September 2020 Challenger School Newsletter

Welcome to Challenger School’s 2020–2021 School Year!

We are excited to begin another year of learning and fun. At Challenger, we are committed to delivering our proven curriculum—whether it be online or in person. To our new students, parents, and staff: welcome! And to those who are returning from previous years: welcome back! We look forward to the day when we can all be together again on our campuses and in our classrooms.

As you well know, online learning and in-person classes are not the same experience. Therefore, 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.


 This Month


Important Dates

Date Event
September 1–3 Evening for Parents (K–G8) **
September 7 Labor Day—No School
September 12 Challenger Emergency Notification System Testing
September 17 Constitution Day and Patriot Day Class Commemoration(K–G8) *
September 24–25 Western Days (PS–K)

* Subject to change due to COVID-19 conditions. Check online calendar for updates.
** Online event.


Evening for Parents (K–G8)

Please join us for an online Evening for Parents September 1–3. This event, which will be conducted live via Big Blue Button, is designed to familiarize you with classroom and curriculum objectives. During the evening, teachers will also describe how you can support your child’s learning. Check your child’s Teams account for the date and time your event is scheduled.


Emergency Notifications—Keep Us Updated!

In the event of a campus evacuation, emergency, or unexpected closure, Challenger will use an automated notification system to inform students’ emergency contacts via email, text, and automated voice messages.

The automated notification system allows us to communicate far more quickly and consistently than we could with individual phone calls from staff. To ensure you receive important notifications, please visit the Parent Portal to make sure your contact information is current. We plan to perform a test of the system on Saturday, September 12.

DAR Essay Contest (G5–8)

Students in fifth through eighth grade will receive information about the national American History Essay Contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

This annual contest provides Challenger students the opportunity to refine their writing, research, and creative skills. Challenger students have traditionally done very well in this contest at local, state, and national levels.


Constitution Day and Patriot Day (K–G8)

Challenger elementary students will commemorate these two special days in class on Thursday, September 17. As our students understand and respect man’s inalienable rights, they begin to develop values that will help them think for themselves and cherish the liberties secured for them by the Founding Fathers.


Western Days (PS–K)

During Western Days, our young cowpokes will sing campfire songs, “spin yarns,” and do other activities centered around America’s Old West heritage. We reckon that students will have a rootin’-tootin’ good time!


 Announcements


Facts, Fun, and Information!

This newsletter is a great resource to help you stay abreast of upcoming curriculum events and student achievements.

In additional to this newsletter, K–G8 parents receive Classroom News, which offers academic classroom information. Preschool parents receive Fun Facts, which explains what children will be focusing on each month and suggests activities that you can do at home.

To stay updated and informed, be sure you have signed up for the Parent Portal on our website. Via the portal, you can view account balances, print statements, request changes to student information, access student online credentials, and submit questions directly to your campus. Contact your campus if you need help setting up your account.

If you need technical help with online learning (connectivity, log-in, or audio or viewing issues), contact us:

Web: https://support.challengerschool.com

Email: Support@ChallengerSchool.com

Voice: (801) 810-3773

If your child participates in online learning, and you have a question about an assignment or would like to contact a teacher, use the appropriate grade-level email address:

PSOnline@challengerschool.com

KOnline@challengerschool.com

G1Online@challengerschool.com

G2Online@challengerschool.com

G3Online@challengerschool.com

G4Online@challengerschool.com

G5Online@challengerschool.com

MSOnline@challengerschool.com

Additionally, keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram and for more fun and informational content.

Campus Expansions and Improvements

We are excited about some new and renovated facilities this year! In Texas, the Legacy campus in Plano—our first in the Dallas area and twenty-sixth overall—is now open. In Utah, our Farmington campus added three classrooms, updated the preschool playground, and added an elementary playground; West Jordan renovated its offices; and Salt Lake improved its entrance vestibule. Other campuses also have new and updated playground equipment.

Beginning This Year Report (PS)

We are so excited to see your child’s progress! The “Beginning This Year” report will come home in early October. You will see your child’s skill level at the outset of her preschool year and look ahead to all she will learn.

Uniform Information

Visit ScholarWear.com to see store locations and hours and to shop and place orders. California customers can call ScholarWear at (408) 973-1701; all other regions may call (801) 565-WEAR. Refer to the School Uniform Policy for details.

To ensure that your child’s uniform pieces remain crisp and new-looking throughout the duration of this school year, ScholarWear.com also offers information on caring for uniforms. Don’t forget that uniforms are required for online PS–G8 students during live classes.

School Breaks


Winter Break

December 21–January 1—(all regions, both online and on-campus students)

Spring Break

March 8–12—(TX [Dallas] on-campus students)

March 15–19—(TX [Austin] on-campus students)

March 22–26—(ID on-campus students)

March 29–April 1—(NV on-campus students)

April 5–9—(CA/UT on-campus students; all online students)


Be sure to follow Challenger on Facebookand Instagram.

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