Compass Chronicle
Options Program | Fall 2018
Hi, Options Families!
We hope you are enjoying the fall season and getting settled into your routine -- whatever that may look like for your family. With the first two learning periods under our belts, the EFs have enjoyed connecting with new and returning families and getting to know your scholars.
During this season of Thanksgiving, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for choosing Compass. There are many important decisions to make when deciding to homeschool, so we are grateful that you have chosen to allow us to support you in this endeavor.
We have lots to share in this newsletter! We highlight a family who has been homeschooling and loving it and an EF who has enjoyed sharing her homeschooling experience with the families she is supporting. You will also have the opportunity to read up on what’s been happening in Vendor Relations, Counseling, and Exceptional Scholar Services. But the best part, in my opinion, is that you will see some of our amazing scholars’ activities in this newsletter, such as labeling all the countries in Africa from memory and using science to make raisins “dance.” Enjoy!
Kristy Smith, Director of Options Learning
Table of Contents
- What's New?
- Family Spotlight
- Staff Spotlight
- Vendor News
- Vendor Spotlight
- Scholar Work Samples
- Counseling, Engagement, and Exceptional Scholar Services Newsletters
- Share your Story
What's New in Options?
Thank you to those parents who participated in our Options Roundtable in September, where learning coaches and Educational Facilitators shared some wonderful resources for teaching social studies. It’s always helpful to hear from someone who is familiar with a curriculum before taking the plunge and purchasing. At the end of this month, we will tackle the topic of integrating subject areas. Many learning coaches have expressed the desire to integrate areas such as math and science, or social studies and language arts, but many find it intimidating. We hope the roundtable discussion helps those who have a desire to integrate rise to the challenge!
FAMILY SPOTLIGHT
The Gleason Family
CCS: What are the names and ages of your scholar(s)?
Rochelle: My daughter's name is Makenzie Gleason. She is 6 1/2 yrs old and in 1st grade.
CCS: Why did you decide to homeschool, and why do you enjoy homeschooling?
Rochelle: There are so many! One of the greatest benefits to homeschooling is allowing her to learn and grow at her own pace while not being stuck in a room for 6-7 hours a day only to then have homework.
CCS: What is your favorite part of homeschooling?
Rochelle: My favorite part about homeschooling is being in charge of my daughter’s education, advancing her where she’s able to, and working one on one where needed. Also, she enjoys quality time and has the flexibility to learn and still be a kid.
CCS: How long have you been part of Compass Charter Schools?
Rochelle: I have been homeschooling since the middle of last spring. So altogether, about one year.
CCS: What are your scholar’s favorite subjects to study?
Rochelle: My daughter’s favorite subject is math.
CCS: Do your scholars participate in any music or sports activities?
Rochelle: Yes, Kenzie is in gymnastics two days a week. We do our own music by singing at home and are currently looking into karate. She is on a swim team every summer as well. I recommend Precision Gymnastics -- It is for both boys and girls, and they even have a new homeschool P.E. Class.
CCS: Have you ever been on a CCS field trip? If so, what was your favorite one?
Rochelle: We have done many field trips, the one I’d say was most informative and fun to share was the School House Rock play. It was all math and learning and a fun musical play.
CCS: What do you enjoy most about being part of Compass Charter Schools?
Rochelle: I believe having the EF I have has truly helped equip me to be more knowledgeable in my position as a homeschooling mom. I also would say enjoy it, learning is fun and educating our children is very important! I’d like to add that I am very grateful to have this opportunity to teach my daughter at home and be a part of Compass Charters! I’m thankful for Compass supporting me in my journey and for my EF, Sharlie Walker, who has been absolutely amazing.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Lindsey Chalco-Paz, Educational Facilitator
This month, we feature Lindsey Chalco-Paz, Educational Facilitator with the Options Program at Compass. Lindsey loves working with homeschooling families and has been with Compass for several years. We hope you enjoy learning a little more about her and her family in this brief interview.
CCS: What is one of your favorite parts about working with homeschooling families?
Lindsey: I really enjoy helping families create a customized learning experience for their child. It is so fun to see how kids can flourish when they are able to learn in an individualized and flexible environment.
