Gifted

Our mission is to provide educational experiences that will enable students to reach their highest potential as future leaders and problem solvers in an ever-changing, global society.
The purpose of the Petal School District (PSD) Gifted Studies Program is to provide intellectually gifted children in grades two through six as defined by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), with a differentiated curriculum designed to meet their unique academic, intellectual and social-emotional needs. The PSD intellectually gifted studies program meets the standards, desired learner outcomes and state-mandated regulations for all gifted programs in Mississippi as defined by the MDE.
About Workshop
What is Workshop?
Workshop is a program for students who meet the criteria for intellectually gifted services. Workshop is a pullout program in second-sixth grades for a minimum of 240 minutes per week. Students receive a unique, different educational experience to enable them to realize their abilities and potential contributions to self and society.
Identification Process
- A mass screener is given to all first graders during the spring semester.
- Individual referral made by teacher, parent or student
Once a student has met the requirements for the referral process, they will then move on to an IQ assessment. Students must score at or above the 91 percentile to be eligible for gifted services.
MS Gifted Outcomes
Characteristics of a Gifted Child
Consider the characteristics, not the label.
|
Bright Child |
Gifted Learner |
|---|---|
| Knows the answer | Asks the questions |
| Is interested | Is highly curious |
| Has good work ideas | Is mentally, physically involved |
| Works hard | Has silly, wild ideas |
| Answers the questions | Plays around yet tests well |
| Top group | Discusses in detail, elaborates |
| Listens with interest | Beyond the group |
| Learns with ease | Shows strong feelings/opinions |
| 6-8 repetitions for mastery | Already knows |
| Understands ideas | 1-2 repetitions for mastery |
| Enjoys peers | Constructs abstractions |
| Grasps the meaning | Prefers adults |
| Complete assignments | Draws inferences |
| Is receptive | Initiates projects |
| Copies accurately | Is intense |
| Enjoys school | Creates a new design |
| Absorbs information | Enjoys learning |
| Technician | Manipulates information |
| Good memorizer | Inventor |
| Enjoys sequential order | Good guesser |
| Is alert | Thrives on complexity |
| Is pleased with own learning | Is keenly observant |
| Is highly self-critical |
Links & Resources
Websites
Book Resources
- Perfectionism: What’s Bad About Being Too Good
- By: Miriam Adderholdt
- The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children: What Do We Know?
- By: Maureen Neihart
- The Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids: How to Understand, Live With, and Stick Up for Your Gifted Child
- By: Sally Yahnke Walker
- When Gifted Kids Don’t Have All the Answers
- By: Judy Galbraith and Jim Delisle
- The Gifted Kid Survival Guide: For Ages 10 & Under
- By: Judy Galbraith
- The Gifted Kid Survival Guide: A Teen Handbook
- By: Judy Galbraith and Jim Delisle
- You Know Your Child Is Gifted When....A Beginner’s Guide to Life on the Bright Side
- By: Judy Galbraith
Staff
- Rhonda Cary, Gifted Testing Facilitator
- Paige Perkins, Petal Primary Gifted Teacher
- Jill Tryner, Petal Primary Gifted Teacher
- Kristina Hedgepeth, Petal Elementary Gifted Teacher and District Gifted Contact
- Jasmine Richardson, Petal Elementary Gifted Teacher
- LeeAnna Herring, Petal Elementary Gifted Teacher
- Kaylee McLaurin, Petal Elementary Gifted Teacher
- Stephanie Laudenheimer, Petal Elementary Gifted Teacher
- Devon Bond, Petal Upper Elementary Gifted Teacher
- Ellie Primeaux, Petal Upper Elementary Gifted Teacher
- Elise Dickerson, Petal Upper Elementary Gifted Teacher
- Brittany Caruso, Petal Upper Elementary Gifted Teacher
