Compass Chronicle
Online High School | Spring 2018
Happy Spring!
The staff and scholars in our online high school program continue to work hard and exemplify our core values: achievement, respect, teamwork, integrity, and communication. Our scholars finished semester 1 strong with several scholars earning a 3.5 GPA or higher and a spot on the Honor Roll. Also, scholars continued to engage in their courses, assignments, and learning labs and took advantage of the tools and resources that we provided to dive deep into their learning.
A lot of exciting things have happened in high school! We continue to support and encourage scholars to keep working hard and help them stay dedicated to their education. Looking ahead, scholars can anticipate more enjoyable live learning labs, participate in state testing which includes the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) and Smarter Balance Test (SBAC), work one-on-one with their teachers, and celebrate our high school seniors at three different graduation locations in June. The Compass high school team is dedicated to inspiring and developing innovative, creative, self-directed learners, one scholar at a time!
Sincerely,
Janae Smith, High School Coordinator
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What's New
- Scholar Projects & Assignments
- Scholar Spotlights
- Staff Spotlights
- Counseling
- Share Your Story
What's New in High School?
Our AVID program continues to grow! Scholars started using AVID strategies in many of their courses. The use of Cornell Notes, Costa’s Levels of Questioning and Thinking, and collaborative study groups have led scholars to think critically about key concepts and have helped them develop life-long skills to prepare them for college and life beyond high school. Our 9th-grade AVID scholars used modern technology to tour California-based colleges and universities each week. Our AVID program has been very successful and we look forward to continuing to use the program to support our scholars.
Also this semester, many of our scholars signed up to participate in one of our three in-person science lab experiments. As Compass continues to provide the highest quality of education, our a-g college-board approved classes and science labs provide a unique experience for scholars and allow them to participate in live, hands-on learning experiences, which brings their online learning to life.
SCHOLAR PROJECTS & ASSIGNMENTS
Take a look at what our scholars have been working on!
In Mr. Vazquez’s Spanish class, scholars created presentations about their families.
Geometry isn’t just about numbers! Our scholars researched and analyzed the impact technology and computers have had on math. Below is an introduction from a scholar’s research paper.
Earlier this year in 9th-grade English, scholars practiced language skills.
We also hosted our a-g board approved science wet labs earlier this year. During these in-person labs, our scholars enjoyed a unique learning experience and worked one-on-one with their science teachers to complete fun and engaging experiments!
SCHOLAR SPOTLIGHT
This month we're featuring the Melkonyan Family.
Zara and her scholar Aram share their experience at CCS.
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?
Aram: A typical day for me starts around 8:30-9:00 am. I usually sleep in for an extra hour because it helps me stay more focused and keeps my brain fresh. After I wash up and get dressed, I start my school work. I usually choose two subjects to work on based on what I think is best for the week. Around noon, I take a break have a light lunch and sit outside. I return to my school work at around 12:20 pm. I finish up my work at around 3 pm, or sometimes sooner. Usually, then I relax. Depending on the day, sometimes I have classes at my local community college and I complete work for those classes, too. Then, I usually go to bed around 11 pm.
CCS: Why did you decide to join Compass Charter Schools?
Aram: I decided to join Compass because I felt like I was constantly tired and wasn't learning anything in a traditional classroom setting. I was also not satisfied with the social environment at my previous school and the uncooperative staff. I joined Compass because of the flexible schedule, which gives me time to take college classes and get a job. I have not been disappointed with my decision!
CCS: What do you like to do in your free time outside of school?
Aram: In my free time I enjoy gaming, watching classic films and television, creating animation, and learning about economics, history, and politics. I also enjoy listening to rich music from the 1940s to the 1970s. Most importantly I enjoy getting out of the house and spending time outside.
CCS: What has been your greatest joy in schooling your scholar at home?
