April 28, 1998
Volume 5, No. 8
Emily Strauss has won a National Scholastic Gold Award in writing for her fantasy story, "The Voice of the Queen." Originally written as a research project on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in English IV, Emily's story is about the life of Guinevere. It was submitted to the competition by Ms. Avallone. The recipients of the Gold Award, which is the highest honor conferred by National Scholastic in each category, along with their families and sponsoring teachers, will be honored at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Summit's OM team won first place in Colorado for their category and division, "Marvelous Mentor," Division II (middle school). Lindsay and Tyler Fox, Eric Gonzales, Cara Harmon, Wendy Harig, and James and Dale Swirhun — and Coaches Karen Fox, Connie Harmon, and Ms. Stough — will go to Disney World for the World OM competition, May 26-31. The team also won the Ranatra Fusca award, the highest award in OM, for outstanding creativity. About 6,000 students from 30 countries compete at the World level.
Summit's production of West Side Story, under the direction of Mr. Burkhart and Ms. Hanckel, brought laughter and tears to full houses the nights of April 24 and 25. The hard work and talent of our students and staff made for an unforgettable evening. Over fifty students were involved in the play, including actors, stage managers, lighting crew, technical assistants, choreographers, and musical accompanist. Emily Brownstone's mastery of the challenging piano score was brilliant and crisp.
The play opens with the Jets gathering on a graffiti-covered street. Riff (played on alternate days by Andrew "Birdhouse" Herr and Kim Miner) is the gang's leader. The Sharks enter, led by Bernardo (Brough Hansen) with electrifying stage presence. The gangs' dramatic posturing creates tension as the conflict builds, much to the consternation of well-intentioned drug-store owner Doc (also played by Andrew and Kim).
A former, reformed Jet, Tony (Nick Demarest) is a dreamer. He falls in love with Maria (Eryn Burkhart and Emily Strauss), the sister of Bernardo. The acting and vocal talent of these young stars is impressive, exemplified by their memorable singing of "Tonight" in the balcony scene (reminiscent, of course, of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet) and of "One Hand, One Heart."
Fiery Anita is played by Ashley Howard and Megan Ritger. Their singing ("America," "A Boy Like That"), Spanish accents, dancing, and acting create an memorable, dynamic character. Riss Vosper and Rebecca Goldfarb did the choreography for "America" and play the role of Consuelo, complementing Jessica Goulart and Gillian Singletary as Rosalia in Ashley and Megan's beautiful rendition of "I Feel Pretty." Melissa Anderson played several supporting roles with elegance, as a Jet girl, a Shark, and a Shark girl.
Reid Lustig and Eric King, playing hoodlum Action, star in the fast-paced, clever "Officer Krupke" routine, a parody of the adult world of law and order exemplified, at various points in the play, by Krupke (alternately Eric and Reid), the tough Lieutenant Schrank (Jacob Rapp), and the dorky dance organizer Gladhand (Gilbert Lemieux). Luc Peterson delivered an inspired performance as hoodlum A-Rab turned psychiatrist. Meredith Wilson and Chris Reid were perfectly cast as Anybodys and Baby John, respectively, both aspiring to be accepted, in their own way, as one of the "buddy boys."
In the aftermath of the rumble (superbly choreographed by Andrew and Brough) and the deaths of Riff and Bernardo, Kathryn Woolsey and Rebecca sing, on cue, "There's a Place for Us" as a background duet to grieving Maria and Tony. The dramatic performance builds to a tragic conclusion. After a series of chance encounters and miscommunications, Tony is shot by Chino (Paolo Durocher) and falls into the arms of Maria. The scene is poignant and convincing.
The dedication, talent, and competence of the supporting cast is what really made this a great performance. Everyone had fine voices, accents, dancing skill, and stage presence. They all worked extremely hard, and the result spoke highly of the entire cast. Ms. Hanckel's talent as a choreographer and Mr. Burkhart's musical expertise combined to form a perfect team. Thanks to all the parent volunteers, and especially Connie Burton Fisher, for their invaluable help.
It was a pleasure to see most of the incoming sixth-grade parents and students at registration night on April 14. We welcome you and hope that your forthcoming year at Summit is your best ever. In this article we offer you a "crash course" on Summit philosophy and expectations.
Philosophy. The Summit curriculum is designed to teach facts and knowledge ("content") and develop critical thinking skills ("process"). Lesson plans are deliberately varied to address both auditory/sequential and visual/spatial learning styles. At Summit we understand that students have different learning styles.
Level of Difficulty. Summit groups by ability in math, English, and foreign language. Honors math courses and most science and social-studies courses are accelerated (cover more material).
Gifted and Talented. Summit is not a G/T school. However, Summit was organized, in part, to effectively meet the needs of G/T students, including G/T students with special needs.
Core Classes. All students take English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language every year at Summit.
Electives. Students have two periods of electives every day. Some electives are offered on an every-other-day schedule, whereas others are on a daily schedule. Students may take an additional core class as an elective (e.g., a second foreign language).
