With the recent reopening of campuses in Alameda County, California, all Challenger campuses are now open for in-person classes. (We’re looking forward to Ardenwood middle schoolers returning to campus November 9.) The classroom setting enables a thoroughness of give and take so students can better evaluate, categorize, and apply concepts independently and correctly. Additionally, social skills improve as students connect and play with their classmates and participate together in the joy of learning! Regardless of whether your child is attending on campus or learning from home, Challenger teachers are committed to helping students achieve.
Since online learning and in-person classes are not the same experience, some of the information in this newsletter will be more relevant to on-campus students and their parents, while other portions will apply more to those involved in remote education. Look for the bell icon to indicate information for on-campus students and the laptop icon for online students.
On November 10, all Challenger students in grades 5–8 are invited to participate in the American Mathematic Competition (AMC) 8. The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills.
Over 150,000 students worldwide participate in the AMC 8. We are excited to be able to offer our students this opportunity to demonstrate and challenge their mathematical skills.
Students can prepare for, and parents can find more information about, the contest by visiting the AMC 8 website. Students will receive notification regarding their performance on the AMC 8 in mid-January. We hope that by participating in this contest, we can challenge and inspire students to want to develop their problem-solving skills.
Elementary students will commemorate Veterans Day this month. This day honors the countless American men and women who have defended freedom around the world.
Some students will have the opportunity to write to military personnel currently serving overseas. Others will read or hear first-hand accounts of veterans throughout U.S. history.
Feast Day is a special day at Challenger! During Thanksgiving week, the lunch caterer will offer a special feast for our students.* Although we won’t be able to welcome parents and other family members to the event this year, we will celebrate with special in-class dining. You may order a feast from the caterer for your child.
If you won’t be purchasing a Thanksgiving lunch for your child, please remember to send one from home. In the next few weeks, we will send more information to you.
Preschool students will learn about the first Thanksgiving and celebrate with their own in-class feast and will not participate in the catered lunch. Kindergarten participation varies by campus.
*Not available at all campuses
Challenger School will not be in session from November 25–27. We hope that you and your children enjoy a happy Thanksgiving!
Beginning November 30, third through eighth graders will participate in class spelling bees. These class bees will feature spelling and vocabulary words students have learned or will learn in class during the year.
Class finalists will qualify for the campus bee, which will utilize words and vocabulary from the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Good luck to our fantastic spellers!
Challenger congratulates five Challenger graduates from the class of 2020 who were recognized recently as Anthem Essay Contest finalists: Anji A. of Everest (ID), Paula L. of Lone Mountain and Sofee R. of Silverado (both NV), and Aswin S. of Berryessa and Meghana S. of Strawberry Park (both CA). The Ayn Rand Institute received thousands of entries from countries around the world, so to have been named to the top 50 is an impressive accomplishment for each of these students! Congratulations also to the Challenger instructors who helped their students develop such remarkable understanding of the novel.
Science Fair fun has begun! Challenger students in grades 3–8 have received their packets and have chosen their projects for the 2021 Science Fair. K–2 classes will begin their projects in January. Every year, our students continue to produce impressive projects. Please encourage your child as he or she works on this important assignment.
As the weather gets cooler, make sure that your child is dressed appropriately in outer clothes that he or she can handle with little assistance. Please don’t send an umbrella with your child; when combined with backpacks and lunch boxes, an umbrella is difficult to manage.
We will go outside every day possible, despite the cold weather. Label all outerwear pieces just in case items end up in the lost-and-found.
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