Summit is Better:
We Value Communication
The level of communication in our schools directly impacts how well our students respond to what they learn, how likely you are to get involved, and the way our staff functions.
We pride ourselves on how well we communicate and it is just another way we demonstrate why Summit Academy continues to be the best choice for your child.
Our Students
Effective communication is the primary way we are able to teach concepts to our students and lead them towards academic success. We value the one-on-one learning atmosphere we’ve built and our students benefit from the personalized learning plans we develop for them. It is impossible to maintain this level of communication and attention if students are not in attendance or miss an unnecessary amount of school. The learning process involves an interchange of ideas and that can only occur when everyone is present.
Summit Academy Parents
Your involvement is not only encouraged, it is necessary to the success of your child. Whenever our staff has a concern about a student, whether it is related to classwork or social issues, we do our best to alert you and get you involved so that we can work towards a solution together. In turn, it is our hope that you will communicate with us if you notice issues at home that we may not see at school. We believe that parents and teachers must have a strong partnership in order to provide adequate support to each student. Checking in with your child’s teacher throughout the year is important even when you don’t have concerns. Parent teacher conferences and other parent events at school give you the opportunity to hear learn about your child’s progress, growth, and academic abilities. Only with your assistance and support can we help your child achieve their academic goals.
Our Staff
Every person on our staff will likely express appreciation for the family atmosphere found in our schools. Communication is what makes our family thrive. We all share responsibility for helping our students mature and expand their knowledge and abilities. From building lesson plans to planning various hands-on activities, our students’ academic success is the result of our staff members making a coordinated effort to keep your child focused on their future.
Be sure to look for ways you can connect with us and get involved. Our door is always open to those of you looking for ways to increase your involvement in our schools.
Is Hygiene Important to Your Teen?
Hygiene can be a sensitive topic for teenagers. However, it is something that many students struggle with throughout high school.
Helping your child see the importance of good hygiene is a great way to bring up the subject.
Show Respect for Yourself
A student’s hygiene can be a strong indication of how they feel about themselves. A failure to bathe, brush teeth, or a general general lack of concern about their appearance can indicate deeper issues.
Reinforce to your teen that they way they care for themselves shows that they understand their value and indicates respect for their body. If you notice a change in your child’s hygiene, gently address the issue with them. Remind them of their value to you and take the opportunity discuss any underlying causes.
Show Respect for Others
While it is important to express individuality, students should be mindful of the effects their hygiene has on those around them. Cold and flu season are underway and something as simple as hand washing can make a significant impact on the number of students and staff members who become ill.
Additionally, bathing regularly and keeping clothes clean can help prevent distracting odors and it shows respect for those who regularly interact with your child. Though we encourage the family atmosphere found at Summit Academy North High School, good hygiene shows respect for our learning environment and the people who put effort into keeping it clean and well-maintained.
Important for Life
High schoolers will soon be entering into the world of adulthood and employment. Colleges and potential employers will all require good hygiene. Students who build good hygiene habits now will inevitably do better in job interviews, internships, and other endeavors. No matter where your child goes in life, good hygiene will be necessary for success.
How To Help Your Teen Stay Humble
At the high school level, students are still developing their identity and trying to come into their own.
Still, many of their character traits have already had a foundation built, and they may only need a few tweaks here and there. Of these traits, humility is possibly the most important.
Humility is not the same as modesty because it is based on a person’s experiences and their perspective. Truthfully, humility can be hard to come by as an adult, and teenagers have an even tougher time developing this trait. Yet, the earlier you can help your child acquire humility, the easier life will be for them. Teaching them the values that build this trait is essential to their success.
Express Gratitude
Gratitude and humility go hand in hand. The ability to recognize the things they have to be grateful for is needed to maintain humility. While your teen should always say thank you for the gifts or opportunities they receive, demonstrating gratitude goes a bit deeper.
How do they treat the gifts they receive? Are they making the most out of every opportunity they are given? Do they recognize the areas in life where they may be more privileged than others? Reflecting on the answers to these questions can help you discover areas for improvement.
