May 3, 2001
Volume 11, No. 8
A regular board meeting was held on April 30. Parents and teachers expressed their interest in the music program and in making sure it has the full support of the board, the staff, and the Summit community.
The AAA Committee will consider options for norm-referenced tests as possible replacements for the CTBS tests currently used for all Summit students. The AAA Committee will make testing recommendations to the Summit board. The Hiring Committee met on April 19 and already has a number of potential candidates to consider for interviewing.
The status of open enrollment was discussed, with concerns that the new BVSD centralized process does not allow Summit to provide good information to families or to monitor continuing enrollment in a timely way. The board will contact BVSD about these concerns. Plans for graduation on June 8 are underway, and recommendations were made for a graduation speaker.
Paul Atcheson was approved as Summit's new representative to District Accountability Council (DAAC). He will also participate on the DAAC subcommittee on school choice. The board reviewed preliminary 2001-2002 class schedule information provided by Tricia Olson. A number of students still have not turned in their course selection forms, which are needed to complete the schedule. Marti Gorman and Chris Howard will draft a Summit controversial issues policy for the board to consider.
Future regular board meetings will be on May 14, June 4 and June 18, 2001, all at 7 PM in the Summit Library.
Students and parents, Student Council is sponsoring a school dance on Friday, May 4. The theme for the dance is "Spring Fling" and it will take place from 3:15 PM to 5 PM in the multipurpose room. There will be a live DJ. Pizza, candy, other foods, and soda will be for sale. Admission is $2.00. Thank you, Student Council, for organizing this dance!
Chaperones are needed for the "Spring Fling". Please call Student Council mom Roxy Walker at 303-938-8962 as soon as possible to let her know if you can "spring" forward for this volunteer opportunity.
Tickets for Bye Bye Birdie will be on sale the week of May 7, every morning from 7:55 to 8:10, during lunch, and from 3:00 to 3:30 in the afternoon. Payment may be by cash or by check. Sorry, no credit cards. Tickets also will be sold at the door each night of the show. Performances are at Boulder High School on Saturday, May 12 and Friday, May 18, at 7PM on both dates. We hope to see you there!
The hearing of Summit's appeal to the Colorado State Board of Education has been rescheduled to July 11.
You have learned a great deal about Summit. You have been to school for events. You probably volunteer here. Now, we offer you the chance to be a student for a day (again!) and share the experience of Summit with your student. Be part of your student's day and see our terrific Summit teachers in action!
One parent in each family is invited to attend school with his/her student on either Tuesday, May 8 or Thursday, May 10. If you plan to buy lunch at school on the day you attend, please let us know so that we can be sure to order sufficient pizza.
Please call Donna in the Summit office at 499-9511 to RSVP. We hope to see you in class, at school, very soon!!
Silver Rain, Jazz Band 2/3 (made up of members of Jazz Band 2 and Jazz Band 3) and Intensity, a women's vocal jazz group made up of alumnae (and future alumnae) of Silver Rain, received high marks and awards at the UNC Jazz Festival at Greeley on April 26 and April 28. The highest ratings went to Silver Rain and Intensity, which received the highest rating possible in every category as well as rave reviews from the adjudicators. The highest honor received, however, occurred when Ron Revier and most of Fairview's famed Excalibur choir came to listen to our two groups and cheered us on enthusiastically!
On Saturday, the mixed Jazz Band gave a brave performance of Ellington, Gillespie and Bossa Madeira. Chris Dole and James Franz were recognized as Outstanding Soloists on piano and drums, respectively. Some of our musicians were able to stay and hear master musicians from Chicago and New York give concerts and clinics. We all came away with a clear resolve to improve for next year, and to reserve the entire day so that everyone could see the award ceremony at the concert in the evening!
