The 2023-2024 school year is off to a positive start, and I am excited to begin my first full year as the Superintendent of Compass Charter Schools. We kicked off the year with our all staff retreat in August, where we began our work on Stephen Covey’s Trust & Inspire Framework. Our leadership team is participating in a book study, and we are exploring the practical applications of this work at Compass. Our goal is to create an environment where all staff feel that: "Overall trust enhances employee satisfaction and engagement, and fosters a positive and supportive work environment at Compass."
Providing our education partners with the Gold Standard in Virtual education starts with a positive culture built on trust. I am so impressed with all of the staff at Compass and their willingness to grow and discover how to improve to best serve our community.
As we expand this work to include our education partners, we will look at new ways to incorporate feedback from our scholars and families. Our Scholar Leadership Council and Parent Advisory Council provide valuable insights into how best to meet their needs, and they have innovative ideas for improvement. This year, we will be building a new survey tool to best capture the voices of our education partners to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our community.
Our leadership team is fully committed to this work, and staff have shown they are willing to grow and excited to effect positive change within our organization. I hope that you enjoy this edition of the Compass Chronicle.
Kind regards,
Liz Brenner
“In a learning organization, leaders are designers, stewards, and teachers.”
-Peter Senge, Author of The Fifth Discipline
AVID scholars started the year strong with excitement and inquiry in our learning labs. We have been getting to know each other through online discussions and fun ice breakers, where we build relational capacity.
We have spent the first few months of school working on our organizational skills, as we learned new strategies such as the 80/20 Rule and utilizing the Eisenhower Matrix to organize our school day, digital materials, time, and priorities.
As AVID scholars, we always focus on the 5 Steps of focused note-taking as we take notes, process them, connect our thinking, summarize and reflect on the material, and then apply our learning. In October, we peeled back the layers of an AVID Scholar Profile with our AVID Autospy group project to share in discussions and inquiry of what an AVID scholar values, as we made claims about AVID Scholars and supported our thinning with evidence and reasoning.
In November and December, we are starting our College and Career units and looking forward to learning more about what each of our scholars wants for their futures.
- Andrea Lomeli, AVID Coordinator/Elective Teacher
I am a supervising teacher at Compass. My responsibilities are working with families and scholars to help guide them through their personalized educational journey. This is my second year teaching virtually after being a classroom teacher for many years.
My ‘why’ is that education is the great equalizer and that great ideas, inspiration, or innovation come from anywhere and anyone.
My advice is to try anything and everything, try your best, don’t be afraid to fail, and have fun.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance.
I am the second youngest in my family out of five children and the only male.
Our family enjoys spending time together, going on vacations, taking the dogs out, or just staying home and watching movies.
We utilize many different AVID strategies during our sessions together.
What's New in Counseling?
Virtual Wellness Hub: Dive into our virtual office, where we've curated a wealth of resources to support scholars and families in navigating the journey of education and well-being. From academic tools to mental health resources, it's your one-stop destination for success! New this year is our mental health library. Please visit this link to find mental health-related books by category. Scroll down to find age-appropriate books for learning coaches and scholars on various topics. YouTube and Epic links for read-aloud and audiobooks are provided for many books. Free access to audiobooks and Ebooks is also available through Hoopla.
Social Emotional Learning Series: Our commitment to holistic development continues with our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Series, tailored for each grade level. Join us on a journey of self-discovery, coping strategies, and building resilience together.
Top 5 Colleges Online Tool: Embarking on college exploration? Look no further! We've partnered with the Top 5 Colleges online tool. This is your guide to seamless research and financial aid estimates. Unlock a world of possibilities as you plan your academic future. Contact College & Career Readiness Counselor, Ms. Olson, for more information (molson@compasscharters.org).
For Parents and Guardians: We're excited to introduce Learning Coach Workshops focusing on our mental health and college career readiness series, specially designed to equip parents and guardians with the tools to support their scholars on the journey to success.
FAFSA Revamp: Exciting news on the horizon! Anticipate a revamped FAFSA application at the end of December. We're here to demystify the financial aid process, ensuring every scholar has the tools to pursue their dreams.
