Elementary Seminar Program: Grades 2 – 5
Pennell Elementary School, Room 214
2014-2015 Seminar Goes Back To The Future!
Expected Levels of Achievement:
The seminar program views each student as an individual with varying strengths and needs. As a
result, each student is responsible for reaching different levels of achievement based on individual
abilities. The ultimate goal is for each child to achieve their fullest potential in the following areas:
 High Level Thinking Skills
 Critical Analysis
 Creativity
 Communication Skills
 Research Skills
 Leadership Skills
 Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills
Evaluation: (Methods Used to Evaluate Student Achievement)
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Class Participation and Interaction
Long Term Projects (Individual & Group)
Class Presentations
Teacher Observation
Peer Evaluation and Assessment
Parental Feedback
Thinking Skills/Creativity Skills
General Program Information:
In general, grade level classes from all four elementary buildings (plus Holy Family Regional School)
are bused to the seminar room for enrichment and instruction one afternoon per week. The seminar
schedule rotates to avoid missing the same daily events throughout the year. Unfortunately, students
will miss activities in their regular class and recess while learning in the Seminar classroom. Students
are expected to attend all seminar classes with the exception of class field trip days and school field
day. Seminar classes are not scheduled the last week of school due to numerous school events.
Classes are not scheduled the two days prior to winter break due to regular classroom and whole
school events. Please understand that if a seminar class is switched it will on average effect four
schools and eight teachers. It is strongly encouraged that classroom teachers plan field trips and
special activities during non-seminar times/days. Students taking band can typically modify their
lesson time if the band teacher is kept in the loop. Students performing in band/chorus afternoon
concerts are excused from seminar class.
Seminar class time runs from 12:40 to 2:40. Buses begin picking students up between 12:10 and
12:25. Students should eat lunch prior to attending seminar class. This may mean attending an
earlier lunch. If a student needs to finish a bag lunch or have a snack they are welcome to bring it to
seminar. Students may bring water bottles. There is a water fountain in the classroom and one
outside the classroom door. All non-Pennell students are asked to complete an additional white
emergency card to be kept at Pennell (nurse’s room).
Contact Information:
Pennell Elementary School
Rm.214, 3300 Richard Road, Aston, PA 19014
Office: 610-497-6300 #7500; Fax: 610-859-0415
Principal: Tara Young (until 10/1/2014), Ms. E. Martin (after 10/1/2014)
Cynthia Kravatz
ckravatz@pdsd.org or ckravatz@verizon.net
School Phone: 610-497-6300 Ext. #7214
Home Phone: 610-892-0320 (If you get a message that sounds like a robot, please call again.)
Class Routine:
A typical seminar day includes:
 directions for the afternoon
 a warm up activity and/or ‘choice’ time
 unit work, research, activities, experiments, project work or independent study
 clean up & wrap up discussion
Seminar Citizenship:
All seminar students have high aptitudes in one or more academic areas. Individual baseline
knowledge, aptitude, and experiences vary widely. Some students have additional special needs. It
is important for each student to respect the ideas and efforts of their classmates, to come to class
prepared and ready to learn, and to accept the opportunity to learn unit material concepts at an
enriched, accelerated pace. Hard work and productivity can afford students the opportunity to earn
points towards items in the seminar store as well as personal satisfaction for a job well done.
Seminar students often learn and process information differently than their regular classroom peers.
Seminar class allows students to spend time learning and processing with other gifted and talented
students. Students are encouraged share their opinions, use constructive comments, and show
empathy towards their seminar classmates.
GIEPs and Seminar Program:
The GIEP is an individual student education plan. The seminar program is an enrichment class
covering units of instruction at an accelerated pace. Students individualize through selection of
independent projects. For many students GIEP goals will be written for enrichment in the area(s) of
student academic strength. Enrichment is provided in the regular classroom through differentiated
instruction, enrichment activities and/or projects under the direction of the classroom teacher. The
gifted support teacher can provide information and support. Seminar teacher push-in days will occur
several times throughout the year. Seminar class is an additional layer of student academic
enrichment and challenge.
All students must have a GIEP review at least once per year. During this process information will be
collected from student surveys, teacher comments, parent input, and student achievement data.
Individual testing with a school psychologist will not happen after the original testing unless further
individual assessments are requested. Gifted support services are based on student academic
needs. To clarify, there are two prongs. (1. Does the student qualify for services based on
intelligence and achievement? 2. Are the student’s needs greater than what the regular curriculum
can provide?) If the answer is yes to both prongs, the GIEP team determines how best to support
student needs through acceleration and/or academic enrichment.
For example:
 (No need for a GIEP) Some secondary students qualify for support services under #1 but all
their academic needs can be met through scheduling higher level cases and specific electives.
Students may also become very involved in clubs, sports, community service, and
jobs/mentorships.
 (Needs a GIEP) Students with GIEPs combine seminar classes, class enrichment projects,
and/or subject acceleration.