May 17, 1999
Volume 7, No. 9
So that parents of 8th graders can enjoy Summit graduation with their students, we need parents of 6th and 7th graders to help on Friday, June 11, with graduation rehearsal (approximately 9:00 to 10:30 AM) and the graduation ceremony (12:45 AM to 2:15 PM). We especially need volunteers who can be there for both rehearsal and the graduation ceremony. We realize that many of our families have younger children who will be out of school that afternoon, but if you are available, we would really appreciate your help. Please call Deb Ford, 303-828-3028, to volunteer. Thank you!
All Summit parents, friends, and alumni are invited to attend Summit's graduation ceremony on Friday, June 11, 12:45 to 2:15 PM, in the Fairview High School auditorium. The ceremony will be preceded by music performed by Summit's music ensembles, so come early. Dean of Fun Jeff Bradley will be the featured speaker.
Invitations for the 8th grade graduation party at the Elks Lodge on Friday, June 11, from 6 to 10 PM, were mailed to all 8th grade students on May 11. The invitation has an RSVP portion that must be returned to the Summit office with payment no later than May 28. If your student did not receive an invitation, please call Wendy Schermerhorn, 303-938-9150.
Donations from businesses and individuals to help offset the costs of the 8th grade graduation party are being accepted. If you know of businesses or individuals who would like to show their appreciation for the wonderful job these 8th graders have done, please ask them to make their checks payable to Summit Middle School. Checks may be dropped off at the Summit office or mailed to Summit Middle School, 1492 Knox Drive, Boulder, CO 80303. Please note "8th grade party" on the check.
The Summit Choir, Musical Theater, and Silver Rain will perform their final concert of the school year on Thursday, May 27, at 7 PM in the auditorium. Performers must arrive at 6:00 PM.
The Summit Orchestra and Jazz Bands 1 and 2 will perform their final concert of the year on Thursday, June 3, at 7 PM in the auditorium. Performers must arrive at 6:00 PM.
Summit Jazz Band 2 and Silver Rain will perform at the awards ceremony at 2 PM on June 10. The Summit Orchestra, Silver Rain, and Choir will perform at graduation on June 11.
Andrew Crocker and Tim Burchett's drawings were accepted for the state-wide publication, "Colorado Kids Create." They were chosen from 1200 applicants. Congratulations, Tim and Andrew.
Ten summit students are in the BVSD show at the Boulder Library from May 9 to 30. Congratulations to Elena English, Andrew Crocker, Tim Burchett, Courtney Schultz, Erin Sweeney, Weston Trapp, Rachel Prentice, Nancy Petropavlovskikh, Gilly McGinnis, and Tyler Fox.
Congratulations on the fine performance of the Summit and Southern Hills Math Olympiad team. For a period of five months, these mathletes met once a week to enjoy a challenging mix of fun and creative problem solving. They competed each month in the international Math Olympiad test. Participating Summit students were Chris Dole, Kent Gonzales, Parag Mahajan, Sunjay Dodani, Brendan Horton, and Eirik Ogilvie. Coaches were Betty Tuchman and Ellen Rodgers.
On Friday, April 23, Summit's Curriculum Coordinator, Amanda Avallone, assisted by Principal Bernie Grove, led the faculty in a full-day curriculum workshop. As part of the on-going curriculum development process, the entire teaching staff met to analyze instruction in cross-curricular skills and to examine the tasks we ask of students — what kind, how many, and when.
The workshop consisted of two main goals: (1) identifying where cross-curricular skills and critical thinking are being taught, and (2) creating a master timeline of major projects, from the first quarter of the 6th grade year to the last quarter of the 8th grade year. Toward achieving the first goal, teachers identified strands such as reading, writing, organization, research, speaking, listening, and self-assessment that are essential to many subject areas. They then pointed to where in the curriculum each of these skills is explicitly taught. In this way, participants were able to note potential gaps and make recommendations for future years. Teachers also identified opportunities to build on what colleagues in other subjects were teaching, so that students can be both prepared for, and challenged by, each successive activity.