Zara: The greatest joy in schooling my scholar at home is to know that he is in a safe and positive environment that encourages him instead of hindering his progress. Unfortunately, we live in a very unsafe world. I do appreciate all the safety measures that local and state law enforcement agencies take to keep our local schools safe, but there have been several security threats in schools, which made me very anxious and worried about my son’s safety. Additionally, I feel that his previous school environment did not promote a positive learning experience for the scholars. As a parent, Compass Charter Schools gives me peace of mind and most importantly Compass offers an individual approach to my scholar's learning, which has had a positive impact on my son's academics. Additionally, Compass has a wonderful group of staff like Mr. Spink, Mrs. Schwartzberg, and Mrs. Cruz. They have been incredibly helpful to me and my son since we joined Compass!
CCS: Share a piece of advice you’d give to a parent thinking about taking their child out of school to school at home?
Zara: As parents, we face many challenging decisions. We have to make choices about our children's safety and find a school that meets our expectations and offers an exceptional academic experience. I must say I am happy that our family found exactly what we need at Compass Charter Schools. I am very grateful! If you as a parent are faced with similar challenging decisions and concerns please consider joining Compass and see the difference for yourself!
We're also featuring the Naqvi Family!
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?
Sherri: A typical day for me starts around 5:00 a.m. I wake up and make sure that my son is up and getting ready for high school. We have to leave our house around 6:20 a.m. in order to arrive at his high school on time. By the time I arrive back home, my daughter Amber is up and either working on her courses for Compass or she is ready to go take classes at Santiago Community College. Usually, around 1:00 pm we are all back in the car together driving to activities, discussing their upcoming assignments and any materials they need for school. We all usually break around 6:30 pm for dinner and then the kids focus on homework until everything is complete.
CCS: Share a challenge that you have experienced as a learning coach and how you have worked to overcome the challenge.
Sherri: It was a challenging transition when Amber first joined the online program at Compass. It took time for us both to understand more about computer software and Microsoft Office Suite.
CCS: Why did you decide to school from home with Compass Charter Schools?
Sherri: Amber did some research and asked me about enrolling at Compass. She looked into courses at two high schools within our district. She knew early on that she wanted to enroll in community college before she completed high school. She also realized that she didn’t want to attend typical high school and wanted to try and avoid some of the peer pressure and drama that seems prevalent in a traditional classroom. Compass offered what she was looking for!
CCS: What are some of the key benefits of virtual learning?
Sherri: I believe online learning gives children a much better experience than traditional school settings. There is no commute to school, which allows kids to get the rest they need during their developing years. Also, there is no need to stress over what to wear to impress or fit in with your peers. Lastly, there aren't constant disruptions from scholars who just don’t want to be in school. My son's academic experience at a traditional school is very different from Amber's experience at Compass.
CCS: What do you and your family enjoy doing outside of school?
Sherri: Amber really enjoys baking and doing glass work during her downtime. I personally enjoy taking advantage of Amber's glass work skills and incorporate her pieces into my backyard designs. As a family, we enjoy going to the movies and going to Lake Tahoe every winter break for some skiing and snowboarding. In the summer we enjoy going to the beach or boating on the lake or river!
STAFF SPOTLIGHTS
Derek Yip, High School Economics and Government Teacher at CCS
CCS: What is your job title and what are a couple of the things you do at Compass Charter Schools?
Derek: I am a high school social sciences teacher at Compass. I am also the National Honor Society (NHS) Advisor so I support scholars who have performed well academically and have been inducted into NHS. I have been teaching at Compass for the past four years.
CCS: Tell us your “why” for doing what you do here at CCS?
Derek: I truly enjoy working with scholars and watching them excel because I know they will likely succeed in higher education or a career after they graduate. Before joining Compass, I worked at a school that had a high graduation rate, but unfortunately, many of the scholars graduated with no future plans! Working at Compass allows me to help scholars think and plan for their future.
CCS: Share one thing about you that people may not know.
