Raven Report: October 8, 2025 | | Today was Ravens Reach Out Day! The whole school spent the day learning about native plants, water systems, and ecology at The Watershed Committee of the Ozarks. Students got their hands dirty potting soil, planting seedlings, and gathering native seeds. And, our students spent the day in style thanks to garden hats by Summit parent Fangfang Zhang. Thank you to all parents and volunteers who made this day so special! | | |
At The Summit, we value strong school-home partnerships, and the ISACS Parent Series helps us grow together as a parent community. This year’s series features nationally recognized experts offering practical insights for raising healthy, thriving children.
Our next featured presentation is Jonathan Haidt’s “How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Impacted Everything + What We Can Do About It,” which explores the “great rewiring of childhood” as play-based childhood has been replaced by phone-based childhood. Haidt shares four key escape routes for families: delaying smartphones until high school, delaying social media until age 16, creating phone-free schools, and encouraging more independence and real-world play. Parents will leave with both inspiration and concrete steps to support their children and strengthen our community.
We’re excited to offer two viewing opportunities:
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Wednesday, November 5 at 3:45 pm (students can head to Fun Zone)
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Wednesday, November 19 at 10:00 am (following the SPO meeting)
About the presenter: Jonathan Haidt, PhD, is a social psychologist at NYU’s Stern School of Business and the best-selling author of The Happiness Hypothesis, The Righteous Mind, The Coddling of the American Mind (with Greg Lukianoff), and most recently, The Anxious Generation. Prospect magazine named him one of the world’s “Top 50 Thinkers.”
Any Summit community members are welcome- don’t miss it!
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Upper School parent/teacher conferences are happening soon! Please check your email for information on the date, meeting structure, and links to sign up. Reach out to James Craig with any additional questions.
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The Summit Gala is one month away! Have you secured your tickets yet?
This year we have a couple of options:
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Party Pack for $1,200: You and 5 friends (6 people total) get exclusive access to our VIP party at 6:00 pm! This is a great opportunity to invite your party people to our Summit celebration!
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General Admission, $75/person: Your ticket to the Gala! General admission doors open at 7:00 pm when Risky Business, an amazing 80s cover band, takes the stage! A great option for everyone wanting to party with The Summit!
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Teacher Tickets: If you can't make it in person, consider making a donation so the outstanding teachers and staff at The Summit and party all night long at the Gala! Any donation amount makes a huge difference for our employees!
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Sign Up for Fun Zone Intersession | |
The sign up form for Intersession Fun Zone is now open! Sign up for coverage on upcoming No School and Early Release days. More details can be found at the sign up link below. Reach out to frontdesk@thesummitprep.org with questions.
- Thursday, October 9th from 8 am - 4 pm
- Friday, October 10th from 8 am - 4 pm
- Monday, October 13th from 8 am - 4 pm
- Thursday, November 13th from 1 pm - 4 pm
- Friday, November 14th from 8 am - 4 pm
- Monday, November 24th from 8 am - 4 pm
- Tuesday, November 25th from 8 am - 4 pm
- Wednesday, November 26th from 8 am - 4 pm
*Families receiving financial aid can email lrenfroe@thesummitprep.org to sign up.
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Marla's Lunch
Next week's lunch orders are due by Thursday at noon! Please click the button below for directions on signing your student(s) up for school lunches.
Monday is Pasta Express
Tuesday is Chick-Fil-A
Wednesday is Panera Bread
Thursday is Palm and Paddle
Instructions for ordering can be found here.
Pizza Orders
Pizza orders may be placed on the day of or in advance with the following links:
Day of Order Form
Semester or Year Order Form
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Important Dates
October 2025
9-10: NO SCHOOL - Fall Break
13: NO SCHOOL - Teacher Work Day, Upper School Parent/Teacher Conferences
15: Donuts with Grown Ups, 8-8:45 am
15: SPO Meeting, 9 am
22: Uniform Buy Out Day, $2
22: Board of Trustees Meeting, 5 pm
24: Summit Gala at Mother's Brewing Company
November 2025
10-14: Fall Book Fair
11: Uniform Buy Out Day, $2
13: Early Release at 1pm
14: NO SCHOOL - Teacher Work Day and Lower School Parent/Teacher Conferences
19: SPO Meeting, 9 am & BOT Meeting, 5 pm
24-28: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
27-28: Offices Closed
| | Donuts With Grown-Ups October 15th | | Donuts with Grown-Ups is for enrolled students at The Summit who wish to enjoy a sweet treat with a favorite grown-up or two. They're welcome to bring parents, grandparents, an aunt or uncle, or a neighbor! The event will be finished by 8:45 am so students may be in class on time. | | |
The Summit Gala: T-Shirt Quilt Raffle 2025
The Summit is delighted to introduce a unique raffle opportunity for our community. A local quiltmaker has skillfully prepared a beautiful, school-themed T-shirt quilt, showcasing the vibrant spirit and unity of our school community. Each ticket purchased not only adds the chance to win this delightful quilt but also contributes to the betterment of our school. The funds raised through the raffle will go towards enhancing the educational experience for all students, ensuring that they continue to receive the best possible education in a nurturing environment.
