Summit School Newsletter
INNOVATIVE TEACHING. EXPERT EDUCATORS. THRIVING STUDENTS.
January 28, 2022
From the Head of School...
Dear Summit School Community,
I am happy to share the good news of the results of our January reading and STAR assessments. You will receive our 2022-23 Summit School Assessment Data Report, Frequently Asked Questions document, and the individual student results for your child(ren) by the end of the day Friday, January 28. These documents will help explain Summit School's data.
Below, you can see the school summary. Please note the percentage of students who exceed national expectations (blue row is expected range). Our students are excelling in both reading and math. Spread the word. Go Summit!
Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Dr. Stephanie Nardi
Vote Now! Time is almost up.
Don't forget to vote for Summit School! Time is running out. We are nominated in the following categories and would love your support to spread the word about our amazing school.
Best Place to Work
Best Preschool
Best Private School
Pop Up Playground at Summit
Have You Read...
Madagascar Zoom with Grade 2
Grade 2 Zoomed with Mr. Douwstra’s cousin Ted Johnson and his daughter Roxane. He showed us photos from their travels around Madagascar which included some of the national parks and animals we had read about. The animal you see on the screen is the elusive, fearsome lemur-hunting fossa (pronounced foo-sa in the Malagasy language). Second graders used this information to decide which of three African countries, Egypt, Kenya, or Madagascar to write their opinion piece about. They learned so many cool facts about each county, it was a tough decision!
Summit School Art Happenings...
Students from grade 6-8th spent 8 weeks learning the basics of clay and how to make ceramic pieces. Students learned 4 techniques and demonstrated mastery by making their own product for each technique.
In 4th grade, students are working in series, a natural progression for artists. This painting skill transferred easily into making a blended sunset canvas. The TAB program allows students to repeat, experiment and develop skill for a technique, medium or subject.
End of the Day Safety Reminder
We Make Summit Amazing!
Donna Beatty, Preschool Teacher
I’m so excited to be part of the Summit Preschool Team! This is my 3rd year and I am so happy to be working with our youngest learners! Their laughter, joy and excitement of discovery makes my day!
I received a Masters in Early Childhood from NAU. I have taught Kindergarten, 2nd and 6th grade, but my heart is in preschool where I have spent most of my teaching career.
John and I have been married for 22 years and have 2 AMAZING children and 2 pretty cool dogs. Logan is a freshman attending Park University in Gilbert and Megan is a senior at Corona del Sol High School. We love to play volleyball, board games, and relax at the beach!!!
Colleen Eckles, Visual Arts Teacher
I came to Arizona 25 years ago and will never leave! My husband of 40 years and I love to hike, read, and travel. I grew up as an Army brat and moved all over, including Hawaii and Germany. My 3 young adult children went to all 3 Arizona state universities. I earned my BA at Old Dominion University, my post-baccalaureate for education at Rio Salado College and my fine arts associates at Mesa Community College. My career started in advertising in New York City and Philadelphia and then I transitioned to teaching art. I have taught art to preschool through 8th grade students for 19 years. My philosophy aligns with this quote: “Art has the role in education of helping children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else.” S.G. Clemens
Tom Pray, Grade 5 Teacher
This is my 10th year teaching at Summit School. I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education. I moved to Phoenix in 2008 and love life out here in the desert. In addition to 5th grade math and social studies, I teach 6th grade literature, coach our middle school golf and basketball teams, and recently started our school newspaper team.
In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my wife and baby girl, golfing, playing basketball, exercising, reading, learning, and enjoying everything life has to offer.
Committee Membership Opportunities
Sabrecat Athletics Committee
Diversity & Inclusiveness Committee
Camp Summit Returns in 2022!
Pre-Camp 5/31-6/3 Games, Games, Games!
Week 1 6/6-6/10 Preschool: Exercise/Athletic K-8: Champions
Week 2 6/13-6/17 Preschool: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle K-8: Rescue Squad
Week 3 6/21-6/24 Preschool: Roads K-8: Flight Lab
Week 4 6/27-7/1 Preschool: Space K-8: Camp Invention - Explore
Camp Summit registration can be found at https://summitschoolaz.org/summer-camps/
Register NOW for K-8 Week 4 Camp Invention at https://invent-web.ungerboeck.com/programsearch/moreinfo.aspx?event=37737
Discount codes are available for week 4!
STEAM Opportunities for Grades 1-8
A complex, but fun, example...
COVID-related Absences
Masking at Summit School
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