Membership Special
Two Weeks Left
Promotion Ends April 15
In honor of all GCS 3rd graders new to academically gifted programs, anyone who joins Guilford County PAGE with a new family membership ($15) will receive membership good through 2015-2016 academic calendar. Join now!
NCAGT's 2015
PAGE Chapter of the Year
 At NCAGT’s 41st Annual Conference in Winston-Salem, NC,Guilford County PAGE was named the 2015 PAGE Chapter of the Year. The award was presented by Caroline Doherty, North Carolina PAGE Coordinator, to Guilford County PAGE board members Michelle Himmelman (Vice President), Katherine Humphreys (AG Department Liaison), and Holly Stewart (President).
Guilford County PAGE, which has the highest chapter membership in the state, was recognized for our Forward Matters e-newsletter, webinar programming, and for achieving 501(c)(3) non-profit status within 18 months of inception.
“Since formally re-chartering our Guilford County PAGE chapter in September 2013, we are thrilled to have had such amazing support–from parents, educators, community organizations, and corporations–for our mission to advance gifted education in Guilford County and beyond,” commented Stewart. “We look forward to continuing to develop impactful resources, programs, and partnerships to benefit K-12 gifted students in Guilford County’s public, private, charter, and home schools.”
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Nominate Your Favorite Teacher
Guilford County PAGE is sponsoring a Teacher Appreciation Contest.
Do you have a teacher you especially appreciate? Does (s)he have a great way to teach or is (s)he very caring? Nominate a teacher today.
Out of all nominations received, three teachers (one from each of Elementary, Middle, and High school) will be selected from a drawing. The winners will receive a Guilford County PAGE membership (through 2015-2016) and a $50 gift card to an area restaurant.
Your nomination should include your name, whether you a student or a parent, the name of the teacher you are nominating, the school where they teach, school level (elementary, middle, or high), and an answer to one of the following prompts:
1. My teacher has an innovative way to teach because...
2. My teacher is very caring because...
Email your nomination to Katherine Humphreys by May 3. |
AG Executive Director Named a Finalist for Gifted Administration Award
Dibrelle Tourret, the Executive Director for the Guilford County Schools’ Academically Gifted (AG) Department, and an Ex Officio Member of the Guilford County PAGE Board, was named a finalist for the Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Outstanding Administrator of the Gifted Award, which was presented at the NCAGT Annual Conference in March. Her position with Guilford County Schools encompasses services K–12, including AP and IB services.
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In Search of...
Guilford County PAGE is seeking an adult volunteer to fill a newly created position, Family Programming Chair. This volunteer will lead family-friendly programming for our growing PAGE chapter. Past events have included family field trips to a maker space and biomechanics laboratory; future events include the Greensboro Science Center and more.
Family Programming Chair – The responsibility of the Family Programming Chair is to plan enriching, engaging and exciting activities for gifted students and their families.
Specific duties include:
· Plan programming to meet the interest and needs of gifted students and their families (e.g., fall and spring programs)
· Work with Communication Chair to survey member interests and promote programming
· Serve as on-site coordinator for events and volunteers
· Attend board and general meetings
Time commitment: A few hours each month
If you'd like to learn more, contact Holly Stewart.
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 Q&A with Dibrelle Tourret,
GCS AG Director
Q: Who do I talk to about AG service in middle school?
A: Whereas the AG resource teacher is the go-to person at the elementary level, students and parents can address their AG questions to the TAG (Team for Academically Gifted) chairperson at their middle school. The list of TAG chairs at each school can be found under the “Meet the Team” tab of the AG department webpage.
These individuals oversee all gifted matters in the building and lead the Team for Academically Gifted (TAG). They serve as a liaison between the school and the AG central office. Each middle school will host a meeting for AG families during the first quarter to share the Annual Plan and answer any questions that you may have about AG service in the building.
Q: When will families be informed of class placement for middle school classes?
A: Many middle schools send class schedules home in the weeks just prior to the beginning of the school year. Others offer a “schedule pick-up” day when schedules are available at the school. Elementary Schools will not have placement information before the end of the school year. Families should not expect to be informed of teacher or class assignment until mid to late August and the communication will come directly from the middle school.
Q: Is there an appeals process if you are not satisfied with placement decision?
A: If you feel that your child has not been placed in the classes that are most appropriate for his or her academic needs, do not hesitate to request a meeting with the school administration or counseling department. They will be able to clarify the criteria that were used to determine placement and explain the team structure of the school. You may have additional data about your child that you would like for them to consider, including qualitative and anecdotal information about his or her learning needs. Middle school principals have the final word on scheduling decisions but welcome parental input and advocacy–especially when it is provided calmly and efficiently.
Q: What is the typical class size of AG classes in middle schools?
A: Advanced classes look like any other classroom in the building. Some middle schools have larger populations than others but, in general, middle school classrooms are full–25 to 30 students is not unusual.
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Parents and Educators Work Together with Appropriate Expectations
This article from SENG's website, entitled "Appropriate Expectations for the Gifted Child," discusses how gifted children can benefit emotionally and intellectually when parents and schools share goals and expectations to provide enriching and nurturing environments to meet the gifted child's needs.
Learn about the author Arlene DeVries. |
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