September 14, 2007 Newsletter

We have 4 items for you this week -

1)  Everyday Math Review & Math Task Force - Everyday Math program is up for
review and the district will be asking parent volunteers to be on the Math Task Force committee that will be
forming shortly.  The committee will start meeting this October.  The committee will study and evaluate 4
different math programs, including Everyday Math.  Based on the committee's recommendations, the
district will pilot up to 2 new math programs.  Among its various tasks, the committee will meet with
representatives from the math programs, evaluate surveys from pilot program participants, and examine test scores
and data from pilots and Everyday Math.

If you would like to help chart the future of the Math program in our
district, this is the opportunity.  If you are interested, best method is to contact Jill Ko at ko7@sbcglobal.net
or Allison Boldridge at boldridge@comcast.net, and we can give you more information.  We believe the
application that parents fill out to be on the committee will be on the district website,
http://www.oswego308.org/, soon.

PACE Math Committee is also interested in what our parents think about how
Everyday Math program is meeting the needs of A.T. and high-achieving students.  We would like to
collect the information and share it with our district.  How was your child's experience last year?  Was your
child learning at his/her pace?  Do you think your child can be more challenged?  The more information we
have, the more helpful it will be to the district.  If you can send us a quick email in September & October to
pace308org@sbcglobal.net and let us know, it would be greatly appreciated.  All emails and information
gathered will be confidential unless parents ask that their names be mentioned.  If you would also like to
be part of the PACE Math Committee, contact Jill at ko7@sbcglobal.net. Collectively, our experiences
will help and support other children in our district.

2)  Information from IAGC on Gifted Funding - The following is important information from IAGC pertaining to Gifted Funding in Illinois.
    - LANGUAGE - Illinois Public Act P.A. 94-410 (2005) restored gifted
          education to the School Code. For a print-friendly version of the full text, go to
          http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=094-0410&print=true
          (please copy and paste this link)
    - FUNDING - Illinois Public Act 95-348 (2007) lists Gifted Education
           with its own line item in the State Board of Education's budget.
    - RULES - For Rules for how gifted funding will be handled, approved by
           ISBE Board (2006), go to http://www.isbe.net/rules/archive/pdfs/227ARK.pdf
    - FAQS - For answers to Frequently-Asked-Questions go to
http://www.isbe.net/grants/pdf/gifted_faq.pdf

To visit the National Association for Gifted Children, go to http://www.nagc.org/
To visit the Illinois Association for Gifted Children, go to http://www.iagcgifted.org/
To visit the Illinois State Board of Education, go to http://www.isbe.net
 -------------------------------
Constitution of the State of Illinois regarding Education states, "A fundamental goal of the People of the State is the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities."  To see this and the rest of the Constitution, go to http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lrb/con10.htm
-------------------------------

3) Midwest Academic Talent Search(MATS) Testing - Registration is underway
for MATS testing!  MATS is a "program of the Center for Talent Development (CTD) at Northwestern
University that offers above-grade-level testing for academically talented students in grades 3-9."  Every year,
nearly 31,000 students from the Midwest participate.  MATS helps students understand their abilities and
plan for their future.  After testing, students and parents receive lots of information on "specialized
curricula, enrichment programs, and accelerated courses of study. This valuable feedback and
planning material helps families use students' test scores to plan for the future."  To see more information
and to register, go to
http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/.  To view the video on MATS, go to
http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/mats/downloads/matsvideo.htm

MATS also offers BRIDGES career planning program for students who sign up
for the testing.  PACE parents who have signed up for BRIDGES in the past recommend it highly.

4) FUNshops at IMSA - IMSA's Kids Institute is offering FUNshops at IMSA on
Saturday, October 27th, 9am-12pm.  3rd and 4th graders can sign up for Pirates@IMSA; children will
join IMSA students and staff as they investigate the science behind life on the high seas.  5th and
6th graders can sign up for Science of Halloween: Investigate Phrightening Physics, Crazy Chem-mystery,
and Bizarre Biology with IMSA students and staff.  For registration information, go to
http://www.imsa.edu/programs/kidsinstitute/news_events/news_events.html