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2025/26 GATE parent survey
2025/26 GATE parent survey
Please fill out the following short survey.
Please fill out the following short survey.
Opportunities to Meet the Teacher
Opportunities to Meet the Teacher
For first grade families, I will reach out in late-November to coordinate opportunities for students and their families to visit the GATE classroom prior to their January 12th start date. I will also offer a Goody's meet-up time if you would like to meet other families of children in the first grade GATE cohort.
For new families starting mid-year in the upper grades, I am happy to individually arrange a time for you to visit the classroom most days from 2pm-4:15pm during my admin hours.
GATE Pull Out Schedule
GATE Pull Out Schedule
All grade levels meet from 9:15a-1:50p at Lowell Elementary, Room 203
GATE will start the first full week of school (August 18-22)
MONDAY (1st sem) - 6th Grade; Lunch: 12:00a-12:45p
MONDAY (2nd sem) - 1st Grade; Lunch: 12:45-1:30p; Recess/Snack: 10:30-10:45a
TUESDAY - 5th Grade; Lunch: 11:45a-12:30p
WEDNESDAY - 4th Grade; Lunch: 1:00p-1:45p; Recess/Snack: 11:20-11:35a
THURSDAY - 3rd Grade; Lunch 12:30p-1:15p; Recess/Snack: 11:20-11:35a
FRIDAY - 2nd Grade; Lunch: 11:30p-12:15p; Recess/Snack: 10:15-10:30a
***All BSD students who attend GATE at Lowell this year will have access to 1 free breakfast and 1 free lunch on their GATE day!!***
Important GATE Dates for 2025-2026
Mon August 18th - First day of GATE pull out (6th Grade)
Tues August 19th - First day of GATE pull out (5th Grade)
Wed August 20th - First day of GATE pull out (4th Grade)
Thurs August 21st - First day of pull out (3rd Grade)
Fri August 22nd - First day of pull out (2nd Grade)
October 27-31- NO GATE (CogAT Screen Scoring)
Mon December 15- Last day of pull out GATE (6th Grade)
Fri December 19 - Early release day NO GATE (2nd Grade)
Mon January 12th - First day of GATE (1st Grade)
Fri March 13th - Early release day NO GATE (2nd Grade)
Mon May 11th - Last day of pull out GATE (1st Grade)
Tues May 12th - Last day of pull out GATE (5th Grade)
Wed May 13th - Last day of pull out GATE (4th Grade)
Thurs May 14th - Last day of pull out GATE (3rd Grade)
Fri May 15th - Last day of pull out GATE (2nd Grade)
2024/25 Bus Pick-up Drop-off Schedule
Bus Pick-up & Drop-Off
Bus Pick-up & Drop-Off
The buses are scheduled to arrive at the Lemp Street bus stop (south of Lowell Elementary) at 9:15a and pick the students up to return to their neighborhood schools at 1:50p. Parents may arrange with their neighborhood school to drop off their student at the Lemp Street bus stop at 9:15a, if desired and allowed by your neighborhood school since they manage attendance for their own students. There is a bus stop attendant at the Lemp Street stop from 8:45-9:15a, and I pick up the children to go inside at 9:15a. If your child attends a private school, you may pick them up inside by the school office at 1:50pm.
This will be sent home with students on the first day of GATE class.
How to Create a 1st Grade Maker Box
How to Create a 1st Grade Maker Box
Classroom Supplies
Classroom Supplies
The GATE classroom is set with standard classroom supplies such as scissors, glue, paper, and art supplies. I do list additional needs/wants on my classroom Amazon Wishlist, so feel free to check that out if you'd like to chip in. Students do not need to bring any supplies from home, and there is not space for students to store supplies in the GATE classroom. Students may bring their own supplies, but they must take them home with them each week.
First graders are welcome to bring a Maker Box (see video) and store it in the classroom, but if building one sounds like too much, we can pull plenty of supplies from the classroom store.
Consider Donating to the GATE Classroom
Consider Donating to the GATE Classroom
If you would like to help fund our tech needs, supplies for students, brain puzzles, etc, please click on the link below to donate to my Boise Foundation Account. You can also check out our Amazon Wishlist.
A Special Note
A Special Note
Some of the district's other pull out GATE programs serve higher-need communities and aren't able to secure many funds for their programs due to the nature of voluntary donation systems. These teachers regularly pay for project supplies out of their own pockets. If you feel led to donate, please consider blessing these deserving students and teachers by giving to their programs. A few Lowell families donated to these programs last year, and they made a huge difference! Lowell family donations were actually the ONLY donations Garfield received last year. Thank you so much!
The programs most in need are [GARFIELD/GATE/TUCKER,KATIE], [PIERCEPARK/GATE/ALEXANDER,LEONA], and [MOUNTAINVIEW/GATE/WELLER,LYNNETTE]
Here are some items already purchased this year with Foundation donations.
Here are some items already purchased this year with Foundation donations.
Thank You!!
Thank You!!
Books to support curriculum
Updated hot glue gun station
Electric keyboard for students to pursue a new interest
Craft supply organization
New blade for our paper cutter
Quiet cordless vacuum cleaner
Parent Lending Library
Parent Lending Library
The Boise School District has a Parent Lending Library to help educate, inform, and support parents as they raise gifted children. If you are looking for my information related to parenting gifted children, please reach out to Helga Frankenstein, GATE Supervisor, (helga.frankenstein@boiseschools.org) for more information.
The Struggle is real
The Struggle is real
This year, many teachers in the Boise School District will be using the metaphor of The Learning Pit to help students describe their stage in the learning process. I am excited to extend this resource to the GATE classroom, especially as a way to explain the importance of challenge (and empathy) as a GATE student.
Grade Level Themes
Grade Level Themes
1st Grade
1st Grade
What is the journey of an idea?
What is the journey of an idea?
The theme of 1st grade GATE is Innovation! We will explore how an idea can turn into something incredible that can be used to help others. We will also be exploring STEM careers, all while challenging our imagination while creating with our maker boxes.
2nd Grade
2nd Grade
How does wonder inspire?
How does wonder inspire?
The theme of 2nd grade GATE is all about using Wonder and beauty as a catalyst for exploration! We will experiment with scale as we look at the beauty of tiny bugs all the way up to the wonders of outer space.
3rd Grade
3rd Grade
Why do things change?
Why do things change?
The theme of 3rd grade GATE is Transformation. We'll be exploring change from every angle: why do things change? how do things change? when is change important? how do we cope with change?
4th Grade
4th Grade
What is Fair?
What is Fair?
The theme of 4th grade is Ethics. Students will learn about personality and the inner workings of the human brain. They will also explore fairness through the study of mythology and folklore.
5th grade
5th grade
How might connections impact outcomes?
How might connections impact outcomes?
The theme of 5th grade GATE is Relationships. We'll explore the relationship between art and technology through drone-based theater, we'll explore human connections, and even dip our toes in some physics and engineering challenges.
6th grade
6th grade
What makes a good leader?
What makes a good leader?
The theme of 6th grade GATE is Leadership. We'll develop an understanding of leadership through a series of discussions surrounding real-world scenarios. The students will design their own community leadership projects and make a plan for continuing their practice into middle school and beyond.
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