Summit Scoop
A monthly District newsletter
Issue #3 October 2023
Summit Scoop is a monthly newsletter for families and staff members in the Summit Public School District. Summit Scoop features stories of student achievement, events in the District, and positive news around the school community! The newsletter will be sent out on the last Thursday of the month. You can find an archive of newsletters sent throughout the year on the District website.
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Summit Scoop can be translated into many different languages. All you need to do is open the newsletter in a web browser, and then click on the "Translate" button. If you open it on your phone, you will need to find the accessibility icon which will bring you to the translation option. It is usually at the bottom. If you open it on a computer, the option is at the top of the page.
Summit Scoop se puede traducir a muchos idiomas diferentes. Solo abra el boletÃn en un navegador web y luego haga clic en el botón "Traducir". Si lo abre en su teléfono, necesitará encontrar el Ãcono de accesibilidad que lo llevará a la opción de traducción. Suele estar en la parte inferior. Si lo abre en una computadora, la opción está en la parte superior de la página.
District News
Coffee and Conversation with the Board of Education
Join us for Coffee and Conversation! Meet members of the Summit Board of Education in an informal setting on Wednesday, November 1, from 7-8 p.m. in the Summit High School cafeteria. Coffee and treats will be provided.
Hilltopper Accepted into High School Mixed Voice Honor Choir
Students Learn More about University Life, Admissions Process During Trip to St. Peter's University
Summit High School students had a wonderful experience on their field trip to St. Peter's University as a way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! It was an engaging and enlightening day for our 22 participants, the majority of whom are in the ESL program at Summit High School.
- Campus Tours: They began the day with a comprehensive campus tour, led by knowledgeable guides. Students had the chance to explore the St. Peter's University campus, its state-of-the-art facilities, and get a feel for the vibrant student community.
- Admission Meeting: After the campus tour, our students attended an admission meeting, where they learned about the application process, scholarship opportunities, and admission requirements. It was a valuable session for those considering St. Peter's for their future academic endeavors!
- Class Visits: Our group was then given the opportunity to attend actual university classes. This was a fantastic way for students to observe the academic environment and interact with current students and professors.
- Lecture and Workshop: The highlight of the day was the lecture and workshop provided by Yale professor Maria de los Angeles. Her expertise and insights were enlightening; our students left the event feeling inspired and motivated to pursue their academic dreams.
Overall, it was an educational and inspiring day, and we are confident that this field trip has provided valuable insights into university life, the admissions process, and the academic experience not only at St. Peter's University, but universities in general! This field trip was organized by Silvia Vicente, Yeri López and Stephanie Gonçalves.
Speech and Debate Tournament at Bronx Science High School
The Summit High School Speech and Debate Team won first place sweepstakes out of 120 schools from 33 states at the Bronx Science High School Tournament! Competitors who advanced to elimination rounds include:
LINCOLN DOUGLAS DEBATE
Run-Off - Mabel Rieger
DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION
1st - Rory Gingeleskie*
2nd - Rebecca Leung*
Semi-Finalists - Matt Krunnfusz, Callie Cukierman
DUO INTERPRETATION
2nd - Wyatt Bergner & Billie Sylvester*
3rd - Rory Gingeleskie & Ainsley Valerio*
HUMOROUS NTERPRETATION
1st - Shreya Gopal*
4th - Ben Strauss*
Semi- Finalist - Abe Pearlman
INFORMATIVE SPEAKING
2nd - Isabella Estupinan*
Semi-Finalist - Emma Vachal
ORIGINAL ORATORY
1st - Abby Rosen*
PROGRAM ORAL INTERPRETATION
4th - Becca Kampel
6th - Chloe Lee
PROSE & POETRY INTERPRETATION
2nd- Rebecca Leung*
Semi-Finalist - Callie Cukierman
*received a bid to the Tournament of Champions at the University of Kentucky in April
Peer Leaders Visit Fairview Lake for Annual Retreat
Summit High School peer leaders recently went on a retreat to Fairview Lake YMCA Camp. The Peer Leadership retreat is a chance for our peer leaders to get to know one another and begin building connections. They do several team-building activities that help highlight leadership skills. The idea is that they will use the connections and skills they begin to learn at this retreat when working with the 9th graders and other members of the community throughout the year.
