Summit Fall Newsletter

Summit will email weekly communications to all parents which will include important parent information about upcoming school and community events. You can find all past communications on our website.

This newsletter is packed with great back to school information, important school rules, new Summit procedures and new faculty and staff!

Dear Summit Families,

On behalf of the faculty, staff, and Board of Directors, I am honored to welcome you to Summit for the 2025-26 school year. Our school's mission of rigorous academics sets high expectations for effort and achievement and calls us to be a caring community, which fosters self-esteem and cultivates a lifelong love of learning. Over the summer, our talented teachers and administrators have been seeking new knowledge and preparing exciting learning opportunities. We even enjoyed a faculty retreat at Cal-Wood recently! We are thrilled to see all of our students again and to have them reconnect with friends and classmates.

Looking ahead to an exciting new school year, we will welcome several talented new faculty members, all of whom are featured in this newsletter. Like every year before, our inspiring faculty, wise administration, and dedicated staff will bring our mission of academic rigor and our values of a caring community to life with our remarkable students. I look forward to witnessing many magical moments of learning and growth during my fifteenth year as a school leader at this incredible school.

We are all very excited about the success of our Design Futures initiative as our new learning community takes shape right before our eyes. We anticipate opening the new wing on time at the start of the second semester; it looks fantastic so far. Thank you all so much for your generous financial support!

There is much to look forward to this school year, including many special announcements this Fall, so stay tuned. As always, my top priority is to lead the school in a way that promotes trust, strengthens community, and prioritizes student learning and well-being. Summit Middle School provides the resources each child needs to succeed in all aspects of school life: social, emotional, and intellectual. Please join us in our efforts to maintain a high-quality school and academic program where children grow and achieve to the best of their ability and potential.

Sincerely,

Adam Galvin

Hello! My name is Rebecca Taylor, and I’m so excited to join the Pack as your new middle school counselor! Supporting middle schoolers—who are full of questions, curiosity, and occasional mystery—is truly my passion. I'm especially looking forward to using my CTE endorsement as Summit builds its new CTE wing. Helping students develop executive functioning and social-emotional skills they can carry with them is another central part of what I love to do. Building strong relationships is at the heart of my work, and I hope you'll stop by the Husky Den (my office) or set up a call :) I’ve proudly continued my Husky tradition for seven years now! When I’m not at school, you’ll find me exploring the outdoors, discovering new places, and stopping to pet every cute dog I see. Here’s to a great year ahead!

Stacy is an accomplished Business Analyst and Project manager with a BA in Business Administration. She lives in Boulder where her two children have attended BVSD schools. She brings decades of successful business experience ranging from sales, systems, project management, software, and team leadership. She comes from a family of educators and is so excited to make a professional and lifestyle transition towards a new career in education.

Hello! My name is Emma Lattes, and I am the new Learning Specialist at Summit. You might be wondering: What is a Learning Specialist? I am a special education teacher, IEP and 504 case manager, and I will also teach some reading and writing intervention classes. I attended Summit many years ago (class of 2007!) and am excited to return to this special learning community for my 10th year of teaching. In my free time, I love to knit, read mythology, roller and ice skate, play board games, and try out new craft projects.

Kimberley is a passionate educator, coach, and program coordinator with over twenty years of experience making schools more inclusive, equitable, and empowering—particularly for multilingual learners. She has taught nearly all ages from Pre-K to adults, led districtwide equity initiatives, authored and taught courses at Regis University, and coached educators across K–12 systems. Bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English, Kimberley is known for building strong partnerships with students, teachers, families, and communities to foster meaningful change.

Her core philosophy centers on building strong relationships, setting high expectations, and ensuring that every student—and educator—has the support and scaffolding necessary to succeed. She brings levity and lightness to the workplace when possible (watch out for her practical jokes), believing that equity isn’t just a concept but a daily practice rooted in connection, curiosity, and care.

She owns and operates a small women's global adventure travel company (www.wanderfemmeadventures.com) as a side business. Additionally, she works with the Thornton High School Newcomer Program in Adams 12 as a grant evaluator and serves as an adjunct professor in the Division of Education at Regis University. (do you think she sleeps?)

When she’s not working, Kimberley is likely outdoors—rock climbing, mountain biking, snowboarding, or exploring new trails. She is also a proud mother of a spirited 14-year-old son (about to start his freshman year at Fairview), a dedicated dog rescuer, and the lead singer of a local garage band.

My name is Alyssa Sortman, and I am thrilled to join the Summit Middle School team as a Physical Education teacher. I was born and raised in Colorado and have always had a passion for health, fitness, and sports. I enjoy playing volleyball, tennis, pickleball, and football.

