Summit school to celebrate 40 years
It all started 40 years ago with a phone call. Jim Williams, a father of 7-year-old identical twins with learning disabilities, called Ruth Tofanelli a longtime resident of Sleepy Hollow and a respected Special Education teacher in the Elgin public schools to encourage her to start a private school to help his sons and other children with similar problems.
Although Ruth gave him many reasons why she couldn't, Jim said, "You and I are going to start a private school." Fifteen minutes later Jim called Ruth and announced that he had rented rooms at the Congregational Church in West Dundee. Summit School began in the basement of the church with eight students in 1968. From these humble beginnings, Summit has grown into an internationally recognized educational institution creating innovative programs that empower students with special needs. Using the three basic qualities of love, understanding and patience as a foundation, teaching methods are continually being developed to enable students to work from their strengths.
Forty years of educational excellence certainly deserves a celebration. On Thursday, Sept. 25, Summit Inc. will have a special 40-Year Jubilee Open House from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at its main campus at 333 West River Road, just south of I-90 and east of Route 31. The community and Summit School supporters are invited to see where the school has come from, where it is today, and where it is going in the future. There will be tours of the facility and refreshments. If you are interested in attending or for additional information, call Judy Lovett at (847) 468-0490, ext. 3026.
Over the years, thousands of children and young adults have benefitted from the dedication of very special educators. As students learn, the way that they feel about themselves is transformed and the cycle of failure that had impeded them academically and socially is broken. It is the beginning of a bright new future for children who are in academic distress.
One of these former students, Parker McMahon III is a commodities broker at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and he remembers, "There were specific experiences that I had at Summit School that I now realize were designed at the time to make me see that I was not a 'second-class citizen' and that although I was a person who saw the world differently, this was in itself not a bad thing. I was a person first, who did have value and who did matter; and I was an LD student, second."
Today Summit School Inc. is privileged to serve students who arrive at its facilities from over 40 different school districts and communities. They come from as far north as Hebron and Lake Villa; as far south as Somonauk and Chicago Heights; as far west as Belvidere and DeKalb; and as far east as Highland Park and Northbrook.
Summit School Inc. has returned to its roots and currently operates at two locations in Elgin. At its River Road facility it serves children ages three through high school diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in addition to Learning Disabled, Emotional Disorder and Other Health Impaired students.
At its Summit School Early Learning Center on South McLean Boulevard children who are two years of age with developmental disabilities are enrolled in the Early Intervention program with Developmental Therapy aimed at increasing a child's overall development levels. The center also provides prekindergarten programs for children ages 3-5 who are at risk for academic failure. By next year the center will also move to the larger River Road site.
Leo Flanagan Jr., chairman of Summit Inc. board said, "As we celebrate Summit's 40th anniversary, we can look back with pride at Summit's contribution to the lives of thousands of children. Beginning with our founders' vision, enhanced by dedicated staff, and illustrated by students' successes, we look forward with optimism to the growth and fulfillment of Summit School's mission into the future."
Fall Rose Show: Every fall the Fox River Valley Rose Society has a small rose show for its members and rose growers in the community. This year's Fall Rose Show will be held Sunday, Sept. 28 in the Fellowship Room of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 401 Main St. in West Dundee. The Fourth Street entrance to the church will be open at 1 p.m. for preparing your roses and placing them in the correct class. Judging will begin at 2 p.m.
There is no admission charge and you do not have to be a member of the FVRS to exhibit your roses in the show. The society will provide entry blanks and vases for exhibiting roses, however bowls will not be provided.
A prize will be awarded for the best rose in each class. A presentation on "How to Propagate Roses" will be given during the judging. For details, call (847) 426-4593.