Session 1: 9:50 - 10:40 am

Audience: Parents/Guardians of Middle & High School Gifted Students

Presenters: Meg Manugo, GRT – Bayside HS & Keisha O’Neal, Gifted Testing Specialist

Description: This session will provide parents and guardians with important information about the different services offered to high school gifted students in VBCPS. Topics covered will include: the gifted cluster model, Governor’s School for the Arts, the E.E. Brickell Scholarship process, the Summer Residential Governor’s School programs, advocacy, social-emotional learning, and gifted courses.

Session 1: 9:50 - 10:40 am

Audience: Parents/Guardians of Gifted Students (All levels)

Presenter: Laura Purvis, GRT – Plaza MS

Description: Executive Function is a set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking and self-control. We use these skills every day to learn, work, and manage daily life. In this session, participants will understand the development and importance of executive function skills, identify strengths and challenges with executive functions within your family, and begin to build a toolbox to help your child strengthen the executive function skills that are challenging for them.

Session 2: 10:45 - 11:35 am

Audience: Parents/Guardians of Gifted Students (Secondary)

Presenter: Cathy Smith, GRT – Princess Anne MS

Description: What should we be attuned to when our children want to be flawless? What is the difference between reaching for excellence and using perfectionism for growth versus being consumed with being error-free, being hyper self-critical, and paralyzed in attempting appropriate risks? How can we assist our gifted students manage this personality style?

Session 2: 10:45 - 11:35 am

Audience: Parents/Guardians of Gifted Students (Elementary)

Presenter: Melissa Ross, GRT – Salem ES

Description: Parents sometimes struggle with talking to their kids about school and how to start conversations about learning. In this session, participants will be introduced to ways to foster deep thinking and questioning at home. They will have a chance to see examples and practice questioning on their own.

Session 3: 11:40 am - 12:30 pm

Audience: Parents/Guardians of Gifted Students (All levels)

Presenter: Kay Roberson, GRT – Cox HS

Description: In this session, parents will learn gifted pedagogical strategies to support their gifted children to self-advocate for their needs and develop greater autonomy. Participants will learn problem-solving techniques for handling typical situations at each school level that will also assist students in developing proficiency in the essential skills and social-emotional competencies needed to thrive in the 21st century.

Session 3: 11:40 am - 12:30 pm

Audience: Parents/Guardians of Gifted Students (All levels)

Presenter: Meghann Scott, Gifted Instructional Specialist

Description: Whether you are new to identification in Virginia Beach or just want a refresher course on what it means to be gifted, join us to learn more about what to expect at each level and how gifted services transition throughout a child's academic career.