Dear Compass Families,

I began my tenure at Compass as the Superintendent and CEO on January 3, 2023. Prior to my official start date, I attended a board meeting in December, where I met many Compass staff. I was immediately struck by the number of staff who shared that what they love most about Compass is the sense of community and family. Even in a remote environment, staff feels connected and has forged lifelong friendships with their peers. Now that I have been at Compass for a few months, I have learned some of the ways that Compass supports community and connection with staff, scholars, and families.

Compass staff works together in teams that meet regularly to ensure that scholars and their families have the support they need to succeed. In the academic department, these team meetings are a space where teachers can share ideas and bond as colleagues. For example, I had the opportunity to attend a team meeting where fun and play were encouraged through the use of filters and backgrounds. Teachers shared ideas while wearing fun hats, funky sunglasses, and even wearing sprouts on their heads. This use of technology to build community and encourage collaboration illustrates how Compass embraces the virtual workplace.

This month, Compass held a staff in-service day. This was a full day of professional learning, including sessions led by various staff members, on various topics. Participation rates were high, and staff was present and engaged in the sessions. This is another example of how Compass uses technology effectively to connect staff and actively engage in various mediums, including jam boards, whiteboards, polls, and chat surveys.

Staff also use Workplace to share information and connect. This application is a Facebook-type format for the workplace. Staff share interesting articles about a variety of topics, personal updates, and ideas. The “Shine a Spotlight” group provides a place for staff to recognize their colleagues who have done something great. Staff regularly practice gratitude in this space and celebrate each other. Each month, an employee of the month for classified and certificated staff are selected from the spotlight submissions.

Scholars have many opportunities to participate in activities that build community. Our Scholar Leadership Council shared how they connect with other scholars. They shared that field trips are the best way to meet other scholars in person. Many of them have gotten to know each other in person, who they had previously only met online. These field trips provide an opportunity for scholars to connect with their community, subject matter, and each other. Compass also offers clubs and virtual workshops that give time to meet scholars with similar interests.

One of the great things about connecting in a virtual environment is the opportunity to interact with scholars who live all over California. At the Scholar Leadership Council meeting, we took a quick poll to see where scholars lived, and they were spread out over a wide geographic area. Some discovered they lived in the same area and were excited to connect. One scholar shared that he met a classmate at a community event and recognized him from his Compass virtual classes. He was happy to meet another Compass scholar in his community.

Our learning coaches and family members also have opportunities to connect with Compass and with other families. Compass uses Parent Square to inform families about field trips, meetings, and important information. I have hosted three Coffee With the Superintendent meetings where staff and families get together to learn more about each other and discuss what we are reading, watching, and listening to in our free time. In one of these meetings, a parent shared her mixed feelings about her twin children graduating from high school. She talked about the impact of having both of them leave for college simultaneously. One of the Compass staff, also a mother of twins, was able to share her experience and support the parent. These meaningful conversations happen organically when we purposely provide space for them.

A common criticism of virtual schools is that their scholars and families are isolated and do not have the same level of social interaction as in brick-and-mortar schools. Compass is a shining example of how a virtual model provides opportunities for meaningful connections and that it is indeed a community. I am proud to continue supporting the Compass family in building our community and looking for new ways to expand this work.

Kind regards,

Liz Brenner

Superintendent and CEO

March is Women’s History Month, and we take time to honor women who have impacted our lives and society. As the Superintendent and CEO of Compass, I am part of the 24% of women Superintendents in the US, according to federal data and a survey conducted by AASA, the association of the nation's public school superintendents. This number has been largely unchanged over the past ten years. According to the U.S. Census, women represent 58.3% of the U.S. workforce. At Compass, 89% of our staff identify as female, and 100% of our executive leadership identify as female.

When I realized how unique Compass is when it comes to gender equity, I began reflecting on my personal journey and the women who supported me throughout my career. One who stands out is Delaine Eastin. Delaine was the first and only woman to date to be elected California State Superintendent of Public Instruction (1995–2003) under Governors Pete Wilson and Gray Davis. She served on the Board of Directors of SIATech, my previous school, for many years. I had the opportunity to meet her and work with her on several occasions. Her passion for equity in education was inspirational and influential, and she encouraged me to continue the work that I was doing and to always stand up for what I believe in.

Recently, I attended a conference where Daisy Gonzales, Ph.D., Interim Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, the largest public higher education system in the United States, was honored for her work with at-promise youth. During her speech, she described how she met Delaine Eastin years before at a conference and that Delaine encouraged her to pursue her education and strive to impact the education system in California. Dr. Gonzales is a former foster youth and is the first Latina to serve in her current position, where “she works to empower students through her focus on equity and commitment to ensure students are at the center of every discussion and decision.” I was very moved by her speech, and it reminded me how role models like Delaine have such a far reaching impact. The power of her words and impact on young women in educational leadership positions is amplified by the career paths they follow.

At Compass, we have the opportunity every day to positively impact the scholars that we serve, our colleagues, and our communities. If you have the opportunity to encourage someone in your life to succeed, don’t hold back. Your encouragement and support may have a positive impact that reaches farther than you could ever imagine.

Middle school scholars have been busy practicing the 5 Steps of the Focused Note-Taking Process through TED Talks and short films. They share their findings in a Socratic Seminar as they connect to their lives and learn from their fellow scholars. And our high school scholars are diving into a Financial Literacy Unit.

Both middle and high school scholars continue to learn new tools to help prepare themselves for College and Career Readiness, including how to organize their thoughts, time, and setting priorities, as well as reflect on their learning styles and work habits.

- Andrea Lomeli, AVID Coordinator/Elective Teacher

Why did your family choose to learn from home instead of a traditional school building?
We tried traditional schools in both public and private settings, and sometimes the way it’s always been done has room to grow.

Does learning from home help you achieve your goals? If yes, please explain how.
Learning from home helps me focus on my work and avoid unreasonable teen expectations.

We know that when learning at home, each day is different, but what is a typical school day like for you?
It involves getting up at about 8 am, completing my school work, engaging in one to two hours of extracurricular activities, and a good amount of academics. I’m 12 years old and love to hang out with my friends. Some classes are online; some are in person, and some lessons we do at home. One of the most surprising things about homeschooling is how little time we spend at home!

And we hear from her Mother and Learning Coach, Lynn:

What has been your greatest joy in schooling your scholar at home?
I watch my scholar grow in a healthy, comfortable space without the focus being pulled away via school or classroom drama.

Share a challenge you have experienced as a learning coach and how you have worked to overcome the challenge.
Overscheduling! There are so many available activities to pursue. Learning from home provides more time to pursue individual interests than in a traditional school setting, but there are still a limited number of hours a day. We work as a family to model planning and prioritizing, with the goal that recognizing what someone wants to achieve or experience and how they will organize to make that happen is a life skill. Sometimes that means taking a less is more approach!

Why did you decide to school from home with Compass Charter Schools?
We have a great relationship with our supervising teacher. A trusted guide who “gets” your scholar is super important to the learning process.

How does Compass support your scholar?
Our supervising teacher has always met our needs if or when we encounter a hiccup, offering the experience of her profession tailored to the specifics of our scholar’s needs. In addition, customized curriculum selection and flexibility allow her to dive deep into the subject matter, help us meet her where she is academically, and allow her to access a level of education not readily available in a traditional school setting.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the Compass family?
Flexibility.

Share a piece of advice you’d give to a parent thinking about taking their child out of school to school at home.
A traditional school setting works well for many scholars; It can be a little bumpy but otherwise ok for another chunk of the student population. It can be made workable for yet another group but still feel like long-term rough seas. However, there is a student population that thrives outside of the traditional school setting. Learning at home through a program like Compass can be a fantastic alternative.

What do you, your scholar, and the family enjoy doing together during your free time?
Outdoor activities, traveling, cooking, family game night, and a good day at the beach.

The Counseling team continues to release new podcast episodes monthly! Our latest release is the March episode: Let's Talk...About Communication!

Also, additional vlogs and resources are added to the CCS Counseling Virtual Office. These short videos provide information in the areas of academic, social-emotional, and college/career support. We encourage you to check them out if you have not already done so!

What is your job title and job responsibilities at Compass? How long have you worked for this organization?
I am a counselor and work with scholars in grades 6-12 with the last names A-CL. In my role as a counselor, I am responsible for the developmental needs of all my scholars through our comprehensive school counseling program, which addresses scholars’ academic, career, and personal/social development. In collaboration with my colleagues at Compass, we are able to support our scholars’ emotional and social growth through our guidance curriculum, individual scholar planning, and responsive services. I have been a counselor at Compass for eight years.

Tell us your “why” for doing what you do here at Compass.
I am here at Compass because I enjoy working with and supporting our scholars in their educational goals. I do this because seeing our scholars reach their full potential and graduate brings me joy.

As a counselor, is there a piece of advice you’d like to share with learning coaches or scholars?
Scholars, never give up. Study, work hard, and advocate for yourself. Remember, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Share one thing about you that very few people know.
Few people know that my first career choice was to be a general surgeon.

