About Us

Sycamore GEAR (Gifted Education, Advocacy, and Resources) is a parent-led group for families in Sycamore Community Schools who are interested in gifted education. Membership is not limited in any way.  Members must only be interested in gifted education in our school district to join.  


We believe:
  • All children should have the opportunity to learn to their potential. We are dedicated to working with school administration to ensure that appropriate educational opportunities are available throughout each child’s school experience.
  • Informed families make effective advocates at the local, state, and national levels. We strive to provide current information via our programs, email list, social media presence, and website.

Leadership
The GEAR executive committee consists of a Chair, Vice Chair for Advocacy (includes email list management), Vice Chair for Publicity (includes website management), Vice Chair for Membership (includes Treasury), Secretary, and a representative from each of the 7 schools in the Sycamore Community Schools. You can contact the GEAR Chair using the email infosycamoregear@gmail.com. To discover your school representative, please consult the PTO chair list in the PTO directory (or ask the GEAR Chair at infosycamoregear@gmail.com). To find out the contact information for the Gifted Intervention Specialist at your school, please contact infosycamoregear@gmail.com.

Our History

Affiliations
In 1997, a loosely organized group called "Parents Supporting Gifted Education" was organized to present a speaker once a year and provide advocacy for gifted programming in the Sycamore Community School district.  By 2002, they had created several on-going programs and services to Sycamore parents and students, were providing support and appreciation to the gifted teaching staff, and had developed enhanced communication and collaboration with district administration. At that time they achieved non profit status through affiliation with Ohio Association for Gifted Children, created a bank account, and officially became GEAR.  Over the years, names and sponsored activities have changed, but the basic premise of providing education for parents, enrichment opportunities for children, and advocacy avenues for our families have remained the same.
Sycamore GEAR is an affiliate of the Ohio Association for Gifted Children. The mission of OAGC is to promote and support the development of gifted students through dissemination of information, advocacy on their behalf, encouragement of affiliate organizations, and to promote research and education for gifted children. The parent division of OAGC offers educational opportunities, advocacy support, and many other resources. A membership to the OAGC will offer you discounts, support, publications, current information, scholarship opportunities, and advocacy. Visit www.oagc.com for more information.