Volume 5 Issue 2 March 2024
G/T Updates
AdvancedAcademics Information for Secondary Students
G/T SpotlightAward
G/TAwareness Week
Parenting the Gifted
Upcoming Events
April G/T Referral Period
District and Campus Contact Information
G/T Organizations
Teachers should have sent home a progress monitoring report at the end of the first semester. This is a way for teachers to communicate strategies that are working well to meet the needs of your child. If you did not receive your child’s report, please contact their teacher. Another report should be shared at the end of the year. Students who were identified for G/Tservices in March will begin receiving progress monitoring reports next year once they are placed in a G/Tcluster class.
Please click on THIS LINK to view the presentation from the meeting held in February. There are several ideas for things to do with students during the summer months.
Hays CISD would like your input concerning the G/Tservices your child receives. Information provided will help improve services. Please complete one survey for each of your identified G/Tchildren. The survey can be found at THIS LINK and will close on March 29.
Each campus will share a newsletter by the end ofApril. It should be sent via email and posted on the campus G/Twebsite. If you do not receive a copy, please contact the G/Tliaison at your child’s campus. Contact information is included at the end of this newsletter.
●
○ Students are encouraged to take advanced courses in their identified strength areas
■ Starting in 6th grade, advanced courses are available in the four core content areas of LanguageArts/Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies.
■ In high school, students also have the following options which allow them to earn college credit. Most, but not all college-aligned courses are offered in grades 11 and 12.
● Dual Credit throughACC
● Dual enrollment through the University ofTexas On Ramps program
● Advanced Placement courses offered by the College Board
● PSATand PSAT8
○ Students in grades 8-11 should have received scores in December through their student portal. Students can link to KhanAcademy to prep for the next assessment. Note that the most effective use of KhanAcademy is to spend no more than 20-30 minutes a day, particularly in the six weeks leading up to the next test. ● SATSchool Day
○ High School Juniors took the SATduring school on March 20.
○ Students should receive their scores by the end ofApril.
If you have questions, contact the counselor at the middle school or the Academic Dean at the high school.
We are excited to continue our G/TSpotlightAward program where we recognize individuals who are providing quality services to support the academic and social and emotional needs of gifted students. This can be any staff member including counselors, teachers, instructional coaches, administrators, etc. Nominations can be made via the Google Form found at the link below. When making a nomination, please provide examples explaining the awesome ways the nominee is meeting the needs of gifted students. One staff member will be selected as the honoree for each campus. However, anyone who is nominated will receive a Hays High Five to let them know they are appreciated. Please consider making a nomination! Nominations will close on April 14.
G/TAwareness Week happens the first full week ofApril every year and was created to increase awareness and encourage support of gifted education inTexas.Through online community discussions and social media posts, parents, educators, and advocates come together to celebrate giftedness.All throughout the week,TAGTwill push out information and create conversations to dispel myths and provide a deeper understanding of the purpose of gifted education.ThisApril, we ask you to share #whyGTmatters to you, your family, and your school.
Spread the word! Check out these resourcesTAGTput together just forYOU!
Click on images below for more information.
Gifted and 2e children often face unique emotional challenges. From misunderstood abilities to hidden struggles, these neurodiverse students navigate a complex landscape. Join usApril 2, at 6:30pm to delve into addressing their emotional needs.
RisingTexas stars get a new chance to shine with a $10,000 teen arts scholarship.
In this article, discover the joy of riddles for car rides. Find out how riddles go beyond basic jokes and can entertain, build connections, encourage learning, and promote cognitive benefits.
Click on images below to read articles.
There are a variety of podcasts available regarding gifted and talented students. Click on the links below to check them out.
The world needs neurodiversity. The gifted brains, unusual talents, and fresh perspective of neurodivergent people drive innovation and change things for the better.The Neurodiversity Podcast introduces you to these brilliant, quirky, amazing people, and brings you thought-provoking conversations with leaders in psychology, education, and technology, as we work to broaden the definition of normal.
This podcast covers a variety of topics for parents and educators of the gifted.
Each campus will host an IDEAS showcase where students will display work created as part of Gifted andTalented services. The campus G/T Liaison will share additional information.
Students who participate in services designed for gifted/talented students will demonstrate skills in self-directed learning, thinking, research, and communication. These skills are often evidenced by the development of innovative products and performances that reflect individuality and creativity. Furthermore, these skills are advanced in relation to students of similar age, experience, or environment. Below is a timeline for the referral and assessment window.
