PHILADELPHIA, PA—On June 16, First In Math Ambassador Cred Dobson and Program Assistant Molla Netsky traveled to Lewis C. Cassidy Academics Plus School to help honor Kara Keeneghan and her third grade class during an assembly program. The ceremony took place only days after Cassidy was honored at The School District of Philadelphia's Citywide First In Math® Award Ceremony.
Left to right: Molla Netsky, Principal Beverly Crawl; Team Leader Kara Keeneghan and FIM Ambassador Cred Dobson pose with some of Cassidy’s top FIM players.
"Kara and her class are extremely special and deserve a big fuss," says Principal Beverly Crawl. "Because of Kara's work, and her amazing students, we were able to be the #1 First In Math School in the West Region of the Philadelphia School District." Keenaghan's third grade class earned more than 82,000 stickers and was still going strong even up until the last days of school.
"I have no doubt that some of my students will be playing during the summer," chuckles Keeneghan, who received a plaque for inspiring Outstanding Math Achievement. Her class of 22 solved more than one-quarter of a million math problems on their way to a #13 All Grades District Ranking, and a #4 Ranking among third graders in the State of Pennsylvania. Cassidy's top three students are: Eric Grant; Mikeya Wright and Rayanna Hightower, ranked #15, #87 and #97 respectively among the Top 100 third grade students in the US.
Left: Keeneghan’s third-graders mug for the camera. Right: Principal Beverly Crawl with Eric Grant; Mikeya Wright and Rayanna Hightower. Also pictured are Joy Diljohn, representing the Office of Teaching and Learning and West Regional Superintendent and long-time FIM supporter Diane Hathaway at The School District of Philadelphia's Citywide First In Math® Award Ceremony.
Dobson commended the entire student body and faculty on their first-place finish in the West Region, and went on to challenge the students to be number one again next year. "Much like the World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies, you are now the School to beat in the West," exclaimed Dobson. Netsky upped the ante, saying “If you all work as hard as you can I promise we will be here to honor you again next year.” Smiling, the retired teacher also zeroed in on the broader picture, adding, "I can’t wait to see your state Math Test scores!”
Photos courtesy Matthew Seaver - Studio XI Photography