Bear Canyon Elementary
Gifted Education
Gifted Updates
Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! Students have settled in and made connections with classmates and their teachers. We're now in the process of revisiting the bridging goals we set in the spring and adjusting as needed as part of the process of developing the Advanced Learning Plan for our gifted students. A finalized copy of your gifted child's 2022-2023 Advanced Learning Plan will come home for your review before the end of September. Please reach out to Megan Bruce (mpbruce@dccsdk12.org or 303-387-6489) with any questions!
Upcoming CogAT Testing Information
Dear Parents/Guardians,
DCSD is committed to implementing equitable practices to increase access to advanced/gifted learning opportunities. Based on state and national recommendations and requirements, we implement Universal Screening for students in 2nd grade (February) and 5th or 6th grade--a student's final year of elementary school (November).
5th/6th Grade Universal Screen
As part of this process, ALL students in 6th grade not identified for gifted programming will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) the week of November 7. This assessment indicates the level and pattern of cognitive development of a student in comparison to grade and age mates. These general reasoning abilities, which start developing at birth and continue through early adulthood, are influenced by experiences gained both in and out of school.
If your child is already identified for gifted programming, they will not participate in this universal screen testing. Your Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you directly with information about this process.
Gifted Identification Referral Testing
If your child is in grades 3, 4, or 5 and you believe they need evaluation for Gifted Identification and Services, you may refer your child for testing by initiating the Gifted Identification Process.
NOTE: Requesting this assessment automatically initiates the process to evaluate for Gifted Identification.
Please request CogAT testing for your child by completing the Referral for Gifted Identification linked HERE.
Upon receipt of this form the Gifted Education Facilitator will connect with you to discuss next steps in the gifted identification process.
Discovery Program
The Douglas County School District Discovery Program is designed to meet the needs of gifted elementary school students (2nd to 6th grade) who require intensity of instruction and acceleration beyond what can reasonably be expected from the regular school programming.
Discovery Program Information Nights Flyer (English)
Discovery Program Information Nights Flyer (Spanish)
The Application Window For The 2023 - 2024 School Year Is Now Open.
Application Deadline: November 18, 2022.
Discovery Program Application Process
The Discovery Program is designed for highly advanced gifted learners in grades 2 - 6 whose needs will be best met in a center based program.
Want to know more about DCSD's Discovery Program?
See below for the video recording of the DCAGT and DCSD information meeting.....
Proceso de Solicitud del Programa Discovery
El programa Discovery está diseñado para estudiantes superdotados altamente avanzados en los grados 2 a 6 cuyas necesidades se cubrirán mejor en un programa basado en el centro.
¿Quiere saber más sobre el Programa Discovery del DCSD? Únase a los padres de los estudiantes de Discovery y al personal del equipo de Educación para Dotados y Académicos Avanzados de nuestro distrito para aprender más sobre esta programación disponible a través de Discovery.
Opportunities to Check Out
CU Science Discovery is a science education outreach program of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Division of Continuing Education.
Grades K-5 BVSD day off and Holiday classes at CU Science Discovery Center LINKED HERE
School may be out but CU Science Discovery is in! BVSD school day-off and holiday classes offer all of the same benefits of a traditional summer or afterschool class but in a more condensed time frame. Classes are offered on most Boulder Valley School District days off and often during Thanksgiving break, winter break and spring break.
Please register promptly to avoid class cancellations.
For additional information regarding school day-off and holiday classes, contact Thia Munoz via email or by calling 303-735-8422.
CU Science Discovery is now offering a variety of STEM kits for home and school use. STEM at Home kits are designed to provide supplemental or complimentary STEM enrichment to what students are already receiving in school. Each kit comes with a full set of materials and access to our kit website. Each website has instructional videos, fun facts and additional resources curated and created by Science Discovery staff. All kit activities have been carefully chosen and extend well beyond the video instruction, allowing kids to expand their creativity and critical thinking skills as they explore a variety of STEM topics.
William & Mary’s Center for Gifted Education is thrilled to introduce you to our 2022 On-Campus and Virtual Fall Enrichment Programs for gifted students.
Our Saturday Enrichment Program (SEP) is an academically challenging program with an emphasis on inquiry-based learning for students. This program recognizes the importance of allowing able youngsters to explore additional specialized areas of science, mathematics, humanities, and arts. Course activities are compatible with the expected achievement of talented students at specific grade and age levels.
Check out this electronic flyer for more information. If you have further questions, please feel free to browse our website.
PACE Center for the Arts: Fall Classes Brochure
Parker Arts offers enrichment for youth and adults during fall, winter, spring and summer, including school breaks in visual arts, performing arts, technical theater, science, robotics, music, dance, culinary, creative writing, and more! Parker Arts enrichment programs take place at the PACE Center and The Schoolhouse. Follow the Parker Arts link to classes and camps to find available programs and register online. Registrations will be redirected to a shared registration system with Parks and Recreation for which you will need an account. Please make note of the class or camp location when registering.
And this opportunity for Visual Arts Talent Area High School Students.
Follow the link below for more information and to register:
https://parkerarts.org/portfolio-day/
On-line Support Groups for Parents of GT and/or 2E students
SENG support groups are designed specifically to address some of the unique issues, needs and challenges faced by varying gifted communities across the nation and beyond.
The online platform allows individuals to meet together face to face to discuss the issues, needs, and challenges associated with raising a gifted child - all with the help of an expert!
Loosely based on the SMPG (SENG Model Parent Group), SENG's online support groups offer support in a private setting and allow parents of gifted persons to connect with each regardless of their location.
Looking for an online SMPG support group that fits your schedule and budget? Check out the link above for the list of groups currently being offered!
Conversations with CAGT
This season the format is a bit different as we will be presenting live CWCs on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
We hope you can join us for this first, of many, Conversations with CAGT streaming live on our CAGT's FaceBook page.