$25 per ticket or $100 for 5 tickets
All tickets must be purchased by Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 4:00 pm. A winner will be chosen through randomized drawing during The Summit’s 21st annual gala on Friday, October 24, 2025. You do not have to be present to win and may pick up the quilt at a time coordinated between the winner and The Summit.
If you have any questions, please contact Amy Maas, Development Officer.
| | Middle School Cross Country participants ran at the Pleasant Hope competition the morning of Tuesday, October 7th. Emerson B. (6th) knocked almost a full minute off of her personal best time. Hayden W. (7th) ran his personal best. Kynlee P. (6th) won second place out of all 6th, 7th, and 8th grade participants. Gwen R. (7th) took 9th place. Make sure to high five them when you see them around campus! | | An Evening In The Ozarks Recap | | |
Students of all ages — from our curious Early Learners to adventurous High Schoolers — came together for An Evening in the Ozarks! The event was filled with outdoor fun, including a scavenger hunt, pawpaw tasting, and even the brave act of donning a snake around the neck! It was a wonderful evening of exploration, laughter, and community in perfect weather under the autumn sky.
A big thank you to Mrs. Bowsher, Outdoor Education Faculty, for organizing this memorable event and bringing our Summit community together in the great outdoors!
| | Pet Therapy of the Ozarks Visits 6th Grade | | We had a few visitors for Advisory and sixth grade Ancient History on Monday morning! Former Summit board chair Susan Miranti and her dog Remy from Pet Therapy of the Ozarks joined us for some pet therapy time. Remy showed us several tricks, and Ms. Miranti had students help demonstrate different commands. We're so grateful for their time and the joy they brought us! | | Joe Easter, Native Garden Weeding | | |
Thank you to Summit Parent Joe Easter for spending his Monday afternoon on campus in the native gardens! Thanks to Joe, we were able to cut down several non-native species!
If you're interested in helping in the gardens reach out to The Summit Front Desk to get started!
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This week, The Summit staff welcomed Claire Porter as the new Communications Officer to the team. Claire has experience in marketing, journalism, and communications with a focus on creating engaging narratives that drive results. She will be working in the Admin office Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 8 am–4 pm. Come by and say hello.
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We also would like to welcome Mia Blew to the Fun Zone team! Mia will be covering Fun Zone Monday–Friday from 3:30 pm–5:30 pm. Mia has experience working, coaching, and leading young children. Please stop by and give her a warm Summit welcome.
| | Summit Accreditation Self-Study Underway | | The Summit has officially begun its self-study process as part of our accreditation cycle! This important work involves reflecting on our current practices and identifying opportunities for growth across all areas of the school. Cohort meetings are now underway, with faculty, staff and students collaborating to strengthen processes and procedures that support our mission and enhance the student experience. Throughout the school year, teams will continue this work to ensure continuous improvement school-wide and to keep The Summit moving forward with excellence. | | Our youngest dancers in the after-school Ballet Club are moving with imagination and grace! They’ve been learning all about bouncing bugs, counting in French, and stretching their bodies from a shining star into a tiny, curled-up ball. Each session ends with “painting a rainbow” across the room—using big, beautiful stretching motions that bring color and creativity to every dance. What a joyful way to combine movement, music, and make-believe! | | Box Tops: Digital Rewards for Your School | | |
Box Tops for Education has made supporting schools even easier with their convenient app. Once you have set up your account, simply scan your receipt (physical or digital) and start earning cash rewards for your school. No more snipping cardboard!
Use the link below or scan the QR code to get started!
Code: KZ0E6H9
For questions, please contact Sarah Fry, Summit Parent and Box Tops for Education Coordinator.
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Did you know? Your next grocery bill, gas tank fill-up, restaurant check, coffee run, and online purchase can help you earn money towards your family account or earn towards a cash payout.
Join The Summit’s RaiseRight program so you can buy gift cards to use as payment for everyday expenses and shop online through RaiseRight. Every gift card purchase and online
purchase earns up to 20% back—and it adds up fast! Each family can easily earn $1,000 or more every year.
Plus, with a mobile app available and instant access to your eGift card and reload purchases, you can buy gift cards and shop online through RaiseRight anytime, anywhere.
To get started, contact Taralyn Anderson at 417-522-8348 or scrip@thesummitprep.org.
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