Summit School Newsletter
INNOVATIVE TEACHING. EXPERT EDUCATORS. THRIVING STUDENTS.
July 28, 2023
From the Head of School...
Dear Families,
I hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the summer break. As we gear up for the upcoming academic year, I wanted to reach out and share some important information about upcoming events.
I would like to draw your attention to an important event on our school calendar: Back to School Night. This year, it will take place on July 31, from 5:00 to 6:45pm. Back to School Night provides an excellent opportunity for you to meet your child's teacher. It is a vital occasion to foster strong partnerships between families and the Summit School community before our first day of school on August 2.
To make the evening even more enjoyable, there is a special raffle for attendees. See the flyer below for raffle details. Be sure to mark your calendars and join us for an evening of camaraderie and information that will set the stage for a successful academic year.
In addition, starting in August, we will be hosting a monthly event called "Meeting in the Morning" with Dr. Nardi. These gatherings will provide an excellent opportunity for us to come together in a relaxed setting and engage in casual conversations about various topics of interest.
Our goal is to create a warm and welcoming space where everyone feels comfortable and has the chance to connect with one another. We believe that strong relationships between the school and families contribute significantly to the success of our students, and these casual conversations will allow us to deepen those connections.
During these monthly meetings, I will share updates on school initiatives, upcoming events, and exciting projects. Additionally, I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts, suggestions, and questions. This will be an excellent opportunity for you to get to know me better and for me to get to know you on a more personal level.
In this newsletter, you will find the schedule for our upcoming "Meeting in the Morning" sessions. The meetings will take place from 8:30am to 9:30am in Room 306. We understand that mornings can be a busy time for many families, but we hope that by scheduling these events well in advance, you will be able to join us on a regular basis.
We truly believe that our school community is strengthened when we come together as one, and we look forward to seeing all of you at our first "Meeting in the Morning" on August 29.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office. We are here to support you and your child throughout the school year.
Wishing you a pleasant summer and looking forward to welcoming you at Back to School Night!
Warm regards,
Dr. Nardi
Now Hiring: Extended Day Staff
A Special Thank you to BareFoot Pools for Sponsoring our 2023 Summit School Staff T-Shirts!
Preschool Patio Updates are Complete
Do you know a Summit School Alum? Send them our way! We'd love to know what they are up to so we can add them to our Alumni Spotlight.
IBE Tax Credit 101 Webinar
On August 10th, IBE will kick-off their first Tax Credit 101 Webinar for your families and your staff who would like to learn how the journey of tax credits works with IBE and how to apply that knowledge to other STOs. IBE will cover this “Life of a Tax Credit” from donation all the way to Scholarship, giving insights on a successful Recommended Fund Scholarship system. They will also be updating families on the latest news regarding the ESA program.
IBE Tax Credit 101 (August 10th @ 6:00 p.m.) registration link
Mr. Kroupa is Expanding His Presence at Summit School
Welcome, Jude Lye, Summit School Extended Day Coordinator!
Hi my name is Judith (Jude) Lye. I am excited and looking forward to starting my new role as Summit’s extended day coordinator.
I trained in Australia as a teacher because I love making a difference in the lives of children and seeing them grow. It is incredibly fulfilling and humbling. I have been lucky to travel the world for the last 10 years, seeing and learning so much. I am now excited to be going back and making a difference in your children’s lives.
My two sons are Summit Alumni and as a parent I know how important a great education is. Something we truly loved about Summit. Both my boys attended Brophy College Preparatory with my youngest going into his senior year. My oldest is going into his Sophomore year at NAU, playing football and studying Pre-Med.
I look forward to working with you and your children. Hope to see you all soon.
Welcome, Charlesetta Wright, Toddler Teaching Assistant!
Hello everyone! I am thrilled to introduce myself as a new member of the Sabrecat family. My name is Charlesetta Wright, and I am currently a student at the University of Phoenix, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. I have always been passionate about teaching and nurturing budding minds, which is why I am excited to embark on this journey as a teacher's assistant.
In addition to my academic pursuits, I am a proud mother of three wonderful children. Being a parent has provided me with valuable insights into the challenges and joys of working with young learners. It has further ignited my desire to make a positive impact on their lives through education.
When I'm not immersed in the world of education, you can often find me indulging in my hobbies. I have a deep appreciation for the art of thrifting, finding hidden gems, and repurposing them into unique creations. Sewing upcycles has become a creative outlet for me, allowing me to combine my love for sustainable practices and DIY projects.
As I continue my journey toward becoming a teacher, I am dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive classroom environment where every student can thrive. I look forward to collaborating with both students and colleagues at Summit School to create memorable learning experiences. Together, let's inspire young minds and make a positive difference in their educational journey.
