December 7, 2001
Volume 12, No. 9
Here is important open enrollment news! Siblings of current Summit students and siblings of Summit graduates have priority for open enrollment. However, parents must fill out a BVSD open enrollment application to be included in open enrollment. We can't enroll these younger siblings unless you submit an application!
There is a spot on the BVSD application for indicating sibling status. Also, we are asking all applicants to fill out a Summit enrollment information form in addition to the BVSD open enrollment application. The Summit information forms and the BVSD application forms are available in the Summit office. The Summit form is also available on the Summit website at <www.summitmiddleschool.org>.
Completed Summit information forms are to be turned in only to the Summit office. Completed BVSD forms must be submitted to the BVSD open enrollment office at the BVSD Education Center, no later than January 18, 2002. For more enrollment information call the Summit office at 303-499-9511 or Linda Parkhill, Summit's enrollment coordinator, at 303-665-9355.
Soon after winter break, watch your mailbox for a re-enrollment form for returning to Summit for the 2002-2003 school year. Each current 6th and 7th grader must complete a form and return it to the office by the indicated deadline. These forms give us the necessary information to plan for next year's enrollment. Please give the Summit office a call if you have any questions regarding re-enrollment.
Students who want to attend a school other than their neighborhood high school must submit an open enrollment application to the BVSD open enrollment office no later than January 18. Students who plan to attend their neighborhood schools do not need to submit an open enrollment application, and will simply register at their high schools in the spring.
Now is the time to make sure you know the name of your student's attendance area (neighborhood) high school. If you do not, you may call the BVSD transportation department at 303-447-5125 to determine this.
Students and parents are strongly encouraged to attend the evening programs listed below. Events are held at the individual high schools.
Boulder High School - On January 10, Boulder High will offer its "BHS Showcase" program from 7 to 8:15 pm in the auditorium to discuss opportunities for students who are considering attending Boulder High. For more information about these programs, contact Eileen Calaway at 303-442-2430.
Fairview High School - For information about Fairview programs, contact Jenny McCarthy at 303-499-7600.
New Vista High School - December 11 and January 10, from 7 to 8:30 pm. Events will also be held from 9 to 10:45 am on December 11, 13, and 18, and January 8, 10, 15, and 17. In addition, events will be held from 1:15 to 3:05 pm on December 13, and January 8, 10, 15, and 17. For more information, contact Diane McKnight at 303-447-5401.
Peak to Peak Charter School - For further information, you may visit the Peak-to-Peak web site at <www.peaktopeak.org>, or call Chris Howard at 303-673-0978.
Shirts, sweatshirts, even water bottles! We've got 'em, and if you want to get 'em you need to place your order by Friday, December 14. See the order form attached at the end of this newsletter to make it easy for you to place your order. These items are great for holiday gifts or any time. Don't delay, order today!
The Board was pleased to have a Student Council update from Emma Benjamin, VP of Student Council. The Halloween dance and Student Council retreat were successful. There will be a Community Food Share food drive before winter break and another dance after break.
Allocation requests for Tools for Learning funds, totaling almost $13,000, and the $10,000 Schools of Excellence grant funds were approved. Approved items include globes and atlases for social studies classes, a portable sound system for the multipurpose room, digital and computer equipment for art, yearbook, technology classes and science classes, conga drums and a turntable for music classes, a podium for Summit presentations, an additional photocopy machine, reference books for the library, staffing and materials for math and English resource labs, books and software materials to support the literacy needs program, and funds to support additional staff professional development. Other requested items will be sought instead through donations and music instrument rental.
The Board has confirmed a facilitator for its planning retreat on January 26, with participation of administrators and representatives of the faculty. Progress continues on documenting finance office procedures and record keeping. New monthly financial statements will be available soon for Board study.
The Boulder High School auditorium is confirmed for Summit's spring musical rehearsals and performances in May 2002. Board members and the principal will meet with the Daily Camera editorial staff on December 11.
All regular Summit Board meetings are public meetings and we welcome guests from the community at any time. Remaining meetings during the first semester will be held on December 17, January 8, and January 22. Meetings are held in Summit's library and begin at 6:30 pm unless otherwise noted.
The Beginning Spanish classes took a wonderful field trip to Tortillería Las Américas at the end of November. It was fascinating and informative to learn the traditional process of making the corn and flour tortillas. We observed the boiling of the corn, the grinding process, the dough making, and the manner in which the tortillas are shaped, baked and cooled before being packaged for sale. All products in the tienda are brought from México, so the students bought quite a few delicious foods and beverages along with dozens of tortillas. Many thanks go out to our parent volunteers: Carol Baum, Barbara Metzger, Cindy Halpern, Penny Hannegan, Anne McCormick, Cassandra Carpenter, Barbara Weidlein, Jean Luce, Fran Rogers, Jean McClellan, and Grace Galler.
The Soto family, which owns the tortillería, is most gracious to host us each year. For those of you who would like to try this fabulous store, it is located at 9th and Lashley in Longmont.
Our thanks to Ravi Dykema, dad of Kyrn and Stephanie Dykema, who came to World History class on November 29 and taught us to chant. His presentation was part of our India/China unit, and we appreciate his time and talent shared with Summit 6th graders.