I hold a Bachelor's degree in Sports and Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master's in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine, and I am pursuing another Bachelor's degree in K-12 Physical Education from Metropolitan State University of Denver. I value education and take pride in being a lifelong learner.

My mission is to help students understand the importance of staying physically active, develop social and motor skills, and learn lifelong healthy habits. When I am not teaching or coaching volleyball, I love spending time with my family and friends, attending concerts or sporting events, traveling, or simply enjoying the sunshine.

Victoria Brykalski is excited to return to Summit Middle School as the new Talented and Gifted Coordinator! A proud alum (2001), she brings over a decade of experience in supporting middle school learners across the world. Victoria has led Outward Bound expeditions, taught English and history in international schools, coordinated programs for displaced learners, and coached youth delegates at the 17th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. As a cultural anthropologist with a deep understanding of middle school development, Victoria is passionate about connecting with students through playful curiosity and creative care. She especially looks forward to supporting our honor society, collaborating with TAG students, and immersing herself in the vibrant Summit community. Outside of school, you can find her walking her cat in Martin Acres and contemplating the young adult novels she is writing.

My name is Michael Birdsong. I moved to Colorado in 1986 and have lived in Boulder since 1991. I consider this place to be 'my home.' I have a Bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois and a Master's degree from Colorado State University. I've spent most of my career in software engineering. This will be my third year working in BVSD.

Jessica Hersh has nearly three decades of experience as a chef, food writer, and culinary educator. A graduate of BVSD schools, she wholeheartedly believes in providing students with a safe space to grow emotionally, intellectually, and socially. Jessica holds a bachelor's degree from St. John's College and a degree in Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management from Scottsdale Culinary Institute, both of which influence her approach to teaching and engaging with the world. She lives in Erie with her two teenage children and two small dogs, and her home is often filled with friends and family and always has good food.

Dear Summit families, when you visit school this week, you'll notice that Summit’s new Career Tech & Engineering wing is fully enclosed with walls and a roof, and it looks fantastic! (enjoy the pictures below). Construction will be completed in early 2026.

The new CTE wing will include:

• STEM Classroom focused on design and computer science

• Innovation & Prototyping Lab for building and creation

• Outdoor Build Space and landscaped learning areas

• Culinary Lab equipped for cooking classes

• Innovation Commons Area for collaborative and active learning

We are excited to offer a few events in the upcoming months for you to learn more about the project and support the campaign.

The campaign goal is to raise $500,000 for construction costs, equipment and furniture. We have already raised $300,000, so are well on our way!

All families who donate to the Design Futures Building Campaign at the Purple Husky level of $2,026 and above will have their family name featured in our new wing! Please click here to learn more and donate to the Design Futures building project! A huge thanks to these families, companies & events that have contributed to the building project.

Also, Summit would like to partner with local businesses for corporate sponsorship. If you have a connection to a local company that may want to partner with us, please contact Julie at juliana.scott@bvsd.org. The Design Futures team has created a beautiful brochure to share that details the project.

Thursday, September 4th - 6-8pm at Alicia & Scott Potter’s home. Enjoy a delicious dinner in the home of a Summit family and learn about the new Career, Tech & Engineering Wing that Summit is building, from Principal Adam Galvin. This event is for families who would like to learn about the project in a smaller setting and plan to make a significant gift. Please RSVP HERE (Adults only). Limited to 20 people.

Thursday, September 18th - 5pm at Arhaus Furniture Store - 1711 29th Street, Boulder.

Come join the fun and spend time with other Summit parents! There will be an auction with lodging & restaurant packages and more. John Tayer, CEO of the Boulder Chamber, will speak and there will be delicious appetizers and drinks. Please RSVP HERE (Adults only). Contact Brian at brmorrisco@gmail.com to donate to the auction and sign up on Help at School to join the committee!

An Unforgettable Night Out in Boulder - Your evening starts with a one-night stay at the new Limelight Hotel, a stylish and modern spot in the heart of Boulder. This package also includes two tickets to a Boulder Ballet production from their 2025-2026 season (excluding The Nutcracker). To complete your night, a gift card for dinner will be provided, giving you the chance to dine at one of Boulder's exceptional restaurants.

Breckenridge - Mountain & Distillery Retreat - Enjoy a perfect mountain escape with this great package for a two-night stay in historic Breckenridge! This includes a premium experience at the renowned Breckenridge Distillery. Your distillery package includes:

- An upgraded tasting experience: explore award-winning spirits with a guided tasting.

- A bottle of spirits: take home a full-sized bottle of your favorite Breckenridge Distillery spirit.

- Two commemorative glasses: to remember your visit.