Welcome, Romana Robbani, Preschool Teaching Assistant and Extended Day
2023-24 Sabrecat Athletics
We are looking forward to another successful year of Sabrecat Athletics in 23-24. Season one registrations will be opening on Monday, May 15, and we are welcoming a new Athletic and Activities Director to Summit School on May 22. Craig Kroupa, Summit basketball coach and substitute teacher, will be joining the Sabrecat team with Mr. Wimbish’s departure.
Along with a new Athletic and Activities Director, there have been some positive changes to our athletic program for the 23-24 school year.
Eligibility and Teams
After discussions with both the CAA and our Athletic Committee, we have restructured our teams with a developmental program for grade 4 (and grade 5 or 6 for some sports) that will practice and play non-CAA scrimmages as schedules allow, but will not officially participate in CAA competitions. Our student athletes in grades 5-8 (only 6-8 for some sports) will compete through CAA as in the past. This will enable our younger Summit athletes to build their skills and prepare for conference competition. Watch for clinic opportunities throughout the school year as well.
Registration and Fees
To create a uniform and predictable process, our registration windows are set for the 2023-24 school year and listed below. Communication will be sent out via email prior to each window opening. Fees have been standardized. With the exception of Junior Cheer, all developmental registration fees will be $150 per sport, per athlete. All regular team fees will be $300 per sport, per athlete. Fees cover costs related to each sport including CAA registration, venue fees, referee fees, and coach stipends.
Coed Junior Cheerleading
Coed Junior Cheerleading has been an exciting new addition to our program. Due to participant requests, we have expanded the program to include PreK-grade 4 students. The fee for Junior Cheerleading will be $200 plus the price of the cheer skirt, briefs, and socks (or shorts and socks). For students who participated in Junior Cheer in 22-23, you will only need to order a new skirt, briefs, and socks if yours no longer fit. Tops and poms will be provided by Summit. Cheer lasts through multiple seasons and the schedule is yet to be determined.
Our 2023-24 Sabrecat Athletics Program
Season 1
Registration window- May 15 to June 19
Girls' Volleyball (grade 4 developmental, grades 5-8 middle school teams)
Coed Cross Country (grade 4 developmental, grades 5-8 middle school team)
Season 2
Registration window- September 1 to September 15
Cross Country continues
Coed Junior Cheer (preK to grade 4)
Boys’ 7 v 7 Football (5 and 6 developmental, 7 and 8 middle school teams)
Season 3
Registration window- November 1 to November 21
Junior Cheer continues
Girls’ Basketball (4 and 5 developmental, 6-8 middle school teams)
Coed Flag Football (4 and 5 developmental, 6-8 middle school teams)
Season 4
Registration window- January 8 to January 29
Coed Golf (4 and 5 developmental, 6-8 middle school team)
Boys’ Basketball (4 and 5 developmental, 6-8 middle school teams)
Coed Track (teams to be determined based on registration)
Thank you for all you do to support your student athlete and the Sabrecat athletics program.
New IBE 2023-24 Application to complete and submit to IBE!
Summit parents who utilize the Arizona Private School Tax Credits for tuition need to complete their preferred School Tuition Organization (STO) new application each spring. Please find the Institute For Better Education, IBE 2023-24 application here. Upon completion, please submit it and any required documents directly to IBE at Services@ibescholarships.org before June 1, 2023. IBE will only release tax credits towards tuition in July if they have a completed 2023-24 IBE application by that date. For questions regarding the application please visit www.ibescholarships.org or call 520-512-5438. If you use a different STO, please visit their website to find their 2023-24 application form.
Summit School Community Partnerships
Dear Community Member, Summit School is pleased to announce that we are starting a community partner program with businesses in our local community. We know that connections in the community are invaluable to the success of our school and our local businesses. We would like to invite you to become a Summit Community Partner. This partnership requires no donations or financial support. Instead, we ask for mutual participation. Here is how it works. You agree to be a Summit Community Partner by posting our Summit School Community Partner flyer, poster, or our Summit School brochures in your business. We add your logo to our Summit Community Partners website page and our weekly school digital newsletter. We will reach out to you when we have campus events that you may be interested in for the purpose of sponsorship, table displays, or other connections. We offer you the opportunity to add items or information to our new family welcome bags. To get started, please complete this form or reach out to Kyle Allen, Director of Admissions and Marketing at kyle.allen@summitschoolaz.org. In addition, please send your business logo as a .png or .jpg file to the email address above. Want to know more about Summit School? We would be happy to give you a tour of our campus. If you would like a tour or have any questions, please email Kyle Allen or call 480-403-9506. Thank you for your consideration. In Partnership, Dr. Stephanie Nardi Head of School
Support Our Summit School Community Partners
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