Welcome Parents and Students to the Middle School and High School Gifted Transition Meeting Mrs. Vickie Hallock - Department Coordinator Mrs. Lori Orihuel - Elementary Teacher of the Gifted Mrs. Laura Stephan - Elementary Teacher of the Gifted Mr. Jon Zimmerman - Elementary Teacher of the Gifted Mrs. Amy D’Amico - Middle School Teacher of the Gifted Mrs. Sallie Bookman - Facilitator of High School Gifted

Middle School Overview

Mrs. D’Amico’s Role Main teacher of Discover Classes Coordinate Discover classes taught by other teachers at both middle schools Serve as an advocate for students to regular education teachers and Cultural Arts teachers Serve as Gifted Resource Teacher to regular education teachers and Cultural Arts teachers

You have the right to choose your level of participation in the gifted program in the middle school.

Back to School Packet The Back to School Packet usually contains: Greeting letter Gifted Guidelines Discover class offerings from Mrs. D’Amico and other teachers within each school Sign-up sheet Parent GIEP input form Miscellaneous information: blog, newsletter

Middle School Gifted Guidelines Program Guidelines for Middle School Gifted Students Please read before making any class decisions. You have the option to participate in Discover classes. Please carefully consider the number of Discover classes you can handle based on the guidelines below. Choose the right balance for you -- enrichment opportunities vs. class work to complete. Mrs. D’Amico is available to help guide you. Avoid missing the same class more than once a cycle due to a Discover class. For example, if you choose a class that meets during English, avoid choosing another Discover class that meets during English on another cycle day. Minimize signing up for a Discover class during Cultural Arts classes since they do not meet frequently. It can be difficult to keep up with the instruction, homework and tests. Please do not chose a class or Cultural Arts class that only meets once a cycle. This is NOT an option. Slide 1 of 2

If you are involved in instrumental music at school, keep in mind that you will miss some classes for sectionals (small group instruction). This may influence how many classes you choose. You are expected to attend all Discover classes for which you sign up. See the teacher of the Discover class ahead of time if you feel you have a valid reason to miss. (This should be rare!) Your classroom teacher may also contact the Discover teacher to request an exception be made for a special event, speaker, etc. Ask your classroom teachers what work you need to make up. (This should only be new material/major assignments/quizzes/tests and projects.) Do this the day before the Discover class. Your teacher may not be able to give you the makeup work at that time, so make sure you determine a time to pick up the work, take a missed test, etc. On the day of your Discover class, you should be reporting to your classroom teacher first to show your pass then you can report to your Discover class. Please let Mrs. D’Amico and your classroom teachers know if you have are having trouble balancing the workload, and we will do our best to help you. Mrs. D’Amico will also be checking on your grades, talking with your classroom teachers, and discussing any concerns with you. Please talk to Mrs. D’Amico and your classroom teachers if you feel you need an exception to one of the above! 08/11

GIEP GIEPs are written in the fall with input from parents, teachers and the student.

Math Acceleration Math does not have an individual goal in the GIEP due to the leveling of classes in middle school.

Activities Field trips as a small group and with the high school gifted students Speakers Competitions within Discover and in school clubs such as KMO, CML, AMC8 and NLAL Lunch Bunch Career Exploration

Mrs. D’Amico’s Contact Information: Email: amy.damico@pennmanor.net Phone: Marticville: 284.4135 ext. 3397 Manor: 872.9510 ext. 3109

High School Overview

Mrs. Bookman’s Role: Advocate at the high school level Liaison between student and teachers Meet with counselor/student/parent for unique scheduling Meet with Freshmen in one-on-one 30 minute meetings (in mid-September) Meet with upper classmen at the request of student or in small groups Encourage students to request meetings and advocate for themselves no pull-outs, Model UN Advisor, Quiz Bowl coach, Gifted Seminar teacher 2. enrichment/underachieving- email roster to regular education teachers and discuss strengths/needs.

Discussion Items: Scheduling Clubs Academic opportunities Volunteerism honors/AP level classes, language options, doubling up MUN, Chess, TSA, Mock Trial Rocketry National History Day, Science Fair, JETS, NLAL test After School clubs at elementary level, elementary Math Bowl prep, Wetlands

Discussion continued Field Trips Local Colleges: * Millersville University * Franklin & Marshall * Susquehanna University * Seton Hill University * University of Pennsylvania High school and middle school blended trip MU: Brossman Science Lectureship (sophmore/junior); Women in Math and Science (4 girls) Franklin and Marshall: research: science and anthropology; free class to a PM senior each semester Susquehanna University: Writing Action Days Seton Hall University: online language courses; dual enrollment through bended schools; Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian University of Penn: Model UN; National HS Model UN in NYC

Mrs. Bookman’s Contact Information: Email: sallie.bookman@pennmanor.net Phone: PMHS: 872.9520 ext. 1204