Throughout the day, students will be awarded points for their house. They earn points for good behavior. It could be something as simple as holding the door open for someone, or staying on task in class. Points can be awarded by any staff member at Challenger. We are only a few months into school and already, each house has 1,000 points or more! The students are doing an incredible job so far and seem to love the houses.
The competition will continue all year long! At the end of the year we will announce who will be the House Champion! The students in the winning house will receive a special surprise at the end of the school year. Although only one house will win at the end of the year, we will be doing small celebrations throughout the year to celebrate all the hard work the students have done and will continue to do.
Opportunities for extra points:
Champion Alert Cards:
Teachers have been given a “Champion Alert!” Card. They will fill out these cards for students they catch going above and beyond. If a teacher gives them a Champion Alert card, that student will earn an additional 3 points for their house.
School Assemblies:
Each month, we will hold a school wide assembly. This assembly will honor and celebrate students who have been nominated by their teacher for student of the month. If a student has been nominated by their teacher, they will be awarded 10 points to their house, and will be given the opportunity to earn additional points during the assembly.
Staff
Every staff member at Challenger Elementary has been sorted into houses as well. All year long, the staff will compete to earn extra points for their houses!
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Mobile Food Pantry Coming to Howell on the Third Thursday of Every Month
On the third Thursday of each month, Gleaners Food bank will have a Mobile Food Pantry in the bus lot at 411 N. Highlander Way (between Highlander Way Middle School and the Freshman Campus). The Mobile will be open from 4 p.m.-5 p.m. Anyone in the community needing food can drive through and pick up food from the Mobile. Dates for Food Pantry will be October 20, November 17, December 15, January 19, February 16, March 16, April 20, and May 18. There will be dates during the summer, as well. Here is a Howell Food Resource Guide that provides additional information regarding food access in and around Howell. If you have any questions regarding the Howell Food Mobile or food access in Howell, please get in touch with Gleaners Food Bank at 517-548-3710.
Weekend Survival Kits™
Weekend Survival Kits™ (WSK), Giving Hope to Hungry Kids, is a supplemental food program that feeds children over the weekend when food can be uncertain for some families. This program is for elementary students at this time. A typical kit will contain approximately two weekends' worth of food servings that are discreetly sent home with students every other Friday (the second and fourth Fridays of each month) throughout the school year. The kits are free to eligible children who currently qualify for free or reduced school meals (breakfast and lunch). If you are interested in participating in the WSK program, please complete this Google Form. You only need to complete one form for your family as long as all your elementary-aged children attend the same school. If your elementary-aged children attend more than one elementary school, please complete the form for each school. Please remember that there is no cost for your family to participate. If you have questions regarding the WSK program, please contact your child's school counselor. The first kit will be sent home with registered students on Friday, October 28.
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Counselor’s Corner
Although our day-to-day is often chaotic, it is beneficial to spend a little time thinking about your children’s futures. Here are two great college-savings opportunities: Michigan Education Trust (MET) and Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP).
MET is a 529 Prepaid Tuition Plan which allows for the pre-purchase of tuition based on today's rates and then paid out at the future cost when the beneficiary is in college. Click here for more information about MET, or visit https://www.michigan.gov/setwithmet.
The MESP is a college savings account that you pay into over time. By setting up automatic contributions from your bank account or by payroll deduction (if supported by your employer), making regular contributions is hassle free. MESP can be used at colleges and universities all over the country, and it allows for unused benefits to be transferred between members of the same family. Click here for more information about MESP, or visit www.misaves.com. Both MET and MESP are simple, user-friendly, and can help maximize your savings even on a modest budget. Contributions may qualify for a state tax deduction and can be made automatically. You can even invite others to contribute to your children’s accounts through e-gifting! As always, reach out for support and resources!
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