Summit Academy

Happy Pi Day!

Pi Day is observed on March 14 since 3, 1, and 4 are the first three significant digits of pi.

Pi is the ratio of the circumference of any circle to the diameter of that circle.

Regardless of the circle's size, this ratio will always equal pi. In decimal form, the value of pi is approximately 3.14.

March is Social Work Month! Shout out to all 16 of our Social Workers!

“I love being able to work with students to help them realize their full potential and recognize new opportunities for growth and change every day.” – Bonita Shumpert, LSW, Behavior Specialist, Summit Academy Community School - Parma

To celebrate its 100th day of school on March 2, staff and students at Summit Academy Community School for Alternative Learners – Canton Elementary dressed up like 100-year-olds.

Decked out with canes, curlers and caftans, the school community showed up in full getup.

Check out all their frills and the BINGO board backdrop. How fitting!

Summit Academy School – Lorain Principal Amy Smialek researched and created an extensive study guide including activities, background information, and vocabulary and discussion questions/writing prompts for teachers in connection with the Great Lakes Theater’s currently running play “Sense and Sensibility.”

In the teacher preparation packet, which Smialek developed for a principal licensure course, both Smialek and Summit Academy are noted on page 3 at https://www.greatlakestheater.org/files/resources/sensesensibilityfullguide12.pdf.

Congratulations and thank you, Principal Smialek, for this outstanding accomplishment and for drawing such positive attention to Summit Academy!

Did you know that women comprise more than 70 percent of our organization’s entire workforce?

Summit Academy values the extraordinary contributions and leadership of its women colleagues.

In recognition and celebration of International Women’s Day, March 8, the SAM Board issued a special resolution.

Thank you to our amazing colleagues for the exceptional professionalism, talent and dedication they bring to Summit Academy!

Summit Academy Social Workers Support Students Holistically So They Can Live Their Best Lives

Did you know that Summit Academy has 16 licensed social workers on staff? They deliver specialized clinical expertise that speaks directly to the students and families they serve as behavior specialists and performance coaches for Summit Academy Schools.

This month, Social Work Month, we’d like to put the spotlight on our exceptional colleagues and share more about the wonderful work they do.

Read on! https://summitacademies.org/blog/2023/02/28/summit-academy-social-workers-support-students-holistically-to-live-their-best-lives/

Summit Academy Social Workers Support Students Holistically So They Can Live Their Best Lives Katelyn Thompson, LSW, has what she calls an impact word. That word is love. SAM Executive Director of Special Education Erica Richley-Duda describes the word as “perfectly fitting” for the Summit Academy Secondary School – Middletown behavior specialist. Richley-Duda, MSEd, LPCC-S, CCTP, says...

March is Social Work Month! Shout out to all 16 of our Social Workers!

"Being able to watch [students] learn and grow so much over the time I spend with them is so inspirational. I get to support them through their journey while also seeing them develop confidence in themselves." - Rebecca St. Clair, LSW, Behavior Specialist, Summit Academy Community and Middle School – Columbus

Dear Colleagues,

Today is Employee Appreciation Day. The number of special annual days we recognize sometimes seems endless, but this one we celebrate 365 days a year. We celebrate you every day!

So many of you have expressed that the reason you work for Summit Academy is driven by your belief in our mission. That is, to design, develop, and deliver educational opportunities in a therapeutic environment so everyone can learn. You bring our mission to life! You make it happen because you care deeply for our students and believe in them. Without you, there would be no Summit Academy.
For all you do every day – for all the skill, compassion and patience you bring to Summit Academy -- know that you are seen and appreciated. Thank you for being the heart and soul of Summit Academy. I could not be prouder of our team!

Respectfully,
John Guyer
Chief Executive Officer

It’s National Read Across America Day today, also known at Dr. Seuss Day. To help celebrate, Lorain Mayor Mayor Jack Bradley read to second- and third-graders at LORELE this morning. The festivities continued this afternoon with a special visitor named Beans and a party to boot!

Here’s more, plus the local papers will be sharing their stories soon: https://summitacademies.org/blog/2023/03/02/summit-academy-lorain-elementary-celebrates-dr-seuss-birthday-with-a-mayor-a-dog-and-a-party/

Congratulations to Jasmine Rengh, Kelly Gallagher and the whole LORELE team and a BIG thank you to Jody Burnsworth for all her energy, talent and PR savvy in getting the good word (and pictures) out!

Dear Summit Academy Social Workers,

As licensed social workers, you bring an exceptional level of expertise that speaks directly to serving our students and their families on an individual basis. You bring empathy, understanding and an ability to see students’ bigger pictures. You appreciate the challenges and behaviors students’ disabilities may present, to help them overcome obstacles. You scratch well beyond the surface to support Summit students and families holistically and meaningfully.

