Golda Och Academy Celebrates Pi Day

Golda Och Academy participants in the Pi Day Mathematics Competition last Thursday earned third place out of all 11 schools attending.

Top New Jersey mathematics students in grades 3, 4, and 5, competed in the program that was sponsored by the Math League and held at the Solomon Schechter of Greater Monmouth County.

"The goal was to really challenge the kids, to have them excited to explore new math concepts," said Golda Och Academy’s team advisor Julie Schwarzwald.

The 3rd and 4th grade teams each took second place for their grade levels. In addition to GOA placing third out of the 11 schools attending, GOA was the highest scoring day school at the competition.

"What I am most proud of is that by taking team awards, it was clearly a team effort," Schwarzwald said. "The idea that we needed every member of the team to make third place is outstanding."

GOA students have been meeting with Schwarzwald for several weeks during recess and lunch to prepare for the competition.

"I am so proud of these students," Schwarzwald said. "They worked so hard and asked for more practice during lunch and during February break. They said, 'Give us more, give us more!'"