"I'm not a genius. I'm just passionately curious/"
Einstein
Program Philosophy
We believe our students can demonstrate and develop exceptional abilities in a wide variety of areas valued by our culture. Based on a "multiple intelligences" model, we believe those areas may include, but are not limited to, reading, writing, math, music, art, science, even service to others. Our program seeks to develop the multiple intelligences in all students. Moreover, it seeks to provide those students showing exceptional abilities with the learning experiences that will enhance their intellectual power, their creative expression, and their sense of self.
Program Goals
* Provide Opportunities for all students to discover and explore new areas of interest
* Provide all students with experiences and strategies that promote increased creativity and better problem solving
* Identify those students demonstrating exceptional ability in one or more areas and to provide them with a range of enriching experiences both within and beyond the classroom
* Provide those students demonstrating exceptional ability with periodic opportunities to learn like-minded peers
* Provide students demonstrating exceptional ability with social and emotional affirmation and support
The UFRSD believes that "gifted and talented students" means those students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the local school district and who require modifications of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities. (NJ Definition).
UFRSD also accepts the Theory of Multiple Intelligences as advanced by Howard Gardner (1983) that recognizes multiple ways to "be smart," including intrapersonal, interpersonal ability, musical, and bodily kinesthetic abilities. The District is dedicated to providing a rich array of opportunities for students to explore leadership, music, performance, athletic and other beyond‐academic gifts and talents. Music, art, athletics, student government and many more classroom and extracurricular activities are considered worthwhile opportunities for gifted. and talented UFRSD students. However, specific GT programming is dedicated to academic/creative talents in the areas of verbal‐linguistic, math‐logical, naturalist and spatial "intelligences." (borrowed from WWP)
Our Program
Newell Elementary School
Stone Bridge Middle School
Allentown High School
Supporting Your Gifted Child - Gifted & Talented Resources
Our Process
What will determine placement (ES and MS)?
The following areas are considered to determine placement:
-
GT identification committee at each school (5 members) - this committee would assess the informational data from each student and make a determination on whether they should be a part of our G&T program.
-
Use a rubric for identification - No gatekeepers
|
Student Presentation Rubric - GT Placement
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Depth of Knowledge
|
Student demonstrates little or no knowledge of their topic
|
Student demonstrates some knowledge of their topic
|
Student demonstrates an in depth and extensive knowledge of their topic
|
|
Ease of which they speak about their topic
|
Student is reading from a script with little familiarity of the topic (i.e. mispronounced words; lack of ability to answer questions about the topic; etc...
|
Student is at ease discussing the topic; student is able to answer some questions about the topic, but not all
|
Student is at complete ease talking about the topic; they are able to talk about it off script; answer questions and ellaborate when needed
|
|
Passion demonstrated during presentation
|
Student shows little excitement and passion; the student doesn't articulate that they are interested in the topic
|
Student shows some excitement and passion; the student shares that they are interested in the topic
|
Student shows a genuine love of and passion for the topic they chose; the topic has been chosen by the student, because they have a desire to work on it
|
|
Creativity
|
Student gives basic presentation with little support of their topic
|
Student presentation has something unique about it
|
The students presentation is unique and demonstrates a high level of understanding of the topic; original
|
District Identification Timeline:
|
Referral procedures published on district website and District/Campus and GT Meetings held
|
All year
|
|
Screenings, assessment and identification conducted after written parental permission obtained
|
Throughout the school year
|
|
Nominations accepted from parents, teachers, school officials
|
Throughout the school year
|
|
Gifted/Talented committee meets on grades 1-8 screenings
|
Throughout the school year
|
|
Written parental permission for services obtained for identified students in grades 1-8
|
Throughout the school year
|
|
Services begin for identified students
|
September
|
Staff e-Mail
Click on the name of the staff members below to open an email communication with them. Please e-mail the G&T facilitator to start the G&T Process.
Melissa DeSarno (Grades K-4) - Newell Elementary School
Shannon Manigrasso Stone Bridge Middle School / Stone Bridge Middle School G&T Letter
Pam Koharchik - Allentown High School
Patrick Leary Assistant Superintendent
If you have any questions or complaints with placement decisions please be sure to reach out to your child's building principal. If further discussions are needed please feel free to reach out to Patrick Leary, Assistant Superintendent, 609-259-7292, ext. 3200 or [email protected].
An individual who believes that the district has not complied with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 18A:35-34 et seq. may file a complaint with the Board of Education. This policy for filing a complaint shall be linked to the homepage of the Board’s Internet website. The Board shall issue a decision, in writing, to affirm, reject, or modify the district’s action in the matter. The 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.A. 18A:6-9 and the procedures set forth in State Board of Education regulations.