We will study Ancient Greece next. Does anyone have books or artifacts to share? Please bring them to Mrs. Kapsak's room. Thanks in advance.
Students taking American History are required to create long-term, original research projects that become their entries for History Day. The student projects are viewed and evaluated by qualified judges recruited from the community at large.
The Social Studies teachers invite Summit families to view students' History Day projects on Wednesday, December 12. Projects may be viewed from 8:10 am until 3:10 pm at the U.S. Army Reserve Center, located just north of Summit. Access to the Army Reserve Center is from Table Mesa Drive, between Tantra Drive and 46th Street. Parents of all participants should make arrangements to pick up History Day projects between 3:10 and 4:15 pm on December 12. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Havens at 303-499-9511.
On behalf of the Applied Tech and Computer Programming classes, my thanks to Bruce Galler for donating hubs, which are used to link our computers to our network. Because of his donation, we have rearranged our computer lab in a way that is very productive. Thanks a million!
On behalf of the Programming class, I'd like to thank Tom White-O'Connor for helping students with their programming activities and assignments. Thank you!
To provide additional support for student learning, Summit teachers provide tutoring time for extra help, study sessions, make-up work, and questions about assignments. For a schedule of tutoring help, please see below:
Social Studies, 3:10-4:10, Monday, Rooms 2 & 9
Science, 3:10-4:10, Monday, Rooms 14 & 15
English, 3:10-4:10, Wednesday, Rooms 3 & 5
Math
Foreign Languages
Applied Technology, lunch Monday and Wednesday, Room 4
Even though we haven't yet turned the calendar page to 2002, we invite interested Summit parents to run for a seat on the Summit Board of Directors.
Our all-volunteer Board has broad responsibility for governing the school, setting policy and making decisions about the school's budget, teacher and staff hiring, curriculum, course offerings and scheduling, accountability, and communications, for example. The Board relies on and benefits from the diverse expertise of its members in all of these areas as well as computer programming, law, grant writing, and negotiation.
There are seven elected members of the Board and the principal serves as an ex officio member. This year there will be three Board seats up for election. Each candidate should be dedicated to Summit's educational philosophy and be willing to devote the time necessary to serve on the Board. Candidates should announce by mid-February and elections will be held in early March for two-year terms that officially begin on June 1, 2002. Successful candidates are expected to attend as many spring Board meetings as possible, as nonvoting participants, beginning in March. The Summit Board meets approximately every two weeks, with occasional periods of more intense activity.
If you are interested in the continuing success of Summit, have time and skills to offer, and would like to be directly involved in the important governance decisions about your child's school, please consider running for the Board of Directors. Serving on the Board is valuable and rewarding work. It also offers a tremendous opportunity to make an important difference for all Summit students and Summit's bright future.
Please contact any current Board member for more information:
Summit students and families, we need your donations of fabric and ribbon to make decorative bags for the "Showers to Go" project to help the homeless and migrant workers with their personal hygiene needs. Please bring these donations to Mrs. Kapsak's room. Later in the year, we will be asking for donations of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and other hygiene items. Thank you!
On Tuesday, November 20, Summit 7th graders took a step back in time. They spent their American History period enjoying crafts, games, trades and foods of colonial times. Thanks to ALL parents of 7th graders. We could not have done it without you. Each family participated in some way, by sending in food, setting up a craft or supervising an event. Special thanks to Joan Jacus for coordinating this fun and interesting day. This was an exceptional community effort!
If you would like to honor someone with a book donation, please contact me at Summit. My hours are Tuesday and Friday, 8:10 to 3:10, and Wednesday, 9:10 to 3:10. I can help you pick a book from the library's wish list, will provide a special book plate for the book, and will notify the honoree. You can also support the library by buying Boulder Bookstore gift certificates.
For those of you that like to wait for the last minute to do things ... it's show time! Please turn in your order for the 2002 Summit yearbook TODAY!!
The Summit Science Fair organizing committee is still looking for individuals to judge projects for Summit's Science Fair on Thursday, January 31. These individuals may be parents, colleagues, or other community members with backgrounds in any of the seven project areas: math and computers, zoology, botany, earth and environment, physical sciences, health and behavior, and engineering. Our goal is to identify 60 judges who will be available to review student projects during all or part of the day (from 8 am to 3 pm). A large number of students will participate in this year's fair, and we anticipate that there will be 170-180 projects.
Many thanks to the parents who indicated on their parent volunteer form that they are willing to judge Science Fair projects. We will be contacting you soon! For more information, contact Pete Simpson at <psimpson@ideo.com>.
Thank you to the families who have responded so promptly to the recent Tools for Learning letter. We greatly appreciate your support of our dollar goal and the 100% participation goal. Please contact Tom Mahowald, TFL chair, at 303-543-8903 or by e-mail at <t.mahowald@summitmiddleschool.org>, or Barbry Hogue at 303-665-3798 with any questions or comments about Tools for Learning.
There is a $60 participation fee per sport or a maximum of $150 per student / $200 per family each year for interscholastic sports.
