The+Talons+Page

• T A L O N S •

This is a unique district program that addresses the learning needs of gifted grade 9 and 10s, focusing on the Autonomous Learning Model and interdisciplinary learning. See brochure for further information. This program is only available for district identified gifted students currently in grade 8. Please address any questions or inquiries to Quirien Mulder ten Kate by e-mailing her at qmtk@sd43.bc.ca Ms. Quirien Mulder ten Kate (math, science, leadership 11, PE 11 and planning 10) Gifted contact for Gleneagle and Talons qmtk@sd43.bc.ca Bryan Jackson (social studies, English and leadership 11) brjackson@sd43.bc.ca Andy Albright (English, Social Studies, leadership11) aalbright@sd43.bc.ca 13. **13. After being accepted, how do you decide if my child joins the morning or afternoon version of the Talons program? Answer:** The selection committee considers various factors such as choice of electives, feeder school and gender balance. 14 **14. What makes the Talons program different from other programs of choice? : Answer:** Interdisicplinary: two teachers teach all core subjects. Emphasis on social and emotional learning: work in quads, committees, collaborative projects. Trips provide leadership opportunities and experiental learning. Community service projects give back to the community.**15. How many learners in each program? Answer:** 28; mix of grade nines and tens**16. Can my child join for one year? Answer:** No, they join the program for two years, starting in grade nine. We will re-evaluate their participation at the end of their grade nine year.**17. What contributions do the parents make? Answer:** They pay for trips! Attend talons special events such as September potluck, Eminent Night, In-depth Night, learner-led conferences, support their child's learning at home, drive for trips, stay in touch by e-mail, complete anecdotal report cards with child and support program's philosophy.
 * Welcome to Talons: The Academy of Learning for Outstanding, Notable Students.**
 * Teachers**:
 * School's numbers:** 604-464-5793 (phone) 604-464-5796 (fax)
 * Frequently Asked Questions about the Talons Program.**
 * 1) 1.  **1.** **Do I need to apply for a cross-boundary transfer when my child gets accepted into Talons? Answer:** No, Talons is a district program and no cross-boundary form is needed.
 * 2) **2. How many students will be accepted into Talons for the 2012-2013 school year? Answer: 26**
 * 3) **3. How much does the program cost per year? Answer:**
 * 4) a. Approximately $200.00 - $325.00 for the retreat. It depends on distance travelled, costsfor TOCs, location and the nature of the physical activities.
 * 5) b. Approximately $200.00-$350.00 for the five day adventure trip. It depends on istance travelled, costsfor TOCs, location and the nature of the physical activities.
 * 6) c. Approximately $100.00-$150.00 for one day f"ieldtrips:" speakers, fine arts workshops, Mt. Seymour, BCIT woodlot etc.
 * 7) d. Approximately $100.00-$150.00 for cultural events, such as theatre productions, Bard on the Beach, opera etc.
 * 8) 4.  **4. My child has not attended any gifted programming in middle school. Is that a concern? Answer:** No, but your child needs to have an up to date IEP for grade eight, including CTCS testing results or equivalent and has to be identified as ministry category P to be eligible for Talons.
 * 9) 5. **5.** **Where do we go for the three-day retreat? Answer:** We will spend three days at Sea to Sky Outdoor School during one of the two years and at Hick's Lake Group Campsite at Sasquatch Provincial Park the other year.
 * 10) 6.  **6.** **Where do we go for our five-day adventure trip? Answer:** Students research two to three potential trips and choose one trip with parents’ approval.
 * 11) 7.  **7.** **How do I get my child to and from Gleneagle? Answer:** You are responsible for getting your child to and from Gleneagle. The Talons room is often open at 8:00 am and we are usually there until about 3:45 pm. The school is usually opened at 7:00 am and stays open until at least 10:00 pm. There are places in the school for your child to study and stay while waiting to be picked up.
 * 12) 8.  **8.** **My child is finishing math 9 in middle school. Can my child take math 10 and 11 in Talons? Answer:** Yes, they can. They will be taking math 10 with the grade tens and then will take math 11 online in grade ten.
 * 13) 9. **9.** **Can my child accelerate through other core academic subjects in Talons?** **Answer:** No, we usually do not. However, we make the occasional exception depending on the individual child and subject. Our philosophy is to go into more depth and not to go faster. We already accelerate all four core subjects to some extend to make room for planning 10, leadership 11 and PE 11 over a period of two years. In other words, students get credit for eleven courses while only scheduled in eight blocks over the two years. There may be an option to complete English 11 in second semester in grade ten.
 * 14) 10. **10.** **I did not receive an application form or invitation letter? Answer:** Check with your feeder school to make sure your child is identified as category P. If so, please check with the middle school, to make sure your e-mail address is current. If all this checks out, contact Louise Malfesi at Students Services at Winslow Centre for the information.
 * 15) 11. **11.** **If my child, who came from outside Gleneagle’s catchment area, decides to stay at Gleneagle for grade 11 and 12 after the completion of the Talons program, do we need to apply for a cross-boundary transfer? Answer:** No.
 * 16) 12. **12.** **If I have a sibling of a child who is currently in Talons or has finished Talons and this sibling child wants to come to Gleneagle from outside its catchment area but is not in Talons, do I need to complete a cross-boundary transfer? Answer:** No. See a counsellor at Gleneagle to register your child for grade 9.

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