La Colina Junior High Honors Information Night

1. La Colina Junior High Honors Information Night David Ortiz La Colina Jr. High Principal

2. Purpose of our meeting: • Learn about differentiation in Honors classes • Learn about District organization • Learn about how you can become involved • Learn about parent education opportunities • Learn about teacher professional development • Learn about how donation funds are spent

3. Organization of Honors Programs • GATE/Honors School Site Council: Karen McBride kmcbride@sbsdk12.org • District Advisory Council • Tri-County GATE Association • California Association for the Gifted • National Association for the Gifted

4. La Colina Honors English Teachers • Mrs. Maureen Granger: 7th Grade • Mrs. Rebecca Lowi: 7th Grade • Mrs. CathiSpeake: 7thGrade • Mrs. Haley Hrehor: 8th Grade • Ms. Rebecca Sillars: 8th Grade • Mrs. Amy Woods: 8th Grade

5. La Colina Honors Social Studies Teachers • Mr. Kurt Bergthold: 7th Grade • Mr. Jose Marquez: 7th Grade • Mrs. Melissa Ewart: 8th Grade • Mrs. Karen McBride: 8th Grade • Mrs. Cami Stevens: 8th Grade

6. La Colina Honors Math Teachers • Mrs. Belinda White: Pre-Algrebra Honors • Mrs. Tracy Womack: Pre-Algebra Honors • Mrs. Liz Brown: Algebra Honors, Geometry • Mr. Steve Dugan: Algebra Honors • Mr. Ken Stevens: Algebra Honors

7. La Colina Honors Science Teachers • Ms. Shannon Carpenter: 7th Grade • Ms. Megan Cotich: 7th Grade • Ms. Monica Cavazos: 8th Grade, 1st semester • Mrs. L’aura Ulvaeus: 8th Grade, 2nd semester • Mrs. Michelle Carrillo: 8th Grade • Mr. Dave Marchetti: 8th Grade

8. Elements of Differentiation • Depth: subtle or profound thoughts • Complexity: more variables • Acceleration: move faster through material • Novelty: allowing unique student perspective to be part of the content

9. Differentiation in the Math Classroom • Mrs. Tracy Womack • Depth: subtle or profound thoughts • Complexity: more variables • Acceleration: move faster through material • Novelty: allowing unique student perspective to be part of the content • “Honors students in 7th grade experience a more in-depth mathematics curriculum which focuses on the complex connections within mathematics. Specific units have team activities focused on real world mathematics like commission, sales tax, credit vs. debit, and tipping.”

10. Differentiation in the English Classroom • Mrs. Cathi Speake • Depth: subtle or profound thoughts • Complexity: more variables • Acceleration: move faster through material • Novelty: allowing unique student perspective to be part of the content • “We differentiate with a higher level of difficulty in reading and increased levels rigor in the writing process. We teach students to observe closely, be skeptical thinkers, and seek to uncover the complexities of literature. With verbal debate and written argument we encourage students to ground their valuable claims with evidence from their reading the their experience.”

11. Differentiation in the Social Studies Classroom • Mrs. Karen McBride • Depth: subtle or profound thoughts • Complexity: more variables • Acceleration: move faster through material • Novelty: allowing unique student perspective to be part of the content

12. Colonial Social Hour • Students take the perspective of a colonist in the the American Revolution • What are your feelings about the unrest that is stirring in the colonies? • Students synthesize information about various laws and events • What do you think about the many laws and actions of the King and Parliament? • Students write written reflections about the social hour • What patterns did you notice in the way different characters felt about the colonial unrest?

13. Upcoming Teacher Professional Development Events • Tri-County Best Practices • GATE Certificate Program • CAG Annual Conference: Feb. 14-16, 2014 • Anaheim, CA • CAG Summer Institute: July 2014 • Goleta Valley Junior High School

14. Secondary GATE Coordinator Santa Barbara Unified School District • Ms. Sandy Robertson • GATE Office Secretary: • Annette Makwana

15. District Advisory Council Parents • Our DAC delegates have graduated! We need two parent members… would you like to serve? Representation on this committee is important for our school.

16. Parental Support/Fundraising • Main event: our annual Phone-a-thon • October 21, 22, 23, 5:30-9:00, SBJHS • Sign up forms available tonight

17. Fundraising and its Purpose • Fundraising: letter compaign and phone-a-thon • How funds are distributed: • Teacher Professional Development • Parent Education • Technology • Classroom supplies/ equipment • Enrichment opportunities for students

18. Upcoming Parent Education Events • “How to Write a Winning College Essay” • The College Application Process • Finding Funding for College, even if you think you don’t qualify • Elementary GATE Info Night • Tri-County Best Practices • CAG Annual Conference: Feb. 14-16, 2014 • Anaheim, CA (discount Disneyland tickets!) • CAG Summer Institute: July 2014 Visit our website for up to date information

19. Please Join Us • Help us make A difference that makes THE difference • DAC meetings: thirdThursday of the month (check web site for exceptions: http://secondarygate@sbsdk12.org • Join our email distribution list to stay up to date on parent, student & teacher news. • E-mail your contact information to gatedac@sbsdk12.org; put “SBJHS” in the subject line

20. Questions, comments, concerns?

21. Thank you! • Have a great evening • Have an especially great school year!