The purpose of the second goal, creating a timeline, is to ensure that each student's experience at Summit includes a cross section of content, skills, and assignments; that student tasks build on prior learning; and that major projects are completed at logical intervals throughout the year, not due simultaneously in several subjects.
Over the next few weeks, teachers will re-examine their own courses in light of what they now know is happening elsewhere in the curriculum. Using the data gathered at the workshop, teachers will develop proposals for filling in gaps, reducing redundancies, and moving particular assignments to more logical places in the curriculum. At follow-up meetings, scheduled for May 18 and June 14, the faculty will present these proposals and work together to create a new timeline for the next academic year.
Invitations are in the mail for parents of next year's incoming students to come to a special Meet & Mingle on May 19, 1:00-2:30 PM, in the Community Meeting Room at the George Reynolds Branch Library, 3595 Table Mesa Drive. This will be an excellent opportunity to talk about Summit and to give the "inside scoop" to these parents! Bernie Grove and the PVC will host the meeting, and we will present information about specific ways to become involved in supporting the Summit community as parent volunteers. We believe that continuity of involvement and informed recruitment of new volunteers is very important for Summit. We look forward to seeing you there, too, to welcome new parents and for conversation about the events of this busy school year. Please drop by!
The Summit Board and PVC will host the 2nd Annual Summit Volunteer Recognition Breakfast on Saturday, May 29, at Eben Fine Park. The breakfast will again be catered by Jubilations. Watch for your volunteer invitation in the mail. Take a morning off and treat yourself to breakfast with us!
The Link Crew program at Fairview High "links up" crews of incoming 9th graders with carefully chosen Link Leaders to provide positive interactions and a smooth transition into high school. On May 21, the Fairview Student Council will host a Link Crew after-school dance. They hope to have every 8th grader who is registered at Fairview for next fall there for the event.
3:15 - 3:30: Arrival of students at FHS. Link Leaders will help pass out name tags as students arrive and send them to their areas to meet their assigned Link Leaders.
3:30 - 4:00: Getting acquainted time for Link Leaders and their new crews.
4:00 - 5:30: Dance in the FHS Student Center. A DJ will provide music. The dance is intended as a social mixer for the incoming freshman class, with no pressure from the upper classmen. Link Leaders will stay to encourage positive participation.
5:30 - 5:45: Parents should pick up their students in the student parking lot at Fairview. (It can get pretty congested in the traffic circle at the front doors.)
For questions, concerns, or suggestions, please contact Mr. Alexander at Fairview High, 303-499-7600.
The Summit Board of Directors will have regular meetings on May 10 and 24 in the teachers' work room. Parents and staff are invited to attend, as always. Agendas are posted outside the Summit office.
The PVC Committee is already making plans for next school year. We will need parents to coordinate and assist with preparation for the start of the 1999-2000 school year — packing and moving teacher materials into and out of summer storage, compiling information packets, helping with new student orientation day, and being available for general site preparation tasks during the summer. Call Margie Riksheim, 303-440-5457, to commit a bit of your summer to Summit.
Many thanks to the parent volunteers who showered staff with food, flowers, and gifts to show the school's appreciation during Staff Appreciation Week: Jackie Ross, Dee Perry, Jenny Lucas, Joan Reed, Anita Gonzales, Kathy Klecker, Diane Chicoine, Alison Stephens, Mel Newville, Margaret McKibbin, Judy Oxley, Jody Kasper, Abbe Stutsman, Karen Fox, Barbara Metzger, KK DuVivier, Cindy Cederberg, Leslie Swirhun, Margaret Farrell, Elsie Rivera, Bonnie Mettler, Ingrid Johnson, Joan Talmage, Elizabeth Million, Marian Rothschild, Joan Harig, Shelly Hendrick, and Mary Boulet.
