December 9 Newsletter

 The Compass School 

Newsletter December 9, 2009

WEATHER ADVISORY FOR WEDNESDAY

 Snow Day Cancellation Announcements

For school closings and delays Compass School follows the call of the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union (Bellows Falls, Westminster, Saxtons River, Grafton,  Athens). If WNESU is closed or delayed, we go along with that. Listen for announcements on the local radio or view school closing information on www.wtsa.net . (I’ve found that the WTSA site lists information soonest.) Eric will also send out cancellation and delay information to the “families” email list. We will also post the announcement as a news item on the Compass web site.

Additional Note: Many Compass students and families drive from far afield and from a variety roads and microclimates. We always encourage you to use your own individual best judgment in making travel decisions, and we support you staying home anytime you feel it is unsafe to drive. 

Director’s News

We have two weeks remaining before Winter Recess-I have no idea where the time has gone, but I do know there is a lot of snow to come before we see spring! Last week we had a great open house evening with approximately twenty-five prospective parents and students attending-if you know of any other parents who might be interested in the Compass School experience, please have them call us to set up a tour.  We thank those who have already made their contributions to our annual fund raising efforts. If you have not made your contribution, please consider doing it before the first of the year.   All money raised through this program will be used for scholarships for the upcoming year.

There are many issues facing education today and funding always seems to top the list.  A Compass education costs no more than what a public school education costs and the results are outstanding.  There is a call for the creation of more programs of choice; I believe that each district should have a school such as Compass. Think of the opportunities for students if they could choose where they might go to school!  We educate our high school students to pick a college or university based upon which institution can offer the education for the student’s interest.  Why not do the same things for students choosing a high school?  

I look forward to Giving Day; I have a name and an idea of what gift to give.  At this time of year we sometimes get too wrapped up in what kind of gift or how much money to spend and we forget what it means to give.  I just finished reading a series of articles concerning the homeless; it always bothers me when we have people living in tents or their cars for whatever the reason.  Giving Day will allow us to express our thankfulness for such a school as Compass.

"Never give up until you have released your unused capacities for service and shared your gifts with others. One enkindled spirit can set hundreds on fire."

- William Danforth 

Giving Day is just around the corner– Friday December 18th

On the last day of school before vacation we will follow our annual tradition of Giving Day. We have all secretly chosen a person to whom we will give a homemade gift. On Giving Day we get into a big circle and take the time to present our gifts one by one. In the past, gifts have included such things as baked goods, crafts, jewelry, songs, music cd mixes, clothing, pictures, poems, found objects and more. The rules are that the gift can’t be store bought, that we keep it secret until Giving Day, and that we try to make it thoughtful and personalized. In addition to the gift giving, we will engage in some other fun activities during the day. Each year this has been a wonderful day of community connection and gratitude. 

Middle School Exchange: 

 We are beginning an “exchange” with a school in Springfield, MA, Springfield Renaissance School. This expeditionary learning school has many things in common with Compass, but is clearly set in a very different place with a very diverse student population.  We will begin by exchanging letters and then our 8^th graders will spend some time in Springfield and we will also host a group of their 8^th graders here. Although the dates of the exchange are yet to be determined, I am hoping to get a sense of who would be willing to host a student or two in their home. It would be wonderful if as many 8^th graders as possible could do this since they will be traveling to Springfield later! 7^th grade families or high school families are also welcome to host students. Please contact Lauren (lauren@compass-school.org) if you are interested in being a host family for a few days!

Fundraising Appeal:   

The Annual Fund letters have been sent and we have begun receiving checks. It is a busy time for all of us, but I wanted to tell you what an amazing job you do. I remember the first time I came across the word synergy...the interaction of two or more agents to produce a combined effect grater than the sum of their separate effects. I loved the concept and when I came to Compass it was one of the first things that I recognized. You achieve an educational synergy because of your efforts. We all can get too close to the day-to-day to really appreciate the impact of our combined effort and its impact on the student lives you shape.

I hope you will take a moment to make your donation to support the Compass Annual Fund Drive. You can go the Compass-School Web site or pick up an envelope in the office. Which ever you choose, know that you are appreciated.

We all know that these are difficult economic times, but our school reaches out to provide a unique, personalized educational environment where all students can learn and grow. We can all work together to find the support we need to enhance the future for our children.

If you have a family member or someone outside the family whom you think would be willing to make a donation, please call Patricia at the school or e mail her at patricia@compass-school.org with their name and address and we will contact them. Our goal is to build a scholarship base to support those who need help staying at Compass. We need your help in accomplishing this goal. 

