Gifted showcase set for Saturday as parents reorganize St. Tammany Association for Gifted Education

District staff and a retired teacher urged public attendance at a gifted-student showcase scheduled for Saturday and described efforts to reorganize a parent-teacher association focused on gifted education.

Ms. Garner (district staff) reminded the board that the gifted showcase will be held on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m.; she said the event has grown and required a location change from the initial site identified earlier. "This event is definitely to support them and all the work that they've done this year and to showcase their work," Garner said.

Lee Barrios, a retired teacher attending public comment, gave a historical overview and urged parents and teachers to attend. Barrios said state legislation provides funding for gifted-and-talented programming under the state’s Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) and that districts receive 60% of the typical per-pupil funding for students provided gifted services. He described the district’s first gifted program in 1977 and said parents, current and retired gifted teachers are reorganizing the previously active St. Tammany Association for Gifted Education (STAGE) and will invite others to join at Saturday’s event.

Why it matters: the showcase is intended to increase public awareness of local gifted programming and to recruit parent and teacher volunteers for STAGE; the event is an opportunity for families to see student work and for organizers to expand identification and course offerings.

Ending: Barrios said he would seek the superintendent’s blessing for the STAGE reorganization and encouraged attendance at the Saturday showcase.