Enrichment News

Gifted Enrichment Update

• Mission Updates for 6-9 Enrichment
• 9-12 Enrichment
• Gifted Service & Enrichment Schedule
• Gifted Referral and Screening Testing
• PRM Spelling Bee
• PRM Brain Bowl
• CPS School Selection Process
• Coming Up in the November Issue

In Every Issue - General Information:

• Gifted Education 101
• Great Sites to Check Out
  
• PRM'S Gifted Specialist
• Little Free Puzzle Library

Every 6-9 student identified gifted in any area has a green enrichment folder with assignments to work on at school as part of their gifted programming. Each student has been assigned SUPRA ET ULTRA Mission #1 to work on at school. (See sample below)

Classroom teachers can assign the work as part of a student's weekly or daily work contract, or use it as a free choice option.

When a student completes a mission, I put a star on their astronaut, and assign the next mission. To keep this manageable, students are limited to a maximum of two missions per week.

Once the WIN bell schedule starts, 3rd graders will also have specific ELA and Math enrichment work assigned to them. Students should get in the habit of taking their enrichment folder with them to WIN bell sessions.

Gifted students I have started working with in the 9-12 pullout sessions have a green enrichment folder for work that I have assigned as part of their gifted programming. The folders hold assignments they will work on during their WIN bell, based on their area(s) of gifted identification and academic needs.

These folders should remain at school and brought to every enrichment pullout session and also when they go to their WIN bell teacher. Teachers are encouraged to utilize the work as differentiated instruction when and where appropriate.

Pullout enrichment groups have started for students who meet the criteria for superior cognitive ability enrichment. These students receive about 45 minutes each week with me in the enrichment room to work on skills that develop critical thinking, creativity, and communication.

Students identified gifted in the specific academic areas of math and/or reading will be assigned enrichment work to complete during their WIN Block. WIN stands for What I Need, so my enrichment work is provided to challenge identified gifted students in the area(s) they are in need of enrichment.

Some of you might be aware that PRM has added a tenth 9-12 teacher. With this addition, comes changes to my 9-12 enrichment groups. Some adjustments were made to my previous schedule and my new schedule is shown below.

For grades 2 through 6, we use the i-Ready assessments to determine eligibility for gifted identification in Math and Reading. To be identified as gifted in a specific academic area, a student must score at or above the 95th percentile.

By Ohio law, once a student is identified as gifted in Math and/or Reading, they remain identified as gifted. Their academic growth in Reading and/or Math is tracked by the Department of Education using the yearly Ohio State Tests and impacts our State Report Card.

This year we are replacing the CogAT with the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) which is an assessment of a student's general ability, reasoning, and thinking skills. While the NNAT measures cognitive abilities similar to traditional IQ tests, it is not technically classified as an IQ test. Rather, it focuses specifically on nonverbal reasoning skills as an indicator of general cognitive abiity.

Results of the NNAT are used to determine eligibility for gifted identification in the area of superior cognitive ability. All second and sixth grade students in Cincinnati Public Schools will take the NNAT as part of Ohio's required gifted assessments. Teachers will administer the test in October to their 2nd or 6th grade students, and I will administer the test to students who have been referred for gifted screening in grades 1, 3, 4, and 5.

By Ohio law, once a student is identified as gifted in the area of superior cognitive ability, they remain identified as gifted. Their academic growth in Reading and Math is tracked by the Department of Education using the yearly Ohio State Tests and impacts our State Report Card.

This applies even if they are not identified as gifted in either reading or math.

Each year, PRM participates in the Scripps National Spelling Bee as part of our Schoolwide Enrichment program. All students in grades 1-6 are invited to participate. Official study lists will be shared with classroom teachers on or before November 5th. The classroom Bees will take place during Library specials the week following Thanksgiving Break. The classroom champion will be invited to participate in the School Bee in January.

Brain Bowl is the Academic Quiz League for CPS students in grades 4-6. Each participating school holds tryouts for their team which has a limit of 20 players. The team makeup consists of no more than 50% 6th graders, and at least 25% 4th and 25% 5th graders. Participating schools compete weekly during the season by hosting matches.

