Mrs. Dasti

What’s GRO?

The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools gifted program is called Gifted Reach Out, known as GRO.  It serves the identified population of gifted students in grades two through five.  This enrichment pullout program offers students the chance to interact with peers of similar ability, while remaining a part of the regular classroom setting. Once admitted into the program, the students meet with the GRO teacher for small group instruction.  These groups provide the opportunity for the gifted child to interact with, stimulate and be stimulated by his/her peers, while enjoying individual or small group attention.

 

GRO encourages independent learning, research, and individual product development.  Creative problem solving and critical thinking skills are stressed.  Students are challenged to become consumers and producers of knowledge. Students are exposed to new subjects with the intent to broaden their interests and enhance their present grade level core curriculum based upon student interest. The GRO program provides enrichment for students who have demonstrated high academic abilities. The work is above grade level and is rigorous. Children are expected to fulfill their regular classroom and GRO proficiencies during the year.

 

Program Features

·      Differentiated Instruction

·      Accelerated or advanced content

·      More complex understandings of generalizations, principles, theories, and the structure of the content area

·      Abstract concepts and thought processes or skills

·      Appropriation of longer/shorter time span for learning

·      Generating new information and/or products

·      Transfer of learning to new/different disciplines, situations

·      Development of personal growth and sophistication in attitudes, appreciations, feeling, and intuition

·      Independence of thought and study

Parental Role

The parents' role is to model the importance of education. At home, parents should continue to encourage the love of reading, develop an acceptance of responsibilities and the enjoyment of accomplishments. Teaching respect and self-worth are the keys to successful life-long experiences.

 

Parents of the Gifted & Talented: The PGT is a parent volunteer organization that meets bi-monthly to:

§ PROMOTE the pursuit of excellence by children and youth in educational and social environments.

§ FACILITATE exchange of information and ideas among parents, teachers and administrators.

§ ACT as an advocate for the special needs of the Gifted and Talented Students before the Board of Education and other relevant groups.

 

For more information about the PGT please click this 

https://pgtparsippany.wixsite.com/home

 

This year the membership registration will only be done electronically through this sign-up.  The registration fee ($25 per family) helps pay for PGT programming and supplies.  It is also used towards the scholarships that we give out every year to two HS graduating GRO students in the spring.  

Membership Signup Link-  

 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B094CA9A922A2F85-pgt20212022

 

Questions about the PGT? 

Please Email at: [email protected]

 

 

Testing for the Gifted Reach Out Program

Parents of 1^st-4^th graders interested in having their child tested for the district’s gifted program (GRO) should send a written request no later than April 1, 2022 to their child’s classroom teacher. Testing for those eligible will take place in in May/June for entrance into the program beginning September 2022. In conjunction with GRO testing, multiple measures will be considered. Central office will mail home the results during the summer break.

Parents of new students to the district can have their child tested for GRO during the first trimester only.  Please contact me as soon as possible if you feel your child is a potential candidate.  If you enter after the first trimester, testing will take place in May/June.

Parents of new students to the district AND were previously in a gifted and talented program in another school district are tested throughout the year based upon confirmation of prior enrollment in a gifted program from the student’s former school.

The GRO program provides enrichment for students who have demonstrated high capabilities. The work presented is above grade level and is rigorous. Children are expected to fulfill their regular classroom and GRO proficiencies during the year.

 

Bright Child Knows the answers Is interested Is attentive Has good ideas Works hard Answers the questions Top group Listens with interest Learns with ease 6-8 repetitions for mastery Understands ideas Enjoys peers Grasps the meaning Completes assignments Is receptive Copies accurately Enjoys school Absorbs information Technician Good memorizer Enjoys straightforward, sequential presentation Is alert Is pleased with own learning

Gifted Learner Asks the questions Is highly curious Is mentally and physically involved Has wild, silly ideas Plays around, yet tests well Discusses in detail, elaborates Beyond the group Shows strong feelings and opinions Already knows 1-2 repetitions for mastery Constructs abstractions Prefers adults Draws inferences Initiates projects Is intense Creates a new design Enjoys learning Manipulates information Inventor Good guesser Thrives on complexity Is keenly observant Is highly self-critical

 

 

 

FAQ about Spring GRO Testing

 

1. What kind of tests will my child be taking? 

Your child will be evaluated using multiple criteria which may include classroom assessments, a gifted rating scale & a standardized test(s) which measures abstract thinking and reasoning abilities. 

 

2.       Who administers the standardized tests?

The GRO teachers

 

3.       Who administers the classroom assessments?

Your child’s classroom teacher

 

4.       Who administers the gifted rating scale?

Classroom Teachers, Specialists, and/or any school professional that has recommended the student for testing

 

5.       Does my child need to study for the GRO test?

Your child cannot study for these standardized tests. However, if  you would like to prepare your child for the experience of taking a standardized test, you can have them practice listening skills and logical thinking puzzles.

