The Summit Express
A community newsletter
October, 2008
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Welcome aboard the first Summit community newsletter of the year!!
In a recent conversation about this year's batch of newsletters, Rich instructed me to 'be a reporter.' For me, telling the stories of Summit Montessori is a real privilege. It means I actually get the chance to get to know the boys and girls who wave to me as they walk, skip, and sometimes run past my office. So much has already happened in the first month of school. I hope these newsletters will be an enjoyable way to catch up on the Summit community's most exciting news and events, in addition to the updates you receive from your child's respective classroom.
In this issue, be sure to catch my interview with our Sixth Graders to get the story on their favorite books, their favorite school subjects, their recent trip to Nature's Classroom, and what's new and exciting in Upper Elementary.
We'll head to Garden in the Woods with Lower Elelementary to discover just what kind of Big Bugs are right in our backyards. And we'll make a stop to the Tougas Family Farm with the Children's House for some fresh apples and cider to kick off autumn the right way.
Before we go anywhere, though, we'll stop in on Mr. E for some important words.
Here's to a great year on the Summit Express.
Cheers!
Kate Remsberg
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October Perspective from our Conductor |
This morning in the car line, a mother said to me, "You
really do love your job, don't you?" I
could only laugh and grin.
I guess
it's no secret.
There is an
energy to this school that stirred me even in the chilly days of winter when,
as a candidate, I first welcomed kids out of their cars in the snow. It is an energy that is generated by truly
extraordinary care on the part of these educators. It is an energy most evident in the radiant
excitement of your children.
It is the
energy of a great school expressing its joyful devotion to what is in the best
interest of each girl and each boy. It
is the energy of a vibrant partnership between a school and its parents, united
by affection and aspiration for these wondrous young people.
Thank you
for that partnership. Thank you for that
trust. Thank you for allowing us to
spend our days working alongside your children.
As in the best of all learning situations, just as we work to inspire
them, so do they spontaneously inspire us each and every morning we spend
alongside them.
As we complete the wide, warm arc beyond the glow of summer into the crisp and leafy days of autumn, there are certain things I'd like to point out about the coming weeks.
While we recognize that our Professional Days may represent a need for families to be creative about child care, we also hope that it is understood how richly important these days are in fostering professional growth throughout the community of educators here. We have also tried to time them sensitively, so that they adjoin other days off. For example, I would encourage all of you to recognize that our Professional Day on Friday, October 10 (no school for your children) can potentially combine with Yom Kippur on Thursday, October 9 and Columbus Day on Monday, October 13 for a prospective five-day weekend.
On the morning of Saturday, October 18, from 9 a.m. to noon, we hold our festive family morning devoted to a community clean-up of the children's play spaces. At noon, everyone who is interested should come together for a celebratory picnic.
On the next afternoon, Sunday, October 19, from 1 - 3 p.m., we will be holding our first major Admissions Open House here at Summit. If there are any friends or neighbors who might be interested, we hope that you will encourage them to register with Kate Remsberg (kremsberg@summitmontessori.org).
On the evening of Thursday, October 23, from 7 - 9 p.m., the entire Summit family is invited to join us in a celebration of the school and all that it stands for. The convocation, ostensibly to honor my arrival here, is more honestly a chance for us to come together in honor of this community we love and share. I hope to see you there.
Finally, I would simply point out - so that each of you can highlight it on your calendars - November 4 (Election Day) is Parent-Teacher Conference Day.
Thank you all. And, if there is anything we can do or anything we should know, please don't hesitate to give me a call.
Rich Eyster
Head of School |
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Children's House Ushers in Fall with
Apples, Pumpkins, and Doughnuts
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A hayride, apple picking, and a visit to the pumpkin patch -
what a way to spend a Friday morning! On what felt like the first truly crisp day of autumn, September 19th, both Children's House classes had
the opportunity to visit Tougas Family Farm in Northborough. After a very
exciting ride on a school bus, the children, teachers and parent chaperones
arrived at the orchard ready to pick!
