East Smiths Station Elementary School

GIFTED EDUCATION
 

The Lee County Board of Education offers a gifted program that ensures services to all students at each grade level cluster are of comparable quality and duration; and provides a differentiated program in content, process and product. Referrals will be accepted for grades K-6. Lee County Schools conducts Child Find activities for all 2nd grade students in the system to determine eligibility for the gifted program.

Gifted students are those who perform, or who have demonstrated the potential to perform, at high levels in academic or creative fields when compared to others of their age, experience, or environment. These students require services not ordinarily provided by the regular school program. Students possessing these abilities can be found in all populations, across all economic strata, and in all areas of human endeavor.

A student may be referred for consideration for gifted services by teachers, counselors, administrators, parents or guardians, peer, self, or any other individuals with knowledge of the student’s abilities. Lee County Schools screen all referrals to determine if formal and informal assessments should be administered to continue the decision making process concerning eligibility. Students referred for the gifted program who do not meet the screening criteria will not continue the eligibility process. In addition, all second grade students will be observed as potential gifted referrals using a gifted behavior check list.

For each student referred, information is gathered in the following three areas:
 

The scores from the assessments/items used are entered on a matrix where points are assigned according to established criteria. The total number of points earned determines if the student qualifies for gifted services.

A variety of service delivery options are available for gifted students throughout Lee County such as: resource room pull-out programs, content area classes, seminars, independent study, dual enrollment, cluster grouping, and curriculum compacting.

Because gifted learners have abilities and needs different from typical learners, gifted program offerings differ from typical education in content, process, product and learning environment

If you have any questions or would like to obtain additional information regarding the gifted program, contact the Lee County Gifted Specialist - Brooke Hovey at 334-705-6000.

Fine arts education is important in schools because it helps students develop creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. It also helps students build self-confidence and resilience.

• Benefits of fine arts education
  • Communication: Students learn to communicate their ideas and understand how to communicate with others 
  • Perspective: Students learn to see the world in new ways and develop new perspectives 
  • Social skills: Students learn to connect with others, understand diversity, and build empathy 
  • Self-direction: Students learn to become self-directed learners who seek to extend their knowledge 
  • Life skills: Students develop skills that are useful in their personal and professional lives 
  • Community: Students build a sense of community with other creative individuals

• Other benefits of fine arts education
   
  • Improves school engagement and culture
  • Strengthens community and civic engagement
  • Supports social and emotional development
  • Helps students develop motor skills and language skills
  • Teaches students about color, layout, perspective, and balance

The goal of the physical education program at ESSES is to provide students with a basic foundation of motor and manipulative skills, and understanding of the importance of physical fitness and the opportunity to develop effective personal and social skills. Students will be provided with the skills necessary to make decisions about physical activity for their own health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and social interaction. Our goal is to promote a positive learning environment that meets the needs and abilities of students and encourages them to maintain a physically active lifestyle.

*** Please write your child's name in their jackets, sweatshirts, sweaters, etc. Several of these items are left in the gym and on the playground everyday.***

Special Education

It is the responsibility of the Lee County School System to develop and implement procedures that ensure all children within its jurisdiction, birth to twenty-one, regardless of the severity of their disability and who need special education and related services are identified, located, and evaluated.

CHILD FIND applies to:

• children who currently attend, or will attend, Lee County Schools
• children who attend private schools within Lee County Schools jurisdiction,
• highly mobile children with disabilities (i.e. migrant and homeless children)
• children who are suspected of having a disability and are in need of special education even though they are advancing from grade to grade.

If you know of a child who may be in need of special education services, contact the principal at your child's school or the special education director.

STEM

Lee County Students enjoy participating in STEM activities!

STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It's used to describe a field of study, a curriculum, or a group of related technical disciplines. 

STEM in education

• STEM education encourages students to explore, experiment, and solve real-world problems. 
• STEM literacy can lead to higher-earning jobs in a knowledge-based economy. 
• STEM graduates are in high demand, and many colleges and the U.S. government are encouraging students to study STEM. 
• STEM programs include computer science, engineering, mathematics, and the natural, physical, and life sciences.