The Alternative Press

Have you gone to a Summit Board of Education meeting and waited tirelessly for the public portion so that you could comment on an item on the agenda, or to bring up your own issue? These meetings can be long and formal.  (With great apologies to George Lucaci, who really has stepped things up…)

This is not the case for Speak Up Summit meetings!  Held in informal settings, Speak Up Summit meetings afford regularly the opportunity for members to discuss district news and policies in a more relaxed atmosphere, customarily with district decision makers and administrators present.

The highly anticipated “State of the District Meeting,” to be held in the Summit High School library on Saturday morning, February 9 at 9am will feature Superintendent Dr. Nathan Parker and Assistant Superintendent Julie Glazer as the featured guests.  In past years, like our regular monthly meetings, this annual tradition has been held in a member’s home, but we expect a large crowd this year so we moved it to the high school library.

The administrators will begin with presentations on a great variety of topics, which are expected to include follow up to the town hall meeting on full-day kindergarten, block scheduling at the high school, demography reports that will impact capacity issues and building vs. redistricting, standardized test score performance, focus area progress, the minority achievement gap, next year’s budget, curriculum update including the feedback on the new 8^th grade social studies program, study hall for athletes and more.  The format will then switch to a question and answer period. 

Refreshments for the “State of the District meeting” are being generously donated by The Grand Summit Hotel.

Earlier in January, SUS welcomed Parker, Glazer, Principal Felix Gil, Board of Ed Member Celia Colbert and dozens of seasoned and new members to discuss the Minority Achievement Gap, with special guest Janet Maulbeck.  In December, the group continued its discussion of Full-Day Kindergarten.

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. We are strong, and, when necessary, can have an impact on the quality of our public education.

Membership is open to anyone who believes that an excellent public school system is vital to the well being of the entire community.

Forgot to join Speak Up Summit?  Visit www.speakupsummit.org to join.  Set your own contribution...but do join and help us offset our programming costs.  “Like” the Facebook page to stay up to date.

The next regular Speak Up Summit meeting will be held Tuesday, March 19th, 8:30 AM at 175 Colonial Road, Summit.  Questions?  Contact President Melanie Wilson at msw1230@comcast.net.