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 info@nwgca.org 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:
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. This newsletter is for Y-O-U! If you have a suggestion for newsletter content or would like to contribute, email newsletter@nwgca.org . A Note from Our new President
Well, it’s here. 2021 is upon us with many changes afoot. I’m honored to take on the role as president of Northwest Gifted Child Association - the oldest gifted organization in Washington state! Since our founding in 1963, we have worked to support and advocate for families with gifted children and last year proved not much could prevent us from doing so. We shifted our programming to online where hundreds of people connected through our workshops on a variety of topics related to giftedness and 2e, supported several board members in hosting discussion groups for parents of gifted kids (online, too, of course), and in doing so, we reached people in every corner of Washington - and beyond! 2020 was a tough year for so many of us for so many reasons, however, we’re excited for what is to come in 2021. On behalf of the entire board, I want to extend gratitude to Austina De Bonte who has served as president of Northwest Gifted Child Association for nearly a decade. Thank you, Austina, for not only sharing your expertise and supporting my family on our journey through giftedness and gifted education, but for sharing your gifts with countless other families throughout the years. We know you’ll continue to do so in new ways and we are thankful to have you continuing on the board. Thank you. Happy new year from all of us at Northwest Gifted Child Association and I invite you to stay connected and let us know how we can support you. Karen Thornton President Upcoming Programs Understanding the Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted Haga clic aquí para la traducción al español Saturday, February 6, 2021 3:30-5:30 p.m. Pacific Online via Zoom (login details will be emailed to registrants) Dr. Michael Postma will help us understand the unique social and emotional needs of highly capable/gifted children. Specific topics covered include: The meaning of the term "gifted," differences in a gifted brain, and the unique development and sensitivities of gifted children. An introduction will be provided by Wendy Clark, M.Ed, NBCT who is the West Valley School District Highly Capable Coordinator for K-12 and WAETAG Immediate Past President. There will also be a Q&A session with Michael Postma (NWGCA, SENG), Tanya Randolph (Yakima School District), and Wendy Clark (West Valley School District). Cost: $0 for those unable to donate at this time $19 for Central Washington residents $24 for those outside of Central Washington Program Registration About the Presenter Dr. Michael Postma is a NWGCA board member, the director of programming at SENG, and the president of Gifted & Thriving, LLC. He also is the father of three twice-exceptional children. With more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, administrator, author, and consultant, Dr. Postma continues to promote the social, emotional, and academic needs of the gifted/2e population. His latest book is "The Inconvenient Student: Critical Issues in the Identification and Education of Twice-Exceptional Students." 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! Part 1: Thursday, January 21, 2021 5 PM PST Part 2: Thursday, February 4, 2021 5 PM PST Join Dr. Mike Postma, along with special guests Bobbi Gilman, Associate Director of the Gifted Development Center and experienced and long time gifted educator, Kathi Kearney, as they share the latest information on school resources for supporting twice-exceptional (2e) children. This two part session is designed to address this ongoing issue with advice on how to properly advocate for your twice-exceptional student within the school setting. You will learn:
Cost: $34 (recording provided to all registrants) Series Registration Upcoming Programs for Gifted Kids Science is Weird NWGCA is excited to host our first kids event of 2021! Keep an eye out for more information about a winter/spring science quest hosted by Science is Weird! Save the date now and look for registration information soon. Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 3:30 PM PST Virtual Super Saturdays The Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University is offering Virtual Super Saturdays February 6, 13, and 20. Super Saturdays classes are for high-ability children in grades 1-6. There are nine classes that give high-interest young people the ability to explore minds-on, hands-on classes in art, math, science, and so much more! Topics include Master Mathematicians (grades 1 & 2), Inventor’s Workshop (grades 3 & 4), Mysteries of the Human Body (grades 5 & 6), and more! Dates: February 6, 13, & 20, 2021 Time: 7:30-9:30 a.m. Central Online via Zoom Cost: $80 (Financial assistance available) Virtual Super Saturday Registration Yunasa Summer Camp The Institute for Educational Advancement is now accepting applications for their Yunasa Summer Camps. Designed and led by eminent experts in the field of gifted youth, Yunasa embraces gifted children for who they are, helping them understand and work with the unique joys and challenges that gifted children face. The Yunasa team is currently working with our hosts – YMCA Camp Shady Brook and YMCA Camp Copneconic – on safety procedures in accordance with the field guide developed by the American Camp Association and guidelines from the Center for Disease Control. The safety of our campers is and will remain our utmost priority. We will be in touch with all families as soon as we have updates to share. Application Due Date: March 15, 2021 Yunasa West (Currently Colorado): June 12 – 19, 2021 Yunasa (Currently Michigan): July 24 – 31, 2021 Summer Camp Application IEA Spyglass Series Game Theory and Behavioral Economics (Ages 10-14) Instructor: Duke Shao Dates: Saturdays February 20, 27, March 6, 13, 2021 Times: 9:30am-11:00am PST Price: $130 for 4 sessions (students must enroll in all sessions) Have you wondered why it's been so difficult to get rid of COVID-19? Science and politics aside, the answer is simple: logic. While it might seem like people haven't been behaving logically, once you account for their beliefs about how others will act, their behaviors actually start to make a lot of sense. To help us understand what is rational vs. what is not, we will explore the field of game theory in our first 2 classes. However, knowing that nobody is rational all the time brings us to the field of behavioral economics. In classes 3 and 4, we will examine common biases underlying our decisions. Students should walk away with a fresh appreciation of how people think and the impact that has on how they act, especially as it pertains to interactions with others. Spyglass Series Information AoPS Academy Virtual Campus New Beast Academy math course sections at Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) Academy Virtual Campus start soon, and it's not too late to join! Enroll to save your child's spot—courses are filling up fast, especially for Honors Math Levels 2–5. AoPS is also offering brand-new Honors Math and Contest Math tracks for students preparing or ready for algebra. AoPS Information Davidson Academy The Davidson Academy is designed to accommodate the unique educational and emotional needs of highly gifted students. Students are grouped by ability rather than age, offering a middle and high school level curriculum that is matched to their abilities, strengths and interests. The Davidson Academy offers two educational options specifically designed to meet the needs of the highly gifted – an online campus for those living anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. The 2021-2022 application is open. Visit the Qualification Criteria and How to Apply pages to read about the application process. The deadline for the online campus is January 31. Davidson THINK Summer Institute THINK is a challenging academically-focused program for 13-16 year old gifted students who attend two full courses at the University of Nevada, Reno and receive college credit. The application deadline is March 26. 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. To learn more visit CTY or attend a virtual session. Resources P2eNews.com Now Free for 2021! 2e News provides critical information about twice-exceptional education and supporting 2e kids. Access to the site is now free! Each week, 2e News spotlights visionaries in the field, groundbreaking research, and therapies and teaching strategies that make a difference in the lives of our students. Get your FREE SUBSCRIPTION now and join engaging, thoughtful, and useful conversations about gifted and twice-exceptional education. Subscribe Summit Center Introduces Group Therapy Summit Center provides assessments, counseling and consultation for gifted and twice-exceptional children, adults, and families, using a strength-based approach. We now offer weekly groups for teens, each focused on specific topics such as sibling relationships, navigating social situations, and executive functioning skills; as well as social skill-building for preschoolers. Sign up now for groups beginning February 2021. For more information, email info@summitcenter.us or call (925) 939-7500 or (310) 478-6505. Group Therapy Details This newsletter is for Y-O-U! If you have a suggestion for newsletter content or would like to contribute, email newsletter@nwgca.org. A Note from the President
