Special Programs
Gifted and Talented
Honors
Thank you for your interest in the Litchfield Elementary School District Honors Program.
Each middle school campus offers an Honors Program for students who are interested in a more rigorous curriculum and pace. Any student interested in being considered for entrance into the LESD Honors Program will need to complete an application for admittance into the program.
Due to the COVID-19 school closure,
the 2020-2021 Honors Application deadline
has been extended to Thursday, April 2, 2020.
Middle School Honors applications for the 2020-2021 school year are available below.
Honors Applications may be emailed to the applicable Honors Application Coordinator listed below by Thursday, April 2, or delivered to the applicable middle school on Thursday, April 2, between 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Deliveries to elementary schools will not be accepted. U.S. Mail is not an option.
Honors Application Coordinators will work directly with teachers to ensure completion of Part 4 (Teacher Questionnaire). Please leave this portion of the application blank.
Applicants will be notified the week of April 27, 2020.
Please direct any questions to the applicable Honors Application Coordinator.
Honors Application Coordinators
Belen Soto Elementary School: Student Advisor, Denise Lundberg, lundberg@lesd.k12.az.us
L. Thomas Heck Middle School: Assistant Principal, Anthony Paduano, paduano@lesd.k12.az.us
Verrado Heritage Elementary School: Student Advisor, Krissy Carberry, carberry@lesd.k12.az.us
Verrado Middle School: Assistant Principal, Marlene Capristo, capristo@lesd.k12.az.us
Western Sky Middle School: Assistant Principal, Stacey Shannon, shannon@lesd.k12.az.us
Wigwam Creek Middle School: Assistant Principal, Kathleen McQuarrie, McQuarrie@lesd.k12.az.us
Thank you!
For more information on this program, please click below.
ELL- English Language Learners
- Gifted Program Overview
- Parent Information
- Parent Permission to Test
- Elementary Gifted
- Middle School Gifted
- Parent Handbook
Gifted Program Overview
LITCHFIELD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT GIFTED PROGRAM
The Litchfield Elementary School District is dedicated to the task of providing challenging programs appropriate for all ability levels. Specialized instruction will be provided to serve the needs of gifted students. Litchfield Elementary School District ensures that classrooms are responsive to the unique needs of diverse gifted learners and ensures a positive classroom environment that values and honors each student’s unique learning style. The program complies with the Arizona Law that mandates that school districts identify gifted students as those scoring at the 97th percentile or above on any one of the three batteries of the Cognitive Abilities Test or on any other state approved appropriate test administered by Litchfield Elementary District personnel for placement.
Benefits of Gifted Education
• Challenges children to reach their potential
• Promotes academic rigor
• Develops and maintains an interest in school
• Improves creativity and problem-solving abilities
• Broadens experiences and horizons
• Creates a positive atmosphere for learning
• Provides appropriate pacing
• Allows for association with children of similar interests and abilities
• Encourages active participation
• Provides a context for application of classroom learning to real life Problem-solving.
Elementary School students will receive gifted support services in their classroom with instruction that provides opportunities to grow academically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally according to their abilities and talents. Gifted students are served by Cluster Grouping. Susan Winebrenner, international expert of the gifted learner and author of Teaching Gifted Kids in the Regular Classroom, provides a model of support for our designated teachers of the gifted. Ongoing professional development will provide support to these designated teachers as they challenge our gifted students in the classroom.
Middle School students will receive service through the Honor’s program. Each student must complete the application process. An application is available in the front office of each middle school. Students will be with their Honor peers during all academic content areas. Honor’s program teachers receive ongoing training using the research-based practices of Susan Winebrenner, international expert of the gifted learner and author of Differentiating Content for Gifted Learners in Grades 6–12.
Parent Information
Gifted Program Parent Information
LESD Gifted Email Group
The purpose of this email group is to maintain communication with parents of identified gifted students in the Litchfield Elementary School District.
Click here to join email group
The LESD October 17, 2019 Gifted Student/Parent Night presentations are below.
Understanding Your Child's Cognitive Ability
Tips and Ideas for Gifted Students
Setting the Stage for A Growth Mindset
Mindset-The Voice Inside Your Head
Tips to Help Develop A Growth Mindset in Kids
Underachievement in Gifted Students
Resources to Help Your Gifted Child Thrive
February 20, 2020 Gifted Student/Parent Night
Who: Parents of identified LESD gifted students in grades K-8 and their children in grades K-8
When: Thursday, February 20th from 6:15-8:00 p.m.
Where: Litchfield Elementary School Cafeteria
Upcoming Gifted Opportunities
Resources for Educators & Parents During COVID-19 (from NAGC)
These resources, which may be updated on an ongoing basis, may be accessed using the links below.
The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) has compiled a series of online resources to support educators and parents as schools are impacted due safety concerns related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The following is from the NAGC website:
NAGC seeks to provide information to educators, parents, caregivers, and mental health providers who are supporting gifted children during this unprecedented time. NAGC has turned to trusted partners, such as state gifted associations, publishing partners, and/or leaders within the gifted community, for recommended resources. However, the information provided here, except those resources published by NAGC, have not been vetted by the association, nor should they be viewed as an endorsement or as approved by NAGC.
The NAGC is neither associated with nor endorsed by The Litchfield Elementary School District.
You will also find updated gifted education news and resources for teachers, administrators and parents of gifted learners at www.azed.gov/gifte
Parent Permission to Test
Parent Request for Gifted Testing |
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Parents can request that their child be tested for the Gifted program. If you would like your child tested, please fill out the form provided on the link below and turn it in to the school where you child attends. The Gifted Coordinator at your school will then test your child during one of the three regular testing periods.
Click on the link for the form, Parent Permission for Gifted Testing Form