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SCHOOL EDITION | FEBRUARY 17, 2017
REAP DRAMA PERFORMS FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
On January 25, the talented performers in The Summit School's REAP Performing Arts Program outdid themselves once again with an amazing presentation of Fiddler on the Roof. Our dedicated students worked together as a team throughout the fall season with enthusiasm and camaraderie to produce something they could be proud of. Rave reviews from staff, parents, and the rest of the audience were abundant and enthusiastic. Many students in the audience expressed a desire to sign up for the next performance so they could participate in and be part of what they had just witnessed. Classic songs, such as "Sunrise, Sunset," "Tradition," and "To Life!" sung by the ensemble as a finale, demonstrated how this group of students really learned how to cooperate and work together.

Several soaring solos and duets helped show the range of talent and growth present within our cast. The rabbi, the daughters, the parents, townspeople, and all the others were expertly portrayed so the audience could laugh, cry, and then laugh again. The iconic story of Fiddler on the Roof transcends culture and time by telling a universal, human story of people and family in times of change.

Our directors, Jami Ashley, Rita Quintas, and Tom Schaefer, worked together with enthusiasm and experience to help encourage and assist our performers to be the best they could be, and feel enjoyment and pride in doing so. Special thanks to Nancy Handy for her beautiful poster, Sue Chong for endless support, our alumni students Ashleigh Goldberg and Peter Serras for working with our students, and Karen Elder for so much help in a wide range of ways.

Thanks, finally, to our "Drama Parents" who supported the students and our program throughout, and who never forget the value of having their child participate in this wonderful experience.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
February 2017   

February 20-24 
 
  Mid-Winter Break 
February 27 
  School Reopens 
  
March 2017

March 14
  Parents' Association Meeting / US School Conference Room
  9:15 AM
March 15
  Upper School Student Council FLEA MARKET / US Gym
March 23
  Lower School Parent/Teacher Conferences
March 29
  Upper School Parent/Teacher Conferences
SUMMIT TEAMS
Summit Wildcats Basketball Roundup
Summit's Upper School Varsity Boys' basketball team is gearing up for the upcoming playoffs, which are scheduled to begin on March 6. Coach Matt LaForm says that a home playoff game is possible. With the continued effort of strong players, the team is hoping for more wins like the one on January 18, when they won against Summit Nyack with a score of 70-65 (photos below).


On February 8 during halftime, a special presentation was held to recognize Summit seniors playing on the Wildcats Varsity Boys' basketball team. Certificates were presented to seniors by Coach Matt LaForm. From left to right (photo below): Kyle Tucker, Barzeli Schneider, Daniel Stillwagon, Michael McKenna, and Nicholas Dushaj.

 
Summit's Junior Varsity Boy's basketball team kicked off their playoff games against Windsor at the Flushing YMCA on February 7 with a 54-24 victory!

Summit's Lady Wildcats are also making headlines by holding a 5-0 record. This is the first time in Lady Wildcats' history that they have been undefeated. Coach Carl Miranda says that their success comes from their strong defense and teamwork.

Go Summit!
 
Article contributed by Tara Caprdja, Upper School Teacher and communications intern.  
UPPER SCHOOL
 DON'T DELAY, CLEAN OUT A CLOSET TODAY!
WE NEED MORE STUFF.
(BUT NO MORE BOOKS OR VHS TAPES PLEASE.) 
 
SPONSORED BY THE UPPER SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL
 

MARCH 15
Attention All Summit Families 

Start your spring cleaning early and donate gently used and unwanted items for the Upper School's Student Council Flea Market. This year's flea market will be held on March 15 in the gym at the Upper School.
 
We are now ready to start accepting all donations from Summit families and staff, so please send in your items. Your donated items will find a new home in the arms of a happy new owner:
  • Any hi-tech stuff, including electronic accessories
  • Movies on DVDs and music CDs (not videotapes please)
  • Games -- board and video
  • Sporting goods
  • Jewelry
  • Knick-knacks and other decorative items
  • Housewares
  • Specialty clothing, shoes, and accessories (t-shirts are popular)
  • Great stuff that students can buy for their parents or siblings
All funds raised will go towards US Student Council projects and activities, with the aim of improving and heightening the school experience for students.
 