- A $50 certificate for their restaurant: enjoy a delicious meal at the distillery's acclaimed restaurant, pairing your food with their handcrafted spirits.

Getaway to Frisco - Escape to the mountains for a two-night stay in a modern two-bedroom, two-bath condo right off Main Street in beautiful Frisco! To make your trip even more special, we've included a $50 gift card for dinner, giving you a taste of the local culinary scene.

Thursday, August 21, 3:15-3:45pm, and Wednesday, September 10, 3:35-4:05pm, tour the new wing with Principal Adam Galvin. RSVP HERE. Tours are limited to 20, so sign up soon!

Summit is implementing a new procedure for reporting your student's absence, late arrival or early dismissal. Please read carefully! If your student is sick and you need to report their absence, simply fill out the Google form. If you are picking up your student early for an appointment the Google form is where you can sign-out your student. If you are running late and your student will be tardy, fill out the Google form to let us know! This process is quick, simple and you can do this from your phone or computer! Scan the QR code below or click HERE for the Attendance Google Form. Please bookmark this form for quick and easy access to reporting absences!

Summit is proud to offer many athletic opportunities for our students. This includes Interscholastic (IS), Intramural (IM), and Club sports. IS, IM, and Club sports have different guidelines and requirements. Please review the information below needed to participate with us!

Sports Physicals are required for all 8th grade sports as well as Cross Country, Track and Ultimate Frisbee. This new form is required by BVSD and must be brought to your physician.

Please take some time to locate, charge, and check your student's Chromebook to ensure it is ready for the first day of school. If you experience any technical issues, including forgotten passwords or broken devices, you should contact BVSD IT Helpdesk promptly by calling 720-561-4357 (HELP).

We greatly appreciate your assistance with ensuring your student’s Chromebook is ready to go on day one!

To enrich our curriculum, build community and provide service opportunity, Summit engages in off campus activities throughout the school year. This form allows you to sign once for the school year for all field trips. The permission form is valid for the 2025-2026 school year and covers all Summit Middle School field trips. Rest assured you will still receive detailed and timely information regarding each field trip your child will take as well as an opportunity to decline participation if necessary. Please fill out, sign and date The 25-26 Permission Form. Field trips may include the following locations :

6th Grade - Bounce Empire, Warrior Arena, Fairview High School

7th Grade- Main Event, Denver Art Museum, hike on a local trail and Fairview High School

8th Grade - Ninja Nation, Boondocks, CO History Museum, bowling and Fairview High School

Cell phones, smart watches, and headphones/airpods must be turned off before entering the school building daily and stored in a locker or backpack. They should not be visible or audible. Chromebooks must be turned off and away until directed by a staff member. If a student needs to print work, they must use the cafe printer. Computer usage is not allowed during passing periods, nutrition, and lunch. Should a student need to make an emergency phone call at another time, they may use the office phone. Cell phones must be off and away before entering the school building daily and may only be used after the 3:05/3:25 PM bell.

Summit follows similar BVSD policies regarding student attendance which are designed with

concern for the student. All absences have a negative effect on instructional continuity, regardless

of the cause of the absence or the efforts to make up the work missed.

Regular and timely attendance is an educational requirement of all classes at BVSD and is the

responsibility of the student and parents or guardians.

Parents or guardians are urged to make every effort to schedule travel plans during times

when school is not in session and to avoid extended breaks/vacations.

Students must attend Summit full-time. We do not permit homeschooling for any subjects.

Students are responsible for all class work missed due to any excused or unexcused absence.

For significant health issues, please refer to the Health section of the handbook.

If your student will be absent, please report their absence on Infinite Campus or Report Absence HERE!

Students who arrive to class after 8:00 a.m. or who are late to any class during the school day

will be marked tardy and must go to the office to get a late pass.

If a student is 20 minutes late to any period without a doctor’s note, then they will be marked

unexcused.

Being on time for class means being in the classroom and ready to learn when the bell rings.

(Teachers have the discretion to define what “ready to learn” looks like in the classroom.)

Students who have ten unexcused tardies during the semester, will be considered excessively

tardy and will be placed on a tardy management plan. This tardy management plan will

include consequences for continued tardiness, such as lunch restriction or detention. Parents

are notified via email when students are approaching the limit of ten tardies.

For emergency situations or legitimately unforeseen and unavoidable circumstances, the

principal or assistant principal may excuse a first period tardy. For major weather events

which have an obvious effect on travel, attendance may be delayed a few minutes, this rarely

happens.

Please make sure that you review the Summit pick-up and drop-off procedures below with

your student.

Parent Driver Reminders: The speed limit in the Summit parking lot is ALWAYS 5 MPH!

