All About ALP

Volume 6 - January 2023

In order to provide input for your student’s middle school placement in ELA, Math, and Science, we give you an opportunity to provide the committee with your insights via Parent Referral Form. Before completing the form, we highly recommend reviewing the Transition Information for Parents made available by the district’s Academic Coordinator Team.

Please note: all information gathered in this form is used for the process of placing students appropriately in Grade 6. Parent input, while valuable, is not the final factor in determining placement. Completion of this form does not guarantee placement into the selected courses.

Grade 6 teachers and administrators constantly monitor student progress and achievement to ensure their needs are being met in their courses. Adjustments to course schedules are made on a case-by-case basis and can happen at any time throughout the school year. Parents are a key factor in the decision to make movements in classes. The middle school philosophy for the district ensures that all parents are notified early and often when schedule or course changes are recommended.

This form must be completed by Friday, February 10.

ALP English is now named English 6A, to align with course naming protocols for advanced math and science.

Grade 6 students are placed into classes based on achievement, ability, and overall well-being. On Tuesday, January 17, middle school administrators, school counselors, and the academic coordinator team presented on the Middle School Transition Process. This informational meeting detailed social, emotional, and academic shifts at the middle level. Presenters also described the differences in course offerings and support available.

Video links to these presentations as well as the slides used are available on the Teaching and Learning Page of the Greenwich Public Schools website.

Middle School Parent Input Window

• 
  January 18 - February 10, 2023

Middle School Placement Recommendation for the 2023-24 School Year Notifications

• March 10, 2023

Elementary ALP Q&A Sessions for Parents

• March 7, 2023

Elementary ALP Input/Referal Window

• March 3 - March 17, 2023

Elementary ALP Placement Recommendations for the 23-24 School Year Notifications

• May 5, 2023

This is the time of year when many parents ask for guidance on whether or not they should refer their child for the testing for elementary Advanced Learning Program classes in Grades 3-5.

Reminder: Before you complete a form referring your child, their teachers and administrators make recommendations based on what they see in the classroom and on grade, district, and state assessments. When being asked for parent input, the ALP leadership team would like to provide you with support.

Experts within the field of gifted and advanced education offer the following advice:

Each parent should consider the individual needs of their child. Typically, students who need an advanced level curriculum demonstrate the following characteristics:

• An extreme need for constant mental stimulation

• A need to explore subjects in surprising depth

• An insatiable curiosity, as demonstrated by endless questions and inquiries

• A quirky or mature sense of humor

• Show perseverance on difficult, tiring or frustrating tasks

• Are motivated by the unknown

Children may demonstrate some but not all of these traits; every child is different. Before referring your child for the ALP program, ALP PTAC leaders have weighed in and suggest asking yourself the following questions:

• Can my child independently complete classwork and homework?

• Is my child a hard worker, organized, and able to express himself or herself?

• Does my child show passion and self-motivation for learning?

• Will my child be an enthusiastic contributor to the class?

• Is my child ready and receptive to be challenged academically?

• Does my child exhibit curiosity and inquisitive mindset?

Each child is unique and develops at their own pace. Although testing for ALP placement may not be right for your child right now, elementary ALP placement occurs every spring in grades 2-4 for placement in grades 3-5.

This year, we welcome a new member to our ALP Leadership Team, Kimberly Paladino, our district's K-8 English Language Arts Coordinator. We work together in support of our advanced students. Our administrator content area curriculum coordinators work alongside ALP facilitator, Bonnie O'Regan to create a cohesive experience for our students.

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.

We would love to hear from you! Please send us an email, visit our website, or reach out to our Administrative Assistant, Robyn Byron, to schedule a meeting.

Email: advancedlearning@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Website: https://www.greenwichschools.org/teaching-learning/academics/advanced-learning-program-alp
Location: 290 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT, USA
Phone: (203) 625-7462