Welcome Back!

Hi, My name is Mrs. Holyoak and I am so happy and proud to be both an Engineer and Teacher! I am the STEM specials teacher and the GATE (Gifted and Talented Enrichment) as well as PiMath (Advance Math Enrichment) teacher here at Blairstown Elementary. The student eligibility process takes place at the beginning of every school year during the months of September/October ( new students and Kindergarten students are evaluate during the Fall/Winter months). Throughout the year all students are observed and monitored for progress and for possible eligibility into the programs of GATE and/or PiMath .

If you have any questions, please contact me at holyoak@blairstownelem.net.

Gifted and Talented (GATE) Program

Gifted and Talented (GATE) instruction is intended to enrich your child’s education beyond the scope of the regular curriculum by participation in a wide variety of academic endeavors and hands-on learning experiences. GATE students will meet with the GATE teacher approximately once a week in a six day cycle. Students will be responsible for work assigned during the regular education class. Students will be evaluated throughout the year and at the conclusion of each year to determine if continuation is warranted. Eligibility will be reviewed on a yearly basis.

As students individual potential extends beyond the domain of content knowledge, the BES Gifted and Talented Program strives to promote the development of these student abilities:

Critical thinking – Logical and evidence-based reasoning, with attention to depth and accuracy
Communication skills – Verbal and written, to varied purposes and audiences
Metacognition – Awareness of goal-setting, task processes, and reflection on outcomes
Constructive, critical evaluation – Assessment of depth and validity of work by self and peers
Self-regulation – Responsibility and task commitment
Self-efficacy and empowerment – Activation and application of skills to real-life contexts

The BES Gifted and Talented Program will provide content-based challenges to support, supplement, and extend classroom instruction.