Cutback in Gifted Education in Chapel Hill School District (universities, camps)

[5Disneyfans]

Anyone hear that there may be cutback in the gifted ed programs in elementary & middle schools? Apparentlt there is a budget shortfall & gifted is on the list to be cut?

Figures!

We chose Chapel Hill for the schools & the gifted program (LEAP) especially for my son who currently attends a private gifted school in NY. If these cuts go through I do not know what we are going to do for my son who cannot go into a regular class. Been there done that & it doesn't work for someone like my son who needs more challenge (not more busy work).

Once we move I know I will have to be his advocate in the schools but I was under the misapprehension that Chapel Hill had a great gifted program...

Anyone attend these meetings or have any further info?

[tabbcat]

This isn't quite what you're asking...but what about skipping him ahead in lieu of gifted programs? As an option.

[CHTransplant]

This is what is being discussed:

INITIAL PROPOSED CUTS
• 10 percent cut in non-personnel funding for central office and schools
• 5 percent cut in salaries for central office employees
• cutting five days from teacher assistant contracts in grades K-3
• cutting one teaching position from high schools, increasing class sizes
•eliminating a bus driver/clerical position at middle schools
PROPOSED CUTS IF NEEDED
• media center assistant positions at two high schools
• the equivalent of four full-time elementary music, art and physical education teaching positions
• $10,000 for sports and clubs at each middle school
• world language courses for kindergarten and grade 1
• requiring middle school core teachers to teach five class periods per day
• high school career center assistant positions
• reducing the number of gifted education specialists serving elementary schools
• requiring high school athletic directors to teach two class periods
• cutting high school athletics budgets
• eliminating foreign language classes with low enrollments
• eliminating service learning coordinator positions

[5Disneyfans]

Originally Posted by tabbcat

This isn't quite what you're asking...but what about skipping him ahead in lieu of gifted programs? As an option.

Originally we thought that may be an option, but right now his is working on cell divison, DNA replication, & genome theory...not sure if 1 or even 2 grades would help him at this point. Also he's tiny & still immature. I am nervous about him interacting, being on bus, walking in hallways, or eating lunch with kids that would be years older than him. He's only 9.

[tabbcat]

Ahh, I see. I only asked because I skipped 5 grades, and really enjoyed the experience more than the gifted programs... but I grew up in Canada, so it might be different than the States' programs

[Bilirubin]

I'm with Tabbcat. I feel your frustration, because I was in your son's shoes once. Skip the grades if you can (I didn't, and regret it now). The "gifted" programs don't help, because they are still just busy work when you boil it down. So for me, I was still bored. How was I (or anyone) supposed to learn from a teacher than I'm smarter than? I could read and understand textbooks just as well, or better, than they could. So then you have a bored, smart, and immature kid running around - a perfect storm for oh so many things. Not my finest hour.

Try getting some mentors for him, so he can see how DNA replication is applied in real life. [But one warning: PCR sounds really cool, but when you actually see it, it has all the attraction of an Easy-Bake oven.] He'll learn more, and will be more stimulated, by someone that actually applies the theory, than by someone in a classroom that has never done it. So skip grades, get him off to college, and relax. If he's truely gifted, he won't be "normal" anyways - he'll stand out no matter where he is. I loved being young and in college classes - all the chicks thought I was a cute kid. Unfortunately I grew out of it. He'll be fine around older kids, too. Who's going to pick on a little kid? Don't worry so much. Good luck.

[5Disneyfans]

Originally Posted by Bilirubin

I'm with Tabbcat. I feel your frustration, because I was in your son's shoes once. Skip the grades if you can (I didn't, and regret it now). The "gifted" programs don't help, because they are still just busy work when you boil it down. So for me, I was still bored. How was I (or anyone) supposed to learn from a teacher than I'm smarter than? I could read and understand textbooks just as well, or better, than they could. So then you have a bored, smart, and immature kid running around - a perfect storm for oh so many things. Not my finest hour.

Try getting some mentors for him, so he can see how DNA replication is applied in real life. [But one warning: PCR sounds really cool, but when you actually see it, it has all the attraction of an Easy-Bake oven.] He'll learn more, and will be more stimulated, by someone that actually applies the theory, than by someone in a classroom that has never done it. So skip grades, get him off to college, and relax. If he's truely gifted, he won't be "normal" anyways - he'll stand out no matter where he is. I loved being young and in college classes - all the chicks thought I was a cute kid. Unfortunately I grew out of it. He'll be fine around older kids, too. Who's going to pick on a little kid? Don't worry so much. Good luck.

That's dissapointing to hear that the gifted program is just busy work & he'll probably be bored. Jeez. We thought CH offered a true gifted program for kids who are not "normal"..I really hope its more than busy work. And where do I find mentors for him? Is that something I could call the colleges for? How frustrating.

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by 5Disneyfans

TWe thought CH offered a true gifted program for kids who are not "normal"

Chapel Hill is like Lake Wobegon ... all the students are above average.

[toot68]

Chapel Hill definitely has its share of jaw droppers. I personally know two families with kids who scored over 1500 on their SATs in the 8th grade (who takes the SAT in the fricking 8th grade anyway). Both kids operate on a different level...of course it doesn't hurt that the two sets of parents have 4 PhDs and 2 MDs between them, along with 3 tenured faculty positions, but these kids are even still at a different level than their siblings. I don't think you have too much to worry about with your kid being in a class of his own. Rather, you may need to worry about your kid not being considered "gifted", and only being considered "bright," and figure out how you are going to cope with that.

Seriously, you seem to be worked up about alot of nothing here. There will be plenty of resources available at Chapel Hill schools for "gifted" as well as only "really bright" kids. There's also huge amount of resources available to you in this area if you want to develop your childs interest in science outside the schools, most notably summer science camps at the Museum of life and science and at local universities, and ample opportunities to work in science labs at Duke and UNC in high school. And of course, the most valuable resource available to your kid is you.

[water_dancing]

Originally Posted by 5Disneyfans

That's dissapointing to hear that the gifted program is just busy work & he'll probably be bored. Jeez. We thought CH offered a true gifted program for kids who are not "normal"..I really hope its more than busy work. And where do I find mentors for him? Is that something I could call the colleges for? How frustrating.

CH/C does have a true gifted program-LEAP. It isn't just busy work. Kids in this program work about 2 grade levels ahead of their same grade peers. However they are with same aged peers. Check out the CHCCS website for more info.
5Disneyfans, if you are interested in LEAP for the fall, check the calendar on the website as there is only one more application deadline.