August 2024

Dear Junior Parents,

Can you believe we are halfway through our child’s high school career?! This is a big year for us and our students.  Some might even call it the “Dark Year” ;) 

The 11th grade class parents are:

Since there is a lot happening this year, we wanted to give you a few highlights of what to expect as the parent of a Junior:  

The year of testing:  Get ready for a year full of testing - ACT, SAT, AP, and SAT subject tests. Look for more details on the PSAT coming soon.  The high school organizes the test, so all we need to do as parents is make sure our student arrives at school on test day.

Driver’s License:  Most students will be receiving their license this year.  Remember to call your insurance agent about the new driver in the house and do not worry, not everyone passes on the first try.

Share the Keys: If your student will be requesting a parking space at the HS for their senior year, this is a mandatory presentation for parent AND child. If you attended as sophomores, you do not have to attend again.

Senior Graduation: This is our pay it forward year. Graduation is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, 2025. We will organize the graduation and will need your help volunteering the night of the graduation.  More information regarding graduation will be given in the spring.   

College: The elephant in the room! Here are a few helpful ideas.  

• College Email:  If your child hasn’t created an email for the college application process, it’s something you might want to consider. Most of these tests require an email address. To prevent your email or your child’s email from being flooded with messages from colleges, you could create a separate email for all college-related items (tests this year and applications next year). Most people use the student’s first initial, last name, and year of graduation.
• Brag Sheet:  Now is the time to start creating your child’s list of accomplishments, since they are due in the spring.  The guidance counselor will use it next summer to help write your child’s recommendation for college.  Think about what they have done over the last couple of years: sports, theater, forensics, job, volunteering.
• College visits at SHS:  Many colleges visit SHS not only on college night but throughout the school year during the day.  Have your student talk to their guidance counselor about the procedure to attend these visits.

PTO Website: Please make sure you have registered on the PTO website. Here you will find the PTO-sponsored events calendar, the school directory, and the option to pay your PTO dues.

Synch Your Calendar: The best way to stay on top of events is to synchronize your calendar with the PTO. Click here and follow the prompts to subscribe.

Please mark your calendar with the following event dates (*PTO Sponsored Events):

• Wednesday, September 25: Back to School Night, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., SHS
• Meet your child’s teachers and navigate the building.
• PTO General Meetings: 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., SHS Auditorium*
• Friday, September 27
• Friday, December 6
• Friday, January 10
• Friday, March 7
• Friday, May 16
• Monday, October 7: Junior Parent Gathering with the Principal, 9:00 a.m. The Dohertys, 182 Oak Ridge Avenue
• Saturday, October 19: Hilltopper Weekend
• Thursday, December 5: Junior Family Night, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., SHS
• Friday, January 31: Semi-Formal for Juniors and Seniors, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., Brooklake Country Club
• Friday, May 16: Junior/Senior Prom, 7:00 – 11:00. The Westin Governor Morris

We are excited for a fantastic year ahead and cannot wait to see you actively involved in the PTO and at all the upcoming Summit High School events!

Go Hilltoppers!