GATE

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

Our GATE Program is located at South/West Park Elementary, Monte Vista Middle School and Williams Middle School

Tania Salinas
Director of Continuous Improvement, State and Federal Programs
tsalinas@tusd.net
209.830.3200 x. 1053
Fax: 209.830-3275

Soledad Rodriguez, x. 1053
Clerk Typist II
solrodriguez@tusd.net

IMPORTANT DATES

08.24.20    GATE Parent Advisory Virtual Meeting 4:00-5:00 pm
11.12.20    Parent Information Meeting is
Virtual @ 6:00 pm
12.04.20    GATE Testing Applications due
01.09.21 GATE On-line Assessment at
  South/West Park Elementary School 1st – 7th grade
02.12.21 Letter of Intent due
03.18.21 GATE Spring Showcase District Wide AT
South/West Park Elementary MPR 5:30-7:00 pm
03.26.21-04.02.21 GATE Online Parent Survey on Survey Monkey
04.22.21 GATE 2nd Parent Advisory Meeting at
  District Office/Board Room 4-5:00 pm

GATE Information

Mission & Eligibility

Our Mission Statement
Our program will nurture each student's sense of personal worth, encourage students to develop and use their gifts and talents responsibly, and stimulate a love of learning in an atmosphere of cooperation among students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

Eligibility Description
The Tracy Unified School District has developed an identification process that ensures all students (including those from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, and/or disabilities) an equal opportunity to be identified and participate in the GATE program. Students are assessed online on the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test Third Edition (NNAT3).

GATE ID
GATE 2nd – 5th grade: 95%ile or above score on the NNAT3
GATE 6th – 8th grade: 95%ile or above score on the NNAT3

HIGH ACHIEVER
Multiple measures are considered when determining placement as a High Achiever:
GATE 2nd– 5th grade:

85%ile – 94%ile score on the NNAT3
TUSD Unit Assessments
CAASPP/SBAC scores (4th - 5th only)
Parent Checklist Observed Behaviors
Teacher Screening and Nominating Recommendation

GATE 6th – 8th grade:

85%ile – 94%ile score on the NNAT3
TUSD Unit Assessments
CAASPP/SBAC scores
Parent Checklist Observed Behaviors
Teacher Screening and Nominating Recommendation

FAQs and Application Process

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FOR 2021-2022 HERE

Please complete the above application and email it to solrodriguez@tusd.net; Drop it in the drop box at the district office at 1875 W. Lowell Avenue; or mail it to Continuous Improvement, State & Federal Programs, 1875 W. Lowell Avenue, Tracy CA 95376. It must be received or postmarked by December 4, 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

I would like to have my child assessed for the GATE program what is my first step.
Attend the virtual Parent Information Meeting on Thursday, November 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. (Link coming soon)

Where can I get an application?
Download the GATE application packet from the link above. Applications are being accepted October 9 through December 4, 2020.
Due to COVID-19 you will be notified of any unforeseeable changes.

When are the assessments?
Administered test for students who are currently in 1 - 7 grade will be held on January 9, 2021, at South/West Park Elementary. Students are allowed to be assessed once a year, it is an online assessment. There is no fee for TUSD students and there is a $50.00 fee for students who reside outside of TUSD or attend a private/charter school. Information on the date, time and location of assessment will be mailed to your residence by end of December.

What is the name of the administered test?
Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test – Third Edition (NNAT3) it is an online assessment.

If qualified would my child need to leave our home school?
Yes, our GATE program is a magnet program held at South/West Park Elementary School for 2 – 5 GATE. Williams Middle School and Monte Vista Middle School also have GATE Core classes.GATE students attend at their zone middle school. Non-district GATE Students will automatically be placed at Monte Vista Middle School for grades 6 - 8.

Program Flyer

Resources/Links

July 31, 2020

Dear TUSD GATE Program Parents,

Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year to both our new and returning GATE families! Julianna Stocking, the former GATE Director, has taken the position of Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for the Tracy Unified School District. My name is Tania Salinas and I am the new Director of Continuous Improvement, State and Federal Programs. I will be overseeing the GATE Program this year, and I truly look forward to working with you all!

The TUSD GATE Program is a valued program in Tracy Unified, serving students throughout the District in grades 2 through 8. The program is hosted at South West Park School, Monte Vista Middle School, and Williams Middle School. For the past several years, the program has focused on providing a rich educational experience focused on critical thinking and rigorous academics. Our goal is to continue to provide a robust GATE Program using the strategies and key concepts from the Genius Hour.

All TUSD students will begin the year in a Distance Learning Model until the San Joaquin County Office of Education determines it is safe for students to physically attend school. Students will still receive their GATE curriculum while working from home.

I look forward to working with you and continuing to support the needs of our TUSD GATE Program, and our GATE families. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or school site administrator. There will be a virtual GATE Parent Advisory Meeting August 24^th at 4:00 pm. A meeting invitation with a Zoom link will be sent out as the meeting approaches. I look forward to working with you this year. We are all here to support our students through Distance Learning and beyond.

Sincerely,

Tania Salinas
Director of Continuous Improvement, State and Federal Programs
Tracy Unified School District
209-830-3210