Parent Referral Form

Enrichment Mission: To find and nurture talent in students by providing and supporting opportunities for them to pursue their interests at an appropriate pace and level of complexity and regular opportunities to spend time with students of similar abilities.

Philosophy: The Enrichment Program is based on the premise that each child has an intrinsic right to an appropriate and enriched education. While all children can benefit from many enrichment opportunities, Wenatchee School District recognizes that students who demonstrate unusual talent and capabilities need special provisions within, and in addition to, the regular curriculum.

The District further recognizes that highly capable students, like all students, differ in learning styles, talent areas, interests, abilities and in personality. These differences, which can challenge traditional approaches to education, are part of their potential for unique contributions and must be considered when decisions are made regarding individual student programming.

Talent Pool Description: The Wenatchee School District Talent Pool includes 4th and 5th grade students who have demonstrated unusual talent and capabilities indicating the need for provisions outside of the regular curriculum. All 3rd grade students are screened for the program and those identified receive services according to the procedures outlined in Chapter 392-170 of the Washington Administrative Code. (A copy is available at the District Office.) 

Talent Pool students are given time and support to pursue topics of interest to them. Emphasis on research and the development of a product requires strong academic skills and high task commitment. Exceptional creativity may also indicate a need for Talent Pool services.

Instructions: Students who are new to the district after 3rd grade may be referred to the Enrichment Program.  Your observations are important to the identification process. Please complete this form as thoroughly as possible and return to:

Wenatchee School District
Enrichment Coordinator
P.O. Box 1767
Wenatchee, WA 98801

Referrals must be received prior to the following dates: May 25 or September 25 for consideration in the fall Talent Pool. Parents submitting referrals will receive a written response. If you have any questions please contact your building principal or the Enrichment Program Coordinator at 662-9047.

Talent Pool Parent Referral Form
(Page 1 of 3)

A. Please assess your child's characteristics in the areas of learning, motivation, and creativity as follows: (Consider each item separately.)

1---if you have seldom or never observed this characteristic

2---if you have observed this characteristic occasionally

3---if you have observed this characteristic to a considerable degree

4---if you have observed this characteristic almost all the time.

LEARNING (On a scale of 1-4 as described above.)

___ Has unusually advanced vocabulary for age or grade level.

___ Knows about a variety of topics beyond the usual interests of age peers.

___ Tries to discover the how and why of things; asks many questions.

___ Has a ready grasp of underlying principles; can quickly make valid generalizations about people, events or things.

___ Reads independently, does not avoid difficult material.

___ Reasons things out and sees logical and common sense answers.

___ Catches on quickly; retains and uses new ideas and information.

___ Has a facility for learning English if bilingual.

___ Usually "sees more" or "gets more" out of a story, film, etc. than others.

MOTIVATION (On a scale of 1-4 as described above.)

___ Is able/willing to concentrate on an activity or task for unusual periods of time.

___ Works well independently.

___ Likes to organize people, things, and situations.

___ Is concerned with right and wrong, good and bad.

___ Looks for opportunities to learn and enjoys challenge.

___ Has high expectations; may be critical of own efforts.

___ Is self-assertive and may be unwilling to change ideas.

___ Does not need much drill and practice to grasp concepts.

___ Is persistent in task completion.

___ Becomes absorbed and involved in certain topics and problems

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CREATIVITY (On a scale of 1-4 as described above.)

___ Is individualistic; isn't afraid to be different.

___ Fantasizes, imagines, builds on ideas.

___ Has a keen sense of humor.

___ Predicts from present information.

___ Is curious about many things.

___ Can think of many ideas or solutions to problems and questions.

___ Responds emotionally to stories, events, and needs of others.

___ Creates stories, plays, written expression.

___ Demonstrates artistic appreciation and understanding.

___ Is sensitive to melody, rhythm, and other qualities showing music appreciation.

___ Demonstrates unusual ability in the fine arts, such as, painting, drama, music.

___ Shows interest in unusual careers.

___ Improvises with commonplace materials.

 B. Please comment on the following as applicable to your child. (Specific examples are most informative):

Any test scores from other school districts or agencies which may indicate unusual abilities

Child's hobbies or interests

Books recently read

(Page 3 of 3)

 Please comment on the following, giving examples where applicable:

 Unusual accomplishment

 Indications of special talent

 Independent activities preferred

 Academic areas where your child demonstrates excellence

Questions? Contact Terri Bawden (bawden.t@mail.wsd.wednet.edu)