Welcome!

1. Welcome! The Effinger School For Academically Talented Children

2. Agenda • 7:00 Welcome • 7:10 – 7:20 Powerpoint Presentation • 7:20 – 7:45 Curriculum Review, Questions and Answers

3. Mission – what we are all about • The Effinger School is a private, K-5 school designed especially for kids who are academically talented, academically advanced, and/or gifted. • We focus on rigorous academic challenges, complex problems, higher order thinking, and depth of learning.

4. What can we offer your child? • A strong curriculum developed by William and Mary • Online world languages • Independent research projects • Digital portfolios • Small class sizes • Certified teachers

5. Curriculum • Our school intertwines the Virginia SOLs and the curriculum developed by the William and Mary Center for Gifted Education.

6. Curriculum • The W&M model integrates concepts, advanced content, and adds a process-product dimension. • What does that mean?

7. Curriculum • The curriculum focuses on overarching ideas such as the concept of change, systems, patterns and cause/effects. • The children work with in-depth content, read on an advanced level, and utilize advanced skills.

8. Curriculum • The children conduct independent research, solve problems, and develop their skills of inquiry.

9. Curriculum Notes • The W&M curriculum is in use in about 25 counties in Virginia. Across the country there are about 300 districts that have ordered the materials. The materials are also in use in Canada and Bermuda and several countries in Europe and Asia. Locally, Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, and Fairfax County use the materials.

10. Online World Languages • We believe that learning a world language and culture is important at an early age, so we offer online world languages courses in several different languages. • Courses move at the child’s pace, so review & acceleration are possible.

11. Online World Languages • Students can choose Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, or Spanish. • Students can choose a different language each year, or continue with the same language for multiple years.

12. Independent Research Projects • Can be short term or long term • Driven by student interest, skills, and strengths • Developed by the child, teacher and parent • Results in a demonstrated product or action

13. What do you like to do? • I like to build with my legos.

14. Independent Project • Build a lego device which can navigate in the air, on land, and under water. • How can your device help people? • Create a commercial which advertises your device and explains the benefits of owning it. • Present your commercial at Parent Night.

15. What do you like to do? • I like nature and finding out how things work.

16. Independent Research Project • Research solar energy and how it has developed and been used over the past 20 years. • Design and build a functioning solar panel which heats water. • Demonstrate your solar panel at Parent Night.

17. What do you like to do? • I like to make cookies with my mom.

18. Independent Research Project • Analyze your three favorite cookie recipes for common ingredients. • Create your own Best Cookie recipe. • Bake your cookies and distribute to your friends for their feedback. • Refine your recipe; bake cookies for a sick friend, neighbor, or a special person.

19. What do you like to do? • I like to paint.

20. Independent Research Project • Research the painting styles of three famous painters (e.g. Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Georgia O’Keefe). • Take a photo of a favorite person, garden, or composition for a Model. • Create three paintings of the Model, each to reflect the style of one of the famous artists. • Paint the Model in your own style. • Present at Parent Night

21. Digital Portfolios • An electronic compilation of your child’s best work which demonstrates progress, acquisition of new skills, and personal achievements. • A wonderful way to showcase your child’s talents and growth!

22. Small Class Sizes • 10-15 students each, to allow for a high degree of rigor and personal attention. • Allows for the development of a tailored educational plan which is reviewed and modified each year.

23. Educational Plan • What are my child’s strengths? • What does my child need help with? • What is my child’s current reading and math ability? • What goals do I have for my child? • What experiences will help my child?

24. Teachers • Certified Virginia Teachers • Additional experience with or endorsements in gifted education / high ability children.

25. Tuition • $350 per month plus a $400 acceptance fee upon enrollment • Total tuition: $4,600 per year. • Enrollment deadline: July 15.

26. Frequently Asked Questions • Where is the school? • We are currently talking with a church in Mechanicsville about using several classrooms in their building.

27. Frequently Asked Questions • What about after school child care? • The church does have after school child care which is available to the parents if they would like that option.

28. Frequently Asked Questions • Will this be a Christian based school? • We are planning an optional weekly chapel service for the children. • The curriculum is available at the back table.

29. Frequently Asked Questions • Will my child be accepted? Take a look at the curriculum and see if your child is excited about it, or backs away. If you believe that this program will be good for your child, apply. We’ll do some informal assessments to ascertain their reading, math, and thinking ability.

30. Frequently Asked Questions • Where do they eat lunch? Can I visit? • We’ll be eating in the classrooms, and of course, parents are always welcome!

31. Frequently Asked Questions • I know some parents and kids who might be interested, how can I get info to them? • Please feel free to take flyers, or guide them to www.EffingerSchool.com, or have them call me at (804) 305-3667.

32. Some Thoughts from Julie

33. Thanks! • Thank you for coming! Please feel free to ask questions, examine the curriculum, and take some extra handouts for your friends. -- Rebecca Cunningham, Ed.D.