AAP Eligible letter received

[Anonymous]

Thanks PP, I will do this. I am getting 4 letters of rec from after school teachers - science, acting, religion, music, and will be adding work samples, as well, ones that showcase DC writing - as this is one of strengths. DC had excellent GBRS (13) with really nice and honest teacher input. teacher said is shocked as well, as was certain DC would get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good for you, PP. I will fight on this, as my DC DOES belong in the program and the cmte made a mistake, as they do every year.

Is your DC struggling in the "normal" program? Why do you think he/she will benefit from AAP?
I have friends with kids in the program and not everyone ends up liking it or gettig the benefit. For some kids, even with all 4s, it's not the right program - they really struggle there, lose their confindence, etc. And there are 2s and 3s that do great.

[Anonymous]

No, she isn't struggling. She is excelling with little to no effort on her part. It is entirely too easy - school should be challenging. An occasional 3 is humbling. Older DC is top in AAP class - all 4s. T

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:none were in the school packet. do teachers usually write letters of rec?

FCPS employees aren't allowed to submit letters of recommendation for AAP. Their input is limited to the GBRS and work samples. Letters should be from people who know your child in other settings and can speak to specific behaviors indicative of AAP - examples would help, not just "he's very bright."

[Anonymous]

PP, thanks for the clarification. I don't mean to sound pushy, or ungrateful for what FCPS offers, I just believe that the cmte made a mistake with DCs file. On paper she had everything they look for in AAP. But, we had no letters from anyone, so thank you for the info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:? - My Dcs file has a lot of incorrect information in the file - very obviously incorrect. Can I appeal on this - I don't believe that it was prepared by the folks listed, as the info in the file is really wrong, and I am an active parent. Suggestion? Ever heard of this before?

The appeal form instructions say a letter of recommendation can be from a parent. I would definitely write one, highlighting in the first paragraph all the things that are incorrect. Advocate for your child. Can't hurt, might help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP, thanks for the clarification. I don't mean to sound pushy, or ungrateful for what FCPS offers, I just believe that the cmte made a mistake with DCs file. On paper she had everything they look for in AAP. But, we had no letters from anyone, so thank you for the info.

Be sure to do the parent questionnaire too. Give the committee as much as you can to show them the child behind the scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...Letters should be from people who know your child in other settings and can speak to specific behaviors indicative of AAP - examples would help, not just "he's very bright."

how could a, say, soccer or any other sports coach speak of academically gifted behavior of a player?

[Anonymous]

Clearly all of our children should be in AAP centers. It is sad to think that any of our children would have to spend time with the lowest of low, base school children. I know that my kids would THRIVE in AAP and they NEED the CHALLENGE because they would be bored in the base school.

[Anonymous]

Appeal, appeal, appeal. If that does not work, threaten to sue. The County will usually cave at that point and then your child will be where they belong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Appeal, appeal, appeal. If that does not work, threaten to sue. The County will usually cave at that point and then your child will be where they belong.

Thank you. I wasn't going to appeal until I read your post. I will appeal so that my child does not have to sit next to your kid in General Ed. Or ever have to interact with you.
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[Anonymous]

But wait PP, if your child is accepted to AAP (highly unlikely but anything is possible) they might be in my DC's class and also might have to experience me as their room mom!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:...Letters should be from people who know your child in other settings and can speak to specific behaviors indicative of AAP - examples would help, not just "he's very bright."

how could a, say, soccer or any other sports coach speak of academically gifted behavior of a player?

Persistence? Willingness to accept new challenges? Works well under pressure? Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment? Leadership skills? AAP isn't just about being smart. That's why they stopped calling it "gifted and talented". None of these things are on the GBRS, but they all show how a bright child has the behavior traits to handle a more challenging curriculum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Clearly all of our children should be in AAP centers. It is sad to think that any of our children would have to spend time with the lowest of low, base school children. I know that my kids would THRIVE in AAP and they NEED the CHALLENGE because they would be bored in the base school.

What's wrong with appealing? If you received a performance appraisal from an employer that you felt didn't accurately reflect the quality of your work, wouldn't you advocate for yourself? Wouldn't you want the chance to bring up everything you thought your manager overlooked?

[Anonymous]

Is it possible that your child's teacher knows their academic capbilty better than you do super parent? Maybe your child was denied the golden ticket to AAP because they just weren't up to snuff. But of course I forget that every child will THRIVE if only they get into the AAP program. How do those whose children are denied entrance face themselves in the mirror. What losers those parents must be.