Kim Lancaster Director of Special Programs klancaster@chickasaw.k12.ms.us 662-456-3332
Lysbeth Parker Gifted Contact Person lparker@chickasaw.k12.ms.us 662-456-2797
Mrs. Mary Stanford Gifted Contact Person mstanford@chickasaw.k12.ms.us 662-568-3333
Erin Swinney School Psychometrist eswinney@chickasaw.k12.ms.us 662-456-3323
Address 636 Starkville Road Houston, MS 38851
Phone 662-456-3332
Fax 662-456-5259
“Intellectually gifted children” shall mean those children and youth who are found to have an exceptionally high degree of intelligence as documented through the identification process. The needs of these students should be addressed based on the program options provided in the Outcomes for Intellectually Gifted Education Programs Grades 2-8 in Mississippi.
The mission of the Houston School District is to ensure high levels of learning for ALL students.
Gifted and talented education will provide equal opportunities and differentiated learning experiences according to potential and ability through a relevant curriculum and standards for excellence.
To provide an equitable identification process for gifted students which is inclusive and meets requirements as outlined in state regulations
To provide a gifted learning environment that allows gifted students to interact with intellectual peers
To provide challenging learning experiences that address the multiple talents, challenges, and cultural diversity of the district’s population
To provide a challenging, differentiated curriculum and teaching strategies that address the intellectual, cognitive, and affective characteristics of the gifted learner
To focus on students’ interests, strengths, and learning styles in order to encourage a life-long love of learning
To provide opportunities for students to develop skills in creative and critical thinking, research, communication, creative and performing arts, leadership, career awareness, life-skills, self-directed learning, group dynamics, and self-evaluation
To provide differentiated guidance efforts to meet the social-emotional needs of gifted students including those who are underachieving, twice exceptional, and from diverse populations
2 years ago
The assessment procedure specified by the Mississippi Department of Education and the school district is two-fold. At the school level, three of the following criteria must be met, one of which MUST be the group intelligence test score:
PHASE 1
The Referral Phase includes documentation of three of the following:
group or individual achievement test 90th percentile minimum
group or individual achievement test 90th percentile minimum
published characteristics of giftedness measure score at or above the superior range
published measure of creativity score at or above the superior range
published measure of leadership score at or above the superior range
PHASE 2
If three criteria are documented, the Local Survey Committee recommends further assessment. During the Assessment Phase the Assessment Team collect, administers, and/or documents three of the following:
● a full scale score at or above the 90th percentile on a norm-referenced group measure of intelligence
● a score at or above the 90th percentile on a norm-referenced measure of characteristics of giftedness
● a score at or above the 90th percentile on a norm-referenced measure of characteristics of creativity
● a score at or above the 90th percentile on a norm-referenced measure of characteristics of leadership
● a score at or above the 90th percentile on a norm-referenced measure of cognitive abilities
● a score at or above the 90th percentile in select areas on a norm-referenced achievement test
2 years ago
A committee shall meet at least annually to reassess each gifted student’s continuation in the program. The committee must include at least the student’s teacher of the gifted and a designated administrative representative.
Since participation in the gifted program is an entitlement under law, the student should remain in the program as long as they are being successful in the program. Grades and/or success in the regular classroom should not be considered as a reason for removal from the gifted program.
In the event a student has difficulty keeping up with the regular classroom work, a conference will be held with the parent, classroom teacher, teacher of the gifted, and the student to discuss the problem and to determine an appropriate course of action. The conference and plan of action will be documented and follow-up conferences will be held as needed.
2 years ago
Parents who are not in agreement with the school based committee decision to remove a student from the gifted program will present their concerns, orally or in writing to the principal of the school. The principal and parent will attempt to resolve the matter informally.
