March 24, 2010 Newsletter

Compass School 

 Newsletter March 24, 2010

Director’s Desk

What a busy time at Compass School; the Winter Carnival was a huge success ranging from the Winter Olympics to the Variety Show.  The “Pickled Unicorns in a Jar” won the over all competition as they scored well in the snow ball throw for distance, the Frisbee throw for accuracy, basketball competition, the costume relay, the tug of war and the outdoor sculpture building.  The “Brass Bubbles” team finished second with the “Now With More Sodium” team placing third.  The potluck supper was outstanding, a big thank you to everyone who brought the food and to all who performed in the Variety Show, a huge thank you.  A special thank you to Austin Kyser, Compass graduate ’05, for providing the master of ceremonies duties.

Montpelier continues to discuss school consolidation, educational funding, and school choice and class size.  There are legislative bill flying right and left; I continue to testify at as many hearings as I can plus continuing to monitor various websites.  School Choice Vermont is an excellent source of up to date information.  I will be more than happy to come and talk with anyone who needs more information.  Legislators are looking for accountability in schools and efficient use of the dollars in education; as the number of students in the state decrease it is important that we demonstrate that we can do both.

Another reminder about reenrollment for next year forms for next year; please return to Anne Morton by April 1.

Janice Returns!

The Compass School would like to invite you to join us in celebration as we welcome Janice Wojcik back from her leave of absence.

Compass School

Thursday April 1st

8am - 8:30am

Light refreshments made by Cher will be served along with coffee and tea.

We are very excited about her return, so please come by and help us welcome Janice back!

Lunch Menu

Monday

Pasta with broccoli and chicken

Tuesday

Pizza Day

Wednesday

Deli Day

Thursday

Fajitas

Friday

Lasagna

There is always a veggie option.

SAT Registration and Test Dates

Register by March 31 to take the test on May 1.

Register by May 5 to take the test on June 5.

Online Registration is quick and simple

http://sat.collegeboard.com/home

Families Needed

As we start to plan for the upcoming school year 2010-11 we are currently planning on hosting several international students for the year.  If you would be interested in having the experience of hosting one of these students, please contact Nelson Richter or Janet Van Alsyne at 463 2525. Thank you for your help.

Reenrollment for 2010-11 Year

The re enrollment forms have been mailed to each family; if for some reason you have not received yours please contact Anne Morton in the Compass School office.  We are excited about the continuing improvement in our school programming and are working on programs for next year that will challenge each student to perform at a higher level.  Please return your form as soon as possible.

Dear Compass Community (from Ron BosLun, teacher/advisor) 

I began working with The Health and Learning Center of Brattleboro in learning about youth suicide prevention this fall, and have now attended two workshops under their leadership.  This is of course a sensitive subject, but one that we would do well to discuss now.  I have been working with faculty in learning to recognize the warning signs as well as specific steps to take if we suspect that someone is at risk of suicide.  I will be delivering a four-lesson youth suicide prevention curriculum called Lifelines this spring to the middle school as part of our human health unit; we are developing a plan to teach this curriculum in the high school. 

In preparation for this, Compass School is inviting all parents/guardians to attend a meeting on Wednesday, March 24, from 7-8:30 PM with representatives from the Health and Learning Center as well as HCRS, which has a crisis team to which we would make referral in the event of serious risk of suicide (guardians will of course be informed if we ever talk to a student about concerns for their safety related to suicide, and referral to on outside agency is done with parent consent).  That evening, I will present a parent education video and discuss the Lifelines curriculum as well as any related concerns.  I do hope that you are able to join us at 7:00 on Wednesday, March 24.  Please direct any questions to ron@compass-school.org.

Ron BosLun

Compass School Math/Science Teacher, 7th Grade Advisor

(802)463-2525

FAX (802)463-2520

ron@compass-school.org

Student Film Festival

Compass School's 6th Annual Student Film Festival will be held Wednesday, April 14, 7 p.m. at the school!  Come see short films, written and produced by 11/12th graders in Eric and Julia's film-making elective.

