Litchfield Community Unit District #12

Litchfield, Illinois

Unlock the Mysteries of the Mind

In collaboration with the St. Louis Science Center , Blackburn

College and the St. Louis Art Museum.

June 10-15, 2018

 Welcome to the Summer Gifted Academy
This is the sixteenth year of the Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy. Litchfield Community Unit District #12,
in collaboration with the St. Louis Science Center and the St. Louis Art Museum has created a special program
designed to maximize the unusual talents and skills of gifted and talented students. The Litchfield Summer
Gifted Academy (LSGA) will meet the unique academic, social, emotional, creative and recreational needs of
the gifted and talented student. Each child will participate in intellectual challenges and social and recreational
fun. The academy is carefully designed to offer a safe learning experience for those who are excited about
learning new and challenging things. A caring and nurturing staff is dedicated to providing an enriching and
exciting program for each student.

Students will be actively engaged throughout the week. They will participate in hands-on learning, field trips,
evening events, and other challenging activities. The students will be grouped in one of two groups:
grades 4-6 or 6-8. The 6th grade students have the option to choose from either group courses. Classes will
be held at Litchfield High School. The students are given the opportunity to spend the 6 days and 5 nights as a
resident, or they may choose the option to commute.

Location excellence, and social, and emotional growth.

Students will learn responsibility, team work, self-
Litchfield is located in Central Illinois 40 minutes motivation, and respect for others. Students will
south of Springfield, IL on Interstate 55 and 60 engage in activities that promote responsibility,
minutes north of St. Louis, MO. teamwork, self-motivation, and respect for others.

Mission Statement Program Description

The mission of the Summer Gifted Academy is to
provide numerous stimulating, exciting, and
engaging opportunities to promote academic, social,
and recreational skills of gifted children in the
bi-state region.
History and Program Philosophy
In 2001, the Litchfield Community Unit District #12
received a three-year grant for the 21st Century
Community Learning Center from the U.S.
Department of Education to offer programs for
children in grades K—8, who are at risk
academically and socially. Gifted students are at
risk because their needs are not always met in the
regular education setting. This is our sixteenth year
of offering a week long summer academy for the
gifted students to help meet their needs. The
program will be offered to students who have
completed grades 4-8 as of May, 2018.
Our philosophy is to offer a program that will
challenge the students beyond their normal course
of study at school by providing academic challenges
for the students in their areas of interests and
abilities. We will provide a low student/teacher ratio.
Students will be with other students who have
similar interests and desire for challenges. The
students must have the commitment to academic
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The Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy provides
instruction in academics, arts, and recreational
courses during the week. Students will arrive at
4:00 p.m. on Sunday. The academy will conclude
late Friday afternoon with student presentations.
Students will select the academic area of interest
they want to study for the week. Students will also
have the opportunity to work collaboratively with
others and participate in problem solving activities.
A variety of courses will be offered to introduce the
students to new areas of interest and learning
experiences.
When applying, each student will choose three
courses of interest. We will try to honor the first
course choice. If the course is cancelled due to
low enrollment or is at full capacity, we will enroll
the student in his/her second or third course
choice.
Program Director and Staff
The program director is a National Board Certified
Teacher who is trained to teach gifted students and
teaches in the Litchfield Community Unit School
District #12. The instructors are trained and
experienced in working with gifted students. The
staff consists of Illinois certified gifted instructors,
college professors, and other professionals.
 Residential Staff
The residential staff consists of highly qualified,
experienced teachers who are responsible for Course by Grade Level
keeping the students safe while at the Summer
Gifted Academy. This staff is trained to take care Courses for the students are offered on the following
of the needs of the students. pages. The courses may be cancelled if there are
not enough registered. When making your choices,
Academic Program please make a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice. Students in
grades 6 may choose from either grades 4-6 or
grades 6-8 sessions. Class accommodations will be
The instructional programs cover writing, the
considered.
humanities, social studies, sciences, and
mathematics. Courses are taught to students who
have completed grades 4-8 as of May, 2018. Please pay close attention to the
grade categories.
Instructional Strategies
The Summer Gifted Academy teaching staff will 4-6 grade choices are:
use many teaching methods to engage and excite
the gifted and talented students. Beyond the Konstruction Junction
teaching methods of lecture and discussion Around the World in 5 Days
groups, the teaching staff will use inquiry-based
learning and the hands-on approach to encourage
ACTing Up
higher level thinking and creativity. Field trips will Phun with Physics
be scheduled as enrichment activities. Geology is a “Jumpin”
Academic Performance
The goals and expectations of the Litchfield 6-8 grade choices are:
Summer Gifted Academy are to encourage the
students to achieve a high standard of academic
performance. Students will produce projects to
Robotics Reloaded
demonstrate what they have achieved during the Hands On Zoology
week. Wild Stringdom
Robotics Reloaded
Student Schedules So You Want to Decorate
Top Class Chef
An example of the Litchfield Summer Gifted Phenomenal Photography
schedule is as follows:
Emerging Entrepreneur
8:00-8:30 Resident Breakfast
8:45-9:00 All Campers Arrive & Daily Kick Off
9:00-11:15 AM Program Session
11:15-11:30 AM Break
11:30-12:15 Recreation Activities
12:15-1:00 Lunch and Relaxation
1:00-3:15 PM Program Session
3:15-4:15 Problem Solving
4:15-5:00 Extra Activities
5:00-6:00 Dinner
6:00-8:30 Evening Activities
10:30 LIGHTS OUT FOR RESIDENTS!

