Summit School Newsletter
INNOVATIVE TEACHING. EXPERT EDUCATORS. THRIVING STUDENTS.
March 25, 2022
From the Head of School...
Dear Summit School Community,
Did you know that you can get a $1000 tuition credit for each family you refer to Summit School? This temporary increased referral credit amount is for new students (not applicable for siblings of current students or for returning students) that enroll at Summit School. Each credit is applied to your FACTS tuition account after the new family makes two tuition payments for the new student(s). 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.
Plan to attend our 2022 Summit School STEAM Night on Thursday, March 31 from 5:30 to 7:30, and bring another family. When you bring a new family who is interested in Summit, you will be entered into a raffle drawing for a free week of Camp Invention at Summit School June 27-July 1. Just visit the Camp Invention/Admissions table. In addition, you and your visiting family have the chance to participate in STEAM activities and the Pizza Arno food truck will be onsite for your dinner needs.
See the attached event map for activities and locations on campus. Student exhibits in the MPR include art, STEAM TEAM competition entries, and the middle school Future Cities project. We are welcoming professionals including an architect, an orthodontist, a pilot, an off-road champion, and representatives from Boeing to share their expertise. For all of our readers, the Scholastic Book Fair will be open.
This is a great time to reunite as a Summit Community!
Sincerely,
Dr. Stephanie Nardi
Please Welcome Alisha Watson
I am so excited and honored to be joining this incredible community as a first grade teacher. I currently teach first grade and love it. Next year will be my 13th year of teaching. I have a BA in Elementary Education from ASU and an MA in Educational Leadership from NAU. I love the curiosity and enthusiasm for learning that first graders bring to the classroom. I can not wait to become a part of this dynamic school!
Additional Staff Updates
I want to share some of the news as we continue to prepare for 22-23. Updates are...
- Alisha Watson is joining Summit School as grade 1 teacher. She is a former Summit parent and resident of Ahwatukee and an experienced first grade teacher.
- Lisa Stearns Hayes will be moving back to preschool to teach our new toddler class.
- Kyle Allen will be moving out of the classroom to be our Marketing and Admissions Director.
- We have also hired three new members of the Summit School Team. I will share those names as soon as all final steps in the process are complete.
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!
STEAM Night: Join us March 31 from 5:30-7:30
STEAM Night: Activities, Experts, Displays, and Food!
Student exhibits in the MPR include art, STEAM TEAM competition entries, and the middle school Future Cities project. We are welcoming professionals including an architect, an orthodontist, a pilot, an off-road champion, and representatives from Boeing to share their expertise. For all of our readers, the Scholastic Book Fair will be open.
This is also a great time to reunite with our Summit Community! Bring a new family who is interested in Summit to be entered into a raffle drawing for a free week of Camp Invention at Summit School June 27-July 1.
Camp Summit Returns in 2022!
The Scholastic Book Fair is almost here!
Experience the magic from March 28 - April 1 at the Tinker Lab (Room 501, across from the Ramada).
Open Mon., Tue., Wed. and Fri. from 2:45-5:30 pm; and from 5:00-7:30 pm for Thursday’s STEAM Night!
View the full schedule: https://bit.ly/SummitBF
Diversity & Inclusiveness Committee
- Diversity means that we are all the same on the inside even if we look different on the outside or have different beliefs.
- Diversity is the realization that we are not all the same and that this is what makes life interesting. It is important to we don’t want to live in a world where we are all the same so we should all treat others the way we want to be treated.
- Diversity is the differences between living things” such differences might include ethnicity, culture, language, religion, gender, nationality, custom, and / or social / financial class.
- When unique people come together in a group.
- Differences of backgrounds: ethnicity, family, ancestors, religion, gender, age, etc.
- The differences found in any group of things.
- Diversity is the difference in a group of things, like people. This difference can be in culture, religion, gender, age, etc. Diversity makes your surroundings unique in a good way.
- Diversity is the difference between people, religion, plants and animals. Diversity is based on religion, race and gender.
- Diversity is a wide range of differences that separates you from being the same as everyone else. Diversity makes you special in a unique way.
- Diversity is accepting, respecting, and including all cultures, ethnicities, religions, genders, social classes, and differences. Through this practice, one develops strength, knowledge, and appreciation which in turn, provides a better and more peaceful world."
As the first goal of the D&I Committee is to draft a working definition of diversity that can be used to drive inclusive-focused policies, practices, and educational opportunities, the next steps include adding our staff voices and family voices to the discussion. Our staff will be asked to share their own definition of diversity. We are also asking our community members to share theirs.
Please contribute to the discussion by adding your definition through this link. If you want to be a part of these conversations, please join us on April 5 at 2pm in the Summit School Conference Room.
Content Leaders Support Our Amazing Teaching Staff
Molly Danforth, our Math Coach and Interventionist, supports our students by providing math enrichment and intervention. She also assists with teacher coaching, professional development opportunities, resource selection, and student support decisions. She is the "right hand" of the Head of School with regard to mathematics.
Christine Odenkirk, the new Reading Specialist beginning in 22-23, is moving from her first grade classroom to this leadership role. Her new position will provide Summit School with a resource for teacher coaching and collaboration, professional development needs, and student support decisions. In her role as Reading Specialist, Mrs. Odenkirk will not only be working with our faculty, but will also support students with intervention and enrichment in reading.
We Make Summit Amazing!
Carol Mauermann, School Psychologist
I am a School Psychologist who joined Summit in 2013. I really appreciate the community support and opportunities that Summit offers the students and families. I’ve been a School Psychologist 22 years, and a Special Education teacher prior to that. I’ve worked in a variety of states and school settings, including private, public, charter, hospital, and a state school for the Deaf.
I was fortunate to grow up as a member of a US Air Force family, affording me the amazing opportunity of spending most of my childhood overseas. My husband Tim and I have two children, Emma 19, and Nicholas 17. Emma is currently a college freshman currently studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea. Nicholas is a high school senior knee deep in the tough college decision time period. During my time away from work, I enjoy hiking, traveling, kayaking, camping, reading, and volunteering. My volunteer time is spent supporting Love Without Boundaries, an international charity that supports vulnerable children worldwide.
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
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