November 23, 2008

Dear families of Pittsburgh Colfax & Dilworth gifted students,

As the school year progresses, we wanted to share with you some important updates regarding the status of the gifted pilot for the 2008-09 school year. In light of the phased in nature of this pilot, we have decided to have the gifted students continue at the gifted center through the rest of the current school year—and begin the full on site implementation in September of 2009. This will ensure that they have the smoothest and most comprehensive transition into a full on-site program in September.

Exciting and innovative plans are in the works for this pilot, and we remain optimistic that this approach will serve the students at the pilot schools at the highest level. We also have taken some time in the past weeks to determine the best course of action for the spring semester.

• We are in the final stages of selecting a university partner to provide support and professional development to the gifted support teachers, and the classroom teachers at all of our pilot sites. We expect this decision to be made within a month.

• We are still planning to roll out the initial stages of on-site gifted support this coming January—and have marshaled additional resources or time and staff to complement the work and development that has already occurred. These initial stages will involve a combination of differentiated class work, projects and homework, as well as both push in and limited pull out enrichment.

• Finally, we will be planning ongoing training and professional development for classroom teachers and gifted support specialists for the spring and summer of 2009.

You will receive a letter from us no later than December 19 that will outline more specific dates and details regarding the spring semester—and we invite you on January 8 at 6pm to the Administration Building in conference room A to learn more and ask questions regarding the progress on the pilot.

We hope that this serves as a renewed commitment on our part to do what is best for students this spring, and that you are assured the recommendations of the Gifted Task Force are being put into staged implementation over the coming nine months. Should you have specific questions regarding this information, do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Warm wishes for a safe Thanksgiving,

Dr. Tricia Gennari, Executive Director of Student Services