Summit Elementary

As we continue our journey through the school year into 4th quarter, it struck me that we have gone through this whole year and I am not sure I have ever shared my 'Why School' with staff, students, or families! Everyone has their own vision, their own reasons, and their own hopes for school. Here are some of mine...

I choose school because we have the ability to learn! This is a gift that we get to enjoy throughout our lives! We learn to read so we can access new ideas, new information, new insights and new perspectives! Every piece of text that we devour allows us to understand our world and ourselves at a deeper level! We learn to write so we can articulate our thinking and share ours ideas. Writing gives us the opportunity to express ourselves and understand our thoughts with more clarity! We learn math so we can solve problems! Math teaches our minds how to be nimble; looking at information, analyzing how things relate, and determining a pathway forward! What a tremendous gift!

I choose school because we have the ability to improve and strive towards our best everyday! I don't know the perfect student, the perfect parent, the perfect teacher, or the perfect principal! We are here making mistakes together! School is a place where we fall down and get back up again! We get conversations wrong! We get relationships wrong! We get answers wrong! And here, we are able to gain something from that experience and try again! As we know better, we do better!

I choose school because we have the ability to do it all together! We are community of life long learners! We are parents, students, teachers, colleagues, and friends! The talents, passions, and interests that we each bring to our community make us stronger and better! As we face challenges, the strength we find within each other makes anything possible! Summit is more than a building we show up to! Summit is the community we create together!

Despite the fact that I have not shared my 'why' until now, I hope that it is seen, heard, and felt in all I do! Understanding why we come to school should not just happen at the beginning of the year! It is from the time we start in August through our summer days in July! It is our Monday through Friday, and also our Saturdays and Sundays! It is our yesterday, today and tomorrow!

Thank you for building a strong foundation so we can have an even stronger future!

Katie Rexford, Principal

Take a look at what is coming up on the horizon! We have a few very busy weeks ahead and I won't want you to miss a thing! Mark your calendar with these upcoming events and activities! I have listed activities through May because the next few weeks are going to go SO fast and I want you to have lead time for planning!

March 30...We return from Spring Break! YAY!

March 30...WPSD Parent Information Night regarding Special Education at Central Office at 5:30 - FLYER

March 31...Special Board Work Session at Central Office to learn about Charter Schools at 5:00 - FLYER

April 1...Read-a-Thon Log Sheets are Due! Digital Copy

April 3...Open Gym from 5:00 - 7:00!

April 7...Begin CMAS Testing! Check below for more information!

April 11...Our Destination Imagination teams compete at the State Competition!

April 11...Community Partnership will host Summer Fest - FLYER

April 13...SOS meeting at 4:00! Come join us!

April 14...Landsharks Begins!

April 15...Read-a-Thon Wrap Up Assembly at 2:00!

April 17...Kindergarten heads to the Dino Resource Center!

April 17...Read-a-Thon Movie Premier at 5:30! Make sure everyone reads!

April 18...Jr. Woodland Player Auditions for the summer performance - FLYER

April 23 - 24...No school! Enjoy the long weekend!

April 27 - May 1...Drill Week! We are planning on practicing a different safety drill each day of the week!

April 28...State of the District held at Dickson Auditorium at the Jr./Sr. High! Join us at 6:00!

April 30...Parent Academy! Join me at Summit from 6:30 - 8:00 as we discuss creating structure and routines as we head into summer!

May 1...Open Gym from 5:00 - 7:00!

May 1 - 2...Munchkin Market - FLYER

May 4 - 8...Teacher Appreciation Week!

May 5...Kinder and Preschool Round Up from 4:30 - 6:00!

May 7...2nd Graders head to the Historical Society!

May 7...School Wide Music Performance at 6:00!

May 7...5th Grade Science Fair at 5:00!

May 8...4th Graders head to the Cave of the Winds!

May 11...SOS Meeting at 4:00! Join the fun!

May 14...JA in a Day! We will need volunteers! Reach out if you are interested in helping!

May 19...6th Grade Continuation Ceremony at 1:30!

May 19...District Wide Family Fun Night featuring Screenagers at the Jr./Sr. High from 5:30 - 7:30! Prizes, food, and community connection! FLYER

May 20...Kids' Day Activities in the morning followed by our Variety Show at 1:30!

May 21...Last Day of School! Plan for an early release (details to come) and we will have a Summer Send Off in the morning!

Remember to continue to check your e-mail and your child's GOLD folder! Please don't hesitate to reach out if you ever have any questions! The best way to reach me is by e-mailing me at krexford@wpsdk12.org. You can also call the front office at 719-686-2401! We have an action packed quarter ahead! Let's stick together while we create memorable experiences for our children!

