Together we can make a difference!
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Meade
We are looking for parents, teachers, and students who support advanced and gifted education for Rochester Community Schools in Michigan. Please subscribe to Rochester SAGE to receive updates.
Also, please visit the "How to Help" link in the upper right.
Dr. Shaner: Quotes on Gifted Education
Dr. Robert Shaner of Warren Consolidated Schools is being considered by the Rochester Board of Education for Rochester Community Schools Superintendent. Dr. David Richards of Fraser Public Schools withdrew his candidacy for the position. The quotes below are from a meeting with Dr. Shaner and members of the PTA, Rochester SAGE, Rochester African American Parent Network, and high school students and the Board of Education’s interview.
Parent, Student, and Community Meeting with Dr. Shaner
Parent 1: How will you guide Rochester Community Schools to meet the needs of neuro-diverse and twice-exceptional students within the general education classrooms? I’m speaking Pre-K through 12.
Read more…
Superintendent Search: Final Events
As Rochester Community Schools concludes its superintendent search, the final events allow for public interaction with the candidates. These are great opportunities to meet the superintendent finalists and let them know how vital the need for gifted education is in this district.
Tonight, January 22, is an Open House to meet the candidates from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Harrison Room at the district administration center at 501 W. University, Rochester, Michigan.
Tomorrow, January 23, the two finalists will be interviewed. Dr. Robert Shaner’s interview is scheduled for 5-6:45 p.m. and Dr. David Richards will be interviewed from 7-8:45 p.m. The public should have an opportunity to ask questions of the candidates and provide written feedback to the Board of Education. This is also in the Harrison Room at the district administration center at 501 W. University, Rochester, Michigan.
Please take these opportunities to interact with the candidates. Your voice is important!
In addition, during the day tomorrow some representatives of Rochester SAGE and other school organizations will be interviewing the candidates. We plan on asking the candidates about gifted education and providing transcripts of their responses.
Thursday, January 24, at 7:00 PM the Board of Education meets in a public meeting in the Harrison Room to select a superintendent and enter into contract negotiations. (Original article had 5:00 PM due to incorrect source.)
Thank you for reading Rochester SAGE. Together we can make a difference for gifted children!
Superintendent Candidates Quotes on Gifted Education
Below are quotes by the two superintendent finalists for Rochester Community Schools on gifted education and high ability kids from their interviews before the Board of Education on January 9, 2013. Videos of the interviews of all candidates are available at http://rochester.ezstream.com/ I have not transcribed audio clips from Dr. Robert Martin, but he also mentioned ways to meet the needs of G/T students.
We plan on asking questions regarding gifted education of the superintendent finalists at the community interview and providing transcriptions at that time.
Dr. Robert Shaner, Executive Director of Instruction and Technology of Warren Consolidated Schools:
- [regarding the achievement gap] One of the things that we’ve experienced in Warren which has been interesting for us as we continue to strive higher and higher with our higher achieving kids, our gap becomes wider and wider. And that’s not to say that our teachers aren’t working hard with the kids that are struggling as well. That’s that the gap is widening.
Dr. Dave Richards, Superintendent of Fraser Public Schools:
- [regarding being globally prepared] We have to prepare kids to work in that environment and to do it in a socially and communication – electronic communication – manner much better than what we are doing right now. And I think that takes a look at the programs and services that we offer. I get back to creating a culture and an environment where kids can move on when ready. I think the state is starting to recognize the importance of seat time not necessarily being a fixed thing. That that can be a variable, where learning is the fixed and we allow kids… We know what our content standards are. We know what mastery looks like. We just have to create a school system that allows kids, especially the gifted, especially those that are in advanced, or even the kids that need a little more time, that they can move at that pace. And we can do that. We have the right thinkers, I will say, to have that conversation and to think, it’s cliche, outside that box.
- [regarding using iPads in education] The technology, the resources, is simply another way to extend that learning opportunity whether a student needs added support or whether they want to move on quicker, those resources allow them to do that. The toughest part is creating a system that allows structurally a kid to … if I only need ten weeks or fifteen weeks to complete a class, a particular class, that I can do that.
Thank you for reading Rochester SAGE. Together we can make a difference for gifted children!
NUMATS Deadline Approaching
The NUMATS (Northwestern University’s Midwest Academic Talent Search) ACT Explore test is used to determine the abilities of students in grades 3 through 6. After students test, parents receive comprehensive information about how their student measures up to other gifted students. This valuable feedback helps families plan for the future.
January 15
Regular Registration Deadline*
January 21
Late Registration Deadline
for Last EXPLORE® Test
of the 2012-2013 School Year
(Test Date – February 16)
*A $13 late fee is assessed for registrations received after
the regular registration deadline.
Dear CTD parent,
Happy New Year! It is now the midpoint of the school year, and you are most likely aware that your gifted child knows more than you thought. Now is the time to find out exactly how much so you can better meet his/her educational and developmental needs.
Don’t miss out . . . give your child the opportunity to take the EXPLORE test this school year. The cost is minimal, and the rewards are great!
Remember, EXPLORE scores can be
- analyzed in conjunction with results from school-administered achievement tests to facilitate effective placement for the 2013-2014 school year
- used in applications for gifted summer programs
- considered for the NUMATS Award Ceremony as well as many other state and local award ceremonies.
But you need to register now. The February 16 test date is the last one of this school year, and there are only a few days left to register. Do not let this opportunity pass you by. Register today at www.ctd.northwestern.edu/numats/register.
For more information:
Visit our website at www.ctd.northwestern.edu/numats.
E-mail us at numats@ctd.northwestern.edu.
Call us at 847/491-3782 extension 3.
We look forward to working with you and your child this year . . . and in the years to come.
