1. How can I learn more about the gifted program in Shenandoah County Public Schools?

• Visit our website: http://sites.google.com/site/scpsgate/
• Attend the GATE Parent's Night
• Contact your representative to the Local Advisory Committee

2. What do GATE Resource Specialists do?

• See flow chart…form "Staff Responsibilities" (Attached at the bottom of page)
  

3. What is the advantage of being labeled gifted?

• Students who are labeled as gifted are able to attend pullout sessions with intellectual peers. In these sessions teachers not only enrich or extend learning, but they also recognize and address the unique abilities and social-emotional needs of the gifted student.
• Some programs are offered solely for students who have been identified as gifted.
• The GATE Resource Specialist also acts as another advocate for these students.
• Special issues, such as being a gifted female or being a gifted underachiever, are also addressed.

4. How can a child be referred to the GATE Program?

• The person making the referral must contact the school's principal or the GATE Resource Specialist and complete a Gifted Program Referral Form (or Self-Nomination Form). Forms are returned to the GATE Resource Specialist.
• A child may be referred by self, peer, teacher, parent, or a community member.
• Referral acceptance is ongoing.

5. Why doesn't our county identify for GATE services in the fine arts?

• On the basis of the SCPS annual plan for gifted education-- which is developed in conjunction with the Local Advisory Committee, Gifted Resource Specialists, members of the community, and the Pupil Personnel Supervisor and approved by the School Board and State Department of Education-SCPS offers services to students identified in general academic abilities.
• However, we work in consortium with regional and state Governor's Schools to provide fine arts experiences for our students. Additionally, a Fine Arts Advisory Council, which meets quarterly, is exploring ways to further expand opportunities for students in the visual and performing arts.