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Descriptions Grades 4th – 6th
Konstruction Junction
What do toppling dominoes, playing card towers, and
K’NEX® have in common? They are tools of creativity
that inspire the master designer within. Think like an
engineer and design your own version of the Eiffel
Tower, assemble a working windmill, and devise a
bridge that can bear the heaviest loads. Use your
science, technology, and mathematic skills and
construct real world engineering marvels. Let your
imagination soar!
Around the World in 5 Days
Pack your bags and board your flight! Journey
around the world and discover the many mysteries
of ancient civilizations. Take a step back in time
and live like the ancient Pharaohs of Egypt and the
Kinds and Queens of England. Experience the
cultures of China and other far away places.
Generate your own flight plan, design your own
costumes, research customs, traditions, music and
dance and use your culinary skills to create
“around the world” cuisines.
ACTing Up
Calling all actors and actresses, playwrights, make-up
and hair dressers, costume and stage designers! Star
in a grand production of your version of fantasy movies,
such as the “Hobbit” or the "Oz”. Focus will be on
writing scripts, directing, designing sets and costumes,
and performing your masterpiece to an audience.
Experience the inner workings of a professional theater.
Don’t miss the world of fantasy and experience it all.
Phun with Physics
Explore the world of matter and energy through hands
on activities and experiments. Ride a hovercraft,
launch rockets, swing a bowling ball pendulum, and
learn how to spin like an Olympic skater, make a record
player, explore the light spectrum, make
electromagnets and much more. Investigate the forces
of nature and how they affect our everyday lives. If you
enjoy science, you will have lots of phun!
Geology is a ―Jumpin‖
Rocks and minerals will keep this summer a rockin’.
Some of you might even find it delicious as we cook up
some of the different types! You can create your own
conglomeration! And mine for minerals with only a
toothpick! Are you impressed by fossils? You can form
your own impression and see what develops. You will
also have a chance to dig into Archeology with your
own dig and trip to Cahokia Mounds.
Descriptions Grades 6th – 8th
Robotics Reloaded
Enter the world of robotics! Expand your knowledge of
physics, mechanics, and programming as you design,
build, and program a robot. Each day will bring a new
challenge and each teams’ robot will have to adapt to
compete. The week will end with the unveiling of a final
challenge that will require creativity, mechanical skills,
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and teamwork.
Hands On Zoology
From the microscopic critters crawling on plants to the giant
elephants of the world, why are animals so different? Use
Blackburn College advanced microscopes, skeletons, and
fossils to explore animal diversity large and small, past and
present. Tap into a large collection of living creatures and
handle living sea urchins, brittle stars, millipedes, turtles,
snakes, lizards, and an endangered species of salamander!
Examine closely the world of zoology with your teacher, a
zoologist. The week will include a tour of the St. Louis Zoo.
Wild Stringdom
Want to be the coolest kid on the block? Want to have groupies
flock to you like the superstar you are? Want to be a true Guitar
Hero? Or just want to get the lifelong gift of music in your soul?
Then join us for “Wild Stringdom” and learn to play guitar.
During the week you'll learn to play chords and single notes,
read some music and tablature, as well as tune and maintain
your guitar. We'll have some local players as guests, spend
some time practicing and set your feet on the path to a lifelong
skill.
So You Want to Decorate
Think like an interior designer! Design your own creative space,
either your room at home or an imaginary studio, shop, or
business. Create floor plans, study basic color theory, and learn
how to use a scale for space planning. Update with current
trends, colors, styles, and basic design techniques. Construct a
contemporary scaled model with furnishings. Decorate and
have fun!
Top Class Chef
Want a challenge to test your culinary skills? Do you think you
have the right stuff to become Top Class Chef? There is no
eliminating of participants in this kitchen, but just some good ol’
fashioned competition. Each day holds culinary challenges that
test your basic abilities in the kitchen, and unique culinary
challenges that test the versatility and inventiveness of chefs
working in teams. You will explore the fast growing field of
culinary arts and learn what it takes to work with other chefs
and manage a kitchen like the masters. You will need a
cooperative spirit and good management skills to survive this
