The Bellevue School District offers two Gifted and Talented Education (G.A.T.E.) programs: PRISM and Enrichment. Parents who would like to have their child considered for possible placement into one of these programs need to complete the attached nomination form. (Testing is not required for children to continue in one of these programs.) A teacher may recommend that you nominate your child, but you are the only person who can actually nominate and give permission to test by completing the nomination form. Please read the following information carefully prior to completing this form.

The PRISM program for grades 1-8 is designed to meet the needs of students with exceptionally high ability. This option includes acceleration and enrichment of the basic curriculum through an interdisciplinary curricular format. Students in grades 1-5 attend Stevenson Elementary School and work with a PRISM teacher in a self-contained classroom. Students in grades 6-8 attend Odle Middle School and work with a team of PRISM teachers in the core subject areas. Eligible students are offered enrollment as well as transportation to these schools.

A New High School Gifted Program (an extension of the PRISM Program) with integrated core classes is being designed to begin in Fall 2006 for students in 9th grade.  It will be located at Interlake HS.  More information will be available soon.

The Elementary Enrichment program encourages the development of higher level thinking skills through an interdisciplinary curricular format. This program extends but does not replace the regular Bellevue School District curriculum. Enrichment students leave their regular classroom for 5 hours each week to work with the Enrichment teacher. Enrichment programs are currently offered at five of our sixteen elementary schools. Eligible students are offered enrollment and transportation to a school with an Enrichment Center.  Newport Heights and Spiritridge students attend one day a week.

**The nomination deadline is November 21, 2005.** Return your nomination form to your school counselor.  If your child is not currently enrolled in the Bellevue School District, send your form directly to the G.A.T.E. office. If you do not live in the Bellevue School District, include a check for $70 (or $35 if doing Reading testing only) made out to Bellevue School District with your nomination form. This is a non-refundable testing fee. Please check our website for more details on Out of District testing or call the G.A.T.E. office.

It is appropriate to nominate a student who is functioning in the top 10 percent of his/her grade or who has previously demonstrated achievement at or above the 90th percentile on a standardized reading or mathematics achievement test. Common characteristics of gifted children are listed below to assist you in deciding whether you should nominate your child.

Testing will be administered during the months of January and February to all nominated students by Bellevue School District personnel. This testing includes cognitive ability testing as well as reading achievement testing. Please see the Assessment Criteria chart that outlines the minimum required scores for each program. Testing by a psychologist outside the school district cannot be used to substitute for Bellevue School District testing.

Testing for all students in 5th through 7th grade interested in PRISM will take place on Saturday, January 7, 2006 from 8:00 am – 12:15 pm at Highland Middle School, 15027 NE Bel/Red Rd. Students who are unable to attend on Saturday may choose to be tested on Thursday, January 5, 2006 from 7:30 – 11:45 am at WISC -Wilburton Instructional Services Center, Building 1, 12241 Main St., Bellevue (directions to WISC) .

School counselors will arrange testing schedules during the school day for kindergarten through 4th grade students who are currently enrolled in the Bellevue School District. Students in grades K-4 who are not currently enrolled in the Bellevue School District will be tested on Saturday, January 7th or Saturday, January 21st at Stevenson Elementary School, 14220 NE 8th St, Bellevue from 8:30 am – 12:15 pm. Students need to attend one Saturday session.

Written notification of test results and recommended placement will be sent to parents of all nominated students in grades 5-7 by March 1, 2006. Results for students in grades K-4 will be mailed by April 11, 2006.

For additional information, you are invited to attend a Parent Information Night on Wednesday, November 9, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the Odle Middle School Library, 14401 NE 8th, Bellevue.

Internet web site: www.bsd405.org/gate
Phone 425-456-4136; Fax 425-456-4176