Summertime Classes May Be Eye-Openers
For families with a child who has been identified as intellectually gifted, summer can be a problem time. This month is the right time to start dealing with the matter.
One group of parents with long experience in dealing with the wigglies, fidgets and occasional deviltry that can overcome clever kids during summer vacation is the Gifted Children’s Assn. of the San Fernando Valley. The first such self-help group for families with gifted kids to organize in the state, the association has for 30 years conducted a summertime educational enrichment program.
According to Christine Demmitt, its executive director, “Our program is intended for any kid who is a rapid learner, high achiever or capable underachiever.” Last year more than 400 kids from kindergarten through ninth grade participated.
The nonprofit program, which is run completely by volunteers, offers a schedule of more than 100 different classes in July and August. They are held at a facility in Reseda rented from the Los Angeles Unified School District. “Many classes fill up right away when enrollment opens in April,” said Demmitt, “but we offer lots of classes, which gives kids a wide variety to choose from--some classes might even open your kids’ eyes to vocational opportunities.”
*
Some examples from the 100 listed in the association’s summer schedule are “Crime Lab Science,” which is about chemistry; “Around The World In Ten Days,” a geography class; “Raging Forces,” about meteorology and seismology; and “Who Are You?” a beginning psychology class.
Each session runs two weeks, enabling kids to engage in a variety of pursuits between July 8 and Aug. 16. Depending on how many classes are taken, the fees will run from $100 to $500. Scholarships are available.
No proof of “giftedness” is required to attend these classes, beyond a note from a teacher asserting that the child would feel comfortable in a fast-paced learning situation. The determining factor governing enrollment should be the child’s own attitude, said Demmitt, who added, “It’s whether your child is interested, not whether you can browbeat your kid into going.”
The association’s summer program is not the only one in the Valley. Cal State Northridge offers educational enrichment classes for elementary through 12th grade kids. In Glendale, the Western Regional Office of Johns Hopkins University coordinates a series of summer programs for gifted children. Its highly competitive residential programs for seventh-graders through high school age students are conducted in campus settings at several colleges in Southern California.
“I recommend kids to all sorts of gifted programs--as a referral service of our association,” said Demmitt. “Any parent can call.”
DETAILS / SUMMER CLASSES
* Applications are being accepted and discounted rates are available until April 30 for the summer session conducted by the Gifted Children’s Assn. of the San Fernando Valley. Call (818) 782-2306, fax (818) 782-2326 or E-mail GIFTEDCA @ aol.com for class schedule.
* Applications are being accepted for the summer program at CSUN. For information, (818) 885-3333.
* The Johns Hopkins program for gifted children offers residential summer sessions at several sites in the Los Angeles area. For information, call (818) 500-9034.
