FAQs

Welcome! I receive so many inquiries from parents that I decided to put together some of the most frequently asked questions, along with their answers. You may click on the highlighted words for further information regarding that topic. 
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What is the 1st-2nd self-contained classroom? 

This classroom serves highly and profoundly gifted students in 1st and 2nd grade. The self-contained program is designed for high achieving, highly-gifted students whose needs may not be met by the other gifted services offered in the district. In this program, students work two or more years beyond grade level with intellectual peers. 

Are 1st grade students and 2nd grade students together in the same classroom all day doing the same work?

The students do stay together all day. Work is adjusted appropriately depending on ability level and there is some flex grouping within the classroom, but we do many activities as a class. Instruction is differentiated according to current ability, not based on grade level. 

My student tested high but still needs reading instruction. Will you be teaching my child to read?

No. If a student is still learning to read then this is not the class for him or her. There are gifted cluster classes available at every grade level at every school in the district for gifted students with these needs.  Please take a look at the PVUSD gifted website for information about our gifted cluster program. Students who qualify for this program sometimes join in at a later grade after a year or two in a cluster class. 

What about writing? My student is a great reader but is still learning to write.

The students in this class are expected to be writing at least two or more years beyond grade level.  Students will be guided through the reflective writing process and we will always be working towards improving and honing our writing skills, but students in this class must be confident and comfortable with a good deal of writing.