All About ALP
Quarterly Updates for Advanced Learning Parents
Volume 2 - January 2022
Purpose
Timely district-based communication is critical for parents to be partners in learning at Greenwich Public Schools. We strive to communicate early and often through the use of our district-based newsletter, All About ALP, and monthly PTAC meetings.
You can expect to hear from us through this quarterly posting. We will update parents on placement timelines, assessment protocols as well as curriculum refinements, and student school work spotlights. We look forward to strengthening the tradition of strong communication and collaboration between GPS and our families.
Current Topics
- Assessment and Placement Updates
- Parent's Corner
- In Case You Missed It
- Dates to Know
- Contact ALP Leadership
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Assessment and Placement Updates
Placement for Grade 2: Testing Update
All of our second-grade testing is complete and the leadership team has been working with building advisory committees to recommend placement. Parents will be notified by Friday regarding a decision for student placement in the Grade 2 Enrichment (Pull-Out) Program. In this email, more information will be included regarding upcoming meetings for Grade 2 parents. We will hold two score report explanation sessions to help parents better understand how their child performed, and what benchmarks were used for placement decisions.
Placement for Grade 6: Parent Input Forms
The Academic Coordinator Team has started the placement process for our current fifth graders as they enter into middle school next year. Parent input is a valuable component of the placement process. In order to provide input for your student’s middle school placement in ELA, Math, and Science, we give you an opportunity to provide the committee with your insights via a Google Form which will be emailed out to all Grade 5 parents on January 20. Parent input forms will be live for two weeks before closing on February 4.
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Parent's Corner
To Test or Not To Test, That is The Question
This is the time of year when many parents ask for guidance on whether or not they should refer their child for the testing for elementary Advanced Learning Program classes in Grades 3-5. Reminder: Before you complete a form referring your child, their teachers and administrators make recommendations based on what they see in the classroom and on grade, district, and state assessments. When being asked for parent input, the ALP leadership team would like to provide you with support.
Experts within the field of gifted and advanced education offer the following advice:
Each parent should consider the individual needs of their child. Typically, students who need an advanced level curriculum demonstrate the following characteristics:
An extreme need for constant mental stimulation
A need to explore subjects in surprising depth
An insatiable curiosity, as demonstrated by endless questions and inquiries
A quirky or mature sense of humor
Show perseverance on difficult, tiring or frustrating tasks
Are motivated by the unknown
Children may demonstrate some but not all of these traits; every child is different. Before referring your child for the ALP program, ALP PTAC leaders have weighed in and suggest asking yourself the following questions:
Can my child independently complete classwork and homework?
Is my child a hard worker, organized, and able to express himself or herself?
Does my child show passion and self-motivation for learning?
Will my child be an enthusiastic contributor to the class?
Is my child ready and receptive to be challenged academically?
Does my child exhibit curiosity and inquisitive mindset?
Each child is unique and develops at their own pace. Although testing for ALP placement may not be right for your child right now, elementary ALP placement occurs every spring in grades 2-4 for placement in grades 3-5.
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In Case You Missed It
Transition To Middle School: Informational Meetings
Grade 6 students are placed into classes based on achievement, ability, and overall well-being. Last week, the academic coordinator team, middle school administrators, and school counselors presented on the Middle School Transition Process. This informational meeting detailed social, emotional, and academic shifts at the middle level. Presenters also describe the differences in course offerings and support available. Video links to these presentations as well as the slides used are available below:
Recordings of session 1 and session 2, plus a Spanish version, including question and answer segments, and the slide presentation can be viewed online.
Dates to Know
Parent Input Timeline
Placement for Grade 2 - Parent Forms are closed at this time.
Placement for Grades 3-5 - Parent Forms will be emailed out, and will be available in March.
Placement for Grade 6 - Parent Forms will be emailed out, and are live from January 20 - February 4.
Grade 2: Score Report Information Sessions
Save the date! Virtual meeting to discuss the score report and student score analysis process for parents of Grade 2 ALP Assessed students. To accommodate parent schedules, we will present the information twice. You will be invited to attend one session:
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ALP Leadership Team
As an ALP Leadership Team, our primary goal is to maintain effective lines of two-way communication with all stakeholders. In doing so, we aim to deliver concise and transparent information. In addition, we work together in support of our advanced students. Our administrator content area curriculum coordinators, Tara Fogel, Dr. Benjamin Markus, and Mike Reid, support teacher-leader facilitator, Bonnie O'Regan.
Help facilitate this flow of information by using our group email:
advancedlearning@greenwich.k12.ct.us
In doing so, you ensure that when you communicate with one of us,
you communicate with all of us.
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Contact ALP Leadership
Email: advancedlearning@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: https://www.greenwichschools.org/teaching-learning/academics/advanced-learning-program-alp
Location: 290 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 625-7462