The Columbus Parents for Academic Challenge and Enrichment (P.A.C.E.) volunteer group is hosting an Enrichment Fair Monday, April 11th, 6-8pm at the Downtown High School in Columbus.  Parents, guardians, and families of children within the Columbus City Schools are welcome to participate. The event will highlight the gifted and talented programs within the district along with offerings of summer program opportunities.  Come see what the Columbus City Schools is doing to service the gifted and talented students.  P.A.C.E. is excited to work with such a marvelous staff dedicated to supporting gifted and talented students throughout the district.  For more information contact Debra White-Johnson, PACE Treasurer at // .

This fair complements the ongoing P.A.C.E. Virtual Summer Opportunities Fair while focusing more on specific C.C.S. district programs and opportunities.

The Virtual Summer Opportunities Fair continues to feature additions and updates year round – though most are posted in a timely manner for the upcoming camp season.
http://summer.columbuspace.org/

This year we also have a 2011 Enrichment Fair, planned for Monday, April 11th, 6-8pm at the Downtown High School in Columbus!

Columbus City Schools – Credit Flexibility info:

• http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/website.nsf/(ccs_pages)/Credit_Flexibility ?opendocument?OpenForm&parented=yes
  … OR …
  http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/website.nsf/PlainContent/Credit_Flexibility ?opendocument



Documents of interest may be found here:

• Program Overview and Application
• FAQ: Questions & Answers
• CCS Course Descriptions
• Columbus Virtual HS (a different program)

The CCS Career & Community Resource Coordinator is Karmen L. McCaslin at kmccasli@columbus.k12.oh.us or call 365-6599, ext. 221. (located at the Northgate Center)

Ohio Department of Education

• Ohio’s Credit Flexibility Plan
  http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1427&ContentID=61432
• Academic Content Standards (referenced in C.C.S. Application)
  http://education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1696&Content
• Credit Flexibility Case Studies
  http://www.education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1864&ContentID=82748

Some Other Resources

• Learning|Connective – Implementation Resources for Credit Flexibility
  http://learningconnective.org/ohio-credit-flexibility/implementation-resources/
  “Learning|Connective is a 501-3-c non-profit corporation dedicated to improving education by supporting initiatives that advance the capacity of schools to provide individualized instruction and support based on the unique needs, goals and talents of each student.” (Eric Calvert is former O.D.E. Resource person.)
• Ohio Credit Flexibility Community of Practice (CoP)
  http://www.sharedwork.org/community/16798
• National Health Education Standards
  http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/SHER/standards/index.htm
  also note: http://www.ohiohealthstandards.com/ (Ohio yet to adopt national standards!)

Some Credit Flexibility Programs:

• Art & Environment at the Wexner Center for the Arts
  http://artenvironmentfall11.wordpress.com/
  Questions? Contact Shelly Casto at 614.688.3986 or scasto@wexarts.org
• BalletMet
  http://www.balletmet.org/programs.php
  … “The High School Dance Curriculum programs are designed to correspond with the Academic Content Standards of grades 9-12 for Dance and Physical Education and are appropriate for recognition for the Credit Flexibility Plan, to meet the required two semesters of Fine Arts, Physical Education requirements and Elective credits.”

• 1:00 Registration
• 1-1:45 Ask the Experts — Part 1
• 1:45 Welcome/Announcements
• 2:00 Keynote Speaker: James Webb, PhD
  “Helping Parents Guide to Gifted Children”
• 3:15 Choices of Small Session Topics
• 5:30 Ask the Experts — Part 2
• 6:45 Parent Day Wrap-Up
• 7-9 p.m. Conference Bonus Session : Budget And Advocacy Discussion
  with Ann Sheldon, O.A.G.C. Director

Keynote Speaker: James Webb, PhD, ABPP-CL, author of Helping Parents: Guide to Gifted Children is a licensed psychologist nationally recognized in the area of gifted education. He remains as Director Emeritus of the SENG Board of Directors and continues to consult about social and emotional issues of gifted and talented children.

location: Columbus Hilton at Easton, 3900 Chagrin Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219

for more info – look for Parent Day on http://www.oagc.com/?q=parent

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.

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!)

Here are links to some items:

The O.A.G.C. Parent Handbook, pp. 18-19 has for “Suggestions for Parent/Teacher Conferences” adapted from Dr. Joan Franklin Smutny’s Stand Up for Your Gifted Child. The Handbook may be found on the OAGC Parent Division Homepage. (look for “OAGC Parent Handbook” PDF.)

There is also a page on Tips for Successful Interaction with School Personnel (PDF) from the O.A.G.C., courtesy of Ohio Parent Mentors. This is on the Parent Day Handouts page.

For a lengthier article by Dr. Joan Franklin Smutny (from N.A.C.G. website), see Communicating Effectively with your Gifted Child’s School (PDF). This is also linked (with other resources) from the Parent Day Handouts page.

Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page has a resource if you are puzzled by some of the specialized jargon and acronymns: Acronyms, Terms, and other things we need to know.

Another article, How Parents Can Be Advocates for Their Children, is among many that may be found on the Reading Rockets web site. Though targeted to families of children with learning disabilities, it contains helpful information for families with children who are special in another ways – including gifted or twice exceptional.

It’s all about getting financial assistance, and negotiating the paperwork to do so – including the dreaded Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Registrations are due February 6, so check it out now if you are interested.

WHAT: College Goal Sunday will be held at 40 locations across Ohio to assist students and families with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).


There are billions of dollars available; however, filling out the FAFSA is the only way students get grant money from the federal and state government to pay for higher education. College Goal Sunday was designed to ease the intimidation often felt by students and families about the FAFSA process.


During these sessions volunteers provide free financial aid expertise to families overwhelmed with the rising cost of higher education. Guidance counselors and financial aid administrators are available to guide parents through the form, fill in tax and income information and navigate tricky situations. Last year more than 3,100 Ohioans took advantage of College Goal Sunday.


In support of College Goal Sunday’s efforts to help give every Ohio high school graduate an equal opportunity to go to college, Governor Ted Strickland has declared February 2009 Financial Aid Awareness Month again this year.


College Goal Sunday is sponsored by the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (OASFAA) through investments from the Lumina Foundation for Education, the Ohio College Access Network (OCAN), and Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corp.

There is an organization called the Ohio College Access Network (OCAN), whose mission is “helping Ohio residents pursue postsecondary education.” See their site for links to College Access/Scholarship Programs, and more.

OCAN also sponsors an interactive web site targeted primarily to students (and families) from Middle School through High School, www.KnowHow2GoOhio.org. (There is a national affiliate, www.knowhow2go.org.)

Just the Facts: