Summit School Newsletter
INNOVATIVE TEACHING. EXPERT EDUCATORS. THRIVING STUDENTS.
February 18, 2022
From the Head of School...
Dear Summit School Community,
Thank you to all who completed your enrollment packets during the Tier 1 window. Your commitment to Summit School at this earlier date helps us to more easily determine staffing and budgeting. Know that your tuition will reflect the lowest amount for the 22-23 academic year. If you have not yet enrolled, please consider completing the process as soon as possible to support our need to plan and hire.
As you may have seen in past newsletters, we are working on adding a number of new teachers to our faculty due to staff changes and added positions. Our two new positions are middle school language arts and middle school advanced math. The language arts position provides a focused opportunity for a highly qualified educator to work with students exclusively on writing and some literature while complimenting the already stellar teaching of Mrs. Lecky. This will also free up Mr. Pray to provide an elective for the Summit student newspaper.
The advanced math position is a part-time opportunity for a highly qualified math teacher to work with small groups of our 5-8 graders on advanced math skills and content. This frees up Mrs. Danforth to focus on the advanced math needs of our K-4 students.
I know how important it is that our families have the chance to get to know our new staff. So, I am planning to invite families to a welcome reception later this year (depending on hire dates) so that you all have an opportunity to meet our newest Sabrecat teachers. In the meantime, know that I am working hard to find the highest qualified candidates for our openings.
If you have questions or want to talk with me about the upcoming school year, please reach out.
Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Dr. Stephanie Nardi
Support Our Lemonade Stand
Masking at Summit School
Please watch for an important masking update to be sent home on Friday, February 18 via email.
Sabrecat Robotics
Over the weekend our Sabrecat Robotics teams competed in our last regular season tournament before break. Sydney and Wade came away with the Middle School Excellence Award and a 2nd place in teamwork skills.
We had 6 of our 7 teams make it into the finals. Final places 2nd, 5th, 6th, 2-8th, and 10th.
Great job, now for our state tournaments in a couple of weeks.
Tax Credits
Summit Parents,
The Institute for Better Education, IBE has released their 2022-23 Application. In order for IBE to send processed tax credits to Summit during the 2022-23 school year, please complete and return directly to IBE at Services@ibescholarships.org or you may complete the application online at www.ibescholarships.org prior to June 1st. IBE cannot send processed tax credits to Summit for July’s tuition until the application is submitted.
In addition, please see the attached flyer for the upcoming IBE Tax Credit webinars. Below is the link to IBE’s registration for their webinars on February 10th.
IBE 2.10.2022 Tax Credit Webinars The link is for all three webinars, although anyone can join in at any time once registered if they do not need all three.
They will present the following webinars at the times below:
- Planning for Private School (5:30 pm): This webinar is for families who are not already in private school but would like to solicit Recommended Funds prior to attending. Great for potential families!
- Tax Credit 101 (6:30 pm): This is the life of a tax credit, from donation through scholarship. Great for everyone!
- Soliciting Funds (7:30 pm): This takes a deeper dive into how to solicit for Recommended Fund Scholarships. Great for anyone who wants to focus on Recommended Funds!
Summit RunAThon
Pop-Up Playground was Great!
End of the Day Safety Reminder
In addition, please be sure to check your emergency contacts and pick up lists on FACTS. It is incredibly import that these stay current. Thank you.
TAB Speaker Coming Soon!
We Make Summit Amazing!
Lori Phillips, Science Teacher
My name is Lori Phillips. I am an Arizona native who attended ASU. Go Devils! This is my 21st year teaching at Summit, with most of the years spent teaching science to Kindergarten through 5th grade. During my teaching career, I have also led a toddler program, taught pre-school, kindergarten, first grade, and technology. I will celebrate my 24th anniversary with my husband, Rob, in March. We have a 20-year-old son, Devin, who graduated 8th grade from Summit after attending the school since he was in preschool. In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with family and friends. During the summer, we try to visit some place new and travel by car so we can see the country as we do.
Ashley Poole, Math Teacher
I am a fourth year math teacher who loves to travel! My favorite place of all time is Fairbanks, Alaska because I went there on my honey moon and have loved the beauty of it. Every year since, my husband and I go to different parts of Alaska to explore.
I have a black lab named Beedie (B-D) and she is the light of my life! I am currently working on my Masters in mathematics at University of Phoenix and will graduate in Early 2023 and I’m very excited to extend my love for math! In my free time I like to do escape rooms, puzzles, volunteer, and fly planes with my husband.
Kyle Allen, Grade 4 Teacher
I graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Education and a minor in Language Arts. This is my 15th year at Summit, and 20th year as a teacher.
When it comes to hobbies and interests, my first love is always going to be sports. I played many sports in high school and college, and I still participate in some recreation league activities. I also enjoy training in boxing and kickboxing with some occasional pool time sprinkled in. I often take full advantage of Arizona’s beautiful weather and hit the links for some relaxation with friends. My destination of choice usually involves water, whether it is the ocean, a pool, or a lake, I am usually splashing and swimming around.
I thoroughly enjoy working with children and being able to see their faces light up with accomplishment truly makes my day.
Favorite Quote:
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Meredith Mayefske, Middle School Teacher
Meredith Mayefske has been with Summit School for the last 6 years, and this is her 12th year teaching. Her area of focus has been in teaching language arts and social studies during this time. Meredith graduated from Arizona State University in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with an emphasis in History.
In her free time Meredith loves to bake and try new recipes. She also hikes with her husband and walks her Doberman. Additionally, Meredith enjoys swimming and spending her time outside to appreciate the beautiful weather Arizona has to offer.
This year Meredith received a “Golden Gator, Excellence in Teaching Award” from Xavier College Preparatory High School. This award recognizes junior high teachers who have been inspirational to Xavier’s freshmen students. Meredith is also our current National Junior Honor Society Advisor for Summit’s Middle School program.
Camp Summit Returns in 2022!
STEAM Opportunities for Grades 1-8
A complex, but fun, example...
COVID-related Absences
Summit Apparel Store
Gear up with back to school apparel! Check out the Summit apparel store for customizable shirts, pants, and accessories with your favorite Summit logos!
Link: https://apparelnow.com/summit-school-of-ahwatukee-apparel
Referral Credits
Our families are Summit’s best advocates and we appreciate when you share your Summit story with family and friends. We ask for your help in continuing to spread the word about Summit School!
In addition to helping create a thriving community of learners, Summit School has temporarily increased the Referral Credit from $500 to $1,000 as a credit toward your tuition liability for each newly enrolled student of a new family. This temporary increased referral credit amount is for new students (not applicable for siblings of current students or for returning students) that enroll between April 12, 2021 and March 11, 2022. Each credit is applied to your FACTS tuition account after the new family makes two tuition payments for the new student(s). During these stated dates there are no limits to the number of referral credits you may earn by supporting our school! Please contact Summit Admissions or Business Office if you have any questions regarding the family referral program.
Note: Referral credits of $600 or more require the completing of a W-9 form claiming the income. Referral credits are not applicable for voting members of the Board of Trustees.
Summit School
Email: Summit.School@SummitSchoolAZ.org
Website: https://summitschoolaz.org/
Location: 4515 E Muirwood Dr, Phoenix, Arizona 85048, USA
Phone: 480.403.9500
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SummitSchoolAZ
Twitter: @SummitSchoolAhw