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Raven Report: May 13, 2020
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The Summit Prep: Celebrating 15 Years
As we conclude our 15th school year, we are proud to share that The Summit Preparatory School continues as a member in good standing with
ISACS (Independent School Association of the Central States), our accrediting agency. This year, year four in the seven year accreditation cycle, The Summit submitted our Reaction Report to last year's Accreditation Visiting Team. Dr. Heet led the writing of this report with support from the faculty, staff, and members of the Board of Trustees. This week, we received notification that the report was reviewed thoroughly and accepted.
The Summit remains committed to the value of independent school education. We appreciate the unwavering support of our families, community, faculty, staff, and Board as we continue to set the standards for independent education in the Ozarks.
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Virtual Culture Day at The Summit
Thank you, Señoras Leighninger, Raven, and Cook for organizing our first virtual Culture Day! Students were able to participate in many different activities and live Zoom sessions to celebrate the culture of Spanish-speaking countries, including making authentic tortillas, learning traditional dances, creating sugar skull drawings, and more! Please read all about Culture Day 2020, and see the slideshow on The Summit's Spanish blog.
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Camp Raven: This Summer at The Summit
After careful consideration of the health and well being of students and faculty, we have decided to cancel all Camp Raven sessions for the month of June. Registrants will be contacted, and registration fees will be refunded. We are exploring the possibility of additional distance learning enrichment opportunities during the month of June if there is a significant interest from families. If you are interested in this possibility for your child this summer, please fill out the following Google Form by this Friday, May 15th. We will continue to evaluate the situation in our community over the summer and follow the guidelines of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department as we make decisions about Camp Raven sessions for the month of July. We will communicate any decisions with our families as they are known.
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Communications Plans for Summer 2020
As we transition to the summer months, we want to share our communication plans with our community. Starting next week, the Raven Report will be released every two weeks to The Summit community. The Monday Head of School updates will also be sent monthly, instead of weekly.
As always, if there is urgent information to share with our community, we will notify everyone immediately via email and, if necessary, a text message.
If you have any questions or need anything over the summer, do not hesitate to contact administration, via email, at any time!
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Save the Date for the Class of 2020's Graduation Ceremony
The Summit is happy to announce that we have set a date for graduation! This year, graduation will be held on Tuesday, July 14th. We look forward to celebrating our seniors and their achievements with their families. Additional details will be released to The Summit community in the coming weeks.
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Messages for Seniors from The Summit Community
"'
Take pride in how far you've come. Have faith in how far you can go. And, enjoy the journey.' - Michael Josephson
- The Gelners, Summit Family
"This interesting school year is closing with a strong bow to self-directed learning. Ultimately, you are responsible for self-direction in your life, right? You choose where you direct your attention and how long you hold it there. You could see this challenge as happening to you, or you could see it as happening for you... an early opportunity to strengthen that self-direction muscle and run ahead of the pack. The choice is always up to you!"
- Paul Madar, Summit Faculty Member
"Always be changing."
- Emma Smith, Summit Faculty Member
"'Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead.' Whoohoo Class of 2020! Congrats!"
- Cassandra Raven, Summit Faculty Member
"Congratulations to our 2020 Graduates! I am want to wish you all the best as you head toward your future! I don't want you to forget that you are very special, each with your own unique gifts, talents and abilities. There is so much in store for you. Make the most of each opportunity, remember that you are able and equipped for the task and experience at hand. All my love and best wishes to you! Congratulations! "
- Linda Michaliszyn, Summit Faculty Member
"Warmest wishes as you step into your future! The Summit is so proud of you!"
- Marissa Bradley, Summit Faculty Member
"Congratulations, graduates! Now, go save the world! We will miss you!" - Vince Currao, Summit Employee
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Annual Campaign for the Raven Fund
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Thanks to our community on #GivingTuesdayNow (5/5/20), we have surpassed our monetary goal for the 2020 Annual Campaign for the Raven Fund!
This campaign runs until July 31, 2020, so there is still time to make an impact and support Independent Education in the Ozarks! Every donation makes a difference in the lives of our students and teachers. Make your pledge today, and together we can increase our participation goal too!
Please click the link below, or contact
Vince Currao to make your contribution.
Goal: $30,000
Total Raised:
$32,398
Family participation goal: 100%
Current Status:
33%
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Celebrating Mrs. Rhonda Lersch
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Q&A with Mrs. Lersch
How long have you been teaching? What year did you join The Summit?
This is my 41st year, in all. I joined The Summit in the fall of 2015.
What grade(s) and/or subjects have you taught throughout your career?
I started in early childhood, then taught Human Development and Family Studies at UCM, then taught 2nd and 3rd grade in a
small public school until I became the director of the gifted program there, where I taught 2nd-12th grade gifted students. I now teach 5th grade at The Sum
mit.
What made you decide to become a teacher?
I never had any intention of becoming a
teacher, even though I loved working with children. I started college as a music major (flute), and found out that I didn't really want to perform for a living. So I took music ed classes and loved them.
What has been your favorite lesson or project to teach?
I love long-term projects where I teach the skills needed, then turn the student loose to create their products.
What makes a "good day" at school?
Laughter, productivity, and authentic learning.
Do you have any funny or "embarrassing" teacher moments you're willing to share?
Oh, geez. I don't embarrass easily, and I love it when the kids catch me making a mistake. My ineptitude at using technology has been embarrassing on a few occasions.
