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GT Centers
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Anonymous
| we are relocating to Fairfax county next year and am interested in how the GT centers work. At what age do they start? Do we drop them off there and they go to their local school afterwards? Any opinions on their quality? Any and all info is most appreciated. |
Anonymous
| My kids go to a GT school - but they aren't in GT -- it's just their home school, so I can only answer a few of your questions. They test all of the kids in 2nd grade to determine if they should be in GT. So third grade if the first year they could be eligible to go to a GT center (which is, I think, Level IV services). There are several levels of services -- that someone more familiar could tell you about. For instance, there are GT services at your home-based school if your child is eligible for Level 4 services but doesn't want to change schools. There is also lesser levels, where your child is "pulled out" for enrichment in various subjects, but not all (I think that is Level III). Incidentally, I think it's now called "Advanced Academics" or something like that - no longer GT - for whatever that's worth. I believe bussing is available, but that has been discussed as being cut due to budget constraints in FFX the past year or two. So far, it has continued, but I think there are going to be more cuts next year. There is also some discussion about GT in general being cut/changed. I believe there was a recent announcement about the Board having upcoming "town hall" type meetings to discuss that. (I hope I don't turn your post into a debate about whether GT should be cut or not by stating that, but I thought you might be interested). Hope this is helpful. |
Anonymous
| op here-no thank you so much pp. My child is in first grade but one of the reasons we want FFX is bc of what I read about the schools. But if there aren't advanced courses we may need to consider private school. |
Anonymous
10:34 poster again. Fairfax county public schools are excellent, in my opinion (or at least I can speak of our school - Greenbriar West Ele.). Even putting aside the GT program -- the technology in the schools, the quality teachers and staff, the parental involvement, etc. is just great. If your child is qualified for Level IV services and sent to a GT center, he/she will go to that school all day. Every course will be acellerated - there is especially focus on math and language (in my opinion). I hope I didn't give the wrong impression in my PP... |
Anonymous
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My home school doesn't have level four AA (Advanced Academics, which is what they are now calling it- feel free to laugh) so my children are bused to a nearby school that has a center. Aside from some grumbling about the early rising they seem to do fine.
I have tell you though that had my children not tested into AA/GT/whatever I would have been quite happy for them to continue attending their base school. |
Anonymous
| My 3rd grader attends a GT Center and we had the option of staying at our neighborhood school for Local Level IV. I'm so glad we decided to change to the GT Center. My child finally as friends that are more like her and her teacher knows how to work with the uniqueness of GT kids (perfectionism, some anxiety, etc.) which we didn't have at our neighborhood school. I believe there will be parent information meetings in October that discuss how all of this works. You may want to check the FCPS web site to see the meeting schedule. |
Anonymous
Would you mind posting which GT Center? We elected to stay at our base school for LL4 services vs the GT Center. My third grader is having a lot of anxiety and her teacher is less than helpful, to put it mildly! |
Anonymous
op again, thanks. Ok so after reading your post, I got to thinking-are there common personality traits of GT kids? May seem like a "dumb" question but the traits you mention are common to my son but he just turned 6 so no official testing to confirm he is a GT kid but..he is absolutely obsessed with getting things right, if he makes a mistake, he takes it reall hard-no matter how much I tell him it is no big deal. He worries about everything-especially recitals, group/ind projects, tests-again scared of failing. While he makes friends easily, prefers to be alone-I am not sure how to explain this but it is as though other kids bore him or he gets annoyed if they don't behaive, get in trouble etc. and doesn't want to deal with them. He also doesn't like team sports at all. Loves tennis, golf and swimming but as for soccer, t-ball etc-no interest. Does this sound familiar to anyone? He is the sweetest boy and generally happy but does exhibit a few traits that we find "quirky"?? |
Anonymous
| Gifted doesn't mean perfectionist. My DC just started 3rd grade at a GT Center. DC could care less about corrections or getting it just so. (It's actually becoming an issue w/ the teacher as they appear to want it just so.) Also, DC is into team sports, pretty competitive in that arena. Also freindly and gets along with everyone type of child. IMO - I don't think gifted can be classified as a particular personality type. |
Anonymous
We are at Canterbury Woods. |
Anonymous
From Hoagies Gifted (emphasis added): http://www.hoagiesgifted.com/characteristics.htm Characteristics of the Gifted Child The gifted child can exhibit many unique characteristics, or none at all. And even those who seemingly exhibit none of these characteristics may feel many of them, hidden just below the surface. And the effort it takes to continue hiding is often exhausting. If you're looking for characteristic checklists, visit Identification of Gifted Children. From Sensitivities to Perfectionism, from the Underachiever to the Imposter, all of these characteristics are commonly found in many gifted children. And commonly cause concern, among their parents and teachers. Dabrowski's Theory of Positive Disintegration and Overexcitabilities (OEs) are often attributed as characteristics of gifted children. Visit the Dabrowski's Overexcitabilities (OE's) for information, research and even a lesson plan on these theories! Everyone is concerned about the Social and Emotional well-being of the gifted child, but many teachers and parents disagree about the best ways to facilitate healthy social and emotional development in the gifted child. And like other characteristics of gifted children, the social-emotional aspects of life often seem extreme. When you need more information, Depression and Suicide can help provide resources and information, but first and foremost, seek professional help. Grief & Mourning can also be very strong emotional reactions in gifted children; these books and resources can help you through difficult times. Learning Styles vary from individual to individual, but the majority of children and the majority of educators share a common learning style. Some gifted children have very unique learning styles, which further differentiates them from other children, and further frustrates the relationships between teacher and student.. Visual-Spatial Learners often cause great concern to the classroom teacher, and the parent at home. Personality Type is another variable to consider. Is the ratio of introvert to extravert personalities higher in the gifted population than in the general population? How do the personality factors affect our lives? Young Gifted Children present special challenges, because they are sometimes not yet able to explain the differences they feel, and the pressures and priorities of being a gifted child. Gifted Adolescents often find they don't fit as gifted children, gifted adults, or "normal" adolescents. Highly Gifted Children often present an entirely different set of characteristics; sometimes they can be simplified by just saying they are "More!" And Gifted Adults... do they exist? Yes! What We Have Learned About Gifted Children 1979-2007 gives a concise summary of those characteristics noted in clinical study of gifted children at the Gifted Development Center... some are intuitive, some may come as a surprise! |
Anonymous
To me, he sounds like the majority of kids in a GT Center. 
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Anonymous
http://commweb.fcps.edu/newsreleases/newsrelease.cfm?newsid=1255 FCPS Schedules Parent Information Nights for Advanced Academic Programs Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) will offer four parent information nights in October for parents who are interested in learning about the programs, services, and opportunities that are available through advanced academic programs (formerly gifted and talented programs). The schedule is as follows: Thursday, October 8, at McLean High School, 1633 Davidson Road, McLean. Tuesday, October 13, at Oakton High School, 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna. Thursday, October 15, at Annandale High School, 4700 Medford Drive, Annandale. Monday, October 19, at West Potomac High School, 6500 Quander Road, Alexandria. Meetings will be held in the school auditorium from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and are open to the public; no registration is required. The four information sessions will provide an overview of the K-12 continuum of services offered through advanced academic programs and will include screening, testing, and identification procedures; and important timelines. ### Note: For more information, contact Carol Horn at 703-846-8767 or carol.horn@fcps.edu . |
Anonymous
| On the GT center busing issue -- at this summer's School Board retreat, it was near-unanimous that buses to GT centers should not be cut. Of course with a $150 million budget shortfall in FY2011 anything can happen, but I seriously doubt that this School Board would allow for buses to be cut to GT centers. |