Update on Gilbert Pulbic Schools Junior High Gifted Programming

2016 - 2017 Junior High Gifted Program

Gilbert Public Schools has updated their website with information on gifted programming for 7th and 8th graders for the 2016-17 school year... "The Self-contained Gifted Program will have at least one 7th and 8th grade classroom at Highland Jr. High School for the 2016-2017 school year. The determination of a second class of students will be based on the number of qualified applicants who apply. The last day to submit an application is April 10, 2016."   Click here for more information.

2017- 2018 Junior High Gifted Academy

In December 2014, the Gilbert Publc Schools Governing Board adopted their 2014-17 Strategic Operating Plan - "Scholarship, Innovation, and Technology."  Per Strategy #3,"School Design and Innovation," a district committee has explored the viability of a centralized gifted academy.  The proposed academy aligns with the district's Gifted Education Vision and Mission as established in 2012.  

• Click here to learn more about the proposed GPS Gifted Academy for the 2017-18 school year.
• Additional information can be found on our recap of the district presentation given at a school board work study.

Recap on GPS School Board Work Study on Proposed Gifted Junior High Academy

On Tuesday, February 9, 2016, GPS District Staff presented the Gifted Academy Committee’s proposal to the GPS School Board.  This was the second of three items on the evening’s agenda and you may view the presentation of the Gifted Academy Proposal here, beginning at minutes 59:00:00 through 02:14:00. 

Click here to view the actual slides of the presentation.

GPS staff will refer to a report with background information which was given to board members.  Click here to view that report.

If you would like to ask questions of board members, submit comments to board members, or share your story of the need for gifted education, you can do so by emailing all Board members at the following address: Board@gilbertschools.net

The philosophy of gifted education is to identify and support a child in their strengths as well as in their areas of struggle.  We hope this philosophy permeates throughout the district,  allowing each GPS student to receive the support for growth that they need. 

GPS Gifted Academy Proposal to School Board at Work Study - 2/9/16

This Tuesday, February 9th, at 6:30pm, the GPS Gifted Academy Committee will present its proposal to the GPS school board.  If you are able to come, your presence of support would be appreciated.   To attend in person: 

·         Board meetings are located at the district offices at SW corner of Gilbert Rd & Elliot - 140 South Gilbert Road, building A. 

·         The evening entrance is the set of doors to the right of the main doors, it’s marked with a sign.

The agenda for the work study is now posted on the district website and there are only three agenda items, the first two having to deal with junior high schools, #2 being the gifted academy proposal.  Presentations of this nature are usually about 30-45 minutes each, allowing for Q&A from board members.  Remaining at the meeting for agenda item #3 is not necessary as it deals with GPS employee benefits.

Links to watch via Livestream from home on your desk top computer are found in our previous blog post - http://gilbertgifted.blogspot.com/2016/02/gps-junior-high-gifted-academy-update.html.

View the work study agenda here:  http://www.boarddocs.com/az/gpsaz/Board.nsf/Public

Once you locate the agenda for February 9^th:

·         Click on agenda item #2 and you will see there is an icon that looks like sheets of paper.  This icon indicates there are files attached.  Click this icon.

·         Now you will see links to view the proposal (power point slide presentation) and the in-depth report

Again, if you are able to come, your presence of visible support would be appreciated.

GPS Junior High Gifted Academy Update

This Tuesday, February 9^th, at 6:30pm, the GPS Gifted Academy Committee will present its proposal to the GPS school board.  You are invited to attend in person to show your support or watch via Livestream from home on your desk top computer.

Brief information about the proposal is found on the GPS website:  Proposed GPS Junior High Gifted Academy

Helpful information:

·         Public comment is not available at GPS School Board work study sessions

·         Click here for the Livestream video link 

·         The agenda for the work study will contain the slides for each presentation given.  You can view the agenda by Monday and access the presentation slides by clicking GPS Board Docs

·         Click here to view the schedule of GPS board meetings

·         If you have questions or comments for GPS school board members you may email all board members at:  Board@gilbertschools.net

Gilbert Public Schools - Junior High Gifted Academy?