Every April we engage in our state assessments! This is an opportunity for the state to see how we are doing and for us to track our progress! We use the data to inform our instructional practices, curriculum decisions, and future planning! We want students to try their best without causing undue stress or worry! It is just a checkpoint to help guide us! Here are some highlights to help us all be successful this testing season:

• Grades 3 - 8 participate in testing!
• We prefer to have students complete a single test session in one day! Sometimes we have to complete multiple sessions if students need to complete make up tests.
• Our main testing schedule is:
• Tuesday April 7, Wednesday April 8, and Thursday April 9; ELA Test beginning at 8:15 each morning and concluding by 10:30.
• Tuesday April 14, Wednesday April 15, and Thursday April 16; Math Test beginning at 8:15 each morning and concluding by 10:30.
• Friday April 10, Monday April 13, and Friday April 17; Science Test for 5th GRADE ONLY beginning at 8:15 and concluding by 10:30.
• Please plan accordingly and have students here on time and present during testing!
• Students should always get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast as they get ready to do their best each day!
• Click the button below for a sheet of Frequently Asked Questions regarding CMAS!
• Our Assessment Coordinator is Kim Ehlers. She can be reached at kehlers@wpsdk12.org with any questions!

Thank you for your help in making this testing season stress free as we give our children a chance to show off all they have learned and all they have mastered!

We have 2 very sweet and special friends that have joined our art classroom! Susanne and Marcel are Holland lop bunnies and they belong to Ms. Sofi! Students love to see our little friends each week when they go to art! Our floppy eared friends have been helpful in reminding our young artists to be calm in our art space while also providing some creative inspiration! If you would like your child to have the opportunity to interact with the bunnies, please complete the permission form below!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at krexford@wpsdk12.org or Ms. Sofi at shernandezcrade@wpsdk12.org.

Our School Board is seeking our input! They have a created a draft strategic plan and they want to know what we think! Click the buttons below to read over the draft and then share your input! This is your district and your voice matters! Our Board is listening!

The first Friday of every month we are offering open gym from 5:00 - 7:00! Come any time between 5:00pm and 7:00pm! You will enter through the doors by the gym (to the right of the main doors) and parents must stay with their child. Come and play!

Join us Friday April 3rd!

We meet the 2nd Monday of every month. Our next meeting is Monday April 13 at 4:00 and everyone who wants to support Summit is invited! Children are welcome! Our goal is to come together as a school community to support Summit in all aspects! We will look ahead at future opportunities and work together to provide the very best for our children! See you there!

Can't come in person?! Join us remotely! CLICK HERE

If your child is interested in being on a team and running...Landsharks might be for them! The spring season is fast approaching and registration is open! CLICK HERE to go to the Landsharks website for more information and to register!

Our team will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning April 14th from 3:00 - 4:00 (bus riders will be able to catch the bus) and meets are on Mondays!

Our coach is Leah Bennett and you can contact her directly at leahmariebennett@gmail.com!

Calling all children going into 3rd grade and older for the upcoming school year! If you are interested in a fun and engaging summer camp that allows you to learn performance skills, build friendships, and gain confidence, look now further! Click the button below to learn more about Jr. Woodland Players! Auditions are coming up on April 18! Everyone who auditions will be in the performance!

Don't forget to register for next school year! Having accurate registration numbers allows us to plan for classes, schedule rotations, staffing, budgets and more! Let us know that you are planning on being here next year!

If your family plans have changed and you are leaving town after this school year, let us know! If you have neighbors, family or friends that haven't registered yet, encourage them to register at Summit now! If you have little ones that are getting ready to start school, join us on Tuesday May 5 from 4:30 - 6:00 for Kinder and PreK Round Up! Meet the teachers, get a tour, and complete your registration for the 2026-2027 school year!

Did you know that families moving into town often check websites like Great Schools to help find information and reviews about our school before they choose where to go? If you have something to share and you want to write a review, click the button below so our new families know about their community school at Summit!

As always, if you have a concern, question, or issue, please reach out to me! We can find the best solution by working together!

Thank you to everyone who has connected with their Grade Level Links! Our hope in creating this community and network within grade levels is to allow our families to stay connected as a grade and work together! If you are interested in helping with your child's grade level next year, please let me know! If you have ideas on how we can improve this process, send them my way!

Thank you for being our partner in learning!

Our final Parent Academy is scheduled for April 30! We will focus on setting structures and building routines as we get ready to head into summer! I also plan on folding in ideas for chores and helping around the house! If there is anything you want to touch on, please let me know!

Thursday October 23 from 6:30 - 8:00...Focus = Screens - LINK to resources

Thursday December 4 from 6:30 - 8:00...Focus = Math

Thursday February CANCELLED Focus = Reading and Writing - CANCALLED

Thursday April 30 from 6:30 - 8:00...Focus = Routines and Structure

Join in even if it is just for the final conversation! I love coming together! If you have ideas for next year or needs that I could address, please share your thoughts with me!

