Commack Parents Start Local Gifted Program

When a group of Commack parents saw their children’s gifted programs being reduced in the school budget two years ago, they decided to form their own local advocacy group.  

Rona Bode, a Commack mother of three, is the president and founder of the Western Suffolk chapter of AGATE (Advocacy for Gifted and Talented Education in NY).  

The year before Bode’s son entered Burr Intermediate School, the gifted program, Challenge and Discovery, was cut from once a week, to twice a month, due to the reduction of a teaching position. Both she and her son found themselves disappointed.  

“When he started, it was the one day I would get feedback from him when he came home from school,” she said.  

In neighboring districts, such programs had been cut completely. New York is one of many states that does not mandate gifted education. “It put people in a hole,” Bode said.  

That’s when Bode started up the Western Suffolk Chapter of AGATE last summer. Although the chapter is made up of mostly Commack parents, as word has trickled out about the organization, parents from neighboring districts have also become involved.  

During the meetings, parents are encouraged to share information, resources and learn from one another about different programs available to children in the area. The organization brings in guest speakers, such as college professors, to help inform parents about how to advocate for their children and the best learning practices for them to succeed.  

“It’s nice to be around other parents to talk about what works and what doesn’t – and what to do when their kids are claiming they’re bored in class,” Bode said.  

So far, the organization has about 30 members. The meetings are open to anyone.  

“Hopefully by doing it here, people can reach out to us and we can offer support,” Bode said.  

For more information about Western Suffolk AGATE, visit https://sites.google.com/site/wsagate/home.