Anonymous
05/21/2018 14:47
Subject: Re:Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
I still haven’t received a letter; mail has not yet come today.
Anonymous
05/21/2018 14:32
Subject: Re:Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
Have the Futura decision letters been mailed out yet?
Anonymous
05/17/2018 00:25
Subject: Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
No letter yet.
Anonymous
05/16/2018 16:21
Subject: Re:Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
I’m not gonna feed the troll by responding to what that last person just said 
But to answer the question about them being mailed in May, I’m still waiting too. Nothing from LCPS in today’s mail.
But to answer the question about them being mailed in May, I’m still waiting too. Nothing from LCPS in today’s mail.
Anonymous
05/15/2018 21:45
Subject: Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Agree wholeheartedly with the comment above. I can't fathom that the SIGS questionnaire and "unbiased" parental input could be weighed heavily in the decision. Makes me wonder about brilliant children who don't have strong parental advocates because of their own personal, financial, or other issues. I would hope a child who tested off the charts would be accepted to the program despite not having brilliantly crafted portfolios created by their parents. I, for one, will not be scoring my child with all 4's on this questionnaire. I mean, rate how my child "Seeks to understand why people, cultures, or groups act the way they do" and "Desires to develop solutions to social problems." Really? He's 8. He gets upset when I make him go to sleep at bedtime or when I limit his Xbox time. I just don't think 8 year-olds are contemplating solutions to the problems in Syria, for example.
I'm not trying to be snarky here, I just don't get this SIGS form.
It's not typical, but there absolutely are kids who think about these exact things at that age. I have three kids and one of them was like this. From a very young age was observing and asking deep questions that caught us off guard. Was very concerned with social problems and would grasp for solutions, even at his kid-level. Highly sensitive and highly curious about these aspects of the world.
It's not that this is the only sign of giftedness, but it is one sign of thinking at a deeper or more abstract level than same age peers. Teachers would likely notice though, so maybe the parent input is not needed. It was definitely something DS's teachers always noticed and commented on it.
An X box kid doesn’t sound gifted to me.
Anonymous
05/15/2018 08:39
Subject: Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
Did anyone receive decision letter? Heard it would be mailed out in May.
Anonymous
05/08/2018 10:00
Subject: Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
Anonymous wrote:Agree wholeheartedly with the comment above. I can't fathom that the SIGS questionnaire and "unbiased" parental input could be weighed heavily in the decision. Makes me wonder about brilliant children who don't have strong parental advocates because of their own personal, financial, or other issues. I would hope a child who tested off the charts would be accepted to the program despite not having brilliantly crafted portfolios created by their parents. I, for one, will not be scoring my child with all 4's on this questionnaire. I mean, rate how my child "Seeks to understand why people, cultures, or groups act the way they do" and "Desires to develop solutions to social problems." Really? He's 8. He gets upset when I make him go to sleep at bedtime or when I limit his Xbox time. I just don't think 8 year-olds are contemplating solutions to the problems in Syria, for example.
I'm not trying to be snarky here, I just don't get this SIGS form.
It's not typical, but there absolutely are kids who think about these exact things at that age. I have three kids and one of them was like this. From a very young age was observing and asking deep questions that caught us off guard. Was very concerned with social problems and would grasp for solutions, even at his kid-level. Highly sensitive and highly curious about these aspects of the world.
It's not that this is the only sign of giftedness, but it is one sign of thinking at a deeper or more abstract level than same age peers. Teachers would likely notice though, so maybe the parent input is not needed. It was definitely something DS's teachers always noticed and commented on it.
Anonymous
05/08/2018 08:45
Subject: Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
Anonymous wrote:Hi, does anyone know then the decision letters are typically mailed out? I read elsewhere that it is towards the end of school year (so in June?), but then does that allow enough time to contact the SEARCH teacher in case of an appeal, to review the student portfolio?
I heard it’s in May.
Anonymous
05/03/2018 09:00
Subject: Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
Hi, does anyone know then the decision letters are typically mailed out? I read elsewhere that it is towards the end of school year (so in June?), but then does that allow enough time to contact the SEARCH teacher in case of an appeal, to review the student portfolio?
Anonymous
03/06/2018 20:58
Subject: Re:Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
I asked these questions at the LCPS gifted info session.
They won’t let you see your child’s search portfolio until after their decision has been made (either yes or nay to FUTURA) which I think is late June or early July.
Once you submit your referral (either district pool or parent referral) - then the school’s SEARCH teacher starts the process of coordinating all of the materials - collecting input from your child’s teacher on input via the SIGS form.
Parents also provide their own input via the SIGS form and you can submit up to 4 additional works (can’t be video) and I believe must fit on 8.5x11 paper - no originals. If you’re in the district pool, you submit the SIGS and any additional work when you provide you’re approval to go through the screening process. If you’re doing parent referral - I think you submit SIGS and additional work later, when they request it from you.