Through the month of March we saw a slight dip in our attendance, going from 112 students in February who did not miss a day down to 93 students in March who had perfect attendance through the month (I am counting on everyone being at school Monday and Tuesday this week 😉)! During March we were hit hard with illness, from upper respiratory to stomach issues! I recognize that things happen that prevent students from coming to school! This is why it is so important to plan on being at school EVERYDAY that students are able to come!

The research shows that regular attendance is a key factor in student academic success! Students who are at school achieve higher grades, reach early learning milestones, and have a reduced likelihood of dropping out! Let's set our children up for success NOW and in their future!

Let's continue to make attendance a priority! Great job Summit Eagles!

As a quick reminder, if you need to drop your child off late or pick them up early, a parent or gaurdian must come in to sign the child in/out of school. Thank you for your help!

Have a picture you want to share? Click the button below and you will be featured in the next newsletter! Check out our Eagles in action! Here are few pictures from Friday March 20th when our community friends from the Teller Senior Coalition joined us to read for the afternoon!

Mr. Schrag has his 6th grade enrichment class creating video announcements! Check out the announcements we enjoyed throughout the month of March!

In addition to announcements, this month Mr. Schrag had his 6th graders write and film a trailer to help 'Kick Off' our Read-a-Thon! Check out the trailer and don't forget to have your child turn in their reading log! We have a special movie premier of The Prince and The Pauper on Friday April 17th at 5:30 for all the children and their families that met their reading goal! I hope everyone has enjoyed The Prince and the Pauper book that came home and I am looking forward to enjoying the short Disney fim together!

Each month we focus on character traits in our morning meetings, our weekly lessons with our counselor and woven throughout our school day! As we head into April, our focus will be COURAGE!

"True courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face it." - unknown

When we believe in our children and we send them the message that they can handle struggles, hurdles, and challenges, we are letting them know that while they might be nervous, scared, or intimidated, they can succeed! Let's help our children be courageous!

In the spirit of Musical March Madness, here is a song for COURAGE!

The staff submitted some of their favorite songs from the decade they were born! These songs have been going head to head during specials and students have been voting for their favorite songs to move them through the brackets. I can't wait to see what song takes the win in this year's Musical March Madness!

I encourage you to ask your child about the songs they are hearing and which one they voted for! Play new music together and have fun!

Click the link below to view the April Menu!

• Online Menu
• Printable Menu

A free breakfast is available to all our students daily! In case of a 2-hour delay, breakfast is not served! We begin serving lunch 45 minutes after we begin on a delayed day!

Breakfast and lunch are available free of charge for all children! Your family may qualify for additional support with school fees! If you complete the application and you qualify, everything from bus fees to activity fees can be waived! To complete the application...

• Log into the Parent Portal through Infinite Campus - CLICK HERE
• On the left hand side click MORE
• Go to Meal Benefits
• Complete the Meal Benefits Application

You must complete a new application each school year!

Parents are always welcome to join their child for lunch! It can be a nice way to surprise your little one and engage with them in their school environment.

All visitors must check in at the front office and go directly to the cafeteria! Thank you for help in maintaining a safe and productive learning environment.

We have a fabulous community that is ready and willing to support our families! Click on the button below to see resources around town to help anyone in need!

We have an online store that offers a variety of options! CLICK HERE and start shopping! There are always different sales and specials running! Check it out!

On a 2-hour delay students will complete a short activity to get in the 'learning' frame of mind! If a snow day is called, there are no activities to complete...just enjoy the day!

There's an APP for that! Download the BoxTops app, scan your receipt and support Summit!

We have learning opportunities that allow our children to run, paint, create, and explore! Each specialty may require a little preplanning so your child is set up for success! Know when your child has what!

Click the button below to access our family handbook! If you have any questions please send them my way at krexford@wpsdk12.org.

K-Kids is still collecting those pop tabs, so keep them comin'!

Thank you for all od the plastic lid donations for our Girl Scout at the Sr. High! She was able to complete a beautiful mosiac with the donations received!

Check out flyers for numerous activities around the school and around the town by going to the DISTRICT VIRTUAL BACKPACK!

We will donate items prior to leaving on breaks, long weekends or as the bin begins to overflow! If your child's name is on the item, we work to get it back to them as we go through things! If you are missing an item, come and check to see if it is in the lost and found!

If you want to come into the school, please have your ID ready to scan!

Want to get updates and highlights from the school?! Follow us on Facebook!

WPSD - Summit Elementary School

Please try and schedule your family fun with school in mind! CLICK HERE

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