February 3, 1997
Volume 3, No. 2
An International Baccalaureate information meeting for students and parents will be held in the Fairview High School auditorium at 7 PM on Thursday, February 6. Eighth graders who do not live in the Fairview attendance area, and who wish to attend Fairview next school year, must complete an open enrollment form and submit it to Fairview before February 13. Forms are available in the Summit office or at Fairview.
Thanks to the terrific team of Summit parents who recently hand-delivered copies of the special Reach for the Summit! newsletter to private elementary schools in the area. This complements our distribution of Summit information to the parents of fifth graders in public schools in the district. We appreciate the delivery efforts of Doreen Clowes, Amy Davis, Judy Demarest, Harriet Fox, Linda Greenberg, Judi Halasi, Joan Harig, Judy Hart, Barbry Hogue, Rachel Knoedler, Tricia Olson, and Lana Westhoff.
Summit's open house for prospective students and parents played to a packed auditorium on January 27. Future Summit students were treated to music and vocal pieces conducted by Mr. Burkhart, and heard presentations by Mr. Haas, Board members Jim Cederberg and Chris Howard, and faculty members Ms. Dressler, Dr. Sikora, Ms. Stough, Ms. Cox, Ms. Brakhage, Ms. Hutton, and Mr. Adams.
Students Matt Angiono, Alix Oreck, Luc Peterson, Jenny Rood, Yotam Schachter, and Megan Smith discussed their perceptions of life at Summit and answered questions from the audience. Several other students led tours and answered questions in the classrooms. Textbooks and student projects were on display in the cafeteria.
Owing to the large number of applicants for 1997-98 enrollment, the Summit Board of Directors has voted to propose an amendment to its contract with the Board of Education for an increase in our student cap to 300 from 250. This would allow us to have a balance of 100 students in each grade level. The Board will propose that additional modular classrooms be installed on the site to accommodate the larger number of students.
Jessica Kramer published a story about Summit, including an interview with Principal Steven Haas, in the January 22-28 "Bolder Girls" edition of Boulder Planet.
Persons interested in serving on the Summit Board of Directors should submit their names to the nominating committee by contacting Board Chair Chris Howard, 673-0978. A candidate may alternatively petition to get on the ballot with the signatures of 10% of the parents of Summit students. Elections for three positions will be held in April for two-year terms beginning on June 1, 1997. Successful candidates will be expected to attend Board meetings as nonvoting participants in April and May.
Summit's teachers and administrators welcome constructive criticism, suggestions, feedback and comments. Teachers strive to be accessible to parents. Parents are encouraged to attempt to work out any differences or disagreements with teachers directly, if possible. Parents are welcome to communicate with teachers by letter, telephone, or in person without going through the administration. However, the faculty lounge building is off limits unless you are invited to meet a teacher there. Please check in at the administration office if you need to locate a teacher.
If a parent believes that a disagreement with a teacher requires the attention of the Summit administration, the parent is welcome to bring that matter to the attention of the the office staff or the Board of Directors. Polite, rational communications are more likely to achieve the desired response than overstated or abusive communications. Abusive or uncivil communications directed at teachers or administrators will not be tolerated by Summit's administration and Board. Teachers have been instructed to refer any abusive communication to the administration and the Board of Directors for appropriate follow-up. Teachers may, at their discretion, refer to the Principal any communication from any parent.
The Summit Board of Directors will meet every Monday in February at 7 PM in the library. The agendas are posted outside the administrative offices.
Ms. Hutton is conducting a Drama class on Monday and Thursday afternoons, 3:15 to 4:45 PM, through March 20, to finish preparation for "Peter Pan." Work on the play started last semester in 4th- and 6th-period Drama classes.
Any students who were not in Drama, but who are interested in helping with production or in playing a minor role, are welcome. We also need parent volunteers to help out on these afternoons.
Here is a list of props and costumes needed for the production: Fake log fireplace (electric, with rotating cellophane strands, circa 1970), fireplace screen, two wooden doors, two wooden ladders, small lamp, plastic dog bowl, penny whistle/pan flute, fake or real animal skins or large pieces of leather, peace pipe, flower wreath, fake flowers and vines, small stool, native-American or Mexican blankets, skull-and-crossbones pirate flag. Small items can be left in the Summit office with a note for Ms. Hutton.
Parents' help will be appreciated and will help make this an exciting and successful experience for the students.
The Summit Board gave its first formal report to Summit parents on January 23. Ms. Frohbieter, Ms. Stough, and Ms. Dozeman reported on the math, foreign language, and English curricula, respectively.
Board members, committee chairs, and the principal reported on various aspects of the school, including feedback on the parent satisfaction survey, scheduling, budget, discipline, fundraising, and social events. Our textbooks and samples of students' work were on display.
We have openings at Summit for a para-educator to help the teachers and office staff, and for a gifted/talented program coordinator. BVSD security screenings are required. Contact Christa Kastner, 469-4034.
Parents, please do not drop off students at the front of the administration office. Rather, drive south on Knox, make a U-turn around the circle, and stop at the curb to unload students.
A conference for parents and educators of gifted children, Beyond Giftedness IV, will be held on February 21, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. Prof. George Betts, Department of Gifted/Talented Education, University of Northern Colorado, will be the keynote speaker. Summit's principal, Steven Haas, will be one of the featured speakers. Registration is $65 (before February 7; includes continental breakfast, lunch, and materials). Call Dorothy Knopper at Open Space Communications, 444-7020.
Summit has been chosen to participate in a two-year national study, "Charter Schools in Action." The Hudson Institute is conducting the study of 50 charter schools in ten states. A questionnaire for the survey was sent home in students' report-card envelopes. Please return yours to the office by February 7. Thanks.