Delta School District

Gifted Program

• Challenge
• opportunities to work with intellectual peers
• encouragement to become independent learners.
  District programs available for students (grades 4 - 7) with high capability and/or interest.
  
  Specific Disciplines:

  MathStretch

  The MathStretch Program mandate is to meet the needs of students with advanced mathematical abilities by providing a program that creates a challenging learning environment.

  MathStretch Project Description

  
  

  We have observed that successful MathStretch participants have a passion for mathematics, exhibit a mathematical perception of the world, and demonstrate persistence in solving difficult mathematical problems.

  Students participate in half-day MathStretch meetings, which are facilitated by a teacher leader. They also interact weekly online, using a moderated bulletin board system. Students can access math problems, communicate their ideas in an online log, and dialogue with their MathStretch teacher and mentor. Students on computers across the district are able to work both independently and cooperatively from school at times that are convenient for the students and their classroom teachers. Students with Internet access at home are also able to access the MathStretch site.

  Classroom teachers or school-based teams nominate students in May for the following school year. A ‘Student Self-Referral’ form completed by the student and his or her parent(s) is also part of the process. Parents are responsible for arranging their child’s transportation to and from all monthly MathStretch sessions.

  ArtStretch
  

  • ArtStretch Program

  Delta School District provides the ArtStretch Program for a small number of students in the Intermediate Grades (5-7) who demonstrate a passion for the Visual Arts and exceptional artistic ability.

  Selected students are expected to commit to full-time attendance at all program sessions. Location and dates of the program will be announced in the fall. Parents are responsible for arranging their child’s transportation to and from all ArtStretch sessions.

  • Application Process

  The Artstretch guidelines will be sent to schools in May with information regarding the portfolio requirements. Students should prepare their portfolio during the summer months, for the screening process on October 3, 2011.

  Registration packages will be available from your school office in September.

  • Application Forms
  • Portfolio Requirements
  Selection of students for the ArtStretch program will be based solely on the portfolio submitted on October 3, 2011, to the Delta Manor Education Centre (4750 57 Street, Delta) between 8:30 am and 4:00 pm.

  A complete package of the paperwork required for submission will be available from your child’s school in September.

  CRITERIA:
  Presentation is important! Work must show attention to detail and quality of execution. ALL pieces must be carefully completed. The following 4 categories of work must be present in all portfolio submissions:

  • 1. A piece of original artwork as representative of the applicant’s visual thinking. Due to space restrictions, the piece may be no larger than 18" x 24". To present a larger or 3-D piece, a photograph may be submitted.
  • 2. An additional piece of artwork that addresses a problem, issue or statement that is important to the artist, for example: Problem - pollution Issue - world peace Statement - communities should create skateboard parks The teachers are looking to see how you will show this in an art piece no larger than 18” x 24”. You may choose whatever medium you wish – painting, poster design, sculpture, film, papier maché, fabric, and so on.
  • 3. You must also include a brief Artist’s Statement about your additional piece of artwork, for example:
  • a) What were you thinking about when you were planning your project?
  • b) What did you struggle with?
  • c) What were your successes?
  • d) How do you feel about the final product?
  e) How did you come up with and develop your ideas?
  • f) How did you use colour, line, shape, or texture to develop your work?
  • 4. A visual journal or sketchbook that is a record of your visual thinking and images created over time.

  WriteStretch
  

  Again this year we plan to offer gifted student writers in Delta an opportunity to participate in a program to enrich their existing classroom Language Arts and Computer programs by building a district network of passionate writers. Participants have the unique opportunity to receive feedback and advice on their writing from both peers and teacher mentors. Students meet in groups or ‘Salons’ facilitated by a Teacher Leader as well as interact ‘on-line’.

  Networks of Student Writers will come together periodically to engage in discussion about being a writer, to sharpen their writing skills and to learn to critique writing. They will also select writing they have done in their regular class, and post it on-line to receive feedback and advice from other participants.

  The nomination process is done in May by a teacher or a school-based team, and it includes a Student Self-Referral to be completed by the student and their parent(s) describing why they wish to participate in the program. Approximately thirteen sessions are held during school time at a location to be determined. Parents are responsible for arranging their child’s transportation to and from all WriteStretch sessions.

  ScienceStretch
  

  Our ScienceStretch program is an extension of the existing classroom science program and is offered to students in Grades 5 - 7 who have an inquiring mind and exhibit interest and curiosity in scientific issues. The nomination process is done in May by the student's teacher or a school-based team, and it includes a Student Self-Referral to be completed by the student and their parent(s) describing why they wish to participate in the program. Sessions are held once a month during school time, at a central venue (last year, it was the Resource Centre). Parents are responsible for arranging their child’s transportation to and from all ScienceStretch sessions.

  Secondary:
  Advanced Placement: courses that provide advanced level credit in specific content areas
  Explorations: locally developed courses that provide enrichment and support

  Elementary:
  I.E.P.'s developed by various personnel:
  classroom teacher
  learning assistant teacher
  gifted contact
  district coordinator
  psychologist

  Target Population:
  Students who demonstrate high capabilities in intellect, creativity or the skills associated with a specific discipline

  Contact:

  Satnam Chahal
  District Vice-Principal, Special Programs
  Telephone: 604-952-5325
  schahal@deltasd.bc.ca