1. Groveton ES Our Local Level iv Journey 2018-2019

2. What does it mean Now that Groveton is a Local Level IV School?
All Groveton students will have access to Advanced Academic curriculum and resources with a strong emphasis on instruction that promotes higher level thinking, problem-solving, and decision- making (further implementation)
Groveton students that qualify for Level IV Advanced Academic Services have a choice to remain enrolled at Groveton and receive full-time advanced academic services with other highly able peers.

3. What does it mean Now that Groveton is a Local Level IV School?
Families no longer have to choose between FCPS Advanced Academic program or our Spanish Two-Way Immersion program
Groveton families with students that qualify for Level IV Advanced Academic Services still may elect to enroll their student at Stratford Landing (3-6 grade)

4. Why did Groveton ES decide to become a Local Level IV School?
Equitable Instructional practices! Provide all students equitable access to critical and creative thinking skills and problem solving opportunities.
Our commitment and focus on Young Scholars, including increased identification of students, made a Local Level IV School program a natural fit.

5. Why did Groveton ES decide to become a Local Level IV School?
We have a number of Level II and Level III students enrolled in our Immersion program; now Level IV identified students may remain in the Immersion program.
We have a successful Advanced Mathematics program, Gr 3-6. Again, this makes a Local Level IV School model more of a continuation of best practice as opposed to a new initiative. “We’ve already been doing it”

6. What steps has Groveton ES taken to become a Local Level IV School?
We have provided staff training on the nine critical and creative thinking strategies and some required Advanced Academic curriculum resources
Erica Berson, our Advanced Academic Resource Teacher, has worked directly with teams and individual teachers to implement Advanced Academic resources and teaching strategies

7. What steps has Groveton ES taken to become a Local Level IV School?
14 Groveton staff members are enrolled in the “Challenging Advanced Learners” FCPS Academy Course, 1 of 4 classes teachers need to receive their Advanced Academic Teaching Endorsement. This class meets at Groveton and was paid for with school funds. Groveton has committed to hosting 2 additional FCPS Academy Courses at Groveton for teaching staff during the school year. This will provide Groveton staff 3 of the 4 classes required for their AAP Teaching endorsement by the Spring of 2020.

8. What steps has Groveton ES taken to become a Local Level IV School
What steps has Groveton ES taken to become a Local Level IV School? (Cont)
We are working on plans for staff retreats and summer working sessions focused on instruction and implementation logistics.
Regular communication with the Office of Advanced Academics and Kirsten Maloney, Coordinator (also instructing our course).
Budgeted for and purchased a significant amount of AAP resources (K-6) with school funds. We will share these resources in detail at our Local Level IV Orientation on April 24th.
Some Groveton Staff will enroll in the FCPS Advanced Academic Summer Institute later in June (AAP Professional Development)

9. How will we provide equity and access to Advanced Academic Curriculum and Resources for all Groveton ES students?
All current Groveton instructional practices and initiatives will continue
All students, K-6, will engage with Advanced Academic resources in varying capacity.
K-2, We will build a foundation
Gr 3 and 4, We will formally offer Level IV Services
Gr 5 and 6, We will pilot Level IV Services (similar to this year)

10. How will we provide equity and access to Advanced Academic Curriculum and Resources for all Groveton ES students?
Students eligible for Level IV Services will receive differentiation in the depth, breadth, and pace of instruction that is designed to meet the needs of advanced learners with a strong emphasis on higher level thinking skills. Adaptations are made to the curriculum in order to provide an appropriate level of challenge for gifted learners with a strong emphasis on critical and creative thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. 
Additionally, identified Level IV students will work regularly with the Advanced Academic Resource Teacher.

11. How will we provide equity and access to Advanced Academic Curriculum and Resources for all Groveton ES students? (CONT)
Level IV Students will be in classrooms with other Level IV students. Additionally, other types of learners will also be in these classrooms. No one classroom will be comprised exclusively of Level IV Identified students. Our staff is collaborating around considerations for our Class Groupings to ensure equity and access for all students (Retreat).
Teachers at Gr 3 and 4 will utilize elements of the Advanced Academic Curriculum, Pacing and resources with all students. All students will have access to AAP resources and thinking strategies (Crosswalks).
Groveton is also researching and collaborating around flexible grouping options with students to maximize opportunities for Advanced Learners to learn with able peers. (although no decisions around a specific plan have been made at this time)