Gifted and Talented
Please visit the Atlanta Public Schools Gifted and Talented website for more information. You will find answers to frequently asked questions about how we identify, serve, enrich, and support gifted students.
Welcome Letter
Dear Parents,
It is my pleasure to serve as the Heritage Academy Gifted and Talent Development Lead Teacher for another exciting year! This year we are focused on “Soaring Above and Beyond”! I have planned educational activities and experiences that will further enhance your child’s mastery of Georgia’s Standards of Excellence as we go above and beyond the regular curriculum. The students will have several opportunities to participate in competitions and field experiences that enhance both our APS Gifted and State standards.
Heritage Academy’s Gifted and Talent Development Program will be slightly different this year due to changes created by our Advanced Literacy Model program (ALM). All students will continue to be taught by me in the Gifted Resource Class. However, students in Grades 1st-3rd will also receive services from their homeroom teachers who are gifted-certified. They will be taught using the Cluster Grouping model in Reading. The amount of time they spend in the resource class will be shorter than in the past, but they will still receive the same high-quality instruction.
We wlll kick off the year with Social Emotional Learning (SEL) activities in addition to our units of study. The 1st graders will focus on “Primary Education Thinking Skills” and “Loving Literature”. The 2nd & 3rd grade students will learn about “Changes”. The 4th and 5th graders will focus on “Law & Order” and Problem Based Learning as well as participate in the Atlanta Urban Debate League Elementary Division Tournaments (topic TBD).
Our classes will officially start the week of August 10th with orientation. Classes will be held as follows:
| Grade | Gifted/TD Resource |
| Kindergarten | NA |
| First | Wednesdays 12:30-2:00 |
| Second | Mondays 12:30-2:00 |
| Third | Thursdays 11:00-11:45 & 12:30-1:10 |
| Fourth |
Tuesdays 9:30-10:15 & 11:00-2:00 |
| Fifth | Tuesdays 9:30-10:15 & 11:00-2:00 |
Students may return to their homerooms for lunch, recess and specials.
Communication is an important part of the parent-teacher partnership. Here’s how I plan to communicate with you this year:
- Class Dojo: You may use the app or online website to get reminders, newsletters, messages, videos, and pictures! This is my primary form of communication.
- Email: hrbrown@apsk12.org (preferred for detailed communications)
- School Phone: (404) 802-8650
I look forward to helping your children become Soaring Scholars this year!
Sincerely,
Heather R. Brown
Gifted Lead & Resource Teacher
Heritage Academy