Parents meeting re Highly Gifted Centers

[Anonymous]

We weren't able to make last weeks meeting (and can't go next week either). Did anyone go? Was it informative? Our school said that all of the information is on the MCPS website but I was wondering if more insight into the application process and program was presented (especially after seeing the other post about 2.0 an math at the centers).

[Anonymous]

As a parent who went through the application process last year and now have a child at a center, I found the program last year didn't have too much new information, but did offer perspective. It made me feel more confident that this was the right choice, if the choice were offered. And I could take buzzwords from the presentation and use them to help form answers to the parent questions for the applications. So yes, helpful. I hope you get responders from this years' presentation.

[Anonymous]

What was said that made you more confident?

[Anonymous]

I missed it too . Others told me that they did not find it useful.. My child is at a center now and I didn't feel at all uninformed.

[Anonymous]

I'm another parent who attended last year and now have a child in the program. Some of my notes from last year:

It's a family commitment. (Due to busing, getting familiar with a new school, new classmates.) They do want parents to be involved in the new school (though they understand it's complicated.)

Open house in April gives accepted students and parents a chance to see if it's a good fit.

Some buses have long rides. (Our child is only the bus 30-45 minutes each way.)

Teachers work hard at helping kids get to know each other. (True for us.)

They work hard on organization skills. (True for us.)

They have more interdisciplinary, long-term projects.

Keep a copy of your application. If you don't hear anything by Thanksgiving (remember, this was last year), call to see if there is a problem. Testing is in January, with make-ups available for illness.

Schools compile information on each applicant. Also, committee looks at tests and parents' applications (remember you may add an additional sheet if you want).

Tell about the child--not their test results, but what kind of a learned he/she is. Their passions, interests, boredom, wealth of knowledge, creativity, problem solving, desire to be a the center. The program is for kids who NEED the opportunity--so it's relevant if you can state that there is no peer group at the home school.

[Anonymous]

16:34 here. Sorry for typos above!

I should add that, a month into the school year, we're happy with the center, and our child feels its was the right choice.

[Anonymous]

I am a parent with a child who went thru the HGC a couple of years ago, and now want to have my younger child apply.

The meeting was a joke. No Q&A as in prior years. No information about how C2.0 will impact these HGC kids. Very bland information, most of which you could get by reading the website and printed materials carefully. Much of the meeting was a video of kids telling other kids why they should apply, but auditorium was full of parents.

Very disappointed. Waste of time.