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The school year is off to a great start and we are settling
into our new building, making it our own. The new kitchen is progressing
nicely. It is almost time to put
in the floor, and then add the finishing touches. I hope to report soon that construction is
complete and the COMPASS Café is open!
Throughout the building, the tremendous energy of the
COMPASS staff is reflected in freshly painted walls and doors, decorated
hallways, and classrooms that create inviting and challenging learning
environments. The building is
starting to shine, and students are settling into a year that promises each an opportunity for success.
A major focus during the past few weeks has been the
Library/Media Center. Unlike the
kitchen, where construction workers, plumbers and electricians have been busy working, the Library/Media Center is being transformed by dedicated
staff members who have devoted every free minute to shelving books, setting up
computers, and organizing curriculum materials. Students and caseworkers, who participate in the woodworking
class at the Eliot School in Jamaica Plain, have built bookcases that line the library
walls. When complete, this
fabulous space will reflect a community effort to enhance teaching
and learning at COMPASS.
In the weeks ahead, we will open our doors twice to people interested in seeing our new building. First, on
Wednesday, October 21st, the COMPASS School will host its annual Family Night. We welcome parents, guardians, and caregivers to see the new building, meet teachers and staff, and discuss student progress. We look forward to renewing acquaintances and meeting new members of the COMPASS School
community, while enjoying a light supper together.
Then, on Thursday, October 29th from 3:30pm to 6:30pm, COMPASS
will hold an agency-wide Open House.
I hope you will be able to join us to tour our new home and to celebrate
this very exciting time with us.
Not only are we progressing with the work on the new building, but
COMPASS is also celebrating its 35th Anniversary this year.
Remember to visit our website to keep up with the latest
happenings at COMPASS. I look
forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Beth
Labbe, Principal
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Program Updates
Elementary/Middle School Program
The Elementary/Middle School is enjoying Fall and is excited for the upcoming Family Night and Open House. On September 22nd, we took a field trip to the Blue Hills Reservation. We were also able to take a student to the golf driving range for a BEAMS activity. We are working hard on decorating our classrooms and are enjoying all the space we have to utilize in our new building.
High School Program
The school year is now well under way. As September closed, we saw our High
School students enthusiastically engage in our new electronic media and woodworking
electives. With the assistance of a few students,
we were able to reopen our music
studio. As we progress through October, we look forward to the
completion of our new kitchen, and the reopening of the Compass Café.
We are very excited to report that our Daily Living Classroom
is also underway. Daily Living students run a copy center where they assist classroom teachers in
preparing for upcoming lessons.
The class is also developing a Healthy Living cookbook. Students
research recipes, shop and budget for the ingredients, and prepare lunch for
themselves once a week. This brings
the students into the community, as well as teaches students healthy eating
skills, budgeting skills and home cooking skills.
October brings several
exciting events and opportunities. We are
looking forward to our upcoming Family Night and Open House, as well as our Halloween celebration,
which features prizes for best costume and best carved pumpkin.
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BEAMS is the center-point
of our philosophy of working with students with severe emotional and behavioral
disabilities, and represents a thirty year commitment to working with this population.
BEAMS
was developed more than nine years ago with the assistance of the educational,
behavioral, and clinical staff at COMPASS. The BEAMS model represents
a comprehensive and effective means with which to address the academic,
behavioral, emotional, and social needs of our students within the therapeutic
milieu.
COMPASS
recognizes that by the time students are referred to us, they have
surpassed the point of being "at-risk". It is our expectation that we can begin the process of
establishing a new direction in the lives of our students. We hope to create an environment that serves to buffer
life's stresses and builds upon successes.
In order for our students to develop these resiliency, or "protective"
skills, it is essential for them to have basic social and emotional skills, as
well as an environment that fosters them. BEAMS, therefore, is
built around three inter-related components. Each
component helps to develop and reinforce protective skills. They are:
- A Point System - Each class period students can earn one point for behavior and one point for academics. Our point system is never punitive--students never lose points for poor behavior. Students can trade in accumulated points for lunch from the COMPASS Cafe, participation in a weekly BEAMS activity (e.g. playing video games, watching a movie) or a gift certificate from a favorite store.
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A Step
System - Beginning, Engaging, Acquiring, Mastering,
and Strengthening. Students progress through the Step System to earn rewards, privileges (e.g. field trips, mentoring) and increased responsibilities. Students move up steps after demonstrating use of identified coping skills, positive peer interactions, and communication skills. To move up the steps, students request Step Meetings and advocate for themselves as to why they have earned the next step.
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Skill
Development Plans - Through
experience and research, we have arrived at specific Skill Strings that are essential
to the success of each student.
They are:
-
Awareness
of Feeling
- Communication/Social
Skills
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Anger
Management/Frustration Tolerance
- Conflict
Resolution/Problem Solving
We have developed BEAMS to foster the skills that help students to
"bounce back" from adversity and therefore minimize the risk factors they experience daily. We expect that
by the time they leave COMPASS, students will have internalized the skills necessary to
"bounce back" from future adversities.
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Teacher Spotlight: Bret Rowell
Always prepared with a witty joke, Bret brings humor and energy to the classroom. Through his knowledge of music and love of sports, he is able to engage his students and build strong relationships.
