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Target Orientation

2026-2027

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While you’re waiting, please respond to the following prompt in the chat:

Gifted Education is important because...

MH

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The Team

Front L to R: Maggie Hunter, Christen Salamone, Jen Sigmund

Back L to R: Carolyn Griffin, Erica Oakhill, Sharon Marsh, Vinnie Prasad

MH

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Fall Schedule

MH

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Target Curriculum is...

relevant

conceptual

empowering

CS

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Standards

Affective

Critical Thinking

EO

"These are the Cobb County School District Gifted Standards, and they guide everything we do in Target.

They’re grouped into two main areas:� 🔹 Critical Thinking (top row)� 🔹 Affective Standards (bottom row)

The Critical Thinking standards include:

Convergent Thinking – logic and problem-solving with one correct answer�
Analytical, Divergent, and Evaluative Thinking – helping students think deeper, more creatively, and reflect�
Relationships & Connections – applying learning in meaningful, real-world ways�

The Affective standards focus on:

Communication, Collaboration, Self-Reflection, and being a Self-Directed Learner — all key to supporting the whole child.�

To support these skills, we start every Target class with a Morning Meeting, which helps build community, fosters collaboration, and support students’ social-emotional growth.

These standards help us go beyond the general education curriculum by adding depth, complexity, and challenge. You’ll see them woven into our lessons, projects, and class discussions all year long."

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Any makeup work that is assigned is due the following Target class (your child’s teacher will explain the policy).

Gifted students do not complete regular classroom work or homework on Target days, but they are responsible for understanding any concepts covered.

Target homework is due on the next scheduled Target day or on date indicated. All assignments are discussed in class prior to students dismissal.

Target Policies

If your child has any medical concerns, please contact your child’s Target teacher through CTLS Parent.

EO

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https://mtbetheltarget.wixsite.com/gifted

Target Website

EO

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CTLS Learn (Students)

Students will refer to their Target teacher’s CTLS page where they can

access class announcements and resources from class.��

CTLS Parent (Parents/Guardians)

All communication between parents and teachers will be through CTLS

Parent and not through email. This is the best way to reach us because

teachers are not available to answer phone calls during the day. We will

make every effort to respond to you within one school day.

Communication

JS

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What to bring to Target

snack, lunch, water bottle

headphones

Target binder/folder

Target bag

Jacket for cold weather

JS

If you ordered supplies, they have been delivered to your child’s Target teacher

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A day in the life of a Target Student

lunch

recess

FIX THIS SLIDE

JS

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Student Expectations

Be Prepared

Commitment

Accountability

Homework
Target Folder/Binder
Snack/Water Bottle
Headphones

Stay on task
Give best effort
Work independently
Growth Mindset

Take responsibility for your own actions
Respectful of others
Contribute to group work
Advocate for self

VP

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Gifted Forms (Action Required)

VP

Remember that Continuation Criteria is now being sent to parents through ALtitude. It will automatically accompany all GF4s and Re-Entries, meaning it shows as an additional page for parents, and it will be sent to all current parents on the first day of school each year. They are not signing or giving permission. They are simply acknowledging receipt. The state requires us to distribute this information. A link with access instructions for parents is included in that email. If a parent reaches out, I recommend you attach that parent user guide. It’s in your ALtitude channel of Teams. Please see below from Evelyn.

Since there is no Yes or No, it is just an acknowledgement in ParentVUE. Here is a screenshot of what the enrolling adult sees in ParentVUE. I did not include this in the user guide.

Remember that Continuation Criteria is now being sent to parents through ALtitude. It will automatically accompany all GF4s and Re-Entries, meaning it shows as an additional page for parents, and it will be sent to all current parents on the first day of school each year. They are not signing or giving permission. They are simply acknowledging receipt. The state requires us to distribute this information. A link with access instructions for parents is included in that email. If a parent reaches out, I recommend you attach that parent user guide. It’s in your ALtitude channel of Teams. Please see below from Evelyn.

Once a parent acknowledges it, it no longer shows in ParentVue. They must download it first before submitting if they want to save a copy. After they acknowledged if they need a copy, they need to contact the school. However, on the continuation criteria, we are still creating a query to pull this information because it will not show under the forms tab in ALtitude.

Since there is no Yes or No, it is just an acknowledgement in ParentVUE. Here is a screenshot of what the enrolling adult sees in ParentVUE. I did not include this in the user guide.

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Gifted Forms (Action Required)

VP

Once a parent acknowledges it, it no longer shows in ParentVue. They must download it first before submitting if they want to save a copy. After they acknowledged if they need a copy, they need to contact the school. However, on the continuation criteria, we are still creating a query to pull this information because it will not show under the forms tab in ALtitude.

Since there is no Yes or No, it is just an acknowledgement in ParentVUE. Here is a screenshot of what the enrolling adult sees in ParentVUE. I did not include this in the user guide.

Remember that Continuation Criteria is now being sent to parents through ALtitude. It will automatically accompany all GF4s and Re-Entries, meaning it shows as an additional page for parents, and it will be sent to all current parents on the first day of school each year. They are not signing or giving permission. They are simply acknowledging receipt. The state requires us to distribute this information. A link with access instructions for parents is included in that email. If a parent reaches out, I recommend you attach that parent user guide. It’s in your ALtitude channel of Teams. Please see below from Evelyn.

Once a parent acknowledges it, it no longer shows in ParentVue. They must download it first before submitting if they want to save a copy. After they acknowledged if they need a copy, they need to contact the school. However, on the continuation criteria, we are still creating a query to pull this information because it will not show under the forms tab in ALtitude.

Since there is no Yes or No, it is just an acknowledgement in ParentVUE. Here is a screenshot of what the enrolling adult sees in ParentVUE. I did not include this in the user guide.

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Learning Skills Assessment Indicators

S = 3

D = 1

P = 2

Successful:

Does Not Meet:

Progressing:

Consistently and Independently meets grade-level expectations

Meets grade-level standards and elements inconsistently or with support

Limited progress in meeting grade-level standards

CS

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Gifted Progress Report

Semester progress aligns with CCSD Gifted Standards�
Distributed in December/January and May�
Graded assignments are found in your child’s Target folder (Grade 1) or Target binder (Grades 2-5)

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Semester Review

7 out of 10 S’s and P’s indicates student is meeting essential requirements for continued placement.
Your child met the expectations if the box with the M is checked.

CG

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Annual Review

On the progress report, the last column next

to Semester 2 is the Annual Review.

S for Successful P for Progressing D for Does Not Meet

CG

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Quarterly Feedback Report

Students not meeting essential requirements will receive a quarterly feedback report at the end of each 9 week grading period.

Areas needing improvement will be marked and parent signature is required.

Report focuses on weaknesses.

CG

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Questions?

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Thank you!