Welcome Letter
2023-2024 Welcome Letter
Dear Gifted Students, Parents, and Guardians,
Greetings and a warm welcome to all! I am Dr. Coggin, and I am thrilled to begin my sixth year as the gifted learning coordinator at Challenge School. Whether you're joining us anew or returning for another enriching year, I am excited to embark on this journey of growth and learning with you.
Exciting news awaits as we introduce a new gifted learning teacher for the middle school program. I will keep you updated as soon as their placement is finalized.
Our commitment to fostering your child's giftedness is unwavering, and one of the key elements in this endeavor is the creation of the Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) each year. We believe in the power of your input, as parents, guardians, and students, in shaping these plans. Please take a moment to complete the provided Google Form, which will greatly assist us in this collaborative process.
For Elementary:
For Middle School:
You can expect to receive your student's ALPs by September 29th, just in time for conferences. This will give you the opportunity to thoughtfully review, sign, and return the plan—whether electronically or by submitting it to the office. During conferences, we will be available to meet with you and discuss your child's progress and needs.
For more information about gifted at Challenge School, visit our website:
https://sites.google.com/cherrycreekschools.org/challengegiftedandtalented/home
I'm looking forward to seeing many of you during the welcome back kickoff or back-to-school night. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly for any immediate concerns. I am dedicated to ensuring a fantastic year ahead!
Best,
Katie Coggin, EdD
Gifted Learning Coordinator
Challenge School | 9659 E. Mississippi Ave., Denver, CO 80247
p: TBD | e: ecoggin@cherrycreekschools.org | Office Hours Scheduler
2022-2023 Welcome Letter
Dear Gifted & Talented Students and Their Parents/Guardians:
Welcome or welcome back! We are excited for another great year at the Challenge School!
To support a student's giftedness, every year an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) or Talent Pool Program Plan (TPPP) is written. It is essential that you and your student have input into these plans. Can you please fill out the following Google Form to support this process?
For elementary:
For middle school:
If your child has an ALP, you will receive it by September 22nd (Conferences) to review, sign and return (electronically or to the office) to Dr. Coggin or Miss Williams. Talent Pool Plans are updated yearly as a school record of progress and are not sent home. We are both available during conferences to meet with you about your students.
If students are new to Challenge, they might have been in a “enrichment” pull-out program where they received special instruction in an alternative setting while other students remained in class at previous schools. At Challenge, student needs for academic curiosity and autonomy, increased rigor, advanced content, and faster paced instruction will be met in their regular classrooms for all students on their rosters. If you and your child are new to gifted in Cherry Creek, we welcome any questions. We want all parents to be comfortable with the process, programming, and corresponding paperwork. At Challenge, students set social and emotional goals and academic goals in the classroom. We co-plan and co-teach in classrooms to help support student’s gifted needs including differentiation and support.
You can look forward to more information on Back-To-School Night to answer any questions that you might have about the Gifted & Talented Program at Challenge. Miss Williams will join middle school back to school night, and Dr. Coggin will join elementary’s. For more immediate concerns, please feel free to contact us any time.
Best,
Katie Coggin, EdD
Lead Gifted Learning Teacher and Co-Teacher for grades K-4
Challenge School | 9659 E. Mississippi Ave., Denver, CO 80247
p: 720.747.2147 | e: ecoggin@cherrycreekschools.org | Office Hours Scheduler
Jessica Williams, M.Ed.
Gifted Learning Teacher; grades 5-8
Challenge School
p: 720-747-2146 e: jwilliams5@cherrycreekschools.org
2021-2022 Welcome Letter
Dear Gifted & Talented Students and Their Parents/Guardians:
Welcome or welcome back! I am back for year four serving the gifted and talented students of Challenge. We are also welcoming back Jessica Williams full time to work with GT students.
To support a student's giftedness, every year an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) is written. It is essential that you and your student have input into these plans. Can you please fill out this Google Form to support this process? You will receive your child's ALP by September 24th (Conferences) to review, sign and return (electronically or to the office) to Dr. Coggin or Miss Williams.
This year at Challenge, students are setting social and emotional goals and academic goals in the classroom. We have exciting plans for our gifted programming this year. One of us will join Connections classes every three weeks for social/emotional lessons, and we will be co-teaching in classrooms.
If students are new to Challenge, they might have been in a “enrichment” pull-out program where they received special instruction in an alternative setting while other students remained in class at previous schools. At Challenge, student needs for academic curiosity and autonomy, increased rigor, advanced content, and faster paced instruction will be met throughout the day in their regular classrooms. Teachers at Challenge differentiate their instruction to meet the needs of not only the Gifted & Talented students but all students on their rosters. Miss Williams and I will work with teachers to ensure the quality and appropriateness of differentiation for Gifted & Talented students match Advanced Learning Plans (ALPs). If you and your child are new to gifted in Cherry Creek, we welcome any questions about the process. We want all parents to be comfortable with the process, programming, and corresponding paperwork.
You can look forward to more information on Back-To-School Night to answer any questions that you might have about the Gifted & Talented Program at Challenge. Miss Williams will join middle school back to school night, and Dr. Coggin will join elementary’s. For more immediate concerns, please feel free to contact us any time.
