PTSA helps provide opportunities to help enrich your child's education.

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES

In order to comply with health and safety requirements and to keep students and staff safe we have been asked to pause plans for PTSA-hosted before and after school enrichment programs or PTSA events until we hear from the school and district. We do look forward to hosting several virtual PTSA events coming soon!

MATH CHALLENGE

Students can sharpen their math problem-solving skills though 15 challenges (from Sep 25 through May) covering strategies such as draw a picture/model, make an organized list, look for patterns, and more. This is a great chance for families to enjoy math together as we encourage parents/siblings to get involved.

Get started today...this program is FREE and no sign-up necessary!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

1. Download the current Math Challenge
2. Submit Solutions Online by the due date posted. Please DO NOT bring your answers to school. Students who finish 11 or more Math Challenges successfully will be awarded with certificates at the end of the school year. For those that submit their solutions online, we will communicate results bi-monthly to parents.
3. Check Solutions Online - solutions will be available on the solution date by 3pm

CONTACT MathChallenge@ellabakerptsa.org

MATH TOURNAMENT - DATE TBD

A national tournament focusing on math fundamentals and problem-solving skills open to students in Grades 2-6 This year the tournament will be held online. 

DETAILS ON PARTICIPATION COMING SOON.

CONTACT MathChallenge@ellabakerptsa.org

REFLECTIONS 

A cultural arts competition providing students of all grades and abilities an opportunity to express themselves. This year's theme is I Will Change the World By...

RULES/GUIDELINES
Entries accepted in 6 categories. Entries are judged on creative ability and interpretation of the theme. To allow judging by appropriate developmental age/skill level, works are critiqued against others in the same grade division: Primary (Preschool-Grade 2) and Intermediate (Grades 3-5).  Please review the guidelines for each category: 

HOW TO SUBMIT
Submit your entry via the following fillable Entry Form. - Due Oct. 29

CONTACT Reflection@ellabakerptsa.org

2023-24 REFLECTIONS THEME SEARCH

National PTA is seeking a theme for the 2023-24 Reflections program year. 
The student who submits the winning entry will receive $100 and their theme will be presented at the annual National PTA Convention in Jun 2022. 

Please review the past themes listed on the website. Repeat themes will not be considered.
Use the form link in the Theme Search dropdown to submit theme ideas. 

FREE CODING RESOURCES

These are a great way for students to gain exposure to coding at home with minimal commitment.

• Code.org - A great option for coders of all ages. Code.org is an ideal first step for new coders and helps build an understanding of foundational coding concepts that will pave the way for more complex coding in the future!
• Lightbot.com - Available as an app. This coding game is great for your youngest coders. Aims to teach the most fundamental concept in computer programming - “Code is a series of instructions.”
• MakeCode by Microsoft - Ideal for beginners and experienced coders. MakeCode allows coders to try out a variety of electronics and hardware based coding projects like micro:bit and Lego Mindstorms. Self-guided projects allow students to select block-based coding, Python, or Javascript as their language of choice!
• Scratch by MIT - Developed by MIT for the purpose of teaching young coders programming, Scratch is a block-based platform that is a great place for students who are ready to start building games and stories on their own!
• Khan Academy - Developed for older students and experienced coders, Khan Academy’s coding resources will help students learn the essentials of web development and SQL databases. A great starting point for students who are exploring coding as a future career and are eager to dig deeper in their skill development.