What do you and your family like to do during your free time?
My family and I like to be outdoors during our free time. Whether that is playing soccer as a family, hiking at our local trails, or bike riding to the beach. On the weekends, we love to take short trips to San Diego and go jet skiing or to Palm Springs to ride dirt bikes.

We are pleased to announce that our Compass Charter Schools of San Diego nominee, Katelyn E., has been selected as a 2023 Carson Scholar. With this honor, Katelyn will receive a $1,000 scholarship award that will be invested in their college education. In addition to the scholarship money, they will receive a medal and a certificate. Katelyn was chosen because they demonstrated the highest academic achievement standards, integrity, and civic and social responsibility. Congratulations, Katelyn!

Scholars have visited iFly Ontario, iFly Sacramento, the Sawdust Factory, the Living Desert, Sacramento Underground Tour, iFly Hollywood, San Diego Air, and Space Museum, Lil’ Chef School, Aquarium of the Bay, Chabot Science and Space Center, Museum of Tolerance, First Flight with the Anaheim Ducks, Astrocamp, and Exploratorium! Check out the Monday Morning Update (MMU) weekly for our latest field trip offerings!

The fun continues with our virtual scholar workshops and heritage month assemblies! We held our annual Spelling Bee, The Wonders of the Ocean: An Introduction to Marine Biology, Young Writer’s Winter Workshop: A Loud Winter’s Nap, Scholar Social Hour, Black History Month Assembly, Spring Virtual Scholar Clubs Open House, Discovering Jean-Michel Basquiat: Learn & Draw, and celebrated Women’s History Month (presentation pictured below) during our March assembly. Check out the Monday Morning Update (MMU) weekly for our latest virtual scholar workshop releases!

We have 21 scholar clubs up and running, meeting once a month on Monday afternoons! Semester 2 Scholar Club Rush was held on Friday, February 17, to highlight all our scholar clubs for the upcoming semester (pictured below). This quarter, our Arts and Crafts Club (6-12) created Valentine’s Day cards together, our Cooking Club (6-12) made sugar cookies and fettuccine alfredo, our Virtual Field Trips Club (TK-5) took a virtual trip to Europe, and our STEM Challenge Club (TK-5) worked on their aircraft car kits!

Our learning coaches have been having a blast getting together virtually with our Engagement Department every Monday at 11 am! Staff members from our Counseling Department and Academic Department joined this quarter to present information sessions on tips for anxiety (pictured below) and testing tips and tricks with our Compass families. We also hosted social sessions where our families were able to chat about their favorite meals and snacks to prepare during the school day and how to make learning fun!

The Engagement Team would like to shine a bright spotlight on 4-grade scholar Malachi I. for his participation in our Black History Month assembly. Malachi researched inventor George Washington Carver and taught attendees about his invention of the crop rotation method.

Special Education is excited to announce a Learning Coach Training Series for Special Education. The first session was Wednesday, March 8 at 4 pm presented by Gail Angus. The topic was, “You are Invited to an IEP Meeting, What Should I Expect?”

Navigating Special Education Learning Coach Training Flyer.docx

What is your job title and job responsibilities at Compass? How long have you worked for this organization?

I joined Compass in 2022 and have been supporting scholars as a Special Education Teacher and Case Manager.

Tell us your “why” for doing what you do here at Compass.

After years of providing in-home therapy to students in my community, I saw how much we really needed Special Education teachers with more passion, patience, and, more specifically, a background in ABA.

As an educator, is there a piece of advice you’d like to share with learning coaches or scholars?

This quote from Sarah Caldwell really motivates me; she says, “Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can. There will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.”

Share one thing about you that very few people know.

Few people know that I am a coffee connoisseur. I enjoy finding small coffee shops around California and then traveling there with my family to collect their shop stickers for my Coffee Scrapbook.

What do you and your family like to do during your free time?

We are very grateful to live in Santa Clarita, California, where an hour’s drive can take us to the lake, the snow, the beach, or the desert! We love planning outdoor adventures and getting our toddler accustomed to all of the family activities we have grown to love over the years, such as hiking, camping, paddle boarding, or riding our beach bikes in Newport.

Compass Charter Schools is a non-profit charter school. Your donation helps enhance and expand the Compass Experience for our scholars, learning coaches, and staff.

The easiest way to give is online at https://www.compasscharters.org/giving/.

If you can make a gift, the Compass family will benefit greatly.

Do not forget to check if your company will match your donation to Compass. It is an excellent way to SUPER-SIZE your donation! Thank you!

Are you enjoying the educational experience at Compass? Tell us! We want to hear from you. Why did you decide to join the Compass family? Or, what do you love most about being part of our community? Share you comments and all of your wonderful experiences at Compass with us! Click here to share.

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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