Welcome to EXCEL Advanced Academics Parent Information Night

1
Welcome to EXCEL/ Advanced Academics Parent
Information Night

• October 11, 2007

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Who is the specialist at my childs campus?

• Tracey Besgrove- Advanced Academics Consultant
• Leigh Ballard- Foster Village, John D. Spicer
• Phillip Benham- Binion, Snow Heights
• Emily Biggers- Green Valley, Carrie Frances
  Thomas
• Linda DiVall- South Birdville, Birdville,
  Richland
• Jackie Frederiksen- Smithfield
• Angie Husbenet- North Ridge
• Stacye Onstott- W.A. Porter, Carrie Frances
  Thomas
• Jacqueline Piasecki- Hardeman, David E. Smith
• Chantelle Read- O. H. Stowe
• Sara Rector- W. T. Francisco, Watauga
• Kathi Watkins- Holiday Heights, Mullendore
• Stefanie Woodard- Walker Creek, West Birdville

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FAQs about Advanced Academics
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What is EXCEL vs Advanced Academics?

• Advanced Academics is the district department
  that coordinates classes and programs for BISDs
  gifted students K-12
• EXCEL is the gifted pull-out class at the
  elementary level

5
How do I explain gifted to my child?

• Indicators of Giftedness
• General/Specific/Creative aptitude
• Problem solving ability
• Awareness/ sensitivity
• Pace of learning
• Depth of understanding

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Does my child work with the Advanced Academics
Specialist on his/her campus?

• First and Second grades-
• 1 hour pull-out class
• Third, Fourth, and Fifth grades-
• 2 hour pull-out class

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How does the EXCEL class meet the needs of my
gifted child?

• Address Social and Emotional aspects unique to
  gifted individuals
• Work with other gifted students
• Add Depth and Complexity
• Develop Critical Thinking Skills
• Develop Creative Thinking Skills

8
What does my child do in EXCEL class?

• Curriculum units designed around themes and
  generalizations
• 1st Grade- Thinking Skills
• 2nd Grade- Mysteries
• 3rd Grade- Challenges
• 4th Grade- Explorations
• 5th Grade- Power

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What forms of communication will I expect from
the Elementary Advanced Academics Specialist?

• Progress Report Card
• Newsletter
• Website
• Department
• Campus
• Information about in-district and out-of-district
  opportunities

10
Is my child required to make up the work missed
while in EXCEL?

• BISD Policy
• Responsible for content
• Not required to make up work
• May have to show competency
• Talk to teacher first
• If further concerns, contact specialist

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How are my childs academic needs met in the
regular classroom?

• Cluster grouping
• Trained classroom teachers
• Differentiated assignments

12
Will my child be re-assessed for the gifted
program each year?

• Gifted label will stay with a student throughout
  BISD years

13
What happens when my child goes to middle and
high school?

• Middle School
• Pre-AP Math Classes
• GT-Pre-AP Classes
• English/ Language Arts/Humanities
• Math/Science
• High School
• Content Area AP Classes
• 9th Grade GT-AP Classes
• All Core Areas

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Unanswered Questions?