 

6.       When does the testing take place?

May-June.  Specific testing dates will vary based on teachers and school schedules, as well as attendance and room availability.

 

7.       How long is the testing process?

Grades 3 & 4 will have one test sitting of approximately 60 minutes and grades 1 & 2 will have two test sittings of approximately 60 minutes each.

 

8.       When will we find out the results of the GRO testing?

GRO teachers submit all testing results by the last day of school and Central Office will mail the results to your home over the summer.

 

Mrs. Dasti 

What’s GRO?

The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools gifted program is called Gifted Reach Out, known as GRO.  It serves the identified population of gifted students in grades two through five.  This enrichment pullout program offers students the chance to interact with peers of similar ability, while remaining a part of the regular classroom setting. Once admitted into the program, the students meet with the GRO teacher for small group instruction.  These groups provide the opportunity for the gifted child to interact with, stimulate and be stimulated by his/her peers, while enjoying individual or small group attention.

 GRO encourages independent learning, research, and individual product development.  Creative problem solving and critical thinking skills are stressed.  Students are challenged to become consumers and producers of knowledge. Students are exposed to new subjects with the intent to broaden their interests and enhance their present grade level core curriculum based upon student interest. The GRO program provides enrichment for students who have demonstrated high academic abilities. The work is above grade level and is rigorous. Children are expected to fulfill their regular classroom and GRO proficiencies during the year.

Program Features

• Differentiated Instruction
• Accelerated or advanced content
• More complex understandings of generalizations, principles, theories, and the structure of the content area
• Abstract concepts and thought processes or skills
• Appropriation of longer/shorter time span for learning
• Generating new information and/or products
• Transfer of learning to new/different disciplines, situations
• Development of personal growth and sophistication in attitudes, appreciations, feeling, and intuition
• Independence of thought and study

Parental Role

The parents' role is to model the importance of education. At home, parents should continue to encourage the love of reading, develop an acceptance of responsibilities and the enjoyment of accomplishments. Teaching respect and self-worth are the keys to successful life-long experiences.

 

Testing for the Gifted Reach Out Program

Parents of 1^st-4^th graders interested in having their child tested for the district’s gifted program (GRO) should send a written request no later than April 1, 2022 to their child’s classroom teacher. Testing for those eligible will begin in May/June for entrance into the program beginning September 2022. In conjunction with GRO testing, multiple measures will be considered. Central office will mail home the results during the summer break.

Parents of new students to the district can have their child tested for GRO during the first trimester only.  Please contact me as soon as possible if you feel your child is a potential candidate.  If you enter after the first trimester, testing will take place in May/June.

Parents of new students to the district AND were previously in a gifted and talented program in another school district are tested throughout the year based upon confirmation of prior enrollment in a gifted program from the student’s former school.

The GRO program provides enrichment for students who have demonstrated high capabilities. The work presented is above grade level and is rigorous. Children are expected to fulfill their regular classroom and GRO proficiencies during the year.

Bright Child Knows the answers Is interested Is attentive Has good ideas Works hard Answers the questions Top group Listens with interest Learns with ease 6-8 repetitions for mastery Understands ideas Enjoys peers Grasps the meaning Completes assignments Is receptive Copies accurately Enjoys school Absorbs information Technician Good memorizer Enjoys straightforward, sequential presentation Is alert Is pleased with own learning

Gifted Learner Asks the questions Is highly curious Is mentally and physically involved Has wild, silly ideas Plays around, yet tests well Discusses in detail, elaborates Beyond the group Shows strong feelings and opinions Already knows 1-2 repetitions for mastery Constructs abstractions Prefers adults Draws inferences Initiates projects Is intense Creates a new design Enjoys learning Manipulates information Inventor Good guesser Thrives on complexity Is keenly observant Is highly self-critical

FAQ about Spring GRO Testing

Your child will be evaluated using multiple criteria which may include classroom assessments, a gifted rating scale & a standardized test(s) which measures abstract thinking and reasoning abilities. 

The GRO teachers

Your child's classroom teacher

Classroom Teachers, Specialists, and/or any school professional that has recommended the student for testing

Your child cannot study for these standardized tests. However, if you would like to prepare your child for the experience of taking a standardized test, you can have them practice listening skills and logical thinking puzzles.

May-June. Specific testing dates will vary based on teachers and school schedules, as well as attendance and room availability.

Grades 3 & 4 will have one test sitting of approximately 60 minutes and grades 1 & 2 will have two test sittings of approximately 60 minutes each.

GRO teachers submit all testing results by the last day of school and Central Office will mail the results to your home over the summer.