October 2023 GT News

Gifted and Talented News

Volume 5 Issue 1

October 2023

Table of Contents

Meet Hays CISD’s G/T Contacts

Communication

Service Design

Parenting the Gifted

Upcoming Events

G/T Referral Period Open

G/T SpotlightAward Recipients

G/T Organizations

Meet the District G/T Contacts

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

Meet the Elementary Campus G/T Contacts

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

Hemphill Vanessa Duran

Kyle Judith Martinez

Negley

Veronica Cervantes

KatieTaylor

Sidnei Whatley

Maurisa Carlin

Michelle Zuniga

Stephanie Estes

Pfluger

Charlene Criner

Stephanie Collins

Science Hall Stephanie Wick Vanessa Jimenez

Sunfield Candace Barnes Denny Schulte

Tobias Jennifer Herbst

Tom Green Monica Cottrill

Uhland Isabel Marquez

Who to Contact:

Debbie Gorubec

Shonda Davilla

Rocio Keils

For testing questions or social/emotional questions, contact the counselor. For all other questions, contact the G/TLiaison. Click on a name for a link to email for each person.

Meet the 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/TLiaison. Click on a name for a link to their email.

Campus Newsletters

Each campus will share a newsletter by the end of the month. It should be sent via email and posted on the campus G/Twebsite. 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.

Elementary Progress Monitoring Reports

This year progress monitoring reports will be shared at the end of the first and second semesters. This is a way for teachers to communicate strategies that are working well to meet the needs of your child.

Campus Webpages

The G/TLiaison at each campus manages a G/Twebpage. Please click on THIS LINK to view the webpage for each campus. Each page should have the most recent newsletter for the campus.

Service Design

In Hays CISD, we offer an array of learning opportunities emphasizing the four core content areas of language arts, math, science, and social studies. These opportunities include G/Tcluster grouping and differentiation.

Cluster Grouping

Agroup of identified G/Tstudents are grouped (or clustered) together in a mixed ability classroom with a G/Ttrained teacher. The official name of the model for clustering Hays CISD uses is the Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model (SCGM). This is based on Susan Weinbrenner and Dina Brulles’book titled The Cluster Grouping Handbook.

The schoolwide cluster grouping model is a method that provides full time gifted education services with the potential to raise achievement for all students. In this model, all students are purposely placed into classrooms based on their abilities, potential, or achievement. This model does not include G/Tonly classes. The SCGM allows schools to employ the critical elements of a gifted program including

●flexible grouping

●differentiation

●continuous progress

●intellectual peer interaction

●continuity

●teachers with specialized education

When clustered, all classes have a range of abilities.Teachers modify or extend grade level standards according to the students’needs and abilities.The classroom composition changes each year.

There are several advantages to cluster grouping including providing social, emotional, and academic advantages. Teachers can focus their instruction to better meet the academic needs of all students. This causes achievement levels to increase.

Gifted students need to spend time with others of like ability so they can experience challenge and make academic progress. Being with their learning peers helps them better understand their learning differences. An important point to note is that teachers are more likely to provide differentiation when there is a group of students rather than an individual student.

Service Design

Differentiation

Differentiation is an instructional model that guides teachers in developing classrooms that meet the needs of academically diverse students. Differentiation is meeting students where they are. No two students are exactly the same. They all have different learning styles, interests, and abilities. Teachers have the difficult challenge of trying to make instruction applicable to a diverse audience.

In a differentiated classroom, students have multiple options for taking in information (which is the content), making sense of the ideas (which is the process), and expressing what they learn (which is the product). The content is provided to teachers through the district curriculum, and they have required content and objectives they are responsible for teaching. However, teachers can differentiate how students learn the content and how students express their learning for different types of learners. One thing to keep in mind is that parents/guardians may not always see the differentiation at home. Many differentiation strategies occur in the classroom. Examples of this include questioning, flexible grouping, seating arrangements, choice on books, etc. Examples of differentiation that one might see at home include menus where students have choices of products to demonstrate learning and individual research projects tailored to students’interests. Please remember that every single lesson will not be differentiated. The teacher will differentiate based on student need.

IdentificationAreas

● K-2 = General IntellectualAbility

● 3rd-12th

– English LanguageArts/Social studies

– Math/Science

Service Design

In addition to cluster grouping and differentiation, below are opportunities available for students beginning in middle school.

• Advanced Math - Middle school students with strength in Math are eligible to participate in advanced Math services utilizing a compacted curriculum. Four years of math instruction are compacted into three years with students completingAlgebra I in their eighth grade year.

