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SOAR21 Mission Statement
SOAR21 Mission Statement
Our goal is to support our gifted and talented learners by providing them with enriched and rigorous curriculum and opportunities which match their unique characteristics and needs, including social-emotional. We strive to work with their families as they seek to discover, develop, and support their talents and abilities.
NEW JERSEY STATE DEFINITION OF GIFTED AND TALENTED
Those students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the local district and who require modification of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities.
Program Goals
Program Goals
Identify and serve students who perform in the top 5-10% of the students locally in the areas of:
general intellectual ability
creativity
advanced academic achievement
Provide exemplary units of study that both challenge and engage all identified students both intellectually and creatively.
Provide learning opportunities in high order thinking skills, decision making, problem solving and reasoning.
Address the social and emotional needs of identified students with the assistance of counselors, mentors, and peers.
Assist classroom teachers in the process of differentiation for identified students.
Components
Components
Students will...
set goals, make plans, and assess goals.
reflect upon a quote of the day.
complete logical puzzles and brainbusters.
learn new content.
utilize a variety of technology sources.
think critically and think creatively.
collaborate.
communicate and present ideas in a variety of ways.
How are Students Identified?
How are Students Identified?
The Cresskill Public Schools use multiple measures to assess and re-assess student eligibility into the program each year. Currently, the identification process includes a cognitive assessment, Lexile Level, teacher survey data, academic grades, achievement test scores, and creativity test scores. A committee will meet to review any data collected and to finalize eligibility. If a child is identified, parents will receive a letter home regarding the student's status, will be invited to an information session, and will be asked to participate in a minimum of two conferences throughout the school year. It is my utmost goal to work as a team with the student, classroom teacher, and family to ensure a productive, enriching and successful school year.
*All staff members are encouraged to consider and refer students for Gifted & Talented services throughout the school year.
***Transfer of Students - All elementary students who have participated in gifted and talented programs prior to coming to Cresskill School District may be considered for the district's Gifted & Talented Program (SOAR21). Once screening records are received from the student's previous district, the records will be examined by the G/T coordinator, student's general education teacher, and school principal. If the transfer data is insufficient, the G/T coordinator and current general education teacher will continue observations to assess the need for other appropriate services. A decision will be made regarding qualification within 30 school days of the receipt of the student's G/T records from the previous district.
Timeline of Events
Timeline of Events
May
May
- Letters sent to second grade families with information of cognitive assessment to be administered.
- 2nd grade teachers administer cognitive assessment in homerooms.
June
June
- Teacher referrals are distributed, completed and collected.
September
September
- Cognitive assessment scores for new 3rd graders are analyzed.
- All necessary data for candidates is collected and compiled.
- Achievement tests and creativity test administered to candidates.
- Assessments are scored and results are analyzed using SOAR21 Matrix.
- Meetings are scheduled with relevant teachers and principals to discuss results (eligibility/ineligibility, other appropriate services if ineligible, etc.).
- Letters sent to families regarding eligibility/ineligibility.
October
October
- SOAR21 classes begin
Expectations
Expectations
All students learn in different ways. The reason such an extensive process for identification is used is because the students identified are expected to have a balance of creativity, motivation, and high achievement in most subject areas. It is expected that the students who are identified for the program will already have a large content knowledge base and/or learn at a faster pace than that of their classmates. At times, content for the student may be compacted or the student is responsible to make up the work on their own time – whether at home or during other independent times in the school day. Each teacher approaches this in the way they see fit.
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