Foundation Path: This path is exclusive to Options (Home Study) scholars. It is for those who are looking for a flexible path and are not interested in attending any UC/CSU universities via the a-g course path (or other university or college via the a-g course path). The method of instruction for this scholar will vary between textbooks, in-person classes, online classes, community college classes, and/or a blend of these and more. EFs will review the curriculum options with the parents, and together they will outline the year. The assignments required to demonstrate competency; will be outlined by the EF. Before the teacher and/or EF grant the high school credits for the course, the scholar must demonstrate knowledge via assignments, discussions, presentations, and/or evaluations. They must still graduate with the 220 credits and pass geometry, as stated on the charter.
● A-G Path: If it is the scholar’s goal to attend a California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) school, they will be placed on this path. Many other colleges and universities require specific courses, and they will follow these a-g requirements for admission as well. Courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. Completion of this a-g program does not guarantee admission to any of these universities. If a scholar is interested in the a-g path, they will need to discuss meeting the a-g requirements with their EF and counselor.
ORDERING UPDATE ~ Thank you for submitting your order requests before last Friday’s deadline. The Community Providers Department (formerly Vendor Relations) is working diligently to get the orders out to the providers as quickly as possible.
VENDOR NEWS
Many of our Service Providers have gone to virtual services; please check with your EF for further guidance.
COUNSELING NEWS
FEATURED COUNSELING SERVICES LESSONS
CCS Cafe: Summer Jobs - Interview Do’s and Don’ts - tomorrow, Tuesday, March 25 from 12-12:30 pm in the Counseling Learning Lab
Summer is just around the corner, and now is the time to start thinking about summer jobs! In this session, we will share interview strategies from the perspective of the employer and tips and tricks about the interview process. Join Ms. Olson and Mrs. Schwartzberg for this CCS Cafe from 12-1 pm in the Counseling Learning Lab.
COLLEGE & ADMISSION UPDATES
ACT & SAT Testing Updates: The College Board and ACT are canceling and rescheduling some spring test dates. View ACT updates and SAT updates. Students should plan to check for updates regularly, as things have changed very recently.
NACAC College Admission Status Update: NACAC has developed a tool that will serve as a gathering point for updates from colleges and universities about how they are adapting to the impact of the coronavirus. Many colleges are changing policies around school visits, deadlines for replying to offers and submitting enrollment deposits, and sharing other ways to get in contact.
Upcoming Virtual College Admission Events
Be sure to check directly with colleges for other resources about connecting with colleges remotely.
Enjoy a detailed list of Spring 2020 helpful college and career planning resources for middle and high school scholars.
SPECIAL EDUCATION NEWS
FEATURED VIDEO ~ From our El Dorado County Charter SELPA, this video explains the Individual Education Program (IEP) clearly for anyone that needs a better understanding of the process.
FEATURED WEBINAR ~ Supporting Students with IEPs During eLearning Days: Digital learning environments are known to present physical, sensory, and learning barriers for students with disabilities. As learners and teachers move to fully online environments in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, what are the considerations for students with IEPs and the accessibility of the materials and technologies selected? What are the best practices for supporting students with disabilities remotely? Join us today, Monday, March 23, at 2 pm.
FEATURED VIDEO ~ A Practical Guide to Positive Parenting: Geared towards parents with scholars having ADD/ADHD, Additude Magazine shares ways to boost your child’s self-esteem — and still enforce the rules? Start with the positive parenting techniques in this video.
ENGAGEMENT NEWS
VIRTUAL EVENT SPOTLIGHT ~ Transport your scholars beyond the walls of their at-home classroom and inspire them to be agents of innovation. Working alongside the experts of Stanley Black & Decker Makerspace, scholars will see and experience first-hand how math, science, technology, creativity, and teamwork can lead to technological advancements in our everyday lives. This unique experience will this Thursday, March 26. Registrations are currently open for this virtual event! Click here to learn more!
VIRTUAL COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY ~ Earn some volunteer hours from the comfort of your home! Join us this Thursday, March 26 at 1 pm for a virtual scholar workshop where we will create toys for shelter animals using household items! Registrations are currently open for this virtual event! Click here to learn more!
VIRTUAL MUSEUM TOURS ~ We are excited to share how you can experience a little culture and education while you’re at your home. According to Fast Company, Google Arts & Culture teamed up with over 500 museums and galleries around the world to bring anyone and everyone virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous museums around the world!
CLUB SPOTLIGHT ~ Come join the Virtual Field Trips club! They meet once a month and go on exciting adventures all over the world from the comfort of your own home. To learn more about this club or any of our other Scholar Clubs, please visit the “Parents & Scholars” section of our CCS website.
FIELD TRIPS & EVENTS
Upcoming VIRTUAL Engagement Events
*In response to COVID-19 and the cancellation of in-person field trips in March, we have added more virtual engagement opportunities until we can resume our in-person field trips.
*Please view the details at the links below and fill out the virtual event registration for each event that your scholar(s) would like to attend
Tuesday, March 24 - Virtual Scholar Workshop - Innovation Generation
Wednesday, March 25 – Virtual Scholar Workshop - Snowy Owl Art Project
Thursday, March 26 - Virtual Scholar Workshop - Creating Animal Toys for Shelters
Tuesday, March 31 - Virtual Scholar Workshop - The Solar System: Mars
Wednesday, April 1 – Virtual Scholar Workshop – Scholar Social Hour
Thursday, April 2 - Virtual Scholar Workshop - Aerospace Innovation
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