Packer Foundation Scholars Program Information

...PURPOSE
To encourage excellence and enrichment opportunities among gifted students, and to expand students’ knowledge in areas of interest.

...MISSION and HISTORY

The Young Scholars Program began in 1986 as an extension of the Aurora University Masters’ Degree in Gifted Education. The Masters level teachers completed their coursework by delivering instructional experiences to local gifted and talented students. Change in state policy and University focus has afforded change. We continue to partner with Aurora University but in February 2001 The Scholars Program became a program of the Center for Application Based Learning, a Naperville non-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote and advocate applications based learning especially for science and math. Our program sponsored by Packer Foundation continues to offer the same high quality programs continuing to hire Master Level teachers who are well known for their expertise.

...LOCATION (link to direction page)

Most of the Young Scholars classes are held on the campus of Aurora University which is located in a residential neighborhood on Aurora’s west side, convenient to Interstate 88. The Outdoor Scholars camp is held at Aurora University’s George Williams Campus in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, on beautiful Lake Geneva. George Williams is a 241acre natural area with 1,000 feet of lakefront beach.

...ABOUT SCHOLARS:

The Packer Foundation Scholars program offers opportunities for academically talented students from over 100 private and public west suburban schools representing DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Cook counties to participate. We also have a good number of home-schooling families that attend our programs.

Something for Everyone (Preschool through Adult)

  • Motivated learners as young as four are invited to join The Young Scholars Gifted Program. The learning opportunities are continuous from the Preschool, Primary, Intermediate, and Middle School levels. Enrichment offerings are available in the fall, winter, and summer.
  • The Scholars Program also supports an overnight camp entitled “Outdoor Scholars” which offers students immersion in the Sciences through Outdoor Education Experiences at Aurora University’s George Williams Campus in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin in June.
  • Gifted Testing started as a parent request – “Can you provide another evaluation method in addition to our school assessment?” Gifted testing is not a prerequisite for enrollment in our classes but rather provides insight to your child’s learning strengths. We offer the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (K – Adult) and ACT Explore Test (3 rd – 9 th grade).
  • The “Just For Adults” series is also offered while students are in classes, to assist the adults who support the learning needs of gifted and talented youth.

 

YOUNG SCHOLARS

...ADVANTAGES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

The Scholars Program offers topics not typically covered in the regular school curriculum. Field trips enhance the courses.

...SMALL CLASS SIZE

The Scholars Program encourages small class size for heightened group interaction. The average class size is 12 students per class, with a maximum of 24 students in most cases.

...RECOGNITION

Students attending The Scholars Program will receive a certificate of accomplishment.

...REGISTRATION CRITERIA

To be formally admitted to the Packer Foundation Scholars Program, a student must be classified as a Preschooler (4 years) through eighth grader and meet one of the following critieria:

  • Identified as a participant in their schools’ gifted program
  • Previous participation in The Scholars Program
  • Letter of recommendation from a principal, counselor, or teacher
  • Parent identification based on the identification criteria (connect to resource page)

If you have questions regarding your child’s eligibility, contact Director, Dr. Ann Butcher at 8GIFTED (630-844-3833) or email: abutcher@aurora.edu

Give the “Gift of Learning” - Enroll your child, grandchild, niece, or nephew as a gift for holiday, birthday, or “just because”.

Registration: Enrollment is limited. Please register early!

...LATE APPLICATIONS

Most of our Young Scholars courses fill up quickly. We will accept applications after the deadline on a space-available basis.

...WAITING LIST

Young Scholars students whose applications arrive after their chosen courses are filled are placed on a waiting list or may be selected to their 2 nd choice. Students may be accepted from the waiting list at any time until the start date of their chosen classes.

... REFUND POLICY

The Center for Applications-Based Learning reserves the right to withdraw a program due to unforeseen circumstances or insufficient enrollment. If a program is withdrawn, participants are notified and fees are refunded. No refunds are made after the program begins. Refunds are processed in 2 - 3 weeks.

OUTDOOR SCHOLARS

The Outdoor Scholars Overnight Camp at the beautiful Aurora University Lake Geneva Campus for students entering 4th – 8th grade focuses on outdoor and physical education activities. Outdoor Scholars is for students who would like to work together to learn about the out of doors. Camp activities may include:
  • nature walks (both wooded as well as lakeshore paths),
  • ferry ride,
  • study of Lake Geneva from a pontoon boat,
  • bird hikes,
  • camp fires (with cookout),
  • horseback riding, boating and canoeing,
  • geology study, and
  • a little drop line fishing from the dock.
There are a variety of sporting activities included in the week as well. These may include:
  • horseshoe pitching,
  • ping-pong tournament,
  • volleyball,
  • swimming,
  • basketball,
  • shuffleboard, and
  • tennis.
Crafts and reflection with a journal will offer enhancement of may planned activities. Cost includes: lodging, transportation to and from camp from AU, all meals, activities, as well as a camp T-shirt.

