Matterhorn Spring 2013
the
Parents’ Association Newsletter
Hello Parents,
End of the School Year Wrap Up!
The end of the year is approaching quickly but have no fear! We have lots of plans and opportunities in store for your family next year. As always, we welcome any thoughts or suggestions you might have. Please do not hesitate to email me at sarah.l.mcauley@gmail.com (be sure to indicate Summit PA in the subject line) with anything on your mind including suggestions of activities you would like to see at Summit and any volunteer interests you might have. The focus of Parents’ Association is to channel all the wonderful energy and passion that Summit parents have and turn that into wonderful opportunities to be involved in a variety of ways. There are so many opportunities to connect at Summit both in social settings as well as settings that expand our minds and hearts. We are, above all else, a community that desires our children, as well as ourselves as parents, to develop our full potential. Please be sure and complete the forms that mail to your home later this month. These forms will give us the chance to understand your areas of volunteer interests. Keep in mind that most volunteer opportunities aren’t large time commitments. Volunteering at Summit does give your child a sense of pride knowing you are a piece of the inner workings of his or her experience at school. Without a strong volunteer base, so much of what gets done on campus could never happen. Thanks for all you do! — Sarah McAuley, President-Elect
What a f un year at Summit School! Thanks to all the wonderful parents who find time to help out, the Parents’ Association h a s h a d a not h er successful year of fund raisers, including our magical auction. I cannot express my appreciation enough to each and every one of you for all your help and
Suggested Activities for Spring & Summer • Enjoy the sights and scents of the flowers and flowering shrubs
• See how many insects you can find • Draw the flowers • Observe birds that are attracted by berries
• Refill the water basin (when it’s installed)
support throughout another busy year! Your combined efforts and many talents have made my job easy. It has been a pleasure working with you all, and I will truly miss the opportunities to meet you and work with you on a daily basis! I know you will continue your support next year as well. Please look for the volunteer form enclosed with the Close of School Information to indicate on what committee you can help next year. The Parents’ Association would love the support! — Denise Hickman, President
New Gardens If you have taken a stroll through our school’s campus recently, you might have noticed something new sprouting from the ground in the space between the First through Third Grades Building and the Kindergarten wing. The new gardens have sprung from the ideas of the teachers in these areas, in collaboration with Deanna Moss, Summit’s garden consultant. The design of the gardens began as early as 2008. Schematic plans were drawn by Sara Edie Simmons-Fife Boyd, and continued to develop until Robin Coffey began installation in fall of 2012. Good things can take a while! With installation of the final few shrubs in the spring of 2013, the gardens are nearing completion. On each side of the semicircular bike path (for the After School children) are two gardens, each enclosed by berms of shading trees, shrubs and perennials. Plants have been chosen to provide bloom, scent, and seasonal interest throughout the year. The garden on the left as you face the building features pathways for walking among the plantings. Our youngest children will have many subjects for their sketch pads, as crocuses, snow drops, and bleeding hearts emerge in spring and as butterflies visit the later flowering plants that were selected to attract them.
The garden on the right is the relocated memorial garden dedicated to Abner Wright ’02, whose original garden was located near the old Second Grade wing. This garden, with a grassed interior, has Japanese elements suggesting a contemplative mood and supporting the Second Grade’s study of Japanese culture. In addition to plants from Japan, Abner’s Garden features a small Karesansui or “dry landscape” garden of sand and stone. The sand can be raked by students in patterns suggesting the flow of water. While serving the curricular interests of our students, the gardens should also bring pleasure to the numerous passersby who enjoy Summit’s campus. Plant labels will soon satisfy the curiosity of the botanically curious! All gardens evolve, and we look forward to seeing ours take form as shrubs and trees mature!