Talon Talk

Hello Summitt Community,

Our hearts are heavy as we begin the countdown to the break. If you have not seen my email regarding our devastating loss of a beloved staff member, please take the time to read it. We appreciate our children hearing about this tragic loss through you first. We will ensure they have the support they need at school tomorrow.

We have a busy start to the month with our Kinder–5th grade students taking their Middle of the Year MAP Growth Assessments in Reading and Math during the first two weeks of December. Please remind your students about the Critter Coin they can earn this nine weeks—the Growth Coin. Students who show any amount of growth from their Fall MAP test to their Winter test, or who score 80% or higher in achievement, will earn a Growth Coin for their Summitt House. I’m excited to celebrate all of our students’ success at the end of the month when we announce our second Summitt House Challenge winner. We’ll soon find out which House will take home the Golden Coin for the second nine weeks!

I want to give a huge shout out to all of our amazing volunteers for helping with bookfair, Grandparents Lunch, Track and Field Day and the beautification work that has taken place over the last month. Our community is a better place because of you. THANK YOU!

The three weeks before Winter Break will be busy with activities and MAP Growth testing, so we’re adding some fun along the way! Our Summitt Countdown to Winter Break dress-up days will help keep spirits high as we finish out December together.

Here are some of the items included in this month's Talon Talk:

• Attendance Matters
• Save the Date
• NetSmart sessions for students and parents on Dec. 1st & 2nd
• Winter Celebrations (no lunch visitation the last week of Dec.)
• Jingle Bell Jog and Koblenz Market - Friday, December 5th
• MAP Growth Middle of Year Testing-December 2-12th (days vary by grade level)
• Middle School Transition Information HERE
• U.I.L. Information

For those new to Summitt, this is the Talon Talk, a monthly newsletter sent to the campus and community, sharing upcoming events and happenings for the month ahead. Here are the previous Talon Talks from this school year:

November Talon Talk

October Talon Talk

September Talon Talk

August Talon Talk

Back-to-School Edition

We wish you all a joyous season that is filled with family and special memories.

With respect,

Kim Placker

Summitt Interim Principal

Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Absences and tardiness impact the whole classroom. Parents: Making sure your student is in school and on time every day is the law. A huge shout out to our Summitt community: We only had 17 students absent on October 31st, for Snap Shot Day! Thank you for your continued partnership to make sure our students understand that attendance matters!

Please make sure your child is at school and on time by 7:40am and present in class at 9:45 am. We have a morning assembly at 7:30 am, and we encourage families and students to arrive at school at that time, so students can have a soft start to the day, settle in, and build community. We still have a large number of students arriving after the tardy bell each morning. Thank you for walking your child into the front office if they arrive after 7:40 am to sign them in for the day.

Thank you for helping us to meet our attendance goals!

December 1st & 2nd - NetSmartz for K-5

Monday, Dec. 1

• PTA Meeting - 6 pm on Zoom

Tuesday, Dec. 2

• MAP Growth Testing - Kinder & 5th Grades

Wednesday, Dec. 3

• MAP Growth Testing - 1st & 3rd Grades

Thursday, Dec. 4

• MAP Growth Testing - 2nd Grade

Friday, Dec. 5

• Wear purple to honor Mrs. Farris
• MAP Growth Testing - 4th Grade
• Jingle Bell Jog during PE
• Koblenz Holiday Market @ 6 pm

December 8-12

• House Meeting Week (please arrive to school on time this week!)

Monday, December 8th

• Campus Advisory Council Meeting @ 3:30 pm

Friday, December 12th

• Art Show by Ms. Thora's 3rd-5th graders @ 4-5 pm
• Watchdogs sponsor Bingo Night @ 6-8 pm

Wednesday, December 17th

• 1st Annual Summitt Trail of Lights Fun Run @ 6 pm

Thursday, December 18th

• Winter parties (No lunch visitation on this day)

Friday, December 19th

• Holiday PJs Day

December 22nd-January 5th

• Winter Break (Students Return on January 6th)

Monday, January 19th

• Student/Staff Holiday - MLK Jr. Day

Friday, January 23th

• 2nd 9 weeks Report Cards

Saturday, January 24th

• University Interscholastic League (UIL) Event @ Highland Park

Monday, January 26th

• Campus Advisory Council Meeting @ 3:30 pm

Winter Celebrations will be take place on Thursday, December 18th during a designated time by each grade. Please look for communication and details from your child's teacher.