GIFTED TESTING

Gifted testing is not a prerequisite for enrollment in our classes but rather provides insight to your child’s learning strengths.

We offer:

  • Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (K – Adult) This is a 45 minute test offered three times a year – in the fall, winter, and summer session. This test is less limiting than the standard IQ test. The results may be useful for:
    • Helping your understand your child’s particular talents
    • Potential placement in gifted programs
    • As possible basis for individualized / differentiated instruction
    • Assisting you in discussions with your child’s teacher
    The results are generated by an independent testing service and will be mailed to your home within 3 – 6 weeks of the testing date. The results will be a narrative including raw scores, national percentiles, standard scores, a creativity index, and a criterion referenced checklist of creative strengths.
  • ACT Explore Test (3rd – 9th grade). This is a 3 hour academic test. Prerequisite for this test is: the students in grades 3 – 9 th grade can qualify for this test if they:
Score > 185 in Reading or Math on the ISAT test, and / or
  • Have a composite score or sub-score on a nationally normed standardized achievement, aptitude, or abilities test, such as Terra Nova
    • >97% for 3rd graders
    • >95% for 4th – 9th graders and / or
  • Qualify for your school gifted program, and/or
  • Nomination by parent or teacher. Students nominated should:
    • Demonstrate advanced aptitude in verbal or mathematical reasoning
    • Consistently perform in the top 5% of their grade
    • Perform exceptionally well in academically demanding course work in school
    • Regularly seek more challenging academic experiences

  • The EXPLORE test was originally developed for 8 th grade students to measure educational achievement in English, mathematics, reading, and science. It is currently used in many high schools as an entrance exam. It is a four section ( 30 minutes each) multiple choice test. The English measures understanding of the standard written English and rhetorical skills. The Mathematics measures mathematical reasoning. The Reading measures reading comprehension and the Science measures scientific reasoning skills. This test allows those students who score at the top if their class to demonstrate specific strengths and weaknesses on their academic journey. It is advantageous to have students take prior to their 8th grade year.

EDUCATORS

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Dr. Ann Butcher received her Bachelors of Arts from Aurora University majoring in Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. She received her Master of Science Degree and Supervisory Endorsement from Northern Illinois University where she majored in Curriculum and Supervision. Ann completed her doctorate in the field of Leadership in Educational Curriculum and Instruction at Aurora University. She is a teacher in West Aurora School District #129 receiving many honors for her innovative science ideas through the district, state, and national level. She has fourteen years of experience teaching and supervising in gifted programs. For the past ten years she has served as Director of The Scholars Program.

...PROFESSIONAL MASTER LEVEL TEACHERS
The Scholars Program offers the students the advantage of learning from the finest teachers in this area. These educational leaders provide a learning opportunity in their field of expertise. These highly skilled, dedicated teachers and professionals are well known for their expertise.

...INSTRUCTION STAFF

The instruction staff members are highly qualified experienced teachers who are among some of the finest teachers in the area. These educational leaders provide learning opportunities in their field of expertise.

Employment: Certified teachers with Masters Degree or better interested in teaching in The Scholars Program please contact Director: Dr. Ann Butcher – (630) 844-3833 or email: abutcher@aurora.edu

Internships: Working with whole classes of gifted and talented students is a great experience. If you would like to be considered please contact Director: Dr. Ann Butcher – (630) 844-3833 or email: abutcher@aurora.edu who will work with your academic institution to fulfill your internship requirement.

Volunteering: The Scholars Program loves educators and parents who want to help out in the classroom. We offer several courses where parents and children learn together. If you would like to volunteer in your child’s or another class, please Director: Dr. Ann Butcher – (630) 844-3833 or email: abutcher@aurora.edu

What Parents Say About the Program:

“I enjoyed my child’s enthusiasm for all of the class activities. My child was always so excited and told me all about everything that they did on the way home. She loved learning the concepts through exploration.”

“I enjoyed the enthusiasm and attitude level of the program. The teacher’s commitment to the program and to the students is of high standard.”

“The classes are great because they are all hands on learning. My son was not bored once!”

“My child loved the sciences classes, I wished I would have signed her up earlier for the second session before it was too late!”

What Students Say About the Program:

“They taught me a lot! The classes were fun too! This was an educational program where I got to meet new people and the teacher was good too!”

“I liked the web page design best because you got to put it on the net so everyone can see your hard work!”

“ I felt that this was a great and unforgettable chance to learn…I learned great things that I can grow on.”

“I really liked the classes. I don’t do a lot of experiments in school and I definitely recommend these classes to other kids!”

For more information on the Scholar's Program at Aurora University: 
 Contact: Dr. Ann Butcher, Director
mailto:abutcher@aurora.edu