Summit Is Better:

“We Believe in Our Students”

If you were to ask any teachers at Summit Academy why they are so dedicated to their students, you would get the same response; “We believe in them.”

When we say that we believe in our students, we are not just talking about a select few of them or the ones we already know.

We believe that every student walking into our school has what it takes to succeed, no matter where they come from, what they look like, or who they were before we met them. We believe that each and every one of our students have the potential to be great at whatever they wish to accomplish.

That type of belief does not come with conditions. Our No Excuse philosophy was created to ensure that there is never a reason one of our students cannot do well and rise to success. We know that before we can ask a student to believe in our ability to provide them with a progressive, challenging, and individualized educational experience, we must first believe in their ability to handle it.

Whether your child has been at Summit Academy for a few years, or just wrapping up their first school year with us, we look forward to being there for them and you no matter what lies ahead. You can trust that we will keep finding ways to give your child the best education because we believe that the best deserve nothing less.

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Five Simple Steps for Better Organization

Staying organized is vital to academic success.  Turning in assignments on time and staying on top of test and project dates all relies on good organization skills.

As adults, we frequently find ourselves in need of a structural makeover. Our children are no different. If you think your child could use some help staying organized, try these simple steps to put them on them back on track.

1. Utilize a planner.

Planners are not meant to sit on a shelf somewhere. Recording assignments, activities, due dates, and more will keep your child on track with their school work and help them manage their time. Teach them to treat their planner as a living document instead of an empty notebook.

2. Make use of electronic organization.

Children are growing up in a time where most things are done electronically, including document and file storage. Spend time with your child exploring file structures on the computer and how to save assignments so that they can easily retrieve them.

3. Create labels.

For paper assignments, clearly labeled folders can help your child easily identify where their completed assignments need to go and eliminate lost or missing work.

4. Use a family calendar.

A family calendar helps everyone know what their roles and responsibilities are each day. It can also help you keep track of what your child is doing in school so that you can follow up with them accordingly.

5. Put things away.

This may sound simple, but many times we lose things or allow a mess to build up because we failed to put them away when we were done. Remind your child that everything has its place and that good organization means returning items to their proper place when they are not in use.

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Spring Time Baking:

Coconut Macaroon Nests

Colorful eggs tend to get the spotlight during this time of year.  This delicious treat may not feature real eggs, but you and your family are sure to enjoy baking and eating the mini chocolate eggs nested in these sweet coconut macaroons. You and your children will have lots of fun making this recipe.

Makes about 30

Ingredients:

• 4 egg whites
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 package (14 ounces) sweetened flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted
• 70-90 mini candy eggs

Instructions:

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 300 degrees F. Coat the cups in a mini muffin pan with cooking spray and set the pan aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the eggs whites, salt, and sugar. Then, with a fork, mix in the coconut.
3. Drop 2 tablespoons of the coconut mixture into each prepared mini muffin cup.
4. Lightly press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides of each cup. (Use your thumb or a wine cork.) Bake for 28 to 30 minutes, until lightly golden on top. (Loosely place a piece of aluminum foil over the top of the pan if the coconut starts to brown too quickly.)
5. Let the nests cool in the tins on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Then run a spatula around the edges of the muffin cups to loosen the nests. Carefully lift out the nests and allow them to cool completely.
6. With the melted chocolate in a piping bag (or plastic baggie with a corner cut off), pipe a small amount of chocolate into each nest. Add 2 or 3 candy eggs and press them gently to secure.
7. Pack and store in an air-tight container.

Recipe courtesy of http://inspiredbycharm.com/2017/03/coconut-macaroon-nests.html

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Resources:

Is Your Child Getting Enough Sleep?

The Problem

Your child seems more irritable than normal. You notice that they are struggling to wake up each morning, and they may even be waking through the night. Perhaps their teacher has mentioned that they are falling asleep in class or seem more tired than usual. Whatever the situation, you know that sleep has become a problem for them.

The Goal

Like most parents, when your child sleeps well, so do you.  A good night of sleep puts children in a better mood throughout the day and makes it much easier for them to focus in school and at home.  School age children need between 9 and 11 hours of sleep each night.

The Solution

The most common solution to helping your child get adequate sleep is to simply establish a routine. At this age, kids are still creatures of habit and do not respond well to interruptions in their daily schedule. Planning events and activities in a way that still allows them to have the same nighttime routine can go a long way to providing them with a normal pattern of sleep.

Do not take for granted the significance of helping your child unwind from their day and transition into bedtime. Something as simple as bathing and reading a story can help quiet their minds.

While there are other general things that you can do to help your child sleep well at night, each child is different and may require more specific solutions.  If you notice any disruption in their routine and their bed time allows for enough sleep each night, try talking to their pediatrician about your concerns.

Addressing poor sleeping habits early on will help your child recognize the importance of getting enough rest and prevent long term issues with sleep.

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Time Management:

The Dos and Don’ts

Children often hear the words “time management” thrown around, especially in regards to school work. Still, many of them do not know what it means to manage their time wisely.

What is Time Management?

Time management is the productive use of time. When we encourage our students to work on their time management skills, we simply want them to make the most out of the time they have regardless of the amount.

How to Do it?

There is exact formula to achieve perfect time management. The goal is to teach your child to minimize the amount of time they waste on activities that do not produce results or provide fulfillment. Below are some dos and don’ts to help you guide your child towards effective time management.

• DO encourage your young one to plan out their day. Have them think about the activities or assignments they want to complete and how much time they will take.
• DON’T think each second of the day has to be planned. Time management is as much about flexibility as it is about planning. Some things may take more or less time than anticipated and that is ok.
• DO teach your child to find more efficient ways to complete everyday activities.
• DON’T get frustrated with them if they spend too much time on a chore or assignment. Gently correct them or offer help if it is needed.
• DO set time limits on screen time.
• DO establish a consistent routine.
• DON’T over extend your child.
• DO help them set realistic time limits. For example, if they are struggling with math, studying for 30 minutes the night before a math test is not enough.
• DO set a good example of time management for them to follow. If your child sees you make good use of your time, they are likely to follow suit.

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MEET OUR STAFF & STUDENTS

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