Enrichment and Challenge Support Program

1. Enrichment and Challenge Support Program What is it? How does it support children and teachers? How can parents help out?

2. Enrichment and Challenge Support Program - Mission Statement The Brookline Public Schools has a commitment to enable all children to reach their full potential. The Enrichment and Challenge Support Program assists and supports classroom teachers in providing for those students who show a capacity for high levels of academic, intellectual and/or creative achievement.

3. Overview of How ECS Program Operates in the Schools Part time Resource Teacher: *works collaboratively with classroom teachers to help differentiate instruction and develop extension and enrichment opportunities *works directly with students in whole class, small group or one-on-one extension lessons *is available to consult with and support parents *consults with building principal, guidance counselor, ELL teachers, Learning Center teachers, Math and Literacy specialists, METCO liaisons, etc. *manages challenge/extension resources

4. Overview of ECS Program… Classroom Teacher: * assesses academic, social, intellectual and creative needs of each student * provides differentiated instruction for the varying needs of all students * consults with ECS resource teacher for ideas and resources to meet the needs of higher level students * collaborates with other professionals and parents to gain better understanding of student’s needs

5. Overview of ECS Program… Guidance Counselors: * consults with resource teachers * acts as resource for parents to ensure continuity in child’s instruction from year-to-year Principals: * consults with resource teacher to determine specific needs within school * often determines best use for resource teacher based on those needs

6. Overview of ECS Program… ECS Program Coordinator – Mies Boet • Consults with ECS Resource Teachers • Provides system wide support • Consults on grade and subject acceleration Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning – Jennifer Fischer-Mueller • Sets system wide priorities • Supports rich learning opportunities for all

7. Differentiated Instruction • Teacher recognizes differences in students’ academic levels and learning styles • Modifies classroom instruction and activities in order to help all students reach potential • Not individualized instruction, but common practices and adaptations that will positively impact groups of students’ learning • May be subtle: Ask your child’s teacher how s/he differentiated the curriculum

8. Supports in Grades K and 1 System-Wide: • Consultation with classroom teachers • Unit on Thinking and Questioning co-taught with classroom teacher to whole class School Specific: • Small group or 1:1 support as needed • Classroom materials and curriculum extensions as needed

9. Supports in Grades 2 and 3 System-Wide: • Consultation with teachers • Unit on Critical and Creative Thinking Skills co-taught with classroom teacher to whole class School Specific: • Small group or 1:1 support as needed • Classroom materials and curriculum extensions as needed

10. Supports for Grades 4-8 • Consultation with teachers • Small group or 1:1 support as needed • Classroom materials and curriculum extensions as needed A few examples of curriculum extensions: • Project M3 • Fibonacci • Design /Engineering • Creative Problem Solvers • Pre-Algebra • Logic • Strategy Games • Cinderella • Lunch Group • Independent Study

11. How Can Parents Help? Parent Advisory Committee • Serve on committee that meets monthly to discuss ECS program initiatives and services • Act as liaison between schools and ECS program coordinator After or before school groups • Coach: • Math League • Continental Math League • Destination Imagination • Odyssey of the Mind

12. Further Questions? Contact: • Debbie Mercer, ECS Resource Teacher: debbie_mercer@brookline.k12.ma.us • Mies Boet, ECS Program Coordinator: mies_boet@brookline.k12.ma.us