I was most proud that Silver Rain hit two marks that I had set out for them: (1) to strive not for good marks, but for excellent marks, (2) to learn something new, not merely receive the same feedback they had already heard in class. And they did just that! In fact, they were criticized on matters of taste only, on effects and sounds that I'd asked of them! Way to go Silver Rain! Everything the clinicians asked of them were questions they would address to a high school ensemble. Congratulations, Jazz Band 2/3, and Silver Rain and Intensity! You're awesome!
It's the support of our parents that makes these trips possible. Thanks to Sally Scott, Julie Dotson, Mary Boulet, Barb Metzger, Guyanna Manley, Mary Lou Oppenheimer, Nanette Fuhrman, Suzanne Taborsky-Barba, Shemin Ge, Mary Woods, and Randy Dole who drove up to Greeley for the Jazz Festival.
Parents and music students, the school year is quickly coming to an end. Please mark these dates on your calendar.
All performances will begin at 7PM. We will be recording these concerts. Please plan to attend!
In response to Dean Kirk Adam's request that teachers review their rules and expectations in order to end the year on a "high note," I've simplified everything for the music classes in the following way. Perhaps parents could reinforce these at home, as well.
1) No one may use the word "can't " in music. Acceptable options are: I haven't practiced yet, I could use help with that, Could we go over that technique?, or I'll give it a go! (ask Mr. Teasdale for translation of the last phrase).
2) No dissing of self, colleagues, teachers, or other human beings in general. (Parents please note, dissing is a verb derived from the word disrespectful. It also carries the connotation of being rude and critical.). Dr. Burkhart reserves the right to critique behavior and musical execution, since he is the teacher and that is what he's being paid for!
It is Dr. Burkhart's belief that whatever or whoever each child conceives the creative forces of the universe to be has created each person perfect - just as they are. No mistakes! (Parents, be alert for a teachable moment here!). Therefore, perfection can achieve whatever it wants (ergo Rule 1), and don't knock perfection (ergo Rule 2).
Don't let your perfection get in the way of someone else's perfection. Translation: don't talk when somebody else is talking, or "cross-curricular skill 2, sub-heading 1".
Summit Parents: Thanks for sharing your little pieces of perfection with me!
Ms. Avallone and the students of English IV would like to thank all of the parents and families who donated or lent copies of books for the Independent Author Project. Thank you to the Baxt, Halperin/ Shapiro, Sprout/Belding, Patrick, Van Roenn, McKeen/Gorman, and Feyh families, as well as those who donated anonymously. We appreciate your help!
Summit is preparing a basket to be auctioned at Razzle Dazzle, a benefit for the Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools. The theme for Summit's basket is A Walk Through Wine Country. Please consider donating a suitable basket, fine wines, classy cheeses, snazzy napkins or other goodies to make this the hit of the event. Call Julie Dotson at 303-499-8749 or e-mail her at julia_dotson@stortek.com.
Well, nobody guessed who the Summit staff member was who had his car door smashed by his motorscooter-riding professor. The answer is … Mr. McGarrity!!
No question for this week. Send your trivia items to tomwhiteoc@msn (new email address). Thanks!
Congratulations to Summit's 7th/8th grade Math Olympiad team, which will receive a Certificate of High Achievement for ranking in the top 20% of all participating schools. The middle school division of the Mathematical Olympiad Competition involves more than 6,000 students from nearly 300 schools annually. The following Summit students will also be receiving individual awards.
Ryan Hamerly and Daniel Beylkin -- gold pins for placing in the top 2% of individual scorers. Ryan also will receive a trophy for highest scorer on the Summit team, as well as a special medallion for a perfect score in this year's competition.
Hannah Alpert, Kent Gonzales, Dillon Miner, Colin Peterson and John Tsui -- silver pins for placing in the top 10%.
Andrew Jarmon, Rekha Nalitham, Alex Woods, and John Yu -- special commendations for placing in the top 50%. Congratulations for a sensational achievement!
