Monday Morning Update
Online Program ~ January 27, 2020
COMPASS SCHOOL NEWS
ASSESSMENTS ~ Diagnostic Testing Window is next week! All scholars will take the diagnostic assessments beginning February 3rd: Istation diagnostic assessment, for scholars in grades K-5; and the Edgenuity MyPath diagnostic assessment, for scholars in grades 6-12.
Use the following linked guides to pratice logging in.
Grades TK-5: log into Istation using our Getting Started Guide
Grades 6-12: log into Edgenuity using our Scholar Guide: Edgenuity
Contact your teacher or educational facilitator if you don’t have your user name and password.
Find more information about Testing Resources in the Parents & Scholars section of our website under Academic Resources (remember the password to access this section is loveCCS).
AVID ~ As we begin our last week of semester 1, now is a good time to remember that how you approach studying matters almost as much as what you choose to study. The right mindset is important in order to study smarter. Here are some ways to help improve your study mindset:
Aim to think positively when you study, and remind yourself of your skills and abilities.
Avoid catastrophic thinking. Instead of thinking, “I’m a mess, I’ll never have enough time to study for this exam,” look at it like, “I may be a little late to study as much as I’d like, but since I’m doing it now, I’ll get most of it done.”
Avoid absolute thinking. Instead of thinking “I always mess things up,” the more objective view is, “I didn’t do so well that time, what can I do to improve?”
Avoid comparing yourself with others, because you usually just end up feeling bad about yourself. Your skills and abilities are unique to you, and you alone.
BLOG ~ January is School Board Recognition Month, a great time to celebrate CCC’s hard-working board members and the important role that they play in our communities and schools. Although showing appreciation is a year-round process, taking advantage of School Board Recognition Month assures that these important people receive some of the thanks they deserve! Check out our latest blog, celebrating our board!
CCS NEWS ~ The January issue of the Compass Chronicle has been published! Check out the quarterly newsletter to see what exciting things scholars are up to, meet wonderful staff members and learn about the upcoming field trips, clubs, and activities happening at CCS!
COFFEE WITH COMPASS ~ Coffee with Compass returns this week with a stop in Northridge (tomorrow, Tuesday, January 28). Visit ParentSquare to learn more and to RSVP!
ENERGY BUS TIP OF THE WEEK ~ You never know the kind of day someone is having. Take a moment to let your teachers and classmates know you appreciate them. Also, don’t forget to check out this week’s Make a Difference Monday Message from the Energy Bus!
MID-WINTER BREAK ~ The last day of our first semester is this Wednesday, January 29. Compass is closed this Thursday and Friday, January 30 and 31, for Mid-Winter Break. Second semester begins next Monday, February 3!
ONLINE HANDBOOK HIGHLIGHT ~ To help better understand how final semester graders are considered, “The grade in any given course represents the degree to which the scholar has met the standards and achieved the goals of the course. Grades reflect the quality of the scholar’s work and the scholar’s degree of mastery of academic standards. The semester grade reflects the cumulative achievement for the entire semester. Attendance and participation are contributing factors in meeting the standards and earning a grade.” (page 26)
PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL SURVEY ~ As a reminder, our Parent Advisory Council has created a survey, to ask about your Compass Experience. Please complete the Parent Survey today and help the Council enhance and expand the Compass Experience! We ask that you complete the Parent Survey by this Friday, January 31 to be entered into a special raffle (see survey on how to enter)!
SCHOLAR LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SURVEY ~ Scholar Leadership Council has also created a survey, for our scholars in all grades to complete! They are looking for input on the Compass Experience as well, from the scholar perspective. Please share the Scholar Survey with your scholar(s) today! We ask that your scholar(s) complete the Scholar Survey by this Friday, January 31!
