Nominating Your Child for the Challenge Program A Guide for Parents Old Bridge Public Schools Spring 2018

Our Current Challenge Program Challenge teachers visit second grade classrooms with the PETS program six- eight times a year. Students in grades 3-5 travel by bus one day a week to their designated Challenge school. Instruction takes place from 9:30- 1:25. Students eat lunch in the Challenge classroom and have the option of buying lunch or packing a lunch. Recess time is focused on indoor activities promoting social interaction and problem solving skills. Students work in small groups on research and creative projects. Technology is used in most activities and lessons. The curriculum is based on carefully designed thematic units with skills from all subject areas.

First- Consider This When Nominating Students should possess observable and measurable characteristics from each circle. If the student is missing one of the three characteristics, the services of this program will not be beneficial to your child. If the “task commitment” element is missing, then this program will not be a good fit for your child. If the student does not have the “above average creativity” then this program will not be a good fit for your child. Without the “above average intelligence”, this program will not be a good fit for your child.

When nominating your child for the Challenge Program, please make sure that you are focusing on the “Gifted Learner” column.

Key Factors to Consider

Factors to Consider When Nominating: 1- All students and parents of students in the Challenge Program must sign a contract. Below are the terms. Please keep these in mind when nominating your child for the program. •All students must come to class prepared and ready to work, learn and collaborate. •Homework assigned must be completed by the due date. •The Challenge Program cannot be an excuse for falling behind in regular school responsibilities. Falling behind may result in exiting the program. •All rules on the bus and in the Challenge School must be observed. •Nothing less than your best will be expected. •Being justly proud and equally humble of the students’ abilities is required. •Students must strive in all work to maintain the standards of excellence that may serve as an example to others.

Factors to Consider When Nominating: 2- All students will be assessed using a progress report that focuses on the four Challenge Standards and Work Ethic. The Assessment Key is as follows: 1- Student does not meet learning target. 2- Student meets learning target. 3- Student exceeds the learning target.

Factors to Consider When Nominating : 3- Please be sure to only nominate students who will be able to keep up with their classes when they come to Challenge. Students will miss nearly a full day of class. They will leave their home schools at 9:15 and return by 1:45. This means they will miss direct instruction and any related arts or special programs scheduled during those times. It is understood that students in the Challenge Program may need to focus more time after school hours to ensure they are on par with their peers in their regular classes.  

Social and Emotional Needs of the Student Potential Challenge candidates should be prepared to: Leave their home school and take a bus to another school for instruction. Miss some special days, events, or assemblies on Challenge Day. Make up some of their work and assignments from the home school. Pack their supplies, homework, materials to take with them to Challenge class. Interact with a new group of students from across the district. Collaborate and share ideas with classmates. Use technology without becoming frustrated or overly nervous. Exhibit the qualities outlined in the “Six Pillars of Character” when attending another school for instruction.

Things to keep in mind… Your nomination is not the only factor considered. All the criteria for entrance including parent nomination will be evaluated in the district’s Challenge rubric. All students nominated will be given the Easy CBM assessments in Math and Reading. A test of creative thinking was also administered. We will continue use of the traditional Challenge Writing Sample and Challenge Math Test. These were administered by your child’s homeroom teacher. The Writing Sample focuses on creative thinking and overall writing skills and is scored using the NJDOE rubric. The Math test will focus on multi-step problem solving that requires mathematical skill and higher order thinking.

Parent Nomination Procedure Your nomination does not guarantee your child a place in the program. Your nomination ensures that we thoroughly review your child for Challenge Program services. Please do not speak with or pressure your child’s teacher to recommend your child. Students get the same number of points and same type of screening if you, their teacher or you both put their name forward. Carefully consider all the information in this presentation and make sure this program will be a GOOD fit for your child. Visit the Parent Nomination Form by clicking here and complete the nomination form. Each family should complete this only once per child Once your survey has been received you will receive the directions for how to upload 1-3 work samples that your child has produced. Current Challenge students do not need to submit artifacts. These work samples should highlight: creativity, high achievement/task commitment, AND high aptitude/above average ability. Work can be school work or independent work and can be from any academic area. The nomination window closes on 5/1/18. No nominations will be accepted after this date.

Thank you for taking the time and effort! We will be in touch.