Soaring Skyward on Friday
Soaring Skyward Day (our annual day of flight) will be Friday, September 29. Our science theme is centered around ‘Animals of Flight’, though we will still have “fan favorites” like a hot air balloon, RC cars, drones, etc. Our fifth graders will open the day with a parade and your child’s class will move around to various presentations throughout the day.

Please be sure to put your name and your child’s teacher’s name on whatever you loan us so that we can get it back to you ASAP. Thank you in advance for your help!

Also, if you know anyone in Anderson’s band, dance guard, Belles, sports teams, or academic teams, we would LOVE to have them march in the parade from 8:15 – 8:30. They can leave straight away and still get to Anderson on time. Our students would be thrilled to see them in the parade. (Please contact Heather Fleming if you are able to attend #512-841-1362)

Remember, if you plan on visiting the school, you must check in the office to get a badge that allows you access to the campus. The Soaring Skyward Committee thanks you!

Mid-Autumn Festival Friday evening
Come celebrate Tet Trung Thu – the Mid-Autumn Festival – on Friday, September 29, at 6:30 pm, in the Summitt cafeteria. We will have a student talent show, games, art and crafts, lantern parade and lion dancing for entertainment. Cost for entry is $3 per person. Food is $5 per plate. Food, drinks, pizzas and concession items will be available for purchase starting at 6 pm. There will be a free lantern and treats for children with an entry ticket. Our Mid-Autumn Festival celebration benefits the AISD Vietnamese Dual Language Program. See you at the celebration!

Art classes after school
Summitt Art teacher, Gordon Jones, is offering art classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m., for 5 sessions beginning Oct. 3. Tuesdays will be 2-D drawing and paintings, and Wednesdays will be making sculptures. Cost is $75. Contact [email protected] or call 512-762-1107 for more info or fill out forms here.

Koblenz Movie Night next week
Come join the fun at Summitt Movie Night on Friday, October 6th. We will be showing “Hotel Transylvania 2” and “The Lego Batman Movie” in the cafeteria and the Great Hall. A ticket will get you a snack pack with popcorn, a sweet, and a drink. Bring a blanket or a chair if you’d like. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the movies start around 7 p.m.

The week of Summitt Movie Night: Wednesday through Friday tickets will be on sale before school in the car line (for exact change or check) and after school in the Great Hall for $5. Tickets at the door will be $6. You may also purchase tickets by filling out the purchase tab at the bottom of the movie flyer and return it to your child’s teacher along with your check or cash payment. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Proceeds will benefit the Koblenz Exchange Program.

EAGLE FEST 2017 NEWS
Tickets on sale for Eagle Fest 2017
Mark your calendars for Summitt’s annual fall carnival fundraiser, Eagle Fest! Join your school on Saturday, October 21 from 3-6pm on the Summitt grounds for exciting games, fabulous prizes, a spooky haunted house, delicious food, and lots of school spirit!

Tickets can be purchased online (https://summitteagles.org/store/) and will be delivered to your child’s classroom the week of October 16. Paper order forms will go home in Monday Folders on October 2. For more information, please visit https://summitteagles.org/events/fall-fest/

Classroom Booth Volunteer Sign Up
Eagle Fest runs on volunteer power! Please sign up here (www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090949A9AD2AA2FE3-eagle2) to help staff your child’s class booth. We need your help to make this year’s event a success!

Item Donations (prizes and drinks/chips/candy)
Eagle Fest is in need of small, unopened toys from restaurants like McDonalds, Chick Fil’A, Wendy’s, and Arby’s as well as larger “prize booth toys” in new or gently-used condition. A toy donation box has been set in the Great Hall near the Summitt Office.

In addition, every year we ask our wonderful Summitt families to help us out with food and drink donations. We sell the drinks and chips in the Food Court and use the candy, Pringles, and 2 Liter soda bottles as prizes. Signs have been set up along the wall in the Great Hall across from the office showing where to drop off your donations.

