Enrichment Services Program Parent Handbook

Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create. -Albert Einstein

What is the purpose of G & T ? Formal answer: The purpose of Gifted and Talented education is to provide learning experiences that are not readily available within the regular classroom. Correct answer: G & T is about exercising the imagination and being open to the possibility that something we envision can come into being. It is about rigor. It teaches that through creativity and diligence we can have amazing experiences.

ESP Philosophy All of us have strengths; all of us have weaknesses. All of us have areas in which we thrive; all of us have areas where we struggle to keep up. All of us have talents. All of us have needs. The goal of E.S.P. is to find the gifts and strengths of our students and help them to go beyond the safe place… and soar. “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you will land among the stars.” -Les Brown

The Program E.S.P. provides several programs for Central School. These include… whole class instruction through the INC. program. small group instruction, or PEP classes, in given subjects. creative and artistic open door programs, open to all students.

The Program Inc.- 3 rd Grade In Class Units The In Class Units provide an intense area of study focusing on the skills of one discipline, often while emphasizing the interest of another. Each third grade class meets for Inc. PEP- Pullout Enrichment Program: Grades 3, 4, 5 There are several PEP classes offered at Central School. PEPs are conducted at different times throughout the school year. Students are identified and then invited to participate in this program. Criteria for selection is based upon subject proficiency, teacher recommendations and available standardized data.

The Program E.S.P. P.I.C. An Enrichment Services Program Push In Class provides enrichment or expansion services to students without pulling them from their classes. It is a collaborative effort between myself and their teacher. Ms. Abend’s Math class participates in the PIC program. Open Door Programs These classes are interest-based. They usually meet during lunch and recess. These are open door ESP groups. All are invited to participate. Students just need permission from parents and their teachers!

PEPpers meet for PEP- Pullout Enrichment Program classes

Math PEP Math PEP 3 is a place to take those math skills students have mastered and meet the next challenge. Students solve complex word problems and also create some of their own. Students create Math Quests for their final project. Math CAMP is Central’s Accelerated Math Program. As a part of this program, I will work with Mrs. Murphy’s and Mr. Sander’s classes. Fourth graders participate in the on the Math Maven Mysteries program by Scholastic. Fifth graders participate in the Daily Brains program from Mathmastery.com. This is not a pull-out but rather a push-in class. Students create Math Quests for their final projects. Math PEP Materials: Thinker Math by Creative Publications Math Maven Mysteries from Scholastic The Cup of Wishes 3 rd Grade Math Quest The Winchester Mystery House 4 th Grade Math Quest Lost in Space 5 th Grade Math Quest

Language PEP 3, 4, & 5 Language PEP is for students who demonstrate excellence in analysis and reading comprehension. Students use logic and interpretive skills to deconstruct language. Each grade is given a semester-long creative project. Materials Language PEP 3: Elliot Finds a Clue by Jim Sukach Third Grade Detective / Superhero Unit by ESP Language PEP 4: Crime Scene Whodunits by Jim Sukach Advertising Unit by Challenge Publications and ESP Novel: To be determined by students Language PEP 5: Novel Writing Unit by ESP

Author, Author! Grades 3, 4, & 5 Author, Author is for students who love to write. Students generate their own articles and creative pieces for different genres, culminating in the production of a literary magazine. Assignments cover multiple genres of literature, including memoir, fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, drama, and short story. In addition to writing, students analyze famous examples of specific genres.

Debate Team 4 & 5 Debate Team is for students who demonstrate verbal skills, confidence, and research ability. Members of this PEP group research and debate topics related to Social Studies and current events. Working in two teams, students will prepare for and participate in two public debates. Students research each topic and find sources to support their arguments. I encourage parents to assist their children with internet searches. All research is documented and cited in their arguments.

Mad Scientists 4 & 5 Mad Scientists is for students who show heightened interest in the sciences and demonstrate preparedness for activities beyond the scope of the classroom. Within this group, sub-groups focus upon specific interests of the students. Students are identified after the first semester. Resources include: 101 Great Science Experiments by Neil Ardley Showy Science by Hy Kim ESP designed labs And many, MANY MORE!

