Dear Parents:
 
First I want to apologize for any confusion regarding signing up for conferences with teachers. I guess Sign Up Genius isn’t much of a genius. The conferences are next Monday – and again, they are primarily if you have not had a chance to communicate with teachers and have concerns. If the schedule is full, send Adam an email and he’ll facilitate a meeting on another day. (adam.brenner@thepeakschool.education)
 
Several things worth noting on the school’s calendar:
This Wednesday morning I’ll be hosting a conversation over coffee about the Gateway process at Peak. Gateway is the academic rite of passage from one Division to the next. This year our Div II 8^th graders and Div III 11^th graders will be Gatewaying. If you’re a parent of a student in one of those grades, or if you are new to Peak and would like to hear about this process, please join me at 8:15.
 
A couple of events next week our students are looking forward to – Monday the upper Div III STEM class is going on a field trip to a cadaver lab, which should make for some interesting dinner conversations; and Wednesday is Winter Adventure Day, when students will have the choice to ski or skate or tube at Breck or Copper.
 
Please save the following dates in upcoming weeks:
Tuesday evening, April 5 from 6 – 7:30 Amy and Travis Macy, our terrific college counselors, will be at Peak to meet with current 10^th graders and their parents, and of course any other parents are invited who want to know more about our outstanding college readiness program.
 
Friday evening, May 13 – mark your calendar to join us for a social evening of food, drink, and live music at the Quandary Grill in Breckenridge. Much more about this Peak community event will be coming soon. If you would like to help us coordinate this fun evening, please contact Adam in the Welcome Office: 970.368.5601 or adam.brenner@thepeakschool.education.
 
In keeping with our ongoing efforts to promote the Ten Common Principles that are the bedrock upon which Peak is founded, our teachers have renewed conversations with our Middle School students about treating each other with respect and kindness. Last week was the first of a series of separate conversations with boys and girls, the former led by Jeffrey and the latter by Kathleen and Liz. Topics were being a good friend, being inclusive in relationships, and contributing in a positive way to the experience of others. More conversations and community building exercises are coming soon.
 
Thanks to all parents who re-enrolled for next year by the March 20 deadline! This is so helpful in our staff planning.  I realize the timing was not very convenient (we’ll do better with that next year), and the online process can be challenging. So I’m particularly grateful to those who persevered. We’re grateful that so many families continue to express their support for the mission of Peak, and entrust their student’s growth and learning to our dedicated and talented teachers. We are expecting many new students in the fall, including a robust 6^th grade class, as well as additions in each grade of the Middle and Upper School. Parents, thank you for spreading the word to your friends and neighbors that Peak is a real gift to Summit County.
 
As one new mom told me upon re-enrolling her students, “My children have never set their alarm clocks early to be ready for school!”
 
Have a good week, and remember that Friday is a half-day, with noon dismissal.

All the best,