Buena Vista GATE Parent Information Meeting

Introductions Jack Young, Principal Kim Medeiros, Elementary Administrator & GATE School Site Coordinator Michelle Palas- GATE Parent Advisory Committee GATE Department: (909) ask for Mari Fedrow or Joni Stallings

The Worlds Biggest, Highest, Longest Roller Coaster Parenting a gifted child is like living in a theme park full of thrill rides… Sometimes you smile. Sometimes you gasp. Sometimes you scream. Sometimes you laugh. Sometimes you gaze in wonder and astonishment. Sometimes youre frozen in your seat. Sometimes youre proud. And sometimes the ride is so nerve-racking, you cant do anything but cry. Helping Gifted Children Soar, 2000

What Does it Mean to be Gifted? Gifted and talented children are those identified by professionally qualified persons who by virtue of outstanding abilities are capable of high performance. Children capable of high performance include those with demonstrated achievement and/or potential ability in any of the following areas: Intellectual ability High Achievement Creative or productive thinking Visual and performing arts U.S. Department of Education, Marland Report (1972)

Problems Associated With Characteristic Strengths in Gifted Children Possible StrengthsPossible Problems Inquisitive, intellectual curiosityStrong-willed, may ask embarrassing questions, expects the same in others Acquires and retains information quickly Impatient with slowness of others, dislike routine and drill, may resist mastering foundational skills, may make concepts unduly complex. Love of truth, equity, and fair playDifficulty in being practical, worries about humanitarian concerns Thinks critically, has high- expectations, is self-critical and evaluates others Critical or intolerant toward others, may become discouraged or depressed, perfectionistic

Problems Associated With Characteristic Strengths in Gifted Children (continued) Enjoys organizing things and people into structure and order; seeks to systematize Constructs complicated rules or systems; may be seen as bossy, rude, or domineering Ability to conceptualize, abstract, synthesize, enjoys problem- solving and intellectual activity Rejects or omits details; resists practice or drill; questions teaching procedures Creative and inventive; likes new ways of doing things May disrupt plans or reject what is already known; seen by others as different and out-of-step - James Webb

Gifted Kids Bill of Rights You have a right to… Know about your giftedness. Learn something new everyday. Be passionate about your talent area without apologies. Have an identity beyond your talent area. Feel good about your accomplishments.

Gifted Bill of Rights (continued) Make mistakes. Seek guidance in the development of your talent. Have multiple peer groups and a variety of friends. Choose which of your talent areas you wish to pursue. Not to be gifted at everything. -Del Siegle

How Can You Support Your Gifted Child? Learn more about what it means to be gifted (start with the recommended resources). Understand that gifted children often have unique social and emotional needs. Attend GATE parent advisory meetings at our school site. Attend local conferences related to gifted education. Participate in the PLUS group

California GATE Programs In October 2001, the California State Board of Education adopted standards for Gifted and Talented Education (GATE). A copy of the California GATE standards can be reviewed on the Internet at: Standards are divided into eight categories and include structure, program design, identification, curriculum and instruction, social and emotional development, professional development, parent and community involvement, assessment, and budgets.

GATE Identification Ontario-Montclair School District uses and accepts multiple sources of data in order to seek out and accurately identify students for placement into the GATE program. Identification tools include: NNAT2 (Third Grade Testing) CST scores Teacher and Parent Input

GATE Identification (Continued) Once a student has been formally identified for the GATE program, he or she is identified for the duration of his or her educational stay in OMSD. Parents who choose to enroll their students into the program must submit a formal permission slip to the GATE department via the school site.

GATE Programs (Continued) All GATE Teachers will: Provide opportunities for students to meet or exceed the California grade level standards in all content areas. Utilize a variety of student assessment data to carefully plan and monitor instruction. Implement a variety of instructional models to provide appropriate differentiation to meet the needs of gifted learners, including Depth and Complexity, acceleration, independent study and enrichment.

Parent Support/Resources Please visit these websites for a detailed list of books, organizations, articles, and other websites that relate to gifted education. Gifted Organizations California Association for the Gifted, National Association for Gifted Children, Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted, great website for students and parents A Parents Guide to Gifted Children, James Webb (2007)