CASC Conference Highlights: Our counseling team was at the forefront of innovation, attending the California Association of School Counselors Conference in Riverside during October and bringing back insights, strategies, and a renewed dedication to serving our school community.
Stay connected, stay informed, and let's create a future filled with possibilities! Scholar success is our mission.
Spotlight on Counselor Jacob Samples!
My name is Jacob Samples, and I serve as a counselor here at Compass. Over the course of my nearly eight-year tenure here, I have had the privilege of working closely with scholars whose last names fall within the range of He-Me. My professional focus revolves around delivering comprehensive academic and social-emotional counseling services to our scholars.
In addition to my professional role, my personal life is enriched by my four-year partnership with my partner, Nick. Together, we have opened our hearts and home as a foster family, welcoming twin boys into our lives. Our household also includes two four-legged members, my rescue dog named Stanley and my partner's dog, Wilbert, who share an endearing and quirky friendship.
The primary reason for my enduring commitment to Compass is the profound connection I share with our scholars. Their stories of choosing a program and school as distinctive as Compass resonate deeply with my experiences during middle and high school. This enables me to establish more profound and meaningful connections with our scholars, particularly from a counseling perspective.
Furthermore, I have developed an enduring camaraderie with fellow members of the Compass Counseling Team, whom I have had the privilege of working alongside since my initial days here. The strong bonds formed within the team contribute to a positive and even joyful atmosphere in my role as a counselor.
If I were to offer any advice to our scholars and their families, it would be to maintain a broader perspective, recognizing that Compass is an independent study program characterized by considerable flexibility, not only for the scholars but also for our dedicated teachers, counselors, and staff. I encourage you to take full advantage of the resources at your disposal. As a team, we genuinely relish the opportunity to engage with scholars and their families daily, embracing the privilege of collaborating with each of you. As you adapt to this new learning environment, grant yourselves the grace and patience necessary for the transition. Learning a new way of education takes time, and self-compassion is essential throughout the process.
Meet Amarys, a remarkable senior navigating the exciting journey of college applications with impressive success, already receiving an acceptance and scholarship!
College Bound: Amarys has set her sights high, applying to a diverse range of colleges that reflect her passion and ambition. From the City University of New York to San Diego State University, her journey is an inspiring exploration of academic possibilities.
What inspired you to pursue higher education, and how did you approach the college application process?
What inspired me to pursue higher education and start the college application process was the desire to succeed and be proud of myself for my accomplishments. I want to see where my hard work will get me, and one way is through my college applications. At first, the college application process was a bit stressful, but I tried to approach it with an open viewpoint of all the possibilities of what my life could look like and be at all these different colleges.
What field of study or major are you considering, and what sparked your interest in that particular area?
The major(s) I am considering for college are psychology, pre-law, and criminology. I'm not 100% sure what exactly I want to pursue, yet I hope to find a career that combines all of them. What first sparked my interest in psychology was wanting to understand why some people are the way they are. Whether this be criminals or the average Joe, I want to understand why, when two people go through the same childhood, one becomes an average member of society while the other is behind bars for murder. This correlates with my interest in law and wanting to put real criminals behind bars while defending the people who can't defend themselves.
As you look forward to college, what are you most excited about, and do you have any specific goals or aspirations for the future?
What I'm most excited about in college is the independence to make my own decisions and live my life. Whether this be through academics or personal choices, I believe the freedom to choose what I might want my future to look like is one of the best and most exciting choices a person can have. I truly believe there really are no limits, and if you want to do something or live your life a certain way, then I believe you should. I aspire to either become a lawyer or a forensic psychologist, but even if I don't accomplish those goals, my true goal for my future is to be happy because, at the end of the day, I think that's what matters the most.
What's Next: As Amarys eagerly anticipates the next chapter, we can't wait to see the impact she'll make in the world. Join us in celebrating her achievements and wishing her continued success on this exciting journey! #FutureLeaders #CollegeBound #SuccessStory
Virtual Scholar Workshops
Scholar Clubs!