SCHOLAR OF THE MONTH ~ The Scholar of the Month program ties into the CCS core values of achievement, respect, teamwork, integrity, and communication. Scholars are nominated by teachers and staff for their academic excellence, work ethic, leadership skills, and virtual involvement, and selected by the leadership team for the monthly honor. View the December Scholars of the Month!
K-8 SCHOOL NEWS
ELEMENTARY UPDATES ~ Check out our Online K-5 website to get important updates for this week!
END OF SEMESTER ~ Last day of Semester 1 is Wednesday, January 29. All work must be submitted by 11:59PM. Mid-year break January 30-31. Semester 2 begins on Monday, February 3. Reach out to your content teachers today if you need help figuring out which assignments to focus on this week!.
ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL NEWS
FINAL WEEK! ~ This is the final week of semester 1. Please make sure that all assignments are submitted by 11:59 pm this Wednesday, January 29. Remember, plan ahead and reach out to your teachers immediately if you have questions.
STATE TESTING ~ State testing is soon approaching! Our school-wide goal this year is to better prepare scholars for the written part of the test, known as the Constructive Response. This year, our online 11-grade English teacher, Mrs. Shabaglian, is hosting test prep sessions in her Learning Labs; please try your best to attend all of these sessions! The next prep session is scheduled for Thursday, February 6. In case you were unable to attend the first two sessions on "writing a hook," please watch these recordings below! These recordings are also posted in Mrs. Shabaglian's course.
Week 11- Writing a Hook Pt.1
Week 12- Writing a Hook Pt. 2
Don't miss out on this opportunity to better prepare your 11 grader for state testing in the Spring!
COUNSELING NEWS
NATIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELING WEEK 2020 (#NSCW20) IS FEB. 3–7, 2020, “School Counselors: Helping Build Better Humans.”
The week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they can have in helping scholars achieve school success and plan for a career. Take a moment to thank your school counselor(s)...Mrs. Ayala, Mr. Samples, Mrs. Schwartzberg, Ms. Bateman, and Ms. Olson. Follow #NSCW20 and @CompasCounselor on social media.
FEATURED COUNSELING SERVICES LESSON
CCS Cafe: Career Technical Education (CTE) Session - Tuesday, January 28th from 12:00-12:30pm in the Counseling Learning Lab
This session will explore Career and Technical Education (CTE) and the options that are available to our scholars. CTE is the practice of teaching specific career skills to scholars in middle school, high school, and post-secondary institutions. CTE pathways are split into 15 career sectors that apply to different high-demand careers. Please join Ms. Bateman and Ms. Olson in the Counseling Learning Lab to learn more about Career and Technical Education.
SEL Workshop: Emotions - February 4th from 12- 12:30pm in the Counseling Learning Lab for scholars in grades 4th - 12th.
Some people say there are six basic emotions--anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise--which are expressed in varying degrees as feelings. Sometimes, it can be hard to manage our emotions. When we don’t manage our emotions well, we may not be compassionate toward others or get the compassion we need. When we are happy, our needs are being met, when we are upset or worried, our needs are not being met. In this interactive lesson, scholars will label emotions, describe what they look like, and list the situations that might cause them. Please join Ms. Bateman and Mrs. Wingate in the Counseling Learning Lab to learn more about building confidence.
FEATURED SCHOLARSHIP
WriteAtHome Scholarship
Deadline: March 1, 2020
Available to: Homeschool and personalized learning seniors (class of 2020)
Award Amount: $1,000
Applicants must respond to a quote in 800 words or less.
Learn more about the WriteAtHome Scholarship
Enjoy a detailed list of Spring 2020 helpful college and career planning resources for middle and high school scholars.
EXCEPTIONAL SCHOLAR SERVICES
FEATURED ARTICLE ~ 11 Homeschooling Tips for Parents of Kids with Special Needs:
Identify your child’s need
Develop and ISP (individual scholar plan) or SEP (scholar education plan)
Create a space in your home
Tailor the curriculum to your child
Make a routine and stick to it (but be fliexible).
