Science Expo next week
Please join our fifth graders for a night of hands-on science lessons during our annual Science Expo, Monday, February 5th from 6-8 p.m. in the Summitt cafeteria. All projects are presented by the fifth graders. Come share in our love of science!
Crossing Guard appreciation this week
This week is Summitt’s Crossing Guard Appreciation Week (January 29 through February 2). Our crossing guards keep our students safe, no matter what the weather. They will often put their own safety on the line to ensure students and families get across the street safely. And they sometimes have to deal with impatient or speeding drivers! Summitt’s Appreciation Days Team is encouraging everyone to give their crossing guard a special note, hug or high five this week to show their appreciation.
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Steve Reinhart at Amherst & Mosley (am)
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Shannon Sullivan at Amherst & Mosley (pm)
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Carita Guyton (“CG”) at Mosley & Brigadoon
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“Coach” at Cassidy & Brigadoon
School Counselor Week is next week
National School Counseling Week is February 5th – 9th, 2018. Please remember our counselors, Courtney Cardosa and Kimberlee Guerrero, and all of the hard work they do for us. Click here to print out a “Thank you Message” and recognize the important impact counselors make in their students’ lives. Chocolate and coffee are also welcome!!
Boosterthon in 2 weeks
Parents! Save the Date for this year’s Summitt Eagle Fun Run! It’s a 9-day program that kicks off with a Pep Rally on February 13, 2018. Families will then gather pledges for every lap your student runs (30-35 laps), and we’ll celebrate at the Fun Run on February 22, 2018. We have upped the ante with our increased goal of raising $25,000 for academic intervention programs. So, we asked the Fun Run experts at Boosterthon to power our Fun Run and make it more profitable, easier, and fun.
Students will also experience an amazing character theme, CASTLE QUEST! an English castle theme all about being brave and living with character. On their quest to regain Bravemore Castle, students will learn the “SIX VIRTUES of a TRUE HERO” from a cast of colorful characters. Donations will go toward academic intervention programs and to the entire 9-day experience. So please help our school by reaching out to sponsors. Also, all families are invited to come out and cheer on your student at the Fun Run on Feb. 22! Thank you for your support!
Got the time?…
This section features volunteer opportunities with specific time estimates. Check here each week to see what’s needed. That way, if you “got the time,” you can help out regularly for 5 to 15 minutes, or for a couple hours on a one-time project.
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If you have an hour or two this week, please consider helping to prepare bags for the Eager Eagle Reader program and helping to add Summitt identification to new books in the library. Email Mrs. Richey ([email protected]) if you’re able to help.
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If you have time between 8 am and 10 am on Tuesday, February 6, please consider coming for all or part of that time to open doors for visitors to the daytime Fifth-Grade Science Expo.
Spring Fling update
There is a correction to the PTA Events Calendar that was sent home in Monday folders this week. The 2018 Spring Fling date of May 5th is a firm date, not tentative as the calendar stated. Parents, book your babysitters now and plan to join us for this fun adult only event. This is our annual silent auction fundraiser that supports technology instruction at Summitt. This year’s Spring Fling will be held at the Red Oak Ballroom at Norris Conference Center on Anderson Ln. Be looking for more information to come soon.
Volunteer to help at Spring Fling
Spring Fling needs your help! If you are interested in event planning, soliciting donations or marketing, please contact [email protected].
Return Commitment forms
Commitment Forms were sent home this week. It has your child’s name on it. This is not the same as Online Registration. Please return forms as soon as possible before March 1st.
AISD Calendar for next school year
The AISD calendar for 2018-19 has recently been approved. It is Calendar A which has the first day of classes August 20, 2018 and the last day of classes as May 24, 2019 (Friday before Memorial Day). This gives a 5 day break at Thanksgiving and a Winter break of 9 days for students. Check here for the official posting of the 2018-19 calendar adoption.
GT Nomination information
The Gifted/Talented nomination window for kinder through 2nd grade opens on, Monday, January 22, and ends on Friday, February 9, 2018. Please click here for more information.
Kinder Round up in April
Kindergarten Round-Up will be offered at 9 a.m., Tuesday, April 3, at all elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District. Children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2018, are eligible to be enrolled in kindergarten in AISD.
At Kindergarten Round-up, parents will receive information about the Austin School District’s full-day kindergarten program, including curriculum, daily schedules, attendance requirements, the school year calendar, how to help a child prepare for school and information specific to the individual campus. Online registration is open now.
