Challenge Day Provides Opportunities for Cedar Lane Students to Shine

June 13th, 2023

Cedar Lane School (CLS) students, families and staff gathered at the school on Friday, June 2 to celebrate Challenge Day, the school’s annual event in which students participate in a variety of activities and athletic challenges and demonstrate the progress they have made throughout the school year.

This was the first in-person Challenge Day since being paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, CLS adapted physical education teacher and lead Challenge Day organizer Jody Duff was committed to “going all out.”

Duff and a team of CLS staff spent months planning this year’s event, which featured more than 45 activities adapted to CLS students’ unique skills and abilities. Among them, a soccer game where students could use a leaf blower to push a soccer ball into a goal and a green screen allowing students to see themselves surfing on different sized waves. Students also had the opportunity to engage in several water-related activities and a carnival.

Duff says she aims to ensure that all students have the opportunity to independently engage in multiple activities on Challenge Day.

“As their teacher, I believe in them and know they can do more than they may realize. Challenge Day gives them the chance to see for themselves what they can do on their own.”

Challenge Day also provides families a window into students’ abilities, says CLS art teacher Lisy Holloway, who works closely with Duff to lead and organize Challenge Day.

“As families walk around with their child on Challenge Day, we always hear them say ‘I had no idea they could do that!’”

CLS Principal Paul Owens says Challenge Day is also about recognizing—and celebrating—students’ hard work.

“Challenge Day gives our students the opportunity to show off their accomplishments and have others see how far they have come.”

Begun in 2008, Challenge Day is presented in partnership with Special Olympics and with the support of the Howard County Police Department and volunteers from several community organizations.