January Newsletter TopicsSENG Model Parent Discussion Groups starting now Jan 23 - Dan Peters speaking in Tacoma What Parents Need to Know About Smart Kids (Jan 22 Tumwater, Feb 12 Bothell) February 28 - Gifted Ed Day in Olympia March 8 - Connections Conference Summer Programs Already??? Calling all Parent Groups! Thank you Senator Paull Shinn! Recent Articles SENG Model Parent Discussion GroupsDiscussion groups are a great way to meet other parents and discuss the ups and downs of living with intense, sensitive, perfectionistic gifted kids. Lake Stevens/Everett (full) Seattle, starting March (More Info) Tacoma, starting January (More Info) Silverdale, starting January (More Info) Spokane, starting January (More Info) Online Discussion Group, starting January (More Info) Learn more about SENG Discussion Groups Full List of SENG Model Parent Group Facilitators Are you a SENG facilitator ready to start a group? We will gladly advertise SENG groups in future newsletters--please let us know if you are starting one. Jan 23 - Dr. Dan Peters in TacomaSeabury School is hosting the amazing Dr. Dan Peters this month. He is a terrific speaker, his talks at the national conferences are frequently standing-room-only. You can see tidbits of his work on Youtube--search for Dan Peters or "Taming the Worry Monster." Parenting Your Gifted Child For a Successful School Year (and Life) January 23 at 7pm Tacoma Convention Center, Commerce Room Reserve your spot HERE What Parents Need to Know about Smart Kids Jan 22, 6-8pm, 6005 Tyee Dr. SW, Tumwater (Register) Feb 12, 7-9pm, 3330 Monte Villa Pkwy, Bothell Past attendees say... "This presentation was a true eye opener" "greatly changed my perspective" "amazed at how many things applied to my daughter" "helped me to better understand not only my child, but myself" "I learned so much - despite the reading I'd already done" "life-changing" Satisfaction 4.8/5.0, 100% would recommend to a friend Many parents are surprised to learn that their child's unique "quirks" are actually well-studied social & emotional behavior patterns that appear across large populations of highly intelligent children. Whether it's refusing to wear shirts with buttons or tags, overreacting to the slightest criticism, gravitating towards adults and older children, anxiety about trying something new, or preferring a book to a party, these and many other perplexing behaviors are common in this population. Learn what's normal, what to expect as they grow, and why HiCap school programs are optimal for kids' social and emotional development, as well as developing their academic talents, from the pre-elementary years all the way to high school. Presented by Austina De Bonte, President NWGCA. We love giving talks to parent groups across the state. Want to bring an NWGCA talk to your area? Email us Feb 28 - Gifted Ed Day in OlympiaGifted Ed Day in Olympia is 9am-2pm on Februrary 28, 2014 this year. Some districts bring classfuls of kids, other individual families come with or without their kids. Plan to attend a presentation from 9-10am in the morning, and have the opportunity to meet with legislators during the rest of the day. Last year was the biggest Gifted Ed Day ever, let's make this year even bigger! Questions? Get more information March 8 - Connections ConferenceThe 2014 NW Gifted Child Association's Connections Conference will be held on March 8 from 9am to 4pm, graciously hosted by Seattle Public Schools. This year we will have a full-day Spy Camp for kids as well as a great lineup of sessions for adults, so plan to bring the whole family! What's So Different about Raising a Gifted Child? Keynote by Dr. Jann Leppien, Ph.D. Whitworth University, Center for Gifted Education If your child has been identified as gifted, you, like many parents, might simultaneously feel elated and also nervous about this label. You may be wondering what the term really means and if and how it changes your views about your child and your expectations of him or her. At this session, we will discuss these issues as well as some of the concerns that parents face when their child has been identified as gifted and talented. Additionally, we will discuss strategies for enhancing your child's process of growth and development, how to monitor that process, provide or access opportunities, and help children with challenges along the way. More Details & Registration Summer Programs Already???Some of the most exciting summer programs fill up fast, and are taking registrations now--or very soon. The UW Robinson Center for Young Scholars in Seattle hosts terrific summer programs for highly capable students finishing 5th & 6th grade, and also middle & high schoolers. Registration starts on February 10, spots go fast! Registration The Davidson Institute for Talent Development in Reno, NV