• Advanced Courses (formerly Pre-AP) - Beginning in 7th grade, advanced classes are offered in Math, LanguageArts, Science, and Social Studies by educators who are trained in advanced curriculum and in gifted and talented education.

• AP- Beginning in high school,APclasses are available. These courses offer college-level curricula and examinations to high school students.American colleges and universities may grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores on the examinations.

• Dual Credit -Through our partnership withACC, we offer dual credit courses where students can earn both high school and college credit. Students receive one grade that is recorded on both the high school and the college transcript.

• UTOnRamps -Through our partnership with University ofTexas, we offer UT OnRamps which are dual enrollment courses where students can earn both high school and college credit. Students receive two grades, one for the high school coursework and one for the college work. Students may choose whether or not to transcript passing college grades with UT.

Parent Meeting

On September 13, we held a meeting for parents of newly identified (Spring or Summer of 2023) students. The presentation can be viewed at THIS LINK.

Parenting the Gifted

Click on images below to read articles.

RisingTexas stars get a new chance to shine with a $10,000 teen arts scholarship

Teens are overwhelmed by pressure to achieve. How can parents restore balance?

TheTake Care ofTexas Video Contest is a fun way for young people to learn about protecting the environment and come up with creative ways to share this knowledge with others! Students create a 30-second video that shows positive ways toTake Care ofTexas. Contest sponsor Waste Management ofTexas, Inc. will award prizes to the creators of the best videos.

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.

Now in season 3, this podcast covers a variety of topics for parents and educators of the gifted.

Upcoming Events

● October (varies by campus): PSAT8 for grade 8

● October 18: PSATfor grades 10 and 11

● November 29 - December 1: TexasAssociation for the Gifted and Talented Conference (Dallas)

● January 10 - NavigateYour Future (primary focus is rising 9th graders)

● Spring (TBD): SATSchool Day for grade 11

● March (more information to come): G/TParent Meetup: Summer Opportunities

● March - May: Campus IDEAS showcases

G/T Referral Period Open

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.

Hays CISD campuses will accept referrals for gifted and talented services from October 1 - 31. 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.

Assessments will be conducted in November through January. Evaluation of student data and selection of services occur in February. Parents are notified by email in March of the final determination of services.

On September 13, a parent meeting was held to provide an overview of the characteristics of gifted students, the referral and assessment timeline and procedures, and Hays CISD’s gifted service design. To view the presentation, click on THIS LINK.

If your child is already identified as G/T, he/she does not need to be reassessed. However, if you have another child you would like to refer for services, now is the time!

G/T Spotlight Award

Each year we recognize individuals who provide 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 were made by parents and co-workers. One staff member was selected as the honoree for each campus. Please review the staff members who were recognized for each campus for the 2022 - 2023 school year on the following slides. If you are interested in nominating someone for the 2023 - 2024 award, please CLICK HERE.

G/T Spotlight Award Recipients

“Ms. Krause does an amazing job of differentiating for her GTstudents! Students have the opportunity to participate in Reader's theater, work on extension choice boards, and complete higher-level thinking projects. Ms. Krause also provides SELsupport to her GTstudents when needed.”

“She is very entrenched in the GTworld here at BVES. She gets the students excited and working to their maximum. Without Baca the GTprogram here would be lost.

“Ms. Baca is passionate about enriching student learning! She takes it upon herself to lead engaging clubs. In addition, she organizes great school wide events such as the science fair and G/Tshowcase. She is truly appreciated!”

“Jennifer consistently differentiates instruction for her gifted learners throughout the core content areas. In her class, students have choice in how they want to present their findings. She allows time for collaboration in her class. She fosters a student-led learning environment. She focuses on the strengths of the students, and assists where they need it. She makes learning fun and engaging, all while going into depth in the content.”

Meri Krause - Buda Elementary

Chris Baca - Blanco Vista Elementary

Jennifer Simonet - Carpenter Hill Elementary

G/T Spotlight Award Recipients

Michelle Cadena - Camino Real Elementary

“Ms.Cadena utilizes District GTcreated resources consistently with her GT students. She also initiated a student-led Texas Performance Standards Project. Ms. Cadena also seeked out support for a GTstudent who was struggling in her class. She was willing to try different suggestions to help the GTstudent be successful.”

“Allison is a kindergarten teacher on our campus. Once our kinder kids were identified, she immediately went into action of pulling these kids once a week to get them excited about researching an animal of their choice.They loved going to do extra special work and were learning some important skills of beginning research.”