Best,
Katie Coggin, EdD
Lead Gifted Learning Teacher; grades K-4
Challenge School | 9659 E. Mississippi Ave., Denver, CO 80247
p: 720.747.2132 | e: ecoggin@cherrycreekschools.org | Office Hours Scheduler
Jessica Williams, M.Ed.
Gifted Learning Teacher; grades 5-8
Challenge School
p: 720-747-2107 e: jwilliams5@cherrycreekschools.org
2020-2021 Welcome Letter
Gifted & Talented Students and Their Parents/Guardians:
I am excited for year three serving the gifted and talented students of Challenge! In addition to myself, Challenge will also have Jessica Williams working with GT students alternating two or three days each week. We are thrilled to be offering support to the students at Challenge.
This year at Challenge, gifted students will be meeting with Ms. Williams and I to work on the social and emotional goals set in their Advanced Learning Plans. Ms. Williams will collaborate with Team E teachers to ensure each student is challenged, while I will work with Teams A-D. We are excited about the services that we anticipate offering.
If students are new to Challenge, they might have been in a “enrichment” pull-out program where they received special instruction in an alternative setting while other students remained in class at previous schools. At Challenge, student needs for academic curiosity and autonomy, increased rigor, advanced content, and faster paced instruction will be met throughout the day in your classrooms. Teachers at Challenge differentiate their instruction to meet the needs of not only the Gifted & Talented students but all students on their rosters. Ms. Williams and I will work with teachers to ensure the quality and appropriateness of differentiation for Gifted & Talented students to match Advanced Learning Plans (ALPs).
Due to COVID19, we are working to provide in-person or online instruction to all gifted students. Information will be coming out later as to what that will look like for each team and potential changes if we transition to remote learning.
To support a student's giftedness, every year an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) is written. It is essential that you and your student have input into these goals. It is recommended that you collaborate with your child and come to a mutual decision on your responses for the goal survey. Your child’s teacher(s) and the Gifted Learning Teacher(s) will consider all of the following information as ALP goals are set. Formal affective goals and formal academic goals will be set only in the areas where your child is identified as Gifted.
You can look forward to more information on Back-To-School Night to answer any questions that you might have about the Gifted & Talented Program at Challenge. For more immediate concerns, please feel free to email any time.
Sincerely,
Katie Coggin & Jessica Williams
Gifted Learning Teachers
Challenge School, Room 174
720.747.2132
2019-2020 Welcome Letter
Gifted & Talented Students and Their Parents/Guardians:
I am excited to be starting my second year serving the gifted and talented students of Challenge! In addition to myself, Challenge will also have Mike Tetzloff working with GT students every morning. We are thrilled to be offering more support to the students at Challenge.
This year at Challenge, gifted students will be meeting with Mr. Tetzloff and I monthly to work on the social and emotional goals set in their Advanced Learning Plans. Mr. Tetzloff will collaborate with Math and Science teachers to ensure each student is challenged, while I will work with Humanities and elementary teachers. We are excited about the services that we anticipate offering.
If students are new to Challenge, they might have been in a “enrichment” pull-out program where they received special instruction in an alternative setting while other students remained in class at previous schools. At Challenge, student needs for academic curiosity and autonomy, increased rigor, advanced content, and faster paced instruction will be met throughout the day in your classrooms and offered during mini course. Teachers at Challenge differentiate their instruction to meet the needs of not only the Gifted & Talented students but all students on their rosters. Mr. Tetzloff and I will work with teachers to ensure the quality and appropriateness of differentiation for Gifted & Talented students to match Advanced Learning Plans (ALPs).
To support a student's giftedness, every year an Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) is written. It is essential that you and your student have input into these goals. It is recommended that you collaborate with your child and come to a mutual decision on your responses for the goal survey. Your child’s teacher(s) and the Gifted Learning Teacher(s) will consider all of the following information as ALP goals are set. Formal affective goals and formal academic goals will be set only in the areas where your child is identified as Gifted.
We will be available at Back-To-School Night to answer any questions that you might have about the Gifted & Talented Program at Challenge. For more immediate concerns, please feel free to email any time.
Sincerely,
Katie Coggin & Mike Tetzloff
Gifted Learning Teachers
Challenge School, Room 174
720.747.2132
2018-2019 Welcome Letter
Gifted & Talented Students and Their Parents/Guardians:
Welcome back to a new year at Challenge School! You are among the students at Challenge who have been previously identified as Gifted & Talented. This school year, the Gifted & Talented program will be overseen by myself, Katie Coggin. I am excited to work with such a large group of bright, motivated young people among our student body. I will collaborate with your teachers to ensure that you are challenged in ways that are appropriate to your abilities.
If you are new to Challenge, you might have been in a “enrichment” pull-out program where you received special instruction in an alternative setting while other students remained in class at your previous school. At Challenge, your needs for academic curiosity and autonomy, increased rigor, advanced content, and faster paced instruction will be met throughout the day in your classrooms. Teachers at Challenge are required to differentiate their instruction to meet the needs of not only the Gifted & Talented students but all students on their rosters. I will work with your teachers to ensure the quality and appropriateness of differentiation for Gifted & Talented students that match your Advanced Learning Plan (ALP).
I will be available at Back-To-School Night to answer any questions that you might have about the Gifted & Talented Program at Challenge. For more immediate concerns, please feel free to email me any time.
Sincerely,
Katie Coggin
Gifted Learning Teacher
Challenge School
720.747.2157