HGC letters

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone else totally stressed out at this decision and cannot WAIT until the Open House to find out more information about the HGC??? I'm am so anxious!! I don't want to make a poor decision. Actually DC's behavior since finding out about the acceptance to HGC has been just awful. Flying off the handle for no apparent reason, getting in arguments with people, and being rude. I finally sat down with DC and talked about the pros and cons of the HGC and that seemed to calm DC. I didn't really expect DC to get accepted so having to make this decision has come as somewhat of a shock.

We were in the exact same boat as you. We were also a bit surprised DC got in. I posted earlier (I think it was this thread; there are a few going on about HGC) about how my DC absolutely didn't want to go. At our Open House, kids were included and went off separately with the 5th grade HGC students, who gave their own shpeal about HGC. Up until then, DC still didn't want to go, was *very* emotional about it, lots of tears. After the Open House, DC had a change of heart. It helped that a friend was going to HGC, too. DC has made a few good friends at HGC, but doesn't like the workload, especially all the writing.

We also didn't stress about it, though, so I would suggest you not discuss it with your child. We just kept telling DC, let's not decide now. We can wait till the Open House, and then decide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kids in the program are like any other kids. Some are quiet. Some are loud. Some are into sports. Some aren't.

agreed 100% - a diverse group of kids in every sense of the word.

Agreed- there are lots of different types of children with varied interests. What we liked about our child's experience was the lack of cliques. It was a healthy social environment- the children accepted each other without judgement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kids in the program are like any other kids. Some are quiet. Some are loud. Some are into sports. Some aren't.

agreed 100% - a diverse group of kids in every sense of the word.

Agreed- there are lots of different types of children with varied interests. What we liked about our child's experience was the lack of cliques. It was a healthy social environment- the children accepted each other without judgement.

I guess it depends on the HGC. In my DC's HGC, there were a few kids that were quite mean, and would call my DC "stupid", and pick on DC and a couple of other kids. DC is not "stupid". DC gets ES on the report card. So, I guess, in that sense, it is like any other school, including bullies and mean kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The kids in the program are like any other kids. Some are quiet. Some are loud. Some are into sports. Some aren't.

agreed 100% - a diverse group of kids in every sense of the word.

Agreed- there are lots of different types of children with varied interests. What we liked about our child's experience was the lack of cliques. It was a healthy social environment- the children accepted each other without judgement.

I guess it depends on the HGC. In my DC's HGC, there were a few kids that were quite mean, and would call my DC "stupid", and pick on DC and a couple of other kids. DC is not "stupid". DC gets ES on the report card. So, I guess, in that sense, it is like any other school, including bullies and mean kids.

Yeah, same experience here. I'm sure it all depends on the cohort.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the support and suggestions related to my and DC's stress about accepting the HGC offer. Yes it makes sense to accept and see how it goes through the summer. Making this kind of transition is a hard choice.

It would really help if MCPS gave more information about the HGC in a detailed information packet like the workload, the type of work/curriculum, the philosophy of their gifted ed program, the supports offered, etc. It's like they're saying, "You've made it! Now take what we've got or we will find someone else who will! We don't care if it's a good fit for your child or not." Test scores/recommendations have nothing to do with individual needs and what's best for the child. We have several educational options and I want to know if this program a good fit.

I am a bit perplexed about the amount of homework that is apparently given at HGCs. It makes me wonder if the county actually understands gifted education. Highly gifted kids are still kids, they just learn at a faster pace and on a deeper level. Also, highly gifted kids oftentimes have strong, passionate interests and may or may not be motivated to do work in their areas of non-interest. I hope they address these issues and philosophies at the Open House.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the support and suggestions related to my and DC's stress about accepting the HGC offer. Yes it makes sense to accept and see how it goes through the summer. Making this kind of transition is a hard choice.

It would really help if MCPS gave more information about the HGC in a detailed information packet like the workload, the type of work/curriculum, the philosophy of their gifted ed program, the supports offered, etc. It's like they're saying, "You've made it! Now take what we've got or we will find someone else who will! We don't care if it's a good fit for your child or not." Test scores/recommendations have nothing to do with individual needs and what's best for the child. We have several educational options and I want to know if this program a good fit.

I am a bit perplexed about the amount of homework that is apparently given at HGCs. It makes me wonder if the county actually understands gifted education. Highly gifted kids are still kids, they just learn at a faster pace and on a deeper level. Also, highly gifted kids oftentimes have strong, passionate interests and may or may not be motivated to do work in their areas of non-interest. I hope they address these issues and philosophies at the Open House.

Yes, that basically is what they're saying. They have decided that your child is "a good fit" for the HGC. Now you (the parents) need to decide whether the HGC will be "a good fit" for your child.

Go to the open house, ask your questions, and if you still think afterwards that you don't have enough information, then turn down the HGC.

[Anonymous]

My kids went to HGC. Among other things, they became pretty good at time management. This helped them a lot at MS/HS in handling heavier workload.

[Anonymous]

There is a very disruptive child we know who was admitted. Unsure whether the child will attend.

[Anonymous]

I would say this is true of kids at TPMS and the Blair science magnet but not the HGCs.

Anonymous wrote:I am so confused about whether to accept or decline this program. Dd is very outgoing and social. I heard that the kids in the program tends to be quiet and not into sports. She loves sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the support and suggestions related to my and DC's stress about accepting the HGC offer. Yes it makes sense to accept and see how it goes through the summer. Making this kind of transition is a hard choice.

It would really help if MCPS gave more information about the HGC in a detailed information packet like the workload, the type of work/curriculum, the philosophy of their gifted ed program, the supports offered, etc. It's like they're saying, "You've made it! Now take what we've got or we will find someone else who will! We don't care if it's a good fit for your child or not." Test scores/recommendations have nothing to do with individual needs and what's best for the child. We have several educational options and I want to know if this program a good fit.

I am a bit perplexed about the amount of homework that is apparently given at HGCs. It makes me wonder if the county actually understands gifted education. Highly gifted kids are still kids, they just learn at a faster pace and on a deeper level. Also, highly gifted kids oftentimes have strong, passionate interests and may or may not be motivated to do work in their areas of non-interest. I hope they address these issues and philosophies at the Open House.

My son went to Pine Crest HGC, then magnets at TPMS and Blair (math). The homework was and continues to be reasonable and doable. The difference was and continues to be content and not volume.

FWIW, he is also plays sports year-round, plays in an outside orchestra, and is involved in our church youth group.

I think claims about homework in the Center are exaggerated. At the very least, they do not match our experience at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone else totally stressed out at this decision and cannot WAIT until the Open House to find out more information about the HGC??? I'm am so anxious!! I don't want to make a poor decision. Actually DC's behavior since finding out about the acceptance to HGC has been just awful. Flying off the handle for no apparent reason, getting in arguments with people, and being rude. I finally sat down with DC and talked about the pros and cons of the HGC and that seemed to calm DC. I didn't really expect DC to get accepted so having to make this decision has come as somewhat of a shock.

Send him. Give it until Thanksgiving and if he wants to return to his home school then, he can.

It is truly not a decision that should make you so anxious.

I cannot imagine receiving the invitation and not sending my DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so confused about whether to accept or decline this program. Dd is very outgoing and social. I heard that the kids in the program tends to be quiet and not into sports. She loves sports.

You can always drop out, but you can never go if you decline.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the support and suggestions related to my and DC's stress about accepting the HGC offer. Yes it makes sense to accept and see how it goes through the summer. Making this kind of transition is a hard choice.

It would really help if MCPS gave more information about the HGC in a detailed information packet like the workload, the type of work/curriculum, the philosophy of their gifted ed program, the supports offered, etc. It's like they're saying, "You've made it! Now take what we've got or we will find someone else who will! We don't care if it's a good fit for your child or not." Test scores/recommendations have nothing to do with individual needs and what's best for the child. We have several educational options and I want to know if this program a good fit.

I am a bit perplexed about the amount of homework that is apparently given at HGCs. It makes me wonder if the county actually understands gifted education. Highly gifted kids are still kids, they just learn at a faster pace and on a deeper level. Also, highly gifted kids oftentimes have strong, passionate interests and may or may not be motivated to do work in their areas of non-interest. I hope they address these issues and philosophies at the Open House.

My son went to Pine Crest HGC, then magnets at TPMS and Blair (math). The homework was and continues to be reasonable and doable. The difference was and continues to be content and not volume.

FWIW, he is also plays sports year-round, plays in an outside orchestra, and is involved in our church youth group.

I think claims about homework in the Center are exaggerated. At the very least, they do not match our experience at all.

Thank you for putting in your two cents about the amount of homework given at Pine Crest and that your son was still able to have a life outside of school! Maybe how fast the child can work (and how motivated he/she is) will determine the amount of time it takes to complete.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the support and suggestions related to my and DC's stress about accepting the HGC offer. Yes it makes sense to accept and see how it goes through the summer. Making this kind of transition is a hard choice.

It would really help if MCPS gave more information about the HGC in a detailed information packet like the workload, the type of work/curriculum, the philosophy of their gifted ed program, the supports offered, etc. It's like they're saying, "You've made it! Now take what we've got or we will find someone else who will! We don't care if it's a good fit for your child or not." Test scores/recommendations have nothing to do with individual needs and what's best for the child. We have several educational options and I want to know if this program a good fit.

I am a bit perplexed about the amount of homework that is apparently given at HGCs. It makes me wonder if the county actually understands gifted education. Highly gifted kids are still kids, they just learn at a faster pace and on a deeper level. Also, highly gifted kids oftentimes have strong, passionate interests and may or may not be motivated to do work in their areas of non-interest. I hope they address these issues and philosophies at the Open House.

My son went to Pine Crest HGC, then magnets at TPMS and Blair (math). The homework was and continues to be reasonable and doable. The difference was and continues to be content and not volume.

FWIW, he is also plays sports year-round, plays in an outside orchestra, and is involved in our church youth group.

I think claims about homework in the Center are exaggerated. At the very least, they do not match our experience at all.

Did you like the teachers at Pine Crest? I have heard some negative things about the 4th grade teachers.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how many kids from Piney Branch ES were admitted this year?