Thanks also to the group of parents who organized the Celebrate Summit! party: Janet Christensen, Margie Riksheim, Cathy Burchett, Linda Cowan, Joan Harig, Barbry Hogue, Margaret McKibbin, Barb Miner, Noel Miner, Sheila Rincon, Kathleen Whitney, Jenny Evans, Molly Colt, Janet McDaniel, and Roxie Walker. Particular thanks to Margie Riksheim for coordinating the lovely decorations and to Cathy Burchett for the Summit cake. Thanks to Albertson's for their donations. Heartfelt thanks to Jeff Bradley for hosting the appreciation program with style and humor, and to founders and staff for their contributions.
Thank you to Laura and Leo Durocher for coordinating a special mailing to parents on Summit's wait list regarding Summit's future.
The TerraNova Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) was administered in April. Parents will receive their children's individual reports soon. The test had several components: English, math, science, and social studies. The CTBS is an achievement test that measures applied knowledge.
A Test of Cognitive Skills (TCS) was given with the CTBS. The TCS is intended as a test of native ability and serves as a predictor of how a student might be expected to score on the CTBS ("anticipated percentile"). The anticipated national percentile and the actual national percentile scores on the CTBS are both reported.
The difference between actual and anticipated scores is the "anticipated difference score." Anticipated difference scores may be positive or negative. If the actual percentile is significantly higher than anticipated, it means that your child is achieving above that expected for his or her ability. This might indicate effective education at school or home or that your student is a hard worker. If the actual percentile is significantly lower, it might indicate poor instruction or that your student is not working to his or her ability.
National Percentile — National percentiles are between 1 and 99. A percentile rank of 90, for example, means that the student scored higher than 90% of students in the national norm group.
Anticipated National Percentile — Anticipated percentile is the expected national percentile score for students of similar age, grade, and aptitude.
DIFF — If there is a statistically significant difference between actual and anticipated scores, "Above" or "Below" appears in the DIFF column.
National Percentile Range — This range encompasses one standard error of measurement above and below each obtained score. It indicates the range of scores a student would likely obtain on repeated administrations of the test. A narrow range indicates greater precision of measurement than a wide range.
Percentile Bands — The graphic representation in the upper right part of the report shows the national percentile score and range.
Grade Equivalents — An alternative way of expressing test scores is in terms of grade equivalents. If your child is a 6th grader, for example, a national percentile score of 50% corresponds to a grade equivalent of 6.8 (the eighth month of sixth grade). The grade-equivalent scale goes up to only 12.9.
Normal Curve Equivalents — The NCE scale is useful for computing averages across different subjects, grade levels, and schools. The NCE should not be confused with national percentiles. More information on NCE is available in Summit's annual report.
Performance on Objectives — The lower part of the report describes performance in terms of the objectives measured. The Objectives Performance Index (OPI) estimates the number of items a student could be expected to answer correctly if there had been 100 such items for each objective. An OPI of 75 or above indicates mastery of an objective.
This summer would be an excellent time for your child to practice basic skills where deficiencies are noted. The Performance on Objectives section provides some guidance.
If your student consistently is above the 90th national percentile, it means the CTBS may not be the best tool to measure his or her academic growth. (Note that, because of the nonlinear national percentile scale, students with very high anticipated scores are unlikely to have even higher actual scores.) Such students should consider taking the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) through the Rocky Mountain Talent Search. Information will be available in the counseling office in the fall.
The TerraNova/CTBS used to be given to all district 7th graders. This year, the Boulder Valley school board voted to not give the test to middle schoolers because 7th graders would be taking the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) test in reading and writing.
Summit is the only school in the district that tests all its students in all subjects annually. No student is excluded because of special education status. This year the state-mandated CSAP measured only one middle-school grade in only two areas.
All students were given CTBS tests one grade level higher. For example, 7th graders took the 8th-grade-level test. The purpose of this was to provide more "head room"; last year, many students answered all questions correctly in various parts of the test. It was impossible to discern relative deficiencies for those students.
Thus, the students noticed that the test seemed more challenging this year. Because the CTBS norming range spans several grade levels, all actual national percentile scores are valid and comparable to previous years. That is, the students were not penalized for taking the more advanced tests. In fact, Summit's science and social studies curriculum is closer matched to the higher levels tested.