Our visit began with a hayride and a "proper picking" lesson
from Farmer Rusty. After that, the children were off to the orchards to pick
some delicious Macintosh apples. Everyone was very excited to pick (and eat)
their apples. The children also enjoyed a snack of apple cider and doughnuts, and
then they were off to feed the goats and play on the playground. The bus ride
back was full of laughter, crunching apples and many sleepy friends. A good
time was had by all!
For more information on making your way to the Tougas Family Farm this autumn, please click here.
Content Submitted by Stefanie Landgren
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Lower Elementary's Close Encounters with Big Bugs!
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On a beautiful Wednesday, September 17th the Lower Elementary class created a caravan and made their way across Route 9 to visit Garden in the Woods for the Big Bugs exhibit. As preparation for the trip, each student and his or her buddy was assigned, researched, and drew a specific insect. During the tour of the garden and exhibit, each group presen  ted their research to the class, the tour guides, and chaperones - all of whom were stunned and impressed at the knowledge each group had gained about grasshoppers, ants, spiders, damselflies, butterflies, and the praying mantis. Upon their return to Summit, the students have become 'budding etymologists' according to Ms. Jean & Mr. B. Their studies of insects have continued not only to the playground during recess, but also to each student's backyard, as their fascination with insects' role in the world is sustained weeks after their visit to Garden in the Woods. For more information on Garden in the Woods and the Big Bugs exhibit (ends October 31st), please click here.Content submitted by Jean Anderson
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Upper Elementary Heads to Charlton
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It seemed like before the school year even had a chance to get started, the Upper Elementary students had already boarded a school bus with their luggage, pillows, and select stuffed animals on their way to Nature's Classroom in Charlton, Massachusetts. Any nerves or jitters about the new year would be immediately squashed on arrival at their cabin - their home for the next two nights. Below is an excerpt from Ms. Kim's letter home to the Upper El. parents to give a good idea of what went on between arrival and departure. 
"Nature's Classroom challenged us individually and as a
group. For some of the children, it was
the first time away from home for a period of time. For others, the challenging, though not
overwhelming, physical terrain and activities provided opportunities for them
test themselves and succeed. Whether it
was staying through a rather graphic turtle dissection or climbing on rocks and
branches to reach the other side of a stream, our children reached out to one
another to support, encourage, and help when needed. It was a time for teachers to show their
human side, especially first thing in the morning after a rather sleepless first
night. It was a time for children to
learn to work out differences and cooperate.
Indeed, the level of maturity they demonstrated would have made you all
proud."
In addition to class bonding activities, our Summit students participated in breakout classes with students from other area schools - many of whom happened to be seventh and eighth graders. From what I've heard, intimidation was not a factor. We all look forward to the memory book that Upper El. is currently compiling of each student's favorite memory of Nature's Classroom. Be sure to stop in and take a look once it's published.
For more information about Nature's Classroom, please click here. Content Submitted by Kim Hand |
| Sixth Graders Have Much to Say
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I wouldn't expect a sixth grader to say, 'hard work and determination are the keys to almost everything in life.' And I certainly wouldn't expect that his favorite musicians would be Elvis and The Beatles. But, respectively, David Johnson and Louis Coudray quickly raised my expectations.
As the oldest members of Summit's student body, Louis and David have a unique perspective about where they spend their weekdays between 8AM and 3PM. Whether it's their pronounced presence sitting in the back of Monday morning meetings, or their complete lack of intimidation to sit down with a stranger for an interview, these two gentlemen are leaders whether they know it or not.
I had the pleasure of sitting down with both last week to find out a little bit more about their interests, their memories of Summit, and what they just can't wait for in the coming year.
The first month has already been an eventful one, as the Upper Elementary hopped on a bus just a week into school to head to Charlton, Massachusetts for a couple nights stay at Nature's Classroom. Although b eing removed from the relative luxuries of their everyday lives was a bit of an adjustment, there was certainly fun to be had. David mentioned that he particularly enjoyed learning a complex new game called GaGa reminiscent of dodgeball, and Louis spoke very highly of 'Jellybean-ology', where he had the chance to identify the tastes of some disgusting jelly beans. I'll spare you from the flavors he encountered.
