Abess Park Elementary 2009-2010

 Mrs. Sanford's Gifted Class

Our Adventure in Antarctica Begins…

 

Welcome (back) to another great year in the Gifted Program at Abess Park Elementary. Here are some general guidelines about the gifted program at Abess Park Elementary. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the school at 220-1260, ext. 2210, email me at sanfordw@duvalschools.org, or send in a note with your child. The best way to reach me is by email - I check it several times a day. I will return your call or note as soon as possible. I’m really looking forward to a great year! Wendy Sanford

• Learning Units: The students in all grade levels are exposed to the five areas of the gifted curriculum constantly. Each activity covers at least one gifted objective. All of our activities are curriculum driven, and by the end of fifth grade, all children will have been exposed to the whole curriculum. The five areas of the gifted curriculum are: Social Processes, Research Methods, Creative Expressions, Critical Appreciation and Scientific Approach.
• Supplies: Your child will need to have a pocket folder and a pencil daily. There are some extra supplies that are needed for the classroom. While you are out shopping, if you could please pick up a few of these items, it would greatly be appreciated: All grade levels: liquid soap, tissues, markers - different colors and sizes other than basic color, Ziploc bags - gallon size and quart size, paper plates,  bowls, spoons, and candy. Thank-You! Thank-You!
• Agenda: Every day that your child has gifted class, they will fill out an agenda of what we did that day. Please make sure you look at it every week. It is very important that you know what is happening with your child in class. This is my communication with you.
• Conferences: If you would like to schedule a conference, please let me know the day you would like to come in, and I will try to schedule a time on that day if possible. Please give me at least 24 hours notice of when you would like a conference.
• Snacks: Every child is welcome to bring in a snack to school to eat in the classroom. We eat snack at 1:15. Please no drinks, candy or anything eaten with a spoon.
• Lunch Schedule: We go to lunch at 11:20 - 11:50
• I am excited about this year, and I hope you are too! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ask me.

 

Field Trips

This year we will be going on field trips with the gifted classes from Sabal Palm Elementary and Don Brewer / Merrill Road Elementary. This means we have some AWESOME field trips planned, and we will be going only with our grade levels.  We won’t have to combine grade levels! I wanted to give you as much notice as possible so you can ask for time off of work, save money, or do some outside research with your child about the places we will go etc. Some trips we had to plan on different days than the normal gifted day. This was the only day of the week that we could attend that program. For those dates we will switch class dates with another grade level for classes that week. You only come to gifted class or a field trip once a week. I’ve also listed the student prices for each trip. This is our quotes for the bus and admission at this time. Please note that the trips could change, cancel or prices may vary. I tried to give you as much information as possible so you could be prepared. This is what we have planned at this time:

 

1st and 2nd

Oct 14 - Theater Works Play - $13
Nov 16 - UNF Nature Walk $8 - $5 for the prgram and $5 for the bus

March 8th - Science Demonstration at Abess - $8

 

3rd Grade

Sept 17 - Theater Works Play - $13
Sept 30 - Lightner and Potter’s Wax Museums, St. Augustine - $20

Dec 10th - Christmas Carole at the Alhambra - $28

Feb 18 - Fingerprinting and Solving Crimes - Science Demonstration at Abess - $8

4th Grade

Sept 8 - Pablo Creek Library - $5

Sept 17 - Theater Works Play - $13

Feb 18 - Fingerprinting and Solving Crimes - Science Demonstration at Abess - $8

May 6 - Medieval Times, Orlando (I have limited space for parents on the bus) - $57

 

5th Grade

Sept 8 - Pablo Creek Library - $5

Oct 27 - Tallahassee (Only 2 parents can ride the bus) - $25

Jan 19 - Sally Corporation - $5
Feb 16 - Federal Reserve Bank, Jacksonville - $5
March 23 - Science Station – Science Demonstration at Abess - $8

June 1 - Challenge Day at Abess Park - $5