Compass News & Announcements: Week of Oct 16-20

End of Quarter, School Pictures, Special Programs, Halloween & More…

(1) End of 1st Quarter/Start of 2nd Quarter: This week, October 16-20, is the last week of first quarter for most quarter-long classes. Several classes have make-up sessions that extend into next week. Most new, 2nd quarter classes begin the week of October 23 (with fewer than a dozen starting the week of October 30). If you have not yet registered for 2nd quarter classes, it is not too late to do so. There are still openings in more than 80 classes (with 67 others on wait list). Classes with an * by the names, including Lunch-N-Learn sessions, can be invoiced for the VA K-12 Learning Acceleration Grant. See the Registration page.

(2) Juntos Aprendemos: Compass is introducing a 5-session, half-day homeschool program for children who come from Spanish-speaking families. Juntos Aprendemos will meet for 3 hours each Monday, from November 6 – December 11, for children to do art, writing, and PE with all instruction in Spanish. Children ages 5-8 will meet from 10am-1pm, and kids ages 9-13 will meet from 1pm- 4pm. Learn more about the program HERE and enroll on the Registration page.

(3) School Pictures: Angela Goodhart of Goodhart Photography will be at Compass the week of October 23 – 27 to take school pictures. There is no fee for the photo session. Families will receive access to a digital gallery with their proofs and a portal to purchase digital downloads or hard copies of photos. Sign up in advance for 5-minute time slots through the SignUp Genius links below:

(4) The Haunted Ball: Registration is now open for the Compass fall teen costume party, “A Haunted Ball” for Compass students and their guests ages 14+. The event will feature games, activities, music, and dancing along with pizza, snacks, and drinks. The Haunted Ball will be held on Saturday, November 4, from 7:00 pm- 10:00 pm. Tickets are $15.00/ each. Sign-up on the Activity Fees webpage.

(5) Geography Bee: Registration is now open for the annual Greater Fairfax Homeschool Geography Bee.  Bee (grades 4-8) on November 29 from 4:30 pm- 6:00 pm. Compass students and non-Compass homeschooled students can sign up on the Activity Fees webpage.

(6) Paint-Your-Own-Pottery Pottery: Registration is now open for the annual pottery painting event on Tuesday, November 14 and Wednesday, November 15. Students can get a head-start on holiday gifts and special keepsakes. Paint personalized ceramic mugs, bowls, plates, figurines, or ornaments. Register for start time of 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, or 1:00 pm on either date and pre-pay for either 1 or 2 items. Completed pieces will be returned on Monday, November 27. Compass students and non-Compass homeschooled students can sign up on the Activity Fees webpage.

(7) Cookie Academies: Chef Mimi’s annual Cookie Academies have been scheduled. Students will make, bake, and take home 4-5 dozen cookies. The Tweens/Teens’ academy is scheduled from 1pm-4pm on December 2 and will make White Chocolate Cherry Oat, Chocolate and Vanilla Spritz, Palmiers, Pizzelles, and Chai Spiced cookies. The Kids’ academy is scheduled from 1pm-4pm on December 9 and will make White Chocolate Cherry Oat, Molassas, and Pumpkin Sugar cookies. Do not wait: there are only 8 spaces available in each academy. Compass students and non-Compass students can sign up on the Registration page.

(8) Halloween Costumes: Compass students may wear Halloween costumes to classes on October 25-31, subject to the costume guidelines listed below.

(9) Teen Game Night/Jam Session **Time Change**: Effective this week, on October 20, the hours of Teen Game Night and the Teen Jam Session are shifting from 4:00 pm- 6:00 pm to better fill the gap students have after classes and to accommodate the earlier sunset times.

(10) Lost & Found: If you have lost an item at Compass, please check with the Compass front desk staff. We have 15+ found water bottles, a few coats, and stray items. If these items are not claimed by the end of the quarter on October 20, they will be discarded or donated.

*Costume Guidelines:

  • No excessive, realistic blood and gore that would scare our youngest students
  • No costumes that are skimpy/revealing and violate the regular Compass dress policy regarding modesty and appropriate coverage.
  • No costumes that would interfere with what a child needs to do in class (for example: furry claw gloves in art class or a full face mask in lab.)
  • No costumes that “shed” or drop glitter, sequins, feathers, etc.
  • No oversized costumes (for example: inflatables, washer boxes, or trash cans)
  • No costumes of any type in cooking/baking classes.
  • Compass is not responsible for costumes damaged during class or play or for accessories that are left behind
  • Use good judgement