New in 2008-09 The Program for Advanced Learners has evolved out of three years of study and planning. It is overseen by the PAL Advisory Committee of the Board of Directors and is staffed by a part-time coordinator, Cameron Brantley, with experience and training in serving academically gifted students. Cameron comes to Evergreen from Colorado where he worked as gifted and talented facilitator and taught a self-contained class of gifted and talented 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. He has a master’s degree in gifted education from the University of Northern Colorado.

PAL is not a traditional academically gifted program in which students are pulled out of their regular classrooms for a specified period each week or placed in academically gifted classes from one year to the next. PAL will provide teachers, students, and families with the resources, rationale, and support to serve the special academic needs of students who are especially motivated, intelligent, and high performing. These services will be provided in the regular classroom through differentiation or through student/adult partnerships with the PAL coordinator, another teacher, or a community member. The goal is to match PAL to individual students rather than the students to PAL.

Parent Connections The PAL coordinator will also conduct informational meetings for parents about PAL as well as topics specific to gifted and talented education (characteristics and types of giftedness, social and emotional considerations, at-home strategies).

For more information on Evergreen’s PAL program, contact Cameron Brantley This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , PAL Coordinator, or by phone 298-2173

Evergreen LEADER (Learning Environmental Action, Developing Expertise and Responsibility)

The Evergreen LEADER program, in conjunction with the PAL program, is designed to give students the opportunity to participate in a long-term expedition that will span 3 middle school years. Beginning in 6th grade, individual students will explore and identify a topic of high interest that will enable in depth research and study in the 7th grade and provide an opportunity to create and implement an associated service or action expedition in the 8th grade. With the guidance of the PAL Coordinator, Curriculum Specialist, ELS School Designer and EE Coordinator, students will be encouraged to choose projects that not only prove awareness and personal responsibility toward the environment, but also allow for meaningful activism, service learning and an understanding of scientific processes. Their progress will be monitored through monthly meetings, a checklist or action plan and individual check-ins to insure they are keeping up with the expected timeline. At the completion of the 8th grade, participating students will receive the distinction of Evergreen Leader. Their compiled work will be presented to the school community in place of their final portfolio presentation and will follow the high standards and expectations of an exceptional student final product. Evergreen Leaders will wear the green cord of distinction at graduation and will be recognized for their scholarly dedication and community participation in environmental leadership.