Gifted Reach Out (GRO)
The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools gifted program is called Gifted Reach Out or GRO.
GRO serves the identified population of gifted students in grades one through five. This enrichment pullout program offers students the chance to interact with peers of similar ability, while remaining a part of the regular classroom setting. The interdisciplinary, differentiated curriculum for the students in GRO is intended to be of high interest, while at the same time enhancing the present core curriculum.
Once admitted into the program, the students meet with the GRO teacher for small group instruction for Grades 2-5 once or twice a week for 90 minutes. These groups provide the opportunity for the gifted child to interact with, stimulate and be stimulated by his/her peers, while enjoying individual or small group attention.
Grade 1 GRO students will begin a 45 minute per week pull out program starting in January to complete a half year of GRO. Additionally, students in grade K will be observed for gifted qualities that include multiple criteria described in the Identification tab on the district website. GRO teachers will share findings from these observations with the homeroom teacher and offer support as needed.
GRO encourages above grade level independent learning, research, and individual product development. Creative problem solving and critical thinking skills are stressed. Students are challenged to become consumers and producers of knowledge.
Link to District GRO Information
Testing & Placement For GRO
December Testing:
Testing for the 1st grade pullout program will be held in December 2023. Teachers/Parents/Guardians may request to have their child tested for GRO during the December session. The parent/guardian needs to provide a written request for testing to their child's classroom teacher by November 17, 2023 to be considered for this testing session.
Parents/guardians of 2nd-5th students NEW to the District may request to have their child tested for GRO during December 2023. The parent/guardian needs to provide a written request for testing to their child's classroom teacher by November 17, 2023 to be considered for this testing session.
May/June Testing:
Testing for eligible students in grades 1-4 begins in May/June for entrance into the GRO program beginning September of the following school year. In conjunction with GRO testing, multiple measures will be considered in determining placement into the GRO program. The district central office will provide the test results via the Parent Portal in Genesis during the summer break.
Parents of first through fourth grade children who are interested in having their child tested for the district’s gifted program (GRO) for the following school year should send a written request to their child’s classroom teacher by the middle of April of each school year.
** Parents of students new to the district that were previously in a gifted and talented program in another school district are tested throughout the year based upon confirmation of prior enrollment in a gifted program from the student’s former school.