GATEWAY Program Manual K-12
Gifted And Talented Education With All Youth
Barnstable GATEWAY Mission
To support all students through talent development and to identify, challenge, and encourage academically advanced and creative learners.
GATEWAY Vision Statement
All Barnstable Public School students will experience joyful and inclusive learning environments that pave the way to continuous learning, curiosity, change-making and meaningful engagement with the world around them. We aspire to create a learning community with students and educators engaging in challenging, authentic, adventurous, meaningful, and affirming experiences so that learning, independence, and achievement may flourish for all.
Learning in GATEWAY will provide opportunities for students to:
develop talents based on interests
engage in enrichment and extension, through thought-provoking topics, which reflect their own experiences and those of others
engage in advanced, rigorous learning beyond the grade level standards
think critically and creatively about their learning and communicate effectively with others
build growth mindset and perseverance for task commitment
develop civic mindedness that prepares them to make meaningful contributions in their communities and beyond
experience connections in multiple content areas which align to instruction in various educational settings within a student’s day
Our goal is to create learning environments where educators and students achieve more than they imagined possible.
GATEWAY Staff
Director of Teaching and Learning, Pre-5 and GATEWAY:
- Kari Andrade: andrade_kari@mybps.us
Administrative Assistant:
- Deana Pulsifer: pulsifer_deana@mybps.us
Barnstable Intermediate School GATEWAY Staff Grades 6-7:
- ELA/FPS – Debra Contrino: contrino_deb@mybps.us
- Math/STEM – Erin Andrews: andrews_erin@mybps.us
Barnstable United Elementary School GATEWAY Staff Grades 4-5:
- ELA/FPS – Kayla Proctor: proctor_kayla@mybps.us
- Math/STEM – Amy Clark: clark_amy@mybps.us
Barnstable Elementary Schools GATEWAY Staff Grades K-3:
- BWB, CEN, HYW, WVE – Alexa Wilson: wilson_alexa@mybps.us
- BCIS – Kayla Proctor: proctor_kayla@mybps.us
The Teaching and Learning Office is located on the second floor at Barnstable United Elementary School.
GATEWAY K-7 Program Overview
Following the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and the Schoolwide Enrichment Model, GATEWAY incorporates three tiers of support for Barnstable students.
Tier 1 - Interest Enrichment
Tier 2 - Core Academic Extension & Enrichment
Tier 3 - Pull-out Targeted Advanced Instruction
Tier 1 – Interest Enrichment
All Barnstable students have the opportunity to receive enrichment based on their individual interests. Students, families, and/or staff members can submit an Action Information Message or reach out to the GATEWAY teacher for additional resources. Students may also submit an Interest Inventory.
Tier 2 – Core Academic Extensions & Enrichment
Students who are exceeding the grade level standards, may receive additional support to enrich and extend their learning. Enrichment may be based on interest level and/or added rigor to the grade-level standards. Students identified for tier 2 will be provided print resources in grades K-2 and digital access in grades 3-7 to a Tier 2 GATEWAY Google Classroom for extension opportunities. Staff have the opportunity to request additional materials by contacting the GATEWAY Specialist or Teaching and Learning Office.
Tier 3 – Pull-out Targeted Instruction
Students in grades 1-7, who are identified using multiple measures, will receive pull-out, targeted instruction during the school day, one day per week. In grades 1-3, students in Tier 3 participate in a 7 week rotation cycle. In grades 4-7, students in Tier 3 may be identified for up to four courses:
GATEWAY Advanced ELA
GATEWAY Advanced Math
GATEWAY Future Problem Solving (FPS)
GATEWAY STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
See GATEWAY Course Descriptions for more information. These also include the high school competitive club opportunities.
Students in tier 3 are supported in academic and social emotional learning designed to challenge their creative and critical thinking abilities and build resilience. Formal letters are sent home for Tier 3. Kindergarten classroom teachers and GATEWAY teachers collaborate to provide extension and enrichment opportunities within the classroom.
Scheduling for Tier 3 GATEWAY
Tier 3 – pull-out targeted advanced instruction will be scheduled during the intervention block with the exception of 4-5 STEM and FPS and BIS courses. These courses may be scheduled during the Enrichment block. Rosters and schedules are created at the beginning of the school year by the Teaching and Learning Office and shared by the GATEWAY Specialists to staff. Placements are also noted in Aspen under the academics tab. Families are notified by formal letters.
Tier 2 – core academic extension will be provided based on individual student needs and completed within the regular education classroom.
Tier 1 – interest-based extensions are available for all students and are completed within the regular education classroom. Contact the Teaching and Learning Office or GATEWAY Specialist for more information.
Grading for Pull-out Instruction (Tier 3)
Students are assessed in GATEWAY based on student learning and effective effort criteria.
Families and students in grade 3 receive a progress report at the conclusion of each Tier 3 rotation.
Families and students in grades 4-7 receive a progress report aligned to the report card dates for their school.
Students in grades 4-7 sign a GATEWAY Student Contract for Tier 3 participation.
Recommendation & Identification Process
There are several pieces of information gathered to determine if a student would benefit from the pull-out targeted instruction (Tier 3). See GATEWAY Talent Pool Identification for more information.
Any family member or staff may recommend students at ANY time throughout the year.
Educators and families work with the Teaching and Learning office to determine the best supports using:
Previous Intensive Support Progress and/or Extension, if applicable
Local Benchmark Data
State Benchmark Data
Student Input - Interest Inventory and/or Action Information Message
Family Input - Family GATEWAY Survey (GATEWAY Family Survey: Available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish) and/or Action Information Message
GATEWAY Newsletters
All staff and families will receive a GATEWAY newsletter quarterly. The newsletters are posted on the GATEWAY website. The GATEWAY Specialists will also provide newsletters throughout the year.