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Gifted and Talented

Check out our latest information session from Jan. 23, 2024!

Slides

The image presents an agenda for a presentation or discussion on the topic of %22What is GT?%22, covering various aspects such as Characteristics of Giftedness, Identification, Tiered Services, and Questions & Answers. The background is a solid blue color, providing a clean and organized visual layout.
The image shows two people, a man and a woman, interacting in what appears to be a school setting, with the %22Welcome to GT%22 and %22Norwalk Public Schools%22 logos visible in the background.
The image displays the title %22Navigating Gifted and Talented in NPS%22 along with the logos of Norwalk Public Schools and the Norwalk Public Library. The background is a solid blue color.
The image presents the mission and vision statements of an organization, with the mission statement emphasizing the development of student-driven critical thinking, authentic learning, individual responsibility, and global citizenship, while the vision statement focuses on cultivating students' gifts, talents, and creative thinking practices to contribute to their school, community, and society as constructive and innovative global citizens.
The image presents a Venn diagram with four overlapping circles labeled %22Above Average Ability%22, %22Creativity%22, %22Task Commitment%22, and %22Socio-Cultural Linguistic Competence%22. The background is a plain white surface.
The image presents a visual representation of the Three Ring Conception of Giftedness, with a black and white houndstooth pattern in the background and three overlapping rings depicting the different aspects of giftedness, including Above Average Ability, Creativity, and Task Commitment.
The image presents a list of characteristics associated with high achievers, including %22Knows the answer,%22 %22Enjoys School,%22 %22Works hard, studies, & is attentive,%22 %22Top Class Performer,%22 %22Good Memorization,%22 and %22Completes assignments & follows the script.%22 The background features a silhouette of a person, potentially representing the high achiever.
The image presents a list of characteristics associated with giftedness, organized in a hexagonal layout with blue and white color scheme.
The image presents a list of potential barriers for identification, including excessive self-criticism or self-doubt, underachievement, anxiety, perfectionism, non-conformity, and overexcitability, with a road barrier icon in the background.
The image presents a list of characteristics associated with giftedness in bilingual students, including academic and social language skills, motivation to learn, cultural sensitivity, strong family connections, preference for collaboration, imagination and storytelling, high achievement, creative performance, and problem-solving abilities.
The image presents a visual representation of the characteristics and challenges associated with 2e learners, or individuals with dual exceptionalities. It includes a diagram with various labels and descriptions related to the strengths, complex challenges, and potential of this special population.
The image presents a list of 15 tips for providing multilingual learners (MLs) with opportunities to demonstrate their talents, including project-based learning, alternative assessments, interest-based assignments, working with a partner, and writing in their native language. The background of the image is a plain blue color.
The image presents a Venn diagram with four overlapping circles labeled %22Above Average Ability%22, %22Creativity%22, %22Task Commitment%22, and %22Naglieri, NWEA, Student Work%22, %22Teacher Rating Scale, Student Work%22, and %22Teacher Rating Scale, Student Work%22 as identification measures.
The image presents an %22Identification Timeline%22 that outlines various events and activities throughout the seasons, including student intake, screening, teacher nominations, and parent-teacher interactions.
The image displays sample NNAT3 problems, with two visual puzzles and various geometric shapes and patterns in yellow and blue colors.
The image provides information on how to nominate a child for the Gifted and Talented Parent & Guardian Nomination Form, which is available on the NPS website under Academics/Curriculum.
The image presents a table with four columns, each containing a list of characteristics related to exceptional motivation, ability to learn, creative/productive thinking, and application of knowledge.
The image presents information about what happens during a Student Share Meeting, with various icons and text describing the different activities and participants involved.
The image presents a visual representation of the %22Scope & Sequence%22 curriculum, which focuses on social justice themes for grades three through eight. The background features a blue and white color scheme, while the foreground displays a series of text boxes outlining the essential questions for each grade level.
The image presents information about the %22Gifted and Talented Services%22 offered by the Norwalk Public Schools, including details on their %22GT Pull-Out%22 and %22Talent Development%22 programs.
This image presents a Unit Plan Overview Example for grade 8 students, with a 5-week plan focused on the theme of action. The plan outlines the key activities and objectives for each week, including introduction to the theme, exploration, research, synthesis, and final project presentations.
The image presents information about differentiation and talent development, highlighting key features such as built-in student choice, opportunity for %22kid watching%22, teacher-student conferences, and assessment-driven instruction.
The image is a %22Thank you%22 card featuring a headshot of a woman with long brown hair, along with her contact information and title as the Assistant Education Administrator of Gifted and Talented.

