Dear Friend:
WELCOME TO THE GREAT MEADOWS GATE PAGE!
This link will answer some of the commonly asked questions
about the GATE program at
A GATE evening meeting will be held at the middle school during September. Watch this space and the district newsletter for the day and time. This meeting will be open to GATE parents as well as any other adults interested in learning more about the program. At that time, I will go over plans for the coming school year. If you have another questions, please contact me.
In addition, the links below will keep you updated on extracurricular activities that are not part of the GATE program.
What Is GATE?
GATE (Gifted and Talented Enrichment) is a program that began in September 2005. It is a multi-disciplinary class that involves projects and activities that students might not otherwise get to do in the regular education class. Among the GATE activities are mock trial, Web page design, space exploration, and the Stock Market Game.
When do the children in GATE meet?
GATE in the elementary schools is a pull-out program. The students in a grade level meet about once a week. In previous years, I took the students at random times. However, because a significant part of my schedule is set by the math class and guided reading class I am teaching this year, I have a set schedule for GATE classes
The GATE students are expected to make up any work in the regular education classroom that they miss because of being pulled out for GATE.
GATE in the Middle School is held during the activity period on Fridays. This should minimize any disruption with the regular classes. Because of the band and chorus schedule, students may have to miss GATE because of rehearsal, and vice versa. The students must be responsible for making up any work they miss. It is understood that rehearsals near the performances of the winter and spring concerts take priority. Sincere thanks go to Mrs. Revak for her cooperation in this matter!
How do you decide which students are in GATE?
Qualification in GATE is based on several criteria, including performance on the Terra Nova, NJ ASK or similar test; teacher recommendation; parent recommendation; classroom performance and work artifacts. The student’s parents and teacher(s) will be asked to provide input on such factors as learning characteristics, attitude toward learning, and curiosity.
GATE candidates are also required to take the SAGES-2 tests (Screening Assessment for Gifted Elementary and middle school Students – 2nd Edition) in the areas of math/science, language arts/social studies, and logic/reasoning. The scores on those tests are a significant part of acceptance into GATE.
I think my child might be a candidate for GATE. What should I do?
First, check with your child’s homeroom teacher. If he or she agrees that the student might benefit from GATE, then contact me, and I will arrange for testing as soon as possible. I will then share the results with you, and we will decide on the next step. Though GATE involves several long-term projects, a student may enter GATE at almost any time during the school year.
I should stress that the expectations of GATE are more than just good grades. I am happy to work with anyone, but I expect GATE students to demonstrate inquisitiveness and initiative. In addition, GATE involves both individual and group effort, and I expect the GATE students to show a level of cooperation.
How young do you accept
students in GATE?
GATE is designed as a K through 8 program. I plan to test kindergarten students before the end of 2008.
Once a student is in GATE, is he or she in the program for the rest of his or her time in Great Meadows?
Not necessarily. Some students who, for example, read above their grade level at a young age reach a plateau of learning; within a couple of years, their peers have reached their level or even surpassed them.
For that reason, students who enter the GATE program in grades K through 3 will be re-evaluated in 4th or 5th grade. This is particularly appropriate since the SAGES-2 test changes at grade 4.
In addition, GATE students are expected to maintain their grades in their regular classes. (GATE is not graded, but the students do receive a progress report at the same time they receive their report cards.) In grades 4 though 8, a C on a report card means that the child may not participate in GATE for the next marking period.
Even in the primary grades, a student may be temporarily suspended from GATE if he or she is falling behind in classwork. The main concern MUST be what is best for the child and the child’s education.
Finally, some students decide on their own that GATE is not for them, and they choose to leave the program.
I hope I’ve answered some of the basic questions about GATE. If you have more questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the phone number or e-mail address below.
Odyssey of the Mind is a fascinating activity that pulls together adults and young people to create original solutions to problems that are judged competitively on the regional, state, national and even international level. It’s a terrific way to channel both creativity and practical problem-solving.
Each year, students choose one of
five “problems,” and they write and perform or demonstrate solutions to the
problem. For example, one problem may
involve designing a structure of balsa wood and glue to balance and support as
much weight as possible. Another
“problem” may require the students to present an original performance that takes
place in ancient
I would dearly love to be involved in Odyssey of the Mind, but it would be impossible to do under the time constraints of the school day. (You really need to work on this project in chunks of time no shorter than two hours.) It would have to be done as an after-school activity, with perhaps an occasional Saturday. I don’t think this will happen this school year, but I would like to do it some time in the future
If you wish to know more about Odyssey of the Mind, or if you think you might be willing to be involved in it this year or next year, please contact me.
Participation
in
Three
Battle of the Books competitions will be held in 2009: Grades 7 and 8 will compete at
As soon as the book lists and competition dates are known, you will see them here.
If you have a child who likes to read and who retains information after reading, please contact me or the librarian in your school.
The
7th and 8th grade
In
the past, debate has been conducted as an after-school club. A final decision has not been made for this
year. The Warren County Debate
Tournament is usually held in late November or early December at
Following are the GATE activities in each grade level for the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year. Not surprising, for the first part of the year, we’ll be studying aspects of the U.S government and the election process, as a tie-in to the Presidential campaign. The point of these activities is NOT to advocate a particular candidate or party platform but to stimulate the student’s curiosity and to prepare them for the responsibilities they will face when they reach voting age.
This listing will be updated about every two weeks.
Selection of kindergarten GATE students will not take place until later in the fall.
The
students will learn about symbols of the
The
students will learn about the organization of the
The students will learn about voting and the democratic process.
The students will learn about the process by which Presidential candidates are nominated and selected.
The
students will learn about the Presidential election process and will study how
ads present the candidates and issues.
Later in the fall, they will research a famous case in
The students will be studying the issues discussed in the Presidential campaign and will be developing their own proposals for solutions to problems that the candidates are addressing.
The students will be studying the issues discussed in the Presidential campaign and will be developing their own proposals for solutions to problems that the candidates are addressing.
October 30 - 4th grade
Mystery & Mayhem Day at
November 10 - 5th grade
Strategic Thinking Day at
June 3, 2009 - 3rd grade
Pick-A-Packet Day at
Thank you for your interest in GATE!
Sincerely,
GATE Instructor
(908) 637-4349, ext. 253
(Revised: 9/30/08)