La Cañada Unified ‘Mathletes’ honored at first-ever Math Awards Night
All successful athletes deserve a good ceremony, whether the event in which they competed was track and field, gymnastics or mathematical skill and problem solving.
That was the thinking behind La Cañada Unified School District’s first-ever Math Awards Night, held last Thursday at Palm Crest Elementary School to recognize elementary and middle school students who’d represented the district this school year in two prominent math events.
NEWSLETTER: Stay up to date with what’s going on in your community >>
The Math Olympiads for Elementary & Middle Schools (MOEMS) is an international mathematics competition that this year drew more than 120,000 student competitors from 32 countries, including 76,000 at the elementary level.
This year, nearly 200 LCUSD students took up the Math Olympiad challenge, participating in weekly practice sessions and taking five monthly contests from November through March. Students who ranked in the top 50%, 20%, 10% and 2% were recognized at the May 5 awards night.
La Cañada and Paradise Canyon elementary school teams received plaques recognizing their inclusion in the National Math Olympiad Honor Roll, for scoring in the 90th percentile or higher out of all international teams.
On April 30, several local students competed in the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Math Field Day, placing among the overall top three in fourth-, fifth-, seventh- and eighth-grades.
LCUSD teams in grades 4 through 8 won gold, silver and bronze medals in the categories of problem solving, conceptual understanding and skill. Famed mathematician and magician Arthur Benjamin wowed the audience with a series of “mathmagical” tricks during the celebration.
In special remarks, LCUSD Assistant Supt. of Educational Services Anais Wenn thanked Benjamin and Palm Crest parent Sugi Sorenson, who coordinated the event.
“We would also like to give recognition to the teachers that prepare and nurture our ‘mathletes’ daily — our students’ success is a reflection of their teaching,” Wenn said. “Thank you also to the coaches at each school who coached the teams and, as importantly, the parents for supporting your children.”
--
Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com
Twitter: @SaraCardine
--
ALSO:
Woman allegedly held at gunpoint in ATM robbery attempt
Eight candidates for county supervisor seat meet, discuss budget
