Welcome Parents and Students to the Middle School and High School Gifted Transition Meeting

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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 DAmico - Middle School Teacher of the
  Gifted
• Mrs. Sallie Bookman - Facilitator of High School
  Gifted

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Middle School Overview
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Mrs. DAmicos 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

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

• The Back to School letter usually contains
• Greeting letter
• Gifted Guidelines
• Copies of class schedules for both semesters
• Discover class offerings from Mrs. DAmico and
  other teachers within each school
• Sign-up sheet
• Parent GIEP input form

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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. DAmico 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.

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• 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. DAmico and your classroom
  teachers know if you have are having trouble
  balancing the workload, and we will do our best
  to help you. Mrs. DAmico will also be checking
  on your grades, talking with your classroom
  teachers, and discussing any concerns with you.
• Please talk to Mrs. DAmico and your classroom
  teachers if you feel you need an exception to one
  of the above!
• 08/11

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GIEP

• GIEPs are written during September and October
  with input from parents, teachers and the student.

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Math Acceleration

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

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Activities

• Field Trips as a small group and with the high
  school gifted students
• Speakers
• Competitions within Discover and in school clubs
• Lunch Bunch
• Career Exploration

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Mrs. DAmicos Contact Information

• Email amy.damico_at_pennmanor.net
• Phone Marticville 284.4135 ext. 3397
• Manor 872.9510 ext. 3109

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High School Overview
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Mrs. Bookmans 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

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Discussion Items

• Scheduling
• Clubs
• Academic opportunities
• Volunteerism

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Discussion continued

• Field Trips
• Local Colleges
• Millersville University
• Franklin Marshall
• Susquehanna University
• Seton Hill University
• University of Pennsylvania

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Mrs. Bookmans Contact Information

• Email sallie.bookman_at_pennmanor.net
• Phone PMHS 872.9520 ext. 1204