The Shape of Gifted Ed Task Force has begun meeting. This is the group Dr. Gene Harris proposed when she met with us earlier this year. It is shaping up to be a serious commitment for those involved, … but our kids are certainly worth it!

I am impressed with the team of parents, educators, and staffers that has come together. We have already had some productive conversations. All manner of options may be considered, from conservative tweaks of current models to dreams and “moon shots.” There are plans to consider what is happening elsewhere nationally and perhaps even internationally as we seek best practices.

Currently a hot topic is Middle School math instruction – and middle years instruction in general. If you have any thoughts or experiences to share, P.A.C.E. officers are involved in the task force, and we’d welcome your sharing. (Some of you with children at key transition points may also receive surveys, as there has been discussion about seeking some systematic input from families involved in the moves from elementary to middle and middle to high schools.)

We have another good group of P.A.C.E. Officers for 2012-2013, chosen at the recent meeting. We have some new faces among the officers in specified posts, as well as some wonderful new people joining the all-important Steering Committee. Though not listed among the officers on the Contact Page, Steering people are the heart and soul of P.A.C.E. There are also roles in Steering for those who prefer to work behind then scenes, as well as standing up in front of the crowd. If you look at the Membership Forms, you’ll see some of those things – and then there is always “Other!”

2012-2013 Officers:

• Scott Prigan, President
• Cathy Fagan, Vice President
• Valerie Dahlberg, Secretary
• Natali Fausey, Treasurer (also Membership Coordinator)

We are all looking forward to working with the rest of the Steering leaders for a great 2012-2013!

All Members welcome – especially Steering Committee or those interested in Steering

Mon 14 May 2012 — 07:00 PM – 08:30 PM

Northside Branch Columbus Metropolitan Library
1423 N. High Street (N of King)
Please note: map on CML website is deceptive!
Is on W side of High St at McMillen Ave. – S of 8th Ave. !!!
See this map!
There is plenty of free parking at this relatively new branch library!

P.A.C.E. Steering/General Meeting – elections for 2012-2013 and planning to plan

As several key people were unable to attend our April 23 General Meeting, we moved elections for 2012-2013 to this meeting. I have kept with the Monday May 14 date that seemed good for many. To do so I had to book it at the Northside Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

At this meeting all present year and coming year members will vote to choose next year’s leaders. We will all have a chance to get better acquainted. We will also discuss some possibilities for next year’s programming, as well as scheduling when and how to develop these ideas further. (While I anticipate the meeting will be shorter than 90 minutes, I have scheduled the room until 8:30 p.m. so no one may feel rushed.)

If you are open to considering an office, but for some reason just can’t make it on this occasion, please communicate that to me as soon as possible. Please do likewise if you have some good programming ideas that you’d like to get the rest of us thinking about in advance of your being able to provide more details at a subsequent planning meeting.

If you are not yet a member in 2011-2012, you may join (for 2012-2013!) by completing a form and bringing it with you. These may be found on the
web site at: https://www.columbuspace.org/join-pace

I hope to see You then!

If you can think of someone else whom you think might be a good contributor to steering next year, please encourage them to join us!

Scott Prigan

Here is a letter from Toia Robinson, Supervisor of Exceptional Children, concerning our planned meeting WEDNESDAY March 14, at 6:30 p.m. Please join us.

Parent Letter Toia Robinson 03-05-2012

UPDATE: To accommodate special guests we will need to change this meeting to WEDNESDAY March 14, at 6:30 p.m. We are also changing the location to the Columbus Downtown High School, 364 South 4th Street – room 100. (MAP)

We will have knowledgeable guests, including:

• Toia Robinson, Supervisor of Exceptional Children
• Dr. Gene Harris, Superintendent of Columbus City Schools

Child care will be available.

This meeting will replace the P.A.C.E. meeting previously scheduled for Monday March 12. There will not be a meeting on Monday: please spread the word on that change!

Many of you by now may have seen an article in the Columbus Dispatch – or heard through the grapevine – about some changes in Columbus City Schools involving (among others) gifted teachers. The article in the Dispatch seemed to cause confusion more than answer questions.

The officers of P.A.C.E. share your concern over any potential changes to our children’s programs. We want to know the facts, and gain assurance that everyone is doing the best they can for our gifted students, and all students in C.C.S.

Our contacts at the district have been able to provide information to answer many questions, and raise a few more. We are seeking to bring someone knowledgeable to our March 12 meeting to answer our remaining questions, as well as any others you may have. We have every reason to believe that administrators from the gifted program (and C.C.S. in general) are working in good faith, and we look forward to a constructive dialogue.

We hope to soon be able to confirm who will be our guest(s) at our P.A.C.E. meeting Monday March 12, 2012 – 6:30-8:00 p.m. (Please note that we may need to defer all or part of our planned topic of “Enrichment Options Beyond The District’s Offerings” to April.)

We are gratified to see that so many of you are interested in issues relating to gifted and talented education in the Columbus City Schools. We hope you will continue to be involved even more actively with P.A.C.E. The active involvement of as many of us as possible matters. Remember, P.A.C.E. is a Volunteer Parent Group … Though independent of school district, we have been able to work with the Columbus City Schools on behalf of our beloved children. The more of us who actively involved, the better this cooperation works. (Likewise for advocacy with the state, etc.)

We hope you will join us Monday March 12, as well as many times thereafter!

As some of you may have noted from our conversation with Dr. Gene Harris, Columbus City Schools is seeking parents of gifted students to become a part of a small group initiative involved in formulating ideas to better serve gifted students in our district while maintaining the integrity of ODE mandates. We may even decide that we need to give ODE feedback to better shape the mandates to reflect optimal practices for gifted education.

We have had numerous volunteers for this new group, but still need some more to ensure wide representation from additional areas of the city. If you were previously a member of other task forces, such as Innovative Schools or the International High School group, you have an idea that this will entail some significant commitment.

If you are interested, please get in touch and we’ll pass your info along to the people seeking to assemble this team.

Scott

February 2012 Meeting: Pizza With P.A.C.E.

Please join us for our February meeting:
Monday February 13, 2012 – 6:30-8:00 p.m.
at the Shepard Center, 873 Walcutt Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219 (MAPS)

We will have a party while we discuss what is happening in our students’ lives, and how we can make it all the better for them as well as all. Enjoy sharing some time with other parents and families of gifted students. You are not alone in this difficult and wonderful journey!

We will start off with a brief presentation about one of the academic options offered to Colum-
bus City Schools students: a Robotics Program coordinated by Liz Johnson, one of our middle school Gifted Specialists.

The First Lego League Robotics team from Dominion M.S. is made up entirely of identified students. This team have been selected as a FLL Ambassador Team and will be attending the state level tournament on February 4-5. Come share some of their excitement.

After that, you may want to discuss other Academic Options. There are many other opportunities offered throughout the district. Hopefully the variety of options makes it likely that there’s something for everyone.

We will have child care at this meeting. Please have your child bring a favorite book or game – or homework.

We are a community of parents, grandparents, guardians and families working to help gifted children shine. We know the frustrations, the joys and the intensity of raising a gifted child and we support all those who are on this difficult and wonderful journey.

Latest Flyer is available on the Resources page, in case you want to share with a friend!

For those who wish to explore options for middle and elementary schools, remember the Middle and Elementary School Fair will be held at Arts Impact Middle School, 680 Jack Gibbs Blvd., 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday February 1, 2012.

–> C.C.S. Choice web site.

For those who have a child entering high school next year, don’t miss the High School Choice Fair at Eastmoor Academy, 417 S. Weyant Ave., 6 -7:30 p.m.

–> C.C.S. Choice web site.