Changes are afoot here at Northwest Gifted Child Association. We just had our annual board retreat, online of course, and reflected on another rich year of events, outreach, online resources, and support for families with gifted children across Washington state. Converting two large in-person conferences into online events in a matter of a few short weeks is a testament to our board's ability to adapt to these unusual times we are living in. Won't we all have stories to tell our grandchildren! We also made plans for the coming year, including our first of many online events, coming up soon on Sunday, October 4. Hear from board member Mike Postma as he shares "Fostering Social and Emotional Growth in 2e Children Through a Lens of Neurodiversity." Details are below and we're looking forward to seeing you online. Our biggest news to share is that we have a new president elect, Karen Thornton, who will become president of NWGCA as of January 1. I have been serving as president since 2012, and we are long overdue for a changing of the guard. I am delighted that Karen is ready to take this step in leading our organization with her passion and enthusiasm. I will remain a part of the board for the foreseeable future, however I am glad to hand the administrative duties off to someone else. These times are challenging. Stay connected and let us know how we can support you and your families. Austina De Bonte Upcoming Learning Opportunities Northwest Gifted Child Association Fostering Social and Emotional Growth in 2e Children Through a Lens of Neurodiversity Sunday, October 4, 2020 5:00-6:30 p.m. Pacific Online via Zoom (login details will be emailed to registrants) Gifted/2e children often struggle with issues related to social/emotional growth and/or regulation. As a result, large numbers of these students battle anxiety, stress, emotional regulation, social anxiety, and even have difficulty with executive functioning. This is due to asynchronous development related to intense sensory integration (epigenetics) that can easily overwhelm an already vulnerable limbic system. This session will outline the latest neuro research on the gifted/2e brain and how it affects the way twice-exceptional children engage in all factions of life including school, home, and the greater community. Cost $20 WA State Residents $24 Non-residents Need a scholarship? Register with promo code SCHOLARSHIP and we will contact you via email to make arrangements. Register now! About the Presenter Dr. Michael Postma is a NWGCA board member, the director of programming at SENG, and the president of Gifted & Thriving, LLC. He also is the father of three twice-exceptional children. With more than 20 years of experience as a teacher, administrator, author, and consultant, Dr. Postma continues to promote the social, emotional, and academic needs of the gifted/2e population. His latest book is "The Inconvenient Student: Critical Issues in the Identification and Education of Twice-Exceptional Students." Online Parent Discussion Group Every Thursday, October 8-November 19, 2020 5:00-6:30 PM 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. Cost $95 plus book for one or two parents/caregivers Needs-based scholarships available. Contact Denise or Karen for more information. Register now! About the Facilitators This 7-session online series is co-facilitated by Denise Anderson and Karen Thornton. Denise is a certified SMPG facilitator, has an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is the Vice President of Northwest Gifted Child Association. Karen is also a certified SMPG facilitator and on the board of NWGCA. Denise and Karen both parent gifted children. Additional Learning Opportunities Parenting Successful Teens Online Summit September 21-25, 2020 Online Don't miss this powerful lineup of experts from across the U.S. sharing their best tips on how you can take action NOW to help improve your teenager's Physical Health, Mental Health, & Their Academic Success. Topics include: Stress, Time Management/Morning Routines, Anxiety, Hormones, ADD/ADHD, Autism, Nutrition, Executive Function, Prescription Drugs and Teens, How You Can Set Up a Support Network, Self-Esteem, Homeschooling, Gut Health and more! It is all pre-recorded so you can listen to who you want, when you want! Cost: FREE More information and to register Washington Association of Educators of the Talented and Gifted Conference October 15-17, 2020 Online Join WAETAG for 3 days of dynamic and engaging learning where you'll leave with an abundance of tools and resources you can start using immediately. The conference will be held live online and registrants have the option to access sessions and resources for one year! Cost Standard: $285 VIP: $350 More information and to register National Association for Gifted Children Convention November 12-17, 2020 Online The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) invites you to attend this year's convention - Reimagined! The 6-day virtual convention is filled with live keynotes, engaging breakout sessions, hundreds of pre-recorded sessions, table talk discussions, and many opportunities to network and socialize. Topics include diversity and equity in gifted education, addressing opportunity gaps, helping students respond to stress and other challenges in our rapidly changing world, and the convention will conclude with a panel discussion of former NAGC presidents discussing how lessons from the past will help empower us for the future. Cost Advanced (register before Sept. 30) NAGC Member: $295 Advanced (register before Sept. 30) Non-Member: $445 Regular (after Sept. 30) NAGC Member: $345 Regular (after Sept. 30) Non-Member: $495 More information and to register Opportunities for Students Art of Problem Solving AoPS Academy is offering classes online, with the goal of transitioning back to on-campus teaching during the year if local conditions allow. Classes are filling up, however, there are still spaces available in mathematics and language arts for grades 2-12. Academic year courses are selective - students and their parents must have a consultation with Academy staff to determine proper suitability and placement. More information and to request a consultation UW Robinson Center Fall Enrichment Program Saturdays, October 10-December 5, 2020 (No class on Nov 28) Online The Saturday Program is an enrichment program offered by the Robinson Center for Young Scholars for students currently in grades K-8. These classes are intended to provide intellectually ambitious students with challenge, inspiration, and fun, in a collaborative, supportive learning environment. Classes are not intended to move students ahead in the standard curriculum but rather to explore topics not usually covered in the K-8 classroom. Classes meet for one 50-minute session per week on Saturdays, for eight Saturdays. All classes are currently online only. Classes offered include Brains and Behavior, Fundamentals of Public Speaking, Intro to Debate, Environmental Ethics and Storytelling, Paper Art and Engineering, Intro to Programming, Sketchbook Drawing, Philosophy and the Human Experience, and more! Cost $225 for each course, plus a non-refundable $25 registration fee per course Financial Aid available More information and to apply Hugo House Youth Writing Programs Hugo House has 13 brand-new classes for youth grades 5-12, starting in October, ranging from 1-4 weeks, and topics include sci fi, fantasy, poetry, political writing, comics and graphic novels, general fiction, and more. Instructors - all accomplished writers, out-of-the-box thinkers, and experienced educators - create fun, engaging sessions to keep you writing and connecting with others. Classes are offered in a variety of writing genres, so that writers can explore new forms of writing and/or practice their favorites, including Comics and Graphic Novels, Twisted Fairy Tales, The Art of Allusion, Writing Our Politics, and more. To make classes more accessible for all youth, tuition is scaled at 30%-60%-90%-100% so that families can pay what they can. More information and to register UW Fall Enrichment Classes The University of Washington has announced new school-year enrichment courses for students in grades 10-12. Topics range from architecture and coding in Java to creative writing and more. The registration deadline is September 28 and courses begin October 6, running twice weekly in the evenings over 10 weeks. For details, visit UW Fall Enrichment Classes. At-Home Resources The AoPS team knows it's a hectic time for students and they want to continue to provide them with great math experiences. So they are assembling fun activities to help kids keep learning, collaborating, and having fun even while at home. Puzzles, math jams and more can be found at Keep Learning with AoPS. AoPS has also started a podcast, Emergency Homeschool, which is designed to help parents navigate at-home learning decisions like we're currently facing. They talk to education and at-home learning leaders from MIT, Yale, EdChoice and more about everything from navigating all the at-home learning options to socialization, effects on college admission to planning a daily schedule. Listen here. The Big Life Kids Podcast teaches children to stay resilient, believe in themselves, and face life's challenges with confidence! In each episode, Zara and Leo travel the world to discover the living heroes that are making a difference in the world today. Ideal for kids ages 5-10. The podcast is produced by Big Life Journal. Listen here. Did You Know? This newsletter is for Y-O-U! If you have a suggestion for newsletter content or would like to contribute, email newsletter@nwgca.org. A Note from the Board
