Gifted & Talented
Program Coordinator
Elementary Enrichment and Gifted & Talented Teacher
Mrs. Colleen Blithe
Elementary Enrichment and Gifted & Talented Teacher
Mrs. Kelly Davis
Middle School Gifted & Talented Teacher
Mrs. Lisa Gaudio
Welcome to the Millville Public Schools
Gifted & Talented Program!
Please click below to view information about Inclusion Criteria and Current Programming:
Inclusion Criteria
Kindergarten and First Grade
Students qualify based on teacher recommendation. Reading levels and report card grades are also taken into consideration.
Second Grade
Students qualify based on teacher recommendation, report card grades, reading level, and Terra Nova standardized testing which is administered in the spring of first grade.
Third through 12th Grade
Students qualify based on teacher recommendation, report card grades, reading level and Otis Lennon standardized testing which will be administered. State standardized testing is also taken into consideration at various grade levels.
Twice Exceptional Students
Students qualify in conjunction with the evaluation that they received for special education classification. The coordinator will be made aware of the eligibility by the individual that administered testing.
Parent/Guardian Requests
Parents / Guardians are welcomed to request Gifted & Talented evaluation. Once the request is made, one of the Gifted & Talented teachers will evaluate the student and review the testing and other matrix data for inclusion.
Appeal Information
Please contact Colleen Blithe, Gifted & Talented Coordinator [Email] or at 856-825-5718
If further action is needed, please contact Stephen Matusz, Director of Exceptional Children & Student Services, at [Email] or at 856-327-6015
If further action is needed, as per state law, an individual may then file a petition of appeal of the board’s written decision to the Commissioner of Education through the Office of Controversies and Disputes in accordance with N.J.S.18A:6-9 and the procedures set forth in State Board of Education regulations.
Current Programming
Kindergarten
Theme: Storytime Fun!
Description: Students will engage in a higher-level activity after listening to a story.
First Grade
Theme: STEM Through Stories
Description: Students will read literature that applies to science and math and will complete activities related to the literature.
Second Grade
Theme: Famous Inventors and Inventions
Description: Students research inventors and create a GOOGLE slide presentation to highlight the inventors. Students also explore hands-on activities related to each inventor.
Third through Fifth Grades
Themes: Adventures in Cracking the Code, Exploring Architecture and Engineering, Notable People
Description: Students focus on one of the above themes per year. Themes will be science, technology, engineering, arts, and character educationally based.
6th Grade
Theme: Life in the Past Lane – A Study of the Middle Ages (Sept-Jan)
Description: Students complete investigations of historical events, society, and life from 500 – 1500 AD. An educational field trip to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in October -allows the students to get a glimpse of what life was during the Middle Ages.
Theme: Advertising (Jan- June)
Description: Using an interdisciplinary approach, the students will explore the challenging world of advertising and the media influence on it. While pretending to work for an advertising firm, students will become active participants. Students will have the opportunity to participate in an educational field trip to the Herr’s Factory in May to see first-hand how their products are produced and marketed.
7th Grade
Theme: Election Process
Description: Complete coverage of both local and state-wide elections
Theme: Middle School Model Congress
Description: Investigation of state and federal government culminating with writing and debating legislation at the State House Annex in Trenton, New Jersey.
Theme: The College Experience
Description: As part of the Pathways to Success theme, students will research several colleges that could possibly be in their future, culminating with an oral presentation to explain their findings.
8th Grade
Theme: Future Financiers
Description: Students will invest $100,000 in a mock stock market game with SMG. Each team will be responsible to keep track of the daily gains and losses of their team’s stock portfolio.
Theme: Forensics
Description: Students will have the opportunity to delve into the world of crime detection and forensic science. Using DNA and other clues, students will use a hands-on approach to catch the culprit!
Ninth through 12th Grades
Academic Team
The Academic Team travels to different schools to compete with other academic teams. Students answer “Jeopardy like” questions on topics such as math, science, pop culture, sports and history during the competition.
Advsior: Mr. Bill Branin
Mock Trial
Mock Trial is a competition in which students become lawyers and witnesses in a fictitious court case. Students will develop a case just as an attorney does.
Advisor: Mr. Dan Lalli
Model Congress
Model Congress is an opportunity for our students to be legislators! Students will write their own bill and practice the rules and procedures for proper debate in after school activities.
Advisor: Mr. Dan Lalli
Congressional Award
The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans. Participants earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration.
Advisor: Mrs. Lisa Gaudio