Compass Newsletter -- October 1, 2008

Submitted by Eric Rhomberg on Wed, 10/01/2008 - 07:56

Mountain Day! - This Friday October 3rd

On Friday October 3rd 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. 

Students should bring: their own lunch, water, layers of clothes, a raincoat, good walking shoes, and of course a positive attitude!

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 now (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

 

Middle School NECAP tests rescheduled-

We plan to give the state NECAP tests to the 7th and 8th grade students on Friday October 17th. This is a day when the high school will be out of the building at college day, and thus an ideal day to quietly focus on these tests. Additional time will be used the following week to wrap up the testing as necessary.

 

Soccer News-

On Thursday, September 25, Compass School played our first home game against a considerably stronger Greenwood A team.  It was terrific that more students joined the Compass Middle School team this week, including Manya, Mario, Jonah and Lexi.  Our only goal was scored by Lexi, who like all others gave it his all in a hard fought game.  Will and Chris T. enjoyed sharing goalie duties during the match.  The outcome was a 5-1 loss for Compass, but everyone had a solid and positive experience overall.  

 

Middle School Parents-Please be sure to read the letter sent home giving details about the upcoming middle school canoe trip on Oct. 9th-10th.

 

Please do not park in the pick-up/drop-off area immediately in front of the school at the beginning and end of the day, leaving that lane clear for quick pick-ups and drop-offs and for the CRT bus. Thanks!

 

  

Thanks!

  • To Rick Gordon for bringing the volleyball vibe to Compass!
  • To all who contributed to the Harvest Walk. The Compass team raised $ for the Foodbank.

 

Julia's 11th-12th 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:

Upcoming college rep. visits at Compass:

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.