Summit requested pattern or "item response theory" (IRT) scoring rather than traditional (number correct) scoring. IRT scoring adjusts for guessing and also gives individual students a much better idea of their strengths and weaknesses. Class averages, however, are almost identical for IRT and traditional scoring.
Summit requested more complete score reports. They include actual and anticipated scores expressed as national percentiles, grade equivalents, and normal curve equivalents.
The table below gives the actual ("Act.") national percentile score for a median ("average") Summit student in all areas for all three grades, along with anticipated ("Ant.") scores and differences ("Dif.").
1999 CTBS |
6th Grade |
7th Grade |
8th Grade |
||||||
| Act. | Ant. | Dif. | Act. | Ant. | Dif. | Act. | Ant. | Dif. | |
Reading |
84.9 | 73.5 | 11.4 |
87.8 | 82.6 | 5.2 |
90.4 | 80.8 | 9.6 |
Vocabulary |
88.7 | 69.3 | 19.4 |
86.4 | 81.1 | 5.3 |
88.8 | 77.9 | 10.9 |
| Reading Composite | 89.4 | 74.2 | 15.2 |
91.2 | 84.6 | 6.6 |
92.3 | 82.0 | 10.3 |
Language |
84.5 | 75.3 | 9.2 |
88.0 | 82.0 | 6.0 |
88.8 | 80.5 | 8.3 |
Language Mechanics |
86.0 | 73.9 | 12.1 |
80.0 | 82.6 | -2.6 |
84.4 | 81.0 | 3.4 |
| Language Composite | 88.0 | 76.9 | 11.1 |
87.7 | 85.0 | 2.7 |
91.3 | 84.0 | 7.3 |
Mathematics |
79.5 | 74.0 | 5.5 |
90.3 | 83.8 | 6.5 |
88.7 | 85.3 | 3.4 |
Math Computation |
84.2 | 64.6 | 19.6 |
91.4 | 79.3 | 12.1 |
85.5 | 81.0 | 4.5 |
| Math Composite | 81.6 | 71.5 | 10.1 |
92.2 | 82.6 | 9.6 |
88.5 | 85.4 | 3.1 |
| Total Score | 84.7 | 75.6 | 9.1 |
92.6 | 85.0 | 7.6 |
92.0 | 83.0 | 9.0 |
| Science | 86.5 | 73.7 | 12.8 |
89.5 | 84.0 | 5.5 |
91.8 | 85.9 | 5.9 |
| Social Studies | 85.8 | 74.2 | 11.6 |
87.8 | 83.5 | 4.3 |
88.8 | 82.3 | 6.5 |
| Spelling | 69.2 | 70.7 | -1.5 |
67.4 | 77.6 | -10.2 |
88.9 | 74.1 | 14.8 |
| Number of Students Tested | 80* |
77 |
89 |
||||||
*One 6th grade student who did not take the Test of Cognitive Skills is not included in these averages.
Overall, Summit students performed very well this year, as they did last year and the year before. An area of relative deficiency is spelling for 6th and 7th graders. Teachers will help students with spelling next school year. Anticipated difference scores are almost all positive, indicating value added, thus meeting one of Summit's accountability goals. Some anticipated differences are particularly high for 6th graders.
How will Summit use the data? It is our goal that each student achieve more than one year of academic growth in every subject every year he or she is at Summit. We want each student to increase in national percentile score from year to year, especially in areas of deficiency. Parents should compare this year's scores to those of last year and confer with the school if growth is not evident. In addition, Summit intends for its most of its students to have actual scores higher than anticipated.
Last year, Summit adjusted its curriculum to remediate class-wide deficiencies and individualized instruction to resolve individual students' deficiencies.
How will the public use the school's average data? One indicator of a school's effectiveness is its "anticipated 50th percentile difference score," the difference between the actual and anticipated performance of an average student at the school. A positive difference indicates value added.