“Ms. Hillman always has fun ways to enrich a lesson so GTstudents have something meaningful to do once they have completed their assigned work. She does not just give them extra worksheets or busy, unfulfilling work. She asks advanced students how they would solve a problem and takes the time to respond to their answers by asking rigorous questions that encourages them to think outside of the box.”

Allison Hillman- Elm Grove Elementary

G/T Spotlight Award Recipients

Lora Steiger - Fuentes Elementary

“She always has enrichment activities ready to go for my 1st grader.They did a great animal project as well and she is being challenged every day.”

“Ms. Steiger took on the GTcluster group for the first time this year and has proven to be a strong GTClusterTeacher. She has done an amazing job differentiating for her students throughout the year. She creates engaging, higher-level choice boards for her students to complete during stations. She also facilitated aTexas Performance Standards Project with her students.”

Maurisa Carlin - Hemphill Elementary

“Ms. Carlin supported our students by pulling them for morning group to increase their love for research. She also provided students with coaching and support for History Day projects on topics of their choice as students advanced from Regionals to State. She motivates and encourages students to reach above their potential!”

“Ms. Carlin does an amazing job of supporting GTstudents! She took on the GTliaison role this year and did a great job of supporting teachers. She helped facilitate GTprojects and coordinated the IDEAS showcase. She also worked with students on History Day Projects in which one student advanced to theAustin competition.”

G/T Spotlight Award Recipients

Marisa Prunty - Kyle Elementary

“GTstudents this year. From robots to research and everything in between! She holds them accountable and really pushes them to learn more. She differentiates activities for them like I have never seen. Her students are lucky to have her!”

Marisa does an amazing job differentiating for her GTkids. Each kid's need is being met based on where their strengths are. Her showcase projects turned out so greatbecause of her hard work and time she spent with them. The great research and products they created were all because of the time she spent working with each of them.”

“Marisa constantly strives to learn more about how she can serve her G/Tand higher-achieving learners in her class. She's reached out to the G/Tinstructional coach for ideas. She's incorporated logic puzzles, choice boards, and in-class projects for students to work on. She ensures the students are being challenged and allows them time to collaborate with others. Even with being a veteran teacher, she is always willing to look at her practices and change as needed to support the needs of her gifted learners.”

April Cook - Negley Elementary

“Mrs. Cook works with our 5th grade G/Tstudents for 45 minutes every day Monday throughThursday. She always creates engaging, hands-on challenges for them, and pushes them to meet their full potential.”

“Ms. Cook provides learning experiences that focus on students using higher-order thinking skills. She receives 100% student participation and engagement during her conundrum lessons. She has students analyze various perspectives different from their own. She is empowering students to be the next generation of thinkers and creators.”

“April created many engaging and thought provoking activities throughout the school year. She made sure her GT students were being challenged daily.”

G/T Spotlight Award Recipients

Christine Coats - Pfluger Elementary

“Mrs. Coats teaches 5th grade ELAR. Her students are given the opportunity to choose and create different projects to their knowledge of a variety of topics. For example, when they were studying natural disasters, they had an opportunity to create a model of their natural disaster. Her students have an opportunity to explore topics and create their project.”

“Mrs. Villarreal makes it a point to know her G/Tstudents and their needs. She is always willing to reflect on her teaching and adjust as needed. She provides opportunities for enrichment with projects in her class and uses the district-provided extension choice boards as well. She knows how to challenge her students so that they can reach their full potential.”

Denny Schulte - Sunfield Elementary

“Ms. Schulte utilizes maker space during her librarian time. She also supports grade level teachers with differentiation. Ms. Schulte took a group of GTstudents on a field trip to attendTeam Quest where Sunfield students worked with students from another District to solve different challenges. She invited the District GTdepartment in hopes thatTeam Quest can be implemented in Hays.”

Danielle Villarreal - Science Hall

G/T Spotlight Award Recipients

Sarah Stanfield - Tobias Elementary

“Ms. Stanfield creates authentic learning experiences with rigorous elements that encourage students to apply higher-order thinking skills. Students have an enrichment binder with an ample amount of activities to help grow their brain. Ms. Stanfield led a Destination ImaginationTeam as theTeam Manager.”

“Ms. Stanfield does an excellent job supporting her students. She encourages her students and has high expectations. She creates differentiated and targeted lessons that are engaging for her learners. Her classroom climate is a place where everyone is supported by her and one another.”

