Compass Newsletter -- September 24, 2008

Harvest Walk This Saturday

This Saturday in Bellows Falls is the Harvest Walk fundraiser for the Vermont and New Hampshire Foodbanks sponsored by Sovernet. There are many people in our communities who rely on help from the foodbanks to feed their families. The event was wonderful last year! This year features a 1.5 mile walk around Minard's Pond in Bellows Falls through the woods along marked trails (Maps available when you register); a wonderful lunch prepared by Foodbank chefs, and live music. This is a great cause, and there are several ways you can help:

·        One way to help: Even if you can't come to the walk, you can make Cash donations - make out the check to "Foodbank". You can give your checks to Janice in the Compass front office, and we will collect donations to present from the Compass "team".  (Or you can mail donations - see information on the Sovernet website: www.sover.net )

·        Another way to help: Come join the walk on Saturday. Registration happens 9:30-10:30am. You can park at the Waypoint Center in downtown BF and take the Compass bus shuttle up to the site. (Registration forms and pledge sheets attached.)  If you would like to be a member of Team Compass, then the registration fee is waived if because we have already collected $100 in pledges from our team.

·        Also: tell your friends, gather donations and give them to Janice or mail them in.   Thanks!

Mountain Day! - Friday October 3^rd

On Friday October 3^rd we will be heading out for our annual mountain day hike. This year we plan to tackle Mount Sunapee in Newbury, New Hampshire.  Mountain Day is not simply a hike up a local hill. This day contributes significantly to our community by placing students together in new groups, experiencing both challenges and fun with new faces and ages, thus building greater understanding and appreciation for each other. The day provides the opportunity for accomplishment and discovery and the rewards of personal reflection while hiking in the open mountain air and experiencing the height of fall color. 

We will leave school a little after 8:30am and we will be back by 4pm. Parents and families are invited to join us! Please contact Janice in the front office (janice@compass-school.org) if you would like to attend the trip.

"A few hours of mountain climbing turns a rascal and a saint into two pretty similar creatures."

-Frederich Nietzche

Author Jeffery Smith is a hit at Compass

International bestselling author Jeffery Smith is a man with a mission. He doesn't want our nation's children to be poisoned by their school lunches. Last week he brought his message of this environmental and social injustice to Compass. He explained to a group of 100 students, teachers, and community members how dangerous "Franken-Foods" have snuck into our food supply.

Compass senior Max Schadt said that Smith's visit, "Motivated and inspired me to make changes in my own eating habits and to start working with other individuals and communities to help eliminate genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from all food." Junior Zoe Reichsman said, "I was shocked to learn about the manipulation and corruption of our government agencies. The FDA has a responsibility to Americans to give us food that is known to be safe!" Smith explained that the FDA does not require any safety evaluations for GMOs. Safety testing is left up to the very Bio-Tech companies that design and engineer these products for mass food production and consumption.

Smith challenged Compass School students to lead the way in the GM-free schools campaign for Vermont, and a core group of student leaders is organizing to work on this issue. Senior Annelise Kloster is starting now. "This morning instead of grabbing my normal high fructose corn syrupy cereal, I ate some fruit instead. It's the little things that we do at first that will make the difference in the end" stated Kloster.

Soccer News- The Compass Middle School kicked off our season with a wonderful and victorious effort against the Greenfield B team. The communication among the Compass 7th-9th grade players was exceptional, leaving no room for Greenwood to get the upper hand. The 5-0 final score reflected the work of the entire team. Those who scored included Coby Gordon (2 goals), Lydia Pedigo, Nick Diak and Muriel Chase.

Our next match is against the Greenfield A team at the Westminster home field this Thursday at 4pm.  I hope all parents and friends can come cheer on the Compass team!

Thanks!

• To Julie Szuch (and her landscaping exploratory) for all the hard work tidying up the perennial beds and gardens around the front of the school!
• To John Fiske for all his work helping us get the building in shape!
• To Cher for remodeling the kitchen and creating an over-the-top wonderful meals program!
• To the teachers who have put on evening gatherings-middle school potluck, 9^th grade potluck, junior Mexico meeting, senior college planning meeting-and thanks to all the parents who have come to participate and get involved!
• To the teachers who, in addition to great classroom teaching, have created such a wide array of special field trips and events!
• To our wonderful student body of 2008-09: your active participation, positive attitude, and leadership is outstanding!

