Special Education » Gifted & Talented

Gifted & Talented

GIFTED AND TALENTED
 
Program Coordinator
Elementary Enrichment and Gifted & Talented Teacher
Mrs. Colleen Blithe
 
Elementary Enrichment and Gifted & Talented Teacher
Mrs. Kelly Davis
 
 
 
Please see the information below for 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 Otis Lennon 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. 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:
 
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 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
Description: Students complete investigations of historical events, society, and life from 500 – 1500 AD.
 
Theme: Advertising
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.
 
7th Grade
 
Students will be exposed to the finance world and will invest $100,000 in a team based mock stock market game. Students will also have the opportunities to use a mechanical computer, LEGO Computer Science and AI kits, explore the game of Chess, and participate in a Mock Trial case.

8th Grade
 
Students will have the opportunity to continue their journey learning about the world of finance and will participate in the Stock Market Game. Students will also have the opportunity to delve into the world of forensic science. Other topics will include career research, creating a functional miniature golf course and enhancing public speaking skills by participating in a debate.

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.
Advisor: 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.