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Welcome to the Gifted Education
Cooperative web site! Here you can learn more about GECO, find out what
events we have planned for ourselves and our kids, find references to
useful resources on the web, join our group and volunteer to help out!
Please select from the options on the menu to the left.
Update from Sunday, May 7, 2012
See below, under Additional Information, for handouts/slides from some recent events!
District 181 Information
Many thanks to all the concerned parents who attended the April 9 board meeting, where the board listened to a presentation on and discussed the draft philosophy statement for gifted as well as a transition plan for the gifted program.
If you are not yet up to speed on the state of the current gifted programming review, the following information will be helpful. At the April 9 board meeting, the following were presented: draft philosphy statement and summary by Dr. Schuster, as well as transition plans: overall, ACE, ELA, Math
District 181 has established a page on their website "to keep our parents and community informed" while they are refining the plans that were presented to the Board on April 9. Click here.
The consultants (Dr. Moon et. al.) submitted their final report with appendices. This has resulted in the hiring of another consultant, Dr. Jessica Hockett, who is tasked with leading a committee in the writing of the district’s philosophy statement on gifted education.
Further background information on the review of the district’s gifted program:
- The preliminary report presented at the 1/23/12 board meeting.
- A summary of that meeting including GECO's position on this report.
- A brief history of the gifted program in the district.
This is an important time for the parents of gifted children to become engaged. What can you do to see that your child's needs are met within District 181?
- Email the board and superintendent at boe@d181.org
- Join the Gifted Education Cooperative (GECO), the parent resource network in the District 181 area. GECO provides parent support services, and children’s activities in addition to advocating for the needs of gifted children in the district. GECO will be communicating regularly to members throughout this process. GECO is open to all in the community. We have always taken an inclusive approach. Members of GECO do not always share the same opinion but the dialog is constructive and informative. Click here for a link to the membership form.
- Attend upcoming GECO functions to learn more about gifted issues, research, and best practices. Our programming includes book discussions, topical issue forums, parent coffees, and expert guest speakers.
- Take on a volunteer role within GECO. We are an all-volunteer organization and we can't help you unless we are strong and vibrant. There are little roles for people with a little time and bigger roles for those with more time. There are administrative roles for those who aren't comfortable representing GECO in the community and advocacy roles for those who are. There are at home roles for those who don't have the time or ability to get to meetings and team roles for those more comfortable collaborating. Furthermore, getting involved is a great way to meet people who face some of the same challenges you face in raising your children.
GECO Upcoming Events
Thursday, May 24, 2012: **Note New Date** 9:15 to 10:45 AM at Hinsdale Public Library
GECO Coffee: Let's Talk About Middle School Heard all the middle school stories
from the parents of older kids? Wondering how your child will cope? If you are a middle school parent, bring your knowledge to share with others; if you
are an elementary school parent, bring your questions. We have delayed this discussion until later in May than originally planned, hoping that middle school gifted programs will be finalized. ‘Experienced’ middle school parents, Griffin Sonntag (CHMS principal), and possibly other administrators will be in attendance to answer questions you may have about the middle school experience or about changes to middle school programs. As
always for our coffees, bring your favorite morning brew. Open to all.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012: 12:30 to 2:00 PM Hinsdale Public Library Large Meeting Room
"What Should We Do?” Help GECO brainstorm ideas that would be of interest to you for next year’s calendar! Speakers. Topics of interest. Field trips/activities for kids. We can have as many functions as we have people who have energy and ideas. We have a great organization that needs good support and experience to make functions successful! Open to all.
Check back soon for additional interesting events for parents and children!
Have some ideas for GECO events or interested in getting involved?
All are encouraged to attend monthly planning meetings. Please email GECO@ArvaMont.com for this month's location. All meetings begin at 12:30 pm.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012 - Hinsdale Public Library large meeting room
Additional Information:
Information from the "Gifts for the Thinking Child" coffee on 12/1/11:
Recommended by coffee attendees. Click here
Toy ratings/awards and catalog/online sources, click here
Challenging games recommended by teachers, click here
Looking for Dr. Ellen Fiedler's powerpoint on “Organizationally Challenged? How Developing Executive Function Can Help the Gifted" that she presented on 10/20/11? Click here.
Did you miss the 10/21/11 presentation on "Gifted 101- A primer on the special parenting needs of gifted children"? Click here for the agenda from the meeting, which includes links to relevant websites and articles.
We try to maintain a list of interesting opportunities for children, for families and for parents. Click on the Opportunities link to go to that page.
Also see the GECO Events page for other resources provided by our speakers and other sources.
If you have
questions or comments about GECO, please email us at GECO@ArvaMont.com.
For questions specific to this web site, please email GECOweb@ArvaMont.com.
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