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Mission Statement

Vision

Supporters of Talented and Gifted Education (STAGE) is a volunteer community that advocates for educational excellence and opportunity for talented and gifted children in Naperville Community Unit School District 203.

Mission

STAGE partners with District 203 to combine resources and support educational excellence for students.

STAGE supports its mission by:

1.     Advocating on behalf of gifted students in District 203

a)  Develop meaningful partnership and working relationship with District 203 administrators, School Board and teachers of gifted and enrichment programs

  • Improve STAGE’s knowledge of school district’s programs, direction and goals
  • Develop ongoing relationship with District 203 administrators responsible or gifted programs
  • Increase visibility of STAGE within the school district
  • Attend School Board meetings to understand key issues within the district and to speak on behalf of gifted issues as necessary

b.    Involvement with the Illinois Association of Gifted Children (IAGC)

c.    Participate in Springfield Day which raises awareness of gifted issues and funding needs at the state level.

 

2.       Connecting parents of talented and gifted children with each other and providing  resources to support parents and their child

a.    Host a variety of parent programs to provide information and allow parents to connect with each other. Activities will include: external speakers, daytime and evening coffees and/or book clubs.

b.    Host periodic outings or events for parents and their children. Examples might include organizing a chess tournament, hosting a science family night, organizing an outing to the theatre or a museum.

c.    Use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to enable District 203 parents to connect, discuss gifted issues and concerns and be informed of local enrichment activities including STAGE’s programs.

d.    Sponsor annual Project IDEA+ (PI+) picnic to provide opportunity for students in this program to meet prior to the start of the school year.

e.    Work with District 203 to add classes on gifted topics for Parent University.
f.     Explore partnership opportunities within the community. Ideas include Naperville Public Library, Anderson’s Bookshop, Project Arrow (District 204’s equivalent of STAGE.

 

3.       Providing information for parents on gifted programs in the school district as well as educational and enrichment opportunities in the surrounding community

a.    Publish monthly email newsletter highlighting gifted issues, resources and activities.

b.    Regularly maintain STAGE website (www.stage203.org) with updated information on STAGE programs, gifted issues, District 203 programs and community resources. Develop additional content for the website such as local academic competitions, links to other content such as webinars / articles / blogs, etc.

c.    Host Summer Resource Fair which offers information on summer learning opportunities for children.

 

4.       Improving communication between families, schools and the school district regarding gifted education

a.    Host parent education evenings on District 203 gifted programs using Dstrict 203 administrators and staff as presenters.

b.    Identify STAGE liaisons for all schools. Work with liaisons to provide information about gifted programs and STAGE’s activities to the individual school communities. Receive input from liaisons about concerns or issues they are hearing from parents at their school.

c.    Include STAGE flyer in the district mailings to the parents of all new studentsin Honors Math, Project IDEA and Project IDEA+ programs.

d.    Work with school district to improve communication about K-3 enrichment program including information about how students are identified, how curriculum is providedand how parents are notified about their child’s participation.

 

History

 In 1987, the Naperville League of Women Voters formed a task force that evolved into a study

of gifted education. The gifted education programs in twelve suburban area school districts were examined. As a result of the investigation, an action committee was created, which servedas the catalyst for the formation of STAGE.

STAGE became a formal organization in February 1990.  In April 1998, STAGE entered a formal community partnership with School District 203.