Parents may drop-off/pick-up either in front of the school in the parking lot or at the

drop-off location on Tantra drive. Be respectful to our Hanover neighbors and to pedestrians crossing the street. Do not block the 46th & Hanover intersection, do not park on the street with your Emergency lights on for pick-up, and please do not park in the fire lane at the Tantra Drive drop-off/pick-up area. Pull as far forward as possible in the drop-off/pick-up lane, to allow for an efficient drop-off/pick-up. Be patient, and look for pedestrians when exiting the line. Never drop students off in the parking lot spaces, or in the lanes between the parking spaces. All students need to be dropped off at the curb, or escorted by a parent through the parking lot.

If you need to pick your student up early for an appointment, you can sign your student out by using the new attendance google form. Please do not idle your car in the pick-up line, so as to keep the air clean for our students and families.

Student Reminders: All students should stay on the sidewalks, and out of the parking lot, unless they are escorted by an adult. All students need to sign-in at the front office if they arrive at school late.

Please use the crosswalks when crossing the parking lots to get to school.

Students will need to dismount their bikes, scooters, or boards when they arrive on campus.

Please be advised that chewing gum is strictly prohibited on school premises. We kindly

request your cooperation in this matter, as our custodians have had to dedicate countless

hours to remove gum from chairs, tables, and carpet squares during our summer cleaning.

We appreciate your support in ensuring that your students do not bring or chew gum at

school. Thank you for your understanding.

If your child has a health condition and/or requires medication or other health support while at school, we are happy to help!

Keep in mind that state laws and school policies require us to have paperwork signed by a parent/guardian and your child’s medical provider for ANY medication–prescription medication, over-the-counter medication, supplements, lotions. Without fully completed and signed forms, we cannot provide medication.

What do we need?

Start by completing BVSD’s Medication Administration Authorization form with your student’s medical provider.

If your student has severe allergies, asthma, a seizure disorder, or severe headaches, we highly recommend having an emergency care plan and rescue medication in place. Complete one of the following standardized plans with your student’s medical provider–

• Colorado Allergy and Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan and Medication Orders

• Colorado Asthma Care Plan and Medication Orders

• Seizure Emergency Care Plan and Medication Orders

• Headache Emergency Care Plan and Medication Orders

Can My Child Self-Carry Their Medication?

BVSD allows students with life-threatening conditions to self-carry their EpiPen or Albuterol inhaler if their medical provider has signed off their approval on their emergency care plan (see above) and we have a completed Self-Carry Contract. Many parents choose to also provide us rescue medication to keep in the Health Room. Note that a Self-Carry Contract is not considered "complete" and in place until the student has met with the School Nurse Consult and agreed to take on this responsibility.

Where to Bring Forms and Medications

Summit's Health Room Para Lisa Finnigan will be available to receive medications and forms on August 11th between 8:00 and 11:45 am. You may also bring these to the Front Office during school hours. (Please do not leave them with your child’s teacher!)

Important: Medication and forms need to be handed off by an adult to an adult.

For any questions or concerns regarding your student’s health needs, please reach out!

Lisa Finnigan

Health Paraprofessional

(720) 561-3909

lisa.finnigan@bvsd.org

Johanna Heart, RN, BSN

School Nurse Consultant

(720) 561-8787

johanna.heart@bvsd.org

Picture Day is Thursday, August 14th. Photos will be taken during your student's study hall class. if your student does not have study hall on A-day, then they may take their photo during nutrition break or lunch.

To order pictures go to Lifetouch use code: EVTMM9KTS (They can also order using their student id numbers)

To access your parent account you can login at schoology.com/login with the email address you

provided in your Infinite Campus account. If you do not already know your password use the "Forgot Password" button, or contact the IT Service Desk for assistance at 720-561-HELP or help.bvsd.org. Please note, if you already have a BVSD parent account in Schoology you will not need to sign up for one again. Your students' classes will populate in Schoology at the beginning of the school year.

Schoology is a learning management system that Summit uses for student assignments and progress reports. Some teachers use this platform to provide access to course materials, some may use it to deliver online assessments or collect assignment submissions. Your parent account will allow you to keep up to date with your student’s classroom activity, assignments and progress grades. Click on this link Parent Login and Account Overview for help with navigating Schoology, resetting password

or logging in.

