They’ll paint the Churchill Rock, perform some Shakespeare, then show their parents what it takes to carve a totem pole. It’s all part of the Super Summer birthday party at Churchill High School, 1850 Bailey Hill Rd. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, July 20, close to 300 children and their parents will join the Super Summer staff in celebrating the program’s 20th birthday. The University of Oregon and Eugene 4-J School District sponsor Super Summer. The UO College of Education launched the program in 1979 as part of Talented and Gifted (TAG), a graduate program instructing teachers in how to meet gifted children’s needs. Public schools of the time were wrestling with their mandate to serve all special needs children. "Many gifted children lose their way in the public school system," says Marjorie De Buse, Super Summer program director. These kids–because they are so intelligent–are often the last ones to get special help in school, she explains. Their special needs are too easily overlooked because gifted children can keep up in class and don’t seem to need extra help. "The truth is that most TAG kids see themselves as oddballs who have to hide who they are to fit in," De Buse says. Super Summer is a place where gifted children learn it’s all right to be themselves–a place where everyone fits in. SOURCE: Marjorie De Buse, director, Super Summer, UO adjunct assistant professor of education, (541) 521-5215.

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