Contributions can be made by credit card by going to the Compass web site – hit the Donate tab. It’s easy and secure!         THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION!

Winter Sports

Hi- It's Louise with a winter Sports update... 

Students who will be going to Okemo  need to return permission forms no later than this Wednesday!

We will start winter sports on Thursdays beginning January 7^th. This year’s options include ice skating at Vermont Academy, cross-country skiing & snowshoeing at Grafton ponds, and downhill skiing & snowboarding at Okemo Mountain in Ludlow, Vermont. Our indoor option this year is under negotiation but it looks like bowling might be happening.  Students have signed up for these activities in advisory.

Students who will be going to Okemo  need to return permission forms no later than this Wednesday!

There is a $35.00 fee for participation in one of these activities, which must be received by the office by Wednesday, December 9th. If you have an student activities fund this charge can be deducted from your account; please let Anne know if this is how you would prefer to pay. 

Renting at Okemo? For those planning to rent downhill equipment at Okemo, a separate check for $40.00 to cover ski/snowboard rentals is also due in the office by December 9th.*** If your child is signed up for the Okemo program, and your family is currently eligible for the USDA Free/Reduced Lunch program, your fees are $25.00 for the program and $20.00 for rentals.***Please be advised that helmets are mandatory for participation in our downhill ski/snowboard program. They are available for rent through the mountain for an additional $1/day (or $8/season) ***

Needing skates? We have a few students who need to borrow skates. If you have extra at home please dust them off and send them our way if you can.

Needing Cross Country gear? We can rent gear from Grafton it is $10 each time. 

Winter Sports VOLUNTEERS: Parent volunteers are a welcome part and a much needed part of our Winter Sports program. Even if you don’t want to participate, we can always use drivers. Okemo Mountain offers a complimentary lift ticket to return another day for each day that you volunteer to chaperone with a school program. It’s well worth it!  We also need a gear truck and driver for Okemo if you could help. Please contact austin@compass-school.org if you are interested in helping with any activity.

First Day of Winter Sports is Thursday Jan. 7^th

Thursday Jan. 7^th will be our first day of winter sports. Students have two academic classes from 8:30am-11:30am, and then we gear up to go to our activities. In addition to appropriate clothing and gear, students may want to bring a bag lunch.  Cher makes bagel sandwiches and a lunch card can be used.  

The normal itinerary for winter sports groups will be as follows:

Okemo Skiers and Boarders: Classes and then leave Compass at 11:15am on bus and a few cars of parent chaperones and teachers. Return to Compass at 5:00pm.

Ice Skaters: classes and them leave Compass at 11:00am ( in teacher/parent cars) to go to Vermont Academy rink in Saxton’s River. Return to Compass around 1:00pm. Students may then stay at school for lunch/study hall time until 2:10, or they may be picked up anytime after 1:00. Also note: skaters need to bring their own skates. We have some skates at Compass to borrow—students should try to check this out ahead of time to see if there is a pair that fits.

Snowshoers/X-Country Skiers: classes and then leave Compass at 11:15am in teacher cars to go to Grafton Ponds. Return to Compass by 2:10p.m.

The indoor choice … bowling is pending but the indoor option will also return by 2:10

Please make note of these times and plan accordingly for getting home. 

  all 2:10 students need to be picked up by 3:00

  all 5:00 students please pick up by 5:15

  If a student is well enough for morning classes but not their winter activity they can be picked up at 11:00.

 All students here later than these times we can drop them at the Rockingham public library. We cannot have unsupervised students. 

 Also note worthy, if a student does not participate in Thursday classes they cannot participate in winter sports. 

Thank you- think snow.... Louise

Upcoming Dates for Compass School

December 8               Basketball at Marlboro 4:30

December 14             Basketball at Winchester 3:30 

December 16             Middle School Parent Teacher Conference

December 18             Giving Day

December 21             Winter Recess Begins

January 4                  Classes Resume

Basketball

Basketball is underway!  We have a game scheduled at Marlboro Elementary School on Monday, December 8, at 4:30.  We will get back to Compass around 6:30.  I will bring apples for a snack and am willing to stop for snacks if students want to bring a little money.  Contact Ron: ron@compass-school.org if you’d like to join us for a bus ride and game.  The next game is December 14, Monday, at Winchester at 3:30 with anticipated return at 5:30. Please remember that all return times are flexible as some games run longer than others.  Thank you.

 Senior News

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                               

February 6, 2010                                                                    January 5, 2010

April 10, 2010                                                                        March 5, 2010

June 12, 2010                                                                        May 7, 2010