In our vibrant world of scholar clubs, scholars across various age groups have embarked on a journey of learning, exploration, and personal growth. Let's take a look at some highlights from our diverse range of clubs:
Literary Journeys: Scholars delved into American history and prepared for insightful presentations.
Fostering Inclusivity: The Genders & Sexualities Alliance Club (GSA) defined its mission and vision, creating an inclusive haven for all members.
Unveiling Journalism: Enthusiastic journalists embarked on a journey to understand the diverse facets of reporting, electing club leaders who promise dynamic leadership.
Virtual Adventures: The Virtual Field Trips Club introduced scholars to Compass's Mission/Vision and Values and adventured off together on a magical virtual trip to Disneyland.
Young Minds: Our youngest scholars embraced their literary club with enthusiasm, by engaging in discussions, playing a "Would You Rather" book version, and enjoying a captivating Caldecott Award-winning read-aloud.
Sensory Delights: The Stories & Snacks Club initiated discussions on the clubs’ mission, values, and social-emotional learning as well as took a glimpse into future “snacktivities”!
Mental Health Matters: The NAMI on Campus High School (NCHS) club started with essential discussions surrounding mental health, expectations, and motivations behind joining the newly launched NAMI club. The club also discussed anxiety and stress management techniques, emphasizing open dialogues on mental health.
Culinary Creativity: Culinary enthusiasts in the Cooking Club introduced themselves, compiled recipe wishlists, and voted on their inaugural culinary creation.
Virtual Globetrotters: Scholars embarked on virtual journeys, exploring Salzburg's attractions and savoring its culinary delights.
Minecraft Community: Minecraft enthusiasts had spirited discussions, explored "Minecraft Would You Rather" questions, and ventured into the Minecraft world for collaborative free-building and skill honing.
Artistic Expressions: Art enthusiasts shared their aspirations, contemplated guest speakers, and showcased their work in engaging show-and-tell sessions.
Strategic Minds: The Chess Club continued fostering strategic thinking.
Culinary Delights: Culinary scholars practiced precision in ingredient measurements, perfecting chocolate chip cookies.
Worldly Explorations: Scholars embarked on virtual adventures, journeying through Africa, Venice, and Verona!
Through our scholar clubs program, our scholars have discovered not only outlets for their passions but also pathways to personal growth and lasting friendships. As we look ahead to the ongoing journey of scholar clubs, we anticipate a future filled with even more thrilling adventures and exciting discoveries!
Learning Coach Academy!
Within the Learning Coach Academy, dedicated learning coaches have embarked on a journey of empowerment and growth, engaging in a diverse range of topics. Here are a few of the standout moments from this season's enriching sessions:
A Structured Start: Tips and tricks for organization at the beginning of the school year were shared, setting the stage for a productive academic journey.
LCA Insights: An in-depth overview of Learning Coach Academy and a deep dive into ParentSquare provided valuable insights into the system's resources and tools.
Motivation Matters: Learning coaches explored effective techniques to keep their scholars motivated and engaged throughout their educational journey.
Addressing Unmet Expectations: The topic of navigating unmet expectations was unpacked, and offered valuable guidance on handling challenges and setbacks.
Responsibilities & Expectations: Learning coaches gained a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, setting the stage for a successful partnership.
Embracing Breaks: With fall break on the horizon, learning coaches shared plans and strategies for making the most of the time with their scholars.
In Learning Coach Academy, our dedicated learning coaches have expanded their knowledge and equipped themselves with valuable tools and strategies to support their scholars. As we journey through this series of sessions tailored for our learning coaches, we are thrilled about the exciting opportunities ahead. These sessions are designed to empower our learning coaches and ignite their enthusiasm for their important roles in supporting scholars!
What's Been Happening in Special Education?
We have had a great start to this school year. Scholars are working hard with their educational specialists in small groups.
The TeachTown pilot is going well. Five supervising teachers are collaborating with five educational specialists to pilot the TeachTown curriculum with ten scholars.
Educational specialists participated in additional training on implementing the Max Scholar supplemental reading program.
Great work SPED team and scholars!
-Amy Foody, Director of Special Education
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!
Compass Charter Schools
Email: info@compasscharters.org
Location: 850 Hampshire Road, Suite R, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
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