| Each school year, Sumner
School District accepts nominations of students in grades 2-8 whose
educational needs might be best served by Sumner’s Gifted
Services programs. Sumner serves identified gifted students in grades
3-5 through the PEAK program; a self-contained “all-day”
program housed at Daffodil Valley Elementary. Identified gifted
students in grades 6-8 are served through social studies, language
arts, math and science classes at Sumner Middle School.
This year’s nomination period was October 22 –
November 20. Nomination forms were available at all elementary
and middle schools beginning Tuesday, October 22. A parent information
night was held Tuesday, October 16, from 7:00-8:30 PM at Daffodil
Valley Elementary and included an overview of the nomination
and selection process, discussion of the characteristics of gifted
students and a description of the elementary and middle school gifted
services.
If you have questions about the program, qualification criteria,
or selection process, please contact Tari
Littlefield at 253-891-6035.
Gifted Forms
2007-2008
2007 Gifted Service
Parent Nomination Packet
Teacher Nomination Packet
What Is Gifted?
The term “gifted” or “highly capable” is
used to identify students who have exceptionally high intellectual
or creative ability. Sumner School District provides programs for
highly gifted students, who generally do not perform to their full
potential unless they receive specialized instruction at their ability
level and have a chance to learn and interact with other gifted
students. The Sumner School District’s goals for the Gifted
Program are:
- To provide accelerated academic pace and depth.
- To meet social and emotional needs of gifted students.
- To create opportunities for students to work with academic peers.
What happens if my child was nominated but did not qualify? Can I appeal?
Yes. Appeals regarding assessment and selection will be made to the Highly Capable Committee (HCC) which consist of the following:
- Principal at the appropriate grade level
- One classroom teacher (that serves highly capable students)
- District administrator
- Psychologist or counselor
- Other professionals the District chooses to place on the committee
A parent/guardian wishing to appeal the assessment decision will submit a request in writing to the Highly Capable Program administrator. The HCC will meet as needed to review written appeals. The HCC will make final decisions regarding appeals. A parent/guardian wishing to appeal decisions of the HCC will submit written request to the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning.
The appeals process will be used for parents/guardians and/or students who are not satisfied with the selection process.
The parent/guardian and/or student should review the assessment results letter with Tari Littlefield (Special Services) or Keoni Smith (Special Services Co-Director) within two weeks of receipt. A letter of appeal clearly outlining the rationale for the request shall be submitted to the Highly Capable Program administrator by the parent/guardian.
The appeal letter should include the following information:
- Supporting details for evidence of outstanding abilities of the student
- Inclusion of additional data
- Samples of work
or
- Letters of recommendations from District staff
The HCC shall review the appeal. The committee will determine the appropriate action from the list below:
1. Continued denial for entry into program based on data presented
2. Request for further testing prior to a final decision (elementary students only)
3. Request for further information and/or data prior to a final decision
4. Change status to “qualified”
The decision will be made based on the evidence presented. |
