1. Cambridge Primary Parent Information Night
It is an exciting time for elementary schools as Cambridge Primary is being introduced District-wide for students identified as gifted or high-achieving. Today I will introduce you to the Cambridge Primary program and how the program will enhance your students’ elementary school years.
March 28, 2017

2. Advanced Studies in High School
How will this help students in secondary school?
The following advanced studies options are available in CCPS high schools:
Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) courses
Advanced Placement (AP) courses
Dual Enrollment courses
In CCPS we strive to provide opportunities for all students - from those who are striving to those who are high achieving.
In our high schools, numerous advanced studies opportunities are available.
In high school, the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) program provides advanced academic pre-university qualification for students who are studying the Cambridge International A and AS Levels. The AICE program offers students the opportunity to tailor their studies to individual interests, abilities, and future plans; combining breadth of study with choice and flexibility.
The AP or Advanced Placement, program provides college-level courses and exams in various subject areas. More than 2,900 universities and colleges worldwide grant credit, advanced placement, or both to students performing satisfactorily on the exams. Nearly 1,400 institutions grant sophomore standing to students who have demonstrated their competence in three or more of these exams.
Dual enrollment allows high school students to earn college or vocational credit toward a post-secondary diploma, certificate, or degree at a Florida public institution while also earning credit toward a high school diploma.

3. Goal
Our Goal: To provide additional advanced study options in middle and elementary schools
Historically, in middle schools these opportunities were provided via high school credit courses such as Algebra 1 and Spanish 1 typically at the 8th grade level
Our Goal is to provide additional advanced study options in middle and elementary schools
Historically, in middle schools these opportunities were provided were provided via high school credit courses such as Algebra 1 and Spanish 1

4. Advanced Studies in Middle School
NEW:
Cambridge Secondary implemented
In 6th – 8th grades
Incorporating:
English Language Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies
In the inaugural year, Cambridge Secondary was offered at all middle school grade levels in all CCPS middle schools
Let’s learn more about Cambridge Secondary through the eyes of our students

5. Advanced Studies in Elementary Schools
NEW: Cambridge Primary
In 3rd – 5th grades
Incorporating:
English Language Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies
NEW: Cambridge Primary
In K – 2nd grades
To continue in our effort to provide learning opportunities for all students, we are pleased to announce the Cambridge Primary opportunity for identified students in grades 3-5 during the school year, and for students in kindergarten through 2nd grade in the school year

6. What is Cambridge Primary?
Cambridge Primary is an approach to providing complex instruction and resources
Cambridge Primary is not a program
Cambridge Primary emphasizes learner qualities, such as being reflective and innovative
Cambridge Primary Resources will be infused into CCPS curriculum maps for English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies to extend student learning
Cambridge Primary students may have different homework – they will not have more homework
Cambridge Primary students will have a summer assignment (details to follow)
The Cambridge Primary opportunity will be students’ first experience with Cambridge AICE. This acceleration pathway continues through the middle school years with Cambridge Secondary in all CCPS middle schools and Cambridge AICE at all CCPS high schools. Cambridge Primary provides an approach and resources for content area instruction.
The Cambridge Primary approach places an emphasis on learner attributes – such as being a reflective and innovative learner. These traits allow students identified as gifted or advanced to reflect on a topic from multiple viewpoints to determine what this means within the scope of their learning.

7. Cambridge Primary Invitation
Who is invited to participate in ?
All rising 3rd, 4th and 5th grades students identified as gifted or high-achieving
Students were clustered for instruction this school year. This clustering assisted teachers by narrowing the range of the students they serve and assisted students in receiving targeted instruction based on their specific needs, including gifted and high achieving students.
For the school year, all rising 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students identified as gifted or high-achieving received an invitation to attend tonight’s Cambridge Primary information Night.
These students have the demonstrated the ability to engage successfully in grade level work and may find that participation in the Cambridge Primary cohort stretches their thinking and helps them develop into an even stronger student.

