Compass Newsletter -- September 16, 2009

News From the Director

I have never seen a staff and student body so engaged in their learning.  I walk around to each class in the morning to collect attendance but also to watch the classes in action; I am amazed at how much is being accomplished at such an early time in the year.  From the time the students come into the building, toast a bagel, play some foosball or ping pong or sit and discuss their day with their friends, education is up and running.  Compass School operates without bells; it is amazing when 8:30 arrives, one of the students says that it’s time, students put their plates away and head for class-within minutes the big room is empty!

We start our Open Houses for prospective students September 29, 2009, and are looking for parents to attend to support our efforts in serving the needs of the students in the area.  If you are interested in helping, please give me a call.  We will have one Open House per month through December.  If you know of anyone interested in attending Compass School, please invite them to come, meet the staff and students and tour the building.

We had a great turnout for the Middle School Potluck Dinner Monday night; it was good to see so many parents and the food was excellent.   Special thanks to the middle school staff for planning the event; it allows the parents to get to know other parents in the group.  This year middle school group is one of the largest that Compass School has ever had.   

The senior parents and advisors met to discuss graduation plans, college planning and the upcoming school year as the seniors move into their final preparations for completing their graduation requirements.

Upcoming Dates for Compass School

September 29, 2009    7:00-8:30                    Compass School Open House

September 30, 2009                                        In Service Training-NO SCHOOL

October 15-16                                                 NECAP Testing

October 22-23                                                 In Service Training-NO SCHOOL

October 28, 2009        7:00-8:30                    Compass School Open House

November 12, 2009    6:30-8:30                    Cheese Making Fundraiser

A big thanks to Carl McNeely who donated his services and equipment to grade the Compass driveway.  Carl has done this for many years and we are very grateful for his kindness.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009 from 6:30 to 8:30 COMPASS WILL HOST ITS FIRST SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER.

“CHEESE MAKING” with RICKI CARROLL

In l978 Ricki founded New England Cheese making Supply and began holding workshops in her kitchen.  She has given over 7,000 face to face demonstrations.  Recently featured in Barbara Kingsolver’s book “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle”; she was noted as the international “Cheese Queen”. 

There will be more news to come on this exciting event.  PLEASE SAVE THE DATE1

Parents:  Reminder – Please call the school when your child will be late or absent.  Thanks!

Please submit a copy of your license and the front sheet of your auto insurance indicating your coverage, if you are transporting any Compass School student. If you call your insurance company and give them the Compass Fax # 463-2520 – your ins. info can be faxed directly to this office.  Thank you for attention to this matter.

Community Service Starts Today

Today (Wednesday 9/16) is our first day of community service. Students have signed up for groups doing service activities such as volunteering at the local elementary schools, Hill house day care, Youth Services, McGirr’s senior center, SEVCA, and Village Booksellers. Other students are doing their work on campus in Tech Club, Judiciary, Student Council, Yearbook, Youth Activism, library, and greenhouse. All students participate in community service activities every other Wednesday afternoon from 12:40- 2:10.  We still can use volunteer parent drivers and mini-vans or vehicles that can hold up to 4-5 students.  If you are able to help, please contact beth@compass-school.org.

We're looking for a Compass family who could host Silverio, a 9th grader at Compass, for at least a few months. David is very social, plays field hockey, enjoys snowboarding and likes computer games. His profile can be viewed at:  

http://pax.org/asp/pax.asp?st_id=14300&p=5144

For more information contact Ann Newsmith at 802-257-4710, annN@pax.org

Thanks

Upcoming events for seniors in September

Southern Vermont College, September 16, 11:15 a.m.

College Fair @ UVM on September 17 from 6:30-9:00 and Friday, September 18 at 9:00 am

George Washington University, September 17 9:00 a.m.

School of Museum of Fine Arts, September 23, 9:20 a.m.

Goucher College, September 28, 1:00 p.m.

Vermont Tech, September 28, 9:30

SAT/ACT sign-ups on-line for October and other month as listed below:

SATs: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/reg.html

ACTs: http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html

Test Date                                              Registration Deadline

October 24, 2009                                            September 18, 2009

December 12, 2009                              November 6, 2009

February 6, 2010                                            January 5, 2010

April 10, 2010                                                 March 5, 2010

June 12, 2010                                                 May 7, 2010

School Lunch Menu and News from Chef Cher 

Wednesday

Cheeseburger bread

Thursday

Pizza

Friday

Mac & cheese

Ok for those used to reg. school lunches, pre cooked & packaged we're a bit different here. So although I don't list every morsel there are always many options with the meal as well as varieties, such as Gluten free, meat free, dairy free.... and on it goes.

We always have milk, and nearly always dessert. (Very popular and often consumed first.) Throughout the day we have fresh fruit out as well as snacks and baked goodies.  No student goes hungry at school. I love for them to stop in and visit. The energy at school has been really fun and I'm happy to be back.

If anyone has surplus produce from your gardens feel free to bring it in. I will gladly add it to our meals. Also if you go apple picking and get overly zealous, hungry teens consume much, we'll eat them right up for you.  Thanks. Cher

Office News

Parents:  If you have any changes/additions to e-mails or addresses please contact Anne in the office or at anne@compass-school.org

High School Spanish II with Liz Jackson

We have begun the year speaking mostly in Spanish and truly enjoying each other in class! Currently, we are reviewing grammar from last year.  We are also reading, writing, and listening to each other. Students are creating a “cultural log” about themselves as they read a chapter book, “Casi Se Muere”. They are relating the story to their lives by writing about themselves after reading each chapter. On Friday’s we watch and listen to PocoYo (a 7 minute Spanish cartoon) and watch the trials and tribulations he encounters. Students learn about the silly characters, increase their vocabulary and laugh at what may happen to little PocoYo. Eventually, students will create their own Spanish language cartoon to share with the other Spanish classes.

