Have you noticed your child has a penchant for asking deep questions or noticing patterns and connecting ideas their peers don’t see? Perhaps your child is a fast-finisher who gets frustrated at having to wait for next steps. All of these signs could point to your child being a candidate for Canyons’ gifted and talented magnet program, SALTA.
“Some of us, when we learn to play an instrument, we learn one instrument at a time,” says Halley Kirk, Canyons SALTA Coordinator. “Gifted students are just wired differently. We hear one part of a song but they’re hearing the whole orchestra, what’s missing, what could be added, what can be adjusted.”
On this latest episode of Connect Canyons, we sit down with Kirk who talks about the benefits of CSD’s Supporting Advanced Learners Toward Achievement program for students as well as their families. Kirk also explains what families can expect with the testing process and how simply having your child take the test can be beneficial.
“It’s about giving the students the tools to develop those executive functioning skills — How do they evaluate what they already know? How do they advocate for themselves? How do they work with their peer groups?” Kirk says. “Those types of more durable skills tend to be areas where gifted students need more support.”
The SALTA program is designed to provide specialized training to support gifted students. Students are provided more opportunities to apply what they’re learning and participate in real world, task-based application of those concepts.
The window for students to apply to test into next year’s SALTA program is open now through October 1. Kirk recommends the testing process to any family who is curious.
“There’s no obligation to enroll in the program, even if your student qualifies,” Kirk says. “These are really incredible kids and teachers, and amazing things are happening in our program every day.”
Episode Chapters
1:36 – Understanding Cognitive Giftedness
Our expert explains how cognitive giftedness can manifest differently in each student.
3:23 – Day in the Life of SALTA
We learn how the SALTA program is different and what a typical day might look like for SALTA students.
11:11 – Testing Details and Final Advice
How the testing process is different from standard classroom tests and why Kirk says it’s a good idea to take the test regardless of whether you plan to enroll.
