January 2019

A Message from Our President
Happy New Year to our more than 3,000 newsletter subscribers! NWGCA is honored to be part of your family's journey.

This month and next will be a flurry of activity in Olympia, our state capitol. A new bill was just introduced, SB 5354 , that proposes substantial improvements to our state highly capable program. Gifted Education Day  is organized by the Coalition for Gifted Education, and it's a great opportunity to visit the capitol and let your legislators know what you think about this bill, and about gifted education in general. There will be other opportunities to email and call in the coming weeks as well. It's amazing to me how rarely legislators hear from their constituents about education at all, never mind about highly capable education. The good news is this means that it doesn't take many voices to make a big impression. 

January is also a great time to take stock of your kids' educational fit, with the halfway mark of the school year coming up. How are things going?  Does your child have a few good  Friends ? Is their learning moving  Forward ? Are they experiencing enough  Friction  and academic challenge to develop grit, growth mindset, perseverance, and tolerance for working through mistakes? If not, is it time to make a change? Or to work harder at advocating with your teacher and principal? Esteemed NWGCA Past President Marcia Holland is hosting an evening about effective advocacy later this month - see below for details. 

Now is the season for private school applications by the way. Or, are you considering homeschooling - full time, part time, or after school? There's a great new homeschooling page on our website with tons of resources and online classes - some are built especially for gifted kids. Public schools are offering more and more HiCap services these days as well, and can be an excellent fit for many kids if they can meet district HiCap qualification criteria. Don't forget to look at your neighboring school districts, which sometimes allow students to attend on a waiver. 

Austina De Bonte
President, NWGCA

p.s. Thanks to the two dozen parent group leaders who met in Shoreline last night to trade advice and support over pizza and pasta. It was an amazing event! Are you a parent group leader in your community? Email our parent groups coordinator Marcella to get on our list. We are hoping to do more regional parent leader meetings in other parts of the state; there is a request to host one in the Walla Walla/Yakima/TriCities area next!

Gifted Education Day - A Legislative Advocacy Day on Behalf of Gifted Students in  Olympia, Washington
January 25, 2019
9 AM - 2 PM 
The Columbia Room, 1st floor of the  Legislative Building (The Capitol Dome)
Download the Flyer and Share It! 

January 25th is Gifted Education Day in Washington state, hosted by the Coalition for Gifted Education. Each year, students, teachers, administrators, parents, and advocates join together at our state capital to celebrate and support highly capable programming. It is an opportunity for students to tour the capitol and see our government at work, and for advocates to remind our legislators of the importance of the programs that serve these kids and kids like them. We invite you to join us in the Columbia Room in the capitol building at 9:30 AM on the 25th for a brief program. Afterwards, we encourage you to visit the offices of your legislators to tell them why gifted education matters and what they can do to improve the services available to our students.


RSVP to the Coalition at wagifted@earthlink.net to get more information.

Upcoming Learning Opportunities
What Parents & Educators Need to Know About Smart Kids
January 24, 2019  - Terrace Park Elementary, Mountlake Terrace 6:30 - 8:30 PM
February 4, 2019 - Shorewood High School, Shoreline 6:30 - 8:30 PM
February 5, 2019 - Lakeridge Middle School, Lake Tapps/Sumner 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Many people are surprised to learn that their child's unique "quirks" are actually well-studied social and 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, forgetting to turn in their homework, trouble with handwriting, 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 genuine challenge is vitally important for kids' social and emotional development, as well as developing their academic talents, from the preschool and elementary years all the way to high school and beyond. Presented by NWGCA President, Austina De Bonte


SENGinar: Natural Approaches for Common Medical & Psychiatric Conditions
January 24, 2019   
Online

Many gifted, talented and 2e people exhibit physical or emotional symptoms that do not respond well to conventional treatment. Dr. Archana and Jim Lal-Tabak discuss misdiagnosis and holistic, integrative treatment options. 
More information


