South Fayette Elementary and Intermediate School Enrichment Overview
The South Fayette Elementary School Enrichment Program utilizes a broad and flexible framework for enriching classroom academics, while fostering our students' emotional development at the same time. We use project-based instruction and student-centered activities to focus on providing our students with the following outcomes from participating in the program. Some of the skills we want the students to demonstrate are the following:
We want our students to:
- Display a deeper understanding of content
- Display a great motivation for learning
- Develop a lifelong commitment to using the Habits of Mind (i.e. displaying persistency in problem-solving; managing impulsivity; responding with wonderment and awe in a variety of situations; striving for accuracy; utilizing metacognitive strategies in both academic and social interactions; thinking flexibly, etc.).
Ultimately, the program is designed to provide students with opportunities to grow academically and socially where they live their lives under the Vygotsky philosophy that “learning is the consequence of thinking.”
Criteria for Enrichment Program Selection:
- Teachers make recommendations during the first, second, and third nine weeks to the Enrichment Teacher.
- Parents interested in their child participating in enrichment should make the request in writing to the classroom teacher. The parents’ request for their child to be in enrichment will be forwarded as a recommendation if their child’s grades are at the “M” (Met) level in math or the language arts areas after a minimum of four weeks into the school year.
- Parents interested in their child participating in enrichment should make the request in writing to the classroom teacher. The parents’ request for their child to be in enrichment will be forwarded as a recommendation if their child’s grades are at the “M” (Met) level in math or the language arts areas after a minimum of four weeks into the school year.
- Recommendations will be made directly to the Enrichment Teacher and the Enrichment Teacher will administer the Math or Language Arts Enrichment Assessments.
- If the student meets the minimum criteria (75%) on the enrichment assessment(s), they will have qualified to participate in the enrichment program.
- Students referred after March 31st will be assessed for enrichment during of the month May, using the assessment correlated to the students’ next year grade level.
Requirements to maintain good standing in the enrichment program:
Elementary School:
- Students have to maintain all “M” (Met) in the subject in which they originally qualified via the enrichment assessment. Additionally, students will have to maintain a minimum of 95% average of “M” (Met) in their other courses in order to maintain their status in enrichment for each nine week grading period.
- Students who do not meet the minimum criteria during the nine-week grading period will be on probation from the program. These students’ grades will be reviewed at the end of the following nine-week grading period. If the student receives the level of all “M” (Met) in the subject in which they originally qualified via the enrichment assessment and receives an average of 95% “M” (Met) in their other courses, the student will be allowed to rejoin the enrichment program. If the student does not receive the level of all “M” (Met) in the subject in which they originally qualified via the enrichment assessment or does not receive an average of 95% “M” (Met) in their other courses, they will be permanently removed from the enrichment program for the remainder of the school year.
- The Enrichment teacher will contact parents and students to inform them of their status as the need arises.
- The South Fayette Intermediate School Enrichment program is separate from gifted education and PA Chapter 16.
IMPORTANT: Due to the changes in the academic structure of the elementary school curriculum, as well as the intermediate school curriculum, all kindergarten enrichment students will be reassessed upon entering first grade and all second grade students will be reassessed upon entering third grade.
Intermediate School:
- Students have to maintain a minimum of a 95% in the subject in which they are qualified via the enrichment assessment. Additionally, students will have to maintain a minimum of 90% in their other courses in order to maintain their status in enrichment for each nine week grading period.
- Students who do not meet the minimum criteria during the nine-week grading period will be on probation from the program. These students’ grades will be reviewed at the end of the following nine-week grading period. If the student receives the level of 95% or higher in the subject in which they originally qualified and receive the level of 90% or higher in their other courses, the student will be allowed to rejoin the enrichment program. If the student does not receive the level of 95% or higher in the subject in which they originally qualified or they do not received the level of 90% or higher in their other courses, they will be permanently removed from the enrichment program for the remainder of the school year.
- The Enrichment teacher will contact parents and students to inform them of their status as the need arises.
The South Fayette Elementary and Intermediate School Enrichment programs are a part of the curricular offerings of South Fayette Township School District and is not meant to be a component of the South Fayette Township School District’s Chapter 16 gifted programming and/or individual students’ GIEPs, nor is it meant to supplant the South Fayette Township School District’s Chapter 16 obligations.
Middle School Enrichment Services
Because of the tiered, challenging curriculum offered at South Fayette Middle school, enrichment is often offered and available outside of the classroom through academic competitions and activities (sponsored by local organizations and school districts), as well as extra-curricular clubs and school-sponsored activities. Some activities have limited space for participants, and students must be recommended by teaches for these opportunities; others are interest-based and students may volunteer to participate.
Grade 6:
Enrichment groups for the first quarter include students who are recommended by the Intermediate School's Enrichment Coordinator. After the first quarter, students who have earned/maintained a 95% or higher average in three core subjects will participate in the enrichment classes. The content is project-based, and students choose the activity and with whom they wish to work. Students are reevaluated quarterly.
Grade 7:
Enrichment is delivered through co-teaching lessons/units in language arts that are designed to enrich and extend content knowledge and essential literary, writing, and critical thinking skills. At the end of seventh grade, students are evaluated for participation in Pre-Advanced Placement language arts and history courses that students may take during their eighth grade year
Grade 8:
Students who qualify have the opportunity for advanced studies in language arts and history through Pre-Advanced Placement courses and the Accelerated Math Tract.
The Enrichment Coordinator is always available for consultation to plan, coordinate, and facilitate enrichment activities as needed throughout the school year.
High School Enrichment Services
South Fayette High School offers a tiered challenging and rigorous curriculum with academic, honors, college in high school and advanced placement courses. Enrichment is provided outside of the classroom where students are able to extend and apply their learning. These activities are often what help a student determine a post-secondary field of study and set them apart in the college and job application process.
Enrichment is open to all high school students in the form of extra-curricular academic experiences such as seminars, video conferences, simulations, projects, and competitions. The Enrichment Coordinator collaborates with the content area teachers to provide opportunities that are valuable learning experiences for the student. Most experiences are open to all students and participation is based upon interest, availability, and commitment. Some experiences are limited to a selected group of students and the criteria for selection will vary by opportunity and may be based upon classroom performance, demonstrated interest, and teachers recommendation.
Many clubs and activities are sponsored by district staff members.
FAQs:
How does my child get invited to be assessed for the enrichment program?
Classroom teacher makes recommendation based on academic and social performance in the classroom.
How can I help my child prepare for the enrichment assessment?
Unfortunately you are not able to prepare your child for the enrichment assessment. The assessment is not a test of academic knowledge, it is utilized to determine the student’s ability to problem-solve and to think about the subject in a deeper non-linear manner.
If my child does not meet the requirements for the enrichment program, how soon can he/she be assessed again?
Based upon the classroom teacher’s recommendation, your child can be reassessed as early as four weeks into the following school year.