Raven Report: April 24, 2024

The Summit Upper School is kicking off our new outdoor education program, officially launching in Fall 2024, at Two Rivers Bike Park. Guided by 37 North Expeditions, students immersed themselves in hands-on learning, utilizing topographic maps and engaging in a thrilling scavenger hunt. Against the backdrop of a picturesque spring day in the Ozarks, this excursion fostered teamwork and problem-solving as students navigated new skills in the outdoors.

April 2024

26: 23-24 Yearbook Orders Due

30: Grandfriends Day & EARLY RELEASE at 11:30 am

30: Summit Spring Concert

May 2024

1: Late Start, 9:30 am

7: High School Graduation/8th Grade Recognition, 6pm

8: SPO Meeting, 9 am

8: All-Stars Performance at Founders Park, 12pm

15: Field Day/Last Day of School & EARLY RELEASE at 11:30 am

20: Board of Trustees Meeting, 5-6 pm

27: Memorial Day, Offices Closed

You're Invited to Grandfriends Day on April 30

We'd like to formally invite you to join us at The Summit on Tuesday, April 30th to celebrate your Summit scholars on our annual Grandfriends Day!

The festivities will begin at 9:15 a.m. at our campus located at 202 East Walnut Lawn Street in Springfield, Missouri. Grandfriends may start arriving at 9:00 a.m. We have prepared a special morning for you that includes Summit classroom experiences, the book fair, refreshments, and more! We'll make sure you have a schedule of activities when you arrive so you'll know exactly where to go. And for those of you with grandkids in multiple grades, there will be ample opportunities to see all the students in action. 

We will conclude our Grandfriends Day Celebration at 11:20 a.m. and students will be dismissed shortly after at 11:30 a.m. All parents should complete the form below to let us know if your child's grandfriend will (or will not) be picking them up that day.

And don't forget about our Spring Music Concert for 1st through 12th grade students at the Gillioz Theatre (325 Park Central East) that night! The show starts at 6:30 p.m., but you're going to want to get there early to make sure you've got a good parking spot and a seat in the theatre (we pack the house)!

Summer is Almost Here! Register for Camp Raven

Spend your summer at The Summit with Camp Raven! These weekly camps provide a fun, safe, and enriching way to continue learning over the summer break. Each camp, led by talented and enthusiastic instructors, focuses on a central theme from explorations in STEM and art to music and movement. Campers will have fun while learning and making new friends. Learn more about some of this year's camp offering below!

New in Summer 2024! Before and after care available 8:00 am - 4:00 pm for additional fees.

Senior Spotlight: Q&A with Sam Powell

What grade did you start attending The Summit?

I began attending The Summit in 2nd grade.

What has been your favorite memory at The Summit?

Every day at The Summit is my favorite memory. I like the everyday moments of spending time talking with people and just the school environment in general. 

Which teacher had the most impact on you, and what will you remember about them?

Mrs. Smith had the most significant impact on me. I learned a great deal from her, particularly the importance of being open-minded and understanding different perspectives. Communication and understanding others' viewpoints are really important to me because otherwise we won’t be able to learn from one another. 

What class did you find the most enjoyable and why?

The class I found most enjoyable was World History because of my deep interest in history. Each period fascinates me, and my favorite changes over time, but my current focus is medieval history.

What song will always remind you of this time in your life?

The song "Blister in the Sun" will always remind me of this time in my life because the lyrics make me think about change and moving forward.

What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself during your time in high school?

I learned that I have a limit, particularly in navigating disagreements. I learned the importance of patience and taking the time to learn someone else’s perspective. If someone doesn’t take time to learn my perspective, that can be frustrating. 

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your younger self entering high school for the first time?

I would say to make the most out of it, spend more time with friends, and don’t miss out on experiences you could have had. 

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to join the Army, then pursue a degree in political science, potentially from Mizzou. I'm considering roles in Civil Affairs or becoming a political scientist, with the intention of returning to Missouri and finding a place with a good view to settle down.

Dear Sam,

As parents, we often think about the lessons we need to impart to our children. Reflecting on the last 18 and a half years, however, I realize how much Sam has taught me instead. From the start Sam was uniquely himself, always intently focused on whatever he found to be interesting enough to gain his attention. I was fascinated by his ability to delve into an idea, game or subject and go deep. I introduced Sam to my good friend and his first sentence to her was "You know, platypuses really don't do anything." And he proceeded to entertain her with facts about platypuses. Sam would spend hours sharing information on his various interests, whether you want to hear about it or not. Even now, when you talk to Sam about a topic he is really interested in, he will not be distracted or diverted until he has fully covered the subject. 

Sam has had a variety of passions and interests throughout his life. He loved action heroes and lived in superhero costumes for most of his pre-k and early elementary years. I don't know how many stuffed muscles and seams I repaired to keep those costumes wearable. Watching him play was one of my favorite pastimes; he was completely immersed in his world and made the best explosion and mayhem sounds! He always wanted to be the good guy and defeat the bad guy.  

