Challenger Elementary
October 2021
9600 Holly Drive
Everett, WA 98204
(425) 366-2500
Challenger Elementary / Homepage (mukilteoschools.org)
Dirk Adkinson - Principal
Tara Jeffries - Assistant Principal
Heather DeBoli-Welch - Dean
Linda Maiden - Administrative Assistant
Sandy Martinez - Registrar
Amber Clifton - Attendance
Message from the Principal
Dear Challenger Families,
We are thrilled that the school year is under way. Seeing your students back on campus learning and growing is exciting for everyone here in the building. With the new school year have come new challenges. I wanted to speak to a couple of ways in which we are working to improve those challenges.
The parking lot is a place where we need everyone’s support. Our primary purpose is delivering your students home safely. In order to ensure that this happens, we are going to ask that everyone follows the parking lot expectation. We are asking that everyone is patient and understands that all want to get home safely.
Our office staff is working hard to make sure that all students get what they need. We are asking that if you need to make a change in your student’s schedule, please call before 2:00 p.m. By calling at this time, you give the office staff the opportunity to communicate with the classroom teacher.
We appreciate your support with these issues, and we look forward to partnering with you for a great school year.
Dirk Adkinson
Principal
Your Right to Know— Title I, Part A schools
Professional Qualifications of Teachers
Parents of children attending Title I, Part A schools have the right to request and receive information about the qualifications of the educators who teach students core subjects—reading, English language arts and mathematics.
At a minimum, the information given to you must explain these three essential components of an educator’s qualifications. Whether the student’s teacher–
1. Has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
2. Is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which state qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.
3. Is teaching in the field of discipline of the certification of the teacher.
Qualifications of Paraprofessionals
Parents of children attending Title I, Part A schools have the right to request and receive information about the qualifications of the paraeducators who teach students in a core academic subject area.
Paraeducators must work under the supervision of a certified teacher. In schools that operate a schoolwide program, all paraprofessionals must have special qualifications. Schools that operate a Title I, Part A program must have a high school diploma or GED and completed the following:
1. Completed at least two years of study at an institution of higher education; or
2. Obtained an associate’s or higher degree; or
3. Meet a high standard of quality either through a) the ETS ParaPro Assessment; b) a paraeducator apprenticeship program approved by Washington State; or c) portfolio program.
Challenger Title 1 Parent Information Meeting
Purpose:
• To share with families about the Title I program at Challenger
• To inform you of our school’s participation in Title I
• To explain the requirements of Title I
• To discuss your rights as parents to be involved
Join Zoom Meeting: https://mukilteoschools-org.zoom.us/j/97567146423?pwd=b0t1VkdTYVVUM2VEWXlsa1YyZlJLQT09
Meeting ID: 975 6714 6423
Passcode: 352504
Thursday, Oct 28, 2021, 06:00 PM
Zoom Meeting
Please, Keep Halloween Costumes at Home
Classroom teachers celebrate activities that are inclusive of all of our students.
Message From the Dean
We are nearly two months into such a strange and wonderful school year. As we continue to move forward, we must focus on supporting our students’ cognitive and emotional health as they try to navigate their way through their schooling.
Below are some ways that we can all support our children:
- Validate their feelings: Just like us adults, kids are feeling stressed and uneasy about the current situation of the world. Oftentimes, they are unsure if they can express those feelings that they may be having. Provide them with a safe space to share and let them know that it’s okay to feel how they feel. You may even want to share your own feelings and how you manage them so that they can learn from you.
- Watch how your child(ren) behaves: Children may not express how they are feeling with words, but through actions. If you notice that your child is acting in a way that is uncharacteristic of them, or if you are starting to sense a behavioral pattern, it may be their way of seeking support. Don’t be afraid to step in to see what they may need, and to reach out to experts who can help your family (school social worker, pediatrician, etc.).
- Take care of yourself: The saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” I mentioned this last year; but now, more than ever, parents must care for their needs to help those around them. Know what you need to do to take care of yourself, so that you can be the best parent you can be for your kids.
Heather DeBoli-Welch
Dean of Students
Exercise your Right to Vote
Please remember to vote. Every vote counts! The deadline for general election ballots to be returned for the current election is November 2.
For more information about voter registration, ballot box locations, tracking ballots, etc., visit Snohomish County Elections and Voter Registration at https://snohomishcountywa.gov/224/Elections-Voter-Registration.
Reminders from the Office Staff
Attendance: Remember to call the Main Office at 425-366-2500 if your student will be tardy or absent. Even if you alert the teacher, please let the office know as well. This will prevent you from receiving our automated attendance calls. If you call outside office hours (8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.), please leave us a message.
School Photo Day!!
Calling All Veterans!
Challenger Elementary will be hosting a virtual Veteran's Day Assembly on Wednesday, November 10.
All parents, relatives, friends, and community members associated with Challenger Elementary, who have served or are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces, will be honored during the assembly by showing their picture along with their name, branch of service and the name of their relative or friend at Challenger Elementary.
To include your veteran in our assembly, please complete the form below and return to the Main Office. Forms are also available in the Main Office. Please also EMAIL a photo of the veteran to Brian Marston, Music Teacher, MarstonBA@mukilteo.wednet.edu, by no later than Monday, November 8.
The link to the assembly will be emailed to staff and families prior to November 10.
To include your veteran in the assembly, please complete the following information and return to the Main Office.
Name of Veteran(s): ________________________________________________________________
Branch(es) of Service: __________________________________________________________________
Name of relative(s) or friend(s) at Challenger: ______________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
How are you related? ______________________________________________________________
Important Dates:
November 8 - School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office
November 9 - School Photos
November 10 - Virtual Veteran's Day Assembly
November 11 - NO SCHOOL - Veteran's Day
November 22 - School Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office
November 22-24 - NO SCHOOL - K-5 only - Parent Teacher Conferences
November 24 - NO SCHOOL - Preschool (Preschool attends school Nov. 22 & 23)
November 25 & 26 - NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day
Mukilteo School District is Hiring!
We're looking for qualified, dedicated people like you! If you or someone you know is looking for a job, please apply on the district Employment Opportunities website. We are hiring many positions including substitutes, food service workers, bus drivers and paraeducators.
You can ask questions about jobs, the application process and more during our weekly job information sessions via Zoom every Thursday, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. Ask questions about job openings, the application process, and more during this weekly job information Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://mukilteoschools-org.zoom.us/j/91785959073?pwd=c0NvRjEvQnFZYytLdkxkK2tEREZpZz09
Meeting ID: 917 8595 9073
Passcode: 665356
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 Dan Dizon (425-356-1319), dizonds@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.