Speak Up Summit to Hold Annual 'State of the District' Meeting

The following was submitted by Speak Up Summit: 

Join school district officials, board of education members, and community leaders on Saturday morning, January 11, 2014 at the home of Patti Schneider, 11 Warwick Road in Summit, to discuss news and information that are impacting our schools.  Coffee will be served from 9:00 to 9:30 am, and the presentation will begin at 9:30.

Key topics of conversation will be the progress of the full-day kindergarten program; updates on the new construction projects which include changes at Jefferson, restoration of the LCJSMS auditorium, and security measures at many district schools; the new PARCC standardized testing; teacher evaluations; the new report cards for k-5; progress on the guidance department; budget planning; block scheduling at the high school; and the search for the new district superintendent.

The administrators will make presentations on what they have been working on, and then a question and answer period will follow. The morning will be taped for broadcast by Summit’s Hilltopper TV, which can be seen locally on Verizon Channel 28 or Comcast Channel 964.   

“Speak Up Summit is a great forum for parents in the community who want to know more than just about what is going on at their own school,” said Speak Up Summit President Melanie Wilson.  “Each month, we gather interested community members who have a stake in ensuring that a Summit public school education is the best in can be. That means parents, senior citizens, empty nesters, parents with kids in private schools and homeowners who know that the property values of their homes are tied intrinsically to the quality of the school system.”   

Speak Up Summit meetings afford regularly the opportunity for members to discuss district news and policies in a relaxed, informal atmosphere, customarily with district decision makers and administrators present at a member’s home.  As with all Speak Up Summit meetings, attendees need not feel concerned if they need to leave at any point. Attendance is encouraged for whatever part of the meeting works!

Speak Up Summit was formed in 1995 to support quality public education in Summit. As a well-informed group that communicates what it learns to others, it speaks up on issues that affect our children’s education. Membership is open to anyone who believes that an excellent public school system is vital to the well being of the entire community.

Visit www.speakupsummit.org  to join, and “Like” the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Speak-Up-Summit/154353667965112 to stay up to date about district changes and view various articles of interest to members.

The next regular Speak Up Summit meeting will be held Tuesday, February 11, 2014, 8:30 AM at 175 Colonial Road, Summit.  The special guest speaker will be Alison Grill, the new guidance department specialist at Summit High School who will give an update on changes in the guidance department.  Questions? Contact President Melanie Wilson at msw1230@comcast.net.