San Mateo-Foster City School District
Department of Student Services
1170 Chess Drive ● Foster City ● California ● 94404
Office (650) 312-7341 ● Fax (650) 312-7779
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Molly Barton, Assistant Superintendent
Amber Farinha, Coordinator of Community Services
(650) 312-7342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2012
Laurel Elementary Students Shine at Math Olympiad
Foster City, CA – The San Mateo-Foster City School District is proud to announce that several students from Laurel
Elementary School were among nearly 150,000 students worldwide to participate this year in the Math Olympiad
program. They participated in a series of five monthly contests of 5 problems each, from November to March, and
weekly practice sessions under the supervision and coaching of parents Mike Moyer and Katie Lipka. They taught
students to solve unusual and difficult problems and to think creatively.
Laurel Principal Susan Glines commented, "These students rank among the best mathematics students at Laurel
School. They solved a variety of very difficult problems with eagerness and enthusiasm. I am also thankful for the
dedicated parent coaches who consistently held practice once a week to help these students reach their potential."
Students were recognized with certificates for their participation. A number of the mathletes won national awards for
excellence within Division E for grades 4-6. Elias Lewin-Koh was awarded the silver pin, given to those in the top
10% of their age division. Students Nathan A., Sammy David, Lila Dickson, Kathryn Jia , Thomas Karpishin, Lee
Moyer, Connor Nordell and Carson Shek were awarded an embroidered felt patch, which is given to those the top
50% of all participants.
Each year the Math Olympiads serves over 100,000 students on nearly 5,000 teams nationally and about 50,000
students on 2,000 teams in more than 30 other countries. Since 1979, it has provided challenging, thought-provoking
problems that stretch the abilities of students in grades 4 to 8, strengthening their foundation for both assessment
tests and more advanced studies.
For more information on Laurel Elementary, see the school’s website at http://laurel.smfc.k12.ca.us/.
Julie S. Chan
Lory Lorimer Lawson
Board of Trustees
Audrey Ng
Superintendent of Schools
Cynthia S. Simms, Ph.D.
Colleen Sullivan
Ellen Mallory Ulrich
San Mateo-Foster City School District
Department of Student Services
1170 Chess Drive ● Foster City ● California ● 94404
Office (650) 312-7341 ● Fax (650) 312-7779
Laurel Mathletes
Elias Lewin-Koh, Nathan A., Thomas Karpishin, Sammy David, Connor Nordell, Lee Moyer, Carson Shek, Kathryn Jia & Lila Dickson
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The San Mateo-Foster City School District operates 20 elementary and middle schools serving over 11,000 students
from preschool through 8th grade. For more information, please visit the district website at www.smfc.k12.ca.us.
Julie S. Chan
Lory Lorimer Lawson
Board of Trustees
Audrey Ng
Superintendent of Schools
Cynthia S. Simms, Ph.D.
Colleen Sullivan
Ellen Mallory Ulrich