hello out there!! Feedback wanted about GTAB!

[Arwen Jackson]

Hello all!

This is Arwen. I serve on the GTA Booster Club Board. I was thinking
that this discussion board was not as active as it should be!
I would love to hear feedback about what you feel about the GT Academy
so far. I have been very happy with it- but honestly have not spoken
to lots of other parents about how their kids are doing in the
program.
Also- any feedback about what you want the Booster Club to do would be
great.
Anyway- fire away!!

[Kathy Ritz]

Hi Arwen,

I hope you are having a good day.  Did you ever get any feedbackon this question?  I actually met you last week at the YMCA after RIPPED.  Glad to know you now. :)

 

Our experience with GTA has been super positive.  My son is really enjoying his experiences in the classroom.  My only concern is that they don't get to proceed at their own pace in Math, which is one big reason we decided to attend.  I'm hoping now that they have one to one with the computers, they will allow more of this.

 

I have a question for you.  Just wondering your thoughts on life after the GTA?  Which Pearland high school is best, or is there an even better option that you know of?  I'm not sure either high school will be the best option for my son who is currently in 5th grade.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kathy Ritz

[Arwen Jackson]

Hmmm ...

I'm sorry to hear about the fact that they are not allowed to pace themselves in math. I was not aware of this. This was also one of the reasons I was excited about the gta. My son hates doing all the repetitive work once he has mastered something ( I'm sure all people feel this way!)

As far as after the gta, we are zoned for PHS, and I am sure that is where we will go. I know that the diverse courses offered there will allow the kids to proceed at whatever level they are comfortable with. 

What I would really like to see is the gta expand to the elem level. I am sorry to say that I feel that the needs of the gt kids in elem school are NOT being met. 

That's my thoughts

 :)

Arwen 

Sent from my iPhone

[Kathy Ritz]

Yes, we went to Massey Ranch for the IB curriculum to try and get their needs met, and while there is a bit more "critical mass" in those classrooms, as opposed to say Magnolia where my 3rd grader is currently, it is certainly a far cry from challenging for him.  It is one reason why I was very hopeful regarding the GTA, and have been very happy with most everything.  All of our GT Massey Ranch friends did not want to try the GTA because of bad experiences with Massey, but I'm so glad we branched out and went for it.

 

My 5th grade son came home and told me he counted down the minutes until social studies, because they are doing an interactive race across the old west where they have rolls (he is a blacksmith) and get +/- points for making good or poor choices along the route to Oregon.  What a wonderful thing to hear about learning!  And so completely rare in my house. 

 

Glad you think PHS will be a good environment for them. 

Kathy

[Denee Koonce]

About half of my daughter's GT fourth grade class from Massey chose to attend the GTA. I would say that the GT classes in elementary are hit or miss. Between my two oldest children in GT classes there we had two WONderful, creative, and challenging teachers (Mrs. Medley was one of them), two that were just so-so, and one who none of us liked, neither parents or children. We ultimately chose to pull out my 8 yr old and put him in a Montessori program where the courses are taught a grade level ahead.

My oldest is in fifth grade so our family doesn't have any experience with either Dawson or PHS. But from feedback from other parents whose kids attend Dawson (where we are zoned) I have heard good things academically. Many AP classes to choose from as well as dual college credit courses. My daughter is also looking forward to the theater classes which are outstanding. Don't know much about PHS.  

Denee Koonce

[Steve Dollinger]

My 10th grade daughter is attending DHS. Her only non-AP/PAP class is drill team. She is being challenged academically way beyond anything I experienced. Better her than me. :)

Sent from my iPhone

[Angela Hudson]

Hi Arwen,

Thanks for posting this question - and how awesome to see responses to
it!

Overall, we are enjoying the experiences in the GTA and are still
quite happy to have made the decision to attend. Perhaps the primary
thing I'd wish for more of is interaction with other parents. In brief
conversations here and there, we all tend to say the same things about
the GTA, "It's great! My child is doing great!" But it's the rare,
more insightful conversations I've had with other parents that I have
gained the most reassurance and the best tips for most successfully
meeting and exceeding academic challenges. I recently attended a GTA
board meeting after not having done so in a while, as I thought that
would be a great place to meet & interact with other parents.

I recently suggested to a mom that we start having monthly coffees
just to exchange ideas, share information, insights, etc. She, like
me, has a demanding career, which means limited time and lots of
juggling during the week. So maybe something on the weekends. I'd love
to know your thoughts.

