Compass Chronicle
Online Elementary School | Winter 2019
Scholars and families,
Happy new year! A new year means a fresh start and a time to think about what we can create in the second semester for our scholars and learning coaches. Our second quarter in K-8 was a fun, exciting, and busy one! Scholars focused on Compass' ARTIC values: Achievement, Respect, Teamwork, Integrity, and Communication, and saw great success! Our K-8 teachers hosted some amazing Learning Labs and scholar participation continues to be through the roof! Keep up the great work!
Ashley Daugherty, K-8 Coordinator
Table of Contents
- What's New
- Family Spotlights
- Staff Spotlight
- Scholar Work Samples
- Share your Story
- Counseling, Engagement, and Exceptional Scholar Services Newsletters
What's New in Online K-8?
K-5 Winter Fun Learning
December was filled with fun and exciting lessons from our elementary online team! Check out what happened last quarter in our learning labs:
Kindergarten and Grade 1:
- Scholars learned about holidays around the world and shared what holidays they celebrate and the traditions they have.
- Our K-1 scholars also learned all about Martin Luther King Jr. and why we celebrate him during Martin Luther King Day.
Grade 2 & 3:
- Scholars completed a geometry project that applied knowledge and skills about the properties of quadrilaterals and designed their 2D town using different types of quadrilaterals.
- During our History learning lab, scholars got an opportunity to learn all about their community and being community helpers!
- Science scholars began a new unit on weather and started off with the water cycle. Our Math Quest learning lab began a new unit on perimeter and area and will complete a project based on this unit.
Grade 4 & 5:
- Scholars enjoyed learning and reading all about what it means to be healthy. Scholars read closely to understand the passages and to locate evidence to support their answers to the key questions.
- In Science, they learned about the ecosystem and completed a presentation based on their ecosystem research.
- Scholars were also excited about math as they focused on word problems and created their own problems based on the information that was given to them.
- Mrs. Villegas-Chavez continued her fun and engaging reading lessons with our scholars from Kindergarten through 5th grade in her Reading Rockstar Learning Labs!
- Grades 4 & 5 are hard at work as they are learning all about decimals and creating a waterslide park and doing many calculations on their waterslide park.
- Ms. Noller, one of our middle school teachers, held a virtual workshop music lesson for our elementary scholars talking about the instruments in the orchestra!
- Scholars are also learning about environmentally friendly cars!
6-8 Winter Fun Learning
- Ms. Talcott hosted many Christmas Zumba sessions to get scholars up and excited about the holiday season. Scholars had the opportunity to join each day for a 30 minute Zumba workout. We will be pushing ahead this second half of the school year to be bigger, better, and stronger; thanks to Ms. Talcott’s workouts.
- 8th graders have also just finished reading “A Call of the Wild”, and are working on writing a narrative of their own. We are so excited to see their final writing projects!
FAMILY SPOTLIGHTS
Learning coach Ann-Marie F. and her scholar, Payton F. share their experience at Compass
CCS: We know that often with our scholars that each day is different, but what would a typical day look like for you and your scholar?
LC: We usually wake up and have breakfast (Payton likes rice cakes with peanut butter on them), and then we start school work about 30 mins later, still in our jammies.
We usually do 2-3 classes and then take a break. Then 2-3 more after lunch. Then, in the afternoon, she takes classes like gymnastics, tap, and ballet.
CCS: What has been your greatest joy in schooling your scholar at home?
LC: I really love the quality time we spend together and I especially enjoy re-learning the history lessons with her. I’m excited that we’re studying the American revolution right now because I recently took Payton to see Hamilton. I also like having more time to teach her the other things she enjoys, like cooking!
CCS: Share a challenge that you have experienced as a learning coach and how you have worked to overcome the challenge.
LC: One of the challenges we’ve faced has been distractions around the home. Sometimes my kids would rather play Fortnite and jump on the trampoline than so school and it’s hard to get them to focus. We have come up with guidelines: trampoline can be used at “recess” and after school and Fortnite can only be played Fridays through Sundays.
CCS: Why did you decide to school from home with Compass Charter Schools?
LC: We found Compass through the recommendation of a friend as a more flexible option for child actors. It has been the perfect for my kids as we travel a lot for their shows. Pulling them out of traditional school for auditions and work was problematic in the past.
CCS: What do you enjoy most about being part of our Compass community?
LC: As new members of the Compass community, there has certainly been a learning curve. We would have liked to participate more, but I didn’t realize the field trips and such fill up so quickly. We are excited to attend our first in-person event this Friday!
CCS: Share a piece of advice you’d give to a parent thinking about taking their child out of school to school at home?
LC: I would let parents considering homeschooling know that this program offers a structured curriculum but a lot of flexibility. I would recommend homeschooling because it means spending quality time with your children and letting them learn at their own pace. CCS offers schedule flexibility without the red tape of traditional school.
CCS: What do you, your scholar and the family enjoy doing together during your free time?
LC: We have much more free time because the kids can complete the lessons at their own pace or in the car or wherever! As actors, my kids usually have rehearsals in the evenings or performances at night and on the weekends. When they had to wake up early and go to traditional school they were often exhausted and rundown. Now they wake up naturally, complete school on their schedule and have much more free time. We love to play games (video and board games), see live theatre, visit friends and family, mountain biking and going to Disneyland!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Michelle Kenbeek, Elementary Teacher
CCS: What is your job title and what are a couple of the things you do at Compass Charter Schools? How long have you worked for this organization?
Staff: I am an Online Elementary Teacher. I work closely with families monitoring progress and helping support academic goals. I also teach live interactive lessons in science and Language Arts. I have worked at Compass Charter Schools for almost five and a half years!
CCS: Tell us your “why” for doing what you do here at CCS?
Staff: I am inspired by my scholars and Learning Coaches' desire to be independent learners. I enjoy supporting them in creating an individualized learning plan that helps meet their academic needs. I believe in the mission and vision of our school and the impact we are making in our scholar's lives.
CCS: What do you and your family like to do during your free time?
Staff: I love spending time with my family, listening to country music, hiking, reading and playing with my dog Tucker.
SCHOLAR WORK SAMPLES
SHARE YOUR STORY
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Website: www.compasscharters.org
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Phone: 855-937-4227
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