Raven Report: April 3, 2024

Big thanks to everyone who rocked out with us at Banter Brewing Co. last week for the All-Stars Band performance! 🎸🎶

The house was packed and the band sounded better than ever thanks to the new equipment funded by our amazing community during the 2024 Gala Special Appeal. Your support made it all possible! Let's keep the music alive together! 

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

Maximize Your Eclipse Experience: Engage & Enjoy!

Engaging with an eclipse is not just about witnessing a cosmic spectacle—it's about connecting with others, contributing to science, and appreciating the natural world. So, mark your calendars, gather your loved ones, and prepare for an unforgettable eclipse experience on Monday, April 8th!

Coordinate Group Meetups: Share the wonder of an eclipse by organizing group gatherings. Whether with friends, family, or fellow enthusiasts, collective awe enhances the experience.

Citizen Scientist Opportunities: Dive deeper into the eclipse phenomenon by participating in citizen science projects. Capture sounds during an eclipse, contributing valuable data to scientific research. Click here to learn more on NASA's website.

Safely Observe: Don't have proper eyewear? No problem! Safely experience the eclipse by observing shadows. Watch as unique shapes form during this celestial event, without risking eye damage. A big thank you to Sunshine Eye Clinic for donating solar viewing glasses to every Summit student to safely observe the eclipse!

Participate in Our Eclipse Photo Contest: Share your eclipse experience on social media! Upload your photos and tag The Summit Preparatory School on Facebook or Instagram. But remember, never use your phone to directly view the eclipse without a solar filter. Protect your eyes and your device by using approved filters for safe photography.

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 our exciting camp offerings below!

The Summit Prep is proud of our amazing faculty! Every Tuesday we'll be honoring our faculty on social media. This week, we honor Mr. Alex Henke, Middle School Music Faculty!

"From the ukelele, to the drums, to the slide guitar, to karaoke, Mr. Henke leads our students on a musical journey every day. The students have expanded their understanding of music and music composition in his class using a variety of techniques and strategies. Mr. Henke's love and passion for the subject is evident as he supports student projects and musical creativity."

- Dr. Tara Bonebrake, Upper School Director

"Mr. Henke is always positive, calm, and relaxed. He is very inspiring. He is great at music. He pursues music, is talented, and we see that in class."

- Vivien B., 6th Grade

Senior Spotlight: Q&A with Maren Beall

What grade did you start attending The Summit?

I started in kindergarten. I’m quite glad I stayed.

What has been your favorite memory at The Summit?

I don’t think I have any favorite memories. But what I really love most about Summit is that it allows me to pursue what I love to do: fly airplanes.

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

I don’t have a favorite. I love them all! I feel very lucky to have them as teachers because they taught me things that wouldn’t be taught at a different school, especially in harsh times like this. I feel like I’ve grown as a person with their advice and help. I love that they supported me and my hopeful future and were there to catch me if I fell.

What class did you find the most enjoyable and why?

A lot of people may argue with me on this one but I believe physics was really enjoyable. I got to apply all the physics Mr. Powers taught me into my flying experiences. I appreciated all the equations and numbers that govern our universe. I was excited to learn more about the forces of nature, how planets form, and the amazing minds behind what we know about our world today.

What project or assignment challenged you the most as a student? Why?

Instead of an assignment, I think what challenged me was the senioritis. That’s all I have to say.

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

I never actually thought that a song could represent my time at Summit. After scrolling through Spotify, I found it. It’s the music that plays during Order 66 in Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith by John Williams. I think it’s called "Anakin’s Betrayal." But in case nobody is a huge Star Wars fan and has no clue what Order 66 is, I guess we could go with "Still I Fly" by Spencer Lee. It’s from the movie Planes: Fire and Rescue.

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

I would say to not be so hard on myself because of my constant habit to beat myself up over the smallest mistakes. People tell me to stop doing that and trust me, I’ve been trying to. I think I’m getting a little better at it with more experience in life. I just hope that nobody else falls down that path. It’s just a matter of pushing those thoughts aside. My flight instructor’s wise words told me to close my eyes and imagine those thoughts are cars on a highway. Their time on the highway is only temporary and they will pass beyond your reach. Don’t even try to dwell on those thoughts. 

What are your plans for the future?

I have had several people tell me what I should do such as join one of the Naval Academies or be a liberal arts major and get a masters in art. Yes, art is a strength of mine but that’s not the path I’m going to take. I don’t need a degree to be an artist. I don’t need to join the military to fly. What I'm truly focused on is getting my degree in aeronautical science and pursuing a job involving flying airplanes. I’ve had thoughts of kick-starting my career as an aerobatics artist, aerial firefighter, or an airline pilot for some big aviation company like Airbus or Gulfstream. Who knows what a job in science might bring me? I might end up on Mars one day. And honestly, I wouldn’t mind if that happens. Just remember to be nice to me. I might be your pilot one day! 

