Compass News & Announcements- Week of Feb. 17

Compass has a busy calendar despite some winter weather cancellations and cold weather illnesses. Read below for reminders and announcements including some new activities, events, services, and resources:

Classes

(1) Spring Classes: Registration for Spring classes opened last week on February 11 and is ongoing. Register now for 8-week classes that begin the week of March 17. There is a 10% discount for registrations made before February 28. New families are welcome.

(2) Animal Kingdom Alive: The annual Compass spring tradition returns with live animal presentations each week during 4th quarter. Meet reptiles, raptors, ocean invertebrates, ocean vertebrates, insects, and exotic mammals. On Thursdays starting March 20 at 10:00 am for grades 4-6 and at 11:00 am for grades 2-3 (must be min. age 6 to participate). Register online.

(3) Band-Ready Spring Clinic: 8-week clinic on Mondays at 1:00 pm starting March 17. Students in grades 5-8 will begin to learn a percussion, woodwinds, or brass instrument and gauge their interest before enrolling in the full Fall 2025 Homeschool Concert Band. Register online.

Events/Activities

(4) Solstice Soiree Teen Winter Dance: Tickets are on sale for the annual teen winter semi-formal, the “Solstice Soiree” to be held on March 1 from 7:00 pm- 10:00 pm for Compass teens and their guests, ages 14+. Tickets are $15.00 by February 21 (early registration) or $20.00 February 22-28. Sign up on the Activity Fees webpage.

(5) UVA STAR Program: Homeschooled high school students are invited to participate in the new STAR (Striving Toward Academic Readiness) program at University of Virginia in Charlottesville. STAR was started by two Compass alumnae. Participate in a weekend of FREE enrichment classes at UVA on March 22 and 23. UVA students will teach one-hour seminars on topics ranging from fighter planes to public policy and Greek armor. Take classes on either Saturday or Sunday or both days. Meals will be provided, and the event is free of charge. Sign up here: https://uvastar.wordpress.com/ Contact organizers with any questions: star.at.uva@gmail.com

(6) Civics Field Trips: Compass’s Criminology instructor, Tayler Shreve is organizing several field trips for high schoolers. The next one is to the US Capitol on April 4 at 11:00 am. Ms Shreve is opening these field trips up to other Compass teens, ages 13+. Individual families will schedule transportation to the sites. There is a limited number of spaces on each tour. Note: These field trips will “count” towards the American Citizenship Award. Email shreve.compass@gmail.com for more details and to be added to the lists.

Contests/Competitions

(7) Last Call! Senior Spelling Bee: There is still time to register for the 2025 annual Senior Spelling Bee. The Senior Spelling Bee (for homeschooled students ages 9-14) will be held on February 26 at 4:00 pm. Sign up for the spelling bees on the Activity Fees webpage.

(8) Great Virginia Math Contest: Homeschooled students are invited to participate in the Great Virginia Math Contest on March 1, a free, annual event themed around Virginia civics, statistics, and history that aims to inspire students in Virginia and foster their excitement for both math and civics. Sign up here by Wednesday, February 26:  https://www.virginia-math.org/math-contest

(9) Annual Quads Chess Tournaments: Registration is open for two tournament sessions: AM and PM on Wednesday, May 21. Homeschool chess players of any age are welcome. Register on the Activity Fees page.

Clubs

(10) RunFit Kidz: RunFit Kidz is a fun, non-competitive co-ed club for mixed age students of all fitness levels to introduce a passion for fitness and running in a supportive environment. The program helps emerging runners build incremental endurance over 8 weeks, and the group’s accomplishments are celebrated with a 5K (3 mile) celebration fun run/walk. The club meets on Wednesdays for 8 weeks from 3:15 pm- 4:20 pm starting March 19. The club is for participants from 1st grade through 8th grade, and parents are welcome to enroll alongside their kids. See club webpage for more information and sign up online.

(11) NEW Anime Club: Students interested in anime are invited to join a new afterschool club at Compass. The Anime Club will meet on Thursdays from 3:15 pm- 4:00 pm starting February 27. The group will talk about anime, discuss prompts and characters, and view/discuss episodes. Interested students should contact Compass to let organizers know they will attend.

Resources

(12) High School Information Sessions: If you are currently homeschooling a teen in 9th-11th grade, considering homeschool next year for 9th grade, or are a middle school parent wanting to plan ahead, join us for a facilitated roundtable discussion of high school concerns: courses, credits, transcripts, college readiness, and more. Three dates: Friday, February 28, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm or Monday, March 3, 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm or Wednesday, March 12, 9:00 am- 11:00 am RSVP Online.

(13) Year-End Evidence of Progress Services: Compass has two new services to help homeschool families meet Virginia state requirements for Evidence of Progress reporting. Starting in March, Compass will be offering the BASI Survey standardized test and individual evaluations. Read more about these options on the new Evidence of Progress webpage and sign up for testing or an evaluation on the Activity Fees webpage.

(14) Reading Skills Assessments: Reading specialist Catherine Vanlandingham is now scheduling Reading Skills Inventory assessments for placement into her ongoing reading groups, summer reading program, or private lessons. Families can pre-pay for an assessment on the Compass activities page, and Mrs. V will contact to schedule.

(15) Speech, Language & Myofunctional Therapy: Compass is pleased to introduce Sound Mouths as a new educational partner. Sound Mouths offers individualized treatment of speech disorders (articulation, fluency and language) as well as myofunctional issues affecting breathing, chewing, swallowing, and sleep. The practice owner, MaryFrances Gonzalez, will be offering free 15-minute screenings at Compass for homeschool families starting March 4. She will also hold consultations and conduct individual, weekly therapy at Compass. Interested families should complete the Sound Mouths contact form to get on the schedule.

(16) Educational Consultant: Compass partners with Todd Lanier, Ed.S. who performs educational assessments such as complete psychoeducational testing, screenings, IQ batteries, and provides individualized academic coaching and counseling. He works with students who have a range of learning differences including ADHD, 2e, dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, ASD, processing disorders, anxiety, and executive functioning challenges. Mr. Lanier can meet homeschool families at Compass. Contact him directly through his practice, Lanier Education Group, or stop by the Compass front desk or office for his information.

General

(17) Questions/Facility Tours: Compass has an online system to schedule a time for a facility tour and Q/A (new or prospective families), elementary/middle school consultation (current families) or high school consultation (current families). Come with questions about homeschooling, high school concerns (transcripts, credits, coursework, etc.), or Compass in general.

(18) HSLDA Discount: Compass families are invited to use code 306160 to get a discount of $15.00 a family membership to HSLDA. HSLDA is a national organization based in Purcellville, VA, that “defend[s] homeschool freedom and equip[s] homeschool” families. See their website for advice on homeschooling and membership.

(19) Lost & Found: Remember to check the Compass Lost & Found for missing items. Lost coats, stray mittens, homeless water bottles, and a variety of other belongings end up in lost and found each day. Unclaimed items are donated at the end of each quarter. Please ask at the Suite D main desk.

(20) Inclement Weather: Remember that Compass makes an independent determination about inclement weather and does not always follow the decision of local schools. In the event of a closure, an announcement is made by 7:00 am on our Facebook page, home page, and through our email list. Please check these sources before calling the office.