CCS: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work?
Lindsey: I love to spend time with my family, I really enjoy baking and trying new recipes, I love to be at the beach, and I am slowly learning to love camping!
CCS: Is there anything unique about you that you’d like our families to know?
Lindsey: I spent several years teaching in South America and I would love to move back some day! My husband is from Peru, so we often talk about opening up an International School in his hometown of Arequipa.
CCS: What is your favorite subject?
Lindsey: My favorite subject is reading! This year I am doing Moving Beyond the Page with my 4th-grade daughter, and we are really enjoying the unit studies that accompany each novel.
CCS: Anything personal that you’d like to add?
Lindsey: I have been married to my husband, Jimmy, for 11 years, and we have 3 kiddos. Sofia is 9, Lucas is 7, and Mateo is 3. We live in Simi Valley and are very involved with the local homeschooling community here.
CCS: What advice do you have for scholars or learning coaches that you wish someone would have told you when you were a student?
Lindsey: It has taken me a while to learn that schooling doesn't look the same for each child, even children in the same household or family! While my daughter loves checklists and accomplishing tasks, my son craves a different kind of experience. He is very tactile and social and wants to be in constant communication with other people. I have had to accept that my idea of the perfect schooling experience may not be the best experience for my kids, and that is okay! The goal is always fostering a love of learning and academic growth at their level.
VENDOR NEWS
Check out some of our newest vendors!
Jou Music Institute - Virtual music lessons
Innovative Language Learning - Virtual language lessons
TimberNook Nature Pathways - Located in San Diego
Orange County Riding Academy - Located in Orange
Academy of Creative Education - Located in Clovis
Above and Beyond Athletics - Located in Anaheim
Aquatics Exploration - Located in Los Alamitos
My Homeschool Math Class - Virtual math classes
Piano for Everyone - Located in Tarzana and Westlake Village
Nuestra Escuelita Spanish Academy - Located in Chino Hills
Intense Algebra (and more) Tutoring - Virtual or in-person tutoring
Cooking Round the World - Located in San Diego area
Generation Genius - Virtual science
Really Good Stuff - Materials vendor
Looking for service vendors available in your area? Check out our service vendor map!
VENDOR SPOTLIGHT
Twinkl
Check out Twinkl, one of our newest vendors! Twinkl is a digital educational subscription, full of downloadable lessons and activities for all grade levels and subject matter.
Each U.S. resource is written by a team of experienced American teachers and created by professional designers and illustrators. Their printable and digital device-ready content inspires, engages, and helps educators be the best they can be. Resources are broken down by grade level and areas of learning, so it is easy to search. Another neat feature is Twinkl Create, where you can use templates to make your own educational resources. Explore the site and download this free sample: Free USA Taster Resource Pack.
Discover an exceptional range of digital resources, available to download 24/7, all teacher-made and exclusively provided by Twinkl!
How do I get access to Twinkl?
Twinkl is available to CCS families as a year-long membership, and you will only need one per family. The cost will be adjusted based on how many families purchase a membership. If there are at least 5 interested CCS families, the cost will be around $117 for the yearly membership, but the cost will be lowered with each additional membership. If you are interested in purchasing a membership for the 2018-19 school year, please contact your EF by November 30th for the link to an interest form. Once we have the interest forms complete, we will get a new quote from Twinkl and let interested families know the cost. Please reach out to your EF with any questions!
SCHOLAR WORK SAMPLES
Our TK scholar, Andrez Garcia enjoyed learning about plants in October. He learned the different parts of a seed and how it germinates and grows. He furthered his knowledge by labeling a plant, including the roots, stem, and leaves.
Tess M. is a Kindergarten scholar who is working on learning addition by using an abacus.
Darla O. is a Kindergarten scholar who created her own calendar. She numbered all the days of October herself and is learning the days of the week. Every day, Darla uses the calendar to learn what day it is.
Brighton S. is a 1st grader who is learning about world geography in her social studies class in our Navigators’ Community.
SHARE YOUR STORY
Continue to Counseling, Engagement, and Exceptional Scholar Services Newsletters
Compass Charter Schools
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