Here we are a few months into our state's Stay Home, Stay Healthy order with things we may have never thought would happen, seemingly becoming normal now. For some of us that may be the "crisis schooling" we find ourselves in, for others it may be donning a face mask to go to the grocery store. For some it may be managing the anxiety this global pandemic brings on (for yourself or a family member), while for others it is the challenge of not being close to loved ones. We can likely all relate to the feeling of uncertainty and the increased stressors. At the same time, however, spring has arrived and there are new experiences to be thankful for. Sharing our stories is one way to get through these times. Below you will find several stories shared by Northwest Gifted Child Association (NWGCA) board members that we hope gives you something you can relate to. Austina, Board President Mom of one high schooler and one middle schooler, family and school consultant, volunteer community organizer "Gardening is keeping me busy - my yard and veggie garden have never looked better! What's most challenging for me these days is keeping sane as my high school junior stresses out about upcoming AP tests. I'm looking forward to long neighborhood walks with girlfriends when this is over." Karen, Board Member Small business owner, mom of Kindergartener and 4 th grader "I have been taking it easy mostly, trying to enjoy this slow time with family. Shuffling between video calls for work and online learning with kids at two different schools can be head-spinning and finding ways to help my [existential] daughter feel like she's doing something valuable is challenging. I'm most looking forward to seeing family in the Midwest when this is over." Sara, Board Member Mom of a middle schooler, educator providing distance learning from home "I'm keeping busy with homeschooling and my classroom and doing house projects, too. Trying to keep my child and myself entertained! Once all this is over, I'm looking forward to seeing my class again." Sheryl, Board Member Parent of a teen in Running Start "I am spending time learning mindfulness meditation to help with the anxiety I have experienced since the crisis began and I am enjoying the opportunity to volunteer for a few different organizations. My son is disappointed not to be able to go to classes in person so we are both looking forward to school starting again and hoping that it will be the experience he was hoping for. When this is over, I'm looking forward to getting back to church." Susan, Board Member Retired public educator, grandmother of a 2e high schooler, parent group facilitator "I am currently enrolled in a class to become an online facilitator of SENG parent groups and look forward to getting back to scheduling NWGCA workshops and events. When this all passes, I look forward to volunteering at the Fifth Avenue and Paramount theaters. And, most importantly, hugging family and friends and helping our 2020 high school graduate celebrate his accomplishment!" Want to share your story or stay connected in another way? Check out the blogs, forums, and Facebook groups on the NWGCA website. And here are a few resources that might help the board members above - and YOU! - get through the current challenges:
Upcoming Learning Opportunities Northwest Gifted Child Association What Parents and Educators Need to Know About Smart Kids Sunday, June 7 3:00-5:30 p.m. PST Online via Zoom Many people are surprised to learn that their bright child's unique "quirks" are actually well-studied social & emotional behavior patterns in high IQ kids. 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 the highly capable (HiCap) population. Learn the latest neuroscience and research about 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 through high school and beyond. Come hear the talk that has been presented to dozens of parent and educator communities across WA state. It is a whirlwind of gifted 101, covering:
Cost: $25 Washington State Educator Clock Hours available for an additional $20. Register now! About the Presenter Austina De Bonte is a consultant at Smart is not Easy, LLC ( www.smartisnoteasy.com). Since 2012, Austina has also served as the President of the Northwest Gifted Child Association ( www.nwgca.org), the Washington State support and advocacy non-profit for families with gifted children. A dynamic and engaging presenter, Austina speaks regularly at conferences, as well as conducts parent education talks and professional development workshops for educators about the unique social and emotional development of highly capable (HiCap) or "gifted" children. She also works with school district teams to develop and fine-tune their HiCap program models, especially concerning equitable identification strategies. Austina's signature style combines her experience as a parent and parent coach along with synthesized research, current district practices across Washington State and cutting-edge neuroscience. She has a master's degree from MIT and did her graduate thesis in the MIT Media Lab's Epistemology and Learning Group, where Lego Mindstorms was invented. Austina is a certified SENG Model Parent Group facilitator. Free Webinar with Bright and Quirky How to Help Bright Kids with Autism Cope During Challenging Times Wednesday, May 13 10:00-11:00 a.m. PST Online If things feel challenging at home, without the typical supports in place during COVID-19, you're not alone. Navigating these uncertain times, with bright kids on the spectrum, can present unique challenges. That's why Bright & Quirky is organizing this very special opportunity to pose your questions to Dr. Barry Prizant, leading autism expert and author of Uniquely Human. Once you register for the free webinar, hosted by Debbie Steinberg Kuntz, LMFT, you will be able to submit your questions for Dr. Prizant. Note: This webinar will focus on gifted, twice exceptional (2e) kids with autism. Some of the strategies will also be relevant to kids with a wider range of abilities. Cost: Free Register now! About the Presenter Barry Prizant, PhD, has more than 40 years' experience as a clinical scholar, consultant, researcher and program consultant to children and older persons with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and related developmental disabilities and their families. He is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP). Barry has served as a tenured Professor of Communication Disorders at Southern Illinois University and Emerson College, where he developed specialty tracks in language disabilities and autism in the Master's and Doctoral programs. He also was Founder and Director of the Communication Disorders Department at Bradley Hospital, with an Associate Professor Appointment in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in the Brown University Program in Medicine and was an Advanced Post-Doctoral Fellow in Early Intervention at UNC-Chapel Hill. His latest book is Uniquely Human: A Different Way of Seeing Autism . Online Parent Discussion Group Thursdays, June 18 to July 30 (7-session series) 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. PST 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:
Cost: $95 plus book Join us! About the Facilitators This 7-session online series is co-facilitated by Denise Anderson and Karen Thornton. Denise is a certified SMPG facilitator, has an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, and is the Vice President of Northwest Gifted Child Association. Karen is also a certified SMPG facilitator and on the board of NWGCA. Denise and Karen both parent gifted children. R esources from NWGCA Partners National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) has created NAGC at Home for parents,educators, and caregivers who are supporting gifted children during this unprecedented time. They free resources to spark gifted minds in grades PreK-12 in art, music, science, language arts, social studies, and more! Our neighbors to the south, Oregon Association for Talented and Gifted ( OATAG), have compiled a list of resources for parents and educators while schools are closed. Note: The resources and information provided here have not been vetted by NWGCA and should not be viewed as an endorsement or as approved by NWGCA. The G Word Documentary Featuring Washington State Director/Producer of The G Word Documentary, Mark Smolowitz, recently launched a new 14-minute short film from his feature documentary-in-process, called HIGHLY CAPABLE. The film features voices of four incredible women in the great State of Washington, including our very own Austina De Bonte, who take a deep and powerful look at some of the massively challenging equity issues that are plaguing gifted and talented education across our country. The piece also looks at how Universal Screening, or the practice of testing every child for giftedness, is emerging as a promising and decidedly inclusive way to expand community capacity to identify and discover our brightest under served children. Watch Now More about The G Word Film Clockwise from top-left: Dr. Michelle Reid, Superintendent, Northshore School District; Austina De Bonte, President, Northwest Gifted Child Association; Claudia Rowe, Education Reporter, Seattle Times (2013-18); Erin Jones, Education Equity Consultant, Candidate for State Superintendent (2016) Follow The G Word Film on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter Donate to The G Word Film Join the G Word Film's Nonprofit Partner Network Watch more shorts Gifted Assessment During COVID-19 NWGCA frequently receives inquiries about psychological testing and evaluation services to assess children for giftedness and now is no different. A list of providers can be found at www.nwgca.org/testing--assessment . Many of these providers are continuing to provide services as essential businesses and some provide phone consultations to discuss testing options and whether testing is recommended. As an alternative to in-person assessment, Summit Center in California is offering remote services, including virtual assessments, for children, adolescents, and adults. More information can be found at www.summitcenter.us/telehealth. Did You Know? Although most agree that what we are experiencing currently with distance learning due to the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order is not the same as homeschooling, the resources NWGCA has complied for homeschooling gifted and twice exceptional (2e) kids may come in handy right now! Check out the resources and list of online education providers at www.nwgca.org/homeschooling . This newsletter is for Y-O-U! If you have a suggestion for newsletter content or would like to contribute, email newsletter@nwgca.org. Gifted Education Day
