November 3, 1997
Volume 4, No. 8
The Summit Middle School Tools for Learning fund drive begins this week with the mailing of packets to Summit families. "This is our only fundraising event of the year," says Jeff Bradley, who chairs the effort. "We do not have time-consuming auctions or send our students out to sell stuff, so we really depend on every family doing its share."
The goal this year is $30,000, and the money goes for a wide array of "wish-list" items from teachers: grammar manuals, science equipment, computers, up-to-date maps, choir outfits, storage cabinets, and other tools for learning.
Summit Board Chairman Jim Cederberg emphasized the importance of the drive to Summit. "Because we are a charter school, Summit receives only about 85 percent of the per-student funding allocated to other middle schools. Financial support from parents is a vital part of keeping Summit strong and responsive to student needs."
Upon receiving your packets, please fill out the card and return it in the enclosed, stamped envelope within two weeks. Even if you cannot contribute this year, please return your card. If you can volunteer to help our telephone follow-up group, call Jeff Bradley, 499-4275. To have a packet sent to a parent who is not on the regular Summit mailing list, call Jeff with the name and address.
Thanks to Brian Hansen, Gilaboy Studios, for contributing the design, printing, and stationery for our Tools for Learning annual report and this year's appeal. Tools coordinator Judy Demarest extends apologies to Ron Kovac, who was inadvertently omitted from the list of contributors at the "Summit" level, and to Kenneth Wilson, who was listed as "Wilson Corielle."
The Summit faculty is hosting a Parent Volunteer Appreciation Party on Thursday, November 6, 3:30-4:30 PM in the cafeteria. (The party is rescheduled from one week earlier.) All past, present and future Summit parent volunteers are invited.
Dr. Sikora received a "Quantum Leap" grant for her proposal, "A Microscopic Vista," for a video microscope system. The award was made by the Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools and funded by Quantum, Amgen, D.I.I. Group, HPS (a Division of MKS Instruments), Neodata Services, StorageTek Foundation, and Valleylab. Summit was one of six schools receiving a grant. The 36 submitted proposals were reviewed by a committee on the basis of educational rationale, impact on student population, and overall educational merit. Last year, Summit received $1,683 in "Mini-Grants" from the Foundation for proposals by Mr. Burkhart, Ms. Frohbieter, and Dr. Sikora. Interested parents are welcome to help teachers write proposals for future grants. The Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools welcomes designated contributions through United Way.
On Friday afternoon, November 7, all Summit students will assemble for an presentation entitled "Through the Eyes of a Friend." It will bring to life the experiences of Anne Frank and her friends during World War II and the Holocaust. Students in English II have just finished a unit on The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. Other students may wish to read the book as background material for the assembly.
When you need to check your e-mail or use the Internet, do you: (a) Wait for your first grader to get home from school? (b) Bother your children for help while they are trying to do their homework? (c) Call your spouse at work? (d) Convince yourself that you probably have no mail and skip it?
If you answered in the affirmative to any of these questions, help is on the way. Summit and Mr. Mueller are offering a beginner class in e-mail, the Internet, and word processing. Afternoon and/or evening class will be scheduled according to responses received. Classes will be held in our new computer lab for both PC and Mac users. If you are interested in participating, please call Janet Christensen, 499-5786.
If you are planning a vacation, the office must be notified in writing well before the date of your student's absence. The principal must approve all pre-arranged absences.
Mr. Burkhart directed the Summit ensembles in two evening recitals on October 23 and 28. The first featured performances by the Summit Choir and by Silver Rain. The second showcased the Orchestra, Beginning Band, Advanced Band, Jazz Band, and Select Strings. Both shows were very impressive and demonstrated our students' remarkable musical talents. Almost one half of all Summit students participate in the music program.
— Photo by Jeff Olson
The City of Boulder's Youth Opportunities Advisory Board is sponsoring free events for Boulder residents aged 11-18. Tickets may be obtained at 2160 Spruce Street, next to the Spruce pool. Bring proof of residency. Nov. 7, Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz, 7 PM. Nov. 14, Fiske Planetarium laser show, U2 at 9 PM, The Doors at 10:30 PM. Nov. 29, The Nutcracker, Macky Auditorium, 7 PM. Movie tickets for Mann Theaters and IMAX Theater in Denver. For more information, call Alice Swett, 441-4349.
The Summit Board of Directors will meet on Sundays, November 9 and 23, and December 7 and 14, 1997, 7:30 PM, in the library or in the teachers' lounge. Board agendas are always posted in advance outside the Summit office, and meetings are open to the public. For the convenience of busy parents and teachers, parent and teacher concerns not covered by agenda items are always the first topics on the agenda.
Noted Boulder educator Gloria Frender is offering five-session courses on study skills for 6-12th graders. Topics include learning styles, time management, organization, note taking, test taking, and memory skills. Classes will be held at Fairview High School, room 426, from 7-8:30 PM on the following dates. Class 1 (Tuesdays): January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 17. Class 2 (Wednesdays): January 14, 21, 28, February 4, 11. The cost for five sessions is $95 per student, text included. Accompanying parents may attend free.
The Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory (ITLL) at the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado will have two open houses on Saturdays, November 8 and 15, 10 AM - 4 PM. The open houses will feature hands-on exhibits from the Exploratorium Museum in San Francisco and chats with CU engineering students. ITLL is located across Regent Drive from the CU Parking Services building. For more information, call 492-7222 or visit http://itll.colorado.edu/
Odyssey of the Mind fosters creative thinking and problem-solving skills, and involves working with others as a team, evaluating ideas, making decisions, creating solutions, and developing self-confidence from accomplishments.
Summit has one established team which placed fourth in the Colorado State tournament last spring. Interested students are encouraged to form additional teams consisting of five to seven members and one or two parent coaches. Coaches' training is provided at the University of Denver, with additional support provided by experienced Summit coaches. For more information, contact Connie Harmon, 499-2061.