Best regards,
The NUMATS Team
Rhoda Rosen, Associate Director
Julie Frate, Coordinator
Eric Calvert, Outreach, Research, and Technology Coordinator
Tammie Stewart, Manager of Community Outreach
Tiffany Tuck, Administrative Assistant
Benjamin Orlansky, Program Assistant
Superintendent Search: Finalists
The Rochester Community Schools Board of Education has selected Dr. Richards, Superintendent of Fraser Public Schools, and Dr. Shaner, Executive Director of Instruction and Technology of Warren Consolidated Schools, for the superintendent finalists.
The Board of Education began with a thirty minute discussion of the positive attributes of each candidate. After the discussion, Dr. Richards was the choice of all board members and were equally split on Dr. Martin and Dr. Shaner. They debated between Dr. Martin and Dr. Shaner for a while, most viewing Dr. Martin as more philosophical and his background as a closer fit to the district and Dr. Shaner as more thought-provoking and intellectual while providing vast amounts of information. After discussion, the BOE tipped slightly towards Dr. Shaner.
More on each candidate’s attributes below the jump.
Read more…
RCS Superintendent Search: The Districts and Interview Schedule
The Rochester Community Schools Board of Education has released the names of candidates selected for the superintendent position. They are:
| Candidate | Current District | Current Title |
| Dr. Robert Martin | West Bloomfield | Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction |
| Dr. David Richards | Fraser | Superintendent |
| Dr. Robert Shaner | Warren Consolidated | Executive Director for Instruction and Technology |
| Mrs. Cindy Weber | Durand | Superintendent |
.
Finding out a significant amount of information about particular candidates and their views without an interviews is difficult, so I have chosen to compare the school districts they come from. Two of them are superintendents, so their views and success should be reflected in the views and success of their districts. One is an assistant superintendent and one an executive director and while they hold significant importance for each district, they are not the primary decision maker.
As in the previous superintendent search, Rochester SAGE will be sending out questionnaires on gifted education to the candidates for inclusion in future posts. Below I have information on each candidate’s district and the timeline for the interviews.
Candidacy for Rochester Community Schools Board of Education
By Joshua Raymond, Lead Advocate of Rochester SAGE
Rochester Community Schools is seeking a new Board of Education trustee to fill a vacancy created when Mr. Gerald Moore resigned.
I am applying for this position, to be appointed by the current Board of Education trustees.
On Monday, December 3, the Board of Education will be interviewing all candidates, followed by finalist interviews on Wednesday, December 5.
Please come to an Open House to meet the candidates on Monday, December 3, from 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. in the Harrison Room of the Administration Center, 501 W. University, Rochester, MI 48307. At 7:00 p.m. the Board of Education will interview all applicants at an open meeting called for that purpose also in the Harrison Room. The Board of Education will interview finalist applicants at an open meeting on Wednesday, December 5, at 7:00 p.m. in the Graham Conference Room of the Administration Center.
As a parent or member of this community, you have an opportunity to let our Board of Education know your opinion on our next Board trustee. There will likely be a short, but very important, questionnaire to fill out. Please meet the candidates, listen to their views, and make your voice heard.
Thank you!
Joshua Raymond
RCS Superintendent Community Coffee – Wednesday, November 7, 2012
What: Superintendent Community Coffee, an excellent opportunity to speak with Dr. Zumsteg regarding gifted education
When: Wednesday, November 7, 2012, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Where: Parker Room, Administration Center, 501 W. University
Why: The community has few opportunities to talk in-depth with our school leaders. Dr. Zumsteg wants to hear from parents about what is happening in our schools. Take an hour to let her know what is great about our schools and what needs improvement. She is in a position to effect change!
If you can’t make this month’s coffee, please try to make at least one later in the year. We need RCS to hear from parents of gifted children! Future Superintendent Community Coffees are:
- Thursday, December 6, 2012 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Parker Room
- Wednesday, January 16, 2013 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Graham Room
- Wednesday, February 6, 2013 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Graham Room
- Wednesday, March 6, 2013 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Graham Room
- Wednesday, April 10, 2013 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Graham Room
- Wednesday, May 8, 2013 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Graham Room
Thank you for reading Rochester SAGE. Together we can make a difference for gifted children!
Joanna VanRaaphorst on Gifted Education
Rochester SAGE asked Joanna VanRaaphorst and Tom McMillin, candidates for State Representative in Michigan’s District 45 questions regarding gifted education. Here are the responses from Democrat Joanna VanRaaphorst.
—
Thank you for the opportunity to share with you my views on Special and Gifted Education. First, I must share that coming from an educator’s family (my late father was a middle school counselor, my late mother-in-law taught advanced high school science and my twin sister currently teaches 5th grade) I feel that ALL children are special and gifted each in their own way. Case in point would be my own two children. One excelled in math and science while the other’s English and social skills were always off the charts!
As a part of my research on this important topic, I spoke with the following people to answer your questions. Dr. John Schultz, former school supt., Barb Cenko, former RCS School Board member, Beth Talbert, current school board member, Dr. Zumsteg, interim RCS Supt. and Carolyn Matzinger.
1) Currently most gifted students in Michigan’s public schools are not being taught at their academic level. As a legislator, what bills would you support to increase gifted education? Read more…
Tom McMillin on Gifted Education
Rochester SAGE asked Tom McMillin and Joanna VanRaaphorst, candidates for State Representative in Michigan’s District 45 questions regarding gifted education. Here are the responses from Republican Tom McMillin.
—
1) Currently most gifted students in Michigan’s public schools are not being taught at their academic level. As a legislator, what bills would you support to increase gifted education? Read more…
Rochester SAGE - Supporting Advanced & Gifted Education 