They won’t let you see your child’s search portfolio until after their decision has been made (either yes or nay to FUTURA) which I think is late June or early July.
Once you submit your referral (either district pool or parent referral) - then the school’s SEARCH teacher starts the process of coordinating all of the materials - collecting input from your child’s teacher on input via the SIGS form.
Parents also provide their own input via the SIGS form and you can submit up to 4 additional works (can’t be video) and I believe must fit on 8.5x11 paper - no originals. If you’re in the district pool, you submit the SIGS and any additional work when you provide you’re approval to go through the screening process. If you’re doing parent referral - I think you submit SIGS and additional work later, when they request it from you.
Anonymous
02/13/2018 15:39
Subject: Re:Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
Anonymous wrote:Hello all, do we get to look at the kid's SEARCH portfolio in advance to see what type of work samples the SEARCH teacher might be submitting? Or that is confidential information?
Also I assume the class teacher and the SEARCH teacher already know the kid's NNAT and COGAT scores right?
Is it worthwhile requesting a conference with the class or SEARCH teacher to find out if she thinks your kid would be a good fit for FUTURA and if she plans to give a recommendation? Or would that seem like too much 'parent pushing'?
I have the same question. My son is technically in the pool due to his test scores. Could I make an appointment with the SEARCH teacher to look at his portfolio? Also does the class teacher automatically give recommendation to the kids in pool or we need to specifically request it?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. The referrel window is approaching soon and is pretty short.
Anonymous
02/09/2018 16:02
Subject: Re:Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
Hello all, do we get to look at the kid's SEARCH portfolio in advance to see what type of work samples the SEARCH teacher might be submitting? Or that is confidential information?
Also I assume the class teacher and the SEARCH teacher already know the kid's NNAT and COGAT scores right?
Is it worthwhile requesting a conference with the class or SEARCH teacher to find out if she thinks your kid would be a good fit for FUTURA and if she plans to give a recommendation? Or would that seem like too much 'parent pushing'?
Also I assume the class teacher and the SEARCH teacher already know the kid's NNAT and COGAT scores right?
Is it worthwhile requesting a conference with the class or SEARCH teacher to find out if she thinks your kid would be a good fit for FUTURA and if she plans to give a recommendation? Or would that seem like too much 'parent pushing'?
Anonymous
11/22/2017 14:12
Subject: Re:Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
DD is in third grade. She got 99% in COGAT in second grade (cumulative). We just received her NNAT score last week and it is also 99%. Almost all of her grades on her report card are 4 (exceeds expectations). I know that she will be automatically entered into the pool. But what are the chances she will get admitted to FUTURA? Should I submit parent referrel form with her work samples or just rely on the classroom teacher and SEARCH teacher recommendation? I assume she will need at least one good recommendation to get admitted.
Please let me know. Thanks for your help.
Please let me know. Thanks for your help.
Anonymous
06/01/2017 09:12
Subject: Re:Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
Anonymous wrote:Are you appealing?
And to appeal,do you need again teacher's recomendation?
We don't need teacher's recommendation again. How can she change recommendation now.
We need to fill out appeal form and mail it to Supervisor of Gifted program, Loudoun public schools. In this form, you just need to say the reason for appealing the ineligible status. The team will then review it and they will ask you to submit any new new stuff or the stuff that is not already in the student's profile.
Looks like its a tedious process.
Anonymous
05/26/2017 13:57
Subject: Loudoun County FUTURA decisions
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Agree wholeheartedly with the comment above. I can't fathom that the SIGS questionnaire and "unbiased" parental input could be weighed heavily in the decision. Makes me wonder about brilliant children who don't have strong parental advocates because of their own personal, financial, or other issues. I would hope a child who tested off the charts would be accepted to the program despite not having brilliantly crafted portfolios created by their parents. I, for one, will not be scoring my child with all 4's on this questionnaire. I mean, rate how my child "Seeks to understand why people, cultures, or groups act the way they do" and "Desires to develop solutions to social problems." Really? He's 8. He gets upset when I make him go to sleep at bedtime or when I limit his Xbox time. I just don't think 8 year-olds are contemplating solutions to the problems in Syria, for example.
I'm not trying to be snarky here, I just don't get this SIGS form.
Could not agree with you more.
There is no portfolio need to be created by parents. Selection committee will not look at the questionnaire form for selection
They will look at these areas only
1 - Test scores (COGAT and NNAT - AnNy of two(composite or individual) should be 97 or above)
2 - Teacher recommendation
3 - SEARCH work
Child should pass 2 of the above areas to be selected