April 2021 Newsletter

A Note from Our President
No matter your circumstances, the past 12 months have likely been quite challenging. Whether a homeschooling household pre-pandemic, or just trying it out recently. Whether close to family, or spread out across the globe. Whether online, hybrid, or in-person schooling. Whether a single parent or alongside a partner or spouse. Whether working from home, outside the home, or not at all. It's been a lot. Add a healthy dose of deep sensitivity and intensities in (yourself and) those you live with - kids and adults alike - and it's bound to reach the tipping point now and then.

And throughout this year of challenges, the inequity throughout the education system has been spotlighted, once again, with racial disparities at the forefront. And the disparities include - in great numbers - those who are gifted, too.

As the NWGCA board entered the new year, and I in a new role as President of the state's support and advocacy organization for parents of gifted kids, we discussed what our role needs to be in 2021 as advocates of equitable education. I am excited and encouraged by the board's desire to push forward and drive NWGCA's mission to empower and connect families with gifted kids. Still defining how it will look for the remainder of this year and into 2022, we will likely host an event with thought leaders to discuss diversity and inclusion in gifted education - something we are very excited about and has a tremendous possibility of making a positive impact on gifted education throughout our communities.

In the meantime, NWGCA is committed to continuing to provide you with resources that will help your gifted children thrive. Like the upcoming online program, Parenting Your Highly Capable Worrier, presented by board Vice President Denise Anderson. Be sure to join us May 1. In addition, myself and SENG-trained co-facilitator, Sylvia Bagley, will be kicking off a 7-week online parent discussion group to help empower and connect parents like you.

We have exciting things to look forward to as an organization and you're invited to join, in whatever way suits you. There are always volunteer opportunities available at NWGCA - please reach out if you are interested in supporting, whether short-term focused on a particular task or project, or long-term in a role such as board member. And you're invited to contact us with questions anytime - you can email  [email protected]  and a board member will be in touch within a day or two. We hope to hear from you.
 
Karen Thornton
President
www.nwgca.org
Upcoming Programs

Online Parent Discussion Group
Thursdays, April 29-June 10
5:00-6:30 p.m. Pacific
Online via Zoom

Join this weekly opportunity to share ideas, strategies, and support in a relaxed setting, guided by trained facilitators. Through the valuable insights of the other parents and reading the book A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children, you will learn more about giftedness, discuss the challenges of parenting, and share strategies for supporting our gifted children while enhancing family relationships. These parent groups are not therapy sessions; however, participants often find the sessions to be therapeutic, empowering and comforting. Topics include:

• Characteristics of gifted children
• Communication
• Motivation, underachievement & executive function
• Establishing discipline/teaching self-management
• Stress, perfectionism, idealism & depression
• Acquaintances, friends, peers; only children & siblings
• Values, traditions & complexities of parenting

 
The video conferencing tool, Zoom, will be used to facilitate dialogue, and connect with each other live each week. Login details are provided at the time of registration.
 
This 7-session online series is co-facilitated by Sylvia Bagley and Karen Thornton. 
Join us!

Parenting your Highly Capable Worrier
Saturday, May 1, 2021
5:00-6:30 p.m. Pacific
Online via Zoom
 
Highly capable children and teens often experience intense worry and stress. And now, with the pandemic, there seems to be even more to worry about. Join us as we first explore the pandemic’s impact on childhood anxiety and some of the reasons highly capable kids experience anxiety. We will then delve into some of the thoughts, behaviors, and physical sensations that people experience when they are anxious, and more importantly, some tools and resources to help you and your kids work together to reduce unhelpful anxiety.
 
Presented by Denise Anderson. Denise is the Vice President of Northwest Gifted Child Association, is a certified SENG Model Parent Group facilitator, and has an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy. Denise is passionate about helping families with gifted children foster creative and emotional growth while strengthening interpersonal relationships.
Gifted and Thriving Signature Series Live Webinar presents A Parent's Toolbox: Advocating for Your Gifted/Twice-Exceptional Child Within the School System - Know Your Rights!
Register Now
Upcoming Programs for Gifted Kids

Monthly Math Hour with University of Washington
Each spring, Seattle-area 6th-10th graders are invited to participate in the Monthly Math Hour on the University of Washington's campus. This year's Math Hour talks will be held online via Zoom and will welcome a fantastic group of speakers who typically would not be able to join in Seattle.