Multicultural Night in April
Summitt’s 2018 Multicultural Night will be on Friday, April 27th from 6-7:30pm. It will be a night to celebrate the diverse cultures of Summitt. If you’re interested in volunteering or hosting a cultural table, you may sign up here at this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeKDTfkdrolBUi5txwbDP4bxEuAcmvYI9UhDh_6vGUyCP-ngQ/viewform?c=0&w=1
Library News
BookSpring Read-a-Thon – last week to read
BookSpring Read-a-Thon ends on Sunday, February 2. BookSpring’s Read-A-Thon encourages community service through reading. During this two week event, students and book lovers read and collect donations based on the number of minutes they read. The donations buy books and support BookSpring’s childhood literacy programs in the Greater Austin area. BookSpring serves children ages birth to 12 years, teen parents and parents of young children. Ninety-five percent (95%) of BookSpring’s recipients are living at or below the federal poverty level. To learn more, visit http://readathon.bookspring.org. As little as $3 buys a new book for a child in our community. Thank you!
Eager Eagle Readers information
Beginning the week of January 22, 2018, all Pre-K students at Summitt Elementary are invited to participate in the Eager Eagle Reader program. The goal of the program is to set up our students for years of academic success, to bathe our students in literature at home, as well as at school, and to ignite in all of our students a passion and thirst for knowledge. By reading at least one book to your student 5 nights a week over the course of the semester, your child will have read 100 books or more and be well on their way to a lifetime of learning! It’s easy to participate, and along the way your students will earn small rewards to keep encouraging them towards their goal of 100 books.
Fifth grade news (new dates added)
Important Dates for Transition to Murchison Middle School
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January 31, February 1, & February 2 – Murchison will offer Open Tours to allow parents who are considering Murchison to come tour without having to call and make an appointment. The tours will be offered from 11:30 AM until 1 PM. Parents need to report to the Murchison office to sign in and then they will be taken on a tour by a member of the Murchison PTA.
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February 1 – Information meetings about schedule and course changes at 6 p.m.
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(NEW DATE) February 5 – Murchison Showcase – Summitt students go to Murchison
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February 6 – Murchison Choice Sheet Night from 5:30-7 pm. There will be stations set up in the cafeteria and the gym to provide information about the different elective choices.
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February 12 – Choice sheets due back to your child’s teacher by this day. If we do not have a choice sheet back by this day, we will have to create one for them. Even if you might be moving, transferring, or attending a magnet school, please fill one out just in case.
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February 28 – Students will enter choice sheets into the computer database. The counselor for incoming 6th graders will be here to help. We will need parent volunteers to help make sure all selections match what is on the paper. After this date, all changes will have to take place by calling the Murchison counseling office.
Theater Arts information
Message from Murchison Theater Arts teacher to Fifth Grade parents: There are 2 different Theatre Arts class choices on the choice sheet for 6th grade 2018_19:
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Theatre Arts (S or Y) is for EVERYONE – regardless of experience or interest. Students do not have to love performing in front of people. There is a little bit of performance but mostly I do all the DESIGN elements of Theatre: makeup design, set design, puppets, sound design, costumes. Lots of projects and hands on activities, as well as field trips. We have lots of fun! This is a great class for students who love Theatre of course but also perfect for those kiddos who just don’t know what elective they want to take – they will find something they like in my class.
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Advanced Theatre Production (Y) is for students who want to be in the play production process — either as an actor or as a behind-the-scenes tech. (This class takes place on the cafeteria stage). To get into this class, kids have to complete the application process as well as choose it on their choice sheet.
If your student will not be attending Murchison, please contact Courtney Cardosa @512- 414-4248 or [email protected]. I will need to communicate with the AISD school, magnet, or academy that your child will attend to ensure that they have a schedule. You may also contact me with questions or concerns.
Girls on the Run sign up
Registration for the Spring Season of Girls on the Run is open! Girls on the Run is open to girls in 3rd through 5th grades. We teach life lessons through interactive lessons and running games. The 10 week season begins the week of February 20th, and culminates in a 5K at the beginning of May. IMPORTANT CHANGE: practices this spring will be on Tuesday andThursday. The times will be the same, after school until around 4:30 pm. Cost per girl is $75 and includes 20 practice sessions with trained coaches and snacks, two shirts, water bottle, and registration for the 5K. To register, go to gotraustin.org. Interested in being an assistant coach (no running experience required) or have general questions? Contact Evette Alvarado at [email protected].