Congratulations to Jeffrey Lee, a Summit 6th grader, who won first place in the upper elementary level for two statewide piano competitions. In March Jeffrey won first place in the First Annual Maurice S. Thomas Memorial Piano Competition sponsored by the University of Southern Colorado. And in April Jeffrey again took first place, in the 13th Annual Wells Music Yamaha Piano Competition. As the Yamaha winner, Jeffrey will perform a piano concerto with the National Repertory Orchestra at the Riverwalk Center in Breckenridge this summer.
Kudos on the spectacular performances of The Miracle Worker by the Boulder Conservatory Theater, with Summit 8th grader Tovë Smith as the inimitable Annie Sullivan! Many Summit students and families wanted to see this magical play, but were unable to purchase tickets to the sold-out performances. Those fortunate enough to secure a seat enjoyed the theatrical treat of the season. Tovë performed beautifully, delivering Annie Sullivan's cynically humorous lines with impeccable timing. Helen Keller was played by Platt 8th grader Bree Boyer, and the entire production was also presented in American Sign Language!
Congratulations to Jessica Boulet, Lara Brown and Erika Daley for being accepted to the Girl Scout 2001 Wider Opportunity. Jessica will be going to the Florida Keys, Lara will be doing a Backcountry Expedition in Montana and will represent the U.S. at an International Camp in Canada, and Erika was selected for the Tall Ship Expedition on a schooner off Catalina Island. Wider Ops gives Girl Scouts and Girl Guides worldwide a chance to experience the art and cultures of other countries, accept challenges in outdoor adventures, participate in leadership activities, and explore a career.
Congratulations to the Summit students in Girl Scout Troop 1462 who have earned their Silver Award: Genevieve Aguilar, Jessica Boulet, Lara Brown, Erika Daley and Jennifer Kaniecki. The Silver Award is the second highest award in Girl Scouts. These young ladies planned, organized and ran an overnight campout for 173 people including 96 Brownies. Their theme was "Famous Women."
Congratulations to 8th graders Layla Smith and Starin McKeen for stellar performances at the Northern Zones Regional Synchronized Swim Meet in Kansas City during the last weekend in April. Layla placed first in her solo routine, and came in third in trios. Starin placed second in her duet and sixth in her solo. Both swimmers qualified to swim at the national level.
On Thursday, May 31, from 7 to 9 PM, come celebrate student achievements in science. Enjoy an evening of hands-on, interactive science, hosted by Summit 8th graders. Technology purchased with the S.H.I.N.E. grant from the Toshiba Foundation will be demonstrated. Parents of 8th grade students are especially encouraged to attend, and all parents are invited. More details about this evening will follow in an upcoming issue of the Summit News.
Often the tasks that contribute to Summit's success are done behind the scenes and are not very noticeable. One of these tasks is the hard work done during each session of the Colorado state legislature to make sure that bills favorable to charter schools have been introduced and successfully guided through committee and full Colorado House and Senate consideration. Summit and other charter schools will soon be helped by new legislation regarding capital construction funding, participation in bond elections, and planning for transportation for charter school students.
Summit is very fortunate to have a strong and energetic advocate working on these and other issues that assure equitable treatment of charter schools and statewide excellence in the education arena. From our entire Summit community, a big THANK YOU to Sheryl Tippit for her on-going dedicated efforts on behalf of Summit and charter schools across the state!
Eighth grade students should be dropped off at, or take the bus to, Fairview High School on the morning of June 8. Student should be there by 8:55 AM, and be ready to practice at 9:00 AM. Students should bring a sack lunch, but no backpack.
All other students will go by bus from Summit to Fairview at 12:30 PM. The graduation ceremony for Summit 8th graders will begin at 1:00 PM. Parents of all students are invited to attend.
Parents, please pick up your students between 2:45 and 2:55 PM at the back entrance to Fairview (near Southern Hills, on Knox Drive). This will be a nostalgic route for many of us!
