The Gifted Gazette

www.cfbgifted.org
December 2018
Greetings!

Dear AGT Families,

We need your support to advocate for the GT Education Fund in Texas!

In view of the approaching 86th session of The Texas Legislature on January I8, 2019, where possible changes to the current G/T allotment statue will go through the legislative process - recommending to “Reallocate the Gifted and Talented Allotment Fund” (see report, from Texas Commission on Public School Finance) - we would like to ask you for help in our advocacy efforts.

 

In partnership with the Texas Association for Gifted & Talented (TAGT, please see their Update on Texas Commission on Public School Finance in this newsletter), AGT is leading an effort to share real stories from gifted students and parents to show the necessity of funding gifted education.

What should you write? Your own story in your own words, short and simple. Or ask your child to write something. We would like to put these on our fakebook, twitter, website, newsletter, and with your permission with the Texas Association for Gifted & Talented, which may share on their public media channels.

 

Below are some prompts, if you don’t know where to start. You can write your response, or feel free to use video, photos, or artwork.

For Students:

* What does being gifted mean to you?

* Do you always feel challenged at school? What are some ways your teachers give you extra challenges?

* What is advice you would give to a friend who is thinking about joining GT LEAD or ASPIRE?

* Did you used to attend a private school, and now attend public school? What is the difference?

* What do you wish people knew about you?

 

For Parents & Teachers:

* Why have you chosen public school?

* How do your students thrive because of gifted services in public school?

* How do gifted students rely on your teachers?

* What are your gifted students like?

* What thrills you about raising/teaching gifted children?

* What challenges do you face when raising/teaching gifted children?

* Have you moved to a school district specifically for the gifted services/to teach gifted?

* How have you financially sacrificed for your gifted students?

* What were some of the first ways you realized your child was different?

* Tell us about your experiences with asynchronous development, perfectionism, over-excitabilities, gifted intensities, fitting in in a traditional classroom or social setting?

* Tell about a teacher who “gets” your gifted student. Or about a teacher who doesn’t get it.

* How has your gifted child changed you as a parent/teacher?

* Besides giftedness, do your students have other learning challenges?

* How do mental health issues affect your gifted students?

* If you have a grown gifted child, reflect on their school years. How are they doing now?

* If you are a grown gifted person, give us your perspective.

* Were you a gifted student in Texas in 1984? That’s the year the GT allotment was created to financially support districts in offsetting the costs associated with G/T programs. What’s your perspective?

* How is your family or your school different because of giftedness?

Please email your stories to president@cfbgifted.org.

Happy Holidays and thank you for your support!


Sincerely,
     Your 2018-2019 CFB-AGT Board

 Gratitude and Giving

 

     As we roll into the holiday season, there are many opportunities to give and share with those around us. Along with this spirit of giving comes the chance to highlight the spirit of gratitude and service. This is something that can be a great mood-lifter for everyone in the family — who doesn’t like to be reminded of the great stuff in their life? Everyone enjoys being appreciated, so here are some easy ways to get that ball rolling:

 

The Basics. Model and encourage the use of “please” and “thank you.” Simple, right? But so often as the parents we forget and bark orders at our children. When we slow down and talk in a more kind way, it helps our kids’ self-worth and shows them that we are doing the same thing that we ask them to do.


Compliments. We play a game in our house where we start the day wth compliments to each other. Our kids are young, so the compliments range from “You remembered to share after your turn” to “You worked hard to learn your Taekwondo form and it showed during testing!” But it’s really encouraging to see how this snowballs into general good feelings and a start to their day. Rushed in the morning? We do this in the car on the way to school, so it’s a good thing to fill that space with something positive.

 

Now that your personal and family tanks of gratitude are a little more full, you can talk about how to extend those good feelings outside ourselves. There are so many opportunities this time of year to show your children how to lend a hand to those who may need some help right now. 

 

Talk about what you already do. You may already be involved with groups that do community service — church, temple, scouts, book club, athletics, etc. Talk with your children about what you do, why, and let them see how your family works with the group.

 

 

 Get them involved. Many groups around us are doing Salvation Army Angel Tree this year. My kids get involved by selecting the ornament/angel we’d like to shop for, suggesting some gift ideas, and then maybe even shopping with me for the items.

 

Doesn’t have to be money-driven/expensive! Everyone may not have the same space in their budget for the same types of service. Many ways to help others can be free! Some organizations (soup kitchens, food-packing places) may just ask for your time to volunteer. Make cookies at home and spend half an hour visiting with an elderly neighbor. Make a card or write a letter to show someone what they mean to you. Share with your children that the messages from the heart don’t have a price tag.

 

There’s something for everyone. Maybe you are a family of extroverts that loves to sing — and singing Christmas carols at a nursing home is right up your alley. Or maybe you prefer to be behind the scenes with a small group — so you’d like to pack food for people who need it. Maybe you are super-organized, and would be a great team leader for a group at North Texas Food Bank, or are an amazingly neat person — someone who would wrap perfect presents for Blue Santa. The point is, any personality, any age — there is something you can do to give to others. 