What's your favorite memory of teaching at The Summit?
Only one? The look on the students' faces when they walked into our new building was a highlight.
What are you looking forward to most after retirement?
I plan on hanging around The Summit some of the time, but I'm also looking forward to working on our "fixer-upper" house, traveling, gardening, sewing, and napping.
What's the next book on your "to be read" list?
Pillars of the Earth
has been on my list forever. This is the year to read it.
If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
Never be afraid to mess up. Just learn from the experience and keep moving forward.
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Memories of Mrs. Lersch
"Rhonda was always someone I looked forward to seeing each morning. In fact, I am sure I was late to several meetings because I would stop by her room to discuss a STEM activity or some other interesting topic and I would lose track of time. She was always full of good ideas, and I enjoyed collaborating with her on competitions and other activities. She always had a great enthusiasm for what she was doing, and I learned a great deal from her during our time together. I am excited for Rhonda, but I am sad to think about all the meetings I will make it to on time now." - Mr. Powers, Summit Faculty
"Mrs. Lersch was a really great teacher! 5th grade was fun with her. I loved when we did our food trucks, and I also liked creating to-scale buildings. I chose to make an underwater hotel. She would stay late with us so we could work on Destination Imagination, and she'd give up her Saturdays to go to the competitions. Thank you for teaching us and we're really going to miss you!"
- Emily C., Summit 6th Grader
"Mrs. Lersch is an amazing teacher. She is very kind and caring to everyone she encounters. When she is teaching, she never gets frustrated with us and always has a smile on her face. Mrs. Lersch lets us talk to each other while we work and while we eat. She is very patient when helping students and always gives positive feedback when she is talking. Mrs. Lersch has brought a smile to my face so many times and has made this year the best year I have ever had."
- Gracelyn R., Summit 5th Grader
"Mrs. Lersch was an amazing, super fun teacher! We did so many really cool projects with her in 5th grade. My favorite project we did was when we designed our food trucks, and then made the food! We will all really miss Mrs. Lersch next school year!" - Sydney W., Summit 6th Grader
"Mrs. Lersch did a lot of fun project with us. My favorite was the sugar cube Mayan temples." - Gavin W., Summit 5th Grader
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Virtual Makers Faire
Family Making for All
Family Maker Camp is an excellent way for families to get hands-on at home. At Family Maker Camp, we bring you live do-it-together sessions with Makers, daily projects, and sessions to join in the conversation with other makers, caregivers, and educators too! Family Maker Camp is online, free for everyone, and generously funded by the members of
Make.co. Whether you are 5 or 95, everyone can join, no matter where they live!
Join Us for Camp!
- Sign Up for the Maker Camp Newsletter
- Follow Our Facebook Page
- Join Our Facebook Group
- Please email us if you're interested in hosting and sharing a project during Family Maker Camp
Make Projects
We are thrilled to announce Make:Projects is LIVE! It's the perfect time to start showcasing, chronicling, and collaborating on your projects.
We hope you join us! Here are a few things you can do today:
- Create your account
- Please help us spread the word by telling your friends and family!
- Browse projects - there are over 8,000!
Thanks for your support. We look forward to seeing all the amazing projects and collaborations you come up with.
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Student Designed Summit Spirit Wear 2020-2021
It's time to start planning for The Summit's 2020-2021 Spirit Wear! All students are encouraged to submit their Spirit Wear design to
Ms. Amy by
Friday, June 26th. We will have a spirit wear order ready by the end of July and plan to have our new Spirit Wear in before the start of the school year!
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Pollinator Garden Update
Last week, the soil was dry enough to start planting The Summit's pollinator garden. And according to Summit Parent and Board Member, Dana Thomas, "It's going to be gorgeous! I can't wait to see it in a year or two, when all the plants fill out."
Approximately one third of the pollinator garden was planted, so there's still more work to be done!
If you are interested in helping with the planting (and removing current plants form existing beds in the front of The Summit)
please contact Dana Thomas. "We can socially distance pretty easily," said Dana. "It's pretty satisfying to watch [the garden] come to life!"
Also, a big thank you to Butch and everyone at
Race Brothers Farm and Home Supply for donating a new watering hose! That has been very helpful in watering the newly planted pollinator garden in our backyard. Thank you!
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AmazonSmile: Shop & Support The Summit
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice, The Summit Prep. You must go through smile.amazon.com (not amazon.com) to log into your Amazon account for the benefits to work.
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Online Options for Growth Fund Credits with Scrip!
As always feel free to reach out to
Phil Isley, Summit Dad and Scrip Coordinator, with any questions.
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Mabel's Labels
Mabel's Labels are great, adhesive labels for everything: uniform shirts, water bottles, lunch boxes, pencil cases, laptops, etc. They stick and won't come off in the wash!
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New: Box Tops App! No more clipping!
Box Tops is changing to fit today's families. The new and improved Box Tops mobile app uses state-of-the-art technology to scan your store receipt, find participating products, and instantly add Box Tops to your school's earnings online. Click here to learn more about the app.
Don't forget to keep collecting all your Box Tops, labels, and Tyson product codes! We have a clear bucket in the lobby to collect these labels all year long. Please be sure to ask your family and friends to collect theirs as well. The Summit gets credit for every label turned in!
Click on the links below for more information on each program:
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Summit Family Business Directory: Available to View Family Businesses
Use the link at the right, or visit
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The Summit Preparatory School | 417.869.8077 | Fax: 417.986.3777
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