May 5, 2000
Volume 9, No. 8
The Summit Eighth Grade Graduation party will be June 9, 7-10 PM at the South Boulder Recreation Center. Tickets will be $15. Everyone must RSVP with a check for $15 by May 15. Checks should be made out to Melody Johnson and delivered to a marked box in the Summit office. This party is only for Summit 8th graders. No siblings or non-Summit friends.
As Summit searches for the best teachers for the upcoming school year, we need student help and input. When prospective teachers express an interest in teaching at Summit, they are asked to do a demonstration lesson for a group of current students. Those students are then asked for their feedback about the lesson and the applicant. This information is used by the committee in helping to reach the best possible hiring decision. Most demonstration lessons will be on Sundays from 12:50 PM to 3:10 PM. If you are able to participate in this process, let us know when you are available and we will contact you to confirm. Send your name and phone number by email to bkilkenny@email.msn.com or leave a phone message at 303-665-2973.
If you have not yet responded to the Summit Internet Access Survey, please do so. Simply send a blank e-mail to marthagorman@att.net with Summit Survey - [# of students with access to the Internet at home] on the subject line. Thanks!!
Be among the first to see our new home! Volunteer to help move. Our move will take place in two stages. On about June 16 and 17, we will move Summit's books and other belongings to a central location at Majestic Heights. On about July 31, we will be moving Summit's desks and furnishings and putting these and the books and other items in classrooms.
A lot of labor, especially able-bodied people who can lift and carry heavy objects, will be needed. PLEASE HELP! Call Tom Jarmon, Summit dad and move manager, to sign up: 303-442-5458 (work), 303-444-2262 (home).
As Summit's academic year comes to an end, Tools for Learning is entering the home stretch of a successful fund drive. Fundraising Chairwoman Janet Christensen reports that: "Our average contribution per family is at an all-time high of $368, but we have not heard from as many families as we had at this time last year." If you have not made your contribution to Tools for Learning, now is the time to do so. Need another packet? Call Janet at 303-499-5786.
This year's eighth graders have benefited from three years of Tools for Learning donations. To thank the generous families who have helped make those years so special, Summit will list all of this year's donors in the graduation program as well as an end-of-the-year newsletter. There's still time to take your place among Summit's supporters.
The Parent Volunteer Committee (PVC) is looking for great people to help make our next school year as outstanding as our past years. We still have openings for people to lead: Back to School (the week school opens), Newsletter, hospitality and History Day. As leader, you will be given a list of volunteers to work with you. It will be your responsibility to see that the job gets done.
In addition, we are looking for a group of people who are available during the day on an on-call basis for special projects. Please call Margie Riksheim, 303-440-5457.
I would like to take a few lines to thank the students, the families, the faculty and staff, and the board for the opportunity to work at Summit Middle School. I came here world-weary and skeptical. I leave here an admiring advocate of charter schools, and absolutely in awe of what has been accomplished. WE ARE GREAT! I love my peers. They are wonderful and supportive. I will miss these dedicated teachers who are there when I get to the office early and still there when I leave late - wow! But most of all I will miss all of the eager students, so full of optimism and idealism, humor and intelligence - you are a joy to know and serve.
The only reason I am leaving is to return to the ocean (which I sorely miss) and to be with my small family. My sister lives in Bandon by the Sea, and is in poor health. I am looking forward to walking the beach with her and our multiple dogs as we enter our old age. My son has back problems and is moving there along with my handicapped daughter, so we will all be together at last. I will send you my ongoing esteem and hope for success along with my love from the shores of the Pacific.
Thanks for everything, Maggie
If you would like to join the effort to create an innovative Summit Library & Resource Center at our new site, or if you have high quality materials which you feel would be of use to our students and faculty, please call Marti Gorman at 303-494-4488.
The 1999-2000 Summit yearbooks are now for sale. The yearbook will be about 40 pages in full color and features student portraits, sports, clubs and competitions, music and drama, 8th grade superlatives, and much more!
