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New to the Compass Connector? Welcome!
by Dechen Bloom
If you’ve recently joined our mailing list and just started getting our newsletters you may be looking for information from past mailings. If you’ve missed any of the previous newsletter entries, you can come here to the “Compass News and Events” section every Thursday.
A Note from the Head of School
Last week ended with Sandra walking into my office to say that she thought we had one of the best College Days ever. When she spoke these words to me, I turned my head to watch a student walk through the parking lot juggling the butternut squashes they won in one hand and the other carrying a bundle of college brochures. That morning began with a presentation from Patrick Rogers, a representative from Vermont State University and Jessi Herron Krauss from the Vermont Student Assistance Corporations.
After the presentation, the 7th and 8th grade engaged in some community service led by Gabe and Rachel. Community service is an important feature to highlight in the post-secondary placement process. The 12th graders met with Jessi from VSAC to learn more about the financial aid application process and where / how to obtain scholarships for funding their post-secondary pursuits. The seniors spent much of the day being supported by Louise and curating evidence of their learning for the Mastery Transcript that Compass School now uses.
The 9th, 10th, and 11th graders toured Landmark College and then went to Keene State College, both of which are within commuting distance from Compass School. We are in the process of inviting other college representatives to visit Compass School and meet our students. If you have any connections to colleges, universities and/or industry leaders, we welcome guest speakers every week and as much as possible.
As some of you know, I am also an Adjunct Professor in Southern New Hampshire University’s graduate program. My colleague there, Sara Truebridge, has launched EdLinks. Professor Truebridge is an educational thought leader and national speaker who studies resilience. This quote of hers resonates with me, particularly this week:
“The question of whether we believe an individual possesses the capacity for resilience is not appropriate. Everyone has the capacity for resilience. The appropriate question is whether it has been tapped - and if not, what can we do to tap it?”
I invite parents & guardians to meet with me to discuss what it will take to tap your children’s capacity for resilience.
Our staff remain dedicated to ensuring access to unique learning opportunities here on-campus and beyond. Yet, I would like to hear from you all what you think we could do differently or more of. In Ann’s class last week students proposed creating a space where they could go and reset their emotions. In my experience, the library was a focused and studious space where I found calm and often surprised myself with the communication skills I have since developed. We are looking to create a community where kids have the interpersonal tools needed to reset their emotions without leaving the classroom.
Please consider dropping by my office on Thursday, November 21 from 9:30 to 11:30 am or Friday, November 22 from 1:30 to 3:15 PM. I am blocking that time off on my calendar and welcome hearing from you all about how we can help Compass students stay engaged in class more and develop their capacity for being resilient.
During these “coffee talks”, I am interested in learning from parents / guardians what are the skills you deem most important for your children?
Be well,
Kendra
Free Digital Classes = Google Certificates
by Cara Tyrrell
Have you ever wanted to increase your digital skills but felt like you didn’t have the time or money to take courses? We’re thrilled to announce that Compass is partnering with a local rural digital hub to offer courses for free!
The Black River Innovation Campus (BRIC) is located in Springfield, VT. They are at the forefront of empowering digital companies to flourish in rural settings. Part of their mission is to provide relevant, workforce training to high school students and adults.
Cara will be at BRIC on the morning of Wednesday, December 4th to lead a tour of the facilities and to learn more about the 3 month, online courses that earn you or your children a Google Workforce Certificate in one of 8 digital content areas companies are hiring for. Email Cara if you’d like to join the tour with, or without, your student!
Ready for the Holidays?
by Carter DeCoste and Jacksyn McAllister
The holidays are coming fast! Did you mark your calendars yet for our Yuletide Market? Join us on December 13th from 5 pm to 9 pm as the Compass big room transforms into a holiday market.
It's a time when you can shop from a bunch of local vendors. It's open to anyone who wants to come. It could be an excellent place for late-minute Christmas shopping!
We are still looking for vendors! Rent a space for $30$ a table to sell your crafts and goods. All money made at your table is yours, and all proceeds from tickets and admissions go to the Junior class trip.
Your donation to enter ($20/person or $25/family) covers all the festival has to offer including Cher’s delicious food and an experience to see some fantastic craft artists. Contact sandra.stromberg@compassvt.org if you want to purchase a table or have questions.
Compass Traditions: Giving Day
By Lola Saccardo
Giving Day is a long standing tradition at Compass School. We come together as a community and build our connections to each other. Next week on Wednesday, November 20th we will draw names from a hat and everyone will fill out a giving day questionaire sharing things about themselves that could become great gifts. I encourage you to challenge your student to get to know their Giving Day person without them finding out who has them!
Gifts have to be homemade and ready by December 20th. You will have about 5 weeks to get to know the person (on the down low), choose and make your gift and you might even make a new friend on the way.
Students Signing Carols for a Local Preschool
Grateful for our Veterans
By Zoey Perry
Veterans Day is a very important holiday to celebrate those who served or are still serving in the United States military. We hope you spent the day off to spend time with your living veterans or mourn the ones that were lost. If you are Veteran, thank you for your service.
On the Calendar - Fall 2024
Every Thursday - Juniors sell soups, bread, cookies, brownies & T-shirts for their Global Connections Trip!
Friday, 11/22 - LAST DAY of Trimester 1
Thanksgiving Break - 11/25 - 11/29
Main Phone Line 1-802-428-3868
Compass School , 7892 U.S. 5, Westminster, VT, 05158, United States