Join NWGCA, Washington Association of Educators of the Talented and Gifted (WAETAG), and Washington Coalition for Gifted Education in Olympia on Friday, January 31 to advocate for our highly capable students. What is Gifted Ed Day? It's a chance to meet other parents of gifted kids from across the state, learn more about the State Bill regarding equitable identification of HiCap students, and participate in the legislative process. William Knudsen, Director of Government and Affiliate Relations at National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) will speak. Then, meet with your legislators to tell them your story - students are welcome, too! Don't worry... the partnering organizations provide tips and resources to make it easy. The National Association for Gifted Children states: Gifted children in poverty and from minority groups are 2.5 times less likely to be identified for, and in, gifted and talented programs in schools. State Bill (SB) 5354, a comprehensive bill for the Highly Capable Program, came close, but failed to pass in the last Legislative session. Under procedural rules, it is still an active bill and can move through the legislative process toward passage. The bill is being modified and this year's version focuses on the need for universal screening for equitable identification for all students and for additional training for prospective teachers in the state's colleges of education on the special needs of gifted children. If you are unsure who your legislators are, use the District Finder to find your district information, including legislators. The WA Coalition for Gifted Education will send more information on the bill being introduced in the upcoming legislative session. Sign up to be on their email list and keep current with progress. Call or email now to make brief appointments on Jan 31 (you'll be free after 11am) to meet your legislators while you're in Olympia. Nervous? Email wagifted@earthlink.net to get advice or be paired with someone to attend the meeting with you. NWGCA Sponsored Events What Parents & Educators Need to Know About Smart Kids Many people are surprised to learn that their bright children's unique "quirks" are well-studied social and emotional behavior patterns that appear across large populations of highly intelligent children, traits such as: Upcoming Learning Opportunities The Fit! Neurodiversity and Its Impacts on the Gifted Individual Are you and your family ready to move to a place of THRIVING with your neurodiverse child? Join Dr. Michael Postma and Julie Postma for seven online sessions the help define giftedness, neurodiversity, metacognition, and education fit. Watch the prerecorded sessions, work through the Family Action Plan and guidebook, and tune in for weekly live Q&A discussion sessions with Dr. Mike and Julie. Be one of the first 30 registrants and receive a free 1-hour consultation with Dr. Mike. Highly capable (HiCap)/gifted children and teens often experience intense worry and stress. This interactive presentation is an exploration into why HiCap kids experience anxiety and an introduction to anxiety-reducing tools to try at home. 7 weeks, beginning January 13 Cost: $397 Register Parenting Your HiCap Worrier Highly capable (HiCap)/gifted children and teens often experience intense worry and stress. This interactive presentation is an exploration into why HiCap kids experience anxiety and an introduction to anxiety-reducing tools to try at home. Presented by Denise Anderson in partnership with Challenge Parents Association. Thursday, January 30 7:00 p.m. Terrace Park Elementary Commons Mountlake Terrace, Washington Cost: Free Opportunities for Kids UW Robinson Center The UW Robinson Center's Summer Program provides an intensive, inspirational, and in-depth learning experience for students who are prepared to take on the challenge. They offer a rich variety of math, science, literature, philosophy, and writing classes. Class sizes are small and taught by faculty members who are experienced teachers and specialists in their fields. Programs are characterized by high-level thinking, intellectual adventure, and pursuit of understanding. Summer Challenge, for current 5th-6th graders, emphasizes hands-on learning, field trips, and activities. Registration opens Sunday, February 2 at 4:00 p.m. Summer Stretch, for current 7th-10th graders, is more academic in nature, providing an accelerated, rigorous learning experience. Registration opens Sunday, February 9 at 4:00 p.m. Before-care and after-care available for an additional fee. Summer Challenge July 6-24 9:00 a.m.-2:20 p.m. University of Washington Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington Tuition: $1,100 plus fees (tuition and fee waivers may be awarded to families who receive free or reduced lunch) More information Summer Stretch June 29-July 30 9:00 a.m.-2:20 p.m. University of Washington Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington Tuition: $1,000 plus fees (tuition and fee waivers may be awarded to families who receive free or reduced lunch) More information Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival The festival is a noncompetitive celebration of great ideas and problems in mathematics. We will have several dozen tables of rich math problems and activities led by our volunteers, who are lovers of mathematics from different disciplines, representing mathematicians, teachers, engineers, programmers, graduate students, and more. The mission of the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival is to inspire students to explore the richness and beauty of mathematics through activities that encourage collaborative, creative problem-solving. Saturday, March 14 1:00-4:30 p.m. Husky Union Building, South Ballroom Seattle, Washington Cost: $15 (reduced rate of $10 is available at the time of registration, free scholarships available as well) Register UW Math Day Over a thousand teachers and high school students are invited to the UW Seattle Campus to uncover the exciting, practical and rewarding world of mathematics. Choose from a variety of sessions throughout the day that cover diverse applications of math. Listen to panel discussions on UW student life, watch demonstrations and more. Monday, March 23 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Kane Hall Seattle, Washington Cost: $16 per person, plus $35 per school (scholarships available) Registration opens January 27 More information Washington State Invention Convention Save the date for this year's WA iCon! Washington State Invention Convention (WA iCon) is the signature event of Invent Washington, a program that helps students ages 5-13 how to apply STEM knowledge and skills to be inventors and entrepreneurs. At the State Invention Convention students will display their inventions, explain the process by which they were created, and pitch their inventions to teams of judges. Awards will be given in several categories. Saturday, April 18 Spokane, Washington University of Washington Engineering Discovery Days At Engineering Discovery Days, students and faculty from all UW engineering departments share their work with students, teachers, families and the community. Discovery Days are oriented toward 4th through 8th grade students and feature hands-on activities that demonstrate the exciting work of engineers.
Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. More information UW Center for Neurotechnology Young Scholars REACH Program The Center for Neurotechnology (CNT) at the University of Washington sponsors a five day "YSP-REACH" program on the Seattle Campus during the summer. High school students receive an introduction to neuroscience and neural engineering, neuroethics, scientific communication, and the latest developments in brain-computer interfaces. Participants have the opportunity to tour CNT partner labs in departments including Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. The goal is to provide students with exposure to the field of neural engineering and provide basic preparation for college studies in STEM subjects as well as future STEM careers. The program is well suited for students interested in a STEM career, with a specific interest in neural engineering and neuroscience. YSP-REACH 1: July 6-10 YSP-REACH 2: July 20-24 University of Washington, Building CSE2 Seattle, Washington Cost: $500 (scholarships available) More information Isn't It Ironic? We know there are challenges being a parent or educator of gifted kids. We also know there are hilariously wonderful and fantastic occurrences, too! New to this newsletter is, Isn't It Ironic? A spot for us to share those unique and quirky things we overhear and experience as we parent gifted kids. When driving home through our neighborhood recently, my 9-year old said - out of the blue - "Wouldn't it be nice if we could poop anywhere. And then dogs would pick it up?" Ummmm... #differentlywired Have a story to share? Send an email to newsletter@nwgca.org to submit a ready-to-print, all-ages-appropriate Funny. Articles New Year's Resolutions for Parents and Teachers of Twice Exceptional Students by Julie F. Skolnick M.A., J.D. Making New Year's Resolutions for some, is a yearly tradition. The new year presents a precipice of dual directional perspective; looking back and finding things to change while looking forward at a life we want to live. In essence we seek to reboot the system, install version 2.0 of ourselves. For parents and educators of twice exceptional students this practice of reflection and action is essential, but for it to succeed, it must occur daily and be well-defined. There is no option for failure, like so many short-lived New Year's resolutions. To assist parents and teachers of 2e kids with this daily practice, I've devised a menu of intentional thoughts and mantras to keep parents and educators focused on maintaining a successful system. The key, however, is one overarching resolution - to build and maintain a strong personal connection. Read the complete article here. Managing Your Child's Intensity During the Holidays by Colleen Kessler While I'd rather hibernate and skip parties altogether , I know I can't. I need to have plans in place, and let go of some of the old "ideals" I had about parenting before I actually had kids. You know, all those things single people say they'll never let their kids do... So, how do I suggest managing gifted kids' intensities during the holidays? Read the complete article here . New findings from Did You Know? NWGCA has compiled a big list of summer programs. Registration for many of these opens soon! Start planning your kids' awesome summer now! Visit nwgca.org/summer-programs for more information. This newsletter is for Y-O-U! If you have a suggestion for newsletter content or would like to contribute, email newsletter@nwgca.org . NWGCA Board Update The NWGCA Board of Directors held their annual meeting and retreat in September to celebrate the past year of empowering, strengthening, and advocating for families of gifted children and to plan for the year ahead. A lot has been accomplished and there, of course, is plenty of work still ahead! Since the last retreat, the NWGCA board presented at several conferences and hosted many workshops for community members throughout the state, created a list of professional providers for the website - a tremendous resource! - and have worked hard to advocate for the legislative