Compass Chronicle
Compass Charter Schools | Online Program | October 2019
Leadership Spotlight
Online Scholars' Work Samples & Learning Labs
Scholars in our online program are hard at work in their courses. Each week, they spend time using our online curriculum providers (Accelerate Education, K12, and StrongMind) to learn independently. Then, attend their live learning lab classes taught by our credentialed teachers to enhance their learning. Here’s some of what they’ve been up to:
An Online Family Story!
This month, we’re featuring the Peart family! Take a moment to get to know their great family and their experience at Compass:
1. Could you please share a little bit about your family with us? How many children, pets, etc.?
We are a family of four with two teenage daughters. They are fifteen months apart but because one of them was held back in the last couple of years they are both in 8-grade now.
2. What is a typical day of learning like for your scholar? What is their typical daily schedule?
We all start stirring between 7 and 8 am. The kids eat breakfast. One of the girls begins her studies at 9 am while the other has a harder time getting herself going so she starts around 11 am except on Tuesdays when her learning lab for math meets at 9 am. We have them in separate rooms so even though they are in the same classes they work independently. They both attend every learning lab. They also attend the Q&A sessions with their teachers if necessary. They follow the schedule that the school provides, which has worked well! The agreement is that if there is any work leftover by the end of the week it must be completed before the next week begins. This keeps them from falling behind!
3. As a parent, what do you enjoy most about helping your scholar learn at home?
I enjoy the fact that you know they are concentrating on school without all of the daily stress that comes with a brick and mortar school. In our case we are in the online program so there is no rushing to class several times a day, carrying a huge stack of books, or social distractions. Also, I find they get the total amount of work done in a shorter period of time than it takes to go to a brick and mortar school all day with added evening homework. My girls complete their work on most days in 4-5 hours total.
4. What do you enjoy most about being part of the Compass family?
This is our first year at Compass! Originally we took our girls out of public school and placed them in a Christian school. That lasted three years but in the end that school wasn’t a good fit because both of the girls ended up with issues trying to keep up with all of the work. Then we tried a year of homeschooling through an online Christian academy. We thought we failed miserably and were fearful to try Compass. However, we are so pleased that we did try Compass! Getting on board with this program has been the easiest adjustment for the girls (remember they have been in three different programs in three years, Compass being the fourth.) Hands down this is the most well-organized program we have been a part of! We no longer feel like failures!
5. How does Compass help your scholar achieve their goals or dreams?
Compass helps them achieve their goals by holding them accountable. The communication between parents and school staff is very helpful. We receive text messages, emails, and phone calls to help keep us in the know.
Check Out Our Engagement Activities!
Earlier this month our Engagement Department organized Back-to-School picnics throughout California for our scholars and their families! Our families and staff enjoyed fun activities like an egg drop, sack race, and arts and crafts while enjoying time with each other in-person. Our scholars played with their peers while our learning coaches enjoyed casual conversation with each other and our staff!
Our Staff Development
Karen Lewers
Position: High School Teacher
Years in Education: 20
About Karen: My husband Justin and I have 3 daughters, in Valencia, CA
Favorite Educational Quote: We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience. ~John Dewey
Erin Thomson
Position: Middle School Math Teacher
Years in Education: 15 years
Favorite Educational Quote: Every time a student makes a mistake in math, they grow a synapse. - Jo Boaler
SHARE YOUR STORY
Compass Charter Schools
Email: info@compasscharters.org
Website: www.compasscharters.org
Location: 850 Hampshire Road, Suite P, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CompassCS/
Twitter: @CompassCS
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