Angela

[Ann Deery]

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Ann Deery

annd...@comcast.net

713-436-2293

[Valencia La'Shaye Charbonnet]

How about a Sunday brunch or even meeting for smoothies at the Drink Station?
Valencia La'Shaye Charbonnet
Professional Mary Kay Consultant 713-302-1150
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Be blessed and live for a purpose.

[Arwen Jackson]

Kathy,

So glad that your son is getting excited about school. I also have been having the same experience!! My son Mitchell was miserable in middle school. This year at PJHW at the gta he has done so much better. He especially likes the mini courses and the corresponding field trips. I hear about school, which is so rare from him.

My daughter in the 5th grade loves it as well, but since she has never been anywhere but elem school, I think she just thinks that this is what middle school is. But she also loves school, again, especially the mini courses.

I just wish my elem school kids were given the same opportunity. We shall see if the gta expands.

Getting together on the weekends sounds like a great idea!! I would love to post an invite in the newsletter. Who wants to set up the first one?

Thanks to all of you for your responses! This is exactly what this group is for!!

Arwen

Sent from my iPhone

[Lisa Ballard]

I would also be interested in getting together with some other parents. My son seems to be enjoying his time at GTA, but I get very little feedback from him, and don't really have any communication with any of the other parents. Please let me know if and when a gathering is planned.

Lisa B. Ballard

Account Executive

* 281.485.3133 Ext.104

* 800-883-7473

6 281.485.0149

* 4201 W Orange St, Pearland, TX 77581

* lbal...@ptsi-us.com

Pipe & Tube Supplies, Inc

-----Original Message-----
From: gtape...@googlegroups.com [mailto:gtape...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Arwen Jackson
Sent: Wednesday, February 22, 2012 7:35 AM
To: gtape...@googlegroups.com
Cc: GTA Pearland
Subject: Re: hello out there!! Feedback wanted about GTAB!

[baybr...@gmail.com]

The booster club meets on the first Monday of the month at the esc

From my HTC Amaze 4G on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network

[Ebony Goudeau]

Hi Everyone!!

My husband and I are glad about out chose to enroll our son! I believe
that the curriculum, the technologies, and the staff have made it a
great experience for Zoser. I feel like he is being challenged and at
the same time enjoying the learning experience which is important for
his motivation (attention span).

Though we participate regularly at the GTA Booster Club board meeting,
I agree with Angela, the parental interaction is touch and go
sometimes. I know we all have busy schedules but I don't mind meeting
up sometimes, I think it will enhance the overall GTA experience.

Also, I thought I would share these two camps that are geared toward
the GT student. I am sure you guys have heard about them, I just know
the deadlines have not come or have been extended. We have to have as
many options and opportunities as possible. They are the both summer
science camps in which you can find the information on the following
websites:

www.theharrisfoundation.org

http://dremefoundation.org/

[Ebony Goudeau]

If anybody is intrested, how about meeting for breakfast at the Panera
Bread on 518 next Satuday morning 3/3/2011?

[Arwen Jackson]

thanks Ebony!  I think that sounds great!

 

Personally- Sat mornings are usually tough for us- as we have 2 of the kids playing Spring season soccer.  But I will put out a note in the newsletter- I know people want this!  What time?

 

Also- in response to seeing that people wanted to get together- I worked with Sandra Bovy (who sets up all the restaurant nights) and we have set up a restaurant fundraiser night / GTAB mixer COMBO!!  Make money for GTAB AND get to know each other!  It is a WIN WIN!

The date is Friday night-  March 23rd, from 5-10pm at Jake's Grill. Bring the whole family!  We will get 15% of the sales for the GTAB Booster Club!  Do not worry if you cannot make it- we are going to try to do this every month if it works out- even into the summer.

 

So great to see all this good conversation!!

 

Arwen

--

Arwen

Arwen Jackson
3401 Crossbranch Court
281-412-3921
cell 832-545-8114

 

To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.

Elbert Hubbard
US author (1856 - 1915)

 

[Ebony Goudeau]

Hi Arwen!! Haven't seen you in awhile, I know how scedules can be so
we can catch up soon.

It could be as early as 8:00 am, I just threw that out there to see
who wanted to get together.

Jake's sounds great, but I am working that night. I will have Bernard
come out to support though.

> *Elbert Hubbard <http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Elbert_Hubbard/>*
> *US author (1856 - 1915)*
>