bill concerning programs for highly capable students. We also welcome two new members to the Board of Directors - Laurie Ferraiolo as Treasurer and Sheryl Harshberger. Thank you, Laurie and Sheryl! Upcoming Learning Opportunities Northwest Gifted Child Association SENG parent groups (or SMPGs) bring together 10-15 parents for facilitated conversation about topics related to parenting gifted children. Groups meet weekly for 8-10 weeks and are hosted in various regions throughout Washington by NWCGA board members. New groups start in the next few weeks, including in Mount Vernon, Edmonds, Lake Stevens, Woodinville, Vancouver, and Bellevue. Click on each city listed or visit www.nwgca.org/events to find a parent group near you! A *free* community event is being hosted by Tahoma PATH (Parent Advocates for Tahoma's Highly Capable). Presented by NWGCA board members Marcia Holland and Sara Kamla on November 7 at the Maple Valley Library, "What Parents and Educators Need to Know about Smart Kids," explores the social & emotional behavior patterns that appear across large populations of highly intelligent children. The program starts at 7:00 p.m. Save the Date! Northwest Gifted Child Association will be planning a half-day workshop for parents, teachers and others from the gifted community. Keep an eye on your inbox for more information for the event to be held 1:00-5:00 p.m. on March 29, 2020 at Brightwater Environmental Education and Community Center. UW Robinson Center for Young Scholars Information sessions for the Robinson Center Transition School/Early Entrance program will be held on November 1, November 18, and December 2. More information can be found on their website: https://robinsoncenter.uw.edu/programs/eep/transition/ Washington Association of Educators of the Talented and Gifted (WAETAG) WAETAG's annual conference, Roots & Wings, will be held October 18-19 at the Hilton Bellevue, Bellevue WA with keynote speakers Dr. Diane Heacox and Dr. Richard Cash. Session topics include differentiation, thinking skills, and creativity and creative problem solving. For more information and to register, visit www.waetag.com/conference. Oregon Association for Talented and Gifted (OATAG) On October 26, OATAG will hold their annual conference at Clackamas Community College, Oregon City Campus with the theme, Celebrating Neurodiversity. Keynote speakers, Susan Baum and Robin Schader, will discuss The Unique Needs of Twice Exceptional Students: Balancing Home and School. Visit www.oatag.org/conference for more information and to register. Gifted Together Join Gifted Together, on November 16 at the Sunset Hill Community Center in Seattle, WA for a gifted and 2e Symposium - Unraveling the Mystery: Understanding You and Your Family. Topics include understanding intensity and the gifted mind, diagnosis and treatment in gifted and twice exceptional, giftedness and spectrum disorders, and more! Visit www.giftedtogether.org for more information and to register. Isn't It Ironic? We know there are challenges being a parent or educator of gifted kids. We also know there are hilariously wonderful and fantastic occurrences, too! New to this newsletter is, Isn't It Ironic? A spot for us to share those unique and quirky things we overhear and experience as we parent gifted kids. At the beginning of 2nd grade our son was given two math worksheets as homework. I looked over the assignments and clearly stated the expectations. "On this sheet, you will do all the problems. On the second sheet, you will do just the even numbered problems." I told him that I'd like to see the sheets after he completed them. He quickly went about the task of doing the homework, then proudly brought me the worksheets. I looked at the first one, and he completed it without error. Then I looked over the second worksheet. As I glanced over this one, I got frustrated and said, "I told you to do the even numbered prob..."And then I realized... he had completed problems 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 but had done all the problems in his head and only wrote the answers to the problems that had even numbered answers! So, #2s answer was 16, #4s answer was 8, #5s answer was 22, etc. He had only done the "even numbered problems!" Have a story to share? Send an email to newsletter@nwgca.org to submit a ready-to-print, all-ages-appropriate Funny. Articles Going back to school - the struggles gifted kids and their parents go through by Annemarie Verweij My kids went back to school today, after a almost 12 week long summer vacation. Many people probably expect gifted kids to love going (back) to school, well, the opposite is the truth. Every child is a bit nervous for their first day, especially after such a long break. I think a bit nervous doesn't cover my boys feelings. Especially my oldest son dreads sitting in all these (honor) classrooms (even after skipping a grade!) while being done with the assignment after half of the lesson is done. Read the complete article here. Bullying and the Gifted: Welcome Back to School? by Christopher Taibbi, M.A.T. Why the gifted may be more likely to be bullied--and what you can do about it. Read the complete article here . Did You Know? Northwest Gift Child Association has lot of good things going in the gifted community. Did you know...
This newsletter is for Y-O-U! If you have a suggestion for newsletter content or would like to contribute, email newsletter@nwgca.org. A Message from Our President We are so excited that the national organization SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) has chosen Washington for the second year in a row to hold a mini conference! This time the site is in Olympia, which is perfect for our southern region families, and within driving distance for most of the I-5 corridor. There will be SENG model parent group facilitator training as well as many speakers and some unique sessions. Registration info is below. We look forward to seeing you there! Did you know that another national organization visited our state last month? An ambitious documentary project has been ongoing for the past couple years called "The G Word." They were in Washington filming legislators in Olympia, journalists in Seattle, and the Northshore school district in Bothell, which is being used in the film to demonstrate how powerful universal screening can be for identifying gifted students. The G Word is nearly done filming and is heading to editing soon, and has several exciting trailers posted. Now is your big opportunity to reserve your copy of the film via their Kickstarter campaign, and support a really great cause. We hope this documentary will meaningfully change the national conversation about gifted education. On the home front, the HiCap bill is still working its way through the legislature. It passed unanimously on the Senate floor, but still needs to make its way through the House. Sadly, the House version removed universal screening (but there is a chance it could get put back.) Next stop is the House Appropriations committee. If you haven't already, please be sure to send your representatives your thoughts on SB 5354 via the "Comment on this Bill" link on the right - a couple quick sentences is perfect. (Mentioning your thoughts about universal screening would be helpful.) Want to learn more or get involved? Contact the Coalition for Gifted Education Austina De Bonte President, NWGCA SENG is Coming to Washington - For the Second Year in a Row! May 4, 2019 - NOVA Middle School, 2020 22nd Ave SE, Olympia, WA 8 AM - 5 PM SENG is pleased to bring the experience of the annual national conference to the local gifted, talented, and twice-exceptional community of the Pacific Northwest! Join us for a dynamic day packed with a morning keynote, valuable breakout sessions, and making connections. SENG Model Parent Group facilitator training will run concurrently. Washington State Clock Hours will be available. CEUs will be available for qualifying sessions. Register: SENG Upcoming Learning OpportunitiesParents As Advocates April 15, 2019 - Burlington Library 820 E. Washington Ave, Burlington, WA 6:30 PM 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. More information: Advocacy 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. Skagit County SMPG Conway School 19710 State Route 534, Mt. Vernon Co-Sponsored by Skagit County Department of Health and Conway School District Co-facilitated by Eleven Vexler & Crystal Kombol 8-week series on Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 PM: April 18 - June 4 More Information and Registration Woodinville SMPG Bear Creek United Methodist Church 16530 Avondale Rd NE, Woodinville Co-Facilitated by Austina De Bonte & Karen Thornton 9-week series on Fridays from 10:00am to 11:30am starting April 19 More Information and Registration 2E - Twice Exceptional - NOVA Middle School April 25, 2019 - NOVA Middle School 2020 22nd Ave SE, Olympia, WA 7 PM - 8:30 PM Be sure to attend this screening of this acclaimed film that follows the personal journeys of a unique group of high school students who have been identified as "twice exceptional" - gifted or highly gifted individuals with learning disabilities or differences. Free and open to the public. More information: Movie What Parents & Educators Need to Know About Smart Kids May 6, 2019 - Lakeridge Middle School, 5909 Myers Rd E, 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. For more information: Talk Parenting Your Gifted Worrier June 5, 2019 - Meridian High School Auditorium 194 West Laurel Road, Bellingham 6:30 PM Facilitated by Denise Anderson, VP NWGCA, MA Marriage & Family Therapy, Certified SMPG Facilitator Highly capable (HiCap)/gifted children and teens often experience intense worry and stress. Join other parents of HiCap kids in this facilitated exploration of why gifted kids experience anxiety and an introduction to anxiety-reducing tools. Workshop will include a workbook of resources and worksheets for parents to reference and complete at home. Suggested donation (optional): $5 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 The G Word The G Word seeks to be the most ambitious and comprehensive film ever made on the topic of Gifted and Talented education in the United States - and part of it was filmed right here in Washington State! To learn more about the film: The G Word. A Kickstarter campaign is