Dispatch Editorial

Did you see the September 17, 2006 editorial in the Gilroy Dispatch regarding GATE? What are your thoughts on it? Comment here or by email to opengate@yahoogroups.com.

Rucker GATE Open House

An in-depth Open House showcasing the Rucker GATE program is scheduled for this Thursday May 12 at 6:30 PM. Newly identified students and their parents, or those who are in the identification process, or those who are already identified and are attending other schools in the district are invited to attend and learn about what the Rucker GATE program has to offer.

We would also like to have some parents who currently have students in the program or who have had students in the program in the past attend and answer questions. We would like to see at least one current or former Rucker parent per classroom. If you are interested, please contact Bill Hudson at hudsonwj@yahoo.com

A new page has been added to the OpenGATE website titled 'Resources'. This page contains information for parents of newly identified GATE students as well as those still in the identification process; Information about the identification process as well as a simplified flowchart of the identification process, and information regarding what the Rucker program offers above and beyond a typical classroom.

I hope to see you there!

Rucker GATE Open House a resounding success

I would like to thank everybody who helped to make yesterday's GATE Open House at Rucker a resounding success. I expected perhaps 20 people. My wife, who was a bit more pessimistic, thought that there would only be five to ten. Based on the number of people in the room, and standing outside the door of the room, I would say that there were at least 60 people who attended.

First of all, thanks to Jim Walling. He is the one who really spearheaded this, and got it to happen. Thanks also to the GATE teachers for taking the time out of their personal schedules to do this. Thanks also to Steve Gilbert and Marcia Brown for making the necessary arrangements at the district end.

I found myself answering question after question regarding the identification process, most of those questions were something like "What happens now?". There were also a lot of questions about what makes the Rucker program different than other schools, and a lot of questions about the future of the GATE program district-wide. My informal straw poll of parents indicates that there is a lot of interest in the self-contained GATE program.

There will be another GATE Open House on May 12, and the official Rucker Open House on May 26.

Press Release: OpenGATE selects Directors and Officers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OpenGATE Selects Directors and Officers

Gilroy, CA, March 18, 2005: OpenGATE Educational Foundation, Inc. (“OpenGATE”) has taken the next step in its bid to aid Gifted and Talented Education (“GATE”) programs in Gilroy Unified School District. In lieu of a meeting of the board of directors, the three co-founders, Cammie Brown, Jim Walling, and Bill Hudson, have instead circulated the necessary initial resolutions and bylaws of the corporation via mail. “If we are all agreed in advance on the basics, we can pass resolutions by unanimous written consent rather than having a meeting.’ said Bill Hudson in an email message to the co-founders. This enables OpenGATE to begin operations sooner than it could otherwise. A set of resolutions authorizing the opening of a checking account, and the adoption of bylaws is currently being circulated among the three founders, who are also the initial directors of the corporation. “This enables us to take the next step; Opening a bank account, and beginning the process of fundraising and grant-writing.” said Hudson.

Although OpenGATE has previously sought grants, up until this point it has done so on behalf of GUSD. Now the non-profit corporation will be able to seek grants to fund its own operations, and issue grants of its own. A meeting is planned at which the current directors will elect additional directors, and the officers of the corporation will be elected. Currently the offices required by state law are being staffed by the three initial directors. Bill Hudson is Interim President, Cammie Brown is Interim Secretary, and Jim Walling is Interim Treasurer.

Other steps currently in the works are applications to the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board for tax exemptions, as well as applications for grants. “We’re serious.” said Hudson. “We intend to accomplish our goals of improving GATE instruction in GUSD.”

OpenGATE is a California non-profit public benefit corporation which seeks to support and improve Gifted and Talented Education programs in GUSD. Their website is http://www.gilroyopengate.org. Questions can be directed to Interim President Bill Hudson at (408) 681-3880.

Deeper and Wider

As a parent involved in the GATE program at Rucker, I am often asked "What's so special about Rucker?" Well, here is a good example: Yesterday I attended a meeting in Janice Krahenbuhl's 3rd grade classroom. It seems that the majority of her students have not only mastered 3rd grade spelling, but have also mastered 4th, 5th and 6th grade spelling as well. Rather than begin them on 7th grade spelling, Janice has decided to start them on an expanded vocabulary curriculum.

Because the Rucker GATE program caters to a classroom of all (or nearly all) gifted students, they are able to move through more of the curriculum (wider) and then spend more time going into details (deeper). This is a distinct advantage over other forms of GATE instruction offered in the district, and this is why the parents in the program love it so much. I'm aware that 'tracked' programs are out of favor, but when a program carries as many advantages as this one does, it is hard to argue that it should be ended simply because it seems 'elitist' to someone.

Hopefully with the new identification process in place, there will be renewed interest in the program at Rucker. GUSD makes decisions based on parent interest (or at least perceived parent interest), so it is important to the future of the program to keep enrollement up.

Tonight's Board Meeting

GATE Parents should try to attend tonight's board
meeting. The GIRC committee will be delivering it's
recommendations on changes to the
identification/assessment process, which drives the
rest of the GATE program. There are important
changes being considered. The committee has worked
long and hard on this, and we can use all of your
support.

Rucker vs Non-Rucker

Rob van Herk and I are having a discussion on his blog regarding Rucker vs Luigi GATE students, and their relative performance. I am really very interested in the opinions of the parents of GATE students outside of Rucker: Is your child challenged, or bored? Is there enough advanced instruction? What changes would you like to see in your child's classroom experience? I'm looking for ideas that can be translated into grant proposals.