RosaAponte-Colón - Tom Green Elementary

“Mrs.Aponte-Colón provides her students with opportunities for enrichment that goes alongside the HMH units. I have seen her students in action perform a drama and they took part in everything from writing the scripts, to making props, to directing the play. She allows time for creativity and thinking outside of the box. She fosters a learning environment where gifted learners can thrive.r colleagues as well to ensure all student needs are met.”

Ana Zavala Tamayo - Uhland Elementary

“Ana provides differentiation for her G/Tstudents daily by incorporating choice boards and playlists. She also gives them the opportunity to collaborate on short-term and long-term projects based on the content area as well as personal passion. She thinks of the students as she's planning and how she can meet their needs. She's attended outside of school enrichment planning to learn how to support her students even further.”

“Outstanding work with all her students.”

G/T Spotlight Award Recipients

Nick Pesek - Barton Middle School

“Mr. Pesek provides excellent opportunities for hands on practices within the Sciences for his students. From Scientific Socratic Seminar discussion to individualized hands on lab experiments, he is always looking for ways to push his students.”

“Mrs. Snell is always supporting and challenging her students! She works hard to create rigorous and engaging lessons.”

Timica Patton - McCormick Middle School

“Ms. Patton teaches 7th gradeADV science sections. She constantly differentiates to meet the needs of her GTstudents with varying methods of best instructional practice.”

“She has taken over our GTLead this year and is doing an amazing job keeping up our newsletter for our parents, creating ways students can excel in and out of school, and has been an asset to our team this year!”

Veronica Snell - Dahlstrom Middle School

Katie Flanagan - Simon Middle School

G/T Spotlight Award Recipients

Gretchen Norton - Wallace Middle School

“Ms. Norton spends her time not only teaching our GTstudents but also as our Campus GTLiaison. She helps teachers find creative ways to engage GTstudents in the classroom and she is coordinating the campus showcase.”

“Ms. Malinosky does an incredible job building writing skills with herAPWorld History students. She monitors skill development and recognizes growth and progress with real and targeted feedback, encouragement, and support toward advancement. She includes activities that are fun and engaging that students can relate to (about complex themes such as comparative economic and political systems). She stands fast in her belief that good writing MATTERS.As a colleague and as a parent (having 2 of my own children matriculate through her course), I can say that she has been responsible for generating love for history among many students. Ms. Malinosky is an amazing teacher who does not relent in her emphasis on the rewards of hard work in academics. Her class activities are about quality with depth of understanding and critical thinking (while at the same time she does not overload students with unreasonable volumes / quantity of work). She is well attuned to the needs of her students and provides constructive guidance. She teaches the importance of time management, diligent note taking, and study skills that are needed for high school and college focus. Her commitment to academics shines in so many positive ways and she is inspirational for GTand all other students.”

Elisa Malinosky - Hays High School

G/T Spotlight Award Recipients

Emily DeCorte - Johnson High School

“Mrs. DeCorte has been a solid support for our student this entire year. Our student enjoys a rigorous educational curriculum.This year our freshman daughter was faced with some unexpected medical issues and faced unfamiliar challenges, which caused new hurdles for our G/Tstudent. Mrs. DeCorte provided a space of trust for our student to openly discuss her fears, as well as ambitious goals. Mrs. DeCorte makes herself available and utilizes resources to find answers in assisting students. Mrs. Decorte has always treated our student with kindness, respect and support, which has given our daughter the opportunity to strengthen her communication skills and confidence to continue to learn how to advocate for herself. I would like to nominate Mrs. DeCorte for the G/TSpotlightAward because she sees students and their individual needs, creating an environment that allows and promotes students to thrive. Thank you, Mrs. DeCorte, for the work and dedication you provide at JHS.”

Shawna Mayerson - Live OakAcademy

“Shawna works tirelessly to make sure all of our G/T students are served and get the accommodations they need. She makes sure teachers know who their G/T students are, and gives specific instructions as to how their specific needs can be met. She also works one on one with students to make sure their needs are met.”

“She consistently advocates for G/Tstudents.”

“Shawna is always thinking in terms of how she can help our GTkiddos. She works consistently to do the best thing for this population of kids and advocates for them consistently. She is amazing.”

G/T Organizations

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.

TAGTMission Statement

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.

TAGTVision Statement

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.

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 GTParent Support Group of Hays CISD.The group is on Facebook. To join just click on the image above.

Thanks for Reading!