PENNCREST Gifted Program

Students in grades six through 12 recently attended the World and Current Events Academic Game at Slippery Rock University. This  year’s game had questions about World War II as well as important events from 2009. There were several hundred students from area district competing. PENNCREST had a winning team as well as an undefeated player. N. McGowan from SHS was undefeated. He was also part of a winning team. Two of the other players on the winning team were D. Smith and Z. Eimer from Maplewood. Way to go guys!!!!

Currently, Saegertown Elementary is leading in the Stock Market Game. A fifth grade team is in first place. Team mates B. Haylett and T. Brooks are holding on to first place. In second place is the sixth grade team of G. Johnston, J. McClymonds, and J. Shaffer. The Stock Market Game is updated weekly. There are currently 17 teams competing. Way to go guys!!!! Let’s hang on to that lead.

Once the booklets describing the College Collaborative or Arts/Science Immersion offerings are complete, they will be linked to the PENNCREST Gifted Web site. That way, parents and students can discuss which course are the best fit. Students will also be given a hard copy of the Allegheny courses and registration information. Remember, once you receive your information there is a dead line for the sign ups- so don’t wait. If there are classes you want, get your paperwork back as soon as possible. Students who will be in sixth, seventh or eighth grade next year will sign up for Allegheny Arts Immersion. Students entering seventh or eighth grade may also select Science Immersion. Students who will be in ninth, tenth or eleventh grade next year may sign up for Allegheny College Collaborative.  Each student who signs up will  attend 12 session of Allegheny.  That means once they sign up they must be ready to commit to missing classes 12 times Fridays per year. Remember, attendance for those who elect to participate is mandatory and is enforced by the home school administration. The only acceptable absence is when a student is absent from school or when the school administration agrees to the absence. Besides illness, examples of excused absences  :include a grade wide field trip, county band participation, or business week for 10th graders. If you have questions about the programs please contact Mrs. Mumford, Mr. Nicolazzo or Mr. Harakal.

Stock Market Game:  Can they do it again? SES had a number one team in the stock market game last spring. The number one high school team was from MHS. The games have begun with two team signing on at SES to try for a victory.

Allegheny Arts/Science Immersion: Sign ups for next year will take  place in the spring. All current gifted/talented students who will be in grades six through eight in the 2010-2011 school year will be invited to participate.

Allegheny College Collaborative: Sign ups for next year will take place in the spring. All current gifted students who will be in grades nine through 12 next year will be invited to participate.

Academic Games: HURRAY- we have actually been able to attend several of the games this year. We have one more coming up on February 24. Maybe spring will come early this year.

Friday, February 12 is a scheduled Allegheny Arts Immersion/Science Immersion day for grades 6 through 8. PENNCREST does not have school that day. Students who are attending Allegheny that day must provide their own transportation to and from Allegheny College. Those who attend should be at their assigned areas by 8:45. Parents can drop off their child in front of the Allegheny student center. Mr. Nicolazzo and Mrs. Mumford will be there to monitor the students. Parents will pick their child up at the same place- in front of the student center. Classes end at 1:20. Please feel free to contact Mrs. Mumford or Mr. NIcolazzo with questions or concerns. If your child is not able to attend Allegheny that day, it is an excused absence.

A second player joins Sonny Pechin as undefeated at the academic game Presidents. Sonny, from Cambridge Springs High School, ended play undefeated in the nine through 12 division.  A second Cambridge Springs High School student has claimed a victory in the five through eight division. Josh Dennis finished undefeated at  Presidents Academic Game. If you see Sonny or Josh be sure to congratulate them on their great performances.

The enrichment staff is working hard to see that all the GIEPs are updated and in compliance. If you receive an invite from one of us, please mark your attendance preference and return it as soon as possible in the provided envelope. If you can’t attend at the scheduled time but would still like to meet with your child’s teacher, just drop us a note or an e-mail and arrangements will be made. Parent contact is always welcome!

Thanks  to some creative rescheduling on the part of IU4, we were actually able to attend two Academic Games so far this year. The first two games were Presidents for grades nine through twelve and five through eight. In the nine through twelve division, we had one student who was undefeated. Sonny Pechin, Cambridge Springs, receive a certificate for his stellar knowledge about the lives and times of United States Presidents. Congratulations Sonny! The results are not yet in for the five through eight divisions, but we have high hopes for them also. We are currently turning the attention of the students towards Propaganda which is played in January. Keep your fingers crossed for a mild winter. To learn more about the Academic Games, just follow the link on the right.

Pull out is on going at all schools. Mrs. Mumford is at Saegertown Elementary and High School, Maplewood Elementary and High School and Allegheny College. Mr. Nicolazzo is at Saegertown High School, Cambridge Springs High School and Allegheny College. Mr Harakal can be found at Cambridge Springs Elementary and Cambridge Springs High School. All three are available via e-mail so don’t hesitate to send in your questions and comments.

Allegheny Arts and Science Immersion and Allegheny College Collaborate are off to a strong start. The interest in the middle school program is the strongest ever and there have been classes added to accommodate the high enrollment .  The high school program is also enjoying large numbers and high interest. Remember, if your child chose to remain at the home school rather than attend Allegheny this year, the opportunity will be extended again next year. This is a wonderful opportunity available only through PENNCREST, Crawford Central and Conneaut School Districts.

Allegheny Schedule for 2009-2010

High School Dates  (Grades 9-12)

September 11
September 25
October 9
October 23
November 13
December 11
January 15
February 5
February 19
March 5
April 9
April 23

Arts Immersion Dates  (Grades 6, 7 & 8 )

September 18
October 2
October 16
November 6
November 20
December 4
January 29
February 12
February 26
March 19
April 16
April 30

PENNCREST students know how to manage money! Saegertown Elementary held on to their lead and ended up number one in the region in the Stock Market Game. Two fourth grade students from SES- Ben and Tyler- beat the market with a 23% return above the market on their initial investment. They started the game with $100,000 and ended it with $123,353. 43. A team from Maplewood Elementary came in second in the region, with a final total of $113.476.  Way to go SES and MES!

The response to these programs by the PENNCREST gifted and talented students has been outstanding!! There are many talented students waiting for a chance to participate.  If your child is eligible either through the gifted program or as a talented student, please understand the importance of honoring the commitment to attend. This involves missing most of the day 12 times per school year. If a child is enrolled, and then either chooses to drop out or is withdrawn by a parent, that child’s place is not taken by another student who wishes to participate. That spot is gone. This year, we had three talented students as well as several gifted who withdraw part way through the program. We have many, many talented hoping for the opportunity to attend. We are not able to replace students who withdraw part way through the program. Both Allegheny instructors and the enrichment staff are pleased at the number of gifted and talented students in the PENNCREST School District who participate in the Arts Immersion and Critical Thinking programs. Please take your child’s participation seriously, and honor their commitment to remain in the program for the entire 12 sessions.

If the district has a two hour delay on a scheduled Allegheny day, then Allegheny is canceled. Students will remain in their home school. Allegheny days are not made up.