Every Summit student is assigned a BVSD Chromebook and charger. All new incoming students should still have their 5th grade Chromebook and charger. Any student that is coming from a non-BVSD school will be provided a Chromebook and charger during New Student Orientation day. Below are a few Chromebook guidelines for students and parents: Please make sure your student brings their Chromebook and charger to school every day. Chromebooks are to be utilized for school work and assignments, not for games. Please do not put stickers on your Chromebook, to avoid any additional charges. Families will be responsible for any cost due to repair, damage or lost student Chromebook, with the exception of technical malfunctions and issues covered by the device warranty. A BVSD Chromebook fee will be added to your school fees each year. All fees can be paid beginning in October through Infinite Campus.

There have been some changes to the 25-26 Summit School Calendar! There is no longer a half day BEAST day in December. Summit’s calendar slightly differs from BVSD’s calendar. Please mark your calendar for these differences. Make sure you have reviewed the Summit School Year calendar and are aware of the differences and new changes.

25-26 A-Day B-Day schedule

Summit will follow the Daily Bell Schedule on all days except for Wednesdays. Every Wednesday (except for 8/14) will be a late start day at Summit. Class will begin at 9:00 AM and dismissal will be at at 3:25 PM. You can find the Late Start Wednesday schedules linked here. There will be an early morning study hall, beginning at 7:45 AM on Late Start Wednesdays. Students must arrive prior to 8:15 AM for entry and have a signed Late Start Study Hall expectations acknowledgement.

Students will be able to access their schedule through the Infinite Campus student portal on Friday, August 8th. All 7th and 8th graders should print their schedule for the first day of school. All 6th grade students will receive a copy of their schedule during orientation day. If you notice a mistake in your schedule, please email summit.office@bvsd.org and we will respond to all requests in the order they are received. At this time, we are not taking elective change requests to allow time to correct any mistakes with academic schedule request.

The application for the Free & Reduced Price School Meal program for the 2025-26 school year is now open! Breakfast and lunch at BVSD continue to be free in the coming school year thanks to the Healthy School Meals for All program. Every BVSD student is entitled to breakfast and a hot lunch entree, which includes unlimited salad bar access each school day. Second entrees can be purchased when available with money from your student’s meal account.

IMPORTANT: Even though meals are free, we strongly encourage every family to apply for the Free and Reduced Price School Meal program; doing so might qualify your family for additional services and reduced fees, as well as impact funding for your school. Some families qualify for the program as a Direct Certification through the state because of their existing SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid benefits.

Families who qualified through Direct Cert should have already received a notification letter in your email. Qualified families need to fill out the form linked in the notification letter to share your status with your school to receive any additional benefits you qualify for. Additionally, you should have received a notification letter in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal Message Center Inbox.

If you do not qualify through DirectCert, for the 2025-2026 school year, we encourage you to fill out a Free & Reduced Price School Meal application (one application needed per household). More information and directions to apply are found here. If you have questions or need help with your application, please contact Lola Campos-Herzfeld at dolores.campos-herzf@bvsd.org.

A few important things to note:

• You must apply on a computer or Chromebook: The application cannot be completed on a mobile device. Please visit the BVSD Culinary Center if you need access to a computer. Online applications are strongly preferred, but paper applications are also available in the Culinary Center (hours & location to follow) or by special request from your school.
  
  
• Prior year qualification does not carry over to the current year: If you were approved for the 2024-25 Free & Reduced Price School Meal program, your status will only extend for a 30-day grace period. If we do not receive a new application by the end of that period (9/30/25), your child(ren)’s benefits will be terminated. Please keep in mind it can take up to 10 days to process a new application.
  
  
• The Free and Reduced Price School Meal program is not a part of the public charge: There are no immigration requirements to participate in the Free & Reduced Price School Meal program.
  
  
• Confirming your application status: If you fill out an online application and do not receive a response within three (3) weeks in your Parent Portal inbox in IC, contact Lola at BVSD Food Services (dolores.campos-herzf@bvsd.org) to help you find the status of your application. Do not assume that your student(s) qualified for the Free & Reduced Price School Meal program unless you receive a notification from the Food Services office for EACH of your students.

Applying for the Free & Reduced Price School Meal program is fast, easy, and secure. Even if you think you may not qualify, we encourage you to submit the form, especially if your financial situation has changed recently. For questions or support with applying, contact Lola Campos at dolores.campos-herzf@bvsd.org. She is available for in-person support Monday-Friday, 7 AM - 3 PM at the Culinary Center (view map) at 6500 Arapahoe Rd Building C, Boulder, CO 80305.

Additional support will be available at the BVSD Enrollment Help Center on August 7, 8,11, & 12 from 9 AM-4 PM. It is located at the Southwest entrance of the BVSD Ed Center at 6500 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80305.

Join Parent Connections to connect with other Summit parents and school happenings! Volunteer, join events, support Summit and much more! Look for sign-up opportunities in our future Weekly Updates!