ASU Barrett Summer Scholars Information session coming to GPS on February 25th

On Wednesday, February 25th, at 6:00 pm, the ASU Barrett Summer Scholars Program will be at the Greenfield Jr high school library to share information about their summer programs. 

The Barrett Summer Scholars (BSS) program provides students with the opportunity to experience college firsthand and prepare for enrollment and success at Arizona State University and Barrett, the Honors College. BSS sessions at ASU are designed for academically-talented and motivated students who are currently in the 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. This residential summer program invites students to live on campus, engage in college-level coursework, and participate in a community of peers from across the state. Students who participate are given the unique opportunity to pursue their intellectual curiosity while interacting with like-minded students who share their interests and abilities. Furthermore, participants are enrolled in a variety of challenging courses on topics not typically presented at their grade level.

For more details please click here to visit the ASU Barrett Summer Scholars Program website.   

Many thanks to Greenfield Junior High School for hosting this information session for our GPS community.

A Parent’s Point of View: The 2e Journey

This article by Dr. Dan Peters is from the archives of the Summit Center

 

Even though I work with children and families as a professional psychologist, I am first and foremost a father to three children. My experiences in raising them has informed my work greatly. Some people may not know that and for this very reason, I decided to share an article about my own experience as not only a psychologist, but also a dad. This piece originally ran in the 2e Newsletter.

I am sitting at my oldest child’s pre-school, attending the last teacher conference. Her kind and veteran teacher is telling my wife and me that our daughter is not picking up her numbers and letters as she should for kindergarten readiness. The teacher suggests we have her evaluated for a learning disorder. Although I evaluate kids for that exact issue, I tell my wife that our daughter is young, her teacher is over-reacting and she will be fine. After all, our daughter is creative, imaginative, and says things and asks questions that are beyond her years.

Click here to be directed to the full article.

ASU Night of the Open Door - 2015

ASU is sponsoring this wonderful "Night of the Open Door" event at their various campuses.  Open to kids, students, educators, parents, alumni, or anyone who loves learning.

Polytechnic: Feb. 20, 2015 • 5-8:30 p.m.

Tempe: Feb. 28, 2015 • 4-9 p.m.

West: Mar. 28, 2015, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Here is some information from their website:

Arizona State University is a founding member of Arizona SciTech Festival and Night of the Open Door is a signature event, one of the top in the state. Based on a long-running, portal-busting event held each year in Berlin, Germany, this event is held annually, hosting hands-on activities, laboratory tours, book readings, video games; featuring ASU scientists and cutting edge art and research; and opening doors to museums and world-class plant and animal collections. Whether it's a multimedia performance or astronomy show or a sit down with ASU students or faculty to talk about volcanoes, Navajo stories of the stars or Mayan discoveries, it is a night to get behind the scenes and engage with the creative invention that is ASU’s signature blend of science, engineering, art and the humanities.

Spearheaded by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with partners - the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, and the Biodesign Institute and other ASU partners in 2012 - Night of the Open Door has grown to encompass four campuses, 1,000 volunteers and offerings for just about everyone. So whether you are a kid or a kid-at-heart, a prospective or current student, K-12 educator, life-long learner, alumnus, a Sparky fan, entrepreneur or curious how to build your very own “Birthquake,” Open Door events create the few evenings a year where you can step in and discover what inspires our faculty and staff, artistic, educational and research partners and puts our students in the driver's seat for some of the most innovative solutions and inspiring discoveries in the world.

Register today, follow on twitter and come explore!   

Offered at several campuses (click link for more info). 

Barrett Summer Scholars at ASU. Application deadline March 6, 2015.

The Barrett Summer Scholars (BSS) program provides students with the opportunity to experience college firsthand and prepare for enrollment and success at Arizona State University and Barrett, the Honors College. BSS sessions at ASU are designed for academically-talented and motivated 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students. This residential program invites students to live on campus, engage in college-level coursework, and participate in a community of peers from across the state. Students who participate are given the unique opportunity to pursue their intellectual curiosity while interacting with like-minded students who share their interests and abilities. Furthermore, participants are enrolled in a variety of challenging courses on topics not typically presented at their grade level.

The application deadline is March 6, 2015.  

Click here for more information about the program and scholarships.

Gifted Education Funding in Arizona

How does gifted education funding in Arizona compare to other states?  Check out the map below from the Davidson Institute to find out.

What is the history of gifted education funding in Arizona over the years?  Check out the chart below.  Again, data is from the Davidson Institute.

The implications of zero state funding specific to gifted education is that local public school districts must use their general funds to fund gifted education.  When state funding is not protected for a particular purpose, services at the local level are not guaranteed, since local district budgets are determined by local priorites. 

What does Arizona State Statute say regarding gifted education?  Go to the Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted website for direct links to Arizona Gifted Education law.

If you would like to learn how to connect with your state legislator regarding any legislative concerns you have, you are invited to attend this FREE and LOCAL training class on Saturday, February 7th.  Details are in the flier below.

Article written by Stephanie Newitt