Julia's 11^th-12^th grade Shakespeare elective will attend a performance of Hamlet on Tuesday, Oct. 7. It will be performed at the Redfern Theater in Keene by an esteemed theater company on a national tour.  The show costs $9.  Please bring checks or cash to the office by Monday, Oct. 6.

Middle School Mid-Trimester Conferences: Middle school parents, please sign up for a mid-trimester conference with your child's advisor by calling Janice in the office to schedule a time.

·       Lauren will be offering half-hour conferences from 12:15-5:30pm on Monday, Oct.6th and a few conferences on Tuesday, October 7th from 12:30-1:30 and 4:00-4:30 for those who cannot make it on Monday.

·       Andy will be offering conferences from 12:15 - 5:00 on Monday October 6th and from 7:45-8:30am on Tuesday and Wednesday October 7th and 8th.

College News:

VSACs Paying for College Workshops: (www.vsac.org)
BFUHS: Tuesday, September 30, 6:30pm
Brattleboro High: Tuesday, October 7, 6:30pm
Leland and Grey: Monday, November 3, 6:30pm
Green Mountain: Thursday, November 6, 6:30am

We are updating the College Planning selection of the Web site.  For an extensive list of college-related materials go to:   http://www.compass-school.org/resources/college/useful-web-sites
For an updated list of colleges visiting Compass go to:
http://www.compass-school.org/resources/college/representatives-visiting

This week visiting Compass:
The University of Vermont: Wednesday at 12:45
Goucher College: Thursday at 12:30
Green Mountain College: Friday at 10am
Evergreen State College: Friday at 11am

The following schools will be represented at a college fair at Landmark College this Friday from 3-5:
American International College, Assumption, Dynamy-Internship Program, Green Mountain, Lesley, Manhattanville, Muskingum, New England College, Prescott, Thomas, UVM, Wheelock
Please contact Elissa (elissa@compass-school.org) if you are interested in attending. 

PSAT Nuts and Bolts for Parents of Juniors

• Practice SAT to take place Wednesday, Oct 13 at BFUHS
• All students strongly encouraged to attend so that they have the opportunity to practice this test when it doesn't "count".
• Students should be at Compass by 7:40am.  We will travel in our bus to the high school.
• Individual student scores are not given to colleges.  
• Students who score in the upper percentiles are eligible for National Merit Scholarships.
• The test lasts approximately 3 hours.  There is no essay component.
• Students should bring to the test: two sharpened #2 pencils,  their social security number,  and a small snack in a bag that can go under a desk until break time.
• Checks for $13 can be made out to Compass School and given to Janice.

Questions?  Email elissa@compass-school.org

COMPASS SCHOOL's BURRITO BOOTH
Come support the 11th grade trip to the US/Mexico border (while eating a delicious burrito) at the Putney School Harvest Festival on Sunday, October 12th.  Please contact andy@compass-school.org if you are interested in cooking ahead of time or working a shift at the booth. Last year we raised close to $2000 thanks to all the hard work from students, families, and staff. 

CRT Bus needs support!

Many of you ride the CRT bus route between Brattleboro and Bellows Falls. This route is largely supported by federal grants but also relies on rider contributions. Last year the route fell $36,000 short of the funds needed to cover the costs of supplying this service. We urge riders and families to contribute toward your use of this great resource. Riders can contribute on a per-ride basis on the bus, or you may send checks to Connecticut River Transit, POB 68, Springfield, VT 05156.  www.crtransit.org

 Forest of Mystery

Forest of Mystery, the Bonnyvale Environmental Center's theater in the woods event, is going to be performing a tale adapted from Nordic mythology on October 24th and 25th.  There are many interesting parts available.  For some parts all that is required is to show up on the day of the performance, for others there will be rehearsals.  Come join us in creating a fabulous event!

For more information contact Maya at Mayafireart@aol.com or call 257-5785

Drivers Education at Compass

Mike Henkle of the Westminster Driving School will run a driver education course at Compass this February-April if there is enough interest.  Please let Eric know if you are interested. Mike is running some courses in the area this fall, so you can go to his website -  www.precisiondriving.biz  - to learn more. There are also courses happening at a number of the area schools, some in the evening.  Contact Eric with questions.

School calendar can be viewed at http://www.compass-school.org/resources/calendar or you can get additional paper copies in the office.