Parent+Letters

Fall ELC-TAG Parent Letter



September 8, 2011

Dear Parents of ELC and TAG students,

The 2011-2012 school year is underway! The middle school field trip that was snowed out last April has already been taken with us traveling to Des Moines to the Blank Park Zoo, Science Center: Body World VITAL program, and an Iowa Cubs baseball game. The high school and middle school students will soon be having their individual student conference with me. The middle school ECL Orientation class and conditional electives have already begun.

With the fifth grade moving to the middle school their schedule will look a little different from last year, but will still take the resource room approach. Shortly the resource room program for grades 2-5 will begin: grade 5 on September 6, grades 2-4 begin during the week of September 19 (due to ms/hs student conferences).

PLEASE RECORD THE FOLLOWING EVENTS ON YOUR HOME CALENDAR FOR THI YEAR.

** 2011-2012 ELC/TAG Meetings and Information ** Materials for parents of grades 4-8 students who qualify for the Iowa Talent Search—an organization that provides testing and educational opportunities for qualifying youth---will be sent home with your student if he/she qualifies. If you have any questions feel free to call Mrs. VanDeventer.
 * September 2011 **

Concession stand fund raiser. This is the first of two opportunities for students and parents to offer their time in raising money for upcoming field trips. Please sign up to help out if at all possible. This is how our program can offset bussing and entry fee costs for our trips. Also it is a great way for students to practice appropriate interaction skills.
 * __ September 23, 2011 __**** __Friday__ __6:30-9:30__ __south football concession stand__ **

TAG/ELC Parent-Student Meeting – The meeting will encourage networking and interaction of adults and students. You will get the opportunity to meet other parents and learn about TAG education.
 * __ October 10, 2011 Monday __**** __7:00-8:00 p.m.__ __H.S. Commons__ **

“Cutting Beyond the Edge: New Realities in Gifted Education” 2011 Iowa Talented and Gifted Conference. Sally M. Reis, Dr. Clar Baldus, David Williamson – keynote speakers. Email: itag@assoc-serv.com for information or see Mrs. VanDeventer for a registration form. $45 each day (+$25 after 9/16) Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences for ELC students grades 2-5. (Grade 6 optional) These will be scheduled ahead.
 * __ October 17-8, 2011 __**** __Monday & Tuesday__ __all day__ __Airport Holiday Inn, Des Moines__ **
 * __ November 7 & 8, 2011 __**** __Monday & Tuesday__ __Mon. morning & both evenings__ __L.W. & M.S.__ **

Concession stand. This is the second of two opportunities for students and parents to offer their time in raising money for upcoming field trips. Please sign up to help out if at all possible. This is how our program can offset bussing and entry fee costs for our trips.
 * __ December 20, 2011 __ __5:30-9:00 p.m__.** ** __H.S. Commons__ **

Qualifying students in grades 4-6 may take the BESTS test. Must register ahead through [] or using materials distributed in September.
 * __ January 21, 2012 __**** __Saturday__ __all a.m.__ __Lucia Wallace Elementary__ **

Optional ELC Parent-Teacher-Student conferences. End-of-year conferences will be held in May. Call/email for an appointment if you want one in March.
 * __ March 19 & 20, 2012 __**** __Monday & Tuesday__ __evenings__ __Bry, L.W., & M.S. buildings__ **

The elementary ELC field trip will be planned with 5th grade student involvement as a leadership activity. A letter will come home with the students.
 * __ April 2012 __**** __all day__ __Grades 2-5 ELC__ **

ELC/TAG Project Fair – Students display work they have done this year in an Open House atmosphere. Put this on your calendar to help your student celebrate his/her accomplishments! (Elementary students are required to attend this event.) Students set up their projects either at 3:30 or at 6:50.)
 * __ April 10, 2012 __**** __Tuesday__ __7:00-8:00 p.m.__ __H.S. Commons__ **

Selected students will present their independent study projects at the Lakeland TAG Student Products Convention in the morning and interact with other TAG students in the afternoon recreational activities.
 * __ April 20, 2012 __**** __Friday__ __7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.__ __Cutty’s Resort, Okoboji__ **

ELC Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences for grades 2-4 will be scheduled. You’ll receive a letter with your scheduled time. Be sure to call if a more convenient time is needed.
 * __ May 2012 __**** __Specific day to be determined__ __3:00-7:30 p.m.__ __H.S. Rm.35__ **

Parent-Student orientation meeting for middle school ELC is for this year’s 5th graders and any new middle school nominees. Learn how ELC differs from the elementary program beginning at grade 6.
 * __ May 14, 2012 __**** __Monday__ __6:00 – 6:30 p.m.__ __H.S. Rm.35__ **

As you can imagine there will be other events planned throughout the year for your son/daughter. You’ll be informed of them as they occur through notes sent home and through email, and via the ELC/TAG website: .

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at any time using my school phone number 295-7207 ext.235 or via email cvandeventer@algona.k12.ia.us. I will return any messages as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued support of your child and their participation in the Algona ELC/TAG Program.

Sincerely, Chris VanDeventer K-12 TAG Coordinator/Teacher