Welcome to CATS!
CCPS Elementary Gifted Program

What is CATS?
We Design Our program moves students from passive learning to active learning where students are the driving force behind their projects. | Learning is Active Learning becomes meaningful when activities are student-led. At CATS, we provide student choice and seek their input on how they want to show their understanding. We aren't afraid of mistakes because we know that is all part of learning. | We Collaborate Working with others is an important 21st century skill and we practice it daily through group activities and interaction with school and community members. |
We Design
Learning is Active
Meet the Teacher
My name is Kathleen Dean, CCPS Gifted Specialist and I am so excited to partner with your student on this new adventure. I have been in gifted education for eight years at Winchester Public Schools serving as the EXCEL Gifted Resource Teacher and then later as the ACE (Accelerated Curriculum through Enrichment) Teacher for third and fourth grade gifted students. I obtained my gifted endorsement coursework through University of Virginia. This has been my first year with Clarke County Public Schools. For me, some key components of a gifted program include building relationships with students and families through open communication, providing challenging and engaging projects based on student passion and empowering students to take charge of their learning by advocating and reflecting on what is needed to see a project through. It is my greatest joy to partner with students as a mentor and sounding board through 1:1 conferencing where personalized discussion and reflection take place in order for students to realize their full potential. I am so looking forward to meeting all of you personally at the August Open Houses. See you then!

Upcoming Dates
Gifted Education Meeting to learn about what will be happening this school year! Followed by the D.G. Cooley Open House at 6:30 pm. Come meet the teacher, see the classroom and explore the program.
August Boyce Open House TBD
September 10th Field Trip
American Shakespeare Center Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia. Bus leaving Boyce Elementary at 7:15 am and picking up students at D.G. Cooley at 7:35 am. Buses will return to Boyce at 4:15 pm and Cooley at 4:45pm.