SEPTEMBER 2013 NWGCA Newsletter

September Newsletter Topics

Listening 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 Survey

Funding 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 
"Upside-Down  Brilliance: The Visual Spatial Learner"

Monday, October 21st  

Book Signing at 6:30pm
Presentation at 7:00pm 

Terrace Park Elementary, Commons
5409 228th St SW, Mountlake Terrace
 
A $10 suggested  donation will be collected at the door.

Hosted by Challenge Parents Association 

Making Friends & Social Development

October 9 at 7pm  -  Northshore Administration Building
3330 Monte Villa Pkwy, Bothell (FREE)
 
Learn why your smart kid may prefer a book to a  playdate, why they might gravitate to play with older (or younger)  children, how they actually desire deeper relationships with friends than their  neurotypical
peers (even though it might not always look like it), what it means  to be a social introvert, why kids need intellectual peers for optimal social development, and where to look if your child needs help.

What Parents  Need to Know about Smart Kids (FREE)

September 25 at 7pm - Terrace Park School, Mountlake
Terrace 
October 23 at 6pm - Voyager Elementary School, Gig Harbor 
November 6 at 6:30pm - Lake Wash Resource Center, Redmond 
November 13 at 7pm - Northshore Administration Building, Bothell

 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.

Half-Day Workshop: What Parents Need to Know about Smart Kids ($35)

November 16, 1-5pm - Brightwater Center, Woodinville 
  
The workshop format provides additional 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.
A second  family member can attend for $5.
Pre-registration required 

(Want to bring an NWGCA talk to your area? Email us) 

"Oh, They'll Be Fine:" Addressing the Legitimate Needs of Highly Capable  Children

October 18-19, 2013, Hotel Murano, Tacoma     
Early registration closes on Sept  30!

WAETAG's annual  conference is looking to be the best one yet, with a topic that is particularly  relevant to parents as well as educators. The keynote speaker is
Dr. Linda  Silverman from the Gifted Development Center in Colorado--families fly to  Colorado just to have their kids assessed by her, she is that amazing.  

There is also a pre-conference day specifically for administrators with everything they need to know to get in compliance with the new laws--please spread the word to your school district's gifted coordinator!
     
Conference Flyer 
Pre-Conference Administration Day Flyer 
Registration

Scholar Search Event - Oct 27 (Tacoma)

Described as a FREE event for  intellectually curious students, there will be some great resources here for  families of gifted students, and workshops for kids grades 4 and up. Be sure to  save October 27th to come check it out. Sponsored by Annie Wright Schools and  Scholar Search Associates. Register & More Information 

ESD Training Sessions

Tell 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: 
* Nature and Needs of Gifted Learners  
* Differentiation 
* Critical and Creative  Thinking
Currently scheduled courses   
Full list of ESD training contacts

Save the Date!

The 2014 Connections Conference will be held on March 8 from 9am to 4pm, graciously hosted by Seattle Public Schools.

This year we will have  a track for kids as well as sessions for adults, and two positively amazing  keynote speakers.

If you have ideas for this year's conference, please  email  us. 

SENG Training

There are just a few spaces left for SENG Facilitator training happening in Tacoma on Oct 12-13. Last chance!
Registration & Info 

Are you registered for the SENG training?  Looking for a  roommate? Email us 

Recent Articles

Top Pick: 
We Only Get Stronger When It's  Difficult

What is Imposter Syndrome?
 
The Imposter Syndrome: Caltech Counseling   
 
Gifted Adults and Imposter Syndrome 
 
Why Education Needs More Radioactive Spiders
 
Medical Misdiagnosis in the Gifted

Enrichment Programs

Looking for school year enrichment programs? Here are some to check out:  
 
Prime Factor Math Circles in  Bellevue - weekly sessions for grades 3-10  

Challenge Math Online is a 20-week long practice program  that helps young students develop problem solving and logical reasoning  skills. 
    
CTY Online academic classes for  grades preK-12, in a
wide variety of subjects.   

Stanford EPGY academic classes for  kindergarten to university level for gifted youth

Gifted Homeschoolers Forum whose  blog, facebook page, and group purchase discounts for members are useful even  for non homeschoolers.  
 
New! CTY Cogito Research Awards for  students ages 13-18 to support pre-college STEM research.
 

We love to hear  your feedback and ideas...  Please don't be shy, we are here to serve you. Email us