On paper, these two students have similar stats. Both are born in the Summer of 1996, have younger siblings that attend Summit, are avid readers, musicians, and both are sports fans. Look a bit more closely, though, and you'll see the stark differences between the two.
Louis (above) shares his classroom with brother, Paul, who is in 5th grade. He also has a younger sister in Lower El., Alice. David (below) has just one sibling, also in Lower El., named Miranda - who he mentioned he might enjoy sharing a classroom with if he had the choice. Louis' new favorite series of books is Erin Hunter's Warriors. David prefers Rick Riordan's series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Louis loves the guitar, while David is a talented singer. Louis loves to play and watch soccer - especially when the French national squad is on, while David prefers baseball and even dares to root wildly for the Yankees in enemy territory.
Described by his teachers as a spirited, social, and gifted creative writer with an excellent sense of humor, it's no surprise that when Louis grows up he aspires to let his imagination run wild by owning joke shop similar to that of his kindred spirits: Fred and George Weasley. Whether his joke shop turns into reality or is a major part of his latest piece of writing, this self-proclaimed lover of language arts will use his talents accordingly. Louis not only loves studying language because he happens to be good at it, but also, 'because [he] feels closer to it than any other subject.'
Equally impressively described as an observant, curious, helpful, and hard-working student, David told me without hesitation that social studies is his favorite area of study. He elaborated by saying that he loves studying the early United States 'to see how our government was formed.' It should be no surprise, then, that what David is most looking forward to this spring is the Upper Elementary's trip to the Model United Nations. This trip should give him some good background experience for his future plans to be either be a lawyer or the president.
Even at such a young age, these two are clearly able to identify what they're passionate about both inside and outside Summit's walls. I was struck by Louis and David's confidence and eloquence - how willing they both were to talk about themselves and describe so articulately their experiences at Summit. I'll be excited to see them at work throughout the year, and I'm be grateful to have access to more of our friends from the third floor of 283 Pleasant Street. I'll report back as the year progresses.
Until next month...
Written by Kate Remsberg |
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SMPA
UPCOMING EVENTS
AND REMINDERS
The next
SMPA meeting will take place on Friday, October 17th. Coffee and refreshments will be from 8:30-8:45AM, Breakfast Meeting 8:45-10:15. These meetings are a great way to
hear what is going on in the SMPA and to meet new friends.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Fall
Clean-up is Saturday, October 18th from 9:00-12:00PM. Come help clean-up the
Summit
grounds. We'll bring the water and trash bags; you bring your rakes and
lawn tools (including electric tools such as leaf blowers, etc.). All family and friends are welcome!
REMINDER:
The SMPA voluntary dues can be dropped off in the SMPA mailbox (located in
Kate Remsberg's office, behind the door). Suggested donation is $25.
Dues help to fund community enrichment and the Summit Community Picnic, so
please consider participating.
If you
have ideas or suggestions for the SMPA, or are looking for ways to be
involved, please contact
Kate Poitras at katepoitras@verizon.net
or
Kate
Saunders at
kate.saunders@verizon.net
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Save the dates!!
Friday, October 17th
SMPA Breakfast Meeting
Saturday, October 18th
Fall Cleanup Day
Sunday, October 19th
Summit Open House!
1:00PM - 3:00PM
Thursday, October 23rd
Convocation
Danforth Museum
Welcoming Rich Eyster
Invitations Coming Soon!
Friday, October 31st
Mystery History Day
Tuesday, November 4th
Parent/Teacher Conferences
(No School for Students)
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Parents' Independent
School Network
PIN
Presents...
23rd Annual Joan Walter Lecture Series on
THE RIGHT SCHOOL:
Placement Issues for Secondary & College Admissions
Monday, October 20th
7:15-9:30PM
Dana Hall School
Wellesley, MA
Advance Admission $10 if mailed by October 15th.
**Keep your eye out for the community-wide email for the official PIN flyer with registration and speaker information. **
For questions about registration or the particulars of the lecture series, please contact Mary Ann Ciampa
at
maryann.ciampa@comcast.net
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A Place to Turn
October's donation:
Cereal
Please drop off your donations to the bin located conveniently outside the Community Room.
Thank you for your generosity!
Have a wonderful October!
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