Derek: I am a proud Ohio State Buckeye! My family and I enjoy going to the college football games.
Jennifer Hobson, High School English Teacher at CCS
As a homeroom teacher, I ensure that each of my scholars and families is supported with the tools and information necessary to be successful in our online school setting. As a high school English teacher I work to deliver an engaging and rigorous education by reviewing and supplementing our amazing course material for my scholars in a way that best serves their individual learning needs.
I have been with Compass for two and a half awesome years of my six years as a virtual educator. I have never before been a part of an organization so dedicated to scholar success; it's the reason I joined this amazing team and the reason I hope to stay for many years to come.
A piece of advice I would like to share with scholars and learning coaches is that virtual education can be as isolated or as inclusive as you make it. If you want that feeling of connection then it is a great idea to get involved in as many enrichment activities as possible. Compass offers field trips, clubs, and other meet-ups to foster those personal connections, so take advantage of as many of those as you'd like and remember there are real people on the other end of the emails, phone lines, text messages, etc. It only takes a moment to reach out and we are all here to support you as a scholar and as a family!
COUNSELING
Happy Spring from the Counseling Team!
It’s hard to believe that we are more than half-way through the school year! It’s an exciting time for our scholars, they're getting closer to summer break, graduation and promotion ceremonies, and waiting to receive those college acceptance letters. There are so many accomplishments to be excited about! At the end of semester 1, we celebrated the graduation of 12 high school scholars. Many of our graduating scholars are still awaiting responses from the colleges and universities they applied to attend. However, to date, we have four scholars that shared their acceptance to the following schools: AMDA College and Conservatory of Performing Arts, Concordia University, Vanguard University, University of Denver, Alaska Pacific University, and The University of California, Irvine. WOW! Earlier this year we also kicked-off the Samaritan Award that recognizes scholars for their volunteer service in their communities, and successfully wrapped up the financial aid application season with the statewide initiative “Race to Submit.” Lastly, two members of our staff presented best practices in the counseling profession at the 2018 San Diego County Office of Education Counselor Leadership Conference in San Diego. The counseling team has been preparing for the 2018-19 school year and continuing to work on presentations to support the college and career readiness of our scholars. It has definitely been a busy time but we are happy to provide the support our scholars need throughout their educational journey and we will continue to provide individualized attention.
~ Counseling Services Team
Counseling News
In February, middle school and high school scholars joined our monthly College and Career Success Cafe called, "World Wide Web of Work," which was hosted by guest speaker, Ilana Saul. Ilana is the Cofounder of Polka Dot Media, which provides digital content and social media marketing for large companies and celebrities like Kohl's and Lauren Conrad. The purpose of the workshop was for scholars to learn about working in the online marketing industry. During the session, they separated fact from fiction, learned how Ilana helped build the company from the ground up, and they learned what it takes to start your own business. Overall, everyone had a blast and the scholars’ participation made for a wonderful event!
Family Spotlight
This month we’re featuring the Tatlock Family.
Stephanie, a learning coach, shares her scholar Wyatt’s experience at CCS.
CCS: Why did your family choose virtual learning?
Stephanie: My husband Ken and I decided that we wanted to travel and have experiences with our son, Wyatt. We planned for over a year and finally sold the house, bought an RV and decided to travel as much as possible. We also travel with our English Mastiff, Lola, and our cat Johnny.
CCS: What does a typical day look like for you and Wyatt?
Stephanie: I wouldn't say we have a typical day. We really go with the flow because sometimes we have a "road day" traveling, we're just at home, or we're at a fantastic destination. When we are home, our day consists of school, work, and some outdoor time. When we are on the road, we don't do school work. We stop a to explore things along the way and we travel slow. We have to be disciplined to do school work on the days we're not traveling. If we are at our destination, where ever that is, we try to create an educational experience for Wyatt. At Yellowstone National Park, we spent a great deal of time learning about the bacterial mats in the pools and we made sure to take pictures of the informational signs to review later. We may do a bit of school work while traveling, but most of the time we are in remote places that don't have Internet service for our computer.
