A parent advocacy group supporting students and families of the Gifted (grades 1-12) and CAPA- Creative and Performing Arts (grades 6-12) Academies in Rockford Public School District 205 (RPS205)
Goals and Objectives
- Increase marketing & communication for Gifted (grades 1-12) and CAPA – Creative and Performing Arts (grades 6-12) Academies in RPS205.
- Celebrate and promote student successes.
- Develop and maintain PGE Facebook, eNewsletter, new website, and PGE & PTO monthly meetings.
- Create online directory.
- Increase participation with online volunteer sign-ups.
- Allow donations to be made through PayPal.
- Hold events featuring speakers including, our Superintendent, our administrators and other guest speakers.
- Establish a consistent program name for Gifted program locally, regionally and nationally.
- Keep parents informed on gifted issues and opportunities locally, regionally and nationally.
- Increase awareness and rally parents for issues and concerns regarding gifted and CAPA issues.
2. Help students and parents with college preparation.
- Work with dedicated college counselor assigned to Gifted and CAPA.
- Improve Parents Guide & Resource College Next Steps.
- Increase college recruiter awareness of Auburn as a Gifted program.
- Increase college recruiter visits to Auburn.
- Form a parent-led ad-hoc committee to support this effort.
3. Support & partner with Renaissance Gifted and CAPA PTO/Booster Club.
- Nominate a parent liaison for both Academies at Marshall Elementary, Marshall Middle, West and Auburn.
- Coordinate with PTO officers for special events, guests speakers and forums.
- Conduct a joint PGE and PTO monthly meeting.
4. Support students’ learning differences.
- Increase opportunities for students to express, explore, and learn about the diverse characteristics of giftedness, social issues, and positive coping skills.
- Offer SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) Model to parent groups in fall and spring.
- Conduct educational forums for parents and teachers concerning educational outcomes for gifted children.
5. Collaborate with parents, teachers, staff, administrators, PTO’s and School Board.
- Strengthen communications, student offerings, and marketing of the Gifted and CAPA Academies.
- Maintain awareness of School Board activities and how they impact Gifted and CAPA programs.
6. Advocate for gifted education locally and at the state level.
- Work with RPS205 leaders, administrators, teachers, staff and school board.
- Maintain strong relationship with Illinois Association for Gifted Children (IAGC).
- Work for restoration of state funding for gifted education.
7. Maintain and award Ruth Harris scholarship fund.
- Raise a minimum of $1,000 annually to fund the Ruth Harris scholarship fund.
- Announce scholarship and provide application guidelines to graduating high school Gifted and CAPA seniors.
- Review applications.
- Present and award up to two $500 book scholarships.
8. Support annual gifted program eligibility testing and auditions.
- Showcase the Gifted Academy to students and families interested in taking the admissions test.
- Recruit volunteers to greet and check-in families, monitor hallways, ask for donations and or provide snacks and refreshments for parents and their family members.
- Display current gifted students’ art work.