 

So this holiday season, enjoy the time with your family and friends, and here’s to be being generous with yourself and others in the coming year!

 

What Does It Mean to Challenge Growth?

Challenging growth involves these four actions:

  • Expect my best— Expect me to live up to my potential.
  • Stretch—Push me to go further.
  • Reflect on failures— Help me learn from mistakes and setbacks.
  • Hold me accountable—Insist I take responsibility for my actions.

To learn more, click on the video to open the link to the video and the explanation at https://www.search-institute.org/challenge-growth-young-people/
NPR Podcast for ages 4-10:
Hosts Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz guide curious kids and their grown-ups on a journey into the wonders of the world around them. We'll go inside our brains, out into space and deep into the coolest new stories in science and technology. Click here to listen and find out more!

 My Son Is A ‘Gifted Child.’ Here’s Why Raising Him Has Been Anything But Easy
--Kim Hildenbrand, Huffington Post Guest Writer

We knew pretty early on that our son was a little different. At a young age, he’d go up to other kids on the playground and speak in proper sentences: “Hi, nice to meet you. I’m 18 months. How old are you?” By age 3, he understood multiplication and division. By age 4, he was writing stories and reading books. One day he came home from preschool raving about the “delicious cylinder-shaped snack.” (It was a tortilla wrap, we finally figured out.) 

“He must be gifted!” friends with older kids said now and then, but we never even said the word.  Gifted sounded so pretentious, so ridiculous … so not us. All three of our kids seemed bright, and our son — the middle child — was just an early bloomer, we figured. ( Click here to continue this article as published in the Huffingon Post...)
TAGT Update on Texas Commission on Public School Finance
More information can be found on the TAGT website under Advocacy:  https://www.txgifted.org/advocacy


Dear TAGT Members and Supporters,
On Tuesday, the Texas Commission on Public School Finance met in Austin to discuss the final draft of the commission’s report. As expected, this report, due to the Texas legislature by December 31, includes the recommendation to “Reallocate the Gifted and Talented Allotment Funds,” effectively eliminating the G/T allotment for distribution through the Basic Allotment. A final vote is expected on December 19, 2018.
While the Commission may send their report to the legislature, we understand this report will not impact the legislative process. Any changes to the current G/T allotment statute in the Texas Education Code must go through the legislative process—passage in both chambers—with an actual bill number.
While the 86th session of the Texas Legislature begins on January 8, 2019, our advocacy has begun. The Commission Chair Scott Brister will allow commission members to place letters in the appendix to the final report; TAGT has submitted this letter to members of the commission for consideration in said document.
As the session nears, it's just as important to let TAGT know if you personally know a legislator. This will help us build a database of connected members—and we welcome more lawmakers who would be willing to advocate for gifted education.
TAGT urges our G/T community to stay strong, stay tuned, and stay active. To ensure you and your community members receive information and regular legislative updates, we encourage you to keep your TAGT membership current. Please invite all G/T supporters and parents to join!
Thank you for your continued support of TAGT and gifted learners.


Paulina van Eeden Hill, CAE
Executive Director
Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented
••• Upcoming Events and Activities •••

Attention College Bound GT Students!

Going to College begins with planning in high school. If you’re in high school and you’re thinking about college — and you should be — you should know that the courses you take now matter. That’s because college admission officers want to see a solid foundation of learning that you can build on in college.

 

Advanced Academic Services presents...

GT and Going to College

Date: Thursday, Jan. 10
Time:  6:30 – 7:30pm

Place:  Irving Room, ESDC Building, Carrollton

 

 

MAKERSPACE Team Challenge

Friday, January 11th, 2019 

10:00am—2:00pm 

Pizza lunch provided 

ESDC Bldg. B Texas Room
1820 Pearl Street 

Carrollton, TX 75006 

 
More info, download this flyer.

PSAT/ACT Prep
Middle School Program
 
Start preparing for College with this introducotry course.

Location: Newman Smith High School
Dates: Jan. 12, 26 and Feb. 2, 16, 23
Time: 9:30 am - 12 pm
Cost: $75

*Available to students who have
completed Pre-AP Math 7.

For more info, download this flyer.

 


FREE TOUR

 

Saturday, February 9, 2019

9:00 – 11:00 AM


Open to HS Students & Incoming MS Students, grades 7 & 8
20 Spots available


interested in 

Science

Engineering

Medicine

Healthcare

Technology

 

Dr.Kim Ly  CFB AGT Dream Link Coordinator: kimdaoly@yahoo.com

Cherin Escher CFB AGT President: escherc@mac.com
The CFBISD Educational Foundation announces CFB's Got Talent! For CFBISD students in grades 6 and above...its time to #getyouracttogether...more info coming soon!

Calling All Parents of Gifted Students....
because Gifted Student Parents know and understand.  

We're in this together!

It is always the right time to Join AGT or Renew your 2018-2019 AGT Membership!


AGT is committed to serving gifted youth in our community. Financial Support may be available to CFBISD GT student organizations. Contact the AGT Board for consideration.

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Carrollton-Farmers Branch AGT - P.O. Box 111702, Carrollton, TX, 75011-1702