Nominating Your Child for the Challenge Program A Guide for Parents Old Bridge Public Schools 2019

Our Current Challenge Program Students in Kindergarten and First Grade who show above average ability are provided differentiated instruction by their classroom teacher. Challenge teachers visit second grade classrooms with the PETS program and robotics eight times a year. Students in grades 3-5 travel by bus one day a week to their designated Challenge school.

You’re Nominating Your 3rd, 4th or 5th Grader for the Pull-Out Program Instruction takes place from 9:30- 1:25. Students eat lunch in the Challenge classroom and have the option of buying lunch or packing a lunch. Recess time is focused on indoor activities promoting social interaction and problem solving skills. Students work in small groups on research and creative projects. Technology is used in most activities and lessons. The curriculum is based on carefully designed thematic units with skills from all subject areas. Click to visit our Website for examples of the work students will complete.

First- Consider This Before Nominating Your child should show characteristics from each circle: task commitment, above average creativity, above average intelligence. All are critical for success in the Challenge program. If the student is missing one of the three characteristics, the services of this program will not be beneficial to your child.

When nominating your child for the Challenge Program, please make sure that you are focusing on the “Gifted Learner” column.

Factors to Consider When Nominating: 1- All students and parents of students in the Challenge Program must sign and adhere to a contract with the following terms: •All students must come to class prepared and ready to work, learn and collaborate. •Homework assigned must be completed by the due date. •The Challenge Program cannot be an excuse for falling behind in regular school responsibilities. Falling behind may result in exiting the program. •All rules on the bus and in the Challenge School must be observed. •Nothing less than your best will be expected. •Being justly proud and equally humble of the students’ abilities is required. •Students must strive in all work to maintain the standards of excellence that may serve as an example to others.

Factors to Consider When Nominating: 2- All students will be assessed using a progress report that focuses on the four Challenge Standards Problem Solving, Communication, Critical Thinking and Leadership. Creativity and Work Habits are also assessed twice yearly. 3- Please be sure to only nominate students who will be able to keep up with their classes when they come to Challenge. Students will miss nearly a full day of class. This means they will miss direct instruction and any related arts or special programs scheduled during those times. It is understood that students in the Challenge Program may need to focus more time after school hours to ensure they are on par with their peers in their regular classes.

Consider Your Child’s Social and Emotional Needs When Nominating : They should be able to successfully: Leave their home school and take a bus to another school for instruction. Miss some special days, events, or assemblies on Challenge Day. Make up some of their work and assignments from the home school. Pack their supplies, homework, materials to take with them to Challenge class. Interact with a new group of students from across the district. Collaborate and share ideas with classmates. Use technology without becoming frustrated or overly nervous. Exhibit the qualities outlined in the “Six Pillars of Character” when attending another school for instruction.  

Your nomination is not a guarantee for acceptance. Your nomination ensures that we thoroughly review your child for Challenge Program services. You will be notified if your child has made it into the program or not. Please do not speak with or pressure your child’s teacher to recommend your child. Students get the same number of points and same type of screening if you, their teacher or you both put their name forward. All the criteria for entrance including parent nomination will be evaluated in the district’s Challenge rubric which includes: Easy CBM assessments in math and reading comprehension a test of creativity a creative writing sample a math problem solving test. These will be administered by your child’s homeroom teacher.

If you have decided to nominate: You must: Visit https://bit.ly/2SfoXq8 and complete the rating scale. (1 per student please) Upload work samples that highlight your child’s above average ability, creativity and task commitment in and out of school. Once your survey has been received you will receive an detailed email with directions on how to upload your child’s work samples. There is no automatic response, it may take up to 3 days to receive the email. Complete all steps in the process by 4/15/19. No nominations will be accepted after this date. Thank you for taking the time and effort! If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Washburn (jwashburn@obps.org) Mr. Lawrence (llawrence@obps.org)