December 15, 2008

Dear Families of Pittsburgh Colfax & Dilworth Gifted Students,

As promised in our November 23 communication, we are providing you with additional details regarding the gifted education pilot for the spring semester. We will be implementing the gifted education pilot in stages over the next six months. We will begin the full implementation of having the gifted program on-site at your child’s school in September 2009.

This means students will continue attending the Pittsburgh Gifted Center every Monday from January through June 2009. Gifted resource teachers from both Pittsburgh Colfax and Pittsburgh Dilworth will accompany students to the Pittsburgh Gifted Center each Monday and begin co-teaching and observing best practices for use in their own schools beginning in September. If you have questions or want additional details regarding the information below, we encourage you to join us at 6pm on January 8 in Conference Room A - Administration Building in Oakland (341 S. Bellefield Avenue).

On-site Gifted Support – January 09 to June 09

To help support the transition to a full service on-site gifted education model, Pittsburgh Colfax and Pittsburgh Dilworth teachers will begin the following in-school services and support in January 2009.

§ Continuation of the Junior Great Books implementation at grades K-5 to increase opportunities for higher-level texts and novel study

§ An enrichment period, aligned with the core curriculum and with the identified needs on each child’s Gifted Individualized Education Plan (GIEP), to assure students can be grouped and supported accordingly

§ Periodic differentiated homework and classrooms assignments specifically in the areas of reading and math to allow for acceleration and grade movement as needed

§ Think-A-Thon preparation

University Partner (Purdue University) to Provide Support and Professional Development

The District has chosen Marcia Gentry and her team at Purdue University to provide professional development for principals, gifted resource teachers and classroom teachers throughout the spring, summer and subsequent years. Ms. Gentry and her team will also train teachers and facilitate the appropriate clustering of students to align with the Gifted Task Force recommendations. Gifted Resource Teachers will receive one full day a week of professional development and training.

We want to assure you that we are moving “full- steam” ahead with the recommendations of the Gifted Task Force. Please join me on January 8 to learn more about our gifted education pilot. Your input is very important to us. Should you have questions prior to January 8, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at 412-622-3952.

Best wishes for a restful winter break and I hope to see you on January 8.

Dr. Trisha Gennari, Executive Director of Student Services