Parent Newsletters
These are produced and emailed monthly by the BOCES GT Coordinator. They are emailed both to the school GT Coordinator to forward along and to parents who have requested a direct email. Parents can sign up to receive the newsletter directly here. Past newsletters can be accessed in the document to the side.
Helpful Videos for Parents (watch or listen!)
Does the gifted label matter?
How exactly does the identification process work?
What happens after a student is identified as gifted?
Ian Byrd has a great website that is meant for educators, students, AND parents! The parent page can be found here: http://www.byrdseed.com/parents/ but explore away!
Looking for some ideas? Mensa for Kids has a great free newsletter, some engaging lesson plans, and a great reading program (Excellence in Reading).
Want to be more involved? Colorado Association for the Gifted and Talented has a yearly conference in Loveland and plenty of advocacy network groups.
Try exploring the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC). There are many links, resources, and tips found here.
Lisa Van Gemert is a mom, educator, speaker, and passionate advocate for gifted students. Her website (click here) has a variety of great ideas and information about the gifted world. She also happens to have written one of the best advocacy blog posts ever titled "8 Reasons Why You Should Label Kids Gifted."
A quick, two-page article that asks a simple, well-thought out question. What's your answer?
A great article that has a quick historical overview and some logical points to consider.
For even more books, check out this link from The Gifted Guide. There are hyperlinks directly to the books and quick summaries of each.
It's never easy to approach teachers, administrators, or school GT Coordinators, but advocating for your child is important to you, as a parent. One of the best articles written comes from the Davidson Institute on how to advocate well. After you have a chance to read this: http://www.davidsongifted.org/Search-Database/entry/A10558 ask yourself a few important questions before you go in:
1. How much time is realistic to ask the school to spend with your child on his/her needs?
2. What program(s) would be the most beneficial for your child? What time are you able to give to assist with that implementation?
3. What kind of balance are you wanting to achieve for your child between social and academic skills?
4. Are there other students who might benefit from the change or program you are suggesting?
5. Have you started and ended on positive notes for the school?
Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade? – Benjamin Franklin