hosts the THINK Summer Institute for profoundly gifted kids ages 13-16 and is now taking registrations. Registration Summer Institute for the Gifted at Overlake School in Redmond, WA is now taking applications for kids ages 5-12 for their 3-week program in July. Registration The Institute for Educational Advancement's summer camps, Yunasa (Michigan) and Yunasa West (Colorado), unite students with experts in the social and emotional development of highly able youngsters. Yunasa, the Lakota word for 'balance,' is a week-long camp for highly gifted youth between the ages of 10 and 14. They are great at accommodating special diets, btw. Registration The Summit Center's Camp Summit for the Gifted on California's coastline offers a camp for gifted students ages 9-14. Created especially for developing the "inner and outer nature" of gifted youth, Camp Summit provides a staff uniquely qualified to nurture such a community. Registration Interested in sending your kid to a program out of state, but don't want to put them on a plane solo? We already know one family looking for a travel buddy to Yunasa. Email us Here is The Big Camp List from last year. Any volunteers to update it with this summer's dates and particulars? Calling all Parent Groups!We only have current contact information for about 20 parent groups in the state, and we know there are way more out there. If you belong to a group, whether it's associated with a school district or not, would you please drop us a line about where you are located and how best to reach your group? Email us Sen. Paull ShinnThank you to WA State Senator Paull Shinn for his long years of service and support for highly capable programs, on his recently announced retirement from the Senate. He will be missed! ArticlesStudy: Students who miss the cutoff for gifted programs are not harmed The Psychosocial Development of Gifted Children 10 Steps for Parents and Kids to Tame the Worry Monster Newsweek: America Hates Its Gifted Kids Donate to NWGCA!Looking for a great place to make a donation that really counts? We appreciate all donations, large and small, to help us reach out to parent groups across the state, provide resources, workshops, and our yearly conference. Donate to NWGCA
November Newsletter Topics-Make Your Voice Heard - last chance to answer the survey! -Nov 16 - What Parents Need to Know About Smart Kids -Contact your US Senator in 10 seconds - support Javits -SENG Discussion Groups in Lake Stevens, Seattle, ... -Feb 28 - Gifted Ed Day in Olympia -March 8 - Connections Conference -ESD Training Sessions -Thank You to the PTA Legislative Assembly -Recent Articles Only 7 Days Left! Make your Voice Heard! Last chance to participate in our Listening Tour. Survey closes November 18. Would you please tell us about your family's needs, and how NWGCA might best support you? Take the Listening Tour Survey. It should only take 5-10 minutes, so please do it now before you forget. We want to hear from families across the state! Nov 16: What Parents Need to Know about Smart KidsHalf-Day Workshop, 1-5pm - Brightwater Center, Woodinville Many parents are surprised to learn that their bright child's unique "quirks" are actually well-studied social & emotional behavior patterns that appear across large populations of highly intelligent children. whether it's refusing to wear shirts with buttons or tags, overreacting to the slightest criticism, gravitating to play with older children, anxiety about trying something new, or preferring a book to a playdate, many perplexing behaviors are common in this population. Learn what's normal, what to expect as they grow, and why full-time hicap programs are optimal for kids' social and emotional development, as well as developing their academic talents. Register before Thurs Nov 14 The workshop format provides time to dig into deeper content, participate in thought-provoking activities, and engage in guided discussion with other parents of highly intelligent kids. The goal is to give you research-based perspectives, new tools for your toolbox, and support to help you develop a written plan for parenting your unique child with intentionality. $35 registration, $5 for a second family member. We are astounded at the response to this new event. We already have more than 50 registered attendees, coming from as far away as Spokane and Gig Harbor! Participants will be seated with families with similar aged kids, ages 4-14. It's not too late to register, please join us! We'll take registrations until Thursday, Nov 14. We love giving talks to parent groups across the state. Want to bring an NWGCA talk to your area? Email us at info@nwgca.org SENG Model Parent Discussion GroupsWe have a whole crop of newly trained SENG facilitators in WA state. Are you a parent looking to join a discussion group? Hoping