Another possible use of the data is to help parents select schools under open enrollment. Some parents might wish to consider, in addition to anticipated differences, a school's average level of achievement compared to that of their own child.
Nationally normed tests, such as the CTBS, are but one measure of student performance and school effectiveness. Results can help in student placement and serve as an early warning of deficiencies. Tests can provide useful information to students, parents, schools, and the public.
The table below compares historical actual median scores of our current 7th and 8th graders.
| Current 7th | Current 8th |
||||
| 1998 | 1999 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | |
| Reading | 89.8 | 87.8 | 87.2 | 91.5 | 90.4 |
| Vocabulary | 88.2 | 86.4 | 88.7 | 87.0 | 88.8 |
| Reading Composite | 92.0 | 91.2 | 90.8 | 92.8 | 92.3 |
| Language | 88.9 | 88.0 | 88.4 | 87.8 | 88.8 |
| Language Mechanics | 81.5 | 80.8 | 78.5 | 75.8 | 84.4 |
| Language Composite | 88.5 | 87.7 | 87.3 | 87.2 | 91.3 |
| Mathematics | 92.2 | 90.3 | 87.9 | 84.9 | 88.7 |
| Math Computation | 74.0 | 91.4 | 64.6 | 81.0 | 85.5 |
| Math Composite | 86.6 | 92.2 | 80.5 | 85.0 | 88.5 |
| Total Score | 91.6 | 92.6 | 90.0 | 91.6 | 92.0 |
| Science | 88.7 | 89.5 | 91.1 | 88.4 | 91.8 |
| Social Studies | 87.0 | 87.8 | 86.6 | 90.5 | 88.8 |
| Spelling | 80.2 | 67.4 | 83.3 | 73.3 | 88.9 |
There was significant improvement in math computation and significant deterioration in spelling for our current 7th graders, as was the case for last year's 7th graders (now 8th graders). For our current 8th graders, there was significant improvement in language mechanics and spelling.
Total scores increased from year to year for our current 7th and 8th graders, which satisfies one of Summit's accountability goals.
The following table gives the national percentile "Total" scores for Summit's own 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile students.
| Grade | No. | 90th | 75th | 50th | 25th | 10th |
| 6th | 81 | 98.0 | 94.9 | 85.0 | 70.3 | 49.6 |
| 7th | 77 | 99.0 | 97.4 | 92.6 | 82.8 | 66.3 |
| 8th | 89 | 98.8 | 96.9 | 92.0 | 82.4 | 71.2 |
The spread in scores is quite narrow, especially for 7th and 8th graders.
Beginning in 1999-2000, State math and science assessments will be given to all 8th graders, in addition to the reading and writing assessments given to all 7th graders. CSAP is a criterion-referenced test based on state standards.
Identified talented and gifted students in Boulder Valley schools who are under 13 years of age and who qualify for the free/reduced lunch program are eligible to receive summer scholarships of up to $175 to assist in funding attendance at a camp, class, or activity. The application deadline is May 21. For more information, call Becky Whittenburg, TAG Resource Coordinator at BVSD, 303-447-1010, ext. 5067.
"We Can Do It! A National Leadership Conference for Parents of the Gifted" will be held June 25-27 at the University of Denver. There will be a separate conference for children from ages 6 to 18 at the University of Denver's Ricks Center. Brochures are available in the Summit office and more information is available at www.gifteddevelopment.com.
Rocky Mountain School is offering a wide range of summer classes in art, music, biking, science, math, and even gardening for students aged 6 and above and adults. Call 303-545-9230 for more information.
Boulder Valley School District is looking for students who would be willing to be peers for students with special needs in the Skill Connection I Program. This is an adult-supervised summer activity program at Fireside and Martin Park Elementary Schools, June 21-29, 9 AM - 11:30 AM. Talk to Ms. Bartley or call Ginger Simpson, BVSD Special Education office, 303-447-5148.