Beginning last school year, Gilbert Public Schools assembled a committee composed of teachers, administrators, directors, coordinators and parents to research the viability of opening a Junior High Gifted Academy. This committee was tasked with researching, planning, and preparing information for the implementation of a Junior High Gifted Academy.

The Gifted Academy Committee narrowed its focus to consider :

• Starting small, with 2 classes of gifted 7th graders and 2 classes of gifted 8th graders.
• Housing the Academy in one centralized location.
• Ensuring the 4 core subject teachers are trained in gifted education.
• Setting the Student qualification criteria to include a score of 97+ in one of the three areas of giftedness, or a score of 95+ in two of the three areas of giftedness, or an IQ  score of 128. 

Here is the link to the district's website.

 

The committee will present information to the Governing Board at a Work Study meeting on February 9, 2016.  This information will include the committee's research and proposal.  Board members will have the opportunity to ask questions of the committee concerning their research, proposal, and recommendations. At a subsequent Governing Board meeting, Board members will determine if and when Gilbert Public Schools will open a Gifted Academy.  Both the Work Study and the Governing Board meeting will be available for public viewing either in person at the district office or online. 

Which lecture topics interest you?

We would love to know which topics are of interest to you for future Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted lectures.

Please click on the following link to take a quick survey.  And when we say, quick, it only has one question!  You can also add another topic if we don't have it listed and we can consider that too.

Thanks!

CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY

Anxiety and Depression: Implications for Gifted Youth

September presentation:  “Anxiety and Depression:  Implications for Gifted Youth”

We would like to thank Dr. Laura Wingers for being GSG’s first guest speaker of the year.  Her presentation on “Anxiety and Depression:  Implications for Gifted Youth” was very informative.  We learned some of the symptoms that manifest themselves in gifted children and some of the supports (old and new) that are available.  The presentation reminded us that many of these feelings are normal, however, when they get in the way of life, growth, relationships, etc. that is the time to seek for help.  Dr. Wingers also recommended a book list with resources to support parents. 

If you missed  the Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted guest lecture, you can find the link Dr. Wingers’ slide show presentation on the News & Events page of our website.  Disclaimer:  The presentation is for informational purposes only; not a substitute for individual/professional consultation.

If you would like to hear Dr. Wingers again, she is presenting at Parent Day of the NAGC Conference on Saturday, November 14^th, on “Developmental Asynchrony in the Young Gifted Child: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Gifted Education Parent Council - Gilbert Public Schools

Gathering Information helps us, as parents, to be prepared for the roller coaster of raising a gifted child.  Please join our Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted meetings when there is a guest lecture.  Also, get informed about what is happening with gifted education in Gilbert by contacting your campus’ representative for the Gifted Education Parent Council.  Each school has a parent representative who meets with members of GPS administration monthly, so you can have a voice.  Begin by being informed, and then you will be ready to be involved at any level.

Summer Programs - 2015

SUMMER ACTIVITY & PROGRAM INFORMATION

If you are still looking for summer activities for your children, a brief list of ideas is provided below. 

HAPPY SUMMER!

Gilbert

·         Camp Invention  for gifted students, grades 2-6, at Gilbert Elementary

·         Lego-based Science Camp at Houston Elementary, provided by Bonanza Educational

·         GPS Club Discovery

·         Gilbert Park & Recreation Summer Guide

·         VEX IQ Robotics Camp at Imagine West Schools

 ASU

·         Search ASU summer camps by ASU campus location as well as your child’s grade level and interests

Mesa

·         Mesa Community College - Summer Youth Camps

·         Mesa Parks & Recreation  - Summer programs

·         Mesa Unified School District – Summer programs

2015 Summer Reading Programs

·         Barnes & Noble:  Imagination’s Destination

·         Maricopa County Library system:  Every Hero Has a Story

Family outings in Arizona

·         For attractions and events across the state, visit the Arizona Tourism Guide

·         Museum listings for museums located in central Arizona

Aquatic Venues

·         Chandler Aquatic Centers

·         Gilbert Spring & Summer Splash Guide

·         Mesa pools

·         Splash Pads in the South East Valley

Update from the GPS Gifted Education Parent Council - April 2015

Here is an update from the GPS Gifted Education Parent Council (GEPC).