Be a Summitt Cafeteria Monitor
Who: Anyone who wants to work part time and make some extra money! Perfect for moms and retirees!
What: Help direct students, maintain order and safety, open containers, wipe down tables, etc.
When: 10am-1:30pm. Flexible days. Choose between 2-5 days of work! Schedule is consistent once agreed upon.
Where: Summitt Elementary
Why: Extra money ($7.25/hour), at-will employment, community connections!
AISD and Community Events
TEA Survey for Corrective Action Plan for Special Education
In response to the U.S. Department of Education, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has drafted a corrective action plan to address concerns as they relate to the issues identified in the final monitoring report on special education. Click here to participate in the survey.
Parents Night Out next week
On Friday, February 9th, from 6-9 PM, Girl Scout troop 1351, made up of 8th grade girls, will be holding a Parents Night Out as a fundraiser for their cultural excursion trip this summer. Drop off your kids who are potty trained and as old as 5th graders. It’s $30 per child, but if they have siblings it’s only $20 per additional child. This will be held at St. Matthew’s Huffman Hall, 8134 Mesa Drive, where we will provide pizza, a movie with popcorn, games, and crafts. All the Girl Scouts are Red Cross Babysitting certified 8th graders, and the Leaders are CPR and First Aid Certified. Register here and we will follow up with you! https://goo.gl/forms/Qsu8STMDBdR3lbxC2
Parents Night Out
Anderson HS Robotics NIGHT of the ROBOTS, is Friday, February 23rd, 5:30-9 pm, at Anderson HS. Enjoy a Parents Night Out, while your kids (K-5th) enjoy an evening of fun and all things robots. For more information go to: https://nightoftherobotsfebruary2018.splashthat.com/
Online registration for next school year
Online registration for the 2018-19 school year is available in the AISD Parent Cloud. Students who are incoming K-12, can register online now. Here is the link: https://www.austinisd.org/technology/parents-guardians/student-registration. There are already 28 campuses with more than 10% of their students registered online for 2018-2019!
Parenting Conference
Westover Hills Church is hosting a parenting conference highlighting Brad McCoy and others for parents to learn effective parenting skills and better understand their children. Sessions will range from topics with a purely practical parenting approach to those of a more spiritual approach as well.
When: February 3rd, 9 AM – 3:30 PM
Where: Westover Hills Church 8332 Mesa Dr. Austin, TX 78759
Who: Parents with children from Preschool to High School
How: Register at http://westover.org/parentingisweird/
Cost: $35 per person – $20 for child care (Scholarships available)
AISD PARENT SURVEYS 2017-2018
Parents will receive a parent letter and survey scan form in the Tuesday, January 16 folder. Please note that the hard copy scan forms are due no later than Tuesday, February 20, 2018.
If parents do not wish to complete the scan form survey, the online survey links for the parent survey are available on www.austinisd.org/parents website where they can choose to take the survey in English, Spanish, or Vietnamese. PLEASE NOTE: THE SURVEY SHOULD ONLY BE COMPLETED IN ONE FORM, SCAN FORM OR ON-LINE, BUT NOT BOTH!
ADHD Parent Coaching Series
Parents, guardians and caretakers are invited to join us for a continuation of Positive Parenting, an ADHD Coaching series by guest speaker Ed Gooze, Ph.D. It will be at Travis High School and Pillow Elementary School.
Location: Travis High School, 1211 E. Oltorf
Time: 10–11:30 a.m.
Dates: Wed., January 17; Wed., February 21; Wed., March 21; Wed., April 18
Travis Online Registration: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RRrGb4sVAEvqR8Am65ewClypbdv0dBmgsZGyB2FjOv8/edit?usp=sharing
Location: Pillow Elementary School, 3025 Crosscreek Drive
Time: 8–9:30 a.m.
Dates: Fri., January 26; Fri., February 23; Fri., March 30, and Fri., April 27
Pillow Online Registration: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1egN6Ii38AJRXyc3l57S3wmcBMErUwsk7n3t72VXuFE8/edit?usp=sharing
Spanish interpretation provided. Childcare will not be provided. Call Family and School Support Team at 512-414-5834 with questions or to register.
Lamar Middle School instrument test drive
All 5th (and 6th grade where applicable) students are invited to participate in Lamar’s Instrument Discovery Day on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 9 am – 12 pm. Students interested in music can come and tryout both band and orchestra instruments for FREE!