Challenger Elementary Newsletter
Home of the Cheetahs
February 2021
Dirk Adkinson ~ Principal
Heidi Straus ~ Assistant Principal
Heather DeBoli-Welch ~ Dean of Students
Sheena Jimenez ~ Parent Liaison
Principal's Message
Dear Challenger Families,
We are grateful for all of your support during this unique school year. As the calendar turns to February, we have many things to be hopeful for in the future. With the applications of the Covid-19 vaccinations being distributed, we hope to bring more students back to campus for in-person learning. We have already brought small groups of students back into the building with great success. With careful planning, preparation and a focus on student and staff safety, it is my hope that we continue to increase the number of students on campus.
Those families who choose to keep their students using our distance learning option will continue to receive instruction via our distance learning model.
Once again, we appreciate all of your support during this school year. We look forward to a great rest of the year.
Dirk Adkinson
Principal, Challenger Elementary
Dean's Message
February 1 marks the beginning of Black History month, an annual celebration of the lives and achievements of African Americans. The Black History Month 2021 theme is called “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity,” and it explores the spread of Black families across states, nations, and countries.
Here are a few ways that you can observe Black History month, also known as African American History month, with your children at home.
1. Read an inspirational book about diversity. There are many books that you can read at home to educate kids of all ages about the importance of understanding Black history. A couple books that I highly recommend are We March by Shane Evans and The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson.
2. Create an art piece that relates to a part of Black history. Crafts are a great way to introduce new people and concepts. You can teach about Jackie Robinson while you draw his portrait, or you can dive deeper into the invention of the stoplight, conceived by Garrett Morgan, while creating your very own stop light using construction paper and glue. There are endless possibilities.
3. Have conversations with your child about Black History. Start by asking your child questions (“Did you know that February is Black History month?” “Do you know what this means?”) Tailor the conversation to things that interest them already. For example, if they love music, talk about Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong. Just remember that you do not have to have all of the answers. It’s okay to say, “I’m not sure, but I bet we could find out together.”
Heather DeBoli-Welch, Dean of Students
Helpful Tips from our School Nurse
Handwashing Steps
Do I really need to wash my hands for 20 seconds?
Scientific studies show that you need to scrub for 20 seconds to remove harmful germs and chemicals from your hands. If you wash for a shorter time, you will not remove as many germs. Make sure to scrub all areas of your hands, including your palms, backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your fingernails.
How does handwashing with soap and water remove germs and chemicals?
Soap and water, worked into a lather, trap and remove germs and chemicals from hands. Wetting your hands with clean water before applying soap helps you get a better lather than applying soap to dry hands. A good lather forms pockets called micelles that trap and remove germs, harmful chemicals, and dirt from your hands.
Lathering with soap and scrubbing your hands for 20 seconds is important to this process because these actions physically destroy germs and remove germs and chemicals from your skin. When you rinse your hands, you wash the germs and chemicals down the drain.
Kindergarten Registration 2021-22
Do you have a child who will be at least 5 years old by August 31, 2021? Will they attend kindergarten in the Mukilteo School District next fall? Registration for kindergarten classes in the 2021-22 school year will begin Monday, March 1, 2021. Parents can register online or in person. Please visit the District Website for more information at www.mukilteoschools.org.
Supply Bag Distribution
We will have school supplies and materials ready for your student starting Tuesday, February 9. Please come to Challenger to pick up your child’s supplies on one of the three dates/times listed below. We are asking that you drive up in the parent pick-up lane and stay in your car, wearing a mask. Students do not need to be with you. An adult will greet you at your car and ask for your student’s name and grade level.
Tuesday, February 9, 11:00am - 4:00pm.
Wednesday, February 10, 8:00am - 2:00pm.
Thursday, February 11, 12:00pm - 5:00pm.
NO SCHOOL
Monday, February 15 ~ Presidents Day.
Tuesday - Friday, February 16 - 19 ~ Mid-Winter Break.
Friday, February 26 ~ Teacher Work Day.
Calling all Challenger Readers
Come up each week
To get what you seek
The books you’ve set aside
Are waiting to glide
Into your hands
So you can take a peek
To read them throughout the week!
Holds placed by Tuesday can be picked up at Challenger on Thursday between 2:00pm-4:00pm.
Happy Reading,
Mrs. Weidman and Mrs. Wells
Mukilteo School District Board Meeting
For more information, please visit
Monday, Feb 8, 2021, 06:00 PM
undefined
Challenger Elementary
Website: mukilteoschools.org/ch
Location: 9600 Holly Drive, Everett, WA, USA
Phone: 425-366-2500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChallengerES/
Mukilteo School District Non - Discrimination Statement
Mukilteo School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator Bruce Hobert (425-356-1319), hobertbl@mukilteo.wednet.edu, Section 504 Coordinator Lisa Pitsch (425-356-1277), pitschla@mukilteo.wednet.edu, and the ADA/Access Coordinator Karen Mooseker (425-356-1330), moosekerkw@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9401 Sharon Drive in Everett, WA. Inquiries regarding ADA/Access issues at Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center should be directed to Wes Allen, Director (425-348-2220) allenwr@mukilteo.wednet.edu. Address: 9001 Airport Road in Everett, WA 98204