Raven Report: January 24, 2024

Gratitude in every sip! A heartfelt thanks to our major donors for joining us at our coffee connection event on campus this morning.

Be sure to explore the new donor wall in the lobby, a masterpiece hand-painted by our very own Upper School art teacher, Mrs. Emma Gauldin.

Your generosity paints the future of our school! 

January 2024

25: State of The Summit presentation, 6-7 pm

29-Feb 2: K/1/2 Service Drive, benefiting Ambassadors for Children

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

February 2024

2: Summit Spirit Wear Shirt Orders Due

3: ACT Prep Workshop, 10 am-1:30 pm

7: Global Day of Play

10: Parents' Night Out, 5-8 pm

12-16: Teacher Appreciation Week

14: Late Start, 9:30 am

14: $2 Uniform Buy Out

15: Lower School Dance & Upper School Mixer

16: NO SCHOOL - Teacher Work Day

17: KY3 Women's Show at Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, 8 am-4 pm

19: NO SCHOOL - Presidents’ Day, Offices Closed

20: Board of Trustees meeting, 5-6 pm

23: Summit Annual Gala at The Barley House at Moon Town Crossing

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

29: EARLY RELEASE at 1 pm

Celebrating the Global Day of Play on February 7th

Wednesday, February 7, 2024 is the Global School Day of Play! The Summit will join thousands of schools all over the globe by participating in a day dedicated to unstructured, screen-free play for all students. At The Summit, we celebrate learning on a daily basis, but we are excited to help spread the word that play is more than just fun.  

Here’s What You Need to Know:

• The Day of Play will be held on Wednesday, February 7. In the case of school closure due to inclement weather, we will celebrate on Friday, February 9. 
• All students (Early Learners - 12th grade) will participate in the Day of Play. Activities and schedules vary by division. Review email communication from Division Directors for more information. 
• Students may wear their Summit uniform or dress out in Spirit Wear and jeans at no charge.  
• School lunch will be a sack lunch on Wednesday. Students may also bring their lunch.
• Ensure water bottles are clearly labeled with first and last name and don’t forget to pack a snack! 
• Pack warm outdoor gear - we do plan to spend some time outside!

Want to learn more about the importance of play? Check out these great resources:

• The Genius of Play Website
• Dr. Stuart Brown's "Play is More Than Just Fun” Ted Talk
• Play Helps Build a Better Brain (NPR)
• How to Bring Playfulness to High School Students (MindShift)
• Understanding Your Play Style: A Resource for Adults

How to Support the Global Day of Play Activities

We’re looking for individuals to donate or loan us any of the following materials to enhance our day. Please drop any donations or supplies off at the front desk. If you’d like to loan materials, please clearly mark with your family name. Supplies are requested by Tuesday, February 6.

Thank you for supporting our students!

What We Need:

• Recyclables of any kind (cardboard boxes, tubes, milk cartons, old newspaper, cups, lids, etc)
• Craft supplies including perler fuse beads and fuse plates, origami paper, popsicle sticks, googly eyes
• Costumes or clothing that can be used for imaginative play (looking for any size, from preschool - adult)
• Miscellaneous items such as working flashlights, puppets, board games, card games

K/1st/2nd Service Drive to Support Local Children's Charity

As part of a service learning project, Kindergarten, first, and second grade will soon begin collecting new hats, gloves, socks, and scarves in benefit of Ambassadors for Children, an outreach service of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks.

Ambassadors for Children supports the needs of children in foster care in Greene, Christian, and Taney counties. You can help support our students in this noble cause by dropping off new hats, gloves, socks, or scarves in The Summit lobby next week, January 29 through February 2. Ambassadors for Children requests all clothing donations be in new condition. Thank you!

8th Grade to Host Parents' Night Out on February 10

Eighth grade students are hosting a Parents' Night Out event, creating a night of fun and laughter for younger students while raising funds for their eagerly anticipated class trip. With the support of adult chaperones, the eighth graders will host Early Learners through fifth grade students in an entertaining evening on campus filled with games, crafts and activities, a movie, and even a delightful pizza dinner!

This event not only promises a memorable night for the younger participants but also provides parents with the perfect opportunity to enjoy a well-deserved night on the town, knowing their children are in capable hands and contributing to the eighth graders' class trip!

When: Saturday, February 10, 2024

Time: Drop off is at 5:00 pm, and pick up is at 8:00 pm

Location: The Summit Music Room

Cost: $30 per student

Registration: Use the link below to register in advance

Space is limited! Don't delay; register today!

For questions, please contact Dr. Tara Bonebrake, Upper School Director.

Seats Are Filling Fast... Order Your Tickets Today!