course. So, remember, “If you can’t take the heat, stay out of
the kitchen.”
Phenomenal Photography
Do your parents own one of those fancy cameras? Do they
know how to use it? Do you? Would you like to learn? In
Phenomenal Photography, you’ll learn how to turn your
snapshots into professional-looking photographs. You’ll learn
how to compose an image, how to look for “good” light, how to
control exposure, and how different lenses or zooming in or out
on a subject affects a variety of photographic elements. Hands
on activities with our digital SLR cameras and your very own
smartphones will improve your photography skills each day of
our week-long course.
Emerging Entrepreneur
Do you have a great idea for a product or business that you just
know people would love? Enter the Shark Tank™ to pitch your
ideas! Work with other like-minded, aspiring entrepreneurs to
arrive at the perfect sales pitch and marketing plan, while
developing your public speaking, writing, art, math, and
teamwork skills. Give it a try! You could be the next big
 Dinner and Meals
Lunch will be served each day at the high school.
Dinner will be served at area restaurants.
Field Trips
To provide an exciting and hands-on learning
experience, field trips will be planned based on the
course of study.
Transportation
Transportation will be provided by the Litchfield School
District. Transportation will be by van or bus.
Evening Programs and Entertainment
Evening activities will be offered for all students. The
evening activities will be held off site and will allow time
to socialize. The activities will include swimming,
movies, and a Gateway Grizzly baseball game.
Spending Money
Students may want to bring spending money for snacks
and field trip souvenirs.
Final Program
A final program will be held on late Friday afternoon as
an open house. Parents are strongly encouraged to
attend this special program to see the students’ accom-
plishments.
Residential Life for Students
The primary responsibility of the Summer Gifted
Academy staff is to ensure the safety and well-being of
all students. To achieve this, we will carefully select and
train our residential staff to serve the needs of the
students. Students will stay each night in a local hotel
under the direct supervision of the residential staff. The
counselors will stay in the same hotel with the
students who will have 24-hour supervision.
Residential Time
There will be a residential time each evening between
10:00 and 10:30 before lights out. This is a time to
relax and get ready for bed. Counselors will be
monitoring the halls.
Commuter Students
Commuting students are those who choose not to stay
the night. Commuters will be able to participate in all
activities. They will need to arrive at 8:45 to participate
in the daily kickoff each morning. They will need to be
picked up as soon as the evening activity is over each
night. The time will vary according to the activity.
Dress Policy
Dress on campus is casual. Students may wear shorts,
T-shirts, or other casual clothes that are neat, clean,
and appropriate. No midriff may show. No T-shirts that
advertise alcohol or tobacco will be allowed. Shoes are
required at all events/sessions. Tennis shoes may be
necessary at times.
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Infirmary
The Summer Gifted Academy will have a medical check
-in table at registration to address medical concerns.
Students will not be allowed to keep medication in their
rooms unless the nurse authorizes it. This includes
prescription and non prescription including over-the-
counter medication such as aspirin, cough drops,
decongestants, and antacids. Parents are required to
discuss all medication upon arrival at registration. If a
student doesn’t feel well, he or she will report to the
person in charge. Any drug use outside of approved
medication from the nurse is strictly prohibited. Parents
will be notified if a child needs medical attention at the
hospital.
Phone Calls
Students will have time to make personal phone calls
during their free time. Students may bring cell phones
but use is prohibited except during free time. If
students need to make long distance calls, they should
bring a phone card or cell phone. There will be no
phones turned on in the rooms.
Summer Gifted Academy Eligibility
For a student to be eligible to attend the Summer Gifted
Academy at Litchfield Community Unit District #12,
there are certain requirements:
 Students must have a letter from their district
confirming their participation in the gifted program.
 Students not in a gifted program must have two
letters of recommendation. The letters should be
written by their superintendent, principal and/or
teachers.
 Student must have completed grades 4—8 in order
to attend.
Application Procedures and Deadlines
Admission to the 2017 Litchfield Summer Gifted