This is one of our 2 designated party days. Any food items provided must be store-bought. They can not be homemade per our district's food policy requirements.

Anyone volunteering in any capacity will need to have completed the background check through Voly. Use the link on this page to ensure your application is approved BEFORE the day of the event. Please make sure you have your photo ID upon arrival.

In order to help our students to be safe with technology, the Center for Child Protection is leading a presentation for adults and a specific grade level presentation for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade on Dec. 2nd (Dec. 1st sessions will be rescheduled). Please fill out a form for each of your children at Summitt.

If your child is in Kindergarten - 2nd grade, the topic is Being Safer Online. Please fill out this permission slip

If your child is in 3rd - 5th grade, the presentation is called Being a Good Digital Citizen. Please fill out this permission form.

Adults can join us in person at noon or online starting at 12:10- 1:00 on Tuesday, December 2nd with Google Meets NetSmart - Parents' Webinar

Protecting Children Online

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/wkn-kjic-dxk

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 252-584-0152‬ PIN: ‪222 979 784‬#

This will be an important learning time for both our students and our parent and guardians. We hope you will be able to join us in person and online!

Please join us for our upcoming Parent Chats on the various topics:

Tuesday, December 2 @ 12:10 pm - NetSmart Parent Webinar (in person or online)

Google Meet joining info:

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/wkn-kjic-dxk

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 252-584-0152‬ PIN: ‪222 979 784‬#

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/wkn-kjic-dxk?pin=6303578591583

Wednesday, January 7th - Murchison Middle School Information Session @ 8 am.

Murchison staff will meet with 5th-grade students immediately following the parent meeting.

Please stay in your car if dropping off in the circle drive. Staff will be on hand to help your student get safely out of the vehicle and into the building. If you need to get out for any reason, please park in the visitor parking lot in order to walk your child to the arrival doors.

Doors open at 7:15 with assembly beginning at 7:30. The arrival doors close at 7:40. Students should be walked to the main office to be signed in by their parent/guardian after the arrival doors close.

If you need to pick your student up early, please ensure you communicate the early dismissal with your child's teacher. If it is a last-minute change (meaning after 2:30), please notify the front office. The school's phone number is 512-414-4484.

Sponsored by the REAL committee, our Summitt Food Drive will kick off on December 1st and run through December 12th. Food items can be dropped off by students in the Great Hall or the Cafeteria.

Preferred items include:

• Canned meats
• Boxed cereal
• Chicken broth
• White sugar
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Pasta and sauce
• Mac & cheese
• Canned vegetables

Kudos to our 1st-grade students and staff who collected and donated 179 boxes of cereal! Before donating, we all enjoyed the cereal domino challenge, which included having all of the cereal boxes set up in the first-grade area (as pictured), then we celebrated as they fell one by one like dominoes. The volunteers who picked up the packages were so appreciative to be taking so many boxes of cereal to share with those in need. Way to go 1st-grade students and staff!

Koblenz Holiday Craft Market @ Summitt
Looking for the perfect gifts to fill those stockings and stash under the tree? Why not sleigh your holiday shopping by supporting local artists and the Koblenz program at the same time? Join us on Friday, December 5, for Summitt’s 15th Annual Holiday Craft & Vendor Market from 6–9 PM in the Great Hall and Library. From handcrafted treasures to festive finds, you’ll discover unique goodies that are sure to make spirits bright. Plus, you’ll be spreading goodwill by supporting our talented neighborhood vendors and the Koblenz program. ’Tis the season to shop local!

The PE Team is planning 2 running events in December. The first one is our annual Jingle Bell Jog on Friday, December 5th. Each class will receive jingle bells that they attach to their shoes and then run a loop around the outside area. This is for all students and will happen during their main special areas block.

The second run is going to be our first ever Holiday Light Fun Run on Wednesday, Dec. 17th, from 6-8 pm. This is a family event, and we would love for you to invite your friends and neighbors. We are going to set up holiday lights around the school and fire lane, and families are welcome to run/walk as many laps as they would like.

For any additional questions, please reach out to our PE coaches, Coach Romer and Coach Woodward.

Dear Summitt Families!

This year, UIL will be hosted on January 24th, 2026 at Highland Park Elementary.

Below, you will find a link to a page with information about UIL.

English

Vietnamese

You will also find a link to a page describing the events available for the elementary level and their descriptions.

