TAG Testing NEXT WEEK

TAG Testing

Next Monday (Dec. 7) and Tuesday (Dec. 8), proctors from the Talented and Gifted department will be at Atkinson to administer the Cogat test to all 2nd graders.  All students will take the test in our classroom as part of our normal day.  In addition, if you filled out an IDPF for additional TAG testing in Reading or Math, those tests will also occur on these days.  Please have your student arrive to school well rested and ready to work at his or her best potential.
As a rule, we do not make a big deal out of this testing because we do not want the students to feel stressed out.  We usually tell them that they will be going with the proctor (or staying in the class) to "play puzzle/math/reading games."  We ask them to do their best, but not worry about it.

Results from the 2nd grade testing will only be shared with parents if the child scores at a high level and/or if parents ask the classroom teacher.

Results from TAG testing of nominated students (from the IDPF forms) will be shared with parents through the TAG office via mail.

REMINDER! IDPF forms are due on Monday.

Hello Atkinson Families.


If you are interested in nominating your child for TAG testing, the IDPF forms are due on Monday, November 2.  Please be sure to have the form turned in to your child's teacher on that day. Unfortunately, no late forms can be accepted. 


Thank you so much!

Power Point From TAG Informational Meeting

If you missed the TAG Informational Meeting, please click the link below to access the PowerPoint. Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thank you!

TAG Informational Meeting

NPR Stories on Gifted Education

There was an interesting story on the radio this morning about gifted education in Texas. If you are interested in listening, the link is here:


"In Houston's Gifted Program, Critics Say Blacks And Latinos Are Overlooked."




And a second NPR story, "Who Are The 'Gifted And Talented' And What Do They Need?"

TAG Identification, 2015-2016

TAG identification is a process that begins in the fall of every school year.  Children can be nominated by teachers or parents who think a child shows indications of "giftedness."  When a teacher or parent wants to move forward with a TAG nomination, the best place to begin the process is often during fall Teacher/Parent Conferences which take place on October 21, 22 and 23 for 2015.  Once teachers and parents have agreed to pursue TAG testing, the parent fills out the parent portion of an IDPF form (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese) and turns the form into the classroom teacher.
IDPF forms, in a variety of languages, are located online and in front of the school office. The teacher will gather work samples and other data to support the nomination.

IDPF due dates vary from year to year.  This year, IDPFs are due on

NOVEMBER 2, 2015.

No late forms will be accepted.

Parents may choose to nominate in any (or all) of three categories: Intellectual; Reading; or Math. Bilingual students (Spanish/English) will need to test in their strongest language.

Once IDPFs and work samples have been turned into the district TAG office in November, specific tests are ordered and plans are made for the testing to take place.  Atkinson is allotted two days each winter/spring for testing.  District personnel come to the school and pull children from their classes to take the tests.  PPS also offers make-up tests for students who are sick or have emergencies that keep them from school on the assigned testing days.  Families must arrange for make-up testing through the TAG office by calling 503-916-3358.

Atkinson TAG testing will take place this year on December 7 and 8. 

Once tests are taken, they are sent away for grading. This is usually a 4-6 week process, but varies from year to year. Results are then sent to the school where the Atkinson TAG committee determines who has qualified for the program.  Letters indicating results are sent to families from the TAG Department as soon as decisions are made.

More information on the TAG Nomination and Identification Process can be found by clicking here.

OATAG Conference Coming Soon

The Oregon Association For Talented And Gifted (OATAG) is holding their fall conference on Saturday, October 10, 2015 at Floyd Light Middle School.  The conference will feature Dr. Jim Webb.  If you are interested in learning more, please find more information and registration at www.OATAG.org, and/or see the flyer on the TAG bulletin board outside of the main office.

OATAG Fall Conference

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015

9:30-4:00

Floyd Light Middle School

10800 SE Washington St.

Portland, OR 97216-3118

Identification Process Meeting

If you are interested in learning more about the TAG identification process and/or about TAG services at Atkinson school, please join us for our fall TAG meeting.  There will be a district power point presentation and a question and answer time.  In addition, there will be a PTA Pot Luck immediately following, so plan to stay and mingle with other parents.

What:  TAG Information Meeting

When:  Thursday, September 24

6:00-6:30

Where:  Atkinson Library

If you have questions, please contact Beth Essex or Ivonne Dibblee.

See you then!

Free Computers for Students!

