The Math Superstar program at Birch Hill Elementary School is a PTO sponsored math enrichment program unrelated to the in-school Everyday Math program. During the 2001-2002 school year, a committee was formed to revive the program and set realistic guidelines. Realizing some aspects of the program will change year to year, the committee first set out to create a Mission and a Vision statement so that the goal would remain constant. Participation is entirely optional; although, it is rewarded in hopes to reach as many students as possible.
Mission Statement
- To offer all students the opportunity to challenge themselves in all types of math concepts by providing an additional learning activity.
Vision Statement
- To give students of all ability levels a chance to extend themselves beyond the mathematics curriculum and become more confident in math.
Guidelines:
- The program will run for 18 weeks.
- Students will receive a worksheet on Tuesday and have until the following Tuesday to hand in the completed worksheet to their teacher.
- Because some problems can be difficult, children are encouraged to do as many as possible, and parents are encouraged to assist and review the worksheets as needed with their children.
- Volunteer correctors will be checking the worksheets to see if answers are right or wrong but no point valuation will be given. Instead correct answers and explanations when necessary will be hand-written in by the correctors.
- Students will not be graded on the worksheets, nor do the worksheets count towards any academic grade. Student participation is the only measurement.
- After worksheets are handed in the correctors will correct them and return them to the classroom folder where they will be distributed back to the students.
- All classes that meet the requirements of participation will be eligible for winning the Math Superstars banner that week by random drawing.
- Incentives, or rewards, will be given throughout the year at various times to all participants of the program. Ribbons will be distributed at the end of the year for those who participated.
- Those students that complete all worksheets will become a Math Superstar Honor Roll member and will receive a Lamp of Learning pin, a certificate of recognition from the principal, and their names on the Honor Roll Board that hangs in the lobby.