Challenger Elementary Newsletter
Home of the Cheetahs
January 2021
Dirk Adkinson ~ Principal
Heidi Straus ~ Assistant Principal
Heather DeBoli-Welch ~ Dean of Students
Sheena Jimenez ~ Parent Liaison
Principal's Message
We welcome in the year 2021 with anticipation of better days to come. At Challenger, we are continuing to work to connect with your students and provide the best distance learning opportunities possible.
One of the questions that I get asked most often by parents and community members is, “How is the pandemic going to impact our students ability to learn?” I have thought long and hard about this question. I think that my feelings can be best expressed by the words below. These words were written by Teresa Thayer Snyder: What Shall We Do About the Children After the Pandemic.
I sincerely plead with my colleagues, to surrender the artificial constructs that measure achievement and greet the children where they are, not where we think they “should be.” Greet them with art supplies and writing materials, and music and dance and so many other avenues to help them express what has happened to them in their lives during this horrific year. Greet them with stories and books that will help them make sense of an upside-down world. They missed you. They did not miss the test prep. They did not miss the worksheets. They did not miss the reading groups. They did not miss the homework. They missed you.
Resist the pressure from whatever ‘powers that be’ who are in a hurry to “fix” kids and make up for the “lost” time. The time was not lost, it was invested in surviving an historic period of time in their lives—in our lives. The children do not need to be fixed. They are not broken. They need to be heard. They need be given as many tools as we can provide to nurture resilience and help them adjust to a post pandemic world.
Being a teacher is an essential connection between what is and what can be. Please, let what can be demonstrate that our children have so much to share about the world they live in and in helping them make sense of what, for all of us has been unimaginable. This will help them– and us– achieve a lot more than can be measured by any assessment tool ever devised. Peace to all who work with the children!
I look forward to seeing your children in person sooner rather than later.
Dirk Adkinson
Principal, Challenger Elementary
Dean's Message
With the current state of our world, it is not unusual to experience overwhelming feelings. Now more than ever, it is important that you take time to practice self-care so that you can be there for your children during this period of uncertainty.
Below are a few ways to take care of yourself so that you can feel your best.
1. It is okay to walk away. When something triggers an unwelcome emotion, walking away from that situation can give you the space you need to clear your head. It is important to carve out time to be alone (and not just during a bathroom break).
2. Do something calming. Meditation, yoga, or reading a book are all ways to destress. Remember, what works for one person may not work for you, so try out different ways and see if they give you a sense of calm.
3. Sleep. Sleep is a key element of self-care as it allows your body and mind to recharge. Try to get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep a night.
4. You are enough. Remember: you are doing the best that you can. Positive self-talk will increase confidence while reducing negative emotions.
Heather DeBoli-Welch, Dean of Students
Nurse's Corner
Cold Weather
· Change your mask when it becomes wet.
o A wet mask is harder to breathe through, is less efficient at filtering, and vents more around the edges of the mask.
· Keep a spare mask to replace one that becomes wet from moisture in your breath, snow, or rain.
· Store your wet reusable mask in a plastic bag until you get home and can put it in the laundry.
· If you need to wear a scarf, ski mask, or balaclava, wear it over your mask.
o They are used for warmth and are usually made of loosely knit fabrics, which are not suitable for use as masks.
· If you wear glasses, find a mask that fits closely over your nose or has a nose wire to help reduce fogging. Consider using an antifogging spray that is made for eyeglasses.
Stay Healthy!
Meredith Macharia ~ RN BSN ESA
NO SCHOOL
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day ~ Monday, January 18.
Teacher Work Day ~ Friday, January 29.
Presidents Day ~ Monday, February 15.
Mid-Winter Break ~ Tuesday-Friday, February 16-19.
Teacher Work Day ~ Friday, February 26.
Mukilteo School District Board Meeting
Monday, Jan 25, 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/