STAFF

Administrative Facilitators:
Rose Macaluso
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
908-709-6205

Angelo F. Paternoster,
Principal, Walnut Avenue School
908-709-6256

Enrichment Specialists:
Lisa Lesiak,Coordinator   908-709-6976
Amy Narus                   908-709-6221
Michele Ferentinos         908-709-6221
Kimberly Scutieri           908-709-6221
 

Background/Overview:
The Pathways to Excellence Program (P2E) is a district-wide initiative based upon recommendations of a Superintendent’s Task Force created in 2005. This Task Force was charged with exploring new and effective approaches to meet the needs of gifted and talented students. Comprised of over twenty members, including Board of Ed. members, parents, administrators and teachers, the group met numerous times as a whole in subcommittees. Studies were conducted relevant with state and national standards for gifted education as well as site visitations of model programs.


Pathways to Excellence Plus (P2E+)
The Pathways to Excellence Plus Program acknowledges the need to provide specialized services for students who are academically and scholastically exceptional. This program is an ongoing effort to identify students with exceptional academic/scholastic abilities and provide them with Differentiated Educational Plans (D.E.P.’s) These plans include a pull-out program staff by enrichment specialists and also specify modifications and adaptations to the regular education program to aid students in exploring and realizing their full potential.


Identification Process:
The P2E+ Program targets the top 1%-2% of our student population. The identification progress utilized multiple criteria. Data considered includes, but is not limited to, the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), Cognitive Achievement Test (CogAT), Gifted Rating Scales (GRS), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV), and the NJASK.

P2E+ Services:
Current staffing for the Pathways to Excellence Plus Program includes:
Lisa Lesiak, Coordinator
Amy Narus, Michele Ferentinos and Kimberly Scutieri, Enrichment Specialists

The program is also supported by the district’s Academic Coaches:
Literacy Coach: Deanne Opatosky
Match Coach: Betty Wallace
Technology Coach: Maureen Scepkowski

Services provided by the Pathways Staff:

Grades 3-5 P2E SESSIONS
Identified students in grades 3-5 meet with an enrichment specialist for 3 hours
per week to foster critical and creative thinking skills. Interdisciplinary lessons are planned focusing on a particular theme for the year.

Grades 3-5 MATH COMPACTING
Enrichment specialists collaborate and present, along with the classroom teacher, math enrichment lessons each week following the math compacting model. Services are provided for those classes that have identified Pathways Plus students. The training for teachers is on-going and enrichment specialists continue to support the classroom teacher by pushing-in to the class several times per week. A goal for this year is to have all third grade teachers throughout the district trained in math compacting, with the assistance of the math coach, and to provide in-class support during the next school year.

Grades 3-8 ENRICHMENT
Those students that demonstrate exceptional ability in a particular subject area are given an individual enrichment session each week. In some cases students are matched with mentors, follow individualized programs, advance to the next grade level in a subject, or participate in workshops given at the high school level.

Grade 6 and 7 MATH
Identified students at both middle schools meet with an enrichment specialist for one period per week. All extension lessons are aligned with the grade level curriculum and allow the students to apply the skills learned in class as well as provide challenging material. In addition, the enrichment specialist works with the classroom teacher on differentiation strategies to ensure a rigorous curriculum for the exceptionally able students.

Grade 6 and 7 LANGUAGE ARTS
Identified students at both middle schools meet with an enrichment specialist for a minimum of one period per week. Lessons are focused around a theme that carries throughout the year and are aligned with the grade level curriculum. Students are instructed on higher level reading and writing. The enrichment specialist is available as a resource for the classroom teacher to conduct mini-lessons, collaborate on extension lessons, differentiation, and individual instruction.

Grades 3-8 FIELD EXPERIENCES
Students have opportunities to participate in various field experiences and convocations throughout the year. The convocations are sponsored and presented by members of the Union County Gifted and Talented Association. Students meet and work with other gifted students from neighboring towns on problem-solving tasks and creative activities.


Grades 3-8 SCHOOL-WIDE ENRICHMENT
The enrichment specialists conduct half day grade-wide enrichment events. These events allow all students to participate in team-building activities as well as expose them to critical thinking challenges.

Grades 1-5 BROWN BAG LUNCH SEMINARS
The enrichment team will pilot a new program this year during lunch-time. Students will sign-up for various activities/presentations to be conducted at each school throughout the year. These sessions will offer the students exposure to a variety of different topics and areas of interest.

SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS
The enrichment specialists are available to support teachers in differentiation strategies, by providing professional development opportunities, conducting model lessons, researching enrichment lessons on a particular topic, or team-teaching a lesson utilizing higher level thinking skills.

ENRICHMENT CLUSTER TRAINING/SUPPORT
Although the enrichment cluster program is facilitated by the building principal, the enrichment specialists are available to support teachers that would like assistance in creating or revising a cluster