currently underway to raise funds to complete the film. To make a contribution or to learn more: Donate. Summer Opportunities for Your Student There are so many summer opportunities available in our area. Many of the premier programs have been registering for a while, such as the Robinson Center for Young Scholars at UW Seattle, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth at Seattle University, Summer Institute for the Gifted at Seattle Country Day School. Further afield you'll find Davidson THINK Summer Institute in Reno, NV, and Northwestern Center for Talent Development in Illinois. Other programs are just starting registering now, such as Satori Camp in Cheney (registration opens April 1). Other fun and unique local options include Camp Demigod in Leavenworth that feature Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and fandoms. Don't forget Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall that has kids building their own bow, tracking wolves, and living in the wilderness. And almost every private gifted school has a summer program - including Seabury School in Tacoma, BK Academy in Bellevue, Evergreen School in Shoreline, Open Window School in Bellevue, Seattle Country Day School in Seattle, and Nova School in Olympia. To explore even more summer opportunities for your gifted child, see our giant compilation at Summer Programs List OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR STUDENT Monthly Math Hour at University of Washington Students in grades 6 - 10 are invited to participate in the Monthly Math Hour on campus. The series introduces students to the beautiful and exciting world of mathematics. The lectures are free. There will also be a Math Hour Olympiad that students can sign up for after the Math Hour on April 28. Upcoming dates: April 28 1 - 2PM, and May 19 1 - 2PM. More information: Math Hour Contests/Scholarships Collegiate Inventors Competition An exciting competition that encourages invention, entrepreneurship, and creativity in gifted students are working on cutting-edge inventions at their universities. The organization offers over $100,000 in cash awards to the nation's most innovative undergraduate and graduate students showcasing their emerging ideas. Judges evaluate each invention entry based on originality, inventiveness, scope of use, and potential environment or economic value. For more information: Inventor Career Opportunity The Seattle School District is searching for a Supervisor of Highly Capable Services and Advanced Learning Programs. For more information, please see Supervisor Resources Northwest Gifted Child Association Visit our website for information, articles, and recommendations. NWGCA Social Media Articles To get lots more articles and event announcements as they get published, "like" us on Facebook. Contribute to the conversation with the #nwgca hashtag on Twitter. Articles How to identify, understand, and teach gifted children
The beginning of the 2019 school year will be a time of planning and crystal-gazing. Teachers will plan their instructional agenda in a general way. Students will think about another year at school. Parents will reflect on how their children might progress this year. One group of students who will probably attract less attention are the gifted learners. These students have a capacity for talent, creativity and innovative ideas. They could be our future Einsteins. They will do this only if we support them to learn in an appropriate way. And yet, there is less likely to be explicit planning and provision throughout 2019 to support these students. They're more likely to be overlooked or even ignored. Complete article here. 5 Tips for Helping Gifted Children Make Friends Making friends can be hard for any child, but for socially awkward gifted children or twice-exceptional kiddos, the challenge is only multiplied. While their brains are working on overdrive, and they can have an intelligent conversation with an adult expert in the field in which they are interested, put them in the same room with kids their own age, and all bets are off. Complete article here Friendship 101 In the iconic commercial, the happy, smiling mom gazes around her backyard bursting with neighborhood children, all thrilled to be there because she has Kool-Aid. The phrase "Kool-Aid Mom" became synonymous with perfection in parenting, and it's not just because she has an anthropomorphic pitcher bursting through the fence. The secret hope of virtually every parent is that his or her child will have friends and be liked, as represented in the commercial by the busy backyard. On television, all it takes to have a bevy of friends is a flavor packet and a cup of sugar. In real life, it's a little more complicated, both for kids and adults.Making friends can be hard for any child, but for socially awkward gifted children or twice-exceptional kiddos, the challenge is only multiplied. Complete article here 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 A Message From Our President
Don't miss our big fall event, coming up this week! Richard Rusczyk is speaking in Woodinville on October 16 and again on Bainbridge Island on the 17th. NWGCA seeks to bring top quality speakers to our community. Last winter, we brought speakers from GRO-gifted.org to teach us the latest neuroscience about the gifted brain. In the spring, we partnered with SENG for a smorgasbord day of amazing talks. This fall, we continue the tradition by bringing you the founder of the Art of Problem Solving (aops.com), Richard Rusczyk. AoPS got its start by training top math students for olympiads and the AMC 8/10/12 competitions. As time went on, they continued to specialize in math instruction for advanced students, publishing some of the best textbooks for algebra through calculus, as well as other important topics like number theory, probability, and combinatorics - and providing a novel model for afterschool/weekend online classes that has made advanced math accessible to anyone with a computer. As the years passed, AoPS kept going younger and younger. Their elementary curriculum, Beast Academy, writes its textbook in full color comic book format (no kidding!) paired with workbooks that have deep problem solving appropriate for advanced students in grades 2-5. Just this year, Beast Academy went online into a new self-paced format that can be used in classrooms as well as at home. Personally, I've found Richard Rusczyk's talk to be one of the most impactful messages I've ever heard. His insights have greatly affected my personal beliefs about what gifted students *really* need. I am delighted that others will get to experience hearing Richard's wise words firsthand! Hope to see you there :) Austina De Bonte, President NWGCA More Therapists for Gifted Children & Families NWGCA is in the process of updating its website. One of our goals for the update is to better connect NWGCA parents with providers that will best fit their needs. As such, we are requesting that providers, who wish to be listed on NWGCA's updated website, complete a form to help families gain a better understanding of the services provided. If you are a provider who serves the gifted community in Washington State, please request a form by sending an email to providers@nwgca.org. Use this link for a current list of providers. NWGCA Fall Event Problem Solving: Key to a 21st Century Education and a Rewarding Career Presented by Richard Rusczyk, Founder of Art of Problem Solving (aops.com) Tuesday, October 16 7:15 PM - 9:00 PM Brightwater Community Center, Woodinville, WA Register Today ($20, bring a friend for only $5 more) Wednesday, October 17 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Bainbridge Island School District Board Room 9530 NE High School Road, Bainbridge Island, WA Free event The rote memorization of facts is an insufficient means of educating the youth of today. Instead, problem-solving skills enable students to use the information they've learned in infinitely useful ways. Jobs that involve repetitive procedures are becoming increasingly automated. There is a growing need for those who can solve non-routine problems. The memorizer can only solve problems he has encountered already, but the problem solver can solve problems she's never seen before, and above all, she can create. Art of Problem Solving Founder, Richard Rusczyk, will talk about the importance of a problem-solving based math curriculum in today's educational climate. Parents and educators will find Richard's message to be wise and insightful, as well as full of practical tips for how to access math curriculums that build students' problem solving muscles, from elementary through high school. Richard Rusczyk has authored 7 textbooks and was past Director of the USA Mathematical Talent Search. He was a participant in National MATHCOUNTS, a three-time participant in the Math Olympiad Summer Program, and a USA Mathematical Olympiad winner (1989). He received the World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions Paul Erdös Award in 2014. He graduated from Princeton University in 1993. At AoPS, Richard gets to pursue his life's passion, educating motivated students. Upcoming Learning Opportunities Bellevue SENG Group Informational Meeting Wednesday November 14, 2018 Lake Hills Library Multipurpose Room 5:30-6:30 PM Come meet and hear from other interested parents, receive a free lesson and discuss the characteristics of gifted and talented children. View the syllabus and text for the four week class series, set dates and location. Discussion is held in a non-judgmental and nurturing atmosphere where we learn from the facilitator and one another. Topics include such aspects as social and emotional growth, motivation, discipline, stress management, peer relationships, organization and executive functioning, twice -exceptionality, and perfectionism. For more information, please contact Susan Jackson M.Ed at jensvenjack@comcast.net or Bellevuewaseng.com Putting together the Puzzle of a Gifted Family (Seattle) Assessing Gifted Intensities, Addressing Ongoing Conflicts, Applying Creative Strategies Date: November 3, 2018 Timing: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Phinney Ridge Center 6532 Phinney Avenue North Room 31 Seattle, WA 98103 Facilitators: Anne van Roden and Gloria Sandford - both experienced parents of gifted children and licensed