HiCap Parents Council
November Meeting
District Office
11/13/2024 - 10 AM - 12 Noon
In Person Attendance: Amity, Ashley, Angie, Carson, Allen, Terri, Mairead, Faustine and Elizabeth
In Person Late:
Zoom Meeting Attendance: Liz P, Terra, Hong, Veronica, Jen, Mairead
Zoom Late: Elisa, Holly (11:30)
Secretary: Liz P.
Zoom Liaison: Mairead
Next meeting date: Tuesday, December 10th 10 AM - 12 Noon
Reading: The Class Ceiling
Great article in pointing out the need and how many HiCap kids there are
Lacking on the how-to for teachers
How do we get teachers and community members on board that there is a great need and that HiCap education is basic education.
HiCap kids need study skills.
What about enrichment versus acceleration? Article is about acceleration moving forward. Maybe there is a need for more depth?
“Differentiation is a PROACTIVE approach though, not reacting to just challenges AFTER they arrive, but DESIGNING learning experiences with individual differences in mind from the beginning. Teachers need to anticipate variance among learners and plan strategies that address those needs before they become barriers.” - Terra
Discussion - Amity Updates
HiCap Middle School Task Force
Letters going out to selected committee members.
First step will be orienting these new members so everyone is starting off with the same basis.
Already combating the idea that we are overidentifying students
There are parents who are still stuck in the stigma. There are parents who think this is all about test prep
How can the HiCap Council interact with this taskforce? ACTION ITEM
CMAC field testing?
5th to 6th grade math path
Amity: Seems like the issue is communication, not the jump.
Maybe can have notification in ParentVue
The issue could also be late identification (students identified as 5th grader)
Many families do not say this is just a communication issue. This is an issue of whether the triple jump is appropriate for all families.
Can we change the middle school registration form?
Amity: I cannot unilaterally alter the registration forms. These are unique to each school and are then funneled through cabinet.
Data shared about math grades
Lots of students are using tutors, so please do not use this as our only metric to determine success of program
Elementary Reps could be more involved in helping families with math selection.
What does it mean for classes later?
What does it mean for high school transcripts?
Can we engage some college counselors to understand how this impacts acceptance rates?
Side Note on tutoring
In Asian culture, many elementary students are being tutored NOT because they are struggling, but because some families want to advance their kids as far as possible.
There are students that are struggling though and do engage with tutors
And the dynamic often switches in high school. Tutoring at that level often is to guarantee a good grade for transcripts.
Elementary HiCap ELA
2nd grade students will be graded on a 2nd grade level. These students are not receiving 3rd grade curriculum.
However, parent conferences are coming up. Parents can ask, “How is my HiCap designated child receiving education that fits their needs” and “how is HiCap ELA different than for GenEd students even if the curriculum is the same?”
Amity encourages families to ask these questions. Teachers should be able to answer this (ex. Rigby readers).
Council Questions/Updates
How can we engage families to share more of their stories or invite them to meetings?
Library, coffee shop
Start with all families rather than broken up by region
Maybe start with an evening zoom one?
Action Items
Amity: How can HiCap Council be a part of the Task force? Can we offer readings? Can we join in a meeting or a day when we discuss parent experiences?
Elementary Reps: Please educate 5th grade parents about their math choices
Mairead & Faustine: They will start the process of planning a meetup for HiCap families
Next month Agenda/Meeting
Faustine had an unanswered question. Curious about the distinction between the district and schools with the PTA. (Ex. PTAs seem to not get opportunities to talk to families at school events). How is this at other members’ schools? What are the “rules” about these separations?
How are we rolling out the information from our supplemental meeting? Working Groups? How do we get started?
