Alameda family science night signups

Family science nights are next Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for all students! Thanks to the Alameda volunteers who work so hard to set these up to nurture a love of science in our kids. The nights are FREE and the theme this time is Earthquakes and Buildings. Families can choose one night to attend.

Here's the signup link.

TAG Meeting Materials & Overview

Here are some of the slides and handouts from Wednesday's meeting -

Overview of TAG

TAG terms

Building TAG plan

Questions to ask your child's teacher

Help with Bridges 1 Math Curriculum/Homework

Bridges and students who need challenge problems/extensions

Bridges 2, written for Common Core

TAGAC flyer from Virginia and Amy


Here are the main takeaways - TAG nomination forms, or IDPFs (identification process forms), are due Nov. 15 at the latest (earlier is better - talk to your child's teacher about nomination NOTE - PPS' TAG site gives an IDPF 'deadline' of the 4th Monday of November, but Alameda requires families to get these forms in by 11/15 to allow enough time for teachers to collect work samples - thanks!!).

Mr. Lurie repeatedly stressed that you should feel comfortable approaching your child's teacher if you feel his/her learning needs are not being met, if you feel students are not being challenged, or if you have concerns about homework. That is part of their job and they are trained to differentiate so that students are learning at the proper rate and level. This includes students who have surpassed benchmarks. When you request an individual TAG plan, teachers have 30 days to craft one with your input. Here's that link again.

If you can't resolve the issue with your child's classroom teacher, or you feel your concerns are not being addressed soon enough, he wants to help. Contact him, Ms. Van Der Wolf or Ms. Caton for next steps.

We had lots of good questions about everything from homework extensions to last year's after-school math class to possible Saturday Academy enrichment from the district's new "menu of options" for TAG funds. Under the new system, PPS approves use of the funds and schools must make a plan by Oct. 30. This year, Alameda's TAG funds will mainly go to pay for TAG Coordinator professional development (= teacher training). Mr. Lurie offered to set aside $500 to match our efforts to set up advanced enrichment with additional fundraising/volunteers. It would most likely have to take place during late starts, because we don't have the physical space to do pullouts at this point. Mr. Lurie and Ms. Van Der Wolf have also budgeted some TAG $ so that nominated & TAG-identified students can get scholarships for the Oregon Writing Festival.

Fall TAG meeting

Thanks to those of you who attended the school TAG meeting on Wed. night! Mr. Lurie, Ms. Van Der Wolf and Ms. Caton presented and answered a lot of parent questions about identification, individual TAG plans, enrichment classes and more.

Ms. Van Der Wolf has given me digital copies of the presentations and handouts and I'll get them on this site by next week. I'll also post a brief summary of the Q&A.

If you are not already on the Alameda TAG email list and didn't sign up Wed., please email Virginia at virginialaforte@me.com . All the emails will be bcc:d because we know many of you have privacy concerns. Thanks!

Reminder - school TAG meeting is Wed., 10/16 at 6p.!

Alameda Fall TAG meeting for current/prospective parents of TAG students

Wed., Oct. 16
Time - 6:00-7:00 PM
Where - Alameda library

The meeting will cover nomination & testing and Alameda's building TAG plan. 

Virginia and Amy will pass out some information and we'll have a bcc: email opt-in list. We hope to get some more communication going so that parents can share advice, set up playdates, etc.


Hope to see you there!

PPS TAG website

TAGAC has started updating and reorganizing the PPS TAG website at
http://www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/tag/

Look for many more changes!

The new TAGAC section of the site outlines the group's priorities -
http://www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/tag/9090.htm

Even if you can't attend the evening council meetings, the group would welcome your help on one of four committees. I'll continue to post highlights on our Alameda blog, but please check the TAGAC page for updates and more details. Thanks!

TAGAC meeting Tues. at 6:30p

Please spread the word! Virginia La Forte and Amy Mason Doan are working with TAGAC this year but ANYONE can attend these meetings. We still need more members advocating for middle and high school students. Thanks.

Please accept my invitation - on behalf of the Portland Public Schools TAG Advisory Council (TAGAC) - for the Council's next meeting happening on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 from 6:30-8:00 PM at the District Administration Building, 501 N. Dixon St., 97227. We meet on the second floor in the Mazama Room. (First meeting room on the left after going through the cafeteria.)

Among the topics we will be discussing are:

1. Call for heads of Curriculum and Equity Committees (Mark Feldman, Council Chair)
2. Differentiation Committee discussion on definitions of types of TAG
Services (approx 45 min) (Terese Bushnell)
3. Communication Committee discussion of planning document (Brenda Ray Scott)

We will also hear from the District's Director of Instruction, Curriculum, and Assessment Dr. Kimberly Matier and Council Chair Mark Feldman on various TAG matters.

Let me know if you'd like more information about this Council's role. Thank you! Brenda Ray Scott, adept_diva@hotmail.com