April 19, 1999
Volume 7, No. 7
Students will have a four day weekend April 23 through April 26.
Registration forms and signed grade card envelopes are due in the office by Tuesday, April 20.
"We're over the top!" An exultant Jeff Bradley, chairman of Summit's fundraising committee, announced that Tools for Learning has roared past its goal of $40,000 and now stands at $46, 035. "In the past couple of weeks we've had a deluge of contributions for the school," he explained. "I had hopes that we would reach our goal, but I never expected anything like this."
Principal Bernie Grove expressed her thanks for the outpouring of support. "As a lifelong educator, I have never worked in a school with this level of parental commitment," she stated. "It is so heartening to see so many families step forward and do their part. I want all of you to know that our teachers profoundly appreciate your generosity. This is one of the big reasons that we are able to deliver a superb middle school education to your children."
For those families who would still like to be a part of this year's Tools for Learning, Jeff says there is still time. "We will publish our annual report in a few weeks," he said, "and I hope we can see the names of all of our families there. If you are grateful for the education your children receive at Summit, this is a wonderful way to say 'thanks.'"
The turnout for the “Summit Future Summit” on Friday, April 16, was tremendous, despite the weather. More than 250 members of the Summit community trekked through the spring snowstorm to participate in a grassroots event reminiscent of those which brought Summit into existence just a few short years ago. Thanks to all who came for your support and enthusiasm.
Jim Cederberg gave an excellent historical overview of Boulder Valley School Board actions and interactions with Summit over the past 18 months, followed by an economic analysis of Summit’s options regarding sites by Hunter McDaniel. Jeff Bradley’s unique humor and enthusiasm was infectious.
Three things are clear:
A preview of Peak to Peak’s building plans was then offered, and the possibility of a K-12 charter campus was outlined. An open-floor discussion of Summit’s options and the actions needed revealed significant support for a future in which Summit has a home of its own.
Workshops were then held in which participants were asked to proactively support the following school board actions necessary to ensure Summit’s future:
Even if you were unable to attend, your support and follow through are essential to Summit’s future. Please see the attached resource sheet.
Summit is at a crossroads. If you support Summit and charter schools, stand up now and be heard!
It is again the time of year that students have questions and concerns about the Summit dress code. The dress code was revised last year at student request and with their input. As are all such social agreements, this one is a compromise based on the assumption that people are built differently, look differently and have varying degrees of tolerance. Thus, even if your child’s garb looks fine to you, please ask them to abide by the dress code. As you will see, it is not restrictive, nor is it a surprise since it is in the student handbook.
Mike Thompson, BVSD’s new director of legislative affairs, will attend our next Meet & Mingle meeting on April 21 at 7:00 PM in the meeting room at the George Reynolds Branch Library, located at the corner of Table Mesa Drive and Stanford Avenue. He will answer questions about school choice and district site issues.
On Friday, June 11, a graduation party for the 8th grade class is being planned at the Elks Lodge. Watch for further details. If you would like to help, please contact Wendy Schermerhorn, 303-938-9150. An incorrect phone number was published in the last newsletter. The editor apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the error.
The Summit Board of Directors will have regular meetings on April 26 and May 10 and 24, in the teachers' work room. Parents and staff are invited to attend, as always.
The Boulder Valley School district and Summit students did an outstanding job at the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair! The event was held April 8-10 at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. More than 250 finalists participated from all over the state. First through third place Grand Award winners in each category received cash awards ranging from $150 to $25. Highest honors went to the top Senior and top Junior Division winners. In addition, many cash awards, offers of summer employment, and scholarships were presented by businesses, professional societies, and government agencies.
Six Summit students were among those representing BVSD at the fair. All six students received Grand Awards:
In addition, Joan Meiners received a $100 cash award from the American Association of University Women.
Finally, Hildur Boylston, Eric Hansford, and James Norton were nominated to compete in the Discover competition with a chance of a trip to Washington, DC, in October 1999.
Congratulations to each of these Summit scientists and to the other BVSD winners. We are proud of you!
Elena English and Andrew Crocker are in an art exhibit entitled “Science in Our Everyday Lives” at NCAR through the month of April. There will be an opening reception on April 30 for friends, family, and teachers of the students.
Current Sculpture, Drawing/Cartooning, and Introduction to Art classes will be having an Exhibition on April 30 from 5 to 7 PM. Come and have juice and cheese before you go to see Cinderella at 7 PM.