The Boulder Creek WatershED Initiative, in collaboration with Thorne Ecological Institute and the City of Boulder Open Space, are pleased to offer, through a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, a week-long opportunity for students to contribute to a valuable local science research project. As a member of the science team, students will: meet and work with local scientists; learn about wetlands water hydrology; learn how to inventory a local biotic community; identify the potential pollution hazards to a wetland's ecosystem; set up wells to monitor non-point-source water pollution; design and begin a mapping system to record survey findings; and have the opportunity to analyze and evaluate the complex factors that arise in wildlife management decisions.
Students who participate will also have the opportunity to become involved in ongoing research projects throughout the school year. These students will become Stream Team Ambassadors, and will work directly with local scientific organizations and BVSD WatershED science teachers.
There will be two week long sessions in August 1999. Session A: August 2-6, project designed for 10 middle school students. Session B: August 9-13, project designed for 10 high school students.
Students must be self-motivated, interested in pursuing a career in science, and want the opportunity to participate in an exciting research project. Selection will be based on an essay question and personal interview. For more information, contact Jeff Writer, writer@bvsd.k12.co.us, or Thorne Ecological Institute, 303-499-1848. The application deadline is May 31, 1999.
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.
Session 1: Robotics and Computer Class, June 21-25. This one-week class meets daily from 10 AM to 12 PM. Students will construct a Movit robot, learn to operate a robotic arm, and have a robot track-and-field day. The Movit educational electronic robot kit was chosen by the Institute of Childhood Resources as one of the top ten creative children's science products of the year. It is a three wheeled robot that responds to sound and touch sensors.
Session 2: Robotics and Computer Class, June 28-July 2. This one-week class meets daily from 10 AM to 12 PM. The activities will be the same as Session 1.
Session 3: Rockets and Computer Class, June 28 - July 2. This one-week class meets daily from 12:30-2:30 PM. Students will construct two Estes model rockets and launch them on the last day of class. The rockets burn solid fuel and may travel over 1,000 feet. They can be reused.
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.
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, 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. Ticket prices are: $14 upper reserved outfield, $13 rightfield mezzanine, $12 upper reserved corner, $6 lower rightfield reserved.
To receive tickets by mail, write: a check payable to FBVS, a self addressed stamped envelope, and a note specifying the quantity and types of tickets. Send them to Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools, P.O. Box 9011, Boulder, CO 80301. For more information, contact Freya Olson, 303-447-5132.
The University of Colorado College of Engineering's Integrated Teaching and Learning Laboratory will offer six "Engineering in Everyday Life" summer classes for middle school age students. How Do Things Work: Motors and Sensors, Too Hot to Handle: Energy and Heat Transfer, Go with the Flow: Movement of Fluids, Green by Design: Environmental Solutions, The Sounds of Music: Science of Sound, Kinetics for Kids: Motion and Chemistry.
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, itll.colorado.edu.
The Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools is offering parents, friends, and relatives an opportunity to honor their graduating children. With your contribution, your name and your graduating child's name will be listed in the Foundation's annual report. The funds will be used for Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools programs. Checks should be made out to the Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools and mailed to P.O. Box 9011, Boulder, CO 80301. For more information, call 303-447-5132.
Due to bad weather, Longmont's 5th Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration was postponed to Saturday, May 22, from 9 AM to 5 PM at Centennial Park (Mountain View and Alpine) in Longmont. There will be a talent show and a salsa contest. For more information or to register for contests, call Kathy, 303-772-4358, or Silvia, 303-499-4624.
Congressman Mark Udall will host a financial aid seminar on higher education on Saturday, October 2. Eighth graders, high school students, college students, and their families are invited to attend. The seminar will be held from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM in the Rocky Mountain Room at Front Range Community College, 3645 West 112th Ave., Westminster. U.S. Department of Education representative Lynn Simons will moderate the seminar. Panelists will include representatives of the Colorado Student Loan Program and counselors from the financial aid offices of the University of Colorado, Front Range Community College, and local high schools. For more information, contact Carter Ellison, 303-457-4500.