The yearbook costs $18. Books can be ordered through Maggie or Shelly in the Summit office, or via Ms. Molenaar. Checks should be made payable to Summit Middle School.
In order to include graduation photographs, the books will be delivered to school in August, but a separate autograph insert will be available by the end of May. We will organize a day in the Fall for current 8th graders to pick up their yearbooks.
All children are GIFTED. Some just take longer opening their packages.
Congratulations to Summit 8th grader, Anna Lindemann, who danced beautifully in the recent Boulder Ballet and Boulder Philharmonic production of Sleeping Beauty.
Congratulations to Summit 6th grade pianist, Joy Fest, who will advance to State in the Colorado Federated Music Festival.
Congratulations to Summit 7th grader Madeline Rovira who broke the one minute barrier in the 100 yard Freestyle! She is only one second away from the Junior Olympic qualifying time.
Congratulations to James Norton, Ben Gardner, Ashley Witt, and Aviva Johnson who all placed in the top three of the National Spanish Exam State Level. Adam Petherbridge placed 1st in Colorado on the Level 4 test at Fairview! Muy bien!
Congratulations to George London! On May 1st, George completed his certificate in C++ programming from the University of Colorado Continuing Education Program. George attended night and weekend classes for the past year and a half to earn his certification. At the same time, George continued his unbroken record of straight A's in all his classes at Summit. In the words of John Montgomery, Program Director for CU's Division of Continuing Education, "Watch out, Bill Gates!" George is looking for an after-school or summer internship in programming, so if you know of any opportunities, please contact him at 303-499-0637. Way to go, George!
Area students and their families are invited to join staff and their families at the National Center for Atmospheric Research for some unusual science fun and exploration on Father's Day, June 18. The Bubble & Balloon Festival will take place from 10 AM to 4 PM on the plazas and grounds of the NCAR Mesa Laboratory, 1850 Table Mesa Drive in Boulder.
NCAR's Bubble & Balloon Festival is all about the physics of bubbles and balloons. It is part of NCAR's 40th Anniversary Celebration and includes the opening of a special exhibit highlighting NCAR's 40 years of research. The event features bubblologist, Casey Carle, movement artist, Peter Davison, and balloon sculptor, Bongo, as well as weather balloon launches, tethered hot air balloons and giant cold air inflatables. A bubble gum blowing contest, science demonstrations, and dozens of hands-on bubble and balloon activities round out the event.
How did you do? The point is, none of us remember all the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
Easier? The lesson? The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care.
Bantaba World Dance and Music, 691-B S. Broadway in Table Mesa, 303-499-6484, www.DancingCircle.com. Weeklong, half-day courses, June 12-August 21. Including: African, Breakin', Rap, and Graffiti, Brazilian Capoeira, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Latin Carnival, and Martial Arts forms.
Teacher by day - high quality handyman during weekends and summers. Specializing in: gutter and siding cleaning, wood fencing, and full service lawn care. Exceptional work and prices: Rick Coury, 303-527-3801, couyr@bvsd.k12.co.us.
The Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools and the Boulder Area Realtor Association are sponsoring a presentation entitled "Lights, Camera, Action!" Proceeds from the show will go to the Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools' Students at Risk Program. The dancers, along with Colorado's Hip-Hop Dance Company, Motion Underground, will perform May 20 at 5:15 PM and at 7:30 PM at Boulder High School. Tickets may be purchased at Motion Underground, 2691 30th Street, Boulder, or at Boulder Body Wear in the Crossroads Mall. During the week of May 14, hip-hop workshops will be held for the public. For registration or more information, call Motion Underground at 303-786-7660. Come experience the glitz of Hollywood and a glimpse into the world of music video hip-hop.
The Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools is offering parents, friends, and relatives a unique opportunity to honor their graduating child. 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, please contact the Foundation at 303-447-5132.
The next Summit Board meeting will be held on Monday, May 15 at 7 PM in the faculty workroom.
The next deadline for Summit News is May 15. Articles may be sent to LDParkhill@aol, or left in the box in the staff workroom.
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/univ_school/summit/