I am thrilled to have David Woerner returning this year to be my co-coach. Last year, PRM ranked as the regular season champions. Tryouts for the team will take place in early November so that we have our team ready to go by Thanksgiving Break. Students must sign up to try out. More information will be provided in my November newsletter.

This information is posted on the CPS website:

The School Selection Process, formerly known as the Lottery, for the 2026-27 school year is open Oct. 1 - Nov. 30, 2025. New this year, students have the first opportunity to select their school, Oct. 1-31, before the process opens to families, Nov. 1-30. Students and families may apply to a CPS high school, middle school or junior high, magnet school or magnet program through Focus, the district’s Student Information System (SIS). Siblings are given priority for magnet schools, but must still apply through Focus during the School Selection Process.

You may select your school at any time during the School Selection Process window as applications are not processed on a first come, first served basis. Families will receive notification in January 2026*.

All applications must be submitted online. If you do not have access to a computer, please visit a school or CPS Customer Care Centralized Enrollment Center at 2651 Burnet Ave. to access a computer for online application assistance.

Need help creating a Focus account or linking your student? Please see our quick guides and video instructions: Focus - Cincinnati Public Schools

If you have any questions, please contact the CPS Customer Care Centralized Enrollment Center at 513-363-0123.

*Dates are subject to change

Montessori High School Enrollment

All in-district students in Grade 6 currently enrolled at a CPS Montessori elementary school, and interested in attending either Clark Montessori High School or James N. Gamble Montessori High School will automatically be entered into the School Selection Process based on their home address. For more information about Montessori High School Acceptance, click here.

*Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students Open Enrollment

The Open Enrollment form for the 2026-27 school year will be available March 1, 2026. You must speak with a Spencer Center office staff member to review your student’s test scores for eligibility prior to completing the form. You may contact the main office at 513-363-3400. Completing the registration process does not guarantee a spot for the 2026-27 school year.

Link to CPS webpage with more information: https://www.cps-k12.org/our-district/school-selection-process

PRM's Gifted Student Identifications

Brain Bowl Tryouts

PRM Spelling Bee Word Lists Available November 3

Pictures from Enrichment Sessions

In Ohio, public school districts are required to identify students in grades K-12 for gifted identification in the following areas:

• Superior Cognitive Ability
• Creative Thinking Ability
• Specific Academic Ability - Reading
• Specific Academic Ability - Math
• Specific Academic Ability - Science
• Specific Academic Ability - Social Studies
• Performing Musical Arts: Instrumental
• Performing Musical Arts: Vocal
• Performing Visual Arts
• Performing Arts: Dance
• Performing Arts: Drama

Unfortunately, school districts are not required to provide any form of service or enrichment to those identified students. In most cases, it is the responsibility of the classroom teachers or fine arts specialists to provide differentiation or enrichment opportunities to meet the needs of our gifted students during the school day.

Education Standards for the Classroom

Educators are expected to follow the state learning standards for the grades and content they teach. At PRM, our teachers also follow a Montessori curriculum which often provides gifted students the opportunity to explore content and express their understanding in unique and creative ways.

Gifted Education Standards for Enrichment

I use the National Standards for Gifted Education to develop my gifted and enrichment programming. These standards focus on creating and providing learning environments that encourage awareness and understanding of interests, strengths and needs, along with the development of cognitive, social, emotional, and psychosocial skills.

Gifted & Enrichment Pullout Groups

Students are pulled out of their regular classrooms for enrichment activities and gifted services. Some groups meet weekly, some monthly, or quarterly. Groupings and schedules are determined based on grade levels, area(s) of gifted identification, and need.

Superior Cognitive Ability

Students identified as gifted in Superior Cognitive Ability have unique characteristics and needs, often requiring additional support to fully develop their talent potential. Enrichment options and expectations are tailored to meet the specific needs of each student.

Accelerated Math

In a typical Montessori setting, informal math acceleration can occur naturally by having the teacher include a student in an above grade level math class or through differentiation that is tailored to meet the individual student's needs.

When a student consistently performs above grade level on nationally normed assessments, a formal math acceleration might be best to meet their academic needs.

A referral must be made to begin the process of evaluating a student for a formal acceleration*.

