Nothing About This is Normal

Nothing about this is normal. Who would have thought that we would close most businesses and all of the schools? Did anyone anticipate that we would be asked to isolate ourselves and avoid contact with our friends and family not living in our house? Nothing about this is normal.

But that is OK. Learning at an Alternative Ed has rarely been "normal". Learning has very little to do with "school" and an awful lot to do with our mindset about learning.
Mr. Eck has said many times in Science, "We are all Scientists.", meaning that we are scientists when we examine the world around us in a rational way and try to understand it better. We are good students when we make the choice to delve into a topic, a subject, an idea, and then master it. When you Google the directions on how to install a new faucet, grab your tools, and replace the faucet, you are learning; being a student. When you tear apart the engine in your "junker car" and try to put it back together (with or without directions), you are learning; even if you are unsuccessful in getting the car to run. When you finally get around to reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" (or "Night" or "The Diaries of Anne Frank" or "Hatchet" or "Lord of the Rings"), you have made yourself more knowledgable; a good student.

Over the next several weeks, the staff of Compass Academy will be guiding you through some typical academic topics - reading, writing, and 'rithmetic. There will be opportunities for other areas of study. During this time, we will all need to be good students and recognize that this is not normal.

Teachers will be adapting lessons, learning how to use on-line resources, trying to find resources for students who need them, and solving other difficulties as they arise. Students will need to be self-motivated and patient. Not everything will go smoothly. Parents will need to monitor their students, become even more teacher like (kids learn a lot from their parents), and help provide opportunities for their children to continue to grow smarter during these unusual times.

Key to all of our success - patience and communication.

A page has been created with the primary resources we will be using - https://compassschuylkill.blogspot.com/p/distance-learning.html (there is a tab at the top of this page that takes you to the page as well.)

For students and families with access to the internet, Jupiter Ed will be the primary means of messaging teachers. You can send text messages/emails within Jupiter Ed. Jupiter Ed works on computers, tablets, and phones.

We will be using Zoom conferencing. Zoom meetings can be joined by phone or online.

For students unable to participate in online learning, plans are being made for paper copies of assignments to be made available. (But we really, really, really want to try and make it possible for everyone to join us online.)

We would like both students and parents to log into Jupiter Ed on Monday, the 13th of April. Directions for how to do this are on the "Distance Learning" tab at the top of this page or you can click here - https://compassschuylkill.blogspot.com/p/distance-learning.html

Your user name is the student's first and last name, with a space. - Mine would be "Kurt Eck". If you do not have them, you will need to contact Mr. Eck or Mrs. Williams to get your initial passwords.

Mrs. Williams - awilliams@justiceworksyouthcare.com - 484-387-2036
Mr. Eck - keck@justiceworksyouthcare.com - 570-933-9602

We will also be holding "Family Meetings" on Monday and Tuesday. We ask that a parent and their student join one of the meetings. These meetings will be held on ZOOM (you will be able to call in by phone to hear the meeting). They will be held at 5 PM and 8 PM on Monday and 9 AM and 5 PM on Tuesday. The goal is to keep the meetings to 15 minutes. Click the link below or call the phone number to join the meeting. (This will be one of the few conferences that does not require a password.)

+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 987 5312 1350