Powerpoint slides from Fall TAG parent meeting

Here's a recap of Tuesday's very productive meeting. Thanks for attending despite the debate & Yankees game! And I hope this will be useful to those of you who couldn't make it:

33 parents attended. Ms. VanDerWolf walked the group through TAG identification, classroom techniques used in PPS to address rate & level of learning, and district resources.  Click here to see the presentation . This year, Alameda TAG professional development will focus on higher-level questioning in the classroom. Mr. Lurie pointed out that PPS TAG is very different from the 'pull-out' MGM, GATE or other programs many of us may have participated in as kids. TAG addresses students' need for an appropriate rate & level of instruction in the classroom.

After her presentation, 5th grade teacher Kiya Masunaga walked us through some real-classroom examples of the TAG teaching techniques used at Alameda. This was very useful; I hope to have those slides available soon.

OATAG board member Brenda Ray Scott recapped the TAG 101 meeting and shared how Llewellyn School uses the TAG budget to schedule free late-start classes on everything from graphic novels to the 2012 election. Although administrators have final say on the TAG budget, the group shared ideas and a desire to use more of the budget going forward. Alameda & PPS are currently working on this issue. Here is information on the percentage of TAG budgets spent at all PPS schools last fiscal year.

During Q&A, many parents asked for information about the new Bridges math curriculum. Some parents said they find it is richer and more hands-on, but point out that it is still primarily grade level work. The group talked over possibilities for supplementing math (and other) curricula. Parents expressed interest in reviving Challenge Math or adding more math enrichment options. Virginia LaForte has been working with Saturday Academy, which has a new math program. Please contact Virginia if you are interested in helping to set this up.

Mr. Lurie emphasized that it is important to contact your child's teacher, him, or Ms. VanDerWolf if you feel his or her rate/level are not being met in the classroom. Some parents said their experiences in asking for more advanced work have been inconsistent; they don't feel all teachers always have the time for or interest in this. Another parent shared a positive recent experience with crafting an individual TAG plan. Mr. Lurie stressed that parents are always free to request a conference and/or an individual TAG plan to make sure children are learning at an appropriate rate & level. The first point of contact is your child's teacher, and Ms. VanDerWolf and Mr. Lurie can help with the process.

I'll add more detail soon, but wanted to answer some of the many questions I've gotten via email since the meeting! I've added some more links at right -  check out the Amazon TAG book list curated by OATAG. There are books on school, social & emotional issues.

Info. promised during last night's meeting

Thanks so much to those of you who attended last night's TAG meeting. We had a strong turnout and a productive discussion on identification, classroom differentiation, issues with the Bridges math curriculum, the TAG budget, individual TAG plans and more. I'll post a full recap of the meeting, with slides, as soon as possible.

In the meantime - please contact Virginia LaForte (vlaforte@me.com) if you are interested in attending or helping set up the Saturday Academy late-start a.m. math enrichment classes we discussed at length last night. It sounds like there is plenty of interest.

Please take the confidential Alameda TAG Survey by Oct. 22 so that we can share your feedback with the school and district.

As OATAG board member Brenda Ray Scott mentioned during her presentation, the Ore. Association for TAG conference is this weekend at Century High in Hillsboro. Click here for more info. The theme is "Learning from our Children." This is a fine opportunity to learn more about talented & gifted news and connect with experts, educators and parents from around the state.

More soon...

TAG meeting tomorrow night!

Please attend the Alameda TAG parent meeting this Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 6:30p. in the cafeteria. Alameda teacher Kiya Masunaga, who will be closely involved in TAG professional development this year, will explain classroom differentiation and there will be plenty of time to ask questions.

Also, I've invited Brenda Ray Scott, chair of the TAG parent advisory council, to update the group on districtwide TAG news.

Hope to see you there! Questions? Please email me at amasondoan@gmail.com.

Alameda TAG Budget

Hi all,

Here are the Alameda school TAG budgets, past and projected for this school year:

2012-13
2011-12
2010-11
2009-10
2008-09

Last year, 86 percent of the money ($2,127) was returned to the PPS general fund because it wasn't spent.
The year before, 56 percent was returned.
(The 'remaining budget percent' on the right shows what was forfeited after 6/30 each year.)

