Summit Scoop
A monthly District newsletter
Translate this Newsletter
Summit Scoop can be translated into many different languages. All you need to do is open the newsletter in a web browser, and then click on the "Translate" button. If you open it on your phone, you will need to find the accessibility icon which will bring you to the translation option. It is usually at the bottom. If you open it on a computer, the option is at the top of the page.
Summit Scoop se puede traducir a muchos idiomas diferentes. Solo abra el boletín en un navegador web y luego haga clic en el botón "Traducir". Si lo abre en su teléfono, necesitará encontrar el ícono de accesibilidad que lo llevará a la opción de traducción. Suele estar en la parte inferior. Si lo abre en una computadora, la opción está en la parte superior de la página.
Dear Summit Public Schools Community,
It has been an outstanding start to the school year, and I am incredibly proud of the positive atmosphere across all of our schools. Our students, staff, and families have all contributed to a supportive and engaging environment that supports learning and growth. It is truly inspiring to see our schools thrive. To ensure we maintain this momentum and continue providing a safe space for every student and staff member, I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to security. This letter will highlight some of the key safety protocols we have in place, along with a few recent updates that strengthen our efforts to keep our schools safe. Together, we can ensure that our schools remain welcoming and secure places for everyone.
- Emergency Messaging: As a parent, I understand the need for timely information during emergencies, especially those involving the police. Please know that we aim to be transparent, but in emergency situations, sensitive details cannot always be shared if they become part of a police investigation. Students may contact parents or each other during emergencies before a formal message from the District is sent. While we understand parents feeling anxious during this type of situation, our priority is providing accurate information, not just a rapid response. We work closely with the Summit Police Department to ensure that our messaging is precise and does not interfere with their investigation. Safety remains our top priority, so we follow protocols like shelter-in-place or lockdown and alert families of the situation. Please ensure your contact information in Genesis is up-to-date to receive these messages.
- Visitor Management: In the past year, we have installed Hall Pass at all of our schools. When a visitor arrives at the school, they are asked to provide identification, such as a driver's license or state-issued ID card. If the visitor does not have any means of identification on them, they are asked to input their first name, last name, and date of birth into the Hall Pass system. The identification is then scanned into the system, and the visitor's information is checked against a database to ensure they are not on any prohibited lists. Once the visitor's information has been verified, a temporary badge is printed and provided to them by the school security officer or school secretary. This badge must be worn at all times while the visitor is on school grounds and is collected upon their departure.
- Linewize: Linewize is the most advanced student threat detection tool in use by K-12 institutions. As digital learning in the classroom evolves, the need to protect children online is a main concern for our staff. The District currently has a tool through Linewize that informs staff members of suspicious or concerning activity by students on their District-issued Chromebook. By adopting Linewize’s additional safety solution, Summit Public Schools can better maintain our duty of care by ensuring students are safe online, receive automatic alerts when suspicious activity is detected, identify students who are at-risk, and quickly mediate and intervene when suspicious activity is flagged. This has been implemented on every District-issued Chromebook for nearly two years. As a school district, we understand how important student privacy is, especially when it comes to enhanced technology. Linewize has assured us that they do not view, share, or collect personal student data. This is a tool solely intended to keep students safe and notify designated staff members of any threatening, concerning, or suspicious activity on District-issued devices.
- Collaboration with First Responders: We are incredibly fortunate to have a great relationship with the Summit Police Department. Members of District administration meet with members of the police and fire department several times a year to discuss our safety and security protocols and how we can continue to bolster our combined efforts in keeping our students and staff safe at our schools. Summit police officers are actively present in our schools on a daily basis in an effort to build positive relationships with our students and staff, and often attend our security drills so they have firsthand knowledge of our protocols. The Summit Police Department also conducts their own drills in our schools after hours so they are aware of the layout of the buildings.
We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment where every student can thrive. We are grateful for your partnership and trust as we work together to keep our schools safe.
Be well,
Scott Hough
Superintendent of Summit Public Schools
Summit High School Hosts Self Care Fair
Students Helping Students, the Mental Health Awareness Club at Summit High School, created this year's theme of More Than Enough. In hopes of encouraging that message, the Self Care Fair is an initiative to promote health - that our mental and physical health are interwoven and should be valued, nurtured, and cared for. The Self-Care Fair intends to bring local organizations to our students so they can see and experience the full range of services available to them, raise awareness, provide community resources, and educate our students, faculty, and staff on integrating mental health and wellness into their daily lives. Thank you to all of the organizations and community partners who came out to support our students!
Musicians Bring Passion for Music and Culture to Summit High School
Summit High School students were in for a treat, as musicians Edin Solis and Rayssa Jimenez visited to perform music from Costa Rica and share the importance of learning music from different cultures with our students. A few of our own student musicians performed alongside the two, including Nicolas Solis-Negron on Piano and Saxophone, Luka Milinkovic on Saxophone, and Jeremy Oh, Gavin Lowenberger, and Evan Boyer on Percussion. This visit was generously funded by the Summit Music Parents Association.
SHS student Ryan Seymour builds and donates instrument storage items to Brayton's Orchestra Room as part of Eagle Scout project
Congratulations to these Summit High School seniors who were recognized as Fall Athletes of the Week by the Union County Conference!
Senior Soccer Athlete - Cristian Salvador Morales
From Coach Matt Schachtel
Cristian has been an integral member of Summit's varsity boys soccer team. Playing as an attacker, his leadership and dynamic style of play have been incredible, with his speed to take on an opponent or his ability to be able to pick out teammates or the back of the net with either foot. His passion for the sport and commitment to the team are unmatched as he always leaves everything he has out on the field.
