PENNCREST Gifted Program

Another school year in Gifted Education -PENNCREST style -has drawn to a close.  During the 2008-2009 school year the gifted staff - thanks to the support of PENNCREST School District- was able to provide relevant programming for elementary through secondary. Elementary students had the option of attending the academic games, weather permitting. Unfortunately, weather did NOT permit the majority of the time.  However,  the students were able to participate in the practices held during pull out.  Elementary through high school were able to participate in the Stock Market Game in the spring and, once again, PENNCREST student came out winners. The number one teams in the region were from Saegertown Elementary and Maplewood High School. The regions number two team was from Maplewood Elementary School. Their investments ended up making a profit during a turbulent investing time. Students in grades six through eight had the option of attending Allegheny Arts Immersion at Allegheny College. Many took advantage of this and thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with  students from Crawford Central and Conneaut school districts in a unique and creative way. Students in grades nine through twelve were able to attend the Allegheny College Collaborative program. This program offered everything from ballroom dance, to sign language to advance math. The possibilities were endless and the student interest in this program an indication of  its value. Also offered for student in all grades was a pull out program where they could meet with the enrichment staff and collaborate with other students in a small group setting. This program was enthusiastically received by participating students. Elementary students were encourage to develop cultural literacy and lateral thinking skills, and  high school students were assisted with career issues through a job shadow option and the use of Choices. The enrichment staff would like to extend a thank you to all of the regular education teachers, parents, PENNCREST administration and participating students who make this program possible. Have a wonderful summer and remember- enrichment begins at home!

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.

The  MASTERS (Multifaceted Advanced Summer Training for Excelling Rural Students) Summer Program is scheduled for June 22 through June 26, 2009. This program is sponsored by  the Northwest Tri- County Intermediate Unit and is available to students in grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. This is an academic camp that focuses on math and science and takes place on the campus of Edinboro University from 8:20 until 3:00 PM daily. The MASTERS Summer Program offers students the following:

• A hands-on, in-depth, student-centered summer experience.
• Focus on providing accelerated mathematics and science experiences.
• Commuter program designed to create a scientific environment.
• An opportunity to delve into the scientific progress, investigation, mathematics, and problem solving in a fun-filled week of exploration.

To qualify, students must have high ability, motivation, a serious attitude, and a favorable teacher recommendation. Tuition is $200. Transportation and lunch are not included. Parents who would like a brochure with class descriptions and application, please contact the enrichment staff.

The information packets  for the 2009-2010 Arts Immersion/Science Immersion programs at Allegheny College were distributed to currently eligible sixth and seventh students the week of February 16.  The packets for the Arts Immersion program will be distributed to eligible fifth graders the week of February 23. Eligible students include students in the gifted program  who will be in grades 6, 7, or 8 next year, as well as talented students who will be in grades 7 or 8 next year and are currently participating.  Parents: please review the packets and have your child turn in a selection by the due date. There are a limited number of spaces available in the Science Immersion program for grades 7 and 8, so it will be filled on a “first come, first serve” basis. If you have any question, please feel free to contact your child’s gifted teacher.

The trip to World and Current Events scheduled for January 28, 2009 was canceled due to weather. This time, the entire game was canceled, not just PENNCREST’s participation.  However, due to a scheduling conflict, PENNCREST will not be able to attend the make up day. We will try again next year. As always, student safety is our number one priority.

The spring version of the Stock Market Game begins in February. It should prove to be an exceptionally interesting and educational time to be invested in the market. Each team of students will begin with 100,000 dollars and do their best to make a profit. Students are encouraged to form teams of two or three and then work cooperatively to buy and sell the stocks of their choice. Their investments are tied to the real market, and gains and losses are the same as if they were really investing. It’s interesting to see the elementary try to spend their 100.000 dollars. It gives them a real understanding of how much money that is! Their gains and losses are updated weekly, and each team can see how they rank in the region as well as the nation. PENNCREST enrichment students have always done exceptionally well in the Stock Market game. This game is not limited to students only, and anyone can sign up as a team or individual to play. For more information, just follow the Stock Market game link on the left.

 Since we did not  have school on Wednesday, January 7, PENNCREST was unable to attend  the Presidents competition at Slippery Rock University.

Due to the interesting weather we are experiencing as well as expecting, the decision has been made to forgo attendance at Presidents January 7 for grades 5 through 8.

Although students and staff enjoy the educational and competitive aspects of these academic competition, the safety of the students takes priority.

District enrichment staff has had a busy couple of months updating  GIEPs and continuing with regular programming.
Allegheny Arts Immersion has grown tremendously over the last two years, with enrollment at its highest level ever. This program is offered to PENNCREST gifted and talented students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Enrollment in Allegheny College Collaborative for gifted students in grades 9 through 12 has also seen an increase in the last two years.
The interest and attendance at the academic games has grown, with more and more elementary participating. This year, elementary students from Saegertown and Maplewood traveled to Slippery Rock to participate in Propaganda. Since this was an election year, students not only learned about propaganda techniques, but also had the opportunity to see them in action. The high school sign up for Propaganda was the largest ever. Unfortunately, attendance was canceled due to the weather.  All are hoping for better luck with Presidents, the next game on the agenda.
The Stock Market Game was not offered as an option this fall due to lack of commitment on the part of the players. Everyone was way too busy adjusting to the new school year. This would certainly have been an interesting time to have 100,000 invested in the market. Students will have the opportunity to play the spring game beginning February 9 and ending April 17. Teams of two and three players from grades 4 through 12 will be given their 100,000 and turned loose to turn it into more, or less.
As always, parents are welcome to contact any of the enrichment staff if they have questions about programming or their child’s involvement. Just e-mail one of us with any issues or concerns you may have.