Raven Report: March 27, 2024

Left to right: Teddy T. (4th Grade), Newton S. (4th Grade), and

Elise E. (4th Grade)

Congratulations to our Summit students who competed at the 2024 A.C.E.S. Regional Spelling Bee in Rolla this past weekend! There supporting his daughter Elise, Summit Parent Joe Easter says, "While no one from The Summit won the regionals, it was a strong showing and something to be proud of again. One may not think of a spelling bee as thrilling, but it truly was. The Summit students are clearly bright, but also brave, composed, and were very courteous to support the remaining bee competitors."

March 2024

28: All-Stars Band Performance @ Banter Brewing Co., 6-7pm

April 2024

2: Spring School Pictures, Free Dress Day

8: NO SCHOOL, Total Solar Eclipse

15: Board of Trustees meeting, 5-6 pm

17: SPO Meeting, 9 am

19-22: NO SCHOOL - Home Stretch Holiday, Offices Closed

24: Volunteer Training, 8:45-9:15am

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

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

Pre-Orders for Spring Picture Day Now Open

It’s time for Spring Pictures at The Summit! Spring Picture Day is next Tuesday, April 2, 2024. It’s a free dress day which means students are allowed to wear whatever school-appropriate attire they would like at no additional cost.

This round of pictures is not required, and pictures will only be taken of students that have pre-paid. Please use the link below to pre-pay for your student’s pictures now.

Cheer on the All-Stars Band at Banter Brewing Co.

Join us for an electrifying evening as the All-Stars High School Band takes the stage at Banter Brewing Co. (330 W Farm Rd 182, Springfield, MO 65810) on Thursday, March 28th from 6-7 pm!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community during the special appeal at our annual gala in February, the band will be showcasing their talent with brand new equipment. It's a celebration of music, community spirit, and the power of giving back.

Let's come together to support our talented students and enjoy a night of unforgettable performances!

Mark Your Calendars for the Great Solar Eclipse

Get ready for an astronomical event of a lifetime! On Monday, April 8, 2024, brace yourselves for a breathtaking solar eclipse that's going to be TWICE as long as the solar eclipse in 2017. This rare celestial spectacle is set to be the longest eclipse we'll ever witness in our lifetimes! Mark your calendars - you won't want to miss this! The next total solar eclipse visible from the United States won’t occur for another twenty years on August 23, 2044! 

In response to this rare and extraordinary solar eclipse, our school has made a special adjustment to the academic calendar, designating April 8, 2024 as a non-school day. This intentional break aims to encourage families to seize the opportunity to make travel arrangements to witness the eclipse in totality, fostering a unique and educational experience that aligns with our commitment to cultivating curiosity and exploration among our students and their families.

⚠️ Remember, safety first! Here are some tips for enjoying the solar eclipse:

1️⃣ Use certified solar viewing glasses to protect your eyes.

2️⃣ Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection.

3️⃣ Set up pinhole projectors or indirect viewing methods for a safe experience.

4️⃣ Capture the eclipse with your camera or smartphone, but don't forget to protect your lens with a solar filter.

Thank you to Sunshine Eye Clinic for donating a pair of solar viewing glasses to every Summit student!

Be on the lookout for more eclipse facts and activities as we celebrate this momentous event in our classrooms next week, and check out our social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for information on our Eclipse Photo Contest! 

Use the link below to access The Summit Eclipse Brochure to share with your friends. Physical copies of the brochure and the viewing glasses will be sent home with students by the end of next week.

The Summit Prep is proud of our amazing faculty! Every Tuesday we'll be honoring our faculty on social media. This week, we honor Ms. Adrienne Parnell, Upper School Yoga Faculty!

"It is such a treat to have Ms. Adrienne support our yoga community. She brings a calm and thoughtful demeanor to her class which is reflected in the calm her students have achieved when they walk out the door. Many of her students plan to continue their yoga practice beyond their Summit experience."

- Dr. Tara Bonebrake, Upper School Director

"Ms. Adrienne is always so positive and friendly. She knows all about yoga and is great at teaching our classes. Ms. Adrienne is always kind and having her class is definitely a highlight of my week."

- Garrin G., 8th Grade

Summit Faculty Retirement Announcement

Today, we celebrate the illustrious careers of two beloved faculty members who have played integral roles in shaping our students and our school community, as they embark on the next chapter of their journey into retirement, Mrs. Linda Michaliszyn (Early Learners Yellow) and Mrs. Shelly Pollard (4th Grade).

The retirement of these two outstanding educators marks the end of an era, but it also heralds a new chapter for each of them. As a community, we are immensely grateful for their dedication, hard work, and the positive impact they have had on the lives of our students.

"I am so happy that I got to be Mrs. Michaliszyn’s student for a year. I love that you teach us in a fun way and that you have patience with us. And even though you’re going to be gone I will always remember you. Thank you for teaching me how to understand English because I did not understand English as much as Spanish."

-Sophia S., 2nd Grade

"Mrs. Pollard was a great teacher! She had all sorts of fun projects that we got to do, and my favorite was definitely the ocean project. I hope she has fun being retired!”

-Bentley R., 5th Grade

We look forward to celebrating Mrs. Michaliszyn and Mrs. Pollard later this spring, and we invite all members of our community to join us in expressing our gratitude for the incredible contributions these educators have made to The Summit. While their presence will be missed, we celebrate the legacy they leave behind and wish them all the joy and fulfillment that retirement offers!

The LAD Fair Results Are In!

A heartfelt congratulations to every student who participated in the 2024 LAD Fair! Their exemplary dedication and hard work have yielded remarkable success, with over 200 ribbons claimed across numerous categories and grade levels, competing against 60 other schools in our region.

Your achievements are not just victories for yourselves but also inspirations for others. Keep pursuing excellence and continue to shine brightly in all your endeavors. You are truly deserving of all the accolades and recognition. Well done, Ravens!

Please enjoy this first place winning commercial script by first graders Easton, Josh, and Julian, titled "You Will Love Our School"!

Third Graders Honored in Essay Contest

More student accolades to celebrate! Join us in congratulating third graders Aania P. and Nishtha M. for their achievements in the George Washington Carver Art and Essay Contest. Aania submitted a painting and received an honorable mention while Nishtha submitted an essay and also received an honorable mention!

Over 300 students entered creative essays and original artwork as they interpreted the theme: " . . . education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom to our people." 

The winning art and essays will be on display in the visitor center at the George Washington Carver Museum in Diamond, MO.

Congratulations, Aania and Nishtha!

Early Learners Explore Springtime Wonders

Spring has sprung in the Early Learners classroom, where budding minds are delving into the wonders of the season. As they learn about plant life cycles and environmental changes, Early Learners are immersing themselves in hands-on exploration of nature.

Mrs. West has introduced an array of captivating springtime activities, including a sensory table brimming with opportunities for discovery. With stems, leaves, and petals at their fingertips, students have the opportunity to explore their creativity and make a variety of flowers and plants. Equipped with pint-sized gardening tools, they are able to "dig in" and "get their hands dirty" while fostering a deeper understanding of the natural world.

In the Early Learners classroom, spring isn't just a season—it's a journey of exploration, discovery, and growth, where young minds blossom alongside the flowers!

Fifth Graders Unravel Nature's Classification Puzzles

In fifth grade science class, students are kicking off a new unit with a conversation about what all living things have in common. Then they pivoted the discussion to talk about how scientists study the diversity of life by classifying living things based on similarities and differences. Giving each student a sticky note with an animal on it, Mrs. Verney challenged each of them to place the animal on the whiteboard by grouping similar animals closer together and animals that were more different farther away. In this way, the students used what they knew about the animals to create their own version of animal classification system.

After many rounds, the students were allowed to move animals on the board if they disagreed with their placement. Students practiced their comparison skills and skills on developing and defending arguments. Together, they even discussed how such disagreements about how to classify animals happen within the scientific community!

One example of a scientific disagreement about how to classify an animal is the case of the platypus. When European scientists first encountered the platypus in the late 18th century, they were puzzled by its unique combination of features. With its duck-like bill, webbed feet, and egg-laying reproduction, it seemed to blur the lines between mammals, birds, and reptiles. Ultimately, scientists concluded that the platypus is indeed a mammal, belonging to a group called monotremes. Monotremes are a small group of mammals that lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young, and they possess a combination of mammalian and reptilian traits.

Calling for SPO Coordinator Nominations

It's never too early to learn more about volunteer opportunities with The Summit Parent Organization (SPO). For the 2024-2025 school year, SPO will be electing an SPO Coordinator to serve with Class Reps and an Admin Liaison.

If you would like to nominate someone (or yourself) for one of these roles, please fill out the Nomination Form. Nominations must be submitted by Friday, March 29, 2024. Voting will be held at the SPO meeting on April 17, 2024.

Click here to view a complete description of the SPO Coordinator, Class Reps, and Admin Liaison roles and to make a nomination.

Questions should be directed to Roz Madden, SPO Coordinator, or to Amy Maas, Admin Liaison.