This month is Social Work Month, we honor you, Summit Academy’s outstanding Behavior Specialists and Performance Coaches. As social workers, you are part of the largest group of mental health care providers in the country. We recognize that you entered this honorable profession out of a strong desire to empower others and, specifically, at Summit Academy to meet students where they are and to help them to reach the goals they aspire to attain. Your expertise makes Summit Academy Schools exceptional!

This being Social Work Month, and every month, we celebrate you! Thank you for the deeply profound work you do every day for our students and their families.

Respectfully,

John Guyer
Chief Executive Officer

We wish all our Summit Academy students who are taking ACTs in the coming days the best of luck! We’re behind you all the way!

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.

Summit Academy Secondary School – Akron upset Summit Academy Warren Middle/Secondary with a 33-5 win at their February 8 basketball match. The teams played at Warren.

“The kids had so much fun and we appreciate Mr. Grant bringing his team down to play,” says Summit Academy Warren Middle/Secondary Principal Erin Bradley. “We are looking at scheduling another game with them in the future.”

“It was a great opportunity for our students to compete against another Summit Academy team and continue to learn and to grow emotionally and socially via competition,” adds Akron Secondary Principal Ralph Grant. “We are very appreciative of Mrs. Bradley and Mr. Stella for welcoming us for a fun evening of basketball.”

Students at Summit Academy Community School – Cincinnati are learning to embrace the will-do spirit of the late Alma Woodsey Thomas in a lesson teacher Patricia Schimweg hopes will last their lifetimes. Learn more about the celebrated artist Ms. Schimweg’s third- and fourth-graders are studying for Black History Month:

https://summitacademies.org/blog/2023/02/15/mosaics-meet-black-history-cincinnati-community-students-inspired-to-stay-true-to-their-visions/.

Hats off to Principal Michelle Brunner, Pat Schimweg, Lisa Singleton and the entire school community!

Happy Presidents' Day!

Just a reminder! There is NO school on Monday, February 20 for Presidents' Day!

Enjoy your extended weekend!

Challenge like Rosa, Dream like Martin, fight like Malcolm, lead like Harriet, write like Maya. The powerful, inspiring affirmations beautifully displayed at Summit Academy Secondary School – Lorain celebrate Black History Month.

School Culture Coordinator Kyriece Brooks initiated the school-wide project, comprised of a series of four inspirational posters, to instill the school community with a feeling a family and spirit of encouragement.

“This is something that our students can read each day and hopefully get some hope to keep pushing no matter how hard things get in life,” Brooks says.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Who wouldn’t love a storyteller who sports a pair of antlers as she tells the story about a dog who did the same?

Author Jewell Jones captivates her audience of K-2 students at Summit Academy Akron Elementary School as she shares a series of stories for Black History Month.

Read all about it here: https://summitacademies.org/blog/2023/02/13/local-author-retired-aps-teacher-shares-animated-african-american-history-stories-with-summit-academy-students/.

At first glance, a grouping of self-portraits made of WikkiStix and watercolor might imply the pieces are part of a modern-art gallery display. Instead, the creations are those of fifth graders from Summit Academy Community School for Alternative Learners – Middletown.

“I am blown away. I love seeing the students’ creativity come to life,” says Principal Kristen McClanahan-Parkes. Currently displayed in the school hallway, the portraits will make an encore appearance at Middletown Elementary’s May 11 art show for families to see and enjoy.

Summit Academy AKRON Elementary School staff recently completed time management training during which they learned about the importance of “taking care of the big rocks before worrying about the pebbles,” describes Data Coach Angela Swaino. “We painted our rocks to remember what’s important.”

The colleagues topped of their day with a chili cookoff.

It’s been a groundbreaking day in Xenia today! Summit Academy officials ceremoniously broke ground for a 10,524-square-foot school building, which will welcome Summit Academy – Xenia’s high school students tentatively at the start of the 2023-2024 school year.

To read more about it, visit: https://summitacademies.org/blog/2023/02/07/summit-academy-xenia-breaks-ground-for-new-high-school/.

At Akron’s North Hill neighborhood Grace House Akron, Inc., students from Summit Academy Secondary School – Akron extended their own special kind of grace.

The teens created Valentines, artwork, decorations and gifts for the shelter’s residents, who are indigent, homeless and abandoned at the end of their lives with terminal illness.

The students also made gifts for Grace House’s 13 care providers, all coordinated by IEP Coordinator/Community Service Coordinator Sarah Pavis and Grace House Annual Fund Manager Amanda Novelli.

Thank you both for leading students in this meaningful outreach!

“We are hoping to continue our partnership with Grace House and planning for our Steel Band to play at one of Grace House’s fund-raising events,” says Principal Ralph Grant.

It’s a new year with a new school year not far behind!