Sam also loves video games, a LOT. Most kids do, but Sam was just as intense about his gaming as his other interests. My mother told Sam "you should go outside, there's a great big world out there".  His response to her was "that's your world, not mine". How do you respond to that? Sam could not be motivated, bribed or influenced to do something he did not want to do. Even if it was something he really needed to do, like learn multiplication. He was convinced that it was unnecessary and he would never need it. So I made a point to tell him every time I used multiplication to solve a problem to try to convince him that it was important information. Thankfully he's learned to multiply despite his early objections.

As Sam progressed into middle school, his interests expanded. When he first became interested in history, it was focused on the World Wars, which I assumed was based on his love of action, good vs. bad and playing combat style video games. But his interest went way beyond the battles, and he started looking at the circumstances surrounding the events, what led up to them and the determining factors that affected the outcome. Sam delved into this subject with the same intensity as his other interests. His love of all things history grew and we had hours of conversation about different world events. We've spent many hours discussing contributing factors to social problems that we have faced or face today, and I'm in awe of his ability to see things from a variety of perspectives and look at issues from such a broad view.  



About a year ago Sam shared his goal of joining the military. Despite the initial shock, his clarity and dedication are undeniable. He embodies the qualities of a leader—thoughtful, passionate, and committed to his ideals. As he steps into this new phase of life, my heart swells with pride for the man Sam has become. He is ready to write his own story, one of intelligence, kindness, and courage.

As we celebrate his graduation, I am not just proud of his academic achievements but of his profound personal growth. Sam, you are ready for this next adventure, and I am excited to see where it leads.

Love,

Mom

Exploring Nature's Wonders: Dandelion Life Cycle

Fourth graders headed outside to observe all the scientific natural wonders at work in our own Big Backyard! Amidst observing food chains and wind effects, their nature exploration led them to ask more questions about the life cycle of dandelions, providing an impromptu research opportunity!

The dandelion's life begins with germination from dormant seeds, progressing into a seedling stage where it establishes its roots. As it matures, the plant develops a rosette of leaves and blooms with vibrant yellow flowers, attracting pollinators.

After pollination, the flowers transform into spherical seed heads, each containing numerous seeds attached to parachute-like structures. When the wind blows, these lightweight seeds are dispersed far and wide, taking root in new areas.

Through observing the dandelion's life cycle, we gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the resilience and beauty inherent in these sunny spring flowers, often dismissed as weeds.

Fifth Graders Tackle Environmental Challenges

In a world increasingly affected by human activity, young minds are stepping up to the plate. In STEM class, fifth graders were tasked with the question: How can you design an invention that helps people correct, prevent, or protect Earth’s resources and environment? Using the Engineering Design Process to identify environmental issues and craft solutions, students are using 3D printing technology to bring their ideas to life. From pollution to deforestation, their inventions aim to correct, prevent, or protect Earth's resources. Innovation knows no age limit, and every small step toward sustainability counts. Let's nurture their ingenuity and pave the way for a greener tomorrow!

Volunteer for Scholastic Book Fair & Color Dash

The Summit Parent Organization (SPO) is calling all parents (and grandparents) to help volunteer at our last two big events of the school year: The Spring Scholastic Book Fair and the Last Day of School Color Dash! You do not need to complete volunteer training to participate in these events. Please use the form below to sign up to volunteer, and keep reading to learn more!

Scholastic Book Fair Coming April 29 - May 3

It's almost time for the Spring Scholastic Book Fair! Shop the Scholastic Book Fair before and after school the week of April 29-May 3. We will also have special book fair hours during Grandfriends Day!

This year, student shopping is even easier with eWallet. Use the link below to learn how to preload your student's eWallet for a cash-free checkout experience.

Do you have family and friends out of town who would like to shop the book fair? Send them this link and 25% of every purchase will benefit our school! The online book fair is open Monday, April 29th through Thursday, May 9th.

Third Annual Color Dash on Last Day of School

Can you believe we are just THREE weeks away from the last day of school?! This year, we are once again kicking off summer with a rainbow splash at our annual Color Dash! The event will be held in the Big Backyard on Wednesday, May 15th from 9 -11:30 a.m. (the last day of school). We encourage all of our community, young and old, to attend!  

During the event, students, faculty members, and parent dashers will race around the track as their cheering fans rain down color on them. Our DJ will make things interesting. He may require some laps be run as a barnyard animal and others may be run showcasing the dashers best dance moves! Things could get silly!

Wear white so those chalk colors shine. Wear a tutu, if you want. Wear crazy socks. Maybe wear a wig! You could make signs to cheer on your dasher. Most importantly BE THERE and be ready to have fun and get messy!

For questions, please contact Dulsey Stewart, Color Dash Event Coordinator.