In his fourth year at COMPASS, Bret is taking on a new role as Computer teacher (in our new Library/Media Center) while continuing to teach Math for the Middle School. Bret sat down recently to answer a few questions...
- What is your favorite subject?
"Hard to believe, but I love History! I love teaching Math, but my favorite subject is History."
- What is your favorite book?
"Stephen King's The Stand"
- What did you like most about school when you were a teenager?
"I had a couple of teachers I was close to... so I'd say the relationships I made with some of my teachers."
- What is one thing you wish someone taught you at school?
"To be more confident in my abilities."
- Why did you choose to become a teacher?
"It was something that I always thought about... I've always liked kids, and then I finally had the opportunity to work with them in an educational setting."
- What do you like best about teaching at COMPASS?
"The relationships I am able to develop with students."
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A 'Beary' Special Project
Last spring, several staff members and students--as well as
Judy Casale, who also volunteers as one of our Rodman Ride Nurses--gave their
time and talents to a 'beary' special service project.
Some of these dedicated
folks knitted, some crocheted.
Some stuffed little arms and legs, and some sewed seams. Some embroidered eyes, noses and
mouths. The end result was the
creation of several cuddly bears to be donated to the Mother Bear Project, an
organization that sends hand-made bears to children "who struggle
to survive in a world made more difficult because of the HIV/AIDS pandemic."
The Mother
Bear Project is always happy to welcome new knitters. If you would like to learn more about this project, visit
their website. |
Our Mission
COMPASS is a private, non-profit, community based organization dedicated to serving high-risk, economically disadvantaged
youth, adolescents and families who have a history of behavioral, social, emotional and educational disabilities.
Using a team approach, COMPASS works to develop and enhance the confidence and abilities of youth and families by
providing services in safe, nurturing and motivating environments. Experienced professionals from diverse
backgrounds provide a highly structured behavioral, educational, and therapeutic setting.
Services include: outreach, advocacy, education, crisis intervention, vocational preparation, enrichment, diagnostics,
emergency services, consulting services and individual and family counseling and support services.
COMPASS' mission is to equip those it serves with the skills to become self-sufficient productive members of their
communities and society.
Want to learn more? Visit our website!
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COMPASS Open House
October 29, 2009
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To better provide services to the at-risk population we serve, COMPASS has consolidated three of its programs in the former St. Peter's School at 290-294 Bowdoin Street, Dorchester. (Map & Directions)
Help us continue to celebrate our 35 years of service to youth and families by joining us at our Open House, Thursday, October 29th, from 3:30-6:30pm.
Come see our new space,
meet our staff and enjoy light refreshments.
Please RSVP to Leona Thompson, 857-220-2333 x301 |
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Rodman Ride Recap
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COMPASS came out in force on Saturday, September 26th and did a fantastic job at Waterstop 5 in Sharon!!
Over 1100 bikers rode past and at least half of them stopped for something to eat or drink.
We are really appreciative of everyone's time and effort. You were all essential to how well the day ran.
Special thanks to Sandy Skinner, who organized our volunteer effort!
The following people helped out:
Mundo Aguero
Louis Ashman
Kristin Bono
Steve, Sandy & Ally Bromberg
Judith Casale
Takia Fields-Palmer & her son Chauncey
Candace Fiorini
Deanna Forist
Lydia & Jim Hickey
Mary & Darien Heney
Kinte Johnson
Erin Johnston
Jaye Kincade
Beth & David Labbe
Jonathan & Kaitlyn Labbe
John & Ruth Lydon
Stephanie & Rachel Lydon
John Lydon Jr.
Trisha Lefauve
Anne Carol Malone
Margy Nicholson
Phillip Perez
Kevin Rainsford
Bret Rowell
Txiki Rodriguez
Zulema & Rene Romero-Mendevil
Walter & Marquita Snow
Alex Stylien
Joanne Wilkinson
David Zimmer & Ruth Edens
The Rodman Ride for Kids and its beneficiary agencies, which include COMPASS, fundraise year-round, culminating with The Ride, an event in which over 1,200 cyclists participate in 25, 50, or 100-mile noncompetitive cycling tours. Held each fall since 1991, The Ride has raised over $31 million for at-risk children.
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Transitional Services Update
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Last week, COMPASS Juniors and Seniors welcomed Alexandra Buchalski, a High School Presenter from the Everest Institute, who gave a presentation on Post-Secondary Educational Opportunities.
Students gathered important information about their options after high school, and made connections between success in high school, choosing the post-secondary option that is best for them, and long-term career goals.
In Independent Living Skills classes, students have focused on goal setting, job skills assessments and budgeting.
Interested in learning more about transitional services at COMPASS? Contact David Zimmer,Transitional Coordinator, 857 220 2333, x321
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Reminder: Box Tops!
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The COMPASS School participates in the Box Tops for Education program. To help us earn money, simply cut out Box Tops on marked
boxes, and send them in.
Each Box Top equals 10 Cents that goes directly to supplies, activities, and field trips for the students.
We are hoping to get 1,000 Box Tops
by the December deadline.
If you
have any questions, please contact Kristin Bono (x318) or Candice Fiorini (x329).
Supporters can also earn money for COMPASS by shopping at participating
online stores. For more about how to contribute to COMPASS in this
way, click here.
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