At the February 2009 P.A.C.E. Meeting we discussed some resources for how one might make the most of Parent Teacher Conferences for families with students of any age and level.

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.

From OCAN and www.KnowHow2GoOhio.org (see earlier post), there will be a special event Feruary 8, 2009: College Goal Sunday.

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.

The 2009 C.C.S. school choice (lottery) information and dates are now posted on the C.C.S. website. Look directly at the School Choice Office. Dates and deadlines may be found there.

Just the Facts:

Information about 2009 Ohio Summer Honor Institutes a and Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted is posted on the Ohio Department of Education website, under Programs for Gifted Children.

These are terrific opportunities for students who are currently in 9th and 10th grade (Institutes), or 11th (Essex), to spend time on college campuses this summer attending programs designed specifically for those identified as gifted and talented. There is a wide variety of subject matter and locations around the state. I urge you to check them out! Some popular courses do fill quickly.

Applications for the 2009 Summer Honors Institutes will be available on January 9, 2009 and are due on April 10, 2009. (Lists of courses available should be available, probably accessible from the link above.)

It can be difficult to find things on the ODE web site. Here is another link to a FAQ about the Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted and the Summer Honors Institutes.