Challenger PTA offers many programs for our children. Below is a description
of some of these programs.To assist with or get more information about
any particular program, go to the Volunteers page and click on the listing
of PTA Program and Committee Chairs and contact the appropriate chairperson
using your PTA Membership directory, or via the PTA hotline or email
address.
After School Programs: Year-round. After school classes for this
school year include Ready, Set, Art; Chess; Science Adventures; Spanish;
Piano; and Engineering Fundamentals. Registration forms can be found
on the FORMS page, including the required After School Registration
Form. This form serves as an emergency form for the PTA, as the school
cannot share this same information with the PTA due to privacy laws.
Please download, complete, and submit this form every time you register
for any After School Program.
Science to Go: Year-round. Science enrichment program funded by the PTA for children in grades K-5. Children receive hands-on science instruction from Kate Poaster at Challenger and during various field trips.
Math Olympiad: Year-round. National program in which school math clubs from around the world compete in math contests without traveling. Open to current year 4th and 5th grade students. The program's goals include stimulating enthusiasm and a love for math; introducing mathematical concepts; teaching major strategies and developing mathematical flexibility for problem solving; strengthening mathematical intuition; and fostering mathematical creativity and ingenuity.
Gift-a-Book: Year-round. Celebrate your student’s birthday by donating a new book to Challenger’s library. Our chairperson works with the librarian to send home a Gift-a-Book invitation form during your student’s birth month. You select a purchase price & send in your payment, your student selects a book, and a bookplate is placed on the inside front page to acknowledge your gift honoring your student. Additionally, your student gets to be the first to check out that book.
MathBlasters: September. A home-based, incentive math program with prizes for various “levels” based on number of minutes a student plays online math games on the Everyday Math website. The goal is to reward students who practice their math skills and encourage students that may not have a natural motivation to do math.
Reflections: November. The National PTA Reflections Program is an arts recognition and achievement program that provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme. The program increases community awareness on the importance of the arts in education.
Eager Reader: January
-March. A long time favorite of Challenger students, Eager Reader is
a home-based reading incentive program with prizes for various 'levels'
of minutes read each week. The goal is to reward already active readers
and encourage children that may not have a natural motivation to read.
Click here
for FAQ and more information on the Eager Reader program!
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Tally Sheet
Prize Levels
Festival of Cultures: Friday, January. The PTA sponsors this international cultural event. The goal of the festival is to encourage learning about our global society and educate others about our individual heritage.
Science Fair: Friday, April. Students are given the opportunity to explore, experiment and participate in their pursuit of science excellence.
Scholastic Book Fair: June. Challenger PTA coordinates the Scholastic Book Fair, in which book profit earned is shared between the PTA, the librarian and the school staff. Books given as Eager Reader Level 12 prizes come from our Scholastic Book Fair profit.
Field Day: June. The PTA partners with the PE staff to conduct field day. Students participate in a variety of physical activities, including water games, tug-of-war, and races.
My Summer Journal: June-September. A home-based, incentive writing program with prizes for various “levels” based on journal writing entries made during the summer vacation break. The goal is to reward creative writing and encourage students that may not have a natural motivation to write. Go to the FORMS page and click on “My Summer Journal” for more information, the calendar, and writing prompts to give students ideas on what to write about.
SAVE AT SCHOOL - Chase Bank decided to end the long running School Banking program started by Washington Mutual. It is important for everyone to save money and developing this habit starts at a young age. First Mutual Bank would like to help teach your children the habit and value of saving money with their new “Save At School” account. A minimum $5 deposit is needed to open the account and First Mutual will ADD ANOTHER $5 when the account is opened. Once the account is opened, your child can bring their hard earned/saved money to the atrium EVERY Tuesday morning from 8:15 to 8:45 for deposit. An adult volunteer will record the amount in their own register books and take the funds to the bank for depositing. Quarterly statements will be mailed to the home from the bank, withdrawals must be made in person at the bank. Registration for this program is ongoing. The first bank day will be Sept 29 and occur every Tuesday morning (as long as school is open). Contact sandi.dong@comcast.net for an enrollment form and/or to help with this program.
Destination Imagination: A national program designed to encourage children to learn the process, art, and skill associated with problem solving. The PTA coordinates teams of children who wish to participate each year.
K-Kids:
A student led community service organization sponsored by Kiwanis International.
Comet Cash/Teacher Grants: In addition to supporting
the programs listed above, the PTA provides funding for classroom resources
through “Comet Cash” and grants. Comet Cash is simply money
given directly to all teachers (for their individual use) and other
staff members to be used for classroom and building needs not normally
met by the school or district budget. (Teachers and other staff members
receive a certificate that promises the reimbursement of expenses up
to a specified dollar amount. Submitted receipts are required before
reimbursement is made.)
Teacher grants are awarded to applicants who need extraordinary funding for specific needs. Examples of items purchased with Comet Cash and Teacher Grants include:
