1. Important information About your child’s G.A.P classroom

2. The Program
The Gowan Achievement Program (GAP) is designed to challenge and enrich those students who are meeting or exceeding in their studies.
This means the instruction will often be delivered at a faster pace and with more depth.
Students will be requires to think more deeply and learn independently at times.

3. Homework Homework is an important element in our program!
Students are required to read for 20 minutes EVERY evening. We have built this into most of their homework assignments.
Students will have 15 minutes of Math practice EVERY evening.
Students will be expected to read one Newsela Article and answer the quiz for Science each week.
There will be other requirements (projects, unfinished work, etc.) throughout each quarter.

6. Projects
We will have long-term projects which are to be completed at home several times during the year.
These projects will build study skills, the ability to budget time for a long-term project, and encourage a variety of ways to demonstrate knowledge.
We encourage parental or family participation in these projects

7. Open Classroom
The GAP teachers are available for individual student help before school every day from 7:50-8:15.
Mr. Thorp is also available after school on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:30-5:00pm. Please ahead of time if your child will stay after school.
Open Classroom is for students who need assistance or need to use the technology in the classroom. It is not a social hour.

8. GAP Money
Students will be earning and spending GAP money during the year as a way to participate in an economic system.
Students will earn money for positive behavior and pay fines for negative behavior.
Students will be able to spend the money at a class auction two times a quarter. Any money not spent can continue to be saved for future auctions.

9. 21st Century Skills
Throughout the year students will be expected to use and to improve on their 21st Century Skills. These include such skills as:
Effective Reasoning
Collaboration
Problem Solving Skills
Innovative and Creative thinking
Global Awareness
Technology Literacy
Life and Career Skills (Flexibility; initiative and self-direction, etc.)

10. Organization Organization is an important skill for all students
Help your child stay organized between home and school by providing a quiet workspace at home for homework
Help students clean and organize binders and back packs weekly
Use the student planner to check homework assignments and communicate with teachers
Please ensure your student’s planner is in their backpack every day.

11. Communication Mr. Thorp (Science): E-mail: tthorp@craneschools.org
Cell:
School:
Ms. Foley (ELA/SS):
Cell:
Mrs. Pienta (Math):
Cell:

12. Fundraising
Fundraising will be necessary to supplement our budget for the fieldtrips.
Fundraising provides excellent opportunities for students to demonstrate responsibility and earn their participation on the trips.
It may also reduce the cost of fieldtrips for your student.
We encourage all students and their families to participate in fundraising.

13. Community service
Service projects such as food drives, Diabetes Walk, or Relay for life, will be done several times during the year as a way to give back to our community.
We encourage all students to participate

14. Parent Help
We encourage parents to be active in our program. You can participate by …
Chaperoning for activities and trips
Volunteering in the classroom
Doing projects or grading papers at home
Providing donations for the classroom, bake sales or parties
Donating auction items such as school supplies, stuffed animals, jewelry, sports equipment, books, DVDs, Games or anything a 4th-6th grader would find useful

15. Tax Credits
Arizona provides a wonderful way for parents to have direct control over some of their tax funds, through TAX CREDITS
If you are interested in directing some of your Arizona state taxes toward our program or your child’s field trip costs simply fill out a tax credit form and return it to the office or one of the teachers.
Tax credit funds are used for classroom activities, scholarships and fieldtrips