March 2026 Challenger School Newsletter
Quiet Strength: How To Help Children Build Real Confidence in an Age of Fragility
A five-year-old child stares at a jigsaw puzzle she can't complete. Her brow furrows. She tries one piece, then another, but none of them seem to fit. She looks up at her teacher seeking help.
What happens next could affect more than this moment. It could help shape how the child approaches difficulties for years to come.
If the teacher steps in to solve the problem, the child may learn that struggle is a signal to stop. If the teacher dismisses the child's frustration, the child may learn that her feelings don't matter. But if the teacher acknowledges the child's difficulty and guides her to think about what she already knows, something important happens. The teacher might ask, "Do you remember yesterday when your folder wouldn't fit in your bag? What did you do then to solve the problem that might help you today?" By recalling and applying what she has already learned, the child discovers she can do hard things.
This small interaction captures something essential about childhood development that many adults have lost sight of: children don't become confident by being told they are wonderful. They become confident by proving to themselves that they can do difficult things.
That discovery—earned through her own effort—is the beginning of quiet strength.
Consider the Confidence Paradox
Over the past few decades, a shift has taken place within American education aimed at protecting children's self-esteem at all costs. The thinking was that if children feel good about themselves, they'll perform well. As a result, many American educators praised children's efforts regardless of outcome, eliminated competitive elements, ensured everyone received recognition, and removed obstacles that might cause frustration.
Many in American education confused feeling capable with being capable.
When children are told they are brilliant without being asked to demonstrate it, they are handed a belief that won't endure when tested. The first time their . . .
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This Month
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 9–13 | Speech Festival (K–G8: ID, NV, TX, UT)—Special-function uniform required |
| March 12 | American History Tour Parent Meeting (G8) (ID, NV, TX) |
| March 13 | Region Speech Festival (G6–8: NV)—Special-function uniform required |
| March 16–20 | Speech Festival (K–G8: CA)—Special-function uniform required |
| March 16–20 | Spring Break (ID, NV, TX)—No School |
| March 19 | American History Tour Parent Meeting (G8) (CA, UT) |
| March 20 | Midterm Grades Available (K–G8: CA, UT) |
| March 27 | Midterm Grades Available (K–G8: ID, NV, TX) |
| March 27 | Region Speech Festival (G6–8: CA, UT)—Special-function uniform required |
| March 30–April 3 | Standardized Testing (K–G8) |
| April 5–11 | American History Tour (G8) |
| April 6–10 | Spring Break (CA, UT)—No School |
Speech Festival (K–G8)
Students are gearing up for the Speech Festival that will take place this month.
Speech Festival is a wonderful opportunity for students to exhibit their mastery of the art of oratory. Students are learning how to effectively convey their ideas to others—a skill which will continue to serve them well throughout life.
Kindergarten students choose poetry selections learned in class, and students in first through fourth grade recite poems of their choice. Fifth graders choose speeches or speech excerpts from literature or history, and middle schoolers write and present their original persuasive speeches.
Standardized Testing (K–G8)
Challenger School will be administering the Iowa Assessments standardized tests to students in the coming weeks.
Our students have a long history of performing very well on nationally standardized tests. We are confident that this year's results will be impressive, too.
Tips for Test Days
Below is a list of things your child can do to be more focused and alert on test days.
- get a good night's sleep
- eat a nutritious breakfast
- drink plenty of water
- arrive at school on time
American History Tour Parent Meeting (G8)
In anticipation of this month's American History Tour, parents of eighth-grade students who will be touring are encouraged to attend an informational meeting on March 12 (ID, NV, TX) or March 19 (CA, UT) that will detail important travel instructions. This year, students will be visiting historic sites in Boston, Philadelphia, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
March Fun (PS)
In concurrence with St. Patrick's Day, Challenger preschool students will learn about Irish folklore during the month of March.
Midterm Notices (K–G8)
Midterm grades for students in kindergarten through eighth grade will be available to view in PowerSchool later this month.
There are no midterm notices provided for preschool students, but there will be progress updates at the end of the semester.
Looking Ahead
Spring Break
Please make arrangements for your child's care during Spring Break. Region dates are:
| March 16–20 | Idaho, Nevada, and Texas |
| April 6–10 | California and Utah |
Tax Number
For those who need it for their tax returns, Challenger's tax ID is 47-1405971.
