JANUARY 2014 NWGCA Newsletter

January Newsletter Topics

SENG 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 Groups

Discussion 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 Tacoma

Seabury 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 Olympia

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 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 Conference

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 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 Shinn

Thank 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!

Articles   

Study: 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