Sunday, April 25, 2021, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Dylan Wilson, Harvard University
Topic: Numbers and shapes
 
Sunday, May 23, 2021, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Dimitri Zvonkine, Laboratoire de Máthematiques de Versailles
Topic: Hinge mechanics
 
Sunday, June 13, 2021, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Carolina Benedetti, Universidad de los Andes
Topic: The game of SET, clocks with 3 hours

The events are free, but registration is required.
Monthly Math Hour Information

Bright & Quirky Catalyst Program: A Program for 2e Kids, Ages 8-18
Catalyst classes are designed especially with bright and quirky kids in mind. They've searched high and low for the best instructors who really 'get' twice exceptional (2e) kids. Instructors understand that your child needs intellectual engagement and certain supports at the same time. Explore interests and strengths under the wing of experienced mentors.

Bright & Quirky spring quarter after school classes kick off soon! 
Explore Classes

Davidson Institute Young Scholars Program
The  Young Scholars  program is free to profoundly gifted students and their families and gives them the opportunity to connect and engage in a community that understands their needs. From individualized support from a family consultant, including academic and college advising, to opportunities to interact with other Young Scholars during summer programs and much more, the Young Scholars Program sets students and their families up to succeed academically, emotionally and socially.
Discover the Benefits

New: Bridges Academy Online High School
Bridges Academy has a 25-year history of educating twice-exceptional (2e) children and has adapted its highly effective model for the online space. Our high school program will be accessible to 2e learners across the country beginning in fall 2021.

There is a virtual information session on April 28 at 5 p.m.
RSVP for April 28 Open House

Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth supports gifted students no matter where they are. CTY offers hundreds of challenging and engaging advanced online courses for students in grades 2-12, all taught by expert instructors who specialize in teaching advanced concepts to bright students. More than 300  year-round online courses  are available in live and independent learning formats. Subject areas include computer science, critical reading, writing, world languages, mathematics, science and engineering, and Advanced Placement. New online options for spring and summer 2021 include clubs and collaborative, problem-based learning courses in which students interact in small groups with their peers.
Learn more
Scholarship Opportunity

Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship
The Caroline D. Bradley scholarship is a merit-based and need-blind high school scholarship open to current 7th graders.

Scholars receive a four-year high school scholarship to an optimally matched high school program intended to meet their unique intellectual and personal needs, as well as receiving individualized support, educational advocacy, and a network of like-minded peers.

All applicants submit a portfolio application by April 15, 2020.
Apply today
Gifted Research/Updates

NAGC State of the States in Gifted Education
The recently-released 2018-2019 State of the States in Gifted Education report represents a snapshot of gifted education across the nation. The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) and the Council of State Directors of Programs for the Gifted (CSDPG) conducted this survey to explore if and how states provide and support programs for gifted students ,  including individual states' approaches toward identification, funding, acceleration and more. Themes that emerged included the importance of federal funding, integration into and collaboration with other district/state departments, and initiatives to improve gifted services/programs with a focus on equitable access. 
Read the full report

Gifted Education Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Cincinnati are seeking gifted students in grades 3-6 to take part in a survey. The survey seeks to understand the gifted education services that were provided for identified gifted elementary learners during virtual or remote instruction that took place during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. If your gifted child attends public school and is currently in grade 3-6, we invite him or her to take this brief survey. Student identification will be kept confidential. Results will be used to provide recommendations to improve teaching practices for virtual, blended, or hybrid instruction. 
Take the survey
Resources


NAGC's  mission  is to support those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children through education, advocacy, community building, and research. We aim to help parents and families, K-12 education professionals including support service personnel, and members of the research and higher education community who work to help gifted and talented children as they strive to achieve their personal best and contribute to their communities.

Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted
SENG is a nonprofit network of people who guide gifted, talented, and twice-exceptional individuals to reach their goals intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

SENG provides support through a variety of programs, all aimed to be inclusive and accessible. We offer  online support groups  for gifted, talented and twice-exceptional individuals and their parents/guardians, online  SENGinars  with leading experts, in-person regional mini-conferences and an annual conference, SENG Model Parent Groups (SMPG) and Facilitator Training, SENG Library,  SENGVine  e-newsletter, Continuing Education courses for professionals, workshops, and more! SENG is a national organization with occasional events and programs in Canada, plus an affiliate organization in Europe.
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