Riverhills Elementary Introduces New Teaching Model

From Todd Connolly, principal of Riverhills Elementary Gifted Academy for Learning:

Dear Community Members,

As we are finalizing preparations for the 2012-13 school year at , I would like to share a few updates with you.

First, you may have noticed our name has changed. We are now Riverhills Elementary Gifted Academy for Learning, and we are now a school choice attractor within the Hillsborough County Public School System.

I am excited to introduce the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM) that will be implemented at our school beginning August 2012. The SEM offers a unique approach to learning that increases student performance and deepens their enjoyment of learning.

The faculty at Riverhills, who are all becoming gifted certified, will offer your child the opportunity to experience education in a true gifted setting. Our gifted certified teachers will provide enrichment to your child in the six areas where giftedness is found: creative thinking, general intellectual ability, specific academic ability, leadership, psychomotor, and visual/performing arts. Enrichment clusters will be offered weekly and students will select specialized classes to pursue their personal interests.

Each child will utilize higher levels of thinking throughout the day in all of their subjects. Their academic progress will be monitored using the Total Talent Portfolio (TTP). The TTP involves students gathering information about their abilities, interests and learning styles, and then utilizing this information to help set personal goals and enrichment activities. The TTP allows the teacher to individualize curriculum activities for each student. The TTP is designed to assist teachers, parents and students to:

• Collect several different types of information that illustrates a student’s strength
• Classify information into general categories including abilities, interests, and learning style preferences
• Review the information contained in the TTP on a regular a basis
• Analyze each young person’s profile and his/her educational personal career goals
• Decide which activities will develop a young person’s talents and abilities

Feel free to contact me at 813-987-6911 with any questions you may have about the Riverhills Elementary Gifted Academy for Learning. Riverhills Elementary is a school where gifted behaviors are developed in all children.

Sincerely,
Todd Connolly, Principal
Riverhills Elementary
Gifted Academy for Learning