April 16, 2009
Dear Parents:
Congratulations! This letter is being sent to you to inform that your son/daughter (______) has been identified as an individual who is eligible to participate in the Postville High School Talented and Gifted (TAG) program. According to Iowa state code, a child who is identified as “gifted and talented” demonstrates achievement or potential in any of the following areas: general intellectual ability, creative thinking, leadership ability, special talent in the visual or performing arts, and/or specific ability aptitude. The identification process for high school students is based primarily on GPA, ITED scores, and teacher recommendations.
In the upcoming school year, a TAG class will be offered during the first trimester of the school year. This is a one-trimester class for which the students can receive an elective credit. In addition, students identified for the TAG program may take the class each year. This class is different than any online AP courses that a student may sign up for.
The class is designed to provide cross-curricular learning experiences that go beyond the regular curriculum offered in the high school. In addition, the class will be tailored to meet the specific needs and interests of the students who elect to take the class. The class will be project oriented, and the students will be involved in choosing the curriculum for the course. The types of projects and activities that may be considered include: research projects, service learning projects, technology-based activities, quiz bowl/academic team competitions, other academic competitions, science fairs, History Day, Rube Goldberg and Physics Olympics, independent study projects, cross-curricular projects aligned to regular classroom instruction, Iowa Hall of Pride, Postville school improvement projects, presentation and teaching projects for elementary/middle school grades, etc. The potential for the various types of activities is unlimited.
I am excited about the opportunity to offer this class to your child, and I believe that the educational potential for this class will be great. I encourage you talk with your child about taking this course, and I encourage your child to sign up for this class when it comes time to register for next year’s classes. Students will be officially registering for classes during parent/teacher conferences on April 21st and April 28th and may sign up for the TAG class at that time; however, adjustments to class schedules may be made at a later date if necessary.
As always, I am available to answer any questions that you may have about this class. I am also open to any suggestions or comments, so please feel free to contact me. My email is and my phone number at school is (563) 864-7651 Ext. 400.
Thank you for your time and consideration, and I hope to see your child in the TAG class next fall.
Sincerely,
Mike Dillon
Postville High School TAG Coordinator