Compass Connections

• Eclipse Viewing (Optional)- Monday, April 8, 2:00 pm (see below)
• Art Club- Monday, April 8, 4:00-5:00 pm (Rm. 141)
  
• Compass Cares Service Club- Monday, April 8, 4:00-5:00 pm (Rm. 142)
• PSAT/SAT TESTING DAY AT COMPASS- Tuesday, April 9 (SAT is required for graduation)
• Aurora University Field Trip- Wednesday, April 10, 9:30 am- 1:00 pm (Register with Ms. Ohlson)
• Culinary Club- Thursday, April 11, 3:55-4:55 pm (Rm. 143)
• Block E (Academic Support)- Thursday, April 11, 3:55-5:55 pm (Rm. 140)
  
• Student Leaders Lunch Meeting- Friday, April 12, 12:15-1:00 pm (Rm. 144)

On Tuesday, April 9th, all 9th and 10th grade Compass Academy students are scheduled to take the PSAT and all 11th grade students, along with 12th grade students who did not test last year, are scheduled to take the SAT. THE SAT IS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT and the PSAT is important for several reasons as it helps students target academic areas in need of growth, opens up opportunities for dual credit courses, and provides students with experience in standardized testing before they take a college entrance exam.

For students taking the PSAT, the school day will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will dismiss at approximately 12:45 p.m., at the conclusion of the test. For students taking the SAT, the school day will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 1:45 p.m. Students who attend East or North for periods 1 or 2 only may attend those classes as usual or, if they have their own or parent-provided transportation, they may be excused from their classes that are not at Compass. Students will be excused from all off-campus classes on testing day, along with any classes at East or North that occur after 2nd period.

Buses will run their normal routes in the morning. Buses for 9th and 10th grade students will depart at 1:00 p.m. after PSAT testing concludes. Buses for students taking the SAT will depart at 2:25 p.m. The students who test beyond this dismissal time will be contacted individually to make bus arrangements.

Compass Academy students who attend St. Charles East or North part-time, taking one or two classes at their home high school, will be excused from school on Wednesday, April 10, because that is when East and North are administering the PSAT/SAT.

In every class, Compass students will have the option of going outside with supervision during Block C to view the eclipse at its peak at 2:06 p.m. Before going outside with their class, each student will be given a pair of ISO-certified eclipse glasses and will be instructed about the dangers of looking at the sun during an eclipse without proper eye protection. Students will be allowed to keep the glasses, particularly because the 2:25 dismissal Monday will occur during a time when the eclipse is still occurring. Students may opt out of going outside by telling their Block C teacher in class on Monday.

Students in Life Drawing Studio worked on contour drawings, a version of outline drawing in which the artist, looking closely at the contour of an object, transfers it in one continuous line to paper without looking down to see what they are doing. Some of the results were impressive likenesses while others (like the one of Mrs. Stanley) were a bit more abstract.

Several students from various art classes had their work accepted in the St. Charles Art Council's juried art show. The opening reception was yesterday, and a number of our student artists were on hand.

Reserve your 2023-24 Compass Academy yearbook now for only $15.00 each at book.hrimaging.com. Yearbooks will be delivered to Compass before the end of the school year.

On Wednesdays this spring, Compass Academy students have the opportunity to visit several nearby post-secondary institutions, including technical institutes, colleges, and universities. Last week, students visited Universal Technical Institute and learned about programs the school offers in automotive tech, motorcycle mechanics, robotics & automation, welding, and wind power, among others, all of which lead to certification in 9 months to 2 years for in-demand careers.

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.

State Representative Dan Ugaste is offering an opportunity to apply for a summer internship in his District Office in St. Charles, from June 1 - July 31. He wants to involve young students in the legislative process and give them the chance to see firsthand the workings of a legislative office. Hours are flexible. For current seniors only.

All interested candidates are asked to contact his office by phone: 630-797-5530 or by email: ugaste@ilhousegop.org . Please submit a resume and cover letter by April 15.

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.

June 3-July 17

St. Charles North HS

Registration Brochure

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

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
  

Attention graduating students:

The State of Illinois requires all Illinois public high school students to complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) as a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma. FAFSA opened on December 31. We recommend all students who are planning on, or even thinking about, attending either a two-year or four-year college in the fall complete this sooner rather than later. Even if you don't qualify for federal aid, many schools use this information to provide institutional aid.

FAFSA 24/25 Walkthrough Video with Tips

For students who choose not to file an application, a waiver may be completed by their parent. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) makes this available through their website. This is also available through the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) Student Portal.

• Nonparticipation Form Instructions

CLICK THE PHOTO BELOW TO SEE THE WIDE ARRAY OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO ORDER.

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.

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

Sharon Stanley, Director

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