What is Math Champions Math-a-thon?  Math Champions Math-a-thon is an opportunity to get students to achieve math proficiency, while also raising funds for the school.  Students will receive awards for practicing math and taking math assessments.  Students will receive take-home study sheets to practice certain math skills, and every three weeks parent volunteers will administer assessments.  Each grade has 5 rounds of practice and assessments: Copper, Titanium, Palladium, Gold and Platinum.

When is Math Champions Math-a-thon? Math Champions is one of the first events of the Cowan Ave school year! It will begin Monday, September 19, 2011 with a kick-off assembly and will conclude on Tuesday January 16, 2012 with the final awards assembly.  Beginning in October, students will be tested every three weeks.  In addition, parents will be invited to celebrate in an assembly in the auditorium on the following dates: Monday, October 10, Monday, October 31, Monday, November 21, Monday, December 12, 2011 and Tuesday, January 17, 2012.  Please go to www.cowantigers.org and look under the Enrichment tab for specific testing and assembly times.

Who participates? Everyone participates!  Students will take home their first math worksheets on Monday, September 19, 2011.  Students should practice taking the exams at home and use the answer keys to improve their skills and proficiency.  We want every child to take part in the practice exams, assessments and awards.  You do not have to collect pledges to participate in this event!

What can parents do to help? You can help your child complete the math worksheets and/or quiz them using flashcards.  Use the practice test answer keys that are found on the Cowan website at www.cowantigers.org to correct their work.  (Students do not need to turn in their practice tests.)  In addition, please help your child remember to return their pledge forms to their classroom teacher or to the PTO mailbox by Monday October 3, 2011. You can collect and submit the donations at the conclusion of the Math Champions Math-a-thon in January.

How does the fundraising part work? From Monday, September 19, 2011 to Monday, October 3, 2011 students ask family and friends to sponsor them with a lump sum for the event or to donate per round.  They return the completed sponsor donation forms on Monday, October 3, 2011.  On Friday, January 13, 2012, students and parents start collecting the donations from sponsors and return them to the PTO mailbox in the main office.  We would like every student to participate in the fundraiser, but you can choose not to fundraise and have your student take part in the practice, assessments and awards.  If students can accumulate $20 per round, they will have $100 in donations!

Are there fundraising prizes?  Yes!

          Classroom Raffle: Every classroom that gets 100% participation and returns their pledge sponsorship forms by Monday October 3, 2011 will enter a classroom raffle to win an ice-cream party.

          Highest Sponsorship: The student that collects the most monetary donations will get a special prize.

          Class Pizza Party: The classroom with the most donations will get a pizza party.  One party will be awarded for K-3 and one for 4-5.

Who are the winners?  All Participants! Every student that participates will get a certificate.  In addition, every participant who achieves proficiency will receive a ribbon.  Because every grade has 5 rounds, students can earn 5 ribbons!  If a student is proficient 3 or more times, they will receive a special award.

Thank you for supporting Cowan PTO!

Questions?  Can you volunteer to help administer assessments and tally pledge forms?  Contact the Math Champions Math-a-thon Chair, Olivia Scollan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .