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Gifted Program At Irving Middle School

Parent Handbook

The Duke University Talent Identification Program has completed another successful talent search season. In Lincoln, of 154 students who took the SAT or ACT tests, 5 qualified for Grand Recognition and 60 qualified for State Recognition. A student qualifying for State Recognition is in the top 25% of the Talent Search pool and a student qualifying for Grand Recognition is in the top 2%! These are significant achievements because the pool itself is highly selective and the scores are ones that many high school students aspire to achieve.

At Irving we are pleased to announce that of the 26 7th grade students who tested, 14 qualified at the State Recognition level. Congratulations to:

Katherine A.
Daniel B.
Abby C.
Elijah C.
Ashlie I.
Emily M.
Deanna M.
Meghan M.
Michael O.
Jeevan R.
Tyler R.
Ben S.
Matt S.
Emma W.

Ad Astra Summer Opportunity for Gifted and Talented 7th and 8th Grade Students! The Ad Astra program offers gifted youth a stimulating introduction to academic-based classes and social activities not usually encountered in the middle school experience. Examples of course descriptions: Chess for Fun and Chess for Food; Go With the Flow (computer-based tools to enhance presentations); Altered Imagery I (recycling and transforming old books into 3 dimensional masterpieces--artistic expression); A Moving Experience (explores movement for stage actors).
Gifted students are given the opportunity to achieve and express their full potential in a week of living and learning on the Creighton University campus. The program is open to certified gifted students entering grades 7 and 8 in the fall of 2008. (Verification of giftedness required by school official.)

Session 1: June 8-14

Session 2: June 15-21

Program fee: $580 (includes room and board, tuition, Sat. brunch, all supplies and special events...minimum deposit of $150 required.

FOR PAMPHLETS AND APPLICATION FORM, SEE MRS ZETTERMAN ROOM 108 AT IRVING OR EMAIL czetter@lps.org OR CALL: 436-1214

Central Community College-Columbus is again hosting the Central Honors Institute summer academic camp for high-ability learners who are entering 7th or 8th grade in the fall of 2008 and have demonstrated high ability in language arts, science and/or mathematics. This is a one week residential camp. The dates of the 2008 camp are July 13-18.

This Honors Institute is an awesome experience for attendees! It’s a chance to continue high-level learning over the summer break, while meeting new friends and growing personally. Campers rave about their experience and many express a desire to come back the next year. “Explore the worlds of science, mathematics and creative expression!”

If you would like an application form, a brochure or more information about CHI, visit our website at www.cccneb.edu/chi, or contact Lori Neid, ELS Regional Coordinator, toll-free in NE at 877-222-0780 EXT. 1451 or 402-562-1451 or lneid@cccneb.edu.

To apply, send completed Application Form to Central Community College by May 1, 2008. Send NO money now. Selected students will be notified in May. Tuition for this 6-day camp is $325, if paid before June 13. After that date, tuition is $350. Tuition is non-refundable after July 1st.

Based on guidelines mandated by the LPS Gifted Policy adopted by the school board, Irving’s gifted program is under the supervision of a gifted program design team. The composition of the team is determined annually. Cindy Zetterman is our facilitator for the program.

Students are referred to the gifted program by parents, staff, community members, peers, or self. (Copies of referral forms are available from the facilitator). Policy dictates that, once a referral is received, a Data Gathering Team is convened to evaluate the student’s record. This team includes some of the student’s current core teachers as well as the facilitator, often the counselor, sometimes the school psychologist. Information considered includes achievement test scores, Test of Cognitive Skills results, SCAT scores, previous I.Q. testing, outstanding student products, and/or gifted behavior checklists completed by teachers and parents.

In accordance to the policy, differentiated classes are available in math and language arts in grade six; English, Social Studies, Math, and Science are available for seventh and eighth grade students.

For further information, please contact Cindy Zetterman at Irving Middle School, 436-1214 or czetter@lps.org.

Facts and Figures about Irving’s Gifted Program for 2007-2008 school year:

Grade 6 has 60 identified gifted students and 13 highly gifted students which is 27% of that grade level.

Grade 7 has 75 identified gifted students and 12 highly gifted students which is 30% of that grade level.

Grade 8 has 75 identified gifted students and 17 highly gifted students which is 36% of that grade level.

31% of Irving’s population is identified gifted or highly gifted.

Irving currently has 42 highly gifted students working with mentors in the areas of science, social studies, mathematics, English, computer science, and Spanish.