For the second year in a row, the Office of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and PACE (Parents’ Alliance for Citywide Education) will co-host a Gifted & Talented Education Open House providing information about New York City’s Citywide Gifted & Talented (G&T) elementary schools, Bronx district G&T programs and other accelerated education options. The groups will hold two events on Thursday, October 29th at the Bronx Library Center – one at 10-11:30 a.m. and another at 6-7p.m.
Each event features drop-in sessions related to G&T education as well as a presentation on the public school G&T testing process by expert consultants. PACE and Bronx Borough President representatives will be on hand, and current parents at Citywide G&T schools and district G&T programs will be available for informal Q&A. Representatives from other local educational groups will provide information and a representative from the NYC Department of Education will also be available to answer questions specific to the public school G&T process.
In addition to gathering information on educational options, attendees can sign up on site for the free G&T test offered by the DOE.
Among the five boroughs of New York City, Bronx children are tested at the lowest rate per capita, according to DOE statistics. This can change with better outreach to all Bronx communities. In fact, after last year’s Open House at which scores of parents signed up for the G&T test on site, the number of Bronx children taking the G&T test for entry to Kindergarten increased by over 13 percent whereas in other boroughs the testing rate stayed flat or even decreased. The PACE group believes if more parents have their children tested, the demand for accelerated programs will grow in The Bronx.
“As a borough we continue to push for educational excellence and options for all of our students,” says Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “When looking at the gifted and talented students in The Bronx, we know we have to do the work of educating and supporting parents to make informed decisions about the educational trajectory of their children.
We are working with Bronx parents who have gone through the G&T process and can offer their experiences and knowledge to assist parents, especially when signing up for the free G&T test with the Department of Education; to answer questions parents and caregivers may have about the G&T process and schools; and with organizations that provide further educational options for parents of gifted and talented children.”
Borough President Diaz added, “Supporting students is a priority of my office and I look forward to continuing these collaborative efforts to open as many doors of excellence to our parents and gifted and talented Bronx students.”
PACE is an organization founded by parent volunteers who represent each of New York City’s Citywide G&T schools and programs: The Anderson School on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Brooklyn School of Inquiry, NEST+m on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, STEM Academy at PS 85Q (grades 2-5 in 2015/16) and The 30th Avenue School (Q300) (grades K-2, 6 & 7 in 2015/16) in Queens, & TAG Young Scholars in East Harlem, Manhattan. More information can be found at their website, Citywideschools.org.
PACE seeks to advance G&T education through advocacy, outreach, and coalition building. PACE’s activities include:
• Monitoring relevant education policy and issues,
• Educating elected officials and other community leaders about Citywide gifted and talented programs,
• Advocating for existing and new Citywide G&T schools and programs, and
• Sharing experience, learning, and practices among parents at Citywide gifted and talented schools and programs.
Citywide schools are gifted and talented schools which accept applicants from any of NYC’s five boroughs based on results of the NYC Department of Education’s Gifted and Talented testing.
Details
When: Thursday, October 29, 10-11:30 a.m. and 6-7 p.m.
Free and Open to the Public, Refreshments Served and Children Welcome
Location: Bronx Library Center, 310 E. Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY
Questions: Contact Willow Lawson, Parents’ Alliance for Citywide Education,[email protected]