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Compass Connections
May 5, 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Block E (Academic Support)- Tuesday, May 7, 3:55-5:55 pm (Rm. 140)
- Bricklayers Training Center Field Trip- Wednesday, May 8, 9:30-1:00 pm (Register with Ms. Ohlson)
- Culinary Club- Thursday, May 9, 3:55-4:55 pm (Rm. 143)
- Block E (Academic Support)- Thursday, May 9, 3:55-5:55 pm (Rm. 140)
- Last Day of School for Graduating Students- Thursday, May 16
- Compass Cord Ceremony and Senior Celebration/All-School Picnic- Friday, May 17
- Portfolio Defense for 9th-11th Grade Students- Tuesday & Thursday, May 28 & 30
- Final Exams at St. Charles East & North- Tuesday, May 28 - Thursday, May 30 (see schedule below)
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HOW DO FINAL EXAMS AND PORTFOLIO DEFENSE WORK?
There is transportation at the beginning and end of each day, following the posted start and end times for East/North and Compass.
- For nearly all part-time Compass students who are not graduating, Tuesday (5/28) will be their day for final exams, so they will take their AM bus to East or North, take their final exams, and either provide their own transportation home after their 2nd period exam or wait in the Commons at East or North (or other designated area) until the end of the day at 12:50, taking the bus home at 1:10.
- All Compass students will have an assigned time on Wednesday (only if requested), Tuesday, or Thursday for their Portfolio Defense, during which they will meet with a panel of teachers to review their portfolio, explain how they have met learning outcomes in each of their courses, and highlight artifacts demonstrating their best work. During this time, if students request it, they will also have the opportunity to engage in a Course Completion Conference, which provides an opportunity for them to share evidence of learning and explain to their panel how they have demonstrated proficiency of learning outcomes in a course where they had previously been Approaching Competency (APR). Students will prepare for their Portfolio Defense during their advisory class and will continue this work until the last day of classes on Friday, May 24th.
- The District will provide transportation on Thursday for Compass students who need it. A separate communication about this will be sent to parents and students on Monday, 5/13.
- Students are required to attend their Portfolio Panel as scheduled. They will not have additional learning activities on Tuesday or Thursday, 5/28 or 5/30, but teachers and staff will be available for academic support during normal school hours (9:30-3:45) to assist students in preparing for their Portfolio Panel. Students will be expected to remain in the Community Room when they are not meeting with teachers.
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FAFSA - ILLINOIS GRADUATION REQUIREMENT!
Want a diploma? TWENTY-ONE PERCENT of our students haven't filed their FAFSA or completed the opt-out waiver that is a graduation requirement in the State of Illinois.
What to do? If you are in that 21%, complete the FAFSA or complete the opt-out waiver on the ISAC website TODAY! Don't miss out on receiving your hard-earned diploma!
Need help completing the FAFSA? Check out the ISAC website or stop by the Financial Aid Office at ECC. They will help students and their parents complete the FAFSA for free! More info about ECC's support HERE.
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COMPASS GRADUATE YARD SIGNS
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PSAT/SAT SCORE REPORTS
Scores for those students who took the PSAT or SAT on April 9 are scheduled to be released beginning on May 2. Those who took the make-up exam will need to wait until May 16 to access their scores. Students will be able to access scores in their online College Board account. We will not receive hard copies. Students who are not able to access their account should see Ms. Ohlson for assistance.
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END-OF-THE-YEAR SPIRIT DAYS
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THIS WEEK'S GLIMPSE ACROSS CAMPUS
Students have been enjoying the opportunity the nice weather has provided lately to get outside in the courtyard and adjacent field to enjoy lunch and some physical activity.
"Kickball and Kite Day", one of the days in our alphabet countdown to the last day of school, allowed students a break from indoor academic activities to try their hand at flying kites or to participate in a nostalgic game of kickball.
Thomas Rushing, a Compass junior, has been sharing his expansive knowledge of natural fish tank habitats to create two well-designed tanks, complete with live plants, for the Compass wellness center.
STUDENTS MAY COMPLETE THEIR LUNCH ORDER FOR THE WEEK BY CLICKING THE BOX ABOVE AND MAKING THEIR SELECTION BY 10:00 A.M. MONDAY MORNING.
Compass Academy students pre-order their lunch, so if your student plans to order lunch, please have them complete this form. Students are always welcome to bring food from home, if they prefer. If your student may qualify for free or reduced lunch, please complete this form or have them get a paper copy of the form from the Compass office.
