Dear Parent/Guardian:
We are currently closed for all students in accordance with Governor Wolf’s school closure order. As it appears the pandemic-related closure will continue longer than first expected, we will be implementing an interim plan to provide virtual education to all students until the order is lifted.
Your child currently has a GIEP, which will be implemented to the maximum extent necessary and possible given the limitations of a virtual platform. Your child’s case manager will be reaching out to you to discuss the specifics of implementation and any questions or concerns you may have, and we encourage you to communicate with your case manager should you have any questions at all. For more information about your rights, view the Notice of Parental Rights at
Kennett Consolidated School District (KCSD) plans to initiate temporary, pandemic related changes to your child’s educational program and placement. Specifically, the KCSD proposes to initiate virtual distance learning. These changes are temporary and will not change or affect the programming specified in your child’s current GIEP. That programming will be in place once schools reopen.
We recognize that some students will not be able to participate fully in, or will gain only limited benefit from, these virtual programs and services. Once the school reopens, we will resume your child’s educational program and placement as described in his or her GIEP, and we will be discussing at GIEP team meetings whether your child might require additional programming or services to address any learning problems the period of school closure might have caused.
We believe—and trust that you do too—that this experience with virtual learning will prove better for all children in the present circumstances than doing nothing. We anticipate encountering difficulties with this roll-out, although just what difficulties remains to be seen. As such, your understanding, cooperation, and assistance is critical with keeping us all moving in a positive trajectory.
We are proud of our staff and students at Kennett Consolidated School District. We are confident that they will all work together with you to get your child through this pandemic and all it involves as best as we can in the circumstances.
Estimado Padre / Tutor:
Actualmente nos encontramos cerrados para todos los estudiantes de acuerdo con la orden de cierre escolar por parte del gobernador Wolf. Como parece que el cierre relacionado con la pandemia continuará más de lo esperado implementaremos un plan provisional para proporcionar educación virtual a todos los estudiantes hasta que se levante la orden.
Su hijo actualmente tiene un Plan de educación individualizado dotado (GIEP) que se implementará en la máxima medida necesaria y posible dadas las limitaciones de una plataforma virtual. El administrador del caso de su hijo se comunicará con usted para discutir los detalles de la implementación y cualquier pregunta o inquietud que pueda tener y le recomendamos que se comunique con su administrador de casos si tiene alguna pregunta. Para obtener más información sobre sus derechos, vea el Aviso de derechos de los padres en
El Distrito Escolar Consolidado de Kennett (KCSD) planea iniciar cambios temporales relacionados con la pandemia en el programa educativo y la ubicación de su hijo. Específicamente el KCSD propone iniciar el aprendizaje virtual a distancia. Estos cambios son temporales y no cambiarán ni afectarán la programación especificada en el Plan de educación individualizado dotado (GIEP) actual de su hijo. Esa programación estará en su lugar una vez que las escuelas vuelvan a abrir.
Reconocemos que algunos estudiantes no podrán participar plenamente o solo obtendrán beneficios limitados de estos programas y servicios virtuales. Una vez que la escuela vuelva a abrir, reanudaremos el programa educativo y la ubicación de su hijo como se describe en su Plan de educación individualizado dotado (GIEP) y discutiremos en las reuniones del equipo de (GIEP) si su hijo podría requerir programación o servicios adicionales para abordar cualquier problema de aprendizaje durante el período de cierre de la escuela podría haber causado
Creemos y confiamos en que para usted también esta experiencia con el aprendizaje virtual será mejor al igual que para todos los niños en las circunstancias actuales, que no hacer nada. Anticipamos encontrar dificultades con este lanzamiento aunque aún quedan por ver qué dificultades. Por lo tanto le agradecemos su comprensión, cooperación y asistencia ya que es fundamental para mantenernos a todos en una trayectoria positiva.
Estamos orgullosos de nuestro personal y estudiantes en el Distrito Escolar Consolidado de Kennett. Confiamos en que todos trabajarán junto con usted para ayudar a su hijo a superar esta pandemia y todo lo que implique lo mejor que podamos bajo estas circunstancias.
Gifted in KCSD
Pennsylvania Chapter 16 defines mentally gifted “as outstanding intellectual and creative ability the development of which requires specially designed programs or support services, or both, not ordinarily provided in the regular education program.” The term “mentally gifted” includes a person who has an I.Q. of 130 or higher or when multiple criteria as set forth in Chapter 16 and in Department Guidelines indicate gifted ability. Multiple criteria can include:
- A year or more above grade achievement level for the normal age group in one or more subjects as measured by Nationally normed and validated achievement tests able to accurately reflect gifted performance. Subject results shall yield academic instruction levels in all academic subject areas.
- An observed or measured rate of acquisition/retention of new academic content or skills that reflect gifted ability.
- Demonstrated achievement, performance or expertise in one or more academic areas as evidenced by excellence of products, portfolio or research, as well as criterion-referenced team judgment.
- Early and measured use of extraordinary thinking skills, academic creativity, leadership skills, intense academic interest areas, communications skills, foreign language aptitude or technology expertise.
- Documented, observed, validated or assessed evidence that intervening factors such as English as a second language, disabilities defined in 34 CFR 300.8 (relating to child with a disability), gender or race bias, or socio/cultural deprivation are masking gifted abilities.
In addition Chapter 16 outlines the following:
- Determination of gifted ability will not be based on IQ score alone
- Deficits in memory or processing speed, as indicated by testing, cannot be the sole basis upon which a student is determined to be ineligible for gifted special education.
- Admission to the gifted program can be made for a student with an IQ score lower than 130 when other educational criteria in the profile of the person strongly indicate gifted ability.
- Determination of mentally gifted must include an assessment by a certified school psychologist.
The Kennett Consolidated School District uses a system of data collection and universally administered assessments in accordance with PA Chapter 16 to identify students who may be in need of gifted services. These assessments include curriculum based assessments (ie. Study Island assessments, PSSA, ALEKS, AR STAR, and DIBELS) in grades K-5 and a group administered cognitive screening (Inview ) in Grade 4. The screening varies depending on the grade level in which the tests are administered to all students. Teachers may also refer a student for a gifted evaluation based on summative and formative assessment within the classroom at all grade levels.
School psychologists, gifted support teacher(s) and classroom teacher(s) are involved in this screening process. If students are demonstrating the propensity for giftedness based on screening data and teacher input, a referral is made for a full gifted evaluation. At that time, parents are notified, parental consent for an evaluation is obtained, and the 60 day evaluation timeline begins.
Gifted evaluations include individual assessments of cognitive abilities and academic achievement. If a student meets the criteria for giftedness and demonstrates a need for specially designed instruction as defined by Chapter 16, the multidisciplinary team may conclude that the student is in need of gifted support services. Those support services should be individualized to meet the needs of each student and could include:
- Services delivered in a pull out setting by a Gifted support teacher
- Services delivered in a push out setting in the general education classroom by a Gifted support teacher
- Services delivered in a push in setting in the general education classroom through collaboration between the Gifted support teacher and the general education teacher
- Other outside services such as independent study projects, job shadowing, etc.