Gilbert Unified School District is seeking input from parents of gifted students.

The Gilbert Unified School District will hold a meeting 6:30 p.m. Jan. 24 to gather information from parents of elementary gifted students. The meeting will be held at the district’s community education building, xxxxx, Mesa cq. A committee of gifted parents and educators recommended changes to the district’s program during a recent governing board meeting. The group now hopes to gather input on the recommendations to create two self-contained classes for students in grades four and five next school year, as well as make other changes.

As a parent of a gifted child, you may have noticed that your son is a quick learner. You may have observed that he is more emotionally sensitive than some of his playmates. Your gifted daughter may find it easy to carry on a conversation with adults. She may get frustrated when things don’t go “just right.”

February 28, 2005

Many people assume gifted education is simply providing accelerated or additional school work. Unfortunately, this philosophy often produces developmentally inappropriate gifted education, overworking children with unnecessary and destructive workloads. This type of gifted education focuses intensely on “academics” while neglecting the all around needs of the child such as providing for adequate music, sports and social opportunities. This philosophy also assumes gifted children learn best independently without the advantage of mentors to actively guide their learning progress.

Gifted students will have another education option next year after the Gilbert Unified School District governing board approved creation of a self-contained classroom program.

Third-graders in Laura Grunewald’s class at Chandler’s Knox Gifted Academy were given a task Monday. Using a limited number of sticks, small cups, paper clips, paper and tape, they were to design a device that can hold three plastic balls 6 inches above the ground.

When asked to sum up Tempe’s Connolly Middle School in one word, principal Kathy Mullery pauses.

Gifted students in Gilbert Unified School District will not have a self-contained classroom next fall, because it’s too late in the year to make that happen, administrators said this week.

The Gilbert Unified School District is looking to open its first self-contained classroom for either second- or third-graders who are academically gifted next school year.

Once again, East Valley school districts are shifting into high gear to offer options for families of gifted children.