The philosophy of gifted education is to support a student’s strength while also supporting his/her deficits.  The GPS Gifted Education Parent Council (GEPC) encourages parents to become more knowledgeable about giftedness and the changes in GPS gifted program options.  Please note the following events:

Ø  GPS Gifted 101 Class

§     Monday, May 11, 5:30-6:30pm, Community Education Building,  

     6839 E. Guadalupe Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212 (Power and Guadalupe Road)

Ø   Regional ALP Info Meeting

§  Monday, April 20, 6:00-7:00pm, Oak Tree Elementary School,

      505 W. Houston Ave, Gilbert, AZ 85233

§        Monday, April 27, 6:00-7:00pm, Augusta Ranch Elementary School,

       9430 E. Neville Ave, Mesa, AZ 85209

Ø   Towne Meadows Self-Contained - 1101 N. Recker Road, Gilbert, AZ 85234

§       Online applications accepted April 13^th – May 13th

§  Tours: Tuesday, April 21, at 10:00am Wednesday and May 6, 1:30pm, Towne Meadows Elementary School

§       Open House: Thursday, May 14, 6:00-7:00pm, Towne Meadows Elementary School 

Ø   7th Grade Self-Contained Open House

§       Wednesday, May 6, 5:00-6:00pm, Highland Junior High School,

      6915 E. Guadalupe Rd., Mesa, AZ 85212

Ø   NAGC 62^nd Annual Conference (National Association for Gifted Children)

§  Nov 12-15, 2015

§  Location:  for the first time in NAGC history, this conference will be in Phoenix, AZ.

§  There will be a Parent Day with Children's classes.  More info at - http://www.arizonagifted.org/nagc-2015/

Ø  For more information on giftedness, please visit  www.gilbertgifted.org

Ø  For more information on GPS Gifted Education Program options, visit www.gilbertschools.net à “For Parents” à “Gifted Education”

Guest Lecture - "How to Articulate Your Gifted Child's Needs and Find a Program to Match" - 4/9/15

Please join us for our quarterly guest lecture this Thursday, April 9th, from 7:00-8:15 p.m. at the Greenfield Elementary Library.

Stephanie Newitt will be our speaker and will address how to identify and define our gifted child's needs and will give advice about what questions we can ask to determine how those needs are being met in academic settings.

With changes in Gifted Education coming to Gilbert Public Schools for the 2015-2016 school year, it is important for parents to know how to seek out learning environments that are well matched to their gifted child.

Hope to see you there!

Guest Lecture - Change of Plans for April 9, 2015

We originally planned to hear from Nancy Eisenbise about non-verbal/visual spatial learners but we will have to reschedule it for next school year because the speaker isn't able to attend due to an unexpected conflict.  We look forward to hearing from Nancy at a later date.

We have this lecture offered instead on 4/9/15.

GPS Gifted Education Update

It is important to collect the facts before one leaps into speculation.  To that end, there will be a GPS School Board work study this Tuesday, March 17^th, where the ALP department will be sharing their recommended budget for 2015-16 to the school board.  The work study begins at 6:30 pm.  You can view the work study agenda here on BoardDocs.   You are invited to attend the work study in person at the district office – 6:30pm at 140 South Gilbert Road, Gilbert AZ 85296.  Or you can view the work study via the district’s Livestream Link from their website. 

At a work study:

1.       There is no open comment time for members of the public to address the board.  However, the public can attend and observe the presentation.

2.       The GPS school board cannot vote to take any action.  A work study is for district Q&A only, which the public can observe.

The next school board meeting is Tuesday, March 31^st, at 7pm.  At school board meetings:

1.       Members of the public can request to speak to the school board for a maximum of 3 minutes during the open comment portion of the agenda.

2.       The school board will vote on actions to take.  Specifically at the March 31^stmeeting, they will vote regarding department budget recommendations.

We need to remember that though gifted education is mandated in AZ, the state COMPLETELY DEFUNDED gifted education in 2009, leaving districts to fund gifted education from their general fund.   An override was placed on the ballot here in Gilbert in 2012 and again in 2013.  An override allows a community to directly invest in local education since the state budget has dealt increasing cuts to public education, including not funding to the inflation factor even though it was mandated by law.  However, in both 2012 and 2013 the override failed at the ballot and so those local funds have not been renewed and are therefore phasing out to zero.  Gilbert Public Schools will be facing a $8-10million cut to its budget for 2015-16.  For more information about the GPS budget, you are invited to view this GPS budget presentation which was given to the GPS Parent-Superintendent Committee in February 2015. 

