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A Note from the Head of School
Kendra Rickerby
This week we are picking names for Giving Day. For those who are new to our community, Giving Day distinguishes Compass School in the most beautiful ways. On this day, students and staff give a handmade gift to the person they pick this week. The handmade gift is personalized to the recipient’s passions and favorite things. This non-denominational tradition resembles the spirit of the holidays. It is truly one of the most remarkable traditions I’ve ever seen in a school setting.
During community circle each day this month, Sandra and Rob have done a great job leading lessons and activities that highlight the essential role gratitude plays in our daily lives and this community. Giving is an indication of gratitude too.
Next week is Thanksgiving break, there is no school Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Compass School will be on holiday break for the entire week. When we return on December 2nd, that day marks the beginning of trimester 2. December 3 happens to be Giving Tuesday, an international moment where non-profits organizations across the globe make an appeal for fundraising.
Expect to receive a flurry of emails in the month of December asking for donations to help us sustain Compass School. As you are all aware, Compass School’s Board and staff are working hard to stabilize the school’s financial future. Please consider donating to that cause this holiday season. Please also help spread the word and share the forthcoming emails and links. Thanks always for your support and consideration.
On a slightly different note, on Monday, January 13 and Tuesday, January 14th, 2025 some of our staff will be participating in Restorative Practices training. This professional development opportunity is made available through Compass School’s Equitable Shares monies, which is a small sum of funds we receive from federal grants. I am mentioning this now because on January 13 and 14 there will be a special schedule with guest educators to help free up the staff who will take this online course for most of the workday. The goal of this professional development is to build staff’s capacity for addressing conflict and facilitating the conversation that helps the community mend and grow.
Happy to explain the long-term goals of using Restorative Practices further during the “coffee talks” this week. On Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 and on Friday from 1:30 pm to 3:15 pm, my calendar is blocked off to be available to meet with parents and guardians. Please feel welcome to drop by.
Enjoy break, and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.
Shout Outs & Gratitude
by Lola Saccardo
Our MINDSET shifts on the wall in the entranceway!
Everyone loves to feel appreciated and that is why we do shout-outs every week for our students and staff! Throughout the week people write accommodations to make people feel valued and to show that even little things matter. On Wednesdays we pick shout-outs from a container during Community Circle and read them out loud.
Every Wednesday Cher, our chef, gets at least 2 shout-outs for her amazing, homemade cooking. The Shout-out container is a great resource if someone is having a bad day. They get to hear lovely things about themselves on a different day.
Trimester 2 Extended Learning Opportunities
At Compass we value learning and mastering proficiencies beyond the classroom in many ways. We start everyday with Wellness activities, have extended learning opportunities, and prioritize service to both our school and our community. The options for these are updated every trimester and students can choose to explore a new topic.
Some of the new learning opportunities starting when we come back to school in December are: Neurographic Art, Game Design, Podcasting, and Rockingham Rec!
Thank You to Our Leadership Team
L-R Sandra Stromberg, Louise Hodson, Kendra Rickerby, Gabe Allen-Fahlander
In the spirit of gratitude, we’re featuring our leadership team. These four work tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure our school runs efficiently everyday.
As head of school, Kendra is tackling the often invisible work of raising funds and supporting our staff so we can do our best job.
Gabe and Louise make a great team as Co-Assistant Heads of School. Please reach out to them with any questions or ‘shout outs’ of your own!
As the Director of Student Services, Sandra makes sure every student has a clear pathway to learning that works for them.
Thank you for all you do. We appreciate you!
2025-26 FAFSA is Open to All!
Have you been waiting for the FAFSA application to open? Great news, the’ve opened the app early!
Colleges and career schools use the FAFSA form to determine how much financial aid you're eligible to receive, which could include grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans.
REMINDER - FREE Courses Available!
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!
On the Calendar - Winter 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
Monday, December 2nd - First Day of Trimester 2
Main Phone Line 1-802-428-3868
Compass School , 7892 U.S. 5, Westminster, VT, 05158, United States