8. How can students participate in Cambridge Primary?
Parents may choose to sign a Cambridge Primary Letter of Commitment for their students to participate at the Cambridge Parent Night tonight
Cambridge Primary Letters of Commitment are due on or before Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Participation in Cambridge Primary is not automatic. Parents may choose to sign a letter of commitment to allow their child to participate in Cambridge Primary during the school year.
Cambridge Primary Letters of Commitment are due on or before Tuesday, April 4, 2017

9. Cambridge Primary and Assessments
What assessments will my student take?
Students will be instructed according to the Florida Standards
Teachers will follow enhanced District curriculum maps and pacing guides
Students will take the statewide assessments (e.g. Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) English Language Arts, mathematics and science) as designated by the State for their grade level
Students in Cambridge Primary will be instructed according to the Florida Standards. Cambridge Primary curriculum extensions will support these standards and extend students’ thinking as they become more analytical and innovative learners
Students will take the statewide assessments aligned to their grade level. These are the same assessments administered to other elementary school students

10. Cambridge Primary Teachers
Cambridge Primary Teachers are:
Identified by school principals
Currently gifted endorsed or willing to become endorsed
Eager to support the learning needs of gifted and high-achieving students
Knowledgeable regarding grade level standards and curricula
Eager to continue to grow as teachers and as learners
Cambridge Primary Teachers are:
Identified by school principals
Currently gifted endorsed or willing to become endorsed
Eager to support the learning needs of gifted and high-achieving students
Knowledgeable regarding grade level standards and curricula
Eager to continue to grow as teachers and as learners

11. Tell Me More. . .
Cambridge Primary is an enhancement of our current clustered model
Cambridge Primary is not a package or program
Cambridge Primary is an approach to cognitively complex instruction incorporating inquiry-based strategies and using currently adopted instructional resources
Cambridge Primary classrooms will follow the Florida Standards
Cambridge Primary students will participate in State and local assessments as other students do
Cambridge Primary teachers will receive professional learning support to implement strategies designed to enhance standard curriculum for students identified as gifted or high-achieving
Cambridge Primary is an enhancement of our current clustered model
Cambridge Primary is not a package or program
Cambridge Primary is an approach to cognitively complex instruction incorporating inquiry-based strategies and using currently adopted instructional resources
Cambridge Primary classrooms will follow the Florida Standards
Cambridge Primary students will participate in State and local assessments as other students do
Cambridge Primary teachers will receive professional learning support to implement strategies designed to enhance standard curriculum for students identified as gifted or high-achieving

12. Tell Me More. . . Cambridge Learner Attributes include being :
Responsible
Innovative
Confident
Engaged
Reflective
Cambridge Learner Attributes include being: Confident, Responsible, Reflective, Engaged, and Innovative

13. Tell Me More
Cambridge Primary students will benefit from feedback received from the successful Cambridge Secondary program
Study Skills System and Strategies (handout)
Summer assignment (more details to follow)
Cambridge Primary students will benefit from feedback received from the successful Cambridge Secondary program including a Summer assignment (more details to follow) and a focus on Study Skills System and Strategies (handout)
Cambridge Secondary teachers shared one of the biggest challenges experienced by Cambridge students was staying organized. They suggested beginning Cambridge Primary with a consistent, organizational system that could be used in grades 3-5 next year and to continue into the middle school program. A colored file folder system will assist students in keeping materials and resources organized for each content area.
In addition a common format for heading each paper – including their first and last name, the date and the subject area on the top right corner of the page will be used in all Cambridge classrooms.
Students typically spend about 10 minutes per grade level – for example 30 minutes at third grade doing homework each night. Setting a timer may help students stay organized.
The Claim, Evidence, Reasoning strategy will continue to be used in all content area classrooms. Cornell Notes may also be used. An example of Cornel Notes is provided on the back of this handout.

14. Cambridge Primary Parent Information Night
We look forward to hosting the Cambridge Primary program at our school next year, and to learning more about how Cambridge strategies and resources can enhance the great work we are doing as a team.