Summit High School Hosts Self Care Fair
The Students Helping Students Mental Health Awareness Club’s theme this year is You Matter. In keeping with their message, the Self-Care Fair is an initiative to promote health - that our mental and physical health are interwoven and should be valued, nurtured, and cared for. The Self-Care Fair provided the opportunity to bring local organizations to our students so they can see and experience the full range of services available to them, as well as raise awareness, provide community resources, and educate our students, faculty, and staff on integrating mental health and wellness into their daily lives.
SHS Theatre Presents 'Sense and Sensibility'
Summit High School Theatre will present the hilarity, charm, and gossipy fun of Jane Austen’s classic romance, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY on November 16, 17, and 18, in the Summit High School Auditorium at 7:00 pm. Kate Hamill’s playful new adaptation of Austen’s beloved novel follows the fortunes (and misfortunes) of the Dashwood sisters—sensible Elinor and hypersensitive Marianne—after their father’s sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable.
Set in gossipy late 18th-century England, with a fresh female voice, the play is full of humor, emotional depth, and bold theatricality. Even two centuries later, we realize that our reactions to love and societal pressures can still be both reasonable and ridiculous, but that the bond of family and sisterhood can uplift us in the most challenging of times.
Tickets are available for purchase at https://www.showtix4u.com/events/hilltopper and are $15.00 for adults and $13.00 for students and seniors. Livestream tickets available for the Friday and Saturday performances.
Middle and High School Marching Bands Collaborate
The Summit High School Marching Band performed for LCJSMS! All LCJSMS band students were then invited to practice with SHS students, where they learned marching basics, some pep tunes, and even got to march part of the 2023 Half Time Show!
Colonial Life Comes to LCJSMS
Week of Respect
During the first week of October, our schools celebrated Week of Respect, where each school worked with school counselors to provide lessons on respecting others and ourselves. The purpose of the Week of Respect is to teach students how to respect others, our school, our community, and ourselves, as well as how to prevent harassment, intimidation, and bullying situations.
At Washington Elementary School, during classroom meeting time, students spent each day of the week discussing all of the ways to be respectful to themselves and to others. Additionally, their Spirit Squad made announcements throughout the week to remind students of why respect is important. The Spirit Squad also sponsored a Washington/Summit Spirit Day on Friday to culminate Week of Respect by showing that Washington stands together to show respect. Finally, our students recite Washington's school motto every day of the year so that we all: Give Respect, Take Responsibility, and Show Pride.
Parent Toolkit Access from The Social Institute
As part of the middle school’s partnership with The Social Institute, all district parents have exclusive access to the Parent Toolkit, which includes a full library of content specifically for families. All of which are co-created with students and experts around the country. Platform Playbooks feature expert breakdowns of the most popular apps and platforms and offer tips on how students can use them positively. TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, ChatGPT, Fortnite... the list goes on and on! Family Huddles help you reinforce the important modern-day life skills that your child is learning at school. These topics align with #WinAtSocial Lessons to extend discussion beyond the classroom and encourage students to huddle with their families.
Click HERE to activate your parent account. The invite code is 2760D6C62940E9. Please reach out to LCJSMS Tech Coach, Nicole Finnegan, at nfinnegan@summit.k12.nj.us with any questions or issues signing up.
Athletics
Hilltoppers Make History
Summit Girls Volleyball 'Digs Pink'
Congratulations to Coach Martins and the entire Summit Volleyball team on another incredible Dig Pink event! In addition to raising thousands of dollars for breast cancer research, this has become a must-see event in the Summit Athletic calendar each year! The Summit Girls Volleyball team also earned the title of Division Champions again this year, and Coach Martins celebrated 200 wins as head coach!
Middle School Teams Finish Seasons Undefeated
Congratulations to both the LCJSMS Girls Cross Country team and the Field Hockey team for finishing their seasons with an undefeated record!
SHS Sailing Team Places in Final Regatta of the Season
The Summit High School Sailing Team competed in the final NJISA North Wednesday Regatta of the fall season. Congratulations to Lauren Murray and Grace Penque for finishing in 3rd place overall, battling with Seton Hall Prep, Voorhees, Pingry, and Ridge for the top of the podium.
Curriculum and Instruction
STEAM 5th Grade Culminating Hovercraft Activity
Important Dates
NOVEMBER 6
Single Session (K-5 only)
NOVEMBER 7
Schools Closed - Professional Development
NOVEMBER 8
Single Session (K-5 only)
NOVEMBER 9-10
Schools Closed - NJEA Convention
NOVEMBER 16
Board of Education Meeting
LCJSMS Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.
NOVEMBER 22
Single Session - All Schools
NOVEMBER 23-24
Schools Closed - Thanksgiving Recess