This week we are thrilled to kick off our first round of Expeditions for the 2014-2015 school year. Students will have the opportunity to explore their passions and interests through electives like art, drama, psychology, computer science, and more. During Expeditions, school will begin at 9am and end at 4pm. From 3pm-4pm students have mandatory PLT with their mentors. 

Most students one of their top choices for their assigned class(es). And most will love their assigned Expeditions class. If this is not the case, we are asking that you approach it with an open mind, but there are opportunities to switch classes. Students need to self advocate and meet with Mr. Ponikvar individually either Monday from 4-5pm or Wednesday from 4-5pm.

We are thrilled that we have a talented group of teachers joining us to teach our Expeditions classes.

Alex Flores, David Sanchez, Ms. Eva, Veronica Vasquez, Lia Pinelli, Greg Ponikvar, Anndrea Fernandez, Abdul Duso, Tia Holiday

During Monday morning's All School meeting, the Expeditions teachers introduced themselves and shared a fun fact. Among them:

• Photography teacher, David Sanchez has been to all of the continental US states. 
• College Readiness teacher Abdul Duso is quadrilingual - ask him which four languages he speaks. 
• Peter Farrell, Computer Science teacher, says that the students in his class will learn to program in four computer languages this year. 
• Michelle Wilson, our AP Drawing teacher is in the Guinness Book of World Records. 
• Internship Coordinator, Linda Stevenin has ridden a camel. 
• Lia Pinelli, returning to Rainier as a Human Sexuality and Balanced Living teacher, received a warm welcome and reported that her son is now 4 1/2 months old and a hefty 20 pounds.

We are in need of a volunteer who can pick up lunches at noon and deliver them to our offsite class location next week. Please contact Lupe Trujillo if you can help.

There is more information on our Expeditions website.

Sincerely,

Greg Ponikvar, Executive Director of Expeditions

Mr. Bock, Assistant Director

The Preliminary SAT or PSAT will be offered at the Summit Tahoma campus on Saturday, October 18. This is an important exam opportunity for 10th and 11th grade students. This exam serves the following three purposes:

• A very high score (top 1 - 3% nationally) can bring scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Organization, colleges, corporations, and other institutions for any 11th grade student
• The National Merit organization has a separate scholarship program for any 11th grade student who identifies as "Black" or "Hispanic" (these are the words the organization uses) and who also scores well on the exam
• Any score can help a 10th or 11th grade student understand if the SAT might be a better match college entrance exam as compared to the ACT. (In general, the ACT aligns better with college-ready skills and curriculum than the SAT, but for some students the SAT is still the stronger test.)

Each student, along with their parents/guardians and mentor, will be participating in a PLP (Personalized Learning Plan) meeting. We are looking forward to having every family involved in this important process. These conferences are an essential part of cultivating the reflective and goal-setting mindset needed for success in high school and college.

In order to facilitate the meetings, there will be no regular classes on Friday, September 19. Meetings will take place on September 19 or 20 (or as scheduled with the mentor). If you have not made an appointment to meet yet, please reach your to the mentor.

Ms. Shemyakina

AP Environmental Studies Teacher

Some details:

• Clear plastic (green does not work)
• "Flat" sides (the curvy new Coke bottles do not work as well)
• Gently rinsed out with water please! (dried soda is hard to clean out)
• With caps if possible (but not required)

Coach J Bumagat

Winter Athletics

For students interested in participating in Winter Basketball, Wrestling or Soccer there will be a mandatory parent/athlete sports meeting on September 17, 2014 at 6pm in the Summit West building located on the Tahoma campus. The make up meeting will be held September 24. All interested participants need to attend.

Interact Club is looking for drivers who can take us to events after-school such as bowling, the movies, fundraisers, etc. If you're able to help, please e-mail Amanda Ramirez at aramirez.ra@mysummitps.org. We especially encourage parents whose kids are in Interact to become drivers for us.

Tan pronto como la edición en español está disponible, una copia impresa estará disponible en la recepción.

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