If you are looking for a fresh start for your child with special education needs, Summit Academy may be just the right school.

Our compassionate staff specialize in educating students with ADHD and autism.

Our families tell us they love us! 💚

Learn more about us at https://summitacademies.org.

To schedule a visit at a Summit Academy School, visit https://summitacademies.org/contact-us/ and fill out the form!

Filled with “pinch me” moments, Summit Academy Community School – Painesville’s January martial arts promotion ceremony filled students with feelings of accomplishment and amazement.

Congratulations to the entire Painesville school community!

https://summitacademies.org/blog/2023/01/27/summit-academy-painesville-school-community-celebrates-martial-arts-and-personal-successes-at-promotion-ceremony/

The staff and students at Summit Academy Community School for Alternative Learners – Middletown adore their custodian, affectionally named “Mr. Sunshine.”

For Mr. Sunshine's 63rd birthday they surprised him with a banner, cards handmade by the students, and a serenade at lunchtime.

“We love Mr. Sunshine,” says Principal Kristen McClanahan-Parkes. “He takes such pride in his job, our school, and our community.”

Summit Academy is delighted to celebrate Black History Month!

Our Board of Directors recognizes this significant month in a signed resolution and encourages all citizens to participate in activities designed to highlight and celebrate our rich African American heritage, particularly as it impacts the students of Summit Academy Schools.

Stay tuned for more stories about Black History Month!

Today is a good day to have a good day!

The beat goes on.” Even without the lyrics as a clue, Cher look-alike Sierra Sheets, a kindergarten teacher’s aide at Summit Academy Community School for Alternative Learners – Canton, nailed it with her costume for Celebrity Day.

In a fun twist, kindergartener Kristen dressed like Miss Sheets.

The day kicked off National School Choice Week, which the entire Canton school community celebrated by wearing their favorite sports team gear; donning garb representing various stages of life, from newborn to senior; and dressing in green and yellow school colors.

Here’s the scoop: https://summitacademies.org/blog/2023/01/24/summit-pride-abounds-at-canton-elementary-and-canton-secondary-schools/.

Past and present families:

Tell us your favorite memory of Summit Academy Schools.

Comment below or send us an email at [email protected]!


School Choice Week

I love Summit Academy because...

Tell us what you loved most about Summit Academy Schools!

Comment below or send us an email at [email protected]!


School Choice Week

School choice is important because every child deserves an effective, challenging, and motivating education that inspires them to be successful and achieve
their dreams.



School Choice Week

Summit Academy - Lorain Elementary is Rockin’ School Spirit for National School Choice Week

Summit Academy – Lorain Elementary is Rockin’ School Spirit for National School Choice Week ! School Choice Week https://summitacademies.org/blog/2023/01/23/summit-academy-lorain-elementary-is-rockin-school-pride-for-national-school-choice-week

Summit Academy - Lorain Elementary is Rockin’ School Spirit for National School Choice Week “My teachers” “The gym” “Math” “All of the staff’s hard work” “Everything!” These are just a few of the answers students at Summit Academy Community School for Alternative Learners – Lorain shared when they were asked what they like most about their school. Combined in a vide...

National School Choice Week will take place from January 22 -28.

Summit Academy Schools across Ohio will be celebrating this important week that raises awareness of K-12 educational opportunities and the need for families to have access to the best options for their children.

In addition, the SAM Board recently approved a Resolution of Recognition and Celebration of National School Choice Week 2023.

Look for upcoming details about ways our schools celebrated.

Psst! Students at Summit Academy School for Alternative Leaners – Lorain will be having a rocking good time with their activities! Plus, both Summit Academy Canton schools will be showing their school spirit in style!

Are you seeking an exceptional work-life balance?

You will find this at Summit Academy, which is actively recruiting compassionate individuals with a passion for working with children with special education needs.

Full-time and substitute teaching (post-secondary degree not required) opportunities are available.
• Earn competitive compensation
• Gain exceptional career experience
• Positively impact young lives

https://summitacademies.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

The entire student body at Summit Academy - Lorain Elementary participated in a January 11 Therapeutic Martial Arts promotion ceremony.

Students’ achievements in meeting martial arts standards for the next belt levels and reaching academic and behavioral goals were celebrated at the ceremony.

Congratulations on your wonderful accomplishments, students!

To read all about, visit: https://summitacademies.org/blog/2023/01/17/lorain-elementary-students-celebrated-at-therapeutic-martial-arts-promotion-ceremony/.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

It’s a new year with a new school year not far behind!

If you are seeking a fresh change for your child with special education needs, Summit Academy may be just the right school. Our compassionate teachers specialize in educating students with ADHD and autism. And dare we say, our families tell us they love us!

Learn more about us at summitacademies.org.

Enroll now!