2009 - 2010 Math Olympiad Team Program Description: Founded in 1979, Math Olympiads is an international organization designed to foster enthusiasm and enjoyment of Mathematics, increase problem solving skills, and strengthen math intuition and ingenuity. All 50 states and 25 other countries were represented by the 150,000 students who participated in the past.

Goal of Program:

• To stimulate enthusiasm and a love for Mathematics • To introduce important Mathematical concepts • To teach major strategies for problem solving • To develop Mathematical flexibility in solving problems • To strengthen Mathematical intuition • To foster Mathematical creativity and ingenuity • To provide for the satisfaction, joy, and thrill of meeting challenges

Qualifications: The Math Olympiads Program is available to students in grades 7-8 who both enjoy and excel in mathematics. It offers a challenge to those highly motivated individuals who seek math enrichment above and beyond what is taught in the standard curriculum.

Everyone can have fun participating, but we do need to limit the team to 25 students. If it is necessary to use a formal selection process, student selection will be based on:

1. Algebra Readiness Testing results for 7th graders or Math grade from last year for 8th graders 2. Standardized Testing (CST) from last spring 3. Spring View Mathematics Teacher recommendation

Team Meetings: The Math Olympiad Team will meet Wednesdays in Room 51, 12:10-12:45 p.m. during first lunch from October 14, 2009 through March 17, 2010. We will discuss mathematical concepts, play motivational math games, and practice problem solving strategies with non-routine “Olympiad-type” problems. Students will also receive additional problems to work on at home each week. Team members will compete with teams from around the world in contests during November, December, January, February, and March. For more information, check out the Math Olympiad site at http://www.moems.org/.

Homework and Expectations: Being a member of the Spring View Math Olympiads Team can be a worthwhile and exciting part of a student’s school year. It is, however, a privilege and will require a certain degree of time and commitment. You and your student are encouraged to discuss the following expectations. Math Team members will be expected to:

• Maintain the standards for participation in extracurricular activities as outlined in the Spring View Middle School Student Handbook (pg 25)

• Read at home to make up for reading class time missed during team meetings • Work on the assigned homework problem set each week • Behave appropriately during Math Team meetings • Demonstrate respect toward others and good sportsmanship throughout the competition

If a student does not comply with these expectations, a warning will be given and then the student will lose the privilege of representing our school in this program.

Please note: Participating in the Math Olympiad Program translates to additional required homework above and beyond the demands of the regular classroom.

Math Team Application 2009-10 Information Meeting: Wednesday, October 7th

Application Due: October 13, 2009

Student’s Name ______________________Grade______ Math Teacher________________ Current Math Class: ___________________________ Previous Math Olympiad Participant: Y or N Parents’/Guardian’s Name __________________________ Parent’s Phone number _________________ Parent’s Signature _______________________________ email address _______________________ Student’s Signature ______________________________ email address _______________________