Art PEP Art PEP students work all year on contributions to In the Footprints of the Cougar, our school literary magazine, and The Main Idea, Central School’s newspaper. This includes many hours of work on their own time creating cartoons and other illustrations for the periodicals as well as taking photos of school events and “Cougar Sightings.” Many Art PEP students contribute their time and artistic skills to the design and painting of the sets for SALAD plays.

Open Door Classes All are welcome to participate. Students are also selected for special roles based upon ability and performance. In other words… All students may audition for and perform in the play, but not everyone will be a lead. All students may participate in The Main Idea, but not every student can be the chief editor.

The Main Idea This PEP group makes the news! There are three editions for the school year. Publications are divided by class number. Every student is given the opportunity to participate in our school newspaper. A team of fifth grade reporters and editors are selected to contribute to every paper. Important features: Team articles Fifth grade editors Fifth grade reporters Photography Cartoons

SALAD: Student Acting League of Arts and Drama SALAD is a theatrical group that meets during lunch / recess time and occasionally after school. Students have the opportunity to participate in stage crew or as performers. In 2006: A Midsummer Night’s Dream In 2007: A Midsummer’s Nightmare and The Tempest In 2008: Taming of the Shrew and The Shadow In 2009: The War of the Words, My Friend Irma, The Shadow and Broadway’s Best In 2010: The Pirates of Penzance and Winner Takes All! In 2011: Lights, Camera, Whoops! and Katrina, the Shrew In 2012: To a Muse and War of the Words Summer 2012: The Hidden One and A Midsummer Night’s Dream In 2013: Cupid’s Bow and Winner Takes All!

Special News! In June 2011, S.A.L.A.D. (the Student Actors' League of Arts and Drama) was selected by the Character Education Partnership to serve as a model for others to replicate and integrate into their character education initiatives. S.A.L.A.D. is listed in the 2011 National Schools of Character book and featured on CEP’s website, which is used by educators to search for ideas.

Common Parent Questions: 1) How do I know that my child can handle the workload of the PEP class? Your child has been recommended by his/her previous and current teachers and identified as a child who is capable of handling a workload that exceeds that of his/her classmates. PEP provides a challenge for students who are currently excelling in the specified subject area. 2) How does the work in the PEP classes differ from classroom instruction? In PEP I try to expand upon a specific subject rather than work ahead. It’s not about moving up. It’s about widening the base. Example: In Math, we take current concepts they should have mastered. Now, embed those mathematical concepts in complicated word problems. It’s not just computation. It’s translation and then computation.

Common Parent Questions: 3) Are there other workshops for gifted and talented students? There are no programs that I specifically endorse. However, there are opportunities for Saturday and summer programs. I frequently receive fliers for such programs. Please send an to let me know if you are interested in these. 4) Is there a grade given for these classes? I do not give grades. Nothing from PEP is listed on their report cards. Instead, you will receive a narrative evaluation twice during an academic year. I do mark their efforts and place grades on many of these assignments. However, they are for the purpose of showing a student the level of his / her success on a given assignment. They are not cumulative.

Common Parent Questions: 5) How often do PEP groups meet? Classes usually meets once every six days. Classes are regularly scheduled for a specific day (Day 1, Day 2, etc.). Some classes meet more than once per rotation. 6) How do I find out what my child has for homework? Like all classroom teachers, I post my homework online: easthanoverschools.org. Click on: -Central School -Staff Pages -Special Area Staff -Mrs. Schweer I update my postings with assignments and important general announcements for the program.

What can you do? Share areas of expertise. Help organize and reproduce materials. Proofread – The Main Idea – Footprints of the Cougar. Volunteer time – S.A.L.A.D. – Enrichment Fair Any Questions? Please contact me at if you wish to know more! Also, please frequent to see updates/homework for all E.S.P. classes.