mental health professionals. Purpose: Come join us for an interactive and inspiring workshop where you will learn key tools to help your gifted family thrive. This full-day workshop will apply SENG concepts at a deeper level focusing on the whole family. Specific tools include: 1) measuring certain gifted traits in family members, 2) examining how different patterns can cause ongoing conflicts and misunderstandings and 3) identifying some strategies to help address those challenges. Participants will leave with uniquely crafted strategies to help their family live together in a more cohesive and harmonious manner. Register Here NAGC Annual Convention (Minneapolis, MN) The annual National Association for Gifted Children Convention is in Minneapolis this year from November 14-18. Several WA state professionals will be presenting this year, including NWGCA President Austina De Bonte. If you'd like to go, rates go up after September 14, so now's the time to register. www.nagc.org Convention rates are better if you are an NAGC member - get a parent membership here (if you list NWGCA18 as the referrer, we'll get a small percentage back from NAGC) Know a great event or speaker coming to town? We're always happy to spread the word! Email us Resources "Understanding Giftedness" A video explaining the social and emotional components of parenting a gifted child. Extremely helpful in understanding the underlying reasons for puzzling behaviors in your gifted child. Clinical examples are used to get to a deeper understanding of how the two fundamental theories of Overexcitabilities and Asynchronous Development drive behaviors in gifted individuals. This video includes "the basics" of understanding giftedness. More Information "Putting Together the Puzzle of the Gifted Family" - This video helps to understand relational patterns and interactions within a gifted family, using the case study of the book A Wrinkle in Time. Specific tools in this video include: 1) measuring certain gifted traits in family members, 2) examining how different patterns can cause ongoing conflicts and misunderstandings and 3) identifying some strategies to help address those challenges and conflicts. By watching this film you can create uniquely crafted strategies to help your family live together in a more cohesive and harmonious manner. More Information Opportunities for Your Student SeaburySquared (Tacoma) Explore gifted education at Seabury Squared - with enrichment classes (after school programs, clubs, camps, workshops, and accelerated weekends) that stretch the imagination and provide engaging, challenging experiences for youngsters in the greater Tacoma community and those who are Seabury students. More information AoPS Academy (Bellevue) The Art of Problem Solving has recently opened the new Bellevue Academy campus, just in time for the new school year! AoPS after school courses provide challenging material for math and language arts students, from grade 2 to high school. AoPS also offers world-class math competition preparation courses, helpful for contests such as Math Kangaroo, AIME, MATHCOUNTS, and mathematical Olympiads. Students ready for Prealgebra and above can take competition courses at the campus, or online at AoPS.com, The free Alcumus platform is a great tool to help study, or for math enrichment. Please check the course catalog for information. Use this application to have your student considered for admission. Athena's Advanced Academy (Online) Online webinar-based classes for homeschoolers, specifically designed for gifted learners. A few classes are held during afterschool hours that might work as enrichment as well. Athena's Advanced Academy. Beast Academy (Online) For homeschoolers or parents wanting to provide a fun, but challenging, supplemental math program for their children, there's a new paid option that has been recently launched. Beast Academy Online is a paid subscription service for online math instruction. Math is taught through games and puzzles, allowing for independent learning or guided assistance. Beast Academy Online currently covers units 3-5, although due to the challenging nature of the units, it's often recommended that students start a unit below their current grade level. With a 14 day full refund option, it can be tested with your kids to see if it's a fit for supplementing your school's math curriculum, or using for a full home school curriculum. More information here Online G3 (Online) Smart classes for Smart Kids. Online G3 nurtures critical and creative thinking in a diverse community of gifted learners providing a supportive and flexible online learning environment. By pairing passionate teachers with engaging and interactive academic content, G3 offers appropriate acceleration within an accredited, secular, and affordable education program. Check out their courses. Gifted Homeschoolers Forum (Online) GHF Online offers original curriculum designed by the instructors who teach it. Registration is now open. Check out classes like "Newton at the Center," "Historical Geology" and "Journalism for Teens." Get the full list of online classes. Social Media To get lots more articles and event announcements as they get published, join us on Facebook. Contribute to the conversation with the #nwgca hashtag on Twitter. ArticlesGifted Isn't Good Gifted education is not a privilege or a prize. It is not an elite club. Believe it or not, "gifted" is not a label to aspire to. Changing the mindset of the public on this issue is difficult. Read the Complete Article Here Helping Gifted Kids Become Self Advocates TILT Parenting's podcast with Deb Douglas on the topic of self-advocacy for gifted learners. Deb has been an expert in student voice for over 16 years, advocating for gifted children in the US Upper Midwest and beyond. She led the first GT Carpe Diem workshop in 2002. Her advocacy for gifted children grew out of her own life experiences as a student, mother, and teacher. Deb served as gifted education coordinator for the Manitowoc (WI) Public School District for over 20 years and also developed their International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Listen here 12 Brain-Building Food Rules Is your diet sabotaging your ADHD treatment plan? If you're skipping breakfast and carb-loading at lunch, you need to read this overview of powerful nutrients and how they can help your brain. Food rarely comes up when we talk about the mind and brain, even though what you eat determines how effectively your brain operates. It is so obvious that it is often overlooked. The most common food errors, like skipping breakfast or self-medicating with food, can sabotage the best of ADHD treatment plans. Read the Complete Article Here Help Your Gifted Child Make Sense of the Recent News All children old enough to have some awareness of the news may be affected by it - but gifted children, with their often heightened sensitivity, tendency toward overthinking , concerns with fairness and justice, and ability to appreciate life's complexities - may be particularly troubled. Our children need our help. How can we help our children understand the many issues raised by the news? Read the Complete Article Here A Message From Our President
And just like that, summer is over. Now that school has started in (almost) every corner of our state, NWGCA is also getting back to the business of furthering our mission: outreach and support for families of gifted children in WA. Our big project this fall is updating our lists of therapists, counselors, psychologists, neuropsychologists, and other professionals who work with gifted children. As we refresh our lists, we are also asking all professionals to fill out a short questionnaire about their specialties and expertise so that families will have more information as they go about choosing a professional to work with. NWGCA is also supporting an exciting new project - creating a community of practice of therapists who can learn from each other. More information on this for both parents and professionals is below. There are also some great education events coming up. We can tell you are just as excited as we are to hear from the founder of Art of Problem Solving: our fall event with Richard Ruszcyk is already filling up! It's a big room, though, so we hope that we won't run out of space for all who are interested. Seth Perler, 2e executive function guru, is also visiting Issaquah to do middle school executive function workshops, which will be another hot ticket - and 3 choices of dates! The famous Dr. Susan Daniels will be in Olympia giving a talk at Nova School. And so many more... Thank you to the community of practitioners and advocates around the state who made so many of these events happen! Happy September! Austina De Bonte, President NWGCA More Therapists for Gifted Children & Families Parents , do you know a professional who works with gifted children, adolescents and families? ... with gifted adults/parents? NWGCA is in the process of refreshing our list of therapists, psychologists, neuropsychologists, and other professionals, and is looking for people who you would recommend to other families. We are focusing on therapists right now, but would love recommendations of all kinds. Professionals , do you work with gifted clients and would like to be considered? My name is Scott Leiter, and I am a therapist in the Seattle area. I was recently at a party with three other NWGCA listed therapists. All of us are in the later part of our careers. At one point our conversation focused on how to help NWGCA identify the next generation of therapists to include on the list. We talked about our respective passion working with gifted and 2e clients and their families. All of us shared that our practices are full most of the time and we need more therapists, who work with gifted clients, to refer to. We started brainstorming how to pass on what we know from our collective experience and how to build ongoing community, This is an exciting & open moment! Therapists , please contact us, if you work with clients who are gifted or you think you might want to add this specialization to your practice. We are looking for therapists who are: experienced, mid-career or just starting out. We would like you to be part of the current conversation about what is needed. Parents , we hope to provide a wider range of resources. Please