Drivers Education at Compass School (A Correction of Web Site)

Mike Henkle of the Westminster Driving School will run a driver education course at Compass School in January and February if there is enough interest.  Please let Mike or the Compass School offices know if you are interested. Mike is running some courses in the area this fall, so you can go to his website — www.drivewds.com  – to learn more.   If 5 or more students sign up there will be a 10% discount for participants.  There are also courses happening at a number of the area schools, some in the evening.   The phone number is 802 387 4014.

We are forming a Compass School team to participate and raise funds for the food banks.  If you have not been contacted by a student or staff member and wish to make a donation please call the office at 463 2525.

2009 Annual Harvest Walk

Volunteer Opportunities

             Basketball Coaches Needed:  If anyone has an interest in helping coach basketball at Compass School please contact Ron at ron@compass-school.org

Art Supplies Wanted!!! At Compass, we go through A LOT of art supplies in the process of creating, presenting, beautifying, etc. If you have any art supplies sitting around your home that aren’t being used, we would love to have them. Thanks for any art supplies that you can donate!  Call 463 2525.

Landscaping Request

John would like to have 2-3 people with “weed whackers” to clear the under brush and weeds in the tree line; there is poison ivy in the area so before you volunteer decide how you react to touching poison ivy.  Thanks.

On behalf of the maintenance department, a big thank you for all families, staff and students who participated in the community work day, August 29.  Approximately 40 people where here producing a total of 120 hours of man/woman hours.  When looking at the financial savings for the day, the dollar amount makes this a huge contribution.  A special thanks to Patricia Richter and her granddaughter, Molly, for washing the front windows-Patricia is the wife to the new director of Compass School.

 Computer Network Fee

Students who want to connect their laptops to the school wireless network need to pay a $50 fee that covers virus & intrusion protection and the network services the school provides. The antivirus software will be installed on the laptop, and it will protect the computer outside of school as well. Mac users don’t need the virus protection, so their fee is $25.

New Interns Bring Excitement to Compass School

Anna Gail Caunca was born in Manila, Philippines and grew up in the Chicago suburbs.  After graduating from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she jet set to San Francisco, CA where she found her passion for trying new foods, exploring the city, and competing in triathlons.  She worked at the Palo Alto Area Chapter of the American Red Cross for over four years.  In her role as Director of Youth and Young Adult Services, and working with over 300 youth volunteers to develop new programs and initiatives, Anna Gail found a growing passion for activities that were for youth, led by youth.  She left California to attend the School for International Training Graduate Institute to pursue her Masters in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management.  As an advocate for youth leadership and activism, she was a program facilitator for the SIT Youth Peace building Leadership Programs and Governor's Institute of Vermont and loved working with young people from all over Vermont, England, Iraq, and Denmark this summer.  Anna Gail is very passionate about eating and cooking food, working for social justice, and taking on new challenges and adventures.  Working on her teaching certification, through the Spark Program, brings her a new adventure this school year to teach with Lauren Beigel in the 7th and 8th grade Humanities classes. She currently resides in Brattleboro, with her partner Aaron Dall and their first vegetable garden.

Bethany Hobbs is a high school humanities intern with Julia Taylor this year at Compass. She is currently working on her teaching certification for English at the secondary level, in conjunction withthe completion of a Master of Arts in Social Justice from the SIT Graduate Institute. Before moving to Brattleboro in 2008, Bethany worked with a non-profit organization in Leon, Nicaragua as the

Director of Language Development. Bethany also taught high school Spanish and worked as an ESL tutor before moving abroad. She completed her undergraduate degree in Applied Linguistics and Spanish at Union University in Tennessee. Bethany was born and raised in Kentucky, but has spent a considerable amount of time traveling and working all over the world, including Australia, Greece, Botswana, Mexico, and Thailand. When she's not in the classroom, she is a big fan of exploring the great outdoors and enjoys running, hiking, kayaking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Community News

I am hoping that all of you can help to get the word out, as we want to FILL this new GUIDING GOOD CHOICES parenting workshop series in Bellows Falls at the WNESU Cherry Hill Office Conference Room! It will be held every Thursday evening, 5:30 - 7:30pm, in the month of October.  REGISTRATION STARTS Now! Parents are paid $10 to attend each class, and will be provided with dinner, and free childcare is also available.  This is open to any parent of children 9-14 years of age in the WNESU district area towns. Kari Fletcher, Coordinator

Greater Falls Prevention Coalition (GFPC)
802-460-0359
GFPC00@gmail.com It is the mission of the Greater Falls Prevention Coalition to promote fun, productive, safe and healthy lifestyles for youth and adults.  We will develop and implement a comprehensive community wide prevention effort that reduces alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse in Windham Northeast.

You are welcome to submit items to the newsletter; please send them to Nelson  (nelson@compass-school.org) by the end of Tuesday for inclusion in the newsletter of that week. The newsletter is also posted on our website: http://www.compass-school.org/news/newsletter.html

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