This year, the TAG budget is $2,504. Any ideas on where you'd like the money to go? Challenge Math? Deeper TAG professional development for teachers? Small ability-based groups to help ease the pressure of large classes? Administrators have final say on the budget, but your ideas are important.

If you would like to share input on where the money can be spent in the future please email Pam and Raddy and also attend the meeting Tues. at 6:30p. in the cafeteria - thanks!

Alameda TAG meeting and TAG budget

Here's the latest - 

-Alameda's fall TAG meeting is set for next Tues., Oct. 16 at 6:30p. in the cafeteria. We lobbied for a change in time due to the presidential debate, but unfortunately it's too late to change our meeting time.
But please set your DVR and attend if at all possible! It is so important to show PPS that TAG services are a priority. Alameda's TAG Coordinator will walk through examples of classroom differentiation and explain terms like "curriculum compacting," there will be plenty of time for Q&A, and we'll have a discussion on possible late-start classes. Here's an example of how another elementary school is using its TAG budget + group rates to schedule classes. These do not substitute for day-to-day classroom TAG services.

-Did you know there IS an Alameda TAG budget? Many parents do not.
It's modest - roughly $2,000/year a little more than $2,400 a year - but some PPS schools use the funds and/or parent volunteers to schedule additional learning opportunities. Testing is paid for out of a separate budget.
Two parents have negotiated great rates with Saturday Academy and we're working on scheduling some late-start morning enrichment this year.

I recently learned that some 86 percent of the Alameda TAG budget did not get used last school year so it was 'forfeited.' The previous year, 56 percent was unused. Unfortunately, it cannot be carried over to this year. And this year, much of the budget will be earmarked to pay a second TAG coordinator to handle administrative tasks. But the good news is we still have a small sum set aside for student enrichment.

I'm sure we can all think of 100 places to put every $1,  but one thing we can probably agree on is that we should use the budget strategically, transparently and completely. Please come to the meeting, fill out the survey and share your opinion on how the TAG budget should be used - thanks!

- Thanks to the parent who sent me a link to this article from Education.com: "Gifted Programs: Luxuries or Necessities."  It's good reading if you've ever struggled to explain the need for TAG services.
The fact is that rapid learners often share some distinct needs. Repeating lessons that they have mastered long ago can sap their enthusiasm for school, so a PPS teacher well-versed in TAG teaching techniques uses skills to keep kids engaged at the proper rate and level of learning. This is required under the Oregon TAG Mandate.
Although TAG can be a sensitive and divisive issue, and confidentiality is important, I'm a strong believer that sharing information can help. (What do you think? Feel free to comment below.)

Have a good week and I'll see you next Tues.!

Oregon TAG Task Force Report

-The state dept. of Education's TAG task force just released this report. It's called "The Quiet Crisis" and presents a strong case for a new, statewide plan to provide consistent TAG services.

TAG Nomination Deadline is Nov. 26

- This year's deadline for TAG nominations is November 26, 2012. Click on this page for copies of the Identification Process Form (nomination form), the testing schedule and other info.

- The Alameda Fall TAG Parent Meeting is October 16, 2012 in the Alameda cafeteria from 6:30-7:30 PM. Learn about the 2012-13 Alameda TAG plan and ask Mr. Lurie and Ms. VanDerWolf questions. (Note - We inquired about the overlap with the town hall presidential debate, but unfortunately it is too late to tweak the time of the meeting. Please get those DVRs set and join us to get your TAG questions answered!)

- Now that you've completed the District TAG Survey (many thanks!), please spend a few minutes on a parent survey about TAG at Alameda.  Please fill it out by Oct. 15. Your answers will help shape talented & gifted student services at Alameda, and I'll use your feedback as I work with the PPS TAG Parent Advisory Council this year.

- Check out a recent NY Times Editorial on gifted education in the U.S.

- The Oregon Education Investment Board will have a community forum where you can share your priorities for education funding. It's

Thursday, October 18
Marshall High School Auditorium
3905 91st Avenue, Portland, OR 97266
6-8:00 p.m.


Anyone wishing to speak must sign in beginning at 5:30 p.m. Each speaker will be given two minutes. Public comments may also be emailed to: Education.Investment@state.or.us

- Questions?  Please email me at amasondoan@gmail.com. Thanks!
Amy Mason
PPS TAG Parent Advisory Council Rep