Pre-K Families – 12-24 Juice boxes

Kindergarten Families – 12-24 packs of Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, or Dr. Pepper

1st Grade Families – 2 liter bottles of soda or 12-24 bottles of water

2nd Grade Families – 12-24 individual snack size bags of chips

3rd Grade Families – Halloween candy, 2lb bag (individually wrapped, no chocolate please; it will melt),

4th Grade Families – Tall cans of Pringles Chips and 2 liter bottles of soda

5th Grade Families – Tall cans of Pringles Chips

GT club meeting and news
We will be hosting our first GT Afterschool Club meeting on Monday, Oct. 16 from 3 – 4:30 pm.  We will be playing some ice breakers and brain games, as well as sharing a snack and just some time together. Come join us if you can! http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4ba5ac23aaff2-october

GT news

  • Make sure you are receiving the GT emails. If you are on this list, but wish to be removed, please reply STOP, and I will remove you from the list. If you know of someone who should be on this list, but is not, please have them email me their address.
  • AISD’s new blogspot for all news about GT events. http://aisdaas.blogspot.com/

  • GT services/enrichment for this year. Last year the PTA generously earmarked a lump sum of money to hire a support staff for the library with the intent that I’d have a few more hours to work with GT students. I have hired a woman who has years of volunteer experience in the Summitt and Murchison libraries. Her name is Laura Froelich.  Unfortunately, her paperwork has not been approved by the district just yet– through no fault of her own. In any case… I hope to see her regularly very soon.

Until then, I am in communications with the teachers regarding the best ways to provide services and enrichment for our students. As a campus, we are no longer doing FIT, so I am not currently seeing our GT students as Ms. Neill and I had in the past. I’m hoping that by mid-October we will have some sort of additional services under way. In the meantime, teachers are assessing their students and providing differentiation in the classroom.

I’m sorry if that is frustrating. I appreciate your patience. It is very much a priority for me. Right now, I just do not have all the pieces in place to be able to begin. Thanks for all your support!  As always, please do not  hesitate to contact me with any questions and/or concerns.

Got the time?… More Volunteer opportunities
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.

  • —>If you’ve got 30, 60, or 90 minutes between 2 pm and 4 pm this coming Sunday afternoon, come help the Summitt Appreciation Days Committee put together goody baskets and decorate doors for Custodian Appreciation Week. Contact [email protected] for more info.

  • —>If you’ve got a few extra dollars to spend while you’re shopping this week, please purchase one of the items listed here and bring it to the Great Hall by Friday, September 29: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D49AFA62AA7F85-fall.

  • —>If you stop by the office this week, please take a few minutes to use one of the paper stars at the front counter to write a note of appreciation to our custodians.

 

Custodian Appreciation Week next week
Austin ISD proudly recognizes Custodian Appreciation Week, October 2 – 6. From spotless floors to bathroom cleanliness, Summitt custodial staff work hard to keep our facilities clean and safe. Day in and day out, they arrive early and stay late to make sure that Summitt is a great place to learn, teach and work. They are a crucial part of our family. The next time you see Veronica Garcia de Buentello, Maite Escobar, Cecilia Quintanilla and Maria Torres on campus, let them know how much you appreciate their hard work!!!

Summitt Appreciation Days
Want to say “thank you” to everyone who makes your child’s school week a good experience? Want to show your appreciation for Summitt’s staff, but don’t know how you’d thank them all? Become a Friend of Summitt’s Faculty and Staff. The Summitt Appreciation Days Committee will be creating “thank yous” for those whose national appreciation weeks are in October: our custodians, food service workers, cafeteria monitors, and bus drivers. To show your appreciation, sign up to bring a goody to the Great Hall by Friday, September 29: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D49AFA62AA7F85-fall. Email questions to [email protected].

Classes Still Need Homeroom Parents
Please consider being a homeroom parent for one of the following classes. The coordinator provides you with a packet of tips and recommendations, as well as example emails and flyers that you can use. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to help.

  • Pre-K: Wilson

  • Kinder: Dusek

  • First: Tran

  • Third: Frank

  • Fifth: Le

 

Additional Homeroom Parent Meetings 
We will go over the responsibilities of the position and the schedule of events at Summitt this year. We’ll also talk about recommendations on how best to communicate with your class families as well as organizational tips to make your school year easier. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

  • Wednesday, September 27, 6:30 pm, Milwood Library

  • Friday, September 29, 7:30 am, Summitt Library (moved start time earlier for those who want to attend Soaring Skyward; will stay later for those who have questions)

  • Monday, October 2, 6:45 pm, Summitt Library

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!

https://www.applitrack.com/austinisd/onlineapp/default.aspx?AppliTrackPostingSearch=location:%22Summitt+ES%22#.Wb_VNmctCvo.link

 

Recycle old markers
The Summitt Girl Scouts are proud to continue the tradition of recycling old markers via the Crayola ColorCycle program. The recycle bin will again be located in the Library like previous years. Please help support our efforts by dropping in any used or dried-up markers – even non-Crayola brands! The markers will be sent to a facility where they will be converted into clean fuel. This fuel can be used to power vehicles, heat homes, cook meals and more. Thank you in advance for participating! We are proud to help keep tons of plastic out of landfills each year.

