Volume 3 - March 2022

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.

1. Testing for 2022-2023 Placement
2. In Case You Missed It
   
3. Dates to Know
4. Contact ALP Leadership

The Advanced Learning Program has started evaluating current Grade 2, 3 and 4 students for ALP Reading, Math and Science placement for the 2022-2023 school year entering Grades 3, 4 and 5.

The Advanced Learning Program uses a content replacement and acceleration programming model for students who give evidence of significantly high-performance capability. For the 2022-2023 school year, identified students will meet daily in the ALP classroom in lieu of general education classrooms to receive their instruction in Reading, Math and/or Science.

• Grades 2, 3, and 4 referral and parent input

April 1

• Parents notified of students who qualify for additional assessments
• Grades 2, 3, and 4 testing schedules emailed to parents

April 4 - May 13

• Grades 2, 3, and 4 testing window (includes make-ups)

May 20 - June 3

• Building advisory committee meetings

June 13 - June 17

• Parents notified of placement decision

IMPORTANT NOTE: Students who are currently enrolled in elementary ALP Humanities or STEM classes do not need to be evaluated to continue in ALP Reading or Math for the 2022-2023 school year. Students currently enrolled will still be assessed to monitor growth and progress. Students currently enrolled in ALP STEM will also be automatically placed into both ALP Math and ALP Science for the 2022-2023 school year.

Last week, ALP Facilitator Bonnie O'Regan and the ALP Leadership Team hosted ALP placement process Zoom webinars. Recordings of session 1 from March 9 and session 2 from March 10, including the question and answer segments, can be found on the GPS YouTube Channel. The slide presentation can be viewed on online on our ALP Website. Look at the "Informational Meetings" tab.

Parent Input for Grades 3-5 in School Year 2022-2023

Parent input is a valuable component of the placement process. In order to refer your student for evaluation to Reading, Math, and/or Science ALP program classes and provide the committee with your insights, please complete the google form found here: Parent Referral Form

This form must be completed by Wednesday, March 23.

After initial referral for testing, students will be assessed to determine placement. More information on the specific assessments is outlined on our website. Look on the Informational Meetings tab.

All assessments to determine student eligibility for ALP programming in Reading, Math, and Science will occur from April 4 through May 13, including time for make-ups.

Parents will be emailed a list of more specific testing dates dependent on school and grade level by April 1.

Placement for ALP Programming in the 2022-2023 School Years for students entering Grade 3-5 will be emailed home.

Parents will receive a decision response during the week of June 13.

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.