Challenger Intermediate School

Please see the attached flyer for information on how to sign up for the Goddard Mitten Tree.

Parents/Guardians, Vision Screenings will be administered in the month of November to students: New to the Goddard School District and 5th graders Vision screening does not replace a complete vision exam conducted by an eye care professional. If your child has been seen by an optometrist of ophthalmologist this year, please obtain a copy of the results to share with the school nurse. Why it is important for schools to provide vision screenings: Children with vision problems may not know they are having trouble seeing in the classroom. Without early detection and treatment, a child’s vision problems can lead to permanent vision loss and learning difficulties. Vision screenings at Challenger will consist of the following: 1. Distance visual acuity – ability to see objects/print far away 2. Binocular vision – how well the eyes work together 3. Color vision – ability to see colors 4. Near vision acuity – ability to see objects/print up close 5. Instrument-based screening – provides estimates of seeing objects far away and up close, blurred vision, unequal vision between the two eyes, and eye misalignment How results will be shared with guardians: If your student passes the vision screening, those results will be placed in the students chart and no further action is needed by guardians. If your student does not pass the vision screening, the school nurse will contact you via letter with results and recommendations for further evaluation by an eye care professional. If you have any questions about your students vision screening, please call the school nurse. If you do have concerns regarding your student’s academic progress due to eye issues, a complete examination by an eye care professional is highly recommended. Thank you, Heather Bogle BSN, RN Challenger School Nurse

Good morning, The October 15, 2024 PTO meeting was canceled due to parents unable to attend. The PTO meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday November 5, 2024. We will be covering topics and events happening in November and December. Date: 11/5/2024 Time: 3:15 -4:00 Location: Challenger Intermediate School Office Please enter through the front office to check in. Thank you, Challenger PTO

Hello Families, The senior class at Goddard High School is having our annual Trunk or Treat from 5 to 7 on Thursday, October 31, in the northwest area of our parking lot. Due to the Eisenhower football game that evening, we will be blocking off an area for the Trunk or Treat and for parent Trunk or Treat parking in the northwest corner of the parking lot.

After working on a Pickleball Unit in physical education class, Challenger Sixth Graders headed to Riverside Park for a morning and afternoon field trip to work on their game. Thanks to Heather Harrison, and several other retired Goddard teachers, and their Rotary Club for volunteering their time to work with the students on the rules and score keeping. The Rotary Club also donated bottled water and a snack for the students while at the park. It turned out to be a pretty fall day to be outside and play!

If your student is in running club. Please see the attached flyer for information regarding running club for the next few weeks. NO RUNNING CLUB TOMORROW!

Over the last 2 weeks, some 6th-grade classes have spread positivity through affirmations at buildings around the district. One affirmation can bring so much joy!

Just a reminder that tomorrow Wednesday, October 23rd will be picture retakes. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Picture retakes will be Wednesday, October 23rd. Please see the attached flyer on how to order pictures if your student was absent. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Strawbridge Live Chat at www.strawbridge.net or email them at cservice@strawbridge.net

October 17th 4-8pm. See attached flyer for details. All participants must have a waiver on file to play https://booking.urbanairparks.com/waiverconfimation=669226-0bafba4f *Must tell front desk you are there for Challenger Spirit Night

6th grade parents, We were notified this evening that riverside park has no water. Our students would not have bathroom access and the timeline for fixing the issue is undetermined. We are going to have to postpone the field trip until a later date. Mrs. Buchanan and Mrs. Ryan will send out information at a later date. Thank you for understanding.

It’s Scholastic Book Fair time! During Parent-Teacher conferences on Wednesday, October 16th and Thursday, October 17th, come experience the excitement all over again with your kids. Every purchase benefits our school https://www.scholastic.com/bf/challengerintermediateschool

Dear Parents, We are writing to ask for your support in providing essential clothing items for female students to keep in our Health Room. We are needing size 10 girls to adult medium. Our goal is to collect donations of new or gently used clothing, including: Tops (t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters) Bottoms (pants, jeans, sweats) Jackets and coats New undergarments (bras, panties) We understand that everyone's circumstances are different, and any donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated. Your generosity will help ensure that we have appropriate clothing for students in need. If you are able to donate, please drop off your items at the front office or send to school with your student. Thank you for your kindness and support!

Don't forget to set up your student's eWallet account for cashless, stress-less shopping. Friends and family can even contribute funds! Set one up here:https://www.scholastic.com/bf/challengerintermediateschool #ScholasticBookFairs

Please see the flyer below for our Fall Parent Teacher Conference times. This will be a come and go conference. Our teachers will be working 12-13 hour days. We are asking for donations for our snack room for our staff. Please send all donations to school marked "staff snacks."

This year's Book Fair is going to be epic! More Books. More Choices. More Fun. Start exploring together on our school's Book Fair homepage: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/challengerintermediateschool

Thank you Del Dreyer, Head Custodian and his crew for ensuring that Challenger remains safe, clean, and operates efficiently. We appreciate all that you do!! Happy Custodian Appreciation Day!!!

Happy National I.T. Professionals Day!!

Challenger Families, No school Monday September 16, 2024. Thank you and have a great weekend! -Challenger Intermediate School

"A good mentor can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning." – Brad Henry Congratulations to Mrs. Brandy Lane, Eisenhower Middle School, and Mrs. Carrie McSwain, Challenger Intermediate School, on receiving the District Attitude Award! Mr. Tracy Bauer, Senior Program Consultant with the New Teacher Center, nominated them. Their nominator wrote, “I wanted to shine a light on your Mentoring Program Leaders, Brandy Lane and Carrie McSwain. These two dynamos have taken on the leadership of the mentoring program with such enthusiasm and commitment that culminated in them leading a successful mentoring training last week for all new mentors in the district. Brandy and Carrie have achieved the following in less than a year: • redesigned the program to ensure cohesiveness and a commitment to developing teacher instruction • supported all mentors in the district through professional learning opportunities and one-to-one coaching • learned and prepared a comprehensive mentoring training for an audience of new mentors • effectively facilitated the mentoring training with a diverse group of peer teachers by stepping into the shoes of professional learning facilitators Brandy and Carrie have blown me away with their commitment to this work and their willingness to take on these leadership roles. Their presenter skills showcased their many talents, especially their ability to listen and respond effectively to their fellow teacher mentors. One participant said the following about the training, "Then I realized that I was sitting in the first professional development that I have truly enjoyed in years." Brandy and Carrie are true leaders of education in Goddard; their peers respect them and they deeply understand all facets of education including social-emotional, student-centered instruction, and meeting all learners' needs. They embody the values and vision of Goddard, and I am honored to be their partner in this work.”