Monday Update - January 9
A Note from Board President, Brian Poitras
Dear Summit Community:
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to Summit. I would like to provide you all with an update on the head of school search process. We are very pleased that we have had significant interest from several very qualified candidates. While this is great news, it also means we need to move on a compressed timetable to find the best possible fit for Summit. I would like to invite you all to meet the four "semi-final' candidates in a series of evening events. These will be held in the Marino Community Room from 7:00 -8:30 PM on Wednesday January 11, Thursday January 12, Friday January 13, and Wednesday January 18.
The semi-final candidates will be visiting Summit as follows:
Wednesday, January 11 Beverly Smith, Lower Elementary Coordinator, Washington Montessori, New Preston, CT
Thursday, January 12 Benedict Chant, Asst Head of School, Friends Seminary School, Manhattan, NY
Friday, January 13 Martha Torrence, Director of Toddler and Primary Programs, Cambridge Montessori School, Cambridge, MA
Wednesday, January 18 Ellen Kelley, Head of School, Newton Montessori School, Newton, MA
Following these meetings, I would like to invite you to provide your comments and observations on the candidates with a short survey at the link provided below:
Ben Chant: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SF_Ben_Chant
Ellen Kelley: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SF_Ellen_Kelley
Beverly Smith: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SF_Beverly_Smith
Martha Torrence: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SF_Martha_Torrence
Please note that access to the surveys will close at 10:00 pm on January 18, 2012. This will allow the Search Committee time to review your surveys prior to their next meeting when they will select Finalists.
Please note that not all of these candidates have advised their boards of a possible imminent departure from their current schools, and we ask that their confidentiality be considered.
In advance, my thanks for the time and attention you are giving to help assure the very best outcome to our search for Summit’s next head of school.
Sincerely,
Brian Poitras
Transitions Events
* January 11, 2012 Transition Morning
Introduction to Lower Elementary
8:30 to 9:45 am
January 19, 2012 Transition Evening
Introduction to Kindergarten
6:30 to 7:30 pm
* January 25, 2012 Transition Morning
Introduction to Upper Elementary
8:30 to 9:45 am
* Please note these are changes from previously scheduled dates.
SMPA Notes
Please join us as Summit welcomes The McKenzies – Friday, January 20, 8:30am – A presentation and discussion for parents in the Marino Room
Michael and Lee McKenzie co-founded Family Rhythms in Natick, a company that “nourishes the emotional lives of family members through sharing, participation, and engagement with each other and the world.” Michael is a pediatrician and has been working with families for over two decades; Lee is a pediatric nurse practitioner and developmental psychologist. Together they combine their 50+ years of knowledge to help moms, dads, and their children live more satisfying family lives. www.familyrhythms.net
Thursday, February 2 - Hold the date for food, fun and friends for Summit’s Family Night at California Pizza Kitchen at the Natick Collection! Details forthcoming.
Saturday, May 12, 2012 7-10 PM, Framingham Country Club
Save the date to Celebrate Summit! This is a special evening to commemorate Summit's15th anniversary. Join other parents, alumni and friends for an anniversary party.
Planning for this event is ongoing - meetings are every Wednedsay at drop - off - all are invited
The Summit Fund Snippet
"Check out the new info in the New Year...visit the new Annual Fund FAQ page.
Notes from Nurse Sue
The students in Upper Elementary will be learning how to handle health care emergencies this Spring. Nurse Sue will be discussing First Aid issues ranging from bleeding to frostbite as well as sudden illness. The children will get hands-on practice for skills and we will also discuss the ways in which the human body works to heal itself. For instance, when we talk about heat and cold exposure, we will also discuss temperature regulation in the body. After learning about applying direct pressure to stop bleeding, we will discuss how much blood is in the human body and how we form scabs. Of course, we will also focus on the importance of personal safety in rendering first aid. After serving as an emergency responder for many years and teaching First Aid and CPR to adults, Nurse Sue is excited to share information and skill-building with the Upper Elementary students! Please feel free to contact Nurse Sue with any questions.
Explorations
The Winter Session of Explorations begins the week of January 23 and runs for 8 weeks. One spot remains in Thursday Cooking Fun with Miss Siobhan and other classes are now filling. Please return your sign-up sheets as soon as possible so that the teachers have time to get needed supplies. Thank you!
Lunch
Today was the final Monday lunch of this session. There are two more Pizza Friday's in this session and then the new session begins the week of January 23. Please return forms as soon as possible.
Interview Day for Prospective Students
We have had our busiest admissions season in years with a very large number of inquiries for P3 and P4 spots for the 2012-13 school year. With this being said, we are holding an interview day on January 17th during the morning of our Professional Development Day.
If you are considering sending a sibling to Summit for next year, please call me in the admissions office at your earliest convenience. I will reserve an appointment for your preschooler to visit on the 17th with our teachers.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call me. Thank you. Siobhan Mahaney
Monday Play Group
We were delighted to welcome four moms and toddlers to our new Monday playgroup. If you know any Moms and Toddlers who woul like to join the fun, please encourage them to come - Mondays from 9:30 to 11 in the Marino Room (or on the playground during good weather). This group is open to all Mom's and infants/toddlers, not just current Summit families.
Curriculum Night
Please save the date -
February 9, 2011 Cultural Curriculum Night 6 to 7:30 pm
(Childcare will be provided)
Finally
On this first full week of the new year at Summit - best wishes from all the faculty and staff for a happy and healthy new year - thank you for sharing your children with us - they brighten our days, make us laugh, and impress us daily with their intelligence and kindness.