● April: Hays CISD campuses will accept referrals for gifted and talented services until April 30. Referrals can be made in two different ways. The first option is to complete an online referral at THIS LINK. The second option is to complete a paper referral. Copies of the paper referral form are available in the front office of each campus and should be returned to the campus counselor. Note: Students can only be referred once per calendar year. If your child was assessed this school year, they cannot retest during this window.
● Early June: Assessments will be conducted during the summer. Dates and scheduleTBD. Parents must commit to bringing students to all sessions.
● Late June: Parents will receive an email notifying them about the final determination of services.
Please click on THIS LINK to view a presentation which includes an overview of the characteristics of gifted students, the referral and assessment timeline and procedures, and Hays CISD’s gifted service design.
If your child is already identified as G/T, he/she does not need to be reassessed. If you have any questions contactTish Cawley at tish.cawley@hayscisd.net or 512-268-2141 x45035.
Joy Harris Philpott
Director ofAdvancedAcademics
512-268-2141 x45025
joy.philpott@hayscisd.net
Tish Cawley
Coordinator of Gifted andTalented Services
512-268-2141 x45035
tish.cawley@hayscisd.net
Kasey Criminger
District Gifted andTalented Instructional Coach
512-268-2141 x45177
kasey.criminger@hayscisd.net
Veronica Reyes
District Gifted andTalented Instructional Coach
512-268-2141 x45175
veronica.reyes@hayscisd.net
Buda Debbie Daniel Marta Sarkady
Camino Real Joan Britton Roshni Varghese
Carpenter Hill
Danae Lancaster Lori Schunka
Elm Grove Robyn Bergeron
Fuentes
Hemphill
Kyle
Negley
Melinda Dechick
Sarah Marshall
Sidnei Whatley
Vanessa Duran Maurisa Carlin
Judith Martinez
Michelle Zuniga
Stephanie Estes
KatieTaylor
Science Hall Stephanie Wick Vanessa Jimenez
Barton Viktoria Rask (testing) Cathryn Stewart
Chapa Magda Flores (testing) Kirsten Stone
Dahlstrom Jessica Leinen (testing) Dustin Madson
McCormick Rosario Rodriguez (testing) Patrick Flanagan
Simon Camille Lister (testing) Katie Flanagan
Wallace PJ Crews (testing) Gretchen Norton
Hays Stephanie Howard (testing) Kelly Zarate
Johnson Counseling Website Paige Sumers (testing)
Lehman Counseling Website Yesenia Flores
Live
TheTexasAssociation for the Gifted &Talented (TAGT) connects and empowers educators and parents to meet the unique needs of gifted and talented students from every cultural background who see the world in unique ways and are developing minds that just might discover innovative answers to the most challenging questions of their generation.
Chartered in 1978,TAGTis the nation’s largest state advocacy group of its kind, providing more than 4,000 members a forum for exchanging ideas and information about the education of G/Tstudents.TAGTrecognizes the unique social, emotional, and intellectual needs of gifted and talented students and provides educational services to meet these needs.TAGTis statewide, individual membership association and is classified as a 501(c) 3 charitable nonprofit organization.
TheTexasAssociation for the Gifted &Talented connects and empowers educators and parents to meet the unique needs of gifted and talented individuals through awareness, advocacy, and action.
TheTexasAssociation for the Gifted &Talented strives to positively impact the lives of gifted and talented individuals by providing relevant, innovative programs and services through an engaged, diverse membership.
Global #gtchat Powered byTAGTis a weekly chat onTwitter that takes place onThursdays at 7 p.m. For one hour, parents, educators, advocates, and experts in the field of gifted and talented gather to share resources, links, authentic life experiences, and insights about gifted issues.
TAGTstrives to provide parents with tools and resources that will assist them in understanding and meeting the unique needs of their gifted and talented children through awareness, advocacy and action. It is important for parents to be good advocates for their gifted child and for gifted education in general. Depending on the circumstances and the specific needs of your child this may require a number of different strategies. Click on THIS LINK to viewTAGT’s parent resources.
SENG is a nonprofit organization that empowers families and communities to guide gifted and talented individuals to reach their goals: intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
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.
If you are looking to connect with other families please join the GTParent Support Group of Hays CISD.The group is on Facebook. To join just click on the image above.