English

Vietnamese

If you or your child are interested in participating in an event or judging an event, please fill out this form by December 11,2025.

If you have any questions, please email Caroline Campbell at caroline.m.campbell@austinisd.org.

We are looking forward to having our wonderful and amazing Summitt students enjoy and succeed at UIL this year!!

FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMEBER 16TH-20TH we WILL NOT HAVE Lunch Visitation due to Winter Celebrations and other campus happenings.

When visiting your child for lunch on Wednesdays and Thursdays, please do the following:

• Always bring your driver's license and sign in at the front office.
• Wait for your child by the front office.
• Take your child out to the blue picnic tables towards our Blacktop/Playground and eat at "Eagle's Landing" under the trees. If it is raining, tables will be set up in the grand hallway.

• Students should rejoin their class at the conclusion of their lunchtime.
• Be sure to go back to the office to sign out before leaving campus.

• Please do not walk your child back to class.

Thank you!

Yearbook early bird discount
Capture the memories! Yearbooks are now on sale and seeking pictures!
Don't wait to purchase your yearbook! Buy them NOW at $25. Prices will increase to $30 on December 15.
Yearbooks are now on sale! Order your yearbook and submit photos from all FALL events such as Mid-Autumn Festival, Eagle Fest, Kalahari, and Book character dress up day (Halloween).
We are also currently seeking baby photos for our graduating 5th grade students. And 5th grade parents can purchase ads for their graduates. For more information on how to purchase your yearbook, 5th grade ads, and how to upload your pictures, visit our new Summitt Yearbook webpage!

Nominations are now open and can be submitted by all Austin ISD staff, students, families, and community members! Please submit nominations using this form. Nominations close on January 16, 2026.

• Campus Clerical/Office Support Staff of the Year

• Teaching Assistant of the Year

• Custodial/Facilities Maintenance Staff of the Year

• Transportation Staff of the Year

• Food Service/Warehouse Staff of the Year

• Campus Safety and Security Staff of the Year

• Librarian of the Year

• Counselor of the Year

• Assistant Principal of the Year

Change of Clothing:

Please remember to pack a change of clothing in your child’s backpack. Spills, ripped clothes during activities, and restroom accidents can happen at any grade level, and our supply of extra clothing on campus is very limited. Having a spare set on hand helps your child return to class quickly and comfortably.

Proper Footwear for PE:
On PE days, please make sure your child wears appropriate athletic shoes. Crocs, sandals, boots, and similar footwear are not safe for running and other physical activities.

Medication Guidelines:
All medications—both prescription and over-the-counter—require a physician’s order and parent authorization before they can be given at school. This includes cough drops, throat sprays, nasal sprays, creams, vitamins/supplements, and any item used to treat an illness or medical condition. Please contact the nurse if you have any questions about medication procedures.

Information about Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

What is Pertussis?

Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection spread through airborne droplets. While treatable, it poses a serious, even life-threatening, risk to infants and young children who are not fully vaccinated.

Symptoms

The illness begins like a common cold, but progresses to severe, uncontrollable coughing fits after 1–2 weeks.

Watch for:

• Violent, rapid coughing that makes it difficult to breathe.

• A distinctive "whooping" sound when trying to inhale.

• Vomiting or exhaustion following cough episodes.

• In infants, brief periods of stopping breathing or turning blue.

If your child develops a worsening cough, please:

• Keep them home from school immediately.

• Contact their healthcare provider right away for testing and potential treatment.

What You Can Do

• Vaccination: Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best way to protect against pertussis is vaccination. Ensure all family members are up-to-date on the DTaP (children) or Tdap (adolescents/adults) vaccines.

• Hygiene: Reinforce frequent and thorough handwashing and always cover coughs and sneezes.

Thank you for your attention to this matter as we work together to keep our students and staff healthy.

If you have specific concerns, please contact your healthcare provider.

SMART PHONES/SMART WATCHES

Effective this school year, House Bill 1481 requires all Texas school districts to prohibit the use of “personal wireless communication devices”—defined as any wireless electronic communication device, other than one issued by the school for instructional purposes, that is capable of transmitting or receiving data.

Items that must now be turned off and put away on Austin ISD campuses from bell to bell: Personal cell phones, Tablets, Gaming devices, Smart watches, Bluetooth headphones or earbuds, Fitness trackers that can send or receive messages, Personal (non-district-issued) computers (laptops and Chromebooks)

Please review this flyer for more information.