ENGAGEMENT NEWS
PENNIES FOR PATIENTS ~ We are kicking off the Great Kindness Challenge by partnering with LLS to take on the mission of ending cancer once and for all! The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Pennies for Patients program is working with thousands of schools across the country to raise funds for blood cancer research and patient support services. Click here to get involved!
EVENT SPOTLIGHT ~ Join us on March 3 as we step back in time and tour the Winchester Mystery House to learn the history of Victorian Architecture, Sarah Winchester's influence on Silicon Valley agriculture, and what life was like in San Jose in the late 1800's. Registration is open now and closes on Friday, January 31. To learn more about this field trip and learn how to reserve your spot, please click here!
CONTEST SPOTLIGHT ~ In its 21st year, the Spirit of Math International Contest is presented by Spirit of Math®, the global leader in math enrichment for high-performing students and teacher training for over 30 years, in collaboration with SMILE, developed by Stanford University, one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world. Spirit of Math and Stanford SMILE are pleased to announce the 21st Annual International Math Contest to be held globally on April 9, 2020. Open to grades 1 to 6, this contest will be written by students worldwide with the intent to test their skills, develop self-confidence, and experience the joy of math. If you have a scholar who would like to participate in this contest, please email Rebecca MacAlpine(rmacalpine@compasscharters.org) no later than Friday, February 7.
CLUB SPOTLIGHT ~ The Minecraft Club explores the wonderful blocky world and all it has to offer to education. As a group, this club designs and implements creative inventions to enhance the Minecraft digital world; from building roadways to waterways to electrical systems and more! Come share your knowledge of Minecraft and help improve this wonderful world with the power of your imagination! To learn more about this club or any of our other Scholar Clubs, please visit the “Parents & Scholars” section of our CCS website.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Upcoming Engagement Event Registration Deadlines *Note deadlines may be several days prior to the actual event*
January 27 to January 29 ~ 2020 Spirit Week - National School Choice Week, Great Kindness Challenge, Dress Up Days and Pennies for Patients Campaign
Monday, January 27 ~ Virtual Scholar Workshop - Spirit Week Virtual Rally Kick Off (National School Choice Week, Great Kindness Challenge and Pennies for Patients)
Wednesday, January 29 ~ Virtual Scholar Workshop - Spirit Week Virtual Rally Wrap Up (National School Choice Week, Great Kindness Challenge and Pennies for Patients)
Friday, January 31 ~ (LA) Natural History Museum (February 6 Event)
Friday, January 31 ~ (SD) Deering Banjo Factory (February 18 Event)
Friday, January 31 ~ (SA) iFly Sacramento (February 19 Event)
Friday, January 31 ~ (OC) Santa Ana Zoo (February 21 Event)
Friday, January 31 ~ (SC) Winchester Mystery House (March 3 Event)
Friday, January 31 ~ (RV) Big Bear Zoo (March 2 Event)
Friday, January 31 ~ (CC) Marine Science Institute (March 2 Event)
Friday, February 7 ~ Spirit of Math Contest Sign Up Due
Friday, February 7 ~ (SA) Amazon Warehouse Tour (February 20 Event)
Friday, February 7 ~ (SO) Schulz Museum and Ice Skating at Snoopy’s Home (February 25 Event)
Friday, February 7 ~ (SO) Valentine’s Day Craft Event (February 10 Event)
Compass Charter Schools
- Ashley Daugherty, Online K-8 Coordinator, at adaugherty@compasscharters.org.
- Janae Smith, Online High School Coordinator, at jsmith@compasscharters.org.
- Erin Smith, Director of Online Learning, at esmith@compasscharters.org.
Email: info@compasscharters.org
Website: www.compasscharters.org
Location: 850 Hampshire Road, Suite P, Thousand Oaks, CA, United States
Phone: 855-937-4227
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CompassCS/
Twitter: @CompassCS