A.C. Whelan welcomes ST Math Penguin JiJi

By Melissa Moore-Randall

Last week, the halls of the A.C. Whelan School were lined with students and teachers. Excitement filled the halls as they welcomed JiJi, the ST Math Penguin, to kick off the 2025-2026 school year. According to their website, “ST Math is the only PreK-8 supplemental program built on the science of how the brain learns–inviting students to explore, make sense of, and build lasting confidence in math through visual problem solving. It utilizes deep conceptual understanding, real-time formative feedback, mastery-based progression, learning gains that stick, equity driven by design, and collaborative learning.”

The grant funded program is part of the district’s Math curriculum. Students in Grades K-1 are expected to complete 40 puzzles per week with a progression of 2-3%, and Grades 2-8 are expected to complete 60 puzzles per week with a progression of 2-3%. All classrooms have a goal of 80% of students completing the program by the end of the year.