Programs and Services
GIFTED AND TALENTED EDUCATION PROGRAM

 
 
GATE Advisory Committee - Parent input is important!
  • We are still looking for parent representatives interested in serving on the committee for 2011-12. If you have questions, please call or email Merritt Booster.
  • Meetings are held at the District Office, 1000 Yulupa Ave. Santa Rosa, times may be adjusted to meet parent schedules. Meetings are open to any interested parent.
  • The next meeting will be in March (date TBD), 4:00 - 5:00 at the District Office.
Email any questions and/or concerns to Merritt Booster: mbooster@rvusd.org

4-6th Grade Academic Scavenger Hunt

Hunt Questions

Answer Sheet

Rules

Remember: Students must do the work. Simple cut and paste of answers with no indication of understanding will not receive full points.

Have Fun Learning!

3rd Grade Academic Scavenger Hunt

Congratulations to all teams -- Excellent Work!
Prizes will be delivered this Thursday.
The winning teams are posted here.
 Note: the teams' answer sheets are not returned. If you have specific questions, email Merritt.

3rd Grade Scavenger Hunt Answers

The 4-6th grade Academic Scavenger Hunt will take place this weekend. Packets will be delivered to the classes on Friday, February 3.

GATE Library :
Books and magazines are available for checkout. Contact Merritt and arrange to browse.
Current Articles of Interest:
If you missed the article in the SF Chronicle on GATE, click here.

Internet Resources for Student Exploration (and parents)

Gifted and Talented Education Program

The Gifted and Talented Education program in Rincon Valley is unique in design. The program is designed to provide challenge and critical thinking in the classroom and extracurricular classes and activities for identified students in grades 3-8 who demonstrate exceptional ability. Volunteer parents and members of the community who have a professional or passionate interest in a particular field teach many of the enrichment classes, facilitated by the GATE Coordinator.

While formal identification does not occur until the beginning of 3rd grade, professional development for teachers at all grade levels (K-8) in GATE instructional strategies and curriculum ensures that classroom instruction is differentiated and challenging for all students. In addition the GATE program provides and supports opportunities such as Odyssey of the Mind, Junior Great Books, and the Academic Scavenger Hunt for students to practice and develop their creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving abilities.

GATE Email Network

Sign uo to receive GATE newsletters, reminders about classes and deadlines, change notices, events happening in our district, etc. via email.
(If you did sign up to receive emailed GATE information, but haven't received any recent communication, make sure the GATE program has your correct email address.) No one other than the coordinator has access to your e-mail address.

This is also the best and fastest way to ask questions and receive answers.

If you would like to participate, signing up is easy!
E-mail Merritt Booster and request it.
 

 Current Gate Events and Classes

Check the GATE Calendar for dates.

GATE Writer's Workshops: Rincon Valley students in grades 6-8 had the opportunity to work with Cathy Signorelli in a series of Writers' Workshops. The project culminated in a book of student writings and a reading at Copperfield's Bookstore in Santa Rosa. It was wonderful watching and listening to the students read their works. The new Writer's Workshops will begin after Winter Break -- see the Newsletter for details.

Cathy Signorelli,
Writer's Workshop Instructor

Alyssa reading from her short story
"Demonic Traveler:Discovery of the
Demonic Realm

    

Felicity reading from her "Ocean Waters"

Lili reading her creative writing at the Writer's Workshop authors' reading at Copperfields Books, 2011.

 

Odyssey of the Mind: We have about seventeen Odyssey teams working this year, most of whish will attend the tournament on March 10.
 If you would like to know more about this creative program, consider volunteering as a judge. Training available! Email Merritt Booster for more information.

GATE classes -- Nine new classes are beginning. If you'd like to be involved as an instructor, email Merritt. All it takes is a little time, a real interest in students, and knowledge you would like to impart! Times are flexible.

Teacher training is an ongoing process in the Rincon Valley District. All new teachers receive basic GATE training and a number of established teachers are pursuing GATE Certification.

GATE Family Excursions -- information will be included in newsletters and emailed to parents as events come to our attention. If you hear of an event or a place you think would be of interest to GATE families, please let Merritt know. If you can help with this, it would be welcome!

Academic Scavenger Hunt:
Three Academic Scavenger Hunts will be going on this year: 3rd grade, January 27-29; 4-6th grade, February 3-5; 7th grade in American History.

3rd Grade Academic Scavenger Hunt Results:

Total possible points: 56

1st Place Tie: 53 points each

Team V3-1- Village: Dresslove/Frey
(Hayden, Frankie, Avery, Matthew, Vanessa)
&
Team S3-3 - Sequoia: Kortbein
(Katie, Kaylee, Hannah)

2nd Place: 52 points

Team AC3-2 - Austin Creek: Knapp & Melton/Langlois
(Aiden, Paul, Keira, Cara, Dasha, Hana)

3rd Place: 51 points

Team S3-2- Sequoia: Craig & Leonardis
(Katie, Hana, Violet, Brooke, Emma, Milan)

Points of the other eleven teams ranged from 33 to 50.

GATE BiMathlon: In March and May, 2012, approximately 60 of our top 4th and 5th graders in mathemetics will spend two days out at the Sonoma County Office of Education. They investigate various aspects of mathematics and technology. Invitations have been mailed to eligible students.
To see a PDF of the 2009 BiMathlon, click here. For another example of a past Bimathlon, click here.

GATE MiniConference: During the MiniConference, GATE takes over a school site for an evening. Students can select one class from a wide range of topics to try something new, have the chance to meet new students, and socialize. Parents have the opportunity to talk to teachers and to network amongst themselves. The 2012 MiniConference will be on Thursday, May 3. Watch for the Spring Newsletter for details - coming in March.

 

 
GATE Library

These books are available at the District Office for checkout to parents and teachers. We ask that you return them within two weeks. If you would like to check out a book, just call or email Merritt Booster (542-7375 or mbooster@rvusd.org).

Focus on parents: (*specifically appropriate for children to read as well)

  • When Gifted Kids Don’t Have All the Answers *
  • The Gifted Kid’s Survival Guides *
  • Worth the Risk *
  • Fighting Invisible Tigers *
  • Perfectionism: What’s Bad about Being Too Good *
  • Get Off my Brain *
  • Raising your Gifted Child
  • Counseling the Gifted and Talented
  • Growing Up Gifted
  • Power and Promise (Gifted Girls)
  • Back issues of “Parenting for High Potential”

Focus on Teaching:

  • Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom
  • Teaching Young Gifted Children in the Regular Classroom
  • Challenge Math
  • Primary Education Thinking Skills (1 & 2)
  • Active Questioning
  • The Parallel Curriculum
  • Meeting the Challenge
  • Lollipop Logic and Primary Logic
  • Back issues of “The Gifted Education Communicator”
  • Back issues of “Gifted Child Quarterly
Internet Resources for Student Exploration