Superintendent Press Release April 21, 2023
Dear Cedar Bluffs Families,
We are pleased to inform you that Cedar Bluffs Public School has been selected to participate in a federal grant project through Educational Service Unit 2 to support identification and service to high ability learners. The grant is called Rural Exceptional Student Talent, Opportunities, Resources, and Experiences (RESTORE) and was awarded to ESU 2 in the fall of 2022. The project is five years in duration, and we are part of the first cadre of districts to be involved.
During this time, we will be working to improve identification of previously underrepresented high ability students and to provide expanded opportunities and experiences for students in new and exciting ways. This announcement is to inform you that there will be a change in our district’s current high ability learner identification processes that will include the implementation of multiple ways to identify student talents and gifts. These new identification tools may include, but may not be limited to, screeners, checklists, rubrics, and other tools in addition to traditional academic achievement data and teacher observations and recommendations.
As required by Nebraska statute, parents/guardians will be notified of high ability identification of their child through a letter mailed to the child’s home. The district will work with the ESU 2 program to then identify possible programs and services to support students through these new identification processes. At this time, we do not yet have a clear understanding of what the services will entail, but we understand that they may include field trips, clubs, afterschool programs, and summer camp opportunities. Those services will not be available until after the fall of 2024.
In addition to the new identification tools, some of our staff will be participating in professional development to improve support of high ability learners through improved lesson design and delivery. Those workshops and online modules will begin this fall and include support from instructional coaches in the classrooms supporting teachers and students.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your building administrator for more information. Please know that we are extremely excited about this new opportunity to continue to support your child’s educational experience here at Cedar Bluffs Public School and look forward to this project with ESU 2.
#Wildcat Pride!