Great Academics for Pearland

(formerly Gifted Advocacy for Pearland)

Building a Bridge to Excellence!


 

[Under Construction]

GAP - Meeting Minutes

Meeting  Date: 9/28/04

Meeting Location: ESC Annex -- Conf. Room D

 

6:20 PM -- Officers Meeting called to order by Suzy Roberts.

In attendance: Suzy Roberts, Ellen Shohet, Jeff Jeffress, Joe Oster, and Susan Spates.

 

?         Officers will meet starting at 6:15-6:30 PM on the nights of the regular membership meetings to address any Board business and prepare for the general meetings.

?         Suzy noted that each Officer should create and keep a notebook to document their activities in GAP and to pass on to future officers for continuity.  Notebook should contain the following standard items -- copy of GAP By-Laws, Current GAP member list, Info on TAGT, Schedule of planned meeting dates and upcoming functions.  In addition it should contain all notes and correspondence necessary to provide continuity of GAP as an organization.

?         Joe to work on a reimbursement voucher that can be used to document reasons for disbursing GAP monies.

?          Suzy reviewed her proposed agenda and asked for input from officers.  No changes recommended.

 

General Membership Meeting -- Called to order at 7:00 PM by Suzy Roberts, President.

 

?         Short welcome from Suzy followed by a pledge to the flag.

?         Suzy read inspirational quote:

?         “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open mind”

?         Suzy discussed GAP membership drive and encouraged everyone in attendance to join and to reach out to parents of other gifted children so that GAP can achieve the critical mass it needs to effect policy changes.  The membership fee is $10.00 annually.

?         Suzy introduced the new officers by name and title:

?         Suzy Roberts, President

?         Jeff Jeffress, Vice President

?         Dr. Richard Steins, Treasurer

?         Ellen Shohet, Publicity & Communications

?         Joe Oster, Secretary

?         Suzy read the GAP Mission Statement -- The mission of Gifted Advocacy for Pearland, GAP, is to “promote awareness of the unique social, emotional, and intellectual needs of gifted and talented students and to impact the development of appropriate services to meet these needs.”

?         Note - Joe to update mission statement on GAP sign-in sheet.

?         Went around room for attendee introduction.  Fourteen campuses represented:

?         Challenger - 2

?         Jamison - 2

?         Shady crest - 5

?         Silver lake - 5

?         Lawhorn - 1

?         9th Grade Center - 4

?         P.H.S. - 1 [not GT]

?         Silvercrest - 11

?         Carleston - 1

?         Rustic Oaks - 3

?         PJH South - 1

?         PJH West - 2

?         Rogers - 3

?         CJ Harris - 1

?         Treasurer’s Report - read by Suzy Roberts -- Balance of $893.65

?         Answer question -- Why does GAP exist?  GAP exists because it is a state requirement if the district is aiming to be exceptional and GT program is to be recognized. It was endorsed by PISD and has largely been driven by concerned individuals & parents.

?         Joe gave a report on email efforts -- have scrubbed all past meeting sign-in and distribution lists in an effort to develop a useable master contact list.  Will have consolidation completed before next regular meeting. Also working to gain permission from persons on list to allow email contact to be shared. 

?         Fielded questions from the parents in attendance. Topics included:

?         Classroom grouping?

?         How is program introduced at Elementary level?

?         State funding for GT programs?

?         Role of GAP in GT education

?         PISD Policy on GT educations?

?         Best way to impact the PISD agenda is by increasing membership in GAP to a sufficient number so it is recognized by the School board and District. 2003 membership was 24 people.  Assuming a 3%-5% identified population, there should be 390-650 identified students in the district.  How do we reach more of these parents?

?         Discussed plans for a GAP website and listed the types of information planned to be included:

?         Identification Process

?         What is being delivered at each grade level?

?         What does “differentiated educations” mean?

?         What can GAP do to encourage parents to join and continue attending?  Question put to the attendee’s… 

If GAP does  ___________, you will continue attending and join!

?         Survey Results: Top five topics from Survey…

1.       Discussion of local policy/practices regarding G/T education.

2.       Differentiating your child’s education -- practical ideas.

3.       Assisting district to meet exceptional criteria for G/T education.

4.       Educational presentations about gifted/talented.

5.       Extracurricular and community offerings for G/T.

?         Board agreed spend time over next 2 months to define district policy and give new members a jumpstart to establish a basis for them to contribute to the group.

?         Secretary will work to flesh out the “gifted package” by the next meeting.  Currently in outline form.

?         Susan Spates addressed the question -- What does Gifted & Talented mean?

?         Student working at 2-6 years above their peers.

?         General intellectual scoring vs. peers

?         Good sources of info…

?         Hoagies web site (google search)

?         Txgifted.org -- TAGT official website.

?         State of Texas provides funding for G/T education and programs, but does not specify how it should be spent.  Everything revolves around “differentiated educations”.

?         How does PISD provide “differentiation”?

?         Must be a minimum of ten (10) children, if ten exist in a campus/grade level.

?         For ‘04-‘05, balance of class will be filled with average and above students.

?         Largely teacher dependent -- identified children will be given more challenging work and work that requires more in-depth thinking.

?         Announced TAGT conference in Dallas on Nov 17-20, 2004. Secretary will send out an email to membership and contacts.

?         State has recently changed laws on certification for teacher training, which is driving more teacher improvement.

?         Meetings will be held on the 4th Tuesday of each month, with some exceptions around holidays.  The GAP schedule for 2004-2005 was defined as: Oct. 26th, Nov. 30th, Jan. 25th, Feb. 22nd, Mar. 29th, Apr 26th, & May 24th. Please make a note on your calendars and plan to join us… and bring a new friend each time to help achieve critical mass.

 

    Meeting was adjourned by Suzy Roberts, President.

 

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Last modified: 10/27/04