How to Succeed in the College Admissions Game

Please join us Monday March 8, 2010 – 6:00-7:30 p.m. as we consider college admissions. Special Guest Dave Dobos, a former member of the C.C.S. School Board, is currently president of Sheridan WorldWise, a company that provides academic materials and services. Dave is also a regional interviewer for prospective M.I.T. students, and knows the inside workings of college admission at highly competitive schools.

Dave will present information on college admissions that should be helpful in applying to any institution of higher learning: from Columbus State Community College to the Ivy League – or even THE Ohio State University.

This topic should be of interest to families with students at any level: High School, Middle School, and (yes!) Elementary School levels. There are things we can do at all levels to guide our students on a path where they will have the greatest number of choices and opportunities. Don’t miss this meeting!

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Understanding the Ohio Core

Please join us Monday February 8, 2010 – 6:00-7:30 p.m. as we take a look at curriculum and scheduling in light of the “Ohio Core.”

How do the new “Ohio Core” requirements affect curriculum and scheduling not only for our High School students, but for Middle and Elementary students as well?

Come and join us for a wide-ranging discussion on curriculum, with the requirements of Ohio Core as the starting point. We will discuss the impact of Ohio Core on our students today and in coming years. This topic should be of interest to families with younger students, as “Core” requirements shape curriculum in the Middle and Elementary years.

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Summer Fair goes Virtual!

Sadly, we are unable to have the Summer Opportunities Fair as a “Big Event” at Franklin Park this year. We have encountered two difficulties, either one of which alone could have killed the event. First, we have had a hard time recruiting all the volunteers to pull off such a major undertaking. Then we found that in the present economic environment past sponsors were reluctant to provide funding.

But, fear not! For out of adversity comes opportunity! The Summer Opportunities Fair has been transmuted into the

P.A.C.E. Virtual Summer Opportunities Fair.

If you need help with summer, you are in luck. Just visit: summer.ColumbusPACE.org.

Hopefully this resource will provide an ongoing listing of summer opportunities, with “Exhibitors” having the opportunity to continually update their information. Please be sure to check on it as it develops. (You will be able to follow developments via RSS or email subscription, in addition to visiting the site!)

Summer Opportunites Fair 2010 may go to a virtual fair and / or published booklet only.

Dear Friends and Exhibitors:

It looks as if we are not going to hold a live summer opportunities fair this year, due to difficulty obtaining all the volunteers necessary to pull off this massive undertaking.

Still, we are likely to run an online database and publish a booklet. At the minimum, this may be merely a booklet downloadable and printable by site visitors. The expanded option would allow us to print and distribute a booklet through Columbus City Schools (and perhaps even libraries). The expanded option would depend upon funding via corporate sponsorship and/or a nominal charge/contributions/contributions to/from participants.

We will try to inform past and potential exhibitors of our plans via email. Still I recommend that potential exhibitors remember to check the web site for updates.

Regards,

Scott

Please join us Monday January 11, 2010 – 6:00-7:30 p.m. as we have a Conversation With the Superintendent.

Dr. Gene Harris, Superintendent of Columbus City Schools, will be with us to share the latest news concerning the district, and particularly Gifted and Talented concerns.

Enjoy sharing some time with Dr. Harris to learn her perspective on C.C.S. developments, to ask questions, and to advise her of your interests and concerns. Please bring your thoughtful questions to make the most of this time with Dr. Harris. (If you would like to send questions in advance, please send them to P.A.C.E. president – see contacts.)

Child care will be available at this meeting.

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Join us Monday November 9, 2009 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.
We will have an Open Discussion

Let’s take advantage of this month’s open schedule to share what is happening in our schools and with our children. Learn from each other how to best fulfill our common mission of raising our gifted and talented kids to be happy and growing. Bring any and all observations and questions.

Everything you ever wanted to know about School choice and the Lottery, but were afraid to ask …

Come to October 2009 P.A.C.E. Meeting, Monday October 12, 2009 – 6:00-7:30 p.m.

We will have as guests Carolyn Roman, Supervisor for School Choice/Lottery and Pupil Services; and Lisa Liedtke, ECLIPSE Coordinator for information and a wide ranging discussion on School Choice and the Lottery. Learn about:

• How to negotiate the lottery / choice process: not only the nuts and bolts of the lottery, but also many helpful strategies and techniques for before you fill out any forms!
• Determining unique aspects of High and Middle Schools so as to be able to make an informed choice, and not just follow the “herd.” Be able to feel confident in your choices and schools.
• Should I consider E.C.L.I.P.S.E. for 4th-5th grade? (What IS E.C.L.I.P.S.E.! Come and find out.)

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In addition to our October P.A.C.E. Meeting, this is a month of opportunity!

Don’t miss O.A.G.C. Parent Day, Sunday October 11, 2009, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Hilton at Easton. (Registration starts at 2:30.)

For only $5 parents and guardians (and teachers!) can learn and share:

• Keynote Speaker James Delisle on “Parenting Gifted Kids: Top 10 Strategies for Raising a Happy and Successful Gifted Child”
• Ohio Department of Education Parent Module Educational Sessions
• Open Parent Division Meeting, Discussion Time, etc. with other parents!

Flyer available on the O.A.G.C. Parent Division Homepage

Come and join us Monday September 14, 2009, from 6:00-7:30 p.m., for the first P.A.C.E. meeting of the 2009-2010 school year!

We will have the new Supervisor for Exceptional Children from the C.C.S. Gifted and Talented Program, Toia Robinson, and several other representatives from the C.C.S. Gifted and Talented staff with us for an
Overview of Gifted & Talented Programs in Columbus City Schools.

Whatever level your students may be, from Pre-K through High School, we will have useful information and helpful people with whom to speak — other parents as well as our staff guests.

Child care will be available at this meeting.

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The 2010-2011 Budget is done, and now we have to live with it. Given the tenuous nature of the economy and state revenues, we’d best keep our eyes and ears open for any additional developments, and be ready to jump in with advocacy should more programs be threatened.

Stay tuned to O.A.G.C.’s resources for Ann Sheldon’s Advocacy Alerts, and other resources. Visit the O.A.G.C. Advocacy page where you can sign up for email alerts. There are also other resources and LISTSERVs (mailing lists).

(Since the budget process is so much like sausage-making, I’ll leave the graphic!)