Where’s the Line Workshop: 

Two weeks ago, Judiciary worked with the Middle School, conducting a workshop entitled “Where’s the Line?”. Students discussed what type of behavior “crosses the line” and how we each have different personal boundaries. Judiciary members, led by Sophie Taylor-Havens (Head of Judiciary), engaged middle school students in activities, discussions, and presented a few skits as well. Advisors will be following up on this topic in advisory meetings.

April Follies

Welcome to our collection of one act plays, April Follies, a mixture of comedy and suspense, featuring student directors working with Louise and Ron, with 7 PM performances on Friday and Saturday, April 2-3, as well as a 2:00 matinee on Saturday the 3^rd.  Cast, crew, and directors have been working hard as we prepare for these shows as well as the in-school performance on Thursday, April 1.  Mark your calendars!  Go to Louise’s web page on theCompass School site for details of the rehearsal schedule.

We have a list of needs for the show....

Toy guns for the western (maybe even cap guns if they still exist)

Cowboy hats/boots

Wigs

3 type writers

4 black chairs

We could have a parent volunteer to head-up intermission treats.

Writing Workshops with Kathy Izzo!  

Students are invited to participate in a free series of writing workshops with writer Kathe Izzo from NYC. Sessions will be held from 2:30-4:00pm on the following Fridays: March 5, March 19, April 9, and May 7. (Students may attend some or all of the sessions.) Writing will explore the teenaged voice and will be developed for use in the VOICES Project radio show to be broadcasted in May from Bellows Falls. Please contact Lauren (lauren@compass-school.org) with questions.

Landscape Designer Julie Messervy 

Compass School is proud to present a lecture and book signing by prominent landscape designer and author Julie Messervy. The event will be held atLandmark College in the Greenhoe Theatre on April 13, 2010 at 7pm. Landmark College is located on River Road in Putney. Tickets are available for $20. For reservations and information please call Compass School at 802-463-2525.

March Dates

March 24     Health and Learning Workshops-Suicide Prevention

April Dates

April 2         April Follies (one act plays)

April 7         Ultimate Frisbee (H) 3:00 Northfield Mt Hermann

April 10       Ultimate Frisbee @ Greenfield MA 4:00 vs. Hartsbrook

April 13       Ultimate Frisbee @ Greenfield MA TBA vs. 4 Rivers JV

April 14       Compass Film Festival

April 15       Ultimate Frisbee (H) TBA Brattleboro Area Team

April 16       No School Professional Development Day for Teachers

April19-23   Spring Break

April 28       Ultimate Frisbee @ Greenfield MA TBA vs. Charlemont

April 30       Ultimate Frisbee @ Greenfield MA TBA vs., Hartsbrook

 Benefit for Homeless Youth Project:

SAVE THE DATE:  April 18 (Ron Bos-Lun opener, Mark Erelli Headliner)

On Sunday April 18, singer-songwriter Mark Erelli will be performing a benefit concert to raise funds for  a project to house homeless youth inBrattleboro. The project is being coordinated by Youth Services staff.  Ron Bos-Lun (Compass teacher, local singer/songwriter and volunteer at  Bellows Falls Warming Shelter) will perform a short opening set.

Erelli has performed numerous times in Brattleboro. His unique blend of musical styles with compelling lyrics addressing a myriad of important issues are well suited to the Windham County, Vermont audience. The concert will be held at the Hooker Dunham Theater and Gallery at 7:30  pm. The show is expected to sell-out so it is strongly suggested you purchase tickets in advance.

You can  purchase tickets from Ron or Michelle Bos-Lun (802 732 7916 or michelle.boslun@youthservicesinc.org)  or at Youth Services’ office at 32 Walnut St in Brattleboro or at Turn It Up in Brattleboro.  Advance sale tickets will be $18 general admission or $16 for youth/seniors. If there are tickets available at the door they will be $20. Tickets go on sale March 15  (you may reserve tickets prior to that at the phone number or email address above).

Please support this important project that will address the problem of youth homelessness in Brattleboro by establishing a safe, affordable option for youth housing.

If you have any questions you may contact Michelle Bos-Lun at Youth Services.

Michelle

Michelle Bos-Lun

Youth in Transition Housing Coordinator

Youth Services, Brattleboro

802 258 8038 (work cell)

802 257 0361 (main office)

michelle.boslun@youthservicesinc.org

Ultimate Frisbee Schedule