It's that time of the year again when we come together to celebrate the wonderful community we've built at The Summit Prep. Our highly anticipated Annual Gala is just around the corner on Friday, February 23rd, and this year promises to be an unforgettable evening of music, laughter, and camaraderie.

🎸 Faculty Jam Band Takes the Stage during VIP Hour!

One of the highlights of this year's gala is the exclusive VIP Hour, and we have something truly special in store for you. Get ready to be blown away as our very own talented faculty members take the stage with a live jam band performance, showcasing their musical talents, and creating an electric atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else.

🎧 Groove to the Beats with our DJ for the General Program Event!

The excitement doesn't end with the VIP Hour – we've got a spectacular general program event planned for the rest of the evening! We're bringing in DJ Will to keep the dance floor alive and buzzing with energy. Our theme this year may be Boots 'n Bling, but DJ Will has more than just country hits lined up. Whether you're a fan of the classics, the latest chart-toppers, or just want to let loose and dance the night away, our DJ will curate a playlist that caters to every musical taste.

Let's make this year's gala the most successful one yet as we come together for a night of laughter, dancing, and supporting our school!

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. Taylor Cederoth, Kindergarten Faculty!

"She is a really fun teacher and I just like all the activities for discovery and all our books. It's just really fun to have her as my teacher this year!"

- Annie J., Kindergarten

"In her inaugural year at The Summit, Ms. Cederoth has quickly become an indispensable member of our team. She focuses on creating genuine connection with each student in her class and embodies an infectious enthusiasm that radiates throughout her classroom. Ms. Cederoth is organized and thoughtful in her planning and demonstrates commitment to high-quality learning experiences. She is a wonderful teacher and colleague!"

- Mrs. Bradley, Lower School Director

Third Grade Gets Creative with Mad Libs

Third graders have been honing their parts of speech expertise with a creative, and sometimes zany, Mad Libs exercise in class. Experimenting with different nouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives, students crafted several quirky and entertaining narratives.

Try out this Mad Lib and see what silly (adjective) story (noun) magically (adverb) unfolds (verb)!

"The Great School Adventure"

One [adjective] morning, I woke up feeling [emotion]. I quickly [verb] out of bed and realized I was running late for school. In a panic, I grabbed my [noun] and rushed out the door.

At school, the day took a [adjective] turn when our teacher, [Mr./Ms. Teacher's Name], announced a surprise field trip to the [place]. We all cheered and hopped onto the [mode of transportation]. Little did we know, this adventure would involve [animal] and [color] [object].

When we arrived, we were greeted by [person] who led us on a tour of the [adjective] [noun]. We couldn't stop [verb] at the ridiculous sights, like a [noun] wearing a [clothing item] and a [adjective] fountain spouting [liquid].

As we [adverb] [verb] through the day, we couldn't help but feel [emotion] at the absurdity of our unexpected journey. The highlight was when [classmate's name] accidentally [verb] into a pile of [noun].

By the time we returned to school, we were all [adjective] but filled with [emotion] from the most [adjective] adventure ever. Who knew a regular school day could turn into such a [adjective] escapade?

Early Learners Have a Heartfelt Science Adventure

As Early Learners conclude their unit on learning about the body, they participated in a super fun science adventure, discovering the incredible magic of the heart. Mrs. Starkey brought out her fantastic pumping heart model to show just how amazing our hearts are. Using a big mason jar, red liquid, and colorful straws, Mrs. S made the heart lesson come to life! The straws played the roles of special tunnels (ventricles) that carry the red juice (blood) to every part of our bodies.

With a balloon-covered straw acting as a magical door (valve), this demonstration showed how our hearts keep the blood flowing in the right direction. When the teacher pressed gently on the balloon, the red juice (just like our blood) pumped out of the tunnel. The little ones couldn't get enough of this fascinating experience!

Get Ready to Celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week

As Teacher Appreciation Week approaches (February 12-16), the dedicated volunteers in the Summit Parent Organization (SPO) are gearing up to make it a memorable celebration for our hardworking educators. This annual event is a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude for the tireless efforts of our teachers!

To ensure a fantastic week for our educators, we're calling on parents to join hands and support the cause. This year, we're planning several special treats for our teachers—including a chili and baked potato bar, everyone's favorite Sonic drinks, gift card giveaways, and more!

We invite parents to get involved by signing up to help out with this jam-packed week celebrating our teachers through various volunteer opportunities like bringing in toppings for the baked potato bar, picking up Sonic drinks, or donating a gift card. Whether it's sour cream, cheese, chives, or any other delicious additions, your contribution will make a significant impact in making our teachers feel valued.

To sign up or learn more about how you can contribute, please use the Sign Up Genius link below or contact Amanda Wheeler-Johnson, Summit Appreciation Committee Chair.