Information about Technology Devices for Students

Through the Everyone:1 initiative all AISD students are able to receive an assigned device for use at school and home from Austin ISD.

• Students in grades PK-K will be 3:1 (classroom devices)
• 1st-5th grade students will receive Chromebooks and chargers. All devices will stay at school.

More information, including a handbook about AISD’s Acceptable Use Policies, device care and tips, and replacement fees can be found at https://www.austinisd.org/technology/everyone

Each campus has a campus student device manager. Summitt’s device manager (DM) is Denise G. Richey. She can be reached at denise.richey@austinisd.org. Teachers and other campus staff can also support and know how to direct students when assistance is needed.

Please note that AISD has updated the guidelines for replacement of lost chargers and accidental damaged/lost devices for consistency across all campuses. An overview of the updates can be found below, and more information is available in the Everyone:1 handbook and website.

• First lost charger is replaced from campus stock.

• Second and beyond are charged $15/per charger (subject to updates) OR student replaces it.

• First incidental damage or lost device is replaced from campus stock.

• Second and beyond are charged $50/per device (subject to updates).

Additionally, students and families can check out AISD’s Family Technology Resources website for additional tips, including Technology Use Tutorials for Students. https://www.austinisd.org/technology/family-technology-resource

For the safety of our students and our entire campus community, please do not bring dogs onto campus grounds—especially during arrival and dismissal times. The only exception is for individuals who require the assistance of a trained service dog. If this applies to you, please ensure the dog is wearing its service vest, is on a leash, and remains in close proximity to you at all times. Thank you for your cooperation.

Bus information

Families whose students are eligible for transportation will receive their bus information by email or letter. The district’s “Bus Stop Finder'' can be used to identify the nearest bus stop to your home. Families whose students have special services will receive their information in person from their bus teams.

“Where'sTheBus” App for Families

AISD’s transportation team offers families the “WheresTheBus” app, which provides timely information about the location of their student’s assigned bus only, including when it will arrive at their stop.

The free app is available on any device with internet access (smartphone, tablet, personal computer, iPad)—and takes less than five minutes to install. Instructions are available at https://www.austinisd.org/transportation.

Ways for you to get involved/contribute:

• Please donate gift cards in $10 increments for the campus. You can send your own or use this link to purchase online. We use them as prizes and incentives during teacher meetings and events throughout the year. You can also donate snacks for the lounge for staff to use as a pick-me-up during the school day. We appreciate your generosity!
• Join our Summitt PTA! Visit https://summitteagles.org/ for more information! (serve on committees, write grants, volunteer in the work room, support campus fundraisers, etc..)

• Summitt WATCH DOGS Attention all Fathers/Father-figures of Summitt students: Are you interested in spending a day at school, interacting with the students, being a positive role model, and providing an extra set of eyes & ears on campus? Sign up with the Watch D.O.G.S. Program & be your student’s “Hallway Hero” for the day! contact: summittwatchdogs@gmail.com for more information

• Become a Room Parent

• CAC (Campus Advisory Council)-meets the last Monday of each month at 3:30 pm

• Parent Advisory Council with our counselors

Summitt Houses were created for all students and staff to feel a sense of connection, collaboration and care.

CONNECTION: At Summitt Elementary we have five houses. All students in grades Pre-K through 5th grade, are vertically assigned to a house at the beginning of the school year. Each school year begins with students learning the qualities and characteristics of each house’s trait which then leads to a school wide house reveal.

COLLABORATION: Each Tuesday students participate in a House Meeting with their fellow house members. Students get to collaborate by participating in various activities and energizers. Students recite their motto and build connections during this time. Your child is encouraged to wear their house color on Tuesdays.

CARING: A house system helps to build a caring, supportive environment. Each student will be a valued member of a smaller group within the whole school. The purpose is to create an enjoyable atmosphere in which deep learning and effective teaching can flourish; a school with rigor and relevance.

Summitt Houses:

The House of Kindness (red, koala)

The House of Courageous (gold, lion)

The House of Collaboration (blue, wolf)

The House of Innovation (purple, racoon)

The House of Tenacity (green, turtle)

Summitt House System allows for:

• Inclusive community of staff and students

• Buddy class pairings

• Reading buddies

• Multi age grouping opportunities

• Vertical teaming and alignment

• Student leadership/ownership