to lure a facilitator to your area? Please reply to this email and we'd be glad to help you get the ball rolling. Here are the groups we know about right now: Lake Stevens, Jan 8 - March 12 (More Info) Facilitators: Denise Anderson & Sue Wilson-Schmitz Seattle, group forming soon (More Info) Facilitators: Anne van Roden & Gloria Sandford Learn more about SENG Discussion Groups Full List of SENG Model Parent Group Facilitators Are you a SENG facilitator ready to start a group? We will gladly advertise new SENG groups in future newsletters--please let us know at info@nwgca.org if you are starting one. Feb 28 - Gifted Ed Day in OlympiaSave the date! Gifted Ed Day in Olympia is 9am-2pm on Februrary 28, 2014 this year. Some districts bring classfuls of kids, other individual families come with or without their kids. Plan to attend a presentation in the morning, and have the opportunity to meet with legislators during the rest of the day. Last year was the biggest Gifted Ed Day ever, let's make this year even bigger! March 8 - Connections ConferenceSave the date! The 2014 NW Gifted Child Association's Connections Conference will be held on March 8 from 9am to 4pm, graciously hosted by Seattle Public Schools. This year we will have a full-day track for kids as well as a great lineup of sessions for adults, so plan to bring the whole family! Keynote: What's So Different about Raising a Gifted Child? Dr. Jann Leppien, Ph.D. Whitworth University, Center for Gifted Education If your child has been identified as gifted, you, like many parents, might simultaneously feel elated and also nervous about this label. You may be wondering what the term really means and if and how it changes your views about your child and your expectations of him or her. At this session, we will discuss these issues as well as some of the concerns that parents face when their child has been identified as gifted and talented. Additionally, we will discuss strategies for enhancing your child's process of growth and development, how to monitor that process, provide or access opportunities, and help children with challenges along the way. Conference registration will begin in January. Stay tuned! ESD Training SessionsTell your adminstrators & teachers! WAETAG trained 20+ people from each of the WA state Educational Service Districts (ESDs) over the summer to be able to give short courses for educators on three topics:
Full list of ESD training contacts Thank YouThank you to the delegates of the Washington State PTA Legislative Assembly for their support for sufficient and equitable funding for highly capable programming. More information Contact your US Senator in 10 seconds!There is a renewed push to reinstate the Federal Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act. This federal funding was cancelled several years ago. Support this initiative by sending a pre-written message to your federal representatives and senators in mere seconds, thanks to the Council for Exceptional Children. You do not need to know who your reps are, just fill in your name and address and click send. It's super simple, please do it today! ArticlesThe "Soft" Non-Cognitive Skills are Hard Parents Press for Attention to Programs for Gifted Students (WA State) Donate to NWGCA!Looking for a great place to make an end-of-year donation before the tax year ends? We appreciate all donations, large and small, to help us reach out to parent groups across the state, provide resources, workshops, and our yearly conference. Donate to NWGCA
September Newsletter TopicsListening Tour - respond to our survey! PTA 2013 Legislative Priorities Survey Dr. Linda Silverman: "Upside-Down Brilliance: The Visual-Spatial Learner" Making Friends & Social Development What Parents Need to Know About Smart Kids WAETAG Conference - early registration deadline! Scholar Search Oct 27 Save the Date! Connections Conference on March 8 SENG facilitator training Oct 12-13 - last call ESD training sessions Recent Articles Enrichment Programs We Want To Hear From You!We are conducting a Listening Tour this fall so that we can better shape NWGCA around the needs of our community. Would you please answer our survey to tell us about your family's needs, and how NWGCA might best help you? It should only take 5-10 minutes, so please do it now before you forget. Take the Listening Tour Survey PTA 2013 Issues SurveyFunding for highly capable education made it onto the WA State PTA Legislative Issues survey! Would you help HiCap funding become a PTA priority this year by voting for it? The PTA Issues Survey closes October 3, so don't wait! Take the PTA Issues Survey The Edmonds SD Challenge Parents Association is overjoyed to welcome world-class gifted expert and author: Dr. Linda Silverman |
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