feel free to send us your ideas, as well as names of professionals we should be referring to others. Want to get connected? Have ideas for us? Please forward names of professionals and contact information to providers@nwgca.org NWGCA Fall Event Problem Solving: Key to a 21st Century Education and a Rewarding Career Presented by Richard Rusczyk, Founder of Art of Problem Solving (aops.com) Tuesday, October 16 7:15 PM - 9:00 PM Brightwater Community Center, Woodinville, WA Register Today ($20, bring a friend for only $5 more) Wednesday, October 17 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Bainbridge Island School District Board Room 9530 NE High School Road, Bainbridge Island, WA Free event The rote memorization of facts is an insufficient means of educating the youth of today. Instead, problem-solving skills enable students to use the information they've learned in infinitely useful ways. Jobs that involve repetitive procedures are becoming increasingly automated. There is a growing need for those who can solve non-routine problems. The memorizer can only solve problems he has encountered already, but the problem solver can solve problems she's never seen before, and above all, she can create. Art of Problem Solving Founder, Richard Rusczyk, will talk about the importance of a problem-solving based math curriculum in today's educational climate. P arents and educators will find Richard's message to be wise and insightful, as well as full of practical tips for how to access math curriculums that build students' problem solving muscles, from elementary through high school. Richard Rusczyk has authored 7 textbooks and was past Director of the USA Mathematical Talent Search. He was a participant in National MATHCOUNTS, a three-time participant in the Math Olympiad Summer Program, and a USA Mathematical Olympiad winner (1989). He received the World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions Paul Erdös Award in 2014. He graduated from Princeton University in 1993. At AoPS, Richard gets to pursue his life's passion, educating motivated students. Upcoming Learning Opportunities Caring for and Embracing Your Sensitive Soul (Duvall) Presented by Katharine Wismer 3 Class Series September 15, 22, 29 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Studio Beju, Duvall Sensitive Souls are intuitive, conscientious, intelligent and spiritual seekers. We think deeply and feel emotions intensely. Because we have a sensitive nervous system we get overwhelmed easily. To nurture our Sensitive Soul we need lots of self-care including setting clear boundaries with ourselves and others. Gift yourself with time spent with other Sensitive Souls in a facilitated conversation on strategies for thriving as a Sensitive Soul. Class 1) Self-care, Class 2) Boundaries, Class 3) Integration More Information Gifted and Unique: Navigating the Adolescent Years (Bothell) Presented by Jaya Ramesh and Kathy Sarin Monday, September 24 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Bothell Library ( 18215 98th Avenue NE, Bothell, WA) Trouble in adolescence is normal, and gifted teens can struggle too. Co-occurring learning and social-emotional problems are so common, there is a term for it - twice exceptional (2E). Are you noticing your teen is having: - Outbursts about homework? - Problems with impulsivity? - Difficulty controlling their emotions? - Trouble with friendships or bullying? - Organizational problems? Peace is possible in your gifted home! When your student hits a roadblock, what can you do? Join trusted professionals Kathy Sarin and Jaya Ramesh for a lively and engaging talk about assessing and nurturing your gifted child through these crucial years. This presentation is free and open to all who love a gifted child. More information Seth Perler: Hands-on workshop to support every student's unique learning needs (Issaquah) For STUDENTS & PARENTS of grades 6-12 to attend together. Free for PTSA Members in the Issaquah School District, $10 donation requested of non-members. Parent Wiser is hosting this workshop at multiple dates and schools! Choose the date/location that is best for your family! September 25, 26, or 27. Seth Perler - nationally recognized Education Coach for 2e students - teaches students how to navigate school successfully by personalizing study habits for any individual learning style. Seth will walk you through proper setup of systems so you're on top of school work, so bring your stuff!
THE BRAIN: How Executive Function differs for each brain. ROUTINES: Why/how homework routines enable success. ADVOCACY: How students feel empowered, effective. RESISTANCE: Seek help on planning, organizing, chores. EMOTIONAL REGULATION: How to deal with overwhelming emotions (anger, sadness, etc) in a healthy way. You will leave with a printout of all the systems and a cheat sheet on how to use them to your advantage! Register to reserve a seat. Walk-Ins seated only if space available. Gifted 101 (Lake Stevens) Presented by Susan Jackson Tuesday, October 2 7:00 PM Mount Pilchuck Elementary 12806 20th Street NE Lake Stevens, WA This talk will include Who are the Gifted? What Academic, Social, and Emotional Issues should families and educators be aware of? How do Families and Educators advocate for Gifted children? Some of the topics Susan will discuss are demystifying giftedness, asynchronicity, levels of giftedness, twice exceptionality, perfectionism, overexcitabilities, and social needs. Bright & Quirky 2E Parent Group (Issaquah) The Bright & Quirky 2e Parent Group starts October 11th and runs for 8 weeks. Meets Thursday mornings, 9-10:30am. The group is limited to 12 members and is facilitated by Debbie Steinberg Kuntz, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, SENG Model Parent Group facilitator, and organizer of the Bright & Quirky Child Online Summit. Fee: $75/session for 8 sessions. Scholarships are available. Location: Issaquah, WA. To register, please email support@positiveimpactfamily.com Visual Thinking, Creativity, and Problem Solving (Olympia) When: Thursday, October 11, 2018. 7:00 p.m. Where: NOVA Middle School, Olympia, WA 98501 www.novaschool.org What: Visual thinking, imagery, and imagination have long been recognized as key aspects of creative thinking and creative giftedness - in both the arts and sciences. Visual thinking is essential to imagination, design, problem solving, and invention. In this session, we explore strategies, activities, and projects that serve to integrate visual thinking, imagination, and creativity across the curriculum for students in grades K-8. Who: Dr. Susan Daniels is a professor, an author, a consultant, and an educational director of a psychoeducational center that specializes in the needs of gifted, creative, and twice-exceptional children. She has been a professional development specialist for over twenty years, regularly providing workshops and training on creativity, the social and emotional needs of gifted children, and visual learning and teaching. Susan is co-author of Raising Creative Kids and co-editor and co-author of Living with Intensity. Her latest book, Visual Teaching and Learning: An Essential Guide for Educators K-8 was released in August, 2018, and it is a comprehensive guide to visual learning strategies and activities for the 21st century classroom. Susan is co-founder and director of Camp Summit for the Gifted where she teaches creative arts with an emphasis on mixed media and self-expression. She enjoys working with mixed media and simple line drawings in her own visual journals. Susan lives in Berkeley, California. WAETAG (Bellevue) Oct 12-13, 2018 Bellevue Hilton, Bellevue WA This year's theme is Innovation & Equity. Keynote speakers include Lisa Van Gemert, the Gifted Guru, and Dr. Kristina Henry Collins, President-Elect of SENGifted. NWGCA board members will be speaking as well. Register Here Putting together the Puzzle of a Gifted Family (Seattle) Assessing Gifted Intensities, Addressing Ongoing Conflicts, Applying Creative Strategies Date: November 3, 2018 Timing: 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM 9:30 am - 3:30 pm Phinney Ridge Center 6532 Phinney Avenue North Room 31 Seattle, WA 98103 Facilitators: Anne van Roden and Gloria Sandford - both experienced parents of gifted children and licensed mental health professionals. Purpose : Come join us for an interactive and inspiring workshop where you will learn key tools to help your gifted family thrive. This full-day workshop will apply SENG concepts at a deeper level focusing on the whole family. Specific tools include: 1) measuring certain gifted traits in family members, 2) examining how different patterns can cause ongoing conflicts and misunderstandings and 3) identifying some strategies to help address those challenges. Participants will leave with uniquely crafted strategies to help their family live together in a more cohesive and harmonious manner. Register Here NAGC Annual Convention (Minneapolis, MN) The annual National Association for Gifted Children Convention is in Minneapolis this year from November 14-18. Several WA state professionals will be presenting this year, including NWGCA President Austina De Bonte. If you'd like to go, rates go up after September 14, so now's the time to register. www.nagc.org Convention rates are better if you are an NAGC member - get a parent membership here (if you list NWGCA18 as the referrer, we'll get a small percentage back from NAGC) SENG Parent Discussion Groups SENG Model Parent Groups (SMPGs) bring individuals and families together to discuss the challenges associated with raising a gifted child. The facilitators of these groups, though knowledgeable about parenting and gifted education, do not attempt to give advice. Instead their facilitation provides a non-judgmental and nurturing atmosphere for individuals and families to exchange ideas. Hosted by certified facilitators, discussion topics include issues like motivation, discipline, stress management, peer relationships and more. The groups meet weekly for 8-10 weeks. For more information or to get connected with a group, follow the links below. Many will have new groups forming in the fall: - General SMPG Information - Bellevue SMGP - Everett/Snohomish/Lake Stevens/Marysville SMPGs - Seattle SMPG - Spokane SMPG |
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