K-3 LEAP Program Frequently Asked Questions LOCAL ENRICHED ACADEMIC/ARTS PROGRAM K-3 LEAP Program Frequently Asked Questions

What is the LEAP Program? The LEAP program is an enrichment program that: Promotes ongoing student self-understanding, awareness of student needs, and cognitive and affective growth of these students  Applies theory and research-based models of curriculum and instruction related to students with gifts and talents  Fosters students’ personal and social responsibility, multicultural* competence, and interpersonal and technical communication skills for leadership in the 21st century  Addresses the cognitive, creative, and affective development of learners with gifts and talents

How will the LEAP program benefit my child? The LEAP program will benefit students because it focuses on: Creative Thinking: innovation; synthesis Higher Order Thinking Skills (Alex Osborn; Sidney Parnes) Critical Thinking Metacognition Creative Problem Solving (Alex Osborn; Sidney Parnes) Sustained Inquiry (Joseph Renzulli) Affective Behaviors * (Carol Dweck; Angela Duckworth) Collaboration (Len Crockett)

Who teaches the LEAP Program? The LEAP program is taught by teachers hired specifically to coordinate the program in two of the four K-3 elementary school buildings. Teacher Elementary School Nicole Ferrer Eisenhower & Randolphville Tina Jenious-Flood Grandview & Knollwood

How it Looks at Each Grade Level Kindergarten & Grade 1 5-7 Week Creative Problem Solving Workshop Students are pulled out of classroom one time per week for 50-60 minutes during school hours

How it Looks at Each Grade Level Students are pulled out of classroom one time per week for 50-60 minutes during school hours for: LAL and/or Mathematics Classes School Wide Enrichment: Dance Residency 15-week Workshop/Residency

How it Looks at Each Grade Level Students are pulled out of classroom one time per week for 50-60 minutes during school hours for: LAL and/or Mathematics Classes School Wide Enrichment: 5-8 week workshop Creative Dramatics Workshop Dance Residency Engineering Workshop

How was my child selected for the LEAP program? Kindergarten & Grade 1 All kindergarten classes participate in a school wide enrichment lesson presented by the LEAP Teacher.  A creative problem solving challenge problem is presented to students as part of this lesson.  Students who show interest, initiative and complete the in-school challenge with originality, creativity, elaboration and fluency are invited to participate in the LEAP Program.

How was my child selected for the LEAP program? Grade 2-3 LAL & Math STRETCH Participants are selected from district assessments from the previous school year. Assessments used are: May Universal Screener LAL Writing Learning Target LAL Running Records Math Learning Targets 2. Teacher from previous school years provide their recommendation using Renzulli Characteristics Identification Scale. This scale measures Leadership, Creativity, Learning & Motivation

How was my child selected for the LEAP program? Grade 2-3 School Wide Enrichment: Dance Residency Focuses on elements of dance with instructors from Lustig Dance Theater Students selection based on 2nd grade teacher recommendation Grade 2-15-week Workshop/Residency Grade 3- 8 week continuation Workshop/Residency

How was my child selected for the LEAP program? Grade 3 School Wide Enrichment: Creative Dramatics Workshop Engineering Workshop All 3rd grade classes participate in a school wide enrichment lesson presented by the LEAP Teacher.  A creative problem solving challenge problem is presented to students as part of this lesson.  Students who show interest, initiative and complete the in-school challenge with originality, creativity, elaboration and fluency are invited to participate in the LEAP Program.

How will I know if my child is accepted into the LEAP program? All parents will be mailed notification letters informing them of their child’s acceptance. Program Letters Timeline for Mailing Kindergarten Participation Letter December & April Grade 1 Participation Letter October & March Grade 2-3 STRETCH Participation Letters October Grade 2 School Wide Enrichment Letter February Grade 3 School Wide Enrichment Letter Creative Dramatics Eisenhower-October Randolphville- December Dance Residency December Engineering April

Who can I contact if I have any questions about the LEAP Program? Feel free to contact your building LEAP teacher if you have any questions regarding the program. Elementary School Teacher Email Eisenhower & Randolphville Nicole Ferrer nferrer@pway.org Grandview & Knollwood Tina Jenious-Flood tjenious-flood@pway.org

Taking a Forward “ The future belongs to a very different kind of person with a very different kind of mind- creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers, and meaning makers. These people – artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers - will now reap society’s richest rewards and share its greatest joys.”                                                                               -Daniel H. Pink A Whole New Mind