1. art and entertainment
2. humor

Gateway Interest Form Information
for students not attending a District 833 school
Gateway Interest Forms may be submitted by families whose students have been identified as
gifted learners in District 833. Out of district students are identified as gifted learners using their
current ability and achievement test data. A measure of school ability such as the OLSAT,
CogAT, NNAT or an individual intelligence test, administered by a licensed psychologist, is
required. This information should be sent to:
Gifted Education
South Washington County Schools
7362 East Point Douglas Rd S
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Fax: (651)458-6318
A parent information night will be held at Bailey Elementary on February 9th, 2015 from 5:00-6:00.
Parents of students identified as gifted learners in District 833 (see above), who are interested in learning about
Gateway, are welcome to attend. Please R.S.V.P. to Laura Vogel at lvogel2@sowashco.k12.mn.us or (651)4586246. Please be aware that, due to limited space, this is a parent only event.
Steps for submitting:
1. Students must be identified as a gifted learner in District 833 (see above)
2. Complete the Parent Observation Form citing any observations relevant to being a gifted learner you
would like the consideration committee to know about your child and their learning needs and styles.
3. Ask your child’s current classroom teacher to complete the teacher observation form and submit an
example of your child’s writing (personal narrative or descriptive) along with his/her observations.
4. Return the Gateway Interest Form to Gifted Education no later than 4 p.m. on February 17th, 2015.
5. The Learning Environment Consideration Committee will review each Interest Form based on the
Learning Environment Process. A detailed description of this process is available on the Gifted
Education website.
6. Letters will be mailed on March 6th, 2015 regarding your child’s recommended learning environment.
Thank you!
We are committed to igniting a passion for lifelong learning.
Gateway Interest Form
Parent Observation Form
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
Student’s legal name:
Date of Birth:
Parent/Guardian(s) Name:
Home Phone:
Address:
Other Phone:
City:
Zip:
District:
School:
Current Teacher:
Grade:
Email:
For each numbered characteristic, check the one word that best describes your observations
of your child.
My child is an intense learner. This is demonstrated through:
Almost
Always
Often
Seldom
1.
2.
3.
Determination to complete assignments effectively and efficiently
Using advanced vocabulary, writing or conversation
Possessing an exceptional amount of factual knowledge applied
accurately; reading extensively
Acquiring new skills and concepts quickly; grasping underlying principles
and making valid generalizations
Exploring topics of personal interest beyond age level; becoming totally
absorbed in an area of particular interest
4.
5.
Examples:
My child is an analytical thinker. Analytical thinking is demonstrated through:
Almost
Always
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Often
Seldom
An understanding of abstract or complex concepts
An interest in challenging situations; approaching problems from varied
perspectives; tackling difficult problems and issues which others may find
frustrating
A sense of humor reflecting advanced understanding; seeing humor in
situations others find humorless
An awareness of relationships; using metaphors or analogies; making
mental connections.
A willingness to take risks; showing confidence in answers and unafraid
to substantiate an opinion different from others.
Examples:
We are committed to igniting a passion for lifelong learning.
My child is a creative producer. Creative, productive thinking is demonstrated through:
Almost
Always
Often
Seldom
11.
Fluency and flexibility; generating divergent ideas, adapting to new
situations
Originality; expressing the familiar in unusual ways, offering unique
solutions to problems or questions; creating original products
Elaboration; creating detailed projects; turning the simple into complex;
adding details
Questioning; asking complex questions; utilizing a high level of inquiry
and reflection.
Social consciousness; concern for injustice; social issues and moral
questions beyond age level
12.
13.
14.
15.
Examples:
My child is highly motivated. Motivation is demonstrated through:
Almost
Always
Often
Seldom
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Working well independently
Exceeding expectations; doing more than what is required
Working cooperatively as a team member; receptive to the ideas of
others
Enthusiasm for assignments; completing assignments on time or prior
to due date
Assuming leadership positions; directing others
Examples:
Additional comments/concerns: Please be as specific as possible in commenting on any characteristics,
abilities and/or aptitudes of your child to best support an accurate understanding of your child.
Send, fax or email form to:
Gifted Education
7362 East Point Douglas Rd. S.
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Fax: (651) 458-6318
tvanerp@sowashco.k12.mn.us
We are committed to igniting a passion for lifelong learning.
Gateway Interest Form
Teacher Observation Form
Send form directly to:
Gifted Education
7362 East Point Douglas Rd. S.
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Or fax to 651.458.6318
tvanerp@sowashco.k12.mn.us
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
Student’s legal Name: __________________________________________________________
District:
School: _________________________________
Teacher: ____________________________ Grade: ___ Phone: ________________________
Comparing this student with other academically adept students, check the one word that best describes
classroom performance. Cite examples whenever possible.
The student is an intense learner. This is demonstrated through:
1.
2.
3.
ALMOST
ALWAYS
_______
_______
_______
OFTEN
______
______
______
SELDOM
_______
_______
_______
4.
_______
______
_______
5.
_______
______
_______
Determination to complete assignments effectively and efficiently
Using advanced vocabulary, writing or conversation
Possessing an exceptional amount of factual knowledge applied accurately;
reading extensively
Acquiring new skills and concepts quickly; grasping underlying principles and
making valid generalizations
Exploring topics of personal interest beyond age level; becoming totally
absorbed in an area of particular interest
Examples:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The student is an analytical thinker. Analytical thinking is demonstrated through:
1.
2.
ALMOST
ALWAYS
_______
_______
OFTEN
______
______
SELDOM
_______
_______
3.
_______
______
_______
4.
_______
______
_______
5.
_______
______
_______
An understanding of abstract or complex concepts
An interest in challenging situations; approaching problems from varied
perspectives; tackling difficult problems and issues which others may find
frustrating
A sense of humor reflecting advanced understanding; seeing humor in situations
others find humorless
An awareness of relationships; using metaphors or analogies; making mental
connections
A willingness to take risks; showing confidence in answers and unafraid to
substantiate an opinion different from others
Examples:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We are committed to igniting a passion for lifelong learning.
The student is a creative producer. Creative, productive thinking is demonstrated through :
1.
2.
ALMOST
ALWAYS
_______
_______
OFTEN
______
______
SELDOM
_______
_______
3.
_______
______
_______
4.
_______
______
_______
5.
_______
______
_______
Fluency and flexibility; generating divergent ideas, adapting to new situations
Originality; expressing the familiar in unusual ways, offering unique solutions
to problems or questions; creating original products
Elaboration; creating detailed projects; turning the simple into complex, adding
details
Questioning; asking complex questions; utilizing a high level of inquiry and
reflection
Social consciousness; concern for injustice; social issues, and moral questions
beyond age level
Examples:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The student is highly motivated. Motivation is demonstrated through:
1.
2.
3.
4.
ALMOST
ALWAYS
_______
_______
_______
_______
OFTEN
______
______
______
______
SELDOM
_______
_______
_______
_______
5.
_______
______
_______
Working well independently
Exceeding expectations; doing more than what is required
Working cooperatively as a team member; receptive to the ideas of others
Enthusiasm for assignments; completing assignments on time or prior to due
date
Assuming leadership positions; directing others
Examples:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional comments/concerns: Please be as specific as possible in commenting on any characteristics, abilities and/or aptitudes of
this student that you feel should be brought to the attention of the Gateway Consideration Committee. If you would rather talk in
person, please call Tina Van Erp at 651.458.6212
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
We are committed to igniting a passion for lifelong learning.