We hope you are aware that GPS is in its second year of having a Gifted Education Parent Council (GEPC) similar to the GPS Special Education Parent Council (SEPC).  After viewing the March 17th work study you are invited to contact your school rep on the GEPC to see when/how additional information will be distributed.  You can find out who your GEPC rep is from your principal.  It is important to collect the facts before we leap into speculation. 

The philosophy of gifted education is worth remembering – To identify and support student strengths while also providing support for student deficits. This is not just good gifted education, but good education for all. When gifted education is supported, this philosophy can permeate throughout the community and every student can feel the benefit of such a philosophy.  

-Stephanie Newitt

Guest Lecture - "Social Communications/Conversations" 1/15/15

Mark your calendars to attend our next guest lecture.

Thursday, 1/15/15

7:00-8:00 p.m.

Greenfield Elementary Library

Katherine Varga will be sharing strategies that can help strengthen gifted children's "SQ" (Social Quotient).  

Educators can receive certification hours for attending.

Hope to see you there!

"Executive Functioning Skills" Lecture - Thursday, 11/13/14

Guest Lecture Series

Executive Functioning Skills

Thursday, November 13, 2014 

from 6:45-8:00 p.m. 

at the Greenfield Elementary School Library

Join us to learn methods for helping our children learn organizational skills.  Discover strategies to help our children tackle projects without so much emotional drama that often comes with giftedness.

Deedee Aboroa is an exemplary ALP teacher at Quartz Hill Elementary, and she has mastered techniques for working with gifted students.  She will share with us her understanding of how effective organizational skills can empower our gifted kids as they develop awareness of their own thinking and their own behaviors.

Open to everyone.

Co-sponsored by Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted and the GPS Gifted Education Parent Council.

Guest Lecture Series 2014-2015

Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted,

with the GPS Gifted Education Parent Council,

present their 2014-15 Guest Lecture Series:

All Guest Lectures are open to parents with gifted students of all ages in the valley.  Guest lectures will take place at the Greenfield Elementary Library from 6:45-8:00pm.  Come to connect with other parents and learn from experts about helpful parenting strategies that focus on the gifted child’s development.

11/13/2014 -- “Executive Functioning Skills”

Join us to learn methods for helping our children learn organizational skills. Discover strategies to help our children tackle projects without so much emotional drama that often comes with giftedness.  Deedee Abaroa is an exemplary ALP teacher at Quartz Hill Elementary, and she has mastered techniques for working with gifted students.  She will share with us her understanding of how effective organizational skills can empower our gifted kids as they develop awareness of their own thinking and their own behaviors. 

1/15/2015 -- “Social Communication/Conversations ”

Are you ever concerned about your gifted child’s verbal and non-verbal communication skills in social settings?  Come hear Katherine Varga, a certified Speech Language Pathologist, share strategies that can help strengthen your child’s “SQ” (Social Quotient).  Kathy Varga, as a member of the 2012 GPS Gifted Education Vision Committee, advocated for the social developmental needs of the gifted child.

4/9/2015 -- “Nonverbal Giftedness/Visual-Spatial Learners”

Your child has been identified as a “Visual-Spatial” or “Non-Verbal” Learner.  What does that mean?  How do these children learn?  What learning strategies work best for them?  Come to our concluding guest lecture of 2014-15 to find out.

In addition, the Arizona Association for Gifted and Talented will present:

Parent Day on Friday, February 6, 2015 from 8:30am-5:30pm at the Black Canyon Conference Center in Phoenix.  More information at www.arizonagifted.org

Gifted 101 Meeting

One of the most important themes to take away from a Gilbert Supporters of the Gifted meeting, is that information creates understanding and power.  As parents, if we are informed about the characteristics, the strengths, the frequent behaviors, and the weakness of our gifted children, then we can facilitate more success in the home and in school.  There is a support system here.  You are not alone.  Feel free to view some of the documents that were passed out during the initial Gifted 101 meeting on September 4th.  We hope to see you again on November 13th.