If the parents are not satisfied with the action taken by the principal, the parents shall, within five (5) school days after the meeting with the principal, put their concerns in writing and present them to the Houston School District contact person. The gifted contact person will schedule a meeting of the principal, the gifted teacher, counselor, and the gifted contact person within five (5) school days or a timeframe agreed upon by the parents. The parents will be extended an invitation to attend the meeting. The team assembled will render a written decision based on information shared during the meeting. The decision of the hearing committee is final. If the student is removed from the program written documentation will be given to the gifted teacher within three (3) school days. The teacher will provide the counselor with a copy of the written documentation within three (3) school days of receipt. The student shall be removed from the gifted program within five(5) school days of the decision or as indicated on the documentation form.
2 years ago
THINKING SKILLS
Given a topic/situation, the learner will define and classify the problem(s), make
connections, and draw distinctions, analyze information objectively and critically
(reflectively developing a relationship between facts and values), and differentiate
truth and beliefs from his/her understanding of what is logically and realistically possible.
CREATIVITY
Given a real-life situation, the student will be able to select from divergent thinking, analogical thinking, visualization, attribute listing, morphological analysis, synectics, intuitive thinking, spontaneous thinking, creative problem solving, and/or the creative process in an appropriate manner to develop a workable solution(s).
INFORMATION LITERACY
Given a real situation, the student will identify and define the problem, design a
research plan appropriate to the problem, conduct the investigation, decide on the most
appropriate media for dissemination of the findings/ solutions, and present the results
before an authentic audience.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Given the need to retrieve and/or disseminate information, the students will
select and utilize the most appropriate media based upon available resources, technology, audience, and time available, for the most effective communication of information, ideas, feelings, and concepts and correctly interpreting those of others.
AFFECTIVE SKILLS
As a gifted learner, students will develop self-acceptance and awareness and demonstrate responsibility for personal growth along with awareness of personal and cultural diversity in others by recognizing forms of bias and stereotypes in order to respect unique beliefs and experiences in themselves and others by understanding and embracing giftedness, appropriately coping with stress in order to become healthy, responsive, contributing, and productive members of classroom communities and society as a whole.
SUCCESS SKILLS
Given a real-life situation, the student will utilize effective organizational, decision
making, goal-setting, project management, and time management skills, including
controlling impulses and adapting to unforeseen circumstances, in order to
develop solutions to problems and achieve goals whether working individually or as a
leader or member of a team.
2 years ago
BRIGHT CHILD
Knows the answers
Is interested
Is attentive
Has good ideas
Works hard
Answers 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 new design
Enjoys learning
Manipulates information
Inventor
Good guesser
Thrives on complexity
Is keenly observant
Is highly self critical
2 years ago
List of Gifted Materials
Location: Houston Upper Elementary School conference room/Parent Resource Center
Guide to Critical Thinking by Dr. Linda Elder & Dr. Richard Paul
The Book of Perfectly Perilous Math by Sean Connolly
Growing Up Gifted sixth edition by Barbara Clark--two copies
Education of the Gifted and Talented fifth edition by Gary A Davis and Sylvia B Rimm
Teaching Outside the Box by LouAnne Johnson
A Resource for the K-8 Classroom Creative Arts by Chris Melby-Codling & James Codling
Growing Up Gifted fourth edition by Barbara Clark
101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids by Christine Fonseca
The Gifted Teen Survival Guide Smart, Sharp, and Ready for (Almost) Anything by Judy Galbraith & Jim Delisle
101 Best Websites for Kids by Karen CAngero, Valle Dwight, Trevor Moers, and Nancy Skahill
Parenting Gifted Kids by James R. Delisle--four copies
Gerfuls by Cheryl Myers
