From the Compass Connector: Student Spotlight for Mar. 15

Well done, Mustapha, Nicholas, and Zinth!

On Tuesday, March 12, three Compass Middle Schooler, Mustapha Tucker, Nicholas Dupry, and Zinth Holder, testified before the Vermont House of Representatives' Committee on Agriculture, Food Resiliency, and Forestry on a bill proposed by Vermont Representative Michelle BosLun, who represents, Westminster as as well as Rockingham and Brookline.

The Bill, H664, seeks to designate Hericium americanum, the Bear's Head Tooth, as our state mushroom. All three had prepared testimony and were compelling in their presentations. H664 passed out of committee on a unanimous vote and will be voted on in the full House on Friday.

Student Spotlight: Ilsa Weinstein '24

Student Spotlight: Ilsa Weinstein '24

College congratulations to Ilsa!

She is enrolled in classes at the Technical Education Center as well as being a leader here at Compass.

She is an astute printmaker, writer, and entrepreneur. Her artistic talents, positivity, and thoughtful communication skills make it no surprise that she has been accepted to every university she's heard from so far!

We look forward to hearing which university she chooses to attend – will it be UVM, Bennington, or URI? Wherever she lands that community will be lucky to embrace this creative and kind spirit.

Compass Students Working to Name the "Bear’s Head Tooth" the Designated State Mushroom

Recently WCAX (VT) visited the Compass School to learn about the effort underway in the middle school to name the first Vermont state mushroom.

The following was taken from https://www.wcax.com/2024/02/12/vt-students-push-have-bears-head-tooth-designated-state-mushroom/

Middle school students at the Compass School know a lot about mushrooms.

“They have multiple purposes, they come in multiple shapes and sizes. Some can be pretty small, some can be huge like hen-of-the-woods for example,” said 7th grader Wolfy Holder.

“It can many be found in foliage season and when a lot of visitors come and visit Vermont,” said 7th grader Nicholas Duprey.

“I like to think that I am going to make a mark on the world and thinking about this, it seems like I am going to make a mark on Vermont,” said 8th grader Mustapha Tucker.

WNESU Board Meeting Wed, Feb 21

Save the date - Wed, Feb 21 at 6:00 PM

The next WNESU board meeting is planned for Wednesday, February 21, at 6pm at Bellow Falls Union High School. A major topic that evening will be a presentation and discussion with Stacy Alexander about rising special education costs and declining revenues.

As an interested citizen, a concerned taxpayer, and in my role as Head of School here at Compass, I am planning to attend in-person.  I am also going to prepare to make some public comments because I am not clear on why or how Special Education costs need to be on the rise. 

Compass educates many students whose primary address is located in WNESU -- many of these families are in receipt of a generous financial package and so on Feb 21 I intend to ask where are their tax dollars going?  More on these thoughts closer to the date.  

That being said, I wish to invite you all to attend this Board meeting and sit with me.  I will be asking the families of students who attend here to join too.

Thanks for your consideration and support.

Kendra

--

Kendra Rickerby, Ph.D.

Head of School

www.compass-school.org

(802) 238-5760 (mobile)

From the Compass Connector (2/1)

Ken & Lola Saccardo

New Board Member Spotlight & Student Celebration

This week’s profile is double hitter. Compass is thrilled to announce that Lola Saccardo’s art work was awarded $500 from the Myrin Foundation. Lola an 11th grader in her second year at Compass. Beyond her obvious artistic talents, she is also interested in music and veterinary sciences. Congratulations to Lola!

We’re equally excited to welcome Lola's dad, Ken Saccardo, to our growing Compass Board. After traveling the US coast-to-coast, Ken moved to Vermont in the early 90s. A multi-passionate entrepreneur, his career has spanned the restaurant industry, property rental, real estate, supporting local tourism, and online marketing companies. Ken enjoys making music, teaching Tai Chi and sustainable living.

Parents Corner

Thank you to the parents who attended our first Compass Family Committee Meeting this week! We shared our vision for how Compass serves students and brainstormed some goals for parent involvement. We'll meet once a month moving forward. 

Want to join us? Email cara.tyrrell@compass-school.org for the next date and zoom link.

Upcoming Events

Bingo is back!

Bingo and a Burger?

Come have some fun, good food, and help the Junior class get closer to their fundraising goal on Friday, 2/9!

Exhibition Night & Open House

Thursday, 2/15

Explore Interdisciplinary Humanities and Science including Time & Space and Ethics & Engineering.

The open house exhibition runs from 5:30-7pm and features projects from each student with topics ranging from engineering to bioethics, astrophysics to AI, culture and identity.

Not Receiving the Compass Connector? Do these 2 things!

Opt-in using this form: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/711817/110534657291847377/share

After filling out the form, check your email to confirm you want to receive our newsletter.

Feel free to send this form onto others who want to hear weekly updates from the school too!

Congratulations Lola! Compass junior receives Arts Award

Compass School senior Lola Saccardo received $500 for her creative submission to the annual Arts Awards competition held by Educate the Whole Child (ETWC), an initiative of the Myrin Foundation. Her work was chosen first in the competition’s high school category.

The announcement was made in January by Tom McGuire of the ETWC Leadership Team to Kendra Rickerby, Head of School of the Compass School in Westminster, VT.  

Congratulations Lola!

Educate the Whole Child as an organization sees creativity and the arts as a truly important dimension for children to develop, yet in many schools, it is largely neglected. Especially when integrated into other parts of the curriculum, the arts can bring fire and enthusiasm to learning.

For more information on Educate the Whole Child see https://www.educatethewholechild.org/.

504/IEP Event Cancelled Tonight (1/30)

Hello Compass families,

Last week in the Compass Connector we shared an event happening in Brattleboro to support you as a parent with a child on a 504 or an IEP.

Unfortunately, tonight's event has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. We'll be sure to add it back into the newsletter when it's rescheduled.

--

With Gratitude,

Cara Tyrrell

802-463-2516

Director of Community Engagement & Flexible Pathways

A rigorous, relevant, and respectful learning community for grades 7 -12 in Westminster, Vermont.