Encourage Hard Work
When kids have to work hard for something, they tend to appreciate it more. Working hard for grades, material things, and even for college admission comes with a sense of pride but it also builds humility in the process. Teens will learn that success is earned and that anyone can reach their goals if they are willing to put in the time and effort.
Give Back
A person’s financial situation does not restrict them from giving back. Encourage your high schooler to be generous with their time and the resources they have available to them. Volunteering or engaging in other forms of charity is an important way for students to gain perspective and appreciation for their lives while helping others benefit from what they have to offer.
Remember, a person does not become humble overnight. As a parent, make it your goal to give your teen reminders and set an example on what humility looks like. The more emphasis you put on being humble, the more likely they are to understand its significance.
4 Ways to Stay Connected
Are you taking advantage of all of our channels of communication? If not, take a look at these 4 tools you can use to stay connected to us.
Connecting with parents and students on a personal level is what we feel makes Summit Academy unique.
1. PowerSchool
Taking advantage of PowerSchool is the best way to stay on top of your teen’s academic progress. Grades, test scores, and teacher communications are available in PowerSchool and you can keep track of projects and assignments that are given throughout the year. If you need help accessing PowerSchool, please contact the school for assistance.
2. Facebook
You can experience all the benefits of being apart of the Summit Academy family by following the Summit Academy and Summit Academy North Facebook page. Stay updated with posts about school happenings, fun events, and even contests. Our Facebook page is also a great way to send us messages and connect with other parents.
3. Instagram
For more pictures and videos from our school, check out our Instagram page. In addition to our posts, we like sharing school related content from students and staff. Follow @summitacedmycharter for regular school posts and @summitacademyathletics for all sport and athletic activities.
4. Newsletters
If you’re reading this, then you are likely already signed up to receive our monthly newsletters. Each month we produce newsletters full of informative articles, teacher interviews, and student profiles for each school.
Make sure you are signed up to receive the newsletters by email from the school your child/children attend.
Are you already connecting with us? Let us know what type of content you want to see by visiting our Facebook page and leaving a comment. Include #connectwithsummit in your post.
Meet Our Staff & Students
Student:
Kristen Raczak
Age: 17
Best thing about the holidays:
“Going to Greenfield Village.”
Favorite subject:
“American Sign Language.”
Favorite Teacher:
“Ms. Mickey”
Kristen loves Summit because:
“I love Summit because this school has made many unbreakable bonds between students and teachers. Through this school, I was able to surround myself with upstanding positive people, which influenced me to be who I am today.”
Student:
Jenna Cunnien
Age: 17
Best thing about the holidays:
“Cold weather.”
Favorite subject:
“Science.”
Favorite Teacher:
“Mr. Murphy.”
Jenna loves Summit because:
“It’s a home away from home.”
Faculty:
Molly Guckian
Role at Summit Academy North High:
“Molly teaches 10th grade ELA and ELA Honors and has been with Summit Academy for 4 years.”
Molly in three words:
Organized, cheerful, hardworking.
Favorite book:
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Why she loves Summit:
“I love the people I work with at Summit: staff and students. I work with incredibly diverse people that teach me something new, help me to look at the world from a different perspective, and inspire me to do better and be better at all things I commit myself to. ”
Most memorable moment at Summit:
“My most memorable moment at Summit was when Channel 7’s Ann Marie came in with giant cameras while I was teaching to announce that I was nominated for the news station’s All-Star Teacher. Talk about stunned into silence. I was so nervous, I didn’t remember a bit of what I said until I saw it on television the next day!”
Summit Academy is better because:
“Summit is committed to providing a place where all students feel welcome and comfortable. It is incredibly important to be able to think creatively, problem-solve, collaborate with others, argue and debate (while maintaining an open mind), empathize and respect with those who are different from us, and learn about real-world issues. I think Summit is committed to opening the door for our students.”