ABERDEEN, S.D. – After a successful first year at O.M. Tiffany, the Number Ninjas math program is expanding to elementary schools across the district—and beyond.
Next year, all six Aberdeen Public School District elementary schools will have Number Ninjas programs, as will Aberdeen Christian, Roncalli and Warner elementary schools.
Number Ninjas is an after-school program similar to MathCounts in middle school, but for the elementary school level. Students can earn ninja belts as they master their math skills.
Aberdeen Public Schools parent Adam Buckhouse was instrumental in the creation of Number Ninjas at O.M Tiffany.
“I have helped lead MathCounts in the Aberdeen area for 17 years and see how positively it affects middle schoolers, including my eighth-grade daughter,” Buckhouse said. “Last summer, I was looking for a similar opportunity for my third- and fifth-grade children, who attend O.M. Tiffany. After some brainstorming, I reached out to school leaders, and momentum started building. With their support, three ambitious OMT teachers signed on to lead, and number Ninjas was born.”
Those three teachers were Katie Blocker, Jenna Huck and Mikaela Waiflein, who led the pilot year of Number Ninjas at O.M. Tiffany. About 30 students participated, Waiflein said. They even went to a few competitions this year, including a combined MathCounts competition at Holgate Middle School.
“Next year it’ll be fun to see what an elementary competition will look like,” she said.
Student Perspective
O.M. Tiffany Number Ninjas students said they enjoyed the program for many reasons.
“I like Number Ninjas because they give you tests, and if you get them done, you get belts,” said fifth grader Easton Norman.
“I really like Number Ninjas because we get better at math, we can make new friends there, and it’s really fun having time after school to do math stuff,” said fifth grader Cecilia Netzer.
“I like Number Ninjas because I love doing scavenger hunts around the school, and playing 24, and getting Number Ninjas bands every time I pass a level,” said fifth grader Eleanor Buckhouse. “It’s really fun because you get to see your friends upgrade and also yourself upgrade, and you don’t have to worry about being hungry because you get snacks, and you don’t have to worry about being alone because your friends are in it. It’s just a really fun program.”
“What I like about Number Ninjas is that we get snacks, and as we get better and better at it, we get higher belts,” said fifth grader Jackson Lemire. “We get to see our friends upgrade, us upgrade, and we get to do fun competitions at the end of the month.”
“I like the challenge where you have to get the belts because it really pushes you to see which one you can get,” said fifth grader Bryant Linke. “And my favorite part is probably the pizza at the end of the year.”
Fundraising Effort
Number Ninjas’ pilot year at O.M. Tiffany was funded by an Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation Innovation Partnership Grant. Now, Buckhouse is leading a fundraising effort to support the program at all schools. An Aberdeen Area Community Foundation grant has already been awarded to get started toward the $18,000 fundraising goal.
“Any small donations are appreciated,” Buckhouse said.
Donations may be sent via Venmo to numberninjas-aberdeen. For large donations or if a tax receipt is needed, please email adam.buckhouse@gmail.com.
For more information about Number Ninjas, visit the Number Ninjas Aberdeen Area Facebook page.
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About the Aberdeen Public School District
The Aberdeen Public School District provides a comprehensive educational program to approximately 4,200 students in grades K-12, with a mission of empowering all students to succeed in a changing world. Our students receive the knowledge and skills necessary to reach their potential in a global community through high expectations of academic achievement; diverse educational opportunities; and community involvement in a safe, supportive environment. Learn more at aberdeen.k12.sd.us.