CCS: What has been your greatest joy and what has been your greatest challenge in schooling Wyatt at home? How did you overcome the challenge?
Stephanie: My greatest joy in schooling Wyatt at home has been the quality time that we get to spend together. I love watching him learn and grow. The greatest challenge has been balancing our school work with traveling. We have had a few times when he fell behind in school. He doesn't always feel like catching up on his work during school breaks. So we had to learn how to keep him motivated. We have a good routine now, but it was challenging in the beginning.
CCS: Why did you Compass Charter Schools, among the vast competition out there?
Stephanie: We chose CCS after extensive research. I didn't feel that I could school Wyatt at home all on my own. I knew I would need. CCS offers incredible curriculum choices, supportive faculty, and a great support system for Wyatt. It gives him the opportunity to learn, and it gives me the opportunity to be his learning coach without having to be responsible for everything. CCS also grants us the flexibility to travel when we want to. Other schools with strict schedules are too rigid and don't work for us. We are also very impressed with the curriculum and academics at CCS. Our expectations are consistently exceeded. It is a wonderful school!
CCS: What do you enjoy most about being part of our Compass community?
Stephanie: What we enjoy most about CCS is the flexibility to do school work at any time as well as the support that we get from all of Wyatt's teachers. We enjoy having the freedom to travel when we want. The experience has been an incredible gift to our family.
CCS: What advice would you give parents thinking about schooling their child at home?
Stephanie: I would advise parents who are thinking about schooling at home to do a lot of research and to talk to parents who are already doing it. It's important to do a really honest self-assessment to decide if schooling at home is something they truly want to pursue. There are challenges, but the rewards far outweigh them. I was concerned about the social aspects of schooling at home. However, Wyatt has made so many friends from all over the country so socializing hasn't been an issue for us. The interaction online with his classmates, the social opportunities, and the field trips that are available at CCS have also made it easy to socialize with other children. The last two years of schooling at home with my son have been incredible. I am so glad that our family made the decision to attend CCS. We have traveled over 8,000 miles and have seen 13 states so far. It has been the best time of our lives. We have had experiences and made memories that would not have been possible without CCS and the flexibility it gives us. Wyatt has excelled and really enjoys learning things while we travel. It has become a complete learning experience!
Staff Spotlight
This month we are featuring Edith Cruz, College and Career Counselor at CCS.
CCS: What are your primary job responsibilities?
Edith: I help our scholars and families make informed decisions about their academic and post-secondary plans. I also assist scholars in the following areas; concurrent enrollment, entertainment permits, work permits, financial aid, career planning, college entrance exams, college applications, and to assess eligibility requirements for admissions to four-year universities.
CCS: Can you share a little bit about your background in education and counseling?
Edith: I earned a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential at Azusa Pacific University. I have over seven years of experience in the field of education and while I have had several positions during my career, the most rewarding has been serving as a counselor and supporting scholars.
CCS: What is your favorite thing about working at CCS?
Edith: I love what I do! I have the coolest job that allows me to support scholars' plans for the future. Working at CCS allows me to work with scholars who may not succeed in a brick-and-mortar classroom. I feel blessed to be a part of each scholar's life because each child is so unique with different plans, hopes, and aspirations. It's exciting and rewarding to support them and see them take ownership of their education and their future.
CCS: What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Edith: I truly enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends. We like to play board games, watch movies and grab a bite to eat together. Something I truly enjoy doing for myself when I am not working is exercising at least once a day. It has become a guilty pleasure to get away and go for a run or join my fitness boot camp. Staying active and healthy is an important part of my lifestyle. In December I completed my first Spartan Sprint that gave me an opportunity to push myself mentally and physically in a course of 20-23 obstacles over a 3-mile distance. It was a great experience to share with the group that I work out with!
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
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