The San Benito school district’s Gifted and Talented (GT) Program is in the process of seeking nominations of students in grades 1 through 12 who demonstrate outstanding levels of aptitude or competence.
According to Section 29.121 of the Texas Education Code, a “gifted and talented student” is a child or youth who performs at or shows the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment and who:
- exhibits high performance capability in an intellectual, creative, or artistic area; and
- possesses an unusual capacity for leadership; or excels in a specific academic field.
Theresa Servellon, Director of the GT Program, indicated that the GT Program’s campus coordinators have met to discuss how the school district can better serve this specific population of students.
“We will continue to foster a program that will assist out students in realizing their potential,” Servellon stressed. “We will strive to instill in them a desire to use their talents and abilities.”
The following characteristics of a gifted and talented child or youth may help determine if the nomination of a particular child is appropriate:
- Problem Solving Ability – Quick to see solutions and possibilities;
- Curiosity – Exhibits unusual and sustained interest in the unknown or unfamiliar;
- Sensitivity – Feels deeply for others, often sensitive to criticism;
- Originality – Thinks of unique and outstanding ways to express ideas;
- Persistence – Shows strong determination, will, and stubbornness;
- Energy – Works or plays in areas of interest for long periods without tiring; and
- Enthusiasm – Enjoys a challenge and thrives on complexity.
Because gifted children possess advanced thinking and creativity for their age, they are able to comprehend difficult concepts easier and quicker than other students their age.
The local program strives to identify GT students in order to challenge their intellect. The school district offers additional, or specialized, educational initiatives in order to nurture the gifted students’ talents.
Beginning on Monday, December 1, student nomination forms may be picked up from the student’s teacher or counselor. Completed forms must be submitted to the student’s school counselor no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2015. Though anyone may nominate a student for testing, the nominee’s parent or guardian must sign the nomination form.
For more information on the nomination process or additional GT program initiatives, please contact the child’s school counselor or the GT Program office at (956) 361-6130.
A San Benito GT student works on the robot and mobile unit he created during a LEGO® Robotics Summer Camp. The summer event was designed to encourage creativity while emphasizing concepts of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.
A San Benito GT student inspects her programmable mobile unit during a LEGO® Robotics Summer Camp. Camp participants used computer software to plan, test and modify sequences of instructions to bring their robotic vehicles to life.
