Public forum on moving gifted program set for Dec. 9

From press release

Parents for Gifted Education (PGE) will sponsor a public forum about Rockford Public School District 205 administration’s proposal to move the gifted program to the Auburn Freshman Campus (AFC). The forum will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, at the AFC Auditorium.

District 205 Superintendent Dr. LaVonne M. Sheffield has asked administrators to look into moving the gifted program, grades 7 through 12, to the AFC. Michele Beach, the administrator in charge of gifted curriculum, is looking for input from teachers, students and parents as well as the general public.

The genesis of this idea comes from the superintendent’s interest in expanding the gifted program. Moving grades 6-8 to the AFC opens up spots at Washington. Moving grades 10-12 to AFC also is intended to open up more spots at all higher grades as well.

In a recent meeting, Beach said this proposal is at its earliest stages with adequate analysis and input from all stakeholders required. With a large budget deficit facing the district, cost considerations are a large part of the analysis.

All input is welcome, including the time-frame, costs, curriculum, arts offerings, foreign lanquages, class size considerations, staff needs, facility concerns (such as number of adequate labs and rooms, room for expansion, library and supplies needs), extracurriculars, sports teams (seperate or as part of Auburn), safety, discipline, grading scales, measuring performance, commitment to adequate course offerings, gifted program growth, college placement, counseling, teacher selection, relationship to the Auburn main campus, forecasted student numbers in the first few years, displacement of current programs at AFC, teacher schedules and courses to teach, and effect on recruitment to the gifted program.

Attend the PGE meeting to learn what is happening and to offer and listen to other’s input on this issue.

Directories have been delivered and handed out to students.

If you filled out a directory form at registration for a free directory and do not get a directory in the next few days, notify PGE at johntor@comcast.net.

If you want an extra directory or did not fill out a directory form, you can purchase one for $10.

From the Nov. 24-30, 2010 issue

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