Send all donations to the US Student Council Flea Market.   
LOWER SCHOOL
Liberty Science Center Trip 
  


On January 28-29, students in the Lower School's grades 6, 7, and 8 spent a night at the Liberty Science Center. This soldout trip to the LSC's Camp-In was organized by Summit's Parents' Association, including event coordinators Haylee Goldberg and Pamela Linnemann. Upon arriving, students settled in and had a pizza dinner before watching a 3-D show at 9:00 p.m. After the show, students were given the opportunity to explore the other exhibits until 11:00 p.m.  
 


During their exploration, students went through the most popular exhibit, the Touch Tunnel. The Touch Tunnel is an 80-foot, crawl-through tunnel that is completely dark designed to help individuals recognize how dependent they are on their sense of sight. Students awoke at 6:30 a.m. to enjoy a group breakfast and to shop in the gift shop. Their overnight adventure ended with an IMAX show before leaving on their coach bus at 9:00 a.m. to return home. Chaperone Maria Alvarez said that the group thoroughly enjoyed themselves!
    
 Article contributed by Tara Caprdja, Upper School Teacher and communications intern. 
PARENTS' RESOURCES
Social Skills Game

The Summit School is home to some very talented professionals. One particularly creative person is Lisa Flowers, Speech and Language Pathologist, at the Upper School. Lisa has always designed unique games for her sessions to help her students learn to handle social situations in a fun and enjoyable way. Recently, she created an original board game called "Sticky Social Scenes," a game designed for adolescents and adults. The game allows players to navigate through a total of 90 different social situations. The format of the game creates the opportunity for discussion among players, promoting stronger pragmatic language and general social skills.

"Sticky Social Scenes" is such a favorite choice by Lower and Upper School students that speech pathologists, social workers, and psychologists have incorporated the game into many of their clinical sessions. The game has become so highly rated that Lisa has also brought it to the educational market via her website. "Sticky Social Scenes" is a wonderful tool to use in professional and home settings. Playing the game will provide hours of fun while helping everyone get past those awkward social situations.

Special Offer for Summit Parents: 
Email Lisa directly at lflowers@summitqueens.com to order a game and avoid shipping costs. Purchased games can be picked up by parents at the school or sent home via backpack.


Article contributed by Tara Caprdja, Upper School Teacher and communications intern.
  
   
Summit Camp Announces Open Houses

"Friendships started at camp can be separated by months and miles without losing any strength!"
 
Summit Camp has announced its Open House schedule for families, which takes place on selected dates throughout the spring. If you are interested in seeing the Summit Camp up close, this is a great opportunity to take a tour. Families will also personally meet the directors, which is a perfect time to ask questions. You'll also get to meet other parents of campers attending camp this season. Light refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome (no pets please).
 
Sunday, April 2 - Walk in between 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday, May 7 - Walk in between 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday, June 17 - Walk in between 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM*

*Meet camp unit leaders and on-campus staff
 
Summit Camp was started in 1969 nestled on a hill in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains to serve children and teens with learning and social challenges. At Summit Camp, your child will experience the same great traditions found at a premiere sleep-away camp, but with a nurturing environment that meets the unique social and emotional needs of young people who have difficulty with sustaining friendships. Our campers enjoy an atmosphere completely designated to their success: fun, friendship, and independent growth.
 
Need more information, contact us:
Gene Bell, Director, at 973-732-3230 or info@summitcamp.com.

Visit us on the web: www.summitcamp.com   
 
[Summit Camp is not affiliated with The Summit School.]
 
 
ReelAbilities Film Festival Opening Its Ninth Year
SWIM TEAM (photo above) is a documentary that will debut on March 6 during the 9th Annual ReelAbilities Film Festival. What would you do if your community gave up on your child? In New Jersey, the parents of one boy with autism take matters into their own hands. They form a competitive swim team, recruiting a diverse group of teens on the autism spectrum and training them with high expectations and zero pity. Demonstrating the power of inclusion to transcend disability, this triumphant film profiles this team, the Jersey Hammerheads. Through training and competition, star athletes Mikey, Robbie, Kelvin, and others gain self-confidence and social skills that serve them both in and out of the pool. To watch the trailer, click on the video below.
 

 
 
About ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival: Initiated in 2007 by JCC Manhattan, ReelAbilities: NY is the largest festival in the country dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with different abilities. The seven-day festival is renowned for its wide-ranging international film selection, riveting conversations, and performing arts, presented annually at over 35 venues across the NYC metropolitan area.

 
Have you ever been part of a Hackathon? Here's your chance. Join TechKids Unlimited on March 3 and "hack on" projects that help make sense of today's digital media landscape.
 


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