Academy is on a first-come first-serve basis according
to the postmark on the application envelope. We will
not accept applications after May 15th without the
permission of the director. To apply for the Summer
Gifted Academy, please complete and sign the
application page in this brochure. Mail the application
and payment by check to:
Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy
Jo Brummet
1705 N. State St.
Litchfield, IL 62056
Please make checks payable to Litchfield Summer
Gifted Academy. Credit cards will not be accepted.
THE FIRST PAYMENT IS DUE BY APRIL 15 FOR
EITHER PAYMENT OPTION. We will accept applica-
tions after April 15th if space allows. We strongly
recommend you to apply as early as possible due to
the space limitations.
 Program Costs  Refunds will be provided to any student who
chooses to withdraw from the program prior to
Covered Fees May 1st regardless of the reason for with-
The cost of the Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy drawal.
for a commuting student is $395. Resident  Tuition will be refunded, except for the
(6 days/5 nights) is $695. There is a $45.00 application fee and the first payment, to any
application fee included in the total cost of the camp. student who chooses to withdraw from the
This amount includes the academic program, all program after May 1st but before May 22. After
laboratory fees and course material costs, all May 22nd there will be no refunds.
room and board charges including three meals,  Students who withdraw after May 22 will not
recreational program costs, and evening receive a refund except in cases where serious
entertainment. It also includes the cost of illness prevents the student from attending or
transportation to and from the sessions and the completing the session. A doctor’s certificate is
evening activities while attending the session. required to receive the refund.
The payment schedule outlined below is an
example of two payment options. Contact Information
Jo Brummet
Payment Option One includes a discount of the
School Phone: 217-324-3955
$45.00 application fee for paying by April 15.
Fax: 217-324-5851
Cell Phone: 217-638-7714-texts are best
NOTE: Applications will be accepted after April
E-mail: jbrummet@litchfieldpanthers.org
15th but early enrollment will increase your
child’s chance of being enrolled in the course of
their choice. Final Note
The Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy is an
Option One opportunity for your gifted student to participate in a
Pay in full-no application fees new adventure. For many young people it can be a
frightening experience, one that creates stress and
anxiety. On the other hand, it can also be a
Payment Commuter Resident
Due Date wonderful opportunity for personal growth and
increased self-esteem and confidence. Students
April 15, 2016 $350.00 $650.00 acquire an acute sense of who they are. There are
hurdles to jump and obstacles to negotiate. One of
the most common hurdles is family separation, more
commonly known as “homesickness.” If this occurs,
Option Two
please be assured that the staff is experienced in
3 Month Payment Plan
dealing with these feelings. The staff is a highly
sensitive and caring group of individuals. One of the
The $45 application fee, included in the first best remedies is limited contact with the family at
payment, is non-refundable. home, since a parent’s first reaction is to get
Payment Commuter Resident Involved. If we allow the students to jump these
Due Date hurdles their growth can be quite substantial.
Student conduct and behavior expectations are high.
April 15, 2016 $195.00 $295.00 Academic challenges, social, and recreational
May 15, 2016 $150.00 $250.00 opportunities are the goals for the program.
However, respect for others is essential. Each
June 1, 2016 $50.00 $150.00 participant has the responsibility to follow the rules
and regulations set forth by the Litchfield Summer
Gifted Academy. Tobacco, alcohol, and drugs are
Total Due $395.00 $695.00
forbidden. Vandalizing, hazing, leaving campus*
unattended, being in restricted areas on campus,
Refund Policy willful destruction of property, academic dishonesty,
 All requests for refunds must be submitted in and attempting to leave the rooms after hours will not
writing. be tolerated. Program dismissal may be a
 The $45.00 application processing fee is non- consequence. Rules and regulations must be
refundable. followed regardless of age.
 Refunds will be provided to any student who is
not accepted into the program due to lack of * Campus consists of Litchfield High School, hotel,
qualifications. restaurant, locations for evening activities, and any
place where the Litchfield Summer Gifted
6 Academy may convene.
 Summer Gifted Academy
Application—Registration Form
Please print or type
Commuter ___ Resident ____ Gender: M __ F ___ Shoe Size: ______ Present grade _________