What is Norwalk Public School's Gifted and Talented Program?

Norwalk Public Schools is committed to educating our children to their highest potential, affirming that outstanding talents are present in children and youth from all cultural groups and across all economic strata. The program offers opportunities for peer groups to challenge and learn from one another and develops a desire for excellence and a sense of individual responsibility to the school community and to a changing society.

The newly redesigned Gifted & Talented program will provide advanced, conceptually challenging, in-depth cross-curricula content which focuses on authentic research and problem solving skills. Staff will provide facilitation to support students to become independent and self-aware learners. Language, reading and writing are embedded across all disciplines. Differentiation allows for acceleration in all curriculum areas as may be appropriate for the individual student through curriculum compacting.

The program is aligned with best practices of the National Association of Gifted Children and is guided by the Renzulli Model of Schoolwide Enrichment. 

Mission:

We are committed to nurturing the whole child’s distinct and diverse strengths, talents, and passions in order to develop student-driven critical thinking, authentic learning, individual responsibility, and global citizenship.

Vision:

We believe gifts and talents are present in all children. Through the cultivation of enjoyment, engagement, and enthusiasm for learning, we will nurture students’ unique social-emotional needs and creative thinking practices. As a result, students will contribute to their school, community, and society as constructive and innovative global citizens.

For Students:

  •  Explore strengths and interests
  •  Develop critical thinking and creativity skills
  •  Participate in student-driven authentic learning experiences

 For Educators: 

  •  Ongoing professional development 
  •  Knowledge of current and relevant pedagogy
  •  Usage of evidence-based practices and assessment data to inform instruction

 For Programming:  

  •  Fostering social-emotional learning
  •  Enrichment based on student interest
  •  Equitable identification processes and services 

How are Students Identified for the Gifted and Talented Program? 

Gifted behavior looks different in every child. Norwalk Public Schools is dedicated to developing the talents of students who have strengths in multiple areas.

 

What Identification Measures are Used to Determine Student Eligibility? 

• Achievement Measures 
• Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test
• Student Work
• Teacher Narrative
• Teacher Rating Scale

Student share meetings occur with the classroom teacher, an administrator, district coordinator and G&T teacher. This is a time to discuss the whole child.

What is the Timeline for Student Admissions to the Gifted and Talented Program?

We embrace a rolling admission process. Student performance is evaluated continually. For information specific to your child, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or the gifted and talented teacher at his or her school.

How Can Parents Recommend Their Student? 

Norwalk Public Schools offers two recommendation periods each school year for families interested in recommending their student for the GT program.

  • Winter Window: December 1-13, 2025
  • Spring Window: March 30-April 10, 2026

Parents and guardians may recommend their student once per school year. For more information regarding the types of behaviors and traits to look for when deciding whether to recommend your child, as well as the recommendation process, please see the handout below. If your child is new to Norwalk Public Schools, please contact Dr. Kimberly Erickson for guidance on eligibility and next steps. 

ParentRecommendationInformation1 (PDF)

Spanish Version of the Parent Recommendation Guide

Parent Recommendation Forms

Please click here to access the English version of the parent recommendation form.

Haga clic aquí para acceder a la versión en español del formulario de recomendación de padres.

“We know that all students’ learning improves when schools are perceived as being enjoyable, relevant, friendly places where students have some role deciding what they will learn...” (Renzulli, 1994). 

Gifted and Talented Teachers by Location 2025-26

The G&T Department will provide regular informational postings on the teaching and learning strategies, parent resources as well as monthly highlights of program implementation.