Compass Programs: News and events
December 22, 2023
Upcoming events
Upcoming Breaks
December 25-29, 2023 No school
January 1 and 2, 2024 No school
January 15, 2024 No school
January 25, 2024 Conference 3pm-7pm
Compass Updates
Child Nutrition Update
Starting Sept. 5, 2023, every student may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost during the school year. The state’s Free School Meals program will cover the cost of one breakfast meal and one lunch meal for every student daily, however the cost of a la carte items, such as milk, other drinks, or extra meal items will not be covered. Students will need to have funds in their meal accounts to purchase any additional food items.
If a family needs access to any other educational benefits, please encourage them to visit ahschools.us/freereduced to complete an application.
The enrollment window for the 2023 Applications for Educational Benefits opened Aug. 1, 2023.
Compass Programs Electronic Device Policy
Personal Electronic devices and cell phones are not needed from 7:30 am - 2:45 pm
Devices should not be seen or heard
If a communication need arises, ask a staff member to use a phone
Violations of the policy may result in the device being turned into the office
Repeated violations will require a parent/guardian meeting
Compass Programs are committed to maintaining a safe and engaging learning environment
American Indian Education Update
Boozhoo! Han! Hello!
My name is Danielle Hale and I am the American Indian Education advisor for the Andover/Alternative cluster, which includes Compass Programs. The purpose of American Indian Education is to encourage and inspire academic achievement, social and emotional development, and cultural awareness of our American Indian students.
I’m excited to tell you about an update to district policy involving American Indian students and staff. Moving forward, American Indian students at Compass will have the opportunity to smudge. Smudging is a cultural practice in which sage, sweetgrass, or cedar is burned to get rid of negativity, allowing participants to clear their heads, ease anxiety, and move forward in a good way. Smudging at Compass will typically take place outside, though in case of inclement weather, administration and maintenance staff are working together to find a space indoors where the smoke won’t disrupt students or staff. Smudging will likely take place at the beginning of each trimester, and on an as-needed basis. This practice is completely optional for American Indian students.
Communication will go out to parents who have students in the program before the first time I offer smudging to students. At that time, parents will have the opportunity to opt out of smudging. If your student is American Indian and is not in the American Indian Education program, please contact the program at Indian_Ed@ahschools.us to enroll them.
If you have questions about the new smudging policy, please contact Ms. Diaz (Stephanie.DiazCelon@ahschools.us) or Mrs. Dahlin (Erica.Dahlin@ahschools.us).
Miigwech. Pidamaya ye. Thank you. And have a good winter break!
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