The PEN Program

PEN, the Central Bucks Program for Enrichment, is designed to expand, extend and enhance the learning opportunities for gifted students.  As PEN program teacher, my goal is for students to feel challenged and to feel good about the talents they have to share.  My hope is that students will view learning as a lifelong process, enriching not only the individual, but benefiting the society as well.  I believe the gifted children do have special needs.  Meeting their needs in both academic and the affective realm has been one of the most rewarding opportunities of my life.  From creative problem solving to performing arts, students in the PEN program participate in a myriad of activities and educational opportunities.  The core of the program is designed to foster their creative expression, advance their abilities to think analytically, at the same time to stimulate them to excel as self-directed learners.  Most importantly, students are encouraged to develop healthy self-concepts related to their giftedness.

Recommendation of students for testing and placement is based on multiple criteria.  These include teacher and/or parent recommendations; in-depth cognitive, affective and behavioral surveys from the regular classroom teacher; academic progress; and performance on standardized tests.  A team consisting of parents, principal, guidance counselor, psychologist, regular classroom teacher, and the PEN teacher review information and decide when a child's need will most appropriately be met by participation in PEN.