| It is my great pleasure to announce that Springs has been selected as one of 10 schools nationwide to receive an “Above and Beyond” award from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. During National Charter Schools Week, May 10-16, the Alliance honored Springs as one of the “charter schools that are doing exceptional work during the coronavirus pandemic to serve not only their own students, but people outside their school community,” according to Alliance Senior Vice President Debbie Veney.
The Alliance is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and advocates on behalf of millions of public school students either attending or wishing to attend a charter school. We were recognized for the establishment of our free, online OPEN Classroom for non-Springs students grades K-12. Besides our students, more than 5,000 non-Springs students worldwide have used the curriculum. As the state’s classrooms were closing in March, parents contacted us seeking advice on how to continue their children’s learning at home or even wishing to enroll in our Homeschool programs. While the pandemic prevents us from accepting any new students until the fall, we were able to share our expertise with distance learning by launching OPEN Classroom.
Nina Rees, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, further explained, “When schools nationwide transitioned to distance learning, it became clear to us that charter schools were setting a model for the rest of the nation on what it looked like to step up and care for their communities in the face of a global pandemic. There are many public schools that served their students well in the face of COVID-19, but the exceptional work of our Above and Beyond Award winners embodies compassion and caring for people outside their school community who also needed help. Their work is a model of servant leadership for the rest of the nation.”
Congratulations to those on our staff who made OPEN Classroom possible. Our thanks to you for your fine work!
FOUNDATION GRANTS
And, the Summit Springs Educational Foundation is pleased to announce the awarding of scholarships totaling $7,000 to eight graduating seniors to fund higher education. The winners are:
Summit Springs Educational Foundation:
1. Genesis Carroll, $1,000 (Springs’ Keys High School)
2. Alison J. Thomas, $1,000 (Homeschool)
3. Marisa Casarez, $1,000 (Temecula Student Center)
4. Melanie Maradiaga, $1,000 (Magnolia Student Center)
5. Valeria Yanez, $1,000 (Renaissance Valley Academy)
Adelle Nicely Scholarship:
Zoe Raelyn Collins, $1,000 (Temecula Student Center)
Tammy Sanchez Scholarship:
Carly Grace Peterson, $500 (Homeschool)
Doris Guynes Scholarship:
Evehenia Lemasters Tahir, $500 (Flabob Prep Academy)
Congratulations to our eight grant award recipients. Each one is a talented and accomplished student, and as they move on from Springs, I am confident that they have a bright future ahead.
And remember, our Foundation needs your support! It funds grants to graduating students for higher education, and grants to teachers for classroom needs. Click on the link above for additional information. We appreciate the help!
CHESS TOURNAMENT
And, finally, Springs held an online chess tournament on May 27, with winners receiving Amazon gift cards from our Foundation. The winners were:
K-3: Elliot Harrison, 1st place, Drew Gamboa, 2nd
4-5: Alfonso Sanchez, 1st, Dallas Dixon, 2nd
6-8: Ethan Bennett, 1st, Mary Mobley, 2nd
9-12: Joseph Greene, 1st, Carson Carroll, 2nd
Special thanks to School Counselor Christopher Lowe for organizing the event. Congratulations to our winners!
Dr. Kathleen Hermsmeyer
Superintendent |