Hello Families!
While visiting Free Geek this summer, I learned that they have a wonderful program that rewards students who log a certain number of volunteer hours with a free desk top computer.  If you are interested in learning more about this program, please click this FREE GEEK link for the flyer.

Fixed vs. Growth Mindset

Hello TAG Families.
Here is a video that you might enjoy about how to encourage and praise others.  The speaker discusses research that indicates praising effort and persistence (rather than perceived innate ability) can have powerful, positive effects.

District TAG Department Newsletter

Greetings Atkinson TAG Families.
Andrew Johnson, director of TAG, has recently started a district TAG newsletter. TAG families should have received an email about this.  Please click this link to access the newsletter.  Thank you!

TAG 101

TAG 101: Meeting for Parents of Newly-Identified Students

Meet district TAG staff and PPS TAG Advisory Council members, and have your questions answered regarding services available for your child. Students welcome to attend (childcare not available).

Thursday May 21, 2015

6:30-7:30 PM

Franklin High School

5405 SE Woodward St

Portland Oregon 97206

We’re online at

www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/tag

SCIENCE FAIR at Atkinson!

The Atkinson Science Fair is coming soon! If your child is interested in submitting a project for the Science Fair, keep an eye out for information that will be coming home soon. The Science Fair is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 7.

ACCESS Academy

Portland Public Schools has a magnet program for students who score in the 99% on TAG testing and may be struggling to have their needs met in a standard school setting.
If you feel that your child would be a good candidate for ACCESS, please see their website for application details and requirements:
http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/access/

Stop Motion Animation Fun!

The students in our after school enrichment class are having a great time creating stop motion movies!  Check out the hard working students below:

TAG Identification Process

TAG identification is a process that begins in the fall of every school year.  Children can be nominated by teachers or parents who think a child shows indications of "giftedness."  When a teacher or parent wants to move forward with a TAG nomination, the best place to begin the process is often during fall Teacher/Parent Conferences.  Once teachers and parents have agreed to pursue TAG testing, the parent fills out their portions of an IDPF form and turns the form into the classroom teacher.  IDPF forms, in a variety of languages, are located online and in front of the school office. The teacher will gather work samples and other data to support the nomination.  

IDPF due dates vary from year to year, but they are generally due sometime in November. 

Parents may choose to nominate in any (or all) of three categories: Intellectual; Reading; or Math. Bilingual students (Spanish/English) will need to test in their strongest language.

In addition to the above process, all PPS 2nd graders are given a TAG screener every fall.  This screener is designed to alert teachers to possible TAG candidates that might otherwise escape their notice. Teachers do not generally share the screener results with parents unless the results indicate that further testing might be beneficial.  If a parent is interested in finding out how their child did on the screener, they should ask the child's teacher at conferences.

Once IDPFs and work samples have been turned into the district TAG office in November, specific tests are ordered and plans are made for the testing to take place.  Atkinson is allotted two days each winter/spring for testing.  District personnel come to the school and pull children from their classes to take the tests.  PPS also offers make-up tests for students who are sick or have emergencies that keep them from school on the assigned testing days.  Families must arrange for make-up testing through the TAG office by calling 503-916-3358.  

Once tests are taken, they are sent away for grading. This is usually a 4-6 week process, but varies from year to year. Results are then sent to the school where the Atkinson TAG committee determines who has qualified for the program.  Letters indicating results are sent to families from the TAG Department as soon as decisions are made.

More information on the TAG Nomination and Identification Process can be found by clicking here.

Spring Break and Summer Camp by Saturday Academy

Saturday Academy is offering Spring Break classes as well as a TAG Challenge Camp this summer.
Please click the link below for more information:

Saturday Academy Class Information

2nd/3rd Grade Saturday Academy Class Off To A Great Start!

Computer Graphic Art and Design started today for the 2nd and 3rd grade students who signed up! They worked busily in the library creating colorful images on the computers provided by Saturday Academy!

TAG Testing

If your child was nominated for further TAG testing (IDPFs for testing were due in November), the testing is scheduled to take place on February 3 and 4.  The TAG Department will be sending testers to Atkinson on those days.  If your child will be testing, please have him/her get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast before school on those days.
I do not know when scores will be expected back, but will post the information as soon as it is available.

Classes starting this week

Saturday Academy Classes, Computer Graphic Art and Design (for 2nd and 3rd graders) and Architectural Drawing and Modeling (4th and 5th graders) will begin this week!

Thank you to all who registered.