Congratulations to the History Day students who placed at the regional competition. The following students will represent Summit and BVSD at the State competition on May 1: Annie Oesterle, James Norton, Meg Kelley, Sarah Josey, and alternate George London. We are proud of all of the students who participated.
This year's eighth grade class is particularly noteworthy, for they are the first students to go all the way through Summit. If you think your child has gotten a great education, here is a chance to thank the people who made it possible.
On Friday, May 14, we will hold an Appreciation Dinner to honor Summit's founding board members and current board members as well as our outstanding faculty and staff. All of us owe a great debt to these wonderful men and women, and we hope every eighth grade parent can be there.
You will get more details as they emerge. For now, however, save the date: May 14. Questions or offers to help? Call Janet Christensen at 303-499-5786.
We have reached the magic time of spring of the eighth grade year in school. It is a wonderful time, and students are busy learning and growing almost before our eyes. It is also a time when students are nervous about their choices for classes in high school, and just plain nervous about high school. They know that they will be the youngest frogs in very big ponds next year.
This is a good time to reassure them that:
It is also a good time to listen to your students. They are at an age to begin experimenting. They face peer pressure regarding looking and being cool, sexual activity, drugs, and a myriad of other things. Research shows that lectures from school have very little positive impact and can have a negative impact, but that open conversations with family can strengthen a child’s sense of worth and convictions about their values. As parents, we sometimes believe that students pay no attention to us, but again, research shows that they do listen, especially to facts, and they value our input. It just isn’t always okay to let on.
This spring, be sure and make time to listen to your teens. Help them enjoy the time and handle nerves by talking with them about their fears and ambitions.
New student registration will be Wednesday, April 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. English and math assessments, designed to help place students correctly, will be given any afternoon at 3:15 during the week of April 5 through April 9. Students who want to participate in a music class other than those at the beginning level may audition for Mr. Burkhart between 2:45 and 3:15 PM any day between April 5 and 21.
Jenny Rood has received the same score as did George London on the American Junior High School Mathematics Examination. Jenny took the examination while she was in Germany. Both her name and his will appear on a plaque for top scoring students which is kept at Summit.
Summit has been recognized with a plaque for participating for three consecutive years in the American Mathematics competition. Jimmy Lynch received the highest score at Summit on the most recent examination, the American High School Mathematics Competition, given this spring, in which 67 Summit students participated. The top ten scores after Jimmy’s were obtained by Galen Bascom, Jenny Rood, Joan Meiners, Michelle Evans, Aaron Johnson, Vani Vivekanandan, George London, Eric Hansford, Amy Motomura and Ashley Howard. Statewide, the top scoring High Schools were George Washington High School (Denver), Cherry Creek High School (Englewood), Smoky Hills High School (Aurora), and Fairview High School (Boulder).
High-tech summer science classes will be offered in June at Eisenhower Elementary School for students entering grades three to seven. Bob Litsey will be the instructor.
Students in all classes will learn LOGO, a graphics based program.
Students interested in these classes can pick up a registration form in the school office for more details or call 303-665-9300, evenings.
Thank you to all who helped make the “Buy One, Get One Free Book Fair” a great success. Over $800 worth of free books were given to students. The Media Center staff had fun and hope you are all enjoying your books.
The Colorado Dance Festival is offering a summer Youth Arts Institute for middle and high school students. The program offers students the opportunity to work and train with artists of local, national, and international stature while creating their own work. There are brochures in the Summit Office, or call the Festival at 303-442-7666.
Join the Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools at the Colorado Rockies vs. the San Francisco Giants baseball game on June 16, 1:05 PM start. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Foundation.
To receive tickets by mail, make check payable to FBVS and enclose it with a self addressed stamped envelope and a note specifying the quantity and type of ticket to: Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools, PO Box 9011, 6500 E. Arapahoe, Boulder, CO 80301. For more information, contact Freya Olson, 303-447-5132.
The CU College of Engineering’s Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory will offer six Engineering in Everyday Life summer ‘99 classes for middle school age students.
For more information or to register for these classes and others, get CU’s Science Discovery Program catalog, 303-492-7188, or contact the ITL Laboratory, 303-492-4676, or check out the ITL Laboratory Web Site, http://itll.colorado.edu
Incoming 1999-2000 6th graders will need a full series of DPT and polio immunizations and one MMR immunization. Incoming 7th and 8th graders will need DPT, polio, two MMR's, and a full series of Hepatitis B. Exemption forms are available in the office for those who require them. All students planning to participate in sports next year will need a new athletic-participation statement from a physician.