Author Archives: Carol Prigan

Summer Fair goes Virtual for 2010

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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.

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!)

January Meeting – Conversation With the Superintendent

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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.

(directions and maps)

November Meeting – Open Discussion

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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.

October Meeting – School Choice and Lottery

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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.)

(directions and maps)

Don’t miss O.A.G.C. Parent Day Sunday October 11

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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

First P.A.C.E. Meeting of the 2009-2010 School Year!

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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.

(directions and maps)

Budget Aftermath: Vigilance and Advocacy!

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sausage makingThe 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!)

April 2009 P.A.C.E. Meeting: Vision for the Future

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Come join us Monday April 27, 2009 – 6:00-7:30 p.m. We will have as guests Francie Nolan, and Toia Robinson. Our topic of discussion will be “Vision for the Future of Gifted and Talented Program at C.C.S.”

Join a Round table Conversation with Francie Nolan, Supervisor, Exceptional Children, Gifted and Talented Department. After many years building up the C.C.S. Gifted and Talented program, Francie plans to retire at the end of the summer. (She’ll leave things in capable hands!) Come hear Francie’s valedictory report and discuss a vision for the future of Gifted and Talented education in Columbus. Meet Toia Robinson, who will be the new Supervisor of the Gifted and Talented Department beginning August 3, 2009.

We will also elect officers for 2009-1010, take care of business items, and share breaking news. Child care will be available at this meeting.

Meetings are held at the Columbus Education Center, in the Board meeting room (downstairs) at 270 E. State Street.

Biennial Budget News from O.A.G.C.

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Here is an important message from Ann Sheldon, Ex. Director of O.A.G.C. It is time to get in touch with your legislator, and ask that these problems in the present proposals be corrected! Links on the OAGC Advocacy Alert page provide some points to help formulate your message.

As many of you are aware the governor’s education plan for gifted education, as currently presented, will have a devastating impact on gifted services across Ohio. While it is clear that the governor had good intentions for gifted children, the plan does not reflect what is needed in Ohio. Funding will be cut to less than half the current level and will not be tied to trained gifted staff. In addition, all identification funds will be eliminated as well as the Summer Honors Institutes and the Martin Essex program. Finally, the funding mechanism for PSEO is dismantled, and it remains unclear whether students will have open access to PSEO opportunities. Representative Dyer, Chairman of the House Finance Primary and Secondary Sub-committee and the education policy staff in Speaker Budish’s office are aware of the issue and seem willing to help fix the problem. However, until the bill language is actually changed, gifted education remains vulnerable. Odder things have unintentionally gone into law. It is time for gifted advocates to contact their own legislators (email is fine) and simply tell them that you are very concerned about what will happen to gifted services in your district under this plan. Please be polite, and please do not bash the governor. You may find your Ohio House representative by clicking here. If you would like further details about the plan, please go the OAGC Advocacy Alert page. A representative from the governor’s office will be meeting with the OAGC Governing Board on Monday. If anything interesting is shared at this meeting, another email will be sent out.

You also may view this message here.