Dear Maren,

We remember the day you described flying as “freedom.” Your face lit up, your demeanor relaxed, and your eyes became dreamy. It was then that we knew that learning how to fly was something you NEEDED to do, not simply something you wanted to do. 

Each time you take to the skies our hearts fill with pride and we continue to be amazed at the young woman that you are becoming. It’s been the most wonderful gift to watch you spread your wings a bit more everyday. 

In your young life, you have already been tested in so many ways, yet you’ve found a way to thrive beautifully. Whether you realize it or not, your experiences flying have prepared you well for the next phases of your life. Flight mirrors what you have and will continue to experience and you are well prepared for whatever comes your way. You will encounter unexpected weather patterns that you will need to accommodate. There will be crosswinds that will try to blow you off course. There will be headwinds and tailwinds that you will need to account for, turbulence you will need to endure, and obstacles to navigate. Constant adjustments will need to be made to ensure a safe and timely arrival at your destination.

Our best advice to you is to trust what you have learned: Keep your focus. Keep your calm. Maintain your compass heading. Accept and adapt to ever changing circumstances. Trust that you have done everything you can ahead of time to prepare for the journey ahead. And have faith that you will come out on the other side to discover calm, blue sky, and soft, billowy clouds.

With your preflight checklist almost complete, our hope for you is that wherever your aircrafts take you may you find adventure, friends, laughter, and purpose. And may all of your landings be as smooth as butter.

We couldn’t be more proud of what you have and what you will achieve, so fly Baby Girl! Fly!

Love,

Mom and Dad 

Supporting Real Life Skills for Young Learners

In today’s technology and digital-dominated world, it is easy to forget some of the most basic skills children need to learn, such as knowing their address and phone number. Knowing your address and phone number is a crucial real-world skill for young students because it enables them to communicate vital information in emergencies, ensuring their safety and enabling swift assistance from trusted adults or authorities.

Here are some ways to help your child learn this information:



1. Turn it into a game: Create catchy songs or rhymes incorporating the address and phone number.
2. Incorporate Daily Practice: Reinforce the information regularly during everyday activities. For instance, when driving home, ask your child to identify street signs or landmarks. Use play phones to practice dialing your phone number.
3. Utilize Mnemonics: Break down the information into smaller, more digestible chunks. Mnemonics, such as acronyms or memorable phrases, can help children remember strings of numbers and words more easily.
4. Role-Playing: Role-play different scenarios with your child where they might need to provide their address or phone number. Practice what they should say and do in emergencies, emphasizing the importance of staying calm and seeking help from trusted adults.
5. Use Real-Life Situations: Take advantage of real-life situations to reinforce learning. When ordering food for delivery, involve your child in providing the address. Encourage them to recite their phone number when making calls (under supervision, of course).
6. Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate your child’s progress as they grasp these concepts. Positive reinforcement boosts confidence and motivates further learning.

Equipping these children with the knowledge of their address and phone number is a vital aspect of their safety and independence. By making learning fun, incorporating daily practice, and emphasizing real-world applications, you all can help your child confidently navigate the world around them. So, let’s empower these little ones with these essential skills, ensuring they’re prepared for whatever life may throw their way.

Third Graders Forge Community through Play

In The Summit's classrooms, fostering a sense of community and instilling essential character values are just as important as academic learning. Third graders are exemplifying this beautifully through a simple yet impactful initiative during morning recess. By dedicating the first part of each morning recess to a whole group game, these young learners are not only having fun but also honing crucial social skills in a relaxed, non-competitive environment.

With a rotation system where a new student selects and explains the game each day, every child feels empowered and valued within the classroom community. Through this collective engagement, they are learning the art of teamwork and cooperation, skills that transcend the playground and carry into all facets of life.

During a recent morning meeting with their teacher, Mrs. Stallcup, the third graders expressed how these games have helped them learn how to get along better, showcasing the tangible benefits of this initiative. As they continue to navigate the joys of childhood together with newfound camaraderie, these students are not just playing games – they're building the foundation for a compassionate and supportive community. Kudos to the third graders for their exemplary teamwork and sportsmanship!

Next SPO Meeting on Wednesday, April 17th

The next SPO meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 17th at 9:00 a.m. in the Community Room. All parents/guardians are welcome to attend these monthly meetings of The Summit Parent Organization. Please sign in at the front desk when you arrive.

Questions? Please contact Roz Madden, SPO Coordinator.