The Bright and Quirky Child Summit
January 28 - February 3, 2019
Free 7 day online event 

Are you raising a bright and quirky child? Looking for answers in helping your child thrive, even with focus, learning, social, emotional or behavioral challenges?  Wanting to find a community of experts and parents who 'get' a twice exceptional child who is both bright and struggling?  Join Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Debbie Steinberg Kuntz for The FREE Bright & Quirky Child Online Summit starting January 28, 2019. The 30 speakers include Dr. Ross Greene, Dr. Temple Grandin, Dr. Dan Siegel, Dr. Ned Hallowell, Dr. Laura Kastner, Michelle Garcia Winner, Dr. Barry Prizant, Dr. Denise Pope, Dr. Dan Peters, and Dr. Laura Markham.
More information


Choosing a High School
Tuesday January 29, 2019 at 6:30pm
WISC Rainier Room (Wilburten Instructional Services Center)
12241 Main Street, Bellevue

A panel of high school students discuss how to choose what high school to attend in the Bellevue area, including Interlake's Advanced Learning (AL) program, AL in the home/neighborhood schools, and area private schools.  Note that this session takes place AFTER the due date for Bellevue open enrollment applications. 


Parents as Advocates
Thursday February 7, 2019 at 7pm
Cavelero Mid High School
8220 24th St SE
Lake Stevens, WA 98258

A forum on being a powerful advocate for gifted - your child, your school, your district, our state, our nation. Get caught up on what's new in Washington. Sharpen your advocacy skills so that you will be heard and get results. Share what you know. Learn from others. Collect resources. Presented by NWGCA Secretary and Past President, Marcia Holland.



SENG Model Parent Groups
SENG Model Parent Groups (SMPGs) bring together 10-20 parents of gifted and talented children to discuss such topics as motivation, discipline, stress management, and peer relationships. The co-facilitators of these groups are knowledgeable about parenting and educating gifted children. However, they do not attempt to give expert advice. Instead, their facilitation provides a non-judgmental and nurturing atmosphere. Additionally, the other participating parents are themselves  a rich source of information. 

Marysville SMPG
Sunnyside Elementary Library
3707 Sunnyside Blvd, Marysville, WA 98270

Co-Sponsored by the Marysville School District Highly Capable Program

8-week series on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 PM: 2/5, 2/12, 2/19, 2/26, 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26

Co-Facilitated by Denise Anderson & Kristin Wells
More Information and Registration
 
Woodinville SMPG
Bear Creek United Methodist Church
16530 Avondale Rd NE, Woodinville, WA 98077

Co-Facilitated by Austina De Bonte & Karen Thornton

This Friday morning parent discussion group starts on Friday, April 19 from 10am-11:30am. If you are interested, send an email to  austina@smartisnoteasy.com and she will let you know when registration opens.


Save the Date! SENG One-Day Conference in Olympia in early May!
The one-day SENG conference in Seattle last year was one of their most successful regional conferences of the year! So, SENG will be coming again this year to Olympia, WA to host a one-day conference in early May, featuring several national keynote speakers. Want to become an SENG Model Parent Group facilitator? Training will be available at this event. More details coming soon!

SENG Annual Conference (Houston, TX)
The annual SENG conference will be held in Houston, TX this year on July 19-21, 2019. Early bird registration is now open

NAGC Annual Convention (Albuquerque, NM)
The NAGC 66th Annual Convention (NAGC19) will be held in Albuquerque, NM, November 7-10, 2019. 


Know a great event or speaker coming to town?
We're always happy to spread the word!  Email us 
 
Resources

2e Newsletter is now 2e News
The 90th and final issue of  2e: Twice-Exceptional Newsletter was published last fall. I n November, it was replaced with  2e News  - a new format, and new publishers - Bridges 2e Media. The focus will continue to be to provide information on raising and educating twice-exceptional kids.

More information