Prospective students and families interested in Summit are invited to join a Summit tour at 8:10 AM on May 8. The tour will last approximately 45 minutes. At the end of the tour there is time for questions and answers. Also, if you know of families interested in finding out more about Summit, have them call the office at 303-499-9511 to receive a brochure and other Summit information.
There's still time to register for the Bolder Boulder. Be part of the Summit contingent in this year's Memorial Day Bolder Boulder 10k run (or walk) on May 28. It's fun and remember, it will make Ms. Blakemore muy feliz! Can you imagine Ms. Blakemore not being muy feliz?
Jim Fay of Love and Logic fame will present a class called "The Underachieving and Apathetic Youngster" on Friday, May 11 from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM in Lakewood. Cost is $89. Call 303-278-7552 to register.
The North Boulder Recreation Center hosts Friday Night Live, an open house for youth 9 to 14 years old, from 7 to 10:30 PM on Fridays. For more information, call the Rec Center at 303-413-7260 or go to www.fnl-nites.com.
Please use this outline of the 2001-2002 school year calendar, as approved by the Summit Board, to plan ahead for next school year. This calendar indicates school holidays and other key dates.
Monarch High will host an information night for activities and athletics on May 16 at 7 PM for all incoming 9th graders. All the clubs, organizations, music groups, and athletic teams will have information booths. Students and parents are invited to attend.
Guess what? In a new finding, it has been discovered that the purchase of grocery certificates has been linked with improved academic achievement! It's amazing, isn't it? Not just that this would be true but that some brilliant researcher would have had the foresight to conduct a study like this.
Apparently, some large number of grammar school students were tracked over a very long time by researchers at the GIA (Grocery Institute of America). The researchers found that a disproportionately high number of the students whose families purchased grocery certificates ended up attending Harvard and other Ivy League schools. Not surprisingly, these students also ate better than the control group.
So, there you have it -- another compelling reason to purchase grocery certificates. And once again, to make it even easier to discover how wonderful (and smart) grocery certificates really are, we will be selling grocery certificates in the Summit parking lot from 2:50 to 3:10 PM Thursday afternoons. So, bring your money and look for the healthy parent volunteers with the signs. They know the answer to your question: "Grocery Certificates!"
As always, you can also stop by the Summit office to purchase your grocery certificates. If you can't make it to the office, call Joan Jacus at 303-499-3013. Joan, who can attest to the benefits of buying grocery certificates, will make arrangements to get grocery certificates to you. Thanks for supporting Summit with this ongoing fundraiser.
Please send humorous, and printable, material that you've heard around the school to: tomwhiteoc@msn.com
From May 1 to July 31, 2001 Radio Shack is once again partnering with the Wireless Foundation to collect cell phones for the Donate-a-Phone Campaign. Phones will be reprogrammed with 911 and other emergency numbers and given to victims of domestic violence so they can access emergency services at the touch of a button. If you have a phone to give, stop by Radio Shack today.
If you are not receiving your newsletter via e-mail and wish to, or if you would like the newsletter sent to a different or an additional electronic address, simply send a message to marthagorman@att.net. Electronic distribution is fast, easy and saves postage and trees. What a deal!
Check out the interesting website created by Summit librarian, Juilane McMurtrey. It is full of useful information and research resources on a wide variety of topics. The website address is: www.bvsd.k12.co.us/schools/summitlibrary/SMSLhome.htm
The next deadline for submissions to Summit News is May 14. Articles may be sent to Tom White-O'Connor at tomwhiteoc@msn.com or left in Tom's file folder in the Summit office.
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/univ_school/summit/
There are only 25 days of school left this year …
By an anonymous Summit eighth grade student
Call 303-938-9090
English Department Wed. 3:10 - 4:00, Rms. 107 & 108
Foreign Language Department
Music Department Mon. and Wed. 3:10 - 4:00
Math Department
Science Department Mondays 3:10 - 4:00
Social Studies Department