Math. Incoming 6th-grade students will need to know their basic number facts and be ready for pre-Algebra. Students coming from elementary schools in which math is not stressed may need some workbooks, tutoring, or classes over the summer. Please consult Principal Bernie Grove, 499-9511, for suggestions.
Retention. Students who do not demonstrate an adequate level of mastery of the material in a given course are usually asked to repeat that course. This does not affect their advancement in other courses.
English. We offer four levels of English. Because English literature books are on a two-year cycle, students who repeat a year of English read different books. Advanced students who take English IV in 7th grade retake it in 8th grade.
Foreign Language. Students who complete Beginning, Level 1, and Level 2, and demonstrate competency, will be prepared to enter Level 3 (or I.B. Level 3) in high school.
Homework. The average homework load is 10 hours per week. Parents may help their students grasp concepts, they may edit their students papers, but they may not do their student's homework for them.
Study Hall. Summit has a mandatory 20-minute study hall at the end of the school day. Students are able to get started on their homework or confer one-on-one with teachers on appointment. In addition, some students choose a study hall as one of their electives.
Discussion with Teachers. Summit has a policy of respectful communications with teachers; we will not tolerate abusive interactions. Parents with concerns about their student's education are always welcome to talk to the principal if problems cannot be resolved in polite conference with a teacher.
Grades. The average grade in core classes at Summit is B-. A grade of C is considered passing. For comparison to typical schools, a "rule of thumb" is to add one letter grade. Thus, a B- at Summit is probably comparable to an A- at most middle schools across the country.
Do not expect your child to get straight A's, especially during the first year. Please support your child in learning how to study and in adjusting to the demands and high expectations at Summit. Do not argue with teachers about grades (unless you suspect a computation error or an overlooked assignment). Remember, grades provide valuable information, and middle-school grades do not count toward high-school graduation standing.
Placement. Teachers recommend course placement to incoming students based on assessments and to continuing students based on performance at Summit. Parents may override these recommendations upon request, at their own risk.
Student Behavior. The leaders of tomorrow are at Summit today. We expect students to balance their exuberance with dignified behavior as appropriate. Disruption in the classroom is not allowed.
Volunteerism. We strongly encourage parents to volunteer to help at the school. Contact our volunteer coordinator, Barbry Hogue, 665-3798.
Summit is now officially accredited by the North Central Association for 1997-98 and 1998-99. Our transcripts and academic standing will be recognized by other schools as our students go into high school or move to other schools during their middle-school years.
Summit Board meetings will be held on Mondays, May 11 and 18, June 1 and 29, beginning at 7 PM in the teachers' lounge. The Board will also meet with faculty on May 4 at 4 PM. On May 7, the Board will have an administrative retreat at Two Bitts restaurant, Baseline and 28th Street, at 5:30 PM.
The teachers and staff would welcome donations of a few heavy outdoor tables and chairs (the kind that do not blow away) so they can eat lunch outside on nice days. Please leave a message for Ms. Cox at the office, 499-9511.
Students arriving late to school must sign-in at the office and get their daily planner signed before going to class.
On April 2, the District released the results of its February 1998 "Snapshot" satisfaction surveys. Summit parents appear to be quite pleased with the school. Although parent satisfaction was very high last year, the percentages of "strongly agree" responses were even higher this year. Especially high satisfaction was recorded in areas related to student learning, learning environment, and communication.
Compared to all District schools, Summit parents expressed significantly higher satisfaction in all areas except those related to the principal, which had many "no opinions" this year, reflective of the turnover in that position.
Staff satisfaction was also generally high, but the differences between Summit and District staff, as a whole, were not statistically significant.
"Through the Looking Glass" is a series of one-week dance classes during the month of July for middle- and high-school students offered through the Colorado Dance Festival. Each week's session costs $100. Call 442-7666 for information. Scholarships are available.
Boulder's Youth Opportunities Program provides individual grants of up to $200 to middle- and high-school students who are residents of the City of Boulder. The purpose of the grants is to help students have access to cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities. Recipients are asked to complete four hours of community service for every $50 received. To apply, contact Alice Swett, 441-4349.
The University of Denver High School is holding information sessions for prospective students and their parents on April 28, 7-8:30 PM, and May 2, 10:30-12 N, on the D.U. campus in south Denver. Please call 303-871-2636, ext. 300, for information.
The Boulder Valley Transportation Department is cracking down on students playing with laser pointers on school buses. Summit does not allow students to have laser pointers on site.
Ten Summit students' works will be in the BVSD annual art show which opens on Mothers Day, May 10, at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, 1750 13th Street, 1-3 PM. Ask your children if they are in it.
Summit and Southern Hills staff and parents are invited to meet Briyana Thompson, newborn daughter of Mr. Ken Thompson and his wife Debora, on Tuesday, May 12, from 2:45 to 4:00 PM in the library. For gift list ideas, or to contribute to a group gift, please call Linda Koivuniemi, 546-0050. To help with refreshments, please call Joan Harig, 466-1464.