EASTON, PA—Members of Team Star57PA roared ‘we love First In Math’ in unison as the camera snapped their picture during a recognition ceremony on June 2. The Palmer Elementary School third graders had good reason to be all smiles—they are the top team in the Easton Area School District, where FIM is the math resource for grades three through eight.
Team Leader Denise Laudenslager is incredibly proud of her students, and their phenomenal performance in the program this year. “Not only are they the top team out of our district’s 160 active teams, they are also ranked #23 in Pennsylvania, and #41 in the nation among ALL grades, as of today,” says Laudenslager.
District Math Coordinator Greg Hess is equally impressed by their effort, and says that this type of ‘over-achievement’ is one of the benefits of program use. “This class exemplifies the reason the district continues to purchase the First In Math program year after year,” says Hess. “The way students grab this resource and run with it is amazing.”
District Superintendent Susan McGinley was on hand to award Player of the Year badges to all team members, and a special Certificate of Excellence to Laudenslager. She also gave special recognition to the top three players, awarding them gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively. McGinley, a former third grader teacher herself, remarked that the day’s interaction with Laudenslager’s enthusiastic students was wonderful, and is something she definitely misses in her administrative role.