T-shirt size (circle) YM YL AS AM AL AXL AXXL (grade during 2017-2018 school year)

Student’s Name _______________________________________________________________________

Student’s Home Address ________________________________________________________________

City ______________________________ State _______ Zip ___________________

Home Phone ( ) ___________________

area code

Student’s Date of Birth ________________ Age _____ Social Security Number_____________________

Racial Status Caucasian African American Asian Other ______________________________

Emergency Number ( ) _____________ Name of Emergency Contact__________________________

Parent’s Cell Phone ( ) _____________ Name of Parent ____________________________________

Student lives with (circle one) Father Mother Both Other ________________________________

Parents’ Names Father ___________________________ Mother_______________________________

Parents’ Occupation Father ________________________ Mother _______________________________

Business Phone Father ( ) _______________________ Mother ( ) ________________________

E-Mail addresses: Father __________________________ Mother_______________________________

Name of Student’s school ________________________________________________________

School Address ________________________________________________________________

Type (circle) Public
City _______________________________ State ________ Zip ____________ Private Parochial

Name of School Principal (Mrs. Ms. Mr. Dr. ) ________________________________________

Name of School Gifted Coordinator/Counselor (Mrs. Ms. Mr. Dr.) ___________________________

Name of Current Teacher or Homeroom Teacher (Mrs. Ms. Mr. Dr. ) ______________________________

You are required to include documentation of program eligibility. Please check the item which is enclosed to verify
your eligibility: ______ School District Gifted Program Participation ______ 2 letters of recommendation

Please choose the course you would like to attend. Please give your three choices in case we are not able to fill one
of your requests. Please pay close attention to the grade categories: 4-6 and 6-8.

First Choice ________________ Second Choice ____________________ Third Choice __________________

Description Description Description

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 Litchfield Community Unit District #12 and Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy
Medical Information and Release Form

Student’s Name ___________________________ Parent’s Name _____________________________

Home address ___________________________ Home Phone ______________________________

________________________________________ Work Phone _______________________________

Cell Phone ________________________________

Birth Date ________________________________ Additional Emergency Contact and Phone #:

_________________________________________

Social Security Number ______________________ Relationship to Student_____________________

Medical History

Date of last tetanus vaccine ____________________ History of seizures? Yes ____ No ____
List of known drug/medication or insect bite allergies History of fainting spells? Yes ____ No ____
History of chronic illness? Yes ____ No ____
___________________________________________ Food allergies? Yes ____ No ____

___________________________________________ Explain all yes answers _____________ _______

List Current Medications ______________________ Anything you feel we should know

___________________________________________

___________________________________________ __________________________________

Please keep the students medication in the original My child may be given Tylenol, Dramamine, Antihista-
bottle with the attached label. The school personnel mines or other over the counter medications as the need
or an adult chaperone must control all medications. arises. Yes ___________ No __________

Parent’s Signature

__________________________________________

I hereby give my consent for my child to receive emergency first aid and medical attention by the health care pro-
vider, or the program director in charge, while my child is at the Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy. Should my child
require hospital care, I also give permission for the hospital medical personnel to render necessary treatment.

Signed _______________________________________________________________________________________
Parent or Legal Guardian Date

Student’s Insurance Company and Policy Number _____________________________________________________

Please attach both the front and back copy of the child’s insurance card with this form!)

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For Parent or Guardian
I hereby grant permission for my child, while attending the Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy (LSGA) to leave campus
for approved field trips (when a trip is authorized for a particular course). I grant permission to the Litchfield Summer
Gifted Academy and Litchfield Community Unit District #12 to use quotes, camp pictures and/or photographic images
of my child in LSGA literature and on the LSGA/Litchfield Community Unit District #12 website.

________________________________________________________ _____________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian Date

For the Student

I understand that, as a participant in the Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy (LSGA), I have the responsibility to work to
the best of my ability in all of my classes, that I will conduct myself appropriately and follow all rules, regulations and
policies of the LSGA program, that I will support the efforts of the LSGA staff and participants to preserve the cleanli-
ness and beauty of the campus, that I will respect the property of others, and that I will respect the rights and privileges
of all LSGA students, faculty, staff and others of the campus community. I understand that failure to comply with the
above may lead to my dismissal.

____________________________________________________ ________________________________
Signature of Student Date
Payment Information
Application for the 2018 Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy is on a first come first serve basis for qualified
students. Applications are accepted and processed upon receipt. Admission is granted or denied in the
sole discretion of LSGA/Litchfield Community Unit District #12. The first payment is due by April 15.

Payment option _____ Check # ( _______) _____ Cash ____ Money Order
Credit Cards will not be accepted.

Camp Amount enclosed $ ______________

DVD and CD $10/set

Total Enclosed $

Mail application and payment to: Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy

c/o Jo Brummet
1705 N. State St.
Litchfield, IL 62056
First payment is due with application.

Approximately two weeks is required to review the application to determine eligibility. An acceptance letter
and the master schedule with selected course will be sent to the student by May 23rd. By April 15 the first
tuition payment must be received by the Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy office in order to have a
guaranteed spot at the academy. It is the responsibility of the applicant to adhere to the payment schedule
in order to maintain his/her enrollment status in the LSGA program. Any nonsufficient funds checks
received by the academy will be turned over to our collection agency. The check holder will be responsible
for the check amount as well as the percentage charged by the collection agency.

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entrepreneur.

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