Benefits of joining PTA
Did you know that by joining PTA, not only do our students benefit, you can benefit as well. PTA members get discounts at Schlitterbahn, Six Flags, and more. Visit the Texas PTA website to find out more!  Every year you need to join to get access to these discounts. Join at Summitt’s online store OR pick up an application in the Great Hall and turn it in at the office.

Birthday Book Club sign-up going on NOW!

You are invited to join the Summitt Elementary Birthday Book Club!

What: Celebrate your child’s birthday by donating a book in your child’s name to the Summitt Elementary Library.

  • Students are recognized over the PA system on the Monday of their birthday or half birthday week.

  • A special bookplate is put inside the front cover of the book.

  • Your child will be the first person to check it out!

Why: Your donation is very special to your child and is very appreciated.

  • Students feel that they have ownership in their school library.

  • Your donation is a source of supplemental funding for our library program.

  • Your donation will be used to continue the development of our library collection so that it is current and reflective of our students’ interests.

Where: Please make your selection from the Librarian’s selection of new literature or recent non-fiction found in the library.

  • Prevents unnecessary duplication of titles.

  • Provides a book that has library binding and will last longer.

  • Assures that the book is a choice that the library really wants and need.

Cost: Only $10.  Please make checks payable to Summitt Elementary.

How: Come by the library now until November 10 or fill out the form electronically and I can choose a book for your child. Our enrollment period for this years’ birthday book club will be from now through November 10th. This is for all birthdays during the school year and during the summer. Summer birthday books will be presented on the child’s half birthday (ie- June 4th = Dec. 4) so students still have time to check out the book and enjoy it.

  • Come to the library from now until Friday, November 10.

  • Make your choice from the Librarian’s selection of birthday books.

  • Fill out the Birthday Book Club donation form at https://goo.gl/forms/Xj44EkvFKYHtvClc2

  • Give the book and the payment to Mrs. Richey


AISD and Community Events

Questions about AISD water testing?? 

The FAQs and letter regarding the water testing is now online. It includes a link to the PDF of results for each facility. Summitt’s results are on page 112. https://www.austinisd.org/announcements/more-information-water-testing-results-facility-faqs.

Anderson Mattress fundraiser on Saturday
Come save money, support Anderson HS Project Graduation 2018, get a better night’s sleep and help Hurricane Harvey families, too!!

Join us for our One-Day MATTRESS SALE – all sizes, brands and types!  ALL PRICED BELOW RETAIL! Help us spread the word, grab a friend and swing by Westover Hills Church (across the street from Anderson) Saturday, September 30th 10am – 5pm.

If you don’t need a mattress, please check out the selection of pillows and sheets. For every one you purchased, one will donated to a Hurricane Harvey family in need. For more information: www.andersononline.org/apps/pages/PGMattressSale

March in Austin PRIDE Parade
Austin ISD is participating in the Austin PRIDE Parade on Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. If your student wants to walk with administrators, staff, parents, students and an all-district marching band, more information is in the flyer and form.

Parents Night Out
Anderson HS Robotics is offering a Parents Night Out – NIGHT of the ROBOTS, October 6th, 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://nightoftherobotsoctober2017.splashthat.com/

Before and After-school care
Children’s Courtyard offers before and after- school care for students. More information about the program is here: https://www.childrenscourtyard.com/educational-programs/before-and-after-school-care/

Information night at Fulmore Middle School
Fulmore Middle School invites the parents of all 5th and 6th grade elementary students to attend a Parent Information Night. We are offering two sessions:

  • Tuesday, October 3, from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fulmore Cafeteria

  • Tuesday, November 7th  from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Fulmore Cafeteria

Meet members of the Fulmore community and learn about the Magnet and Dual Language programs and application processes. More information is here.

Austin Child Guidance Center
Austin Child Guidance Center, 810 W. 45th St.,  provides walk-in counseling services on Tuesdays and Fridays. More info is here or more classes on their website – https://www.austinchildguidance.org/

Girls conference
Saturday, November 4th Anderson is hosting a “We are Girls” Conference sponsored by the Girls Empowerment Network for girls in grades 3-8. This year’s theme is “Become Unstoppable!” Refer to the website for further information: https://girlsempowermentnetwork.org/what-we-do/we-are-girls-conference-austin/about-the-event/

This appears to be a super event for girls and their parents. Featured speakers are Denise Hamilton, founder of Watch Her Work and IOLA and Lizzie Velasquez, motivational speaker, anti-bullying champion, and author.