To do this, we follow the district acceleration policy and guidelines established by the State of Ohio Department of Education. (Ohio Revised Code 3324.10)

More information about acceleration can be found at the link below.

Academic Acceleration For Advanced Learners

https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/Gifted-Education/Rules-Regulations-and-Policies-for-Gifted-Educatio/Academic-Acceleration-for-Advanced-Learners

In our 9-12 level classrooms, accelerated math students will take fifth grade math as fourth graders, and sixth grade math as fifth graders. In sixth grade they will be enrolled in the middle school math class 7AA which is an accelerated math class covering both 7th and 8th grade math. The 7AA math class is taught by me in our gifted & enrichment room.

*A student can be referred for math acceleration at any time during the school year. If you are interested in learning more about math acceleration please reach out to me.

We have a beautiful space for our gifted and enrichment program! Please feel free to stop by or schedule a visit to see the great work our students are doing.

Enrichment and Gifted Services at PRM Montessori are provided by Jackie Bonfield, a specialist in gifted education with almost 30 years experience working exclusively with gifted students in grades 1-8, in all academic areas.

Education Credentials & Experience:

• Licensed in Ohio to teach grades 1-8 in all academic areas
• Licensed in Ohio to teach gifted students in grades k-12
• Master's thesis on perfectionism in gifted individuals
• Certification in Paideia methodology (Socratic Method)
• Served on the Board of Directors for Kennedy Heights Montessori as Vice President (3 years)
• Served on the Board of Directors for Kennedy Heights Arts Center (2 years)
• Served on the Superintendent's Advisory Board in Mason City Schools (2 years)
• Served on DesignLAB Advisory Board (2 years)
• Served as PRM 9-12 Team Leader (2 years)
• Served on PRM Foundation (3 years)
• PRM Brain Bowl Coach for 11 years
• PRM Spelling Bee Coordinator

Business Experience

• Graphic Designer for The University of Toledo
• Marketing Coordinator for the Association for Quality & Improvement (AQP)
• Print & Marketing Production Coordinator for F & W Publications
• Service and Sales Representative for Levolor Corporation
• Ran my own jewelry business for 20 years, was published in national magazines, and received numerous awards of recognition for work.

Personal Education Philosophy

My job is to guide students in learning how to think, not what to think, while fostering self-awareness in order to understand and appreciate individual talents and abilities.

Gifted Education Focus

I focus on providing work that develops and continuously improves thinking and reasoning abilities.

Every enrichment session presents opportunities for my students to engage in activities that include verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal reasoning while practicing skills in communication, creativity, collaboration, and self-awareness.

Personal

• Originally from Toledo, but I have lived in the Pleasant Ridge community for 30 years
• My husband Tim and I raised two amazing nerds, I mean daughters, both are proud graduates of Walnut Hills High School.
• I love travel, museums, birding, historical tours, trivia nights, game nights with family and friends, jigsaw puzzles, movies, documentaries, and enjoying nature.
• I feel it is my joy and privilege to work with my students and their families at PRM. There is truly no place I would rather be. Well, some days I would rather be in Italy, so I guess I should say there is truly no place I would rather work!

I am so happy to be torturing, er, I mean working with the amazing students, staff, and families of Pleasant Ridge Montessori. I consider it a great honor to be given the opportunity to enrich the lives of this community and help guide our future scholars, leaders, and creatives.

Since 1999, I have worked with more than 2000 gifted students in grades K through 8 in various public school settings. Many years ago, while teaching in Mason City Schools, a student wrote a poem about me titled, The Evil Mistress Of Torture And Doom. The nickname stuck, and I have embraced it because the "torture" is thinking deeply and critically every day, which can be challenging and hurt your brain!

Oh, and I forgot to mention that the author of that poem was my daughter, Madeline :-)

Meet Eevee the Cavachon!

Yes, she is a cutie and she knows it.

And yes, she is named after a Pokemon because when she joined our family we were playing Pokemon Go daily.

Back in March of 2020, I started a Little Free Puzzle Library at my home to share my love of puzzles. If you enjoy jigsaw puzzles, or would just like to give it a try, stop by!