MHRD Program for the Gifted and Talented

The Morris Hills Regional District provides alternatives in acceleration and enrichment to students in all of the six federally-recognized categories of giftedness: general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude, creative and productive thinking, leadership, fine and performing arts, and psychomotor talents.

Gifted students can be found in all cultural and socioeconomic subgroups.  They may be identified because of marked performance, achievement, or even potential in one or more of the categories listed above.   Parents, students, teachers, and counselors are invited to nominate students in all grade levels for the wide array of program options.  Students who are identified as gifted have the opportunity to pursue their interests and respond to appropriate levels of challenge in traditional and non-traditional academic settings.

Enrichment seminars include Model Congress and Teen Leadership Council.  Seminars are scheduled on a rotating basis, meeting 2-4 hours per month. Participants engage in activities specific to their area of interest, extend their skills, and interact with peers who possess similar abilities.

Performing Arts Showcases are scheduled each year and provide gifted and talented students with the opportunity to share their talents and training before an audience of their peers.  Auditions and rehearsals precede the showcases, which take place during the school day.

The district's independent study program is extensive, providing students with the opportunity to enhance and/or extend their performance in a variety of disciplines.  Application and selection procedures require prospective independent study students to identify a mentor, compose a proposal for study, set measurable goals and create a timeline for achieving them, identify appropriate resources, and explain the proposal before a panel of district administrators.  Individual conferences, online communication, mentor meetings, and a digital academic network help to support students as they pursue independent study. Participants in the program engage in reflective thinking as they demonstrate their progress toward individual goals and conclude the program with a presentation or project that demonstrates specific evidence content and skill acquisition.

Brochures outlining the Gifted and Talented Program can be obtained from the School Counseling Department.  Questions can be directed to one of the Teacher-Coordinators of the program, Jenna Miller or Emma Evans.  They can be reached at 973.664.2331 (Morris Hills) or 973.664.2248 (Morris Knolls) or at the following email addresses: jmiller@mhrd.org or ejevans@mhrd.org 

Additional Information can also be found on the Morris Knolls or Morris Hills G/T websites.