OREFIELD, PA & LA MESA, CA— After a year-long challenge involving thousands of schools in more than 40 states, a mere 834 stickers separated the top two teams at the end of the 2008-2009 First In Math® Online Program Top Ten Competition. La Mesa California's Northmont Elementary School finished first, earning an average of 107,323 stickers per team. Second place finishers St. Joseph the Worker School earned 106,498 stickers per team.
First In Math creator Robert Sun and Suntex Vice President Barbara Asteak visited Northmont in June to present the #1 School award, honor top player Gustavo Munoz, and extend congratulations to Principal Melody Belcher and Math Teacher Sheri Galbreath, who also received a Lifetime Achievement Award (view video). Veteran Team Leader Galbreath, who is retiring this summer, says that the friendly competition First In Math provides is a motivating factor for many students. "This year, our students set their sights on becoming the number one school in the nation after they saw St. Joseph the Worker School doing such a terrific job. It inspired us to work even harder when the competition came down to the final days—that competition was the 'spark' that really lit our fire, and empowered us to reach for the stars!"
Galbreath, who has been involved with the program from the start, says it is a great way to welcome children into the world of mathematics, and can actually change the way they feel about math. "FIM fosters an enthusiasm for math and a belief in the ability to succeed for all types of learners," explains Galbreath. Another valuable lesson learned is the true meaning of teamwork, according to Galbreath. "Regardless of what the final rankings turned out to be, this is the first time, in all of my years of teaching, that I have seen an entire school work together and support each other in order to achieve a common goal, and the excitement was contagious!"
While Northmont has finished among the National Top Ten for years, relative newcomer St. Joseph's did not even crack the top 20 last year, making their rise to the top even more incredible. On May 26, 2009, Robert Sun visited St. Joseph the Worker School to honor students for their second-place finish. "Our tiny school held its own against thousands of other schools across the country," says Technology Teacher Monica Patel. "After a months-long competition with Northmont Elementary, our mathletes have earned the deep admiration of Mr. Sun, and of everyone here at St. Joseph's and the entire Allentown Diocese. We love First In Math!" Patel can attest to the fact that students and educators alike can become a bit obsessed with the program, her son Shonak was 2006 Program Champion.
Photos Left to right, clockwise: Monsignor Wargo, Robert Sun and Principal Jody Meyers pose with top students and their mothers and Team Leader Monica Patel. Patel and Sun congratulate Mark Stenske. Team Leaders receive FIM Proclamations from Robert Sun.
Sun presented the #2 School award, a Team Leader proclamation, and individual honors to St. Joseph's top players, including 4th-grader Mark Stenske, who ranked 8th in the Nation - all grades. Stenske's 30,599 stickers earned him membership in an exclusive club, the First In Math National All Stars. Only 10 First In Math National All Stars are named each year.
Congratulations to students and faculty at both of these amazing schools!