Parent questionnaire

[Anonymous]

I do the parent questionnaire. I do think they mainly do it to have parents feel like they had the opportunity to add something while they largely don’t care what the parent thinks about their own kid - the test scores and teacher comments are more important.
These are the benefits, I think though. 1 - I don’t know for sure, but I think the local GBRS committee sees it. For #1, some things I said ended up being very similarly echoed in the GBRS commentary. What I said was totally true! So I don’t know if it was just a coincidence or if my responses helped jog their memory, etc.
2 - I think they don’t care if you think your kid is smart. But I think you can say things that they wouldn’t otherwise know. For example I know my oldest has bad handwriting and I did worry about what his work samples would look like. I mentioned that he’s left handed. That’s a fact that I just think is helpful. Additionally, birth dates are included in the packet but I really have no idea how closely they look at that on their own. I called out that mine just made the cutoff because I really did want to make sure they viewed the packet knowing he often has kids over a year older than him in class.

He was in pool on Cogat and admitted on first round a few years ago. No idea whether my comments helped or not but I did do questionnaire again for my #2 this year. I don’t ask people for recs or have them prepare work samples at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do the parent questionnaire. I do think they mainly do it to have parents feel like they had the opportunity to add something while they largely don’t care what the parent thinks about their own kid - the test scores and teacher comments are more important.
These are the benefits, I think though. 1 - I don’t know for sure, but I think the local GBRS committee sees it. For #1, some things I said ended up being very similarly echoed in the GBRS commentary. What I said was totally true! So I don’t know if it was just a coincidence or if my responses helped jog their memory, etc.
2 - I think they don’t care if you think your kid is smart. But I think you can say things that they wouldn’t otherwise know. For example I know my oldest has bad handwriting and I did worry about what his work samples would look like. I mentioned that he’s left handed. That’s a fact that I just think is helpful. Additionally, birth dates are included in the packet but I really have no idea how closely they look at that on their own. I called out that mine just made the cutoff because I really did want to make sure they viewed the packet knowing he often has kids over a year older than him in class.

He was in pool on Cogat and admitted on first round a few years ago. No idea whether my comments helped or not but I did do questionnaire again for my #2 this year. I don’t ask people for recs or have them prepare work samples at home.

PP, this was very informative, I submitted only questionnaire as well and thought along the same lines. Do you recommend trying to set up a meeting with the AART to discuss any weaknesses and ensure that they address it with appropriate school selected samples showing strength in that area? E.g writing, etc. I want to be sure that the AART (and class teacher) know what is selected that display my child's best work. Since I don't get very much coming home, I'm assuming they must keep a lot of work on purpose for this type of situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What the heck is the point of the humor question?

I'll admit I had trouble with that one last year. We used an instance where our son's baseball team lost the championship game. Some of the kids cried, but our son was goofing around cracking jokes and asked where the snacks were. He eventually got a couple of the disappointed kids to relax and enjoy themselves after the game. I was afraid that my kid not getting upset over a loss would make him seem not normal, but I also thought the situation was unique in a good way. Look for some "outside the box" instances like this with your child.

[Anonymous]

Many people are questioning the value of the questionnaire. For us, we used it to draw attention to the samples we submitted and to describe their significance. Tying the samples to answers to the question on the questionnaire helped us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do the parent questionnaire. I do think they mainly do it to have parents feel like they had the opportunity to add something while they largely don’t care what the parent thinks about their own kid - the test scores and teacher comments are more important.
These are the benefits, I think though. 1 - I don’t know for sure, but I think the local GBRS committee sees it. For #1, some things I said ended up being very similarly echoed in the GBRS commentary. What I said was totally true! So I don’t know if it was just a coincidence or if my responses helped jog their memory, etc.
2 - I think they don’t care if you think your kid is smart. But I think you can say things that they wouldn’t otherwise know. For example I know my oldest has bad handwriting and I did worry about what his work samples would look like. I mentioned that he’s left handed. That’s a fact that I just think is helpful. Additionally, birth dates are included in the packet but I really have no idea how closely they look at that on their own. I called out that mine just made the cutoff because I really did want to make sure they viewed the packet knowing he often has kids over a year older than him in class.

He was in pool on Cogat and admitted on first round a few years ago. No idea whether my comments helped or not but I did do questionnaire again for my #2 this year. I don’t ask people for recs or have them prepare work samples at home.

PP, this was very informative, I submitted only questionnaire as well and thought along the same lines. Do you recommend trying to set up a meeting with the AART to discuss any weaknesses and ensure that they address it with appropriate school selected samples showing strength in that area? E.g writing, etc. I want to be sure that the AART (and class teacher) know what is selected that display my child's best work. Since I don't get very much coming home, I'm assuming they must keep a lot of work on purpose for this type of situation.

I am not personally aware of being able to meet with the AART to discuss such things before the packet is completed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do the parent questionnaire. I do think they mainly do it to have parents feel like they had the opportunity to add something while they largely don’t care what the parent thinks about their own kid - the test scores and teacher comments are more important.
These are the benefits, I think though. 1 - I don’t know for sure, but I think the local GBRS committee sees it. For #1, some things I said ended up being very similarly echoed in the GBRS commentary. What I said was totally true! So I don’t know if it was just a coincidence or if my responses helped jog their memory, etc.
2 - I think they don’t care if you think your kid is smart. But I think you can say things that they wouldn’t otherwise know. For example I know my oldest has bad handwriting and I did worry about what his work samples would look like. I mentioned that he’s left handed. That’s a fact that I just think is helpful. Additionally, birth dates are included in the packet but I really have no idea how closely they look at that on their own. I called out that mine just made the cutoff because I really did want to make sure they viewed the packet knowing he often has kids over a year older than him in class.

He was in pool on Cogat and admitted on first round a few years ago. No idea whether my comments helped or not but I did do questionnaire again for my #2 this year. I don’t ask people for recs or have them prepare work samples at home.

PP, this was very informative, I submitted only questionnaire as well and thought along the same lines. Do you recommend trying to set up a meeting with the AART to discuss any weaknesses and ensure that they address it with appropriate school selected samples showing strength in that area? E.g writing, etc. I want to be sure that the AART (and class teacher) know what is selected that display my child's best work. Since I don't get very much coming home, I'm assuming they must keep a lot of work on purpose for this type of situation.

I am not personally aware of being able to meet with the AART to discuss such things before the packet is completed.

AART is going to be slammed. You can reach out bu don't be surprised if you don't get an appointment right away. I think more parents set up appointments for advice on appeal if found ineligible.

[Anonymous]

We sent the AART an email informing her we had dropped off the questionnaire and some work samples and asking to know that she had received them on time. The school didn't give anything to DH and we were playing it safe. She emailed that she received the info and then told us she would contact us if they needed anything but that we would hear in April.

I took that as a polite "We good. We got this. We'll talk after a decision is made." I would not contact the AART and ask about how they are going to address your child's weakness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What the heck is the point of the humor question?

I'll admit I had trouble with that one last year. We used an instance where our son's baseball team lost the championship game. Some of the kids cried, but our son was goofing around cracking jokes and asked where the snacks were. He eventually got a couple of the disappointed kids to relax and enjoy themselves after the game. I was afraid that my kid not getting upset over a loss would make him seem not normal, but I also thought the situation was unique in a good way. Look for some "outside the box" instances like this with your child.

Wow. I’m sure that made the committee think. Good job!