Compass Chronicle
Online High School | Spring 2019
Spring semester is in full swing!
As I reflect on the past fall semester, I commend our online high school scholars on their success as they worked hard and were dedicated to achieving their goals so far this school year. Many scholars have accepted the challenge to increase their learning lab attendance, communication with their teachers, and dedication to their courses. Great job!
I continue to encourage all of our online high school scholars to make a plan, create a schedule, and set goals to achieve success at CCS. With the help of their learning coaches, counselors, and teachers, many scholars have started meeting their goals and continue on the road to success. I look forward to seeing scholars exceed their own expectations as they work hard this semester. By reaffirming their commitment to themselves and their education, I know they will achieve all of their goals by the end of the school year!
Sincerely,
Janae Smith, High School Coordinator
Table of Contents
- What's New?
- Scholar Spotlight
- Staff Spotlight
- Scholar Work Samples
- Share your Story
- Counseling, Engagement, or Exceptional Scholar Newsletters
WHAT'S NEW IN HIGH SCHOOL?
Spring semester has brought many participation opportunities to our online high school scholars. First, our semester started with our A-G College Board approved science wet labs. During these labs, our science scholars worked together to continue practicing their physical science, biology, chemistry, and physics skills to tests hypothesis and collect data. Scholars and teachers enjoyed the day working together and learning how fun science can be!
Also to kick off this spring semester, our online high school scholars, learning coaches, and teachers met during parent-teacher conferences to create goals for scholar success. Many families participated in these conferences and the entire high school team looks forward to seeing the fantastic jobs scholars do in meeting these goals by June.
Another participation opportunity our scholars had was our 2nd annual March Madness learning lab attendance competition. During this competition, homeroom classes competed to see which one would earn the highest percentage of learning lab attendance. The class with the highest percentage earned the prize of adding additional percentage points to an assignment of their choice. This learning lab attendance was crucial to help prepare the 11th and 12th graders for SBAC testing in April!
As we look ahead this spring semester, the online high school team looks forward to meeting our 11th and 12th grade scholars in-person at our testing sites to complete state testing. We also look forward to meeting with scholars virtually to celebrate success at our end of the year awards assembly in May. Lastly, of course, we are looking forward to seeing our seniors at high school graduation in June!
AVID
LA Clippers AVID Night
CCS had a great turn out for the annual LA Clippers AVID Night! We had over 30 scholars and families come out and enjoy a full day of events. The day started with an executive panel and Q&A session with members of the LA Clippers front office. During the Q&A session, Clippers executives shared their journey's from high school to university and finally their present positions. After the Q&A sessions, CCS families had lower level access during pregame warmups. Finally, the night was ended with a Clippers win against the Dallas Mavericks! Thanks for all who attended, please be on the lookout for more exciting AVID events.
SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT
12th grade scholar, Julian R., and Learning Coach, Lisa R. 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?
Lisa: Most days start off with breakfast then school. After Julian is done with school then it is off to the room for some video games.
CCS: What has been your greatest joy in schooling your scholar at home?
Lisa: I love just having him around. Julian is so funny and keeps the family laughing. I feel that he is in a really safe zone here at home with us.
CCS: Share a challenge that you have experienced as a learning coach and how you have worked to overcome the challenge.
Lisa: One of our challenges is that Julian is dyslexic. Early into homeschooling, I would spend time with him and we would trade off reading lessons. Now that he is a Senior, I have backed off. I noticed that he was struggling without my help so I reached out to CCS staff and we all came up with some cool tips to help him. At certain items, we still have to read out loud but overall the "plan" seems to work for him.
CCS: Why did you decide to school from home with Compass Charter Schools?
Lisa: My decision to home school Julian was sudden. I had already decided to homeschool his sister who is younger. Julian was a Junior in high school at a brick and mortar and he was very short for his age. Someone in the school kept tripping him daily and he didn't think that this was bullying but it was messing with his mind. He was starting to struggle and then didn't want to go at all to certain classes. I decided to just make my life "easier" by homeschooling both kids. It was not easy at first, but once we got schedules down, it was a great fit for us. I have no regrets at all over this decision.
Julian: I was having some problems with bullying and not wanting to go to school and my grades were slipping. The lessons weren’t personal and at my pace which was annoying.
CCS: What do you enjoy most about being part of our Compass community?
Lisa: We haven't ventured on many field trips since both kids are anti-social. As for the Compass Staff, I have enjoyed it so much. Teachers and staff have been so good for me, the parent, to work with. The kids are learning to have a voice with them and that will help them in their future.
Julian: The lessons are more at my pace and the teachers care more about me, want to watch me succeed, and are here to help me.
CCS: Share a piece of advice you’d give to a parent thinking about taking their child out of school to school at home?
Lisa: Don't think, just do it. Once I signed them up, I knew in my heart that it was the right decision for them. Virtual school is not the homeschooling that people think. It is awesome and you have the best support ever. You are not alone and your scholars will be okay.
Julian: You have to trust your kids but also be close to know they're doing their work. It helps to find a schedule that works for you.
CCS: What do you and your family enjoy doing together during your free time?
Lisa: When we are all together and our older daughter and her husband visit, we all love to have family game night. It can be loud and fun. When it is just the four of us, we play Words with Friends together and challenge each other. We try to have dinner every night as a family and have my father living with us now so that is always a good time and we laugh a lot.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
This month we're highlighting Kristen Winter, High School Health and P.E. Teacher!
I have been teaching for almost 20 years and I have spent 12 of those years in online/virtual education. I have been a teacher with Compass Charter Schools since 2015. I hold a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and my teaching credentials from SJSU. I am a certified personal trainer and master’s swim coach. I am passionate as a health and fitness advocate for all scholars!
In my spare time, I enjoy swimming, trail running, surfing and paddling.
SCHOLAR WORK SAMPLES
Scholars in American history played Kahoot to review for the unit 1 exam and shared their previous knowledge of the Dust Bowl. Then, scholars went on a gallery walk of images from the Dust Bowl and shared out which image impacted them the most.
Scholars started with quotes that inspired them, boiled them down to a few words and then constructed their own mission statements. Some scholars chose to create posters to inspire themselves.
SHARE YOUR STORY
Continue to Counseling, Engagement, and Exceptional Scholar Services Newsletters
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