We’re happy to have you with us! Our goal for this and every school year is to work hard to ensure that we fulfill our mission and offer your child an exceptional educational experience.
This newsletter is a great resource to help you stay abreast of upcoming curriculum events and student achievements.
Additionally, each month you will receive either Fun Facts (preschool) or Classroom News (kindergarten–grade 8), which explain some of the specific lessons and activities that will be happening in your child’s classroom. These also provide helpful tips on how you can support your children with learning 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. Make sure your email address is entered correctly so you will be able to receive important information via email. Contact your campus if you need help setting up your account.
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Please join us for Evening for Parents during the week of August 29–September 1. (Watch for an email invitation with the date and time of the event for your child’s grade.) This event is designed to familiarize you with classroom and curriculum objectives. During the evening, teachers will also describe ways you can support your child’s learning.
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are pleased to announce that we are resuming the eighth-grade spring trip to visit U.S. history sites from Boston to Gettysburg. Watch for an invitation to a parent meeting where trip dates, cost, and other details will be presented on this valuable educational opportunity.
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 10.
Challenger teaches children to manage their behavior and make good choices. Learn how you can use the same effective methods at home!
Our Managing Child Behavior Workshop on September 14 is offered at no cost to you and is designed to help parents equip children with the behavior management skills that will prepare them for a lifetime of success and happiness.
We will have some helpful resources available for purchase at the event. Watch for an invitation with details.
Note: While the workshop is for adults only, childcare will be available on campus at Idaho, Texas, and Utah workshops for children 2 years, 9 months and older. Cost is only $10 per child. Stop by the office today to reserve a spot for your child.
Challenger elementary students will commemorate these two special days on Friday, September 16. As students learn to understand and respect man’s unalienable rights, they begin to develop values that will help them think for themselves and cherish the liberties secured for them by the Founding Fathers.
Don’t forget that the special function uniform is required for assembly days!
Students in grades 5–8 will vote to select the 2022–2023 student council for their campus. Those who wish to run for student council offices should request candidate applications from their teachers.
During Western Days, we explore the historic American culture of the Old West and enjoy fun activities like singing campfire songs and crafting vests! Preschool students are encouraged to come to school dressed as cowboys and cowgirls. Kindergartners may accessorize their uniforms with bandanas, belts, cowboy boots, and hats. It’s sure to be a boot-stompin’ good time.
Starting in September, Challenger will offer after-school enrichment classes during Extended Classtime. Watch for a survey requesting your feedback on which enrichment classes your child would be interested in. Offerings will vary by campus and be offered based on demand and availability.
To enroll, students must be in good academic standing, and participation must be in the student’s best interest. There will be no additional charge beyond Extended Classtime tuition for classes offered by Challenger, and all classes are open to both boys and girls. Additional third-party enrichment classes may be offered on a per-campus basis. Third-party classes are not taught by Challenger staff, and tuition will be payable to the third party.
Extended Classtime is a great opportunity for your child to experience new activities or hone existing skills.
The Beginning This Year report is a great tool for tracking your child’s progress. This report is sent home in late September, allowing you to gauge your preschooler’s skill level at the beginning of the year. You will receive additional reports later in the year so you can see and celebrate your child’s progress.
Students in grades 5–8 have received 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. In fact, Lana C. from Salt Lake, UT, earned first place at the national level for grade 7 in the 2021–2022 contest.
This year’s topic is centered around the Second Continental Congress. We are excited to see our students’ great work!
The 2022–2023 school year will mark Challenger School’s 60th anniversary since first opening in 1963 with a small preschool class. We will begin the celebration in January 2023, with more information to come soon on this significant milestone!
We are excited about the opening of our new Sandy, Utah, campus this year! The new campus is located a few blocks from our previous location and offers preschool through grade 8 programs. It will replace the previous Sandy campus and offers improved arrival departure areas, larger playgrounds, and more classrooms for future growth. We look forward to hosting a great 2022–2023 school year in a brand-new campus!
Visit www.terrapinlogo.com/logo.html to browse options for home use of the Terrapin Logo program used in Challenger computer classes. Programming in Logo or Python is never required as homework. Watch for an email with a code that will earn you a discount on a household license.
We are pleased to provide Challenger students access to the Oxford University Press online references.
Since much of the reference information found on the Internet is unreliable, these professionally curated references will further inspire Challenger students to embrace the value of clarity and precision in their thinking and writing.
To access these reference sites, visit ChallengerSchool.com, click the Student Resources link, and log in with a password that parents will receive by email in the coming weeks.
Mark your calendars now for upcoming breaks occurring in the 2022–2023 school year.