Welcome to TAG Orientation!

1. Welcome to TAG Orientation! May 13, 2013

2. Our Agenda Students Go to Cafeteria with Teachers Welcome and Introductions Short Introduction to Miller and Dodson (Video) Rebecca Ufford-ALPAC Representative Key Points Transportation Presentation Important Dates and Events Q & A

3. Student Agenda • 6:30- 6:45 Whole group welcome and video •  6:45-7:00 Break into school groups, meet teachers •  7:00-7:30 Common kid questions, treasure hunt •  7:30 Closing and return to families

4. Introduction to Dodson and Miller

5. Frequently Asked Questions • How will my child be challenged as a part of the TAG program? • How much homework can my child anticipate? • How will my child make friends and fit in? • Is the TAG program the right fit for my child? • How are TAG teachers selected?

6. How will my child be challenged as a part of the TAG program? • Depends on the knowledge, skills and motivation of each child   • Instruction is designed to meet the diverse academic needs • High expectations and higher level learning opportunities

7. How much homework can my child anticipate? • Students can expect homework on a daily basis • The amount of time a student works on homework depends on many factors: • Time management • Classroom work completion • Organizational skills • Complexity and depth of assignments (project, class work, enrichment, skill practice) • Work habits (perfectionism, anxiety, procrastination, student initiated depth)

8. How will my child make friends and fit in? • Teachers work to grow a learning community at the beginning of the year • Students work in groups on a variety of projects and assignments • They engage in thoughtful conversations on a regular basis   • Middle School students are placed on teams • East 6th grade camp promotes camaraderie, new friendships and just is tons of fun!  

9. Is the TAG program the right fit for my child? • The TAG Program is a place where: • your child will no longer be the lone star of the class • your child won’t get it all right the first time or maybe the second either • learning and knowledge are a process and are constantly under construction, not a done deal • there won’t be regular “free time” • teachers are aware and accepting of the characteristics of the gifted learner, such as greater sensitivity to the environment, a heightened sense of justice, a dry sense of humor, perfectionism, etc. •  is searching for like-minded peers, who have a passion for learning, whether generalized or specific

10. The TAG Program does not meet every child’s needs, even if they do qualify through test scores. •  Here are some things to consider: •  If school now presents challenges for your child in the areas of organization, independence, work completion, social transitions, anxiety, or attitude issues, then the program may aggravate these conditions • This could be a result of: • the transition to a new school environment • the many cooperative work situations • high expectations for student motivation and self-regulation in terms of organization and work quality • the complexity and depth of assignments

11. How are TAG teachers selected? • All teachers are highly qualified and demonstrate the ability to differentiate the curriculum at a higher level

12. Building Assignments • Boundaries have been established for students from certain schools to attend TAG at Miller and others to attend TAG at Dodson • Centrally located floater schools which could be assigned attendance at either TAG school (depending on the number of seats available per grade per year) have also been established • All building assignments are final

13. Distribution of Students BetweenBuildings • Appropriate space at each building to accommodate students • Keeping schools together whenever possible is a priority • Number of seats available is a factor • Transportation time and traffic flow • Test scores did not play into the placement process

14. Our Ongoing Steps To Connecting the Two TAG Buildings • Building collaboration meetings to share data, projects, successes and continue to strengthen the program • Constant communication between building principals to continue to honor the integrity of the program • Developing and maintaining a common vision of the TAG program

15. Transportation

16. The Most Important Things to Know… • Location must be consistent • For Example: • AM – Ride shuttle from home to Discovery MS – TAG Shuttle from Discovery to either Dodson or Miller • PM – Ride shuttle to Bentley, Attend Kids Time at Bentley • Transportation Survey is required for all elementary TAG students even if the student is walking to school or is being driven by a parent

17. Middle School Connections for Elementary Students • Your child can walk to his or her neighborhood middle school and take a bus to Miller or Dodson

18. Middle School Connections for Elementary Students • You can drive your child to his or her neighborhood middle school or the middle school most convenient to you and he or she can take a bus to Miller or Dodson

19. Middle School Connections for Elementary Students • Your child can take a middle school bus from your neighborhood to your assigned neighborhood middle school and take a bus to Miller or Dodson

20. Kid’s Time Connections for Elementary Students • You may enroll your child in AM Kid’s Time at Miller or Dodson only and if space is available • AM Kid’s Time begins as early as 7:00 a.m. • Contact the Extended Day office for more information • PM Kid’s Time would take place at neighborhood elementary school only

21. Kid’s Time Connections for Elementary Students • TAG families not currently in Kids’ Time but needing care for the 2013-14 school year may register through the Extended Day New Family Lottery • Parents may submit an Extended Day Program Request Form to the Extended Day office from May 13 – May 24 • The random drawing will take place May 28th and parents will be notified of their placement status by May 31st • Forms are available on the Extended Day website www.pccs.k12.mi.us/extendedday

22. Parent Connections for Elementary Students • You can drive your child to Miller or Dodson Elementary between 8:00 and 8:12 a.m.

23. Current Miller and Dodson Neighborhood Students • Follow your usual routine for coming to school • Must still complete a Transportation Survey

24. Middle School Students • Take a middle school bus from your home/neighborhood to your neighborhood middle school where you will take TAG Shuttle to East Middle School, OR • Parents drive student directly to East Middle School

25. TAG Family Picnic • Wednesday, May 15th – TAG Family Picnic • Location – South Pavilion at Heritage Park • Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. • Who: All current and newly invited TAG families • See flyer in offer packet or visit the TAG website for additional details • Hope you can join us!

26. Important Dates and Forms!!! • Required for everyone- All Commitment forms are due by 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 17th • Required for all Elementary TAG Students - Transportation Survey is due by Friday, May 31st • Required for Current Private/Charter School students only – You must enroll and register in the P-CCS District by Thursday June 13th • You must make an appointment with your building’s secretary to complete this process • Please review the contact information listed in your Zangle/MISTAR ParentPortal and make sure it is accurate and complete

27. Q & A • General questions from the audience • Please raise your hand so we can get a microphone to you • Questions unique to your personal situation please record on a note card with your name, phone number and e-mail • TAG office will follow-up with the answer to your question this week

28. Thank You! PLYMOUTH-CANTON C O M M U N I T Y  S C H O O L S Talented and Gifted Program