March 2024 GT News

Gifted and Talented News

Volume 5 Issue 2 March 2024

Table of Contents G/T Updates Advanced Academics Information for Secondary Students G/T Spotlight Award G/T Awareness Week Parenting the Gifted Upcoming Events April G/T Referral Period District and Campus Contact Information G/T Organizations

Hays CISD G/T Updates Elementary Progress Monitoring Reports 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/T services in March will begin receiving progress monitoring reports next year once they are placed in a G/T cluster class.

Gifted Students: The Summer Months 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.

Feedback Wanted: Please Complete Parent Survey Hays CISD would like your input concerning the G/T services your child receives. Information provided will help improve services. Please complete one survey for each of your identified G/T children. The survey can be found at THIS LINK and will close on March 29.

Campus Newsletters Each campus will share a newsletter by the end of April. It should be sent via email and posted on the campus G/T website. If you do not receive a copy, please contact the G/T liaison at your child’s campus. Contact information is included at the end of this newsletter.

Advanced Academics Information for Secondary Students ●

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Course Selections ○ 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 Language Arts/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 through ACC ● Dual enrollment through the University of Texas On Ramps program ● Advanced Placement courses offered by the College Board PSAT and PSAT 8 ○ Students in grades 8-11 should have received scores in December through their student portal. Students can link to Khan Academy to prep for the next assessment. Note that the most effective use of Khan Academy is to spend no more than 20-30 minutes a day, particularly in the six weeks leading up to the next test.

SAT School Day ○ High School Juniors took the SAT during school on March 20. ○ Students should receive their scores by the end of April.

If you have questions, contact the counselor at the middle school or the Academic Dean at the high school.

G/T Spotlight Award

We are excited to continue our G/T Spotlight Award 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.

Make a Nomination Here

G/T Awareness Week

G/T Awareness Week happens the first full week of April every year and was created to increase awareness and encourage support of gifted education in Texas. Through online community discussions and social media posts, parents, educators, and advocates come together to celebrate giftedness. All throughout the week, TAGT will push out information and create conversations to dispel myths and provide a deeper understanding of the purpose of gifted education. This April, we ask you to share #whyGT matters to you, your family, and your school.

Looking For Resources to Celebrate?

Spread the word! Check out these resources TAGT put together just for YOU!

Parenting the Gifted Click on images below for more information.

Rising Texas stars get a new chance to shine with a $10,000 teen arts scholarship.

Gifted and 2e children often face unique emotional challenges. From misunderstood abilities to hidden struggles, these neurodiverse students navigate a complex landscape. Join us April 2, at 6:30pm to delve into addressing their emotional needs.

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.

Parenting the Gifted 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.

Upcoming Events

Each campus will host an IDEAS showcase where students will display work created as part of Gifted and Talented services. The campus G/T Liaison will share additional information.

G/T Referral Period Open in April Hays CISD Summer Gifted and Talented Referral Period Opens for Kindergarten - 11th Grade Students 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. ●

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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 schedule TBD. 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 contact Tish Cawley at tish.cawley@hayscisd.net or 512-268-2141 x45035.

District G/T Contacts Joy Harris Philpott Director of Advanced Academics 512-268-2141 x45025 joy.philpott@hayscisd.net Tish Cawley Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Services 512-268-2141 x45035 tish.cawley@hayscisd.net Kasey Criminger District Gifted and Talented Instructional Coach 512-268-2141 x45177 kasey.criminger@hayscisd.net Veronica Reyes District Gifted and Talented Instructional Coach 512-268-2141 x45175 veronica.reyes@hayscisd.net

District G/T website: www.hayscisd.net/gt

Elementary Campus G/T Contacts Campus

Counselor/Testing Contact

G/T Liaison

Blanco Vista

Nereida Navarro

Angelica King-Payne

Buda

Debbie Daniel

Marta Sarkady

Camino Real

Joan Britton

Roshni Varghese

Carpenter Hill

Danae Lancaster

Lori Schunka

Elm Grove

Robyn Bergeron

Sarah Marshall

Fuentes

Melinda Dechick

Sidnei Whatley

Hemphill

Vanessa Duran

Maurisa Carlin

Kyle

Judith Martinez

Michelle Zuniga

Negley

Veronica Cervantes Katie Taylor

Stephanie Estes

Pfluger

Charlene Criner

Stephanie Collins

Science Hall

Stephanie Wick

Vanessa Jimenez

Sunfield

Candace Barnes

Denny Schulte

Tobias

Jennifer Herbst

Debbie Gorubec

Tom Green

Monica Cottrill

Shonda Davilla

Uhland

Isabel Marquez

Rocio Keils

Who to Contact: For testing questions or social/emotional questions, contact the counselor.

For all other questions, contact the G/T Liaison.

Click on a name for a link to email for each person.

Secondary Campus G/T Contacts Campus

Counselor/Testing Contact

G/T Liaison

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 Oak

Shawna Mayerson

Shawna Mayerson (testing)

Who to Contact: For social/emotional questions, contact the counselor.

For testing questions, see note for who to contact.

For all other questions, contact the G/T Liaison.

Click on a name for a link to their email.

G/T Organizations The Texas Association 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, TAGT is 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/T students. TAGT recognizes the unique social, emotional, and intellectual needs of gifted and talented students and provides educational services to meet these needs. TAGT is statewide, individual membership association and is classified as a 501(c) 3 charitable nonprofit organization.

TAGT Mission Statement The Texas Association 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.

TAGT Vision Statement The Texas Association 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 by TAGT is a weekly chat on Twitter that takes place on Thursdays 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.

TAGT strives 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 view TAGT’s parent resources.

G/T Organizations 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 GT Parent Support Group of Hays CISD. The group is on Facebook. To join just click on the image above.

Thanks for Reading!