Challenger Elementary Newsletter
Home of the Cheetahs
April/May 2021
Dirk Adkinson ~ Principal
Heidi Straus ~ Assistant Principal
Heather DeBoli-Welch ~ Dean of Students
Sheena Jimenez ~ Parent Liaison
Principal's Message
At Challenger Elementary, we have many students and families from different races, cultures and belief systems. The diversity of our building is something that makes Challenger such a wonderful place to work.
The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month. We have many students and staff at Challenger who identify as Asian American or Pacific Islander. In the month of April, our staff took some of our professional development time to work collaboratively on activities that we could share with our students about these two ethnicities. We hope that your students can share some of their learnings with you. Here are some of the resources that our school librarian collected. Your student can share with you how to login.
https://collections.follettsoftware.com/collection/6054f201ceef000012dd16bf
We also understand that our society can present many hateful narratives around these ethnicities. We have seen many recent events where people have been discriminated against and even killed. When working with our students, we are sharing that it is important that if you see something, you need to say something. If you, as a community member, see or hear hateful statements, we ask that you report those. Below you will see the SafeSchool Alert system that our district provides. By working together, we hope to build a community where all students feel safe and loved.
https://mukilteo-wa.safeschoolsalert.com/
Dirk Adkinson
Principal, Challenger Elementary
From our Dean
As some of you may already know, my husband and I welcomed a beautiful baby girl on April 20. As excited as we are, I am sad to be going on leave as I will miss seeing your children as they leave for the summer! However, you will be in very capable hands while I am gone, and if you ever need any support, please do not hesitate to reach out to Elizabeth Hood at hoodea@mukilteo.wednet.edu.
Because this is my last message of the year, I wanted to ensure that I give some tips for how to make sure that this summer is one of relaxation, but also one that is productive.
Here are some ideas that will allow you to get the most of your summer break:
1. Explore the outdoors. Being outside will allow your child to explore and observe nature, all while getting fresh air and exercise. Your child can keep a journal to write down what they notice with their five senses.
2. Build something! Using LEGOS, blocks, or paper, building allows students to use their minds and their hands to get creative. There is also a great deal of problem solving that must be done when building something as each piece must fit together. This is why I absolutely love puzzles!
3. Experiment with cooking. Cooking, believe it or not, involves a ton of math and reading! Have your children measure out the ingredients, read the directions and contribute to your family meal!
I will miss you all, and I cannot wait to see you again next year. To our fifth graders, please stay in touch!
Heather DeBoli-Welch, Dean of Students
A Word from our School Nurse
What is the difference between COVID-19 and Seasonal Allergies?
COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness caused by infection with a new coronavirus called COVID. Seasonal allergies triggered by airborne pollen can lead to seasonal allergic rhinitis, which affects the nose and sinuses, sore throat, congestion, and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, which affects the eyes.
COVID-19 and seasonal allergies share many symptoms, but there are some key differences between the two. For example, COVID-19 can cause fever, which is not a common symptom of seasonal allergies.
Because some of the symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal allergies are similar, it may be difficult to tell the difference between them, and you may need to get a test to confirm your diagnosis. The school continues to work together to ensure student and staff health and safety following evidenced based practices, protocols and daily screenings. If your student has a known seasonal allergy, please inform your school health care team.
Meredith Macharia RN BSN ESA
“Nurse Meredith”
Cell: 559-821-1116
Phone: 425-366-2509
FAX: 425-366-2502
Kindergarten Registration 2021-22
Do you have a child who will be at least five years old by August 31, 2021, who will attend kindergarten in the Mukilteo School District this fall? Registration for kindergarten classes for the 2021-22 school year is underway.
Some students will attend Pathfinder Kindergarten Center, located behind Fairmount Elementary on Beverly Park Road, based on their home address. Use the online kindergarten look-up tool to enter an address and find which school your kindergartner will attend.
You can register online or stop by our main office to pick up a registration packet.
Immunizations are required for in-person school attendance as established by the State of Washington. Students must be current in immunizations to attend school. A new state law states that students who are out of compliance with immunization requirements will be excluded from school until those conditions are met. Learn more about the state’s new immunization requirements on the district immunizations website.
For more information about kindergarten, visit the kindergarten registration webpage, contact our main office, or the school district’s Elementary Education office at HemingerJL@mukilteo.wednet.edu or 425-356-1209.
Will you be moving?
Supply Deployment Dates
We will have school supplies and materials ready for only our remote learning students starting Tuesday, May 11.
Only the following classes/students will have bags to pick up. (If your child’s teacher is not listed below, then you do not have materials to pick up.)
K – Aguirre (Bradley sub)
1st – Jinneman
2nd – Kosten and Oliver
3rd – Burr and ONLY remote students from Kanev
4th – Wallenberg and ONLY remote students from Seng
5th – Mazick, Walsh and ONLY remote students Lund, Rozario and West
Preschool – Teachers will contact students who need to pick up bags.
Hubert – Select students who need to pick up bags will be contacted.
Please come to Challenger to pick up your child’s supplies on one of the three dates/times listed below.
Tuesday, May 11 ~ 1:30pm-3:30pm
Wednesday, May 12 ~ 8:00am-4:00pm
Thursday, May 13 ~ 1:30pm-3:30pm
(Supplies will be distributed out of our Main Office.)
No School
School Board Meeting
2nd Meeting of the Month
Monday, May 24th ~ 6:00pm
Monday, May 10, 2021, 06:00 PM
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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