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Elementary Gifted & Talented Program

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The South Brunswick School District Gifted and Talented Services are centered on a three-tiered approach to afford flexibility to meet the varying needs, abilities and interests of students.

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The elementary program is delivered through thematic projects that focus on 21st Century skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration.

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As a district, we believe our children possess special talents and gifts.

As a district, we believe all students benefit from higher level thinking and inquiry and our children possess special talents and gifts. The Schoolwide Enrichment model, in-class differentiation, and push-in enrichment provide challenging opportunities that focus on public speaking, mathematical thinking, creative problem solving, philosophical discourse, and STEM.

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A continuum of services that matches a student’s needs in their academic areas of strength and support for social and emotional development for gifted learners will be provided on an as-needed basis and may change annually. We will annually assess which students in our district at each grade level need modifications to the delivery of curriculum and instruction to match their learning levels as well as to address their social and emotional needs.

Definition: NJ Administrative Code and Law

Gifted students have been described as “those students who possess or demonstrate high levels of ability, in one or more content areas, when compared to their chronological peers in the local district and who require modification of their educational program if they are to achieve in accordance with their capabilities.”

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N.J.A.C. 6A:8-3.1

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What criteria is used to determine eligibility?

• The top 3%-5% of students are considered gifted by national standards. South Brunswick also identifies this percentage of students.

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• Specific criteria include, but are not limited to: standardized test scores (when available and appropriate), district assessment data, report card indicators, portfolio assessments and reading level. Additionally, parent input and teacher feedback about classroom performance is considered.

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• Student participation will vary depending on the nature of each project. For example, a student may be pulled for a small group for a math project while remaining in their general education classroom with differentiated instruction for language arts.

What does the elementary program look like?

• All grade level services begin with differentiation in the classroom. Therefore, even if identified, students may not work with a G&T educator in a small group setting. Services will depend on individual needs and classroom teachers will communicate with parents regarding differentiation of instruction.

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• Kindergarten and first grade students do not leave their classrooms for G&T instruction. G&T educators offer support in meeting the needs of these students while remaining with their classroom teacher.

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What does the elementary program look like in grades 2-5?

• Identified second through fifth grade students with a particular aptitude are offered the opportunity to participate in small group, theme-based projects.

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• For each project, students work with a G&T educator for approximately one hour per session during their regular school day.

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• If your child is identified for participation in a small group project, you will receive email communication from a G&T educator.

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Parent Input

Does your child possess gifted traits?

Has your child been identified previously in another school district?

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Parent input is one of our considerations for eligibility and will collected via a parent input form twice per school year - September and December

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• Complete the parent input form located on our website by September 30th.
• Gifted & Talented section of the SBSD website
• This form is not a registration form and does not guarantee participation.
• This input will be used in conjunction with a secondary review of your child’s academic data.

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* You do NOT need to complete the input form if your child received gifted and talented services in South Brunswick School District during the 24-25 school year.

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RESOURCES

• Gifted & Talented Section of the SBSD Website: https://tinyurl.com/45bmztj2
• National Association for Gifted Children: http://www.nagc.org/
• The New Jersey Association for Gifted Children: https://www.njagc.org/
• The Davidson Institute: https://www.davidsongifted.org/

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Gifted & Talented Program Educators

Jill Czyzyk

jill.czyzyk@sbschools.org

Mary Desai

mary.desai@sbschools.org

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Brooks Crossing, Brunswick Acres, Constable, Greenbrook

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Brunswick Acres, Cambridge, Indian Fields, Monmouth Junction

Assistant Superintendent,

Gifted and Talented Program Supervisor:

Suzanne Luck-Born

suzanne.luck-born@sbschools.org

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