Challenger Elementary
Home of the Cheetahs
WELCOME BACK!
September 2021
Tara Jeffries ~ Assistant Principal
Heather DeBoli-Welch ~ Dean of Students
Sheena Jimenez ~ Family Liaison
Principal's Message
We are excited for the school year to begin here at Challenger. Having our students back on campus five days a week will bring life back into the Challenger campus!
Since beginning school on September 3, we are still taking many safety measures.
· All students and staff will be asked to wear a mask while indoors. When outdoors masks will not need to be worn (except in specific situations).
· Physical distancing is still required to the extent possible. We will be starting the year focusing on 3 feet of distancing.
· We will still have improved cleaning protocols here in the building. When working with students, there will be an emphasis on handwashing.
· Student-friendly wipes and approved cleaners will be provided to the classrooms.
· Unlike last year, there is no plan for a daily attestation form to be filled out.
We will work to keep you updated on changes as they occur. In addition, we will plan to provide our evening events via Zoom during the first few months of school.
We look forward to an amazing year and are so glad to see our students back in person full time.
Dirk Adkinson
Principal, Challenger Elementary
We Welcome our New Assistant Principal
I would like to take a minute to introduce or reintroduce myself. My name is Tara Jeffries, and I am your new Assistant Principal at Challenger Elementary.
Some of you might recognize my name, because I was the Dean of Students for three years, from the 2015-2016 through 2017-2018 school years. I am overjoyed to be returning to Challenger and look forward to working with all of you again.
I consider myself lucky to have this opportunity to continue my work with all the staff, students, and families. I know these past couple of years have been a struggle, and we will continue to face many challenges. I am committed to working with Mr. Adkinson and the entire staff to provide your students the best education possible.
We all have a lot of work to do, but together we can accomplish anything. Looking forward to an outstanding year and can’t wait to see all of you on campus.
Tara Jeffries
Assistant Principal, Challenger Elementary
A Note From Our Dean of Students
Welcome back, Challenger Cheetahs! It has been amazing being back on campus and seeing so many familiar faces while meeting new ones as we dive into this school year.
We are in the midst of some unusual times as we continue to tackle this pandemic, and tracking absences has become even more important. The Becca Bill requires that your child attend school regularly and on time. If your child is not going to be attending school that day, you must call the front office at 425-366-2500 to inform us of the reason behind the absence. If your child or another member in your household is sick, a member of our office staff or the nurse will be asking clarifying questions to better understand the illness and what follow-up needs to occur. These conversations will help ensure the safety of your child, as well as other students on campus.
I’m looking forward to working closely with you and your child this year! Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Heather DeBoli-Welch
Dean of Students, Challenger Elementary
FROM THE HEALTH ROOM
Welcome back to school Challenger students! We are excited to have everyone back on campus this year. As your new school nurse, I am looking forward to getting to know you and helping you stay safe and healthy!
Important news:
All students need to be up to date with vaccinations before their first day of school. Please check your student’s immunization status and make sure they are up to date.
Continue to stay safe by wearing masks, washing hands and keep students home if they are feeling ill.
Tana Radke MSN, RN
School Nurse, Challenger Elementary
425-366-2509
Your Right to Know - Title I Schools
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.
Mukilteo School District Highly Capable Services
Each fall the Mukilteo School District identifies students for Highly Capable services. Screening takes place in September and October. All students in grades Kindergarten – Grade 5 will be universally screened. Referrals are accepted but are not necessary for students in grades K – 5.
All middle school students now have the option to enroll in honors English Language Arts. Entering Grade 6 and 7 students have the option to enroll in Mathematics Honors class. Parents of students in grades 6, 7, 8 who would like their student screened/tested must submit a Permission to Test form by October 1. This form is available on the District’s website www.mukilteoschools.org by clicking on: Programs, Highly Capable Services, Highly Capable Forms & Documents.
A continuum of Highly Capable services includes:
· Learning Enrichment Achievement Program (LEAP) – Grades K – 12
· Summit Program – Grades 3 – 8
· Honors & Advanced courses – Grades 6 - 8
· Advanced course offerings, College in the High School and Running Start – Grades 9 – 12
You can submit the form by e-mail to the Assessment Department at KellyBD@mukilteo.wednet.edu or by mail to our District Office located at 9401 Sharon Drive, Everett, WA 98204
Library News
Welcome! I am the librarian here at Challenger Elementary where I am delighted to be able to work with your child. I have many roles as our school librarian, some of which includes helping students in reading, researching, and using resources that best meet student needs.
We are lucky to have a variety of online database resources such as World Book Online, Gale Research Tools and Pebble Go here in our library as well as computers for students to use. The above databases are also available to families at home. To access these, please go to the following website: https://www.mukilteoschools.org/ and then choose Challenger Elementary under the “Select a School” tab. Below is a list of usernames and passwords needed for those resources.
As a teacher-librarian, part of my job is to provide instruction and support in your child’s learning to help prepare them for the future. Another part of my job is to help them find books that they enjoy reading as well as ones that are at their just right reading level so that they can practice reading at home. My hope, as I know is yours as well, is that they will develop a love of reading that will cultivate into a lifelong love of reading.
I look forward to our partnership in your child’s education.
Happy Reading,
Linda Weidman
Challenger Elementary School
World Book Online: Username: Mukilteo
Password: student
Pebble Go: Username: challengeres
Password: school
Library Catalog: Same way you log into your student computer
Username: student ID#
Password: Initials from first & last name then student ID#
Nutrition Services News
Free lunch and breakfast will be provided for all students for the 2021-22 school year.
However, it’s still very important that families complete the free/reduced lunch application this year. Families can still receive benefits from the state and the school district.
If you have any questions, please contact Nutrition Services at 425-356-1212.
Holiday and Birthday Classroom Treats
Classroom parties and celebrations are at the discretion of each teacher individually. Please contact your student’s teacher directly for information about bringing classroom treats!
District Board Meeting
Monday, Sep 27, 2021, 06:00 PM
9401 Sharon Drive, Everett, WA, USA
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 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.