Participation fee for intramurals is $20 per sport.
If you know of families who might be interested in learning more about Summit as a middle school option, please let them know about these opportunities.
Monthly Scheduled Tours - Parents and students interested in Summit's program are invited to tour the school with a Summit administrator. Each tour begins at 8:45 am and at the end of each tour there will be time for questions and answers. Tours are by appointment only.
Please call the Summit office at 303-499-9511 to schedule a tour. The next school tours will be on December 14, January 8, and January 24.
If you hear something funny or heart warming at Summit, send it along to: <tomwhiteoc@msn.com>.
Congratulations to Stephanie Reese for guessing correctly that Mr. Havens is the staff member who …
… was a member of an improvisational comedy group in college.
Enjoy your treat at the school store, Stephanie!
If you would like to win the next contest, all you have to do is guess ...
… which stylish member of the Summit staff was a flight attendant for TWA for 15 years?!
If you think you know who this high flyer is, send your guess to <tomwhiteoc@msn.com> today! Win a free trip to the school store! Good luck!
What do prisoners use to call each other?
Cell phones.
What do you call a boomerang that doesn't work?
A stick.
What do you call cheese that isn't yours?
Nacho Cheese.
Also, be sure to check out the following website: http://www.shibumi.org/eoti.htm
The Bolder Boulder is getting ready for the 2002 race and they need your help! They are looking for a T-shirt design for the Middle School Challenge. Students from all over Colorado will be competing in this contest. See Ms. Blakemore to find out more about the requirements.
The Boulder Youth Choir is accepting new members for the Spring semester. The BYC performs in this year's presentation of The Nutcracker with the Boulder Philharmonic and Boulder Ballet, and will also perform with the Broomfield Symphony on February 24, 2002. The choir performs music from a variety of musical and cultural traditions, often in the original language. For more information, please call 303-442-8681.
The Longmont Youth Symphony will hold mid-season auditions on January 12, 2002. For more information or to schedule an audition, please call 303-651-0167.
All programs begin at 9:30 am. See below for specific building and room. There is free parking only in lots 169, 308, 378, 396, and 436. There is also parking available for a nominal fee in the Euclid parking structure.
December 29: GO WITH THE FLOW, presented by Professors Janet DeGrazia and Brian Argrow, in Room Chemistry 140
January 26: SHOCKING FACTS ABOUT ELECTRICITY, presented by Professor John Taylor, in Room Duane Physics G1B30
February 23: LIQUID CRYSTALS, presented by Professors Noel Clark, Dave Walba and Joe Maclennan, in Room Duane Physics G1B30
Over the course of the year, numerous items show up in the Summit lost and found. If left unclaimed, periodically we donate them to Goodwill. Please make sure that your child's clothing and personal items have their names on them so we can return lost items to their rightful owners.
The last Summit News deadline for this year is Monday, December 17. We welcome articles contributed by our Summit staff and parents! Articles may be sent to <tomwhiteoc@msn.com>, or placed in the Summit News folder in the Summit office.
To save on both paper and the cost of postage, we send out by e-mail as many copies of the Summit News as possible. If you prefer to receive future issues of Summit News by e-mail, please send a message to Tom Mahowald at <t.mahowald@summitmiddleschool.org>.
To see back issues of Summit News as well as a wide variety of information about Summit and links to other charter school and education information, refer to Summit's website via the handy, new, improved, easier website address: <http://www.summitmiddleschool.org>
The best way to predict the future
Is to create it!
SPECIAL SUMMIT WEAR ORDER FORM BELOW …
KEEP GOING …
YOU'RE ALMOST THERE!
Back by popular demand!
Parents and students -- show your school spirit
and order your Summit wear today!
Hooded sweatshirts are great for chilly outdoor P.E. days …
Everybody needs a water bottle or two …
Items are available for viewing in the Summit library before school,
during lunch, and after school, on December 10 and December 12
ORDERS DUE BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14
SUMMIT WEAR ORDER FORM
|
Item Item |
Color |
Logo placement |
Youth Large |
S |
M |
L |
XL |
# Items |
Unit Price |
Total $ |
| Sweatshirt
Hooded, double pocket in front |
Steel Grey |
Summit logo embroidered design on left chest | $22 | |||||||
| Polo Shirt
90% cotton |
Steel Grey |
Summit logo embroidered design on left chest | $18 | |||||||
| T-Shirt
Hanes Comfort-T, short sleeve |
Steel Grey |
Summit logo silk screen
design-left chest only |
$6 | |||||||
| Denim Shirt
Long sleeve |
Blue | Summit logo embroidered design on left chest | N/A | $25 | ||||||
| Water Bottle
Approx. 22 oz., strong seal, leakproof |
Silver/ Grey |
Summit logo imprinted |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $3 | ||
| TOTAL | # | $ |
Make check payable to Summit Middle School
Turn in to Summit office by Friday, December 14
Questions?? Please call Beth McClellan at 303-938-9338
Student Name: ______________________________________ Evening phone________________
Parent Name: _______________________________________
First period teacher: _______________________________________
We will deliver items to students as soon as available!