True Science by Ken Wester
On-The-Job Math Mysteries by Marya Washington Tyler
A New Way to Use Your Bean by Darlene Freman
The Whole Word Catalogue 2 edited by Bill Zavatsky & Ron Padgett
Handful of Riddles & Geoscopes from Mindware
Math on the Menu from LHS Gems
not just schoolwork by Amy Maid & Roger Wallace
How to Do Experiments for Science Fair Projects by Joann F. Thomas
Multiple Intelligences Made Easy by Bonita De Amicis
Curriculum Capers by Charlotte S. Jaffe
Critical Thinking, Cause & Effect, Inferences by a Frank Schaffer Publication
The Great Big Book of Super-Fun Math Activities from Scholastic
25 Real Life Math Investigations That Will Astound Teachers & Students by Edward Zoccaro
Designing Services and Programs for High-Ability Learners edited by Jeane H. Purcell & Rebecca D. Eckert
Peak Performance for Smart Kids by Maureen Neihart--two copies
The Gifted Kids Survival Guide by Judy Galbraith
Brain Twisters edited by Andrea Harrington
Hands-On Geometry by Christopher M. Freeman
Mathability Math in the Real World by Michael Cain
The Hurried Child by David Elkind
2 years ago
Dear Parents:
Summer is just around the corner and many of you may be looking for ways to keep your child involved in educational activities. Below is a list of summer camp options for gifted students in Mississippi. Please understand that this list was compiled for your information only, not as a recommendation for a specific program. Where available, costs and deadlines for
registration was included. All of the institutions below are widely respected for the programs they offer. If you have any questions please contact:
Lysabeth Parker
Gifted Contact Person
662-456-2797
Mrs. Mary Stanford
Gifted Contact Person
662-568-2772
Mallory Tedder
Gifted Teacher
662-456-3323
University of Southern Mississippi - Karnes Center
https://kaleidoscope691993828.wordpress.com/
Tentative Dates for Summer Programming for 2022
1/2 Day Programs
Young Gifted Students Program
● Students who have finished PK through students who have finished 3rd Grade
● June 6-10, 2022
● 9:00 AM – Noon each day
Summer In the Middle
Students who have finished 4th Grade through students who have finished 6th Grade
● June 13-17, 2022
● 9:00 AM – Noon each day
Residential Programs
Summer Program for Academically Talented Youth
● Students who have finished 7th Grade through rising high-school seniors
● June 20- July 2, 2022
Summer Gifted Studies Program
● Students who have finished 4th Grade through Students who have finished 8th Grade
● June 20-25, 2022
Leadership Studies Program
● Students who have finished 6th Grade through rising high-school seniors
● June 27-July 2, 2022
Dates are subject to change and will be confirmed prior to applications being made available. More details
coming soon!
University of Mississippi
Elementary School:
Rebel Quest
https://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/pre_college/rebelquest/index.html
Grades: Rising 1st to 6th graders
Cost: $180 for regular week. For four-day weeks the cost will be: $145 for non-employees, $120 for employees
Dates: Seven week-long sessions running May 31 – July 22, 2022
Ecology Day Camp
https://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/pre_college/ecologydaycamp/index.html
Grades: Rising 1st - 6th graders
Cost: $175/week
Week 1: June 6 – 10 (Rising 4th-6th Grades)
Week 2: June 13 - 17 (Rising 1st-3rd Grades)
Week 3: June 20 - 24 (Rising 1st-3rd Grades)
Week 4: June 27 - July 1 (Rising 1st-4th Grades)
Week 5: July 11 - 15 (Rising 1st - 3rd Grades)
Week 6: July 18 - 22 (Rising 4th-6th Grades)
Middle School:
Creative Writing Workshop
https://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/pre_college/creativewritingcamp/index.html
Dates: June 6-10, 2022
Grades: Rising 6th-8th grades
Cost: Residential $660/Commuter $360
Registrations Due: May 15, 2022
Discover Engineering
https://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/pre_college/discover-engineering/index.html
Dates: June 20-24. 2022
Grades: Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th grades
Cost: $670 Residential; $360 Commuter
Registrations Due: May 15, 2022
First Lego Robotics
https://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/pre_college/robotics_camp/index.html
Dates: July 11-15, 2022
Grades: Rising 6th-8th grades
Cost: Residential $700/Commuter $400
Registrations Due: June 1, 2022
Mississippi State University:
Elementary, Middle, and High School Camps
https://www.summercamps.msstate.edu/camps
https://www.bagley.msstate.edu/outreach/summer-engineering-academies/