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COMPASS ACADEMY SPIRIT WEAR CAN BE ORDERED AT ANY TIME & SHIPPED TO YOUR HOME.
CLICK THE PHOTO BELOW TO SEE THE WIDE ARRAY OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO ORDER.
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TEEN LIFE SUMMER PROGRAMS
Whether it’s an overnight pre-college program, a local day camp, or a sleepaway adventure experience, summer programs for teens are a great way to pursue new interests, improve existing skills, and make new friends outside of the classroom.
The TeenLife website has collected and curated some of the best summer programs for students in middle and high school. These one-of-a-kind programs come in all shapes and sizes — some are academically focused, others are skills-based, and still others are similar to a traditional summer camp experience. However, all of these programs offer vital enrichment opportunities for teens to expand their horizons.
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DISTRICT 303 SUMMER SCHOOL FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Click the graphic below to see more information on the District 303 website. Students should register with Ms. Ohlson. If you have additional questions, contact Mrs. Stanley.
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D303 DRIVER EDUCATION SUMMER SCHOOL
June 3-July 17
St. Charles North HS
Enrollment in the Summer School Driver Education Program is limited; to reserve a space, please return the registration form to Kristy Harrier by May 3, 2024.
For more information, contact:
Kristy.Harrier@d303.org or (331) 228-6268
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SUMMER LEARNING EXPERIENCES
It may still be winter, but it's the time of year when many colleges and universities have applications open for current high school students to learn on their campuses this summer. From STEM, to the arts, to athletics (and MORE!), the opportunities are many. While some schools have opportunities for all ages, students who will be juniors and seniors next year have many different opportunities to extend learning while experiencing a college campus this summer. An assortment of summer programs from colleges with links to more information are below:
- Aurora University - Camp Spartan - Camp for neurodivergent students who are rising juniors or seniors
- Beloit College - Summer Programs
- Colorado School of Mines - SUMMET Program
- Harvard University - Summer College Programs for High School Students
- Illinois State University - Summer Research Opportunities
- Northern Illinois University - Summer camps (STEAM, Summer in the Arts at Northern, and Athletic Camps)
- Northwestern University - Pre-College programs
- Michigan State University - Pre-College programs
- Purdue University - Summer College For High School Students
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology - Summer Camps
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) - Summer programs for fine arts (FAA)
- University of Wisconsin - Summer Pre-College Explore Programs
- Wheaton College - Summer Institute
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CITY OF ST. CHARLES JOB SHADOWING PROGRAM
Are you interested in learning about the various career options available in St. Charles? Through the city's career pathway job shadow program, Compass students can shadow people in many career fields, including office administration, communications, accounting, firefighting, government, law enforcement, construction, forestry, water management, and vehicle maintenance. Students who participate in job shadowing on Wednesdays, and then write reflections about their experiences, have the opportunity to earn credit for career exploration.
Students may register for these opportunities by scanning the QR code on the bulletin board in the academic hallway or by getting a paper copy of the form from the counselor's office. If students have questions, they should view the video shown in advisory, which outlines everything they need to know about this opportunity, or make an appointment with Ms. Ohlson, the Compass counselor.
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AMERICAN LEGION BOYS' AND GIRLS' STATE
Boys and Girls State is a simulation patterned after the State of Illinois; it follows Illinois governmental procedure as closely as possible. It is a practical application of Americanism and good citizenship which attempts to teach and instill in our youth a love of America and a sense of individual obligation to community, state, and nation. It is a powerful, intense learning experience.
Hundreds of boys and girls from various communities throughout the State of Illinois will attend in June. They will learn the way a two-party system works. We have two fictitious political parties, the Nationalists and the Federalists. They will caucus, have Primary and General elections, and participate in a party Convention.
They will elect city, county, and state officials. They will learn the duties of various public offices their functions, limitations, and powers. They will have their own legislature where they introduce, debate, and pass their own bills. They regulate their own cities, enforce their laws, and prepare county projects.
Each boy and girl has a chance to learn for himself or herself that the government is just what he or she makes of it. They learn the duties, privileges, rights and responsibilities that will help them participate as American citizens.
- FREE to interested Juniors
- Boys' State: June 8-14, Girls' State: June 16-22
- Located at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL
- Participating students compete for nearly $20,000 in scholarships
- Email mtfoulkes@yahoo.com for more information or to register
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Compass Academy
Email: sharon.stanley@d303.org
Website: https://compassacademy.d303.org/
Location: Compass Academy, South 9th Street, St. Charles, IL, USA
Phone: (331)228-3400
X (Twitter): @CompassD303