Kate Simkowiak

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SENG Webinar Event – Oct. 18th: Journaling for the Gifted Child

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Developing Social and Emotional Growth in the Gifted Child Through Journaling
Presented by Kathleen Casper

Explore the different characteristics of gifted children and how journaling can help these unique individuals express themselves, work through stresses, organize their lives, highlight creativity areas, and increase their social skills. We will also look at ways to support introverted and extroverted gifted children through journaling, and discuss different types of journaling activities and ways to extend writing outside of their journals and into the world.

Register Now!

Upcoming Events in Tacoma for Parents to Learn More About Giftedness

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2012 WAETAG Conference

Gifted 2.0: Hi-Cap Instruction for the Digital Age

Sessions for Teachers, Parents, Counselors, and Administrators!

Check out the schedule now! Click HERE to register for the conference now!
(For a mail in form, click here.)

Saturday, October 20, 2012
http://www.waetag.net/
Hotel Murano, Tacoma
7:30 a.m. – 5:00
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Sunday, November 4, 2012

FREE Forum for Gifted Students and Their Parents

Scholar Search Educational Forums
Annie Wright Day School
Tacoma, Washington
http://scholarsearchassoc.com/index.php/coming-events/tacoma-2012

“Being Bright is Not Enough” A Free Seminar with Dr. Jim Webb

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October 18th, 7:00 pm, Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, Commerce Room

The attitude still prevails that gifted children need no special help, that they will make it on their own since they already have so much going for them. Particularly neglected are the social and emotional needs of these children. Dr. Webb relates professional and personal experiences demonstrating that simply being bright is not enough. In fact, many responses to bright children make being gifted a liability rather than an asset. Concrete suggestions for parents and teachers are offered to help them re-think their perspectives and their behaviors. Encouragement is given to establish programs that focus on social and emotional needs of these youngsters.

James T. Webb, Ph.D., has been recognized as one of the 24 most influential psychologists nationally on gifted education.

Dr. Webb has written over 70 professional publications, fifteen books, three DVDs, and many research papers for psychology conventions or conferences regarding gifted and talented children. Four of his books on gifted children have won “Best Book” awards.

  • Guiding the Gifted Child: A Practical Source for Parents and Teachers — which won the National Media Award of the American Psychological Association as the best book for “significantly contributing to the understanding of the unique, sensitive, emotional needs of exceptional children.”
  • Grandparents’ Guide to Gifted Children – winner of two awards
  • Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnoses of Gifted Children and Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger’s, Depression, and Other Disorders – winner of three awards
  • Gifted Parent Groups: The SENG Model, 2nd Edition
  • A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children – winner of three awards

In 1981, Dr. Webb established SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted Children, Inc.), a national nonprofit organization that provides information, training, conferences, and workshops, and he remains as Chair of SENG’s Professional Advisory Committee. In 2011, he was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Arizona Association for Gifted children, the Community Service Award from the National Association for Gifted Children, and the Upton Sinclair Award by EducationNews.org.

2012 Fall Fundraiser

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It’s that time of year that we ask you to consider donating to the Challenge Parents Association (CPA).  If you noticed our pledge forms in the Wednesday packets and have already donated, thank you!

We have heard that there has been some confusion (especially for new families to the Challenge program) as to what CPA does, how we differ from the PTA and where CPA’s funds come from.

To be clear, CPA’s primary goal is to support the needs of gifted students, their families and teachers in the Challenge Program at Terrace Park and the Highly Capable Program at Brier Terrace Middle School.

CPA does this through:

  1. Classroom Support – $300 stipend to each of the 16 Challenge and Highly Capable teachers to enhance teaching materials
  2. Curriculum Enrichment – provide grant support across all grades to enrich curriculum.
  3. Teacher Professional Development – provide support to send all Challenge and Highly Capable teachers to WAETAG (Washington Association of Educators of Talented and Gifted) Conference in October as well as other staff training with a focus on gifted learning.
  4. Gifted Education Advocacy – participate in Gifted Education Day (G.E.D.) in Olympia on March, 19, 2013
  5. Social Activities – Back-to-School Potluck, Family BINGO Night and Swim Parties

Terrace Park PTA serves the needs of the entire school (including Challenge students) and CPA is secondary to PTA. PTA Membership and support is crucial for every family at Terrace Park and every student benefits from it. Because the two organizations have different goals, it is important to note that CPA does its own fundraising, primarily through our Fall and Spring pledge drive. CPA only receives funds when families donate directly to CPA. CPA does not receive funds from the Terrace Park Annual Donation Drive.

Hopefully, that clears up some of the confusion.  If you still have questions, please email us at challengeparents@gmail.com.

If you would like to donate to the CPA and haven’t done so yet, please download the pledge form and return it to your child’s teacher by October 12th.

Thank you for your support!!

The CPA Board

Fall 2012 Pledge Form

SEABURY SCHOOL 2012 SENG Parent Group •PRE-K—GRADE 8•

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We all know raising gifted children is a blessing – but can also be exhausting! This intensive eight-week workshop focuses on supporting the emotional needs of your gifted child while providing tools for parenting.

Beginning Sept. 26th and running through Nov. 14th, this SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted) group is led by Callie Stoker-Graham, parent of two gifted children, and Dr. Kelly Brown, Seabury parent and licensed psychologist.

Cost to attend the workshop is only $125 for the whole 8-week session (only $12 per class!) and includes a copy of A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children by James T. Webb (a $25 value); this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

Workshops run each Wednesday, Sept. 26 – Nov. 14, from 7:00-8:30 p.m., at Seabury’s middle school campus, 925 Court C, downtown Tacoma.
The workshop will be capped at 15 participants, so reserve your place now!

Seabury School will be sponsoring an “Evening with Jim Webb” on Thursday, October 18th, 7:00pm, at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, Commerce Room, in downtown Tacoma.  Dr. Webb founded SENG and has contributed many books and lectures on gifted education.  Mark your calendars to spend an evening with one of the “gurus” of gifted education and parenting of gifted children.

Robinson Center’s Saturday Enrichment Program (Current Grades K-11) at the University of Washington

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SATURDAY FALL 2012 CLASSES

Math, Writing, Science, and Dance Classes

The Robinson Center will offer a full slate of math classes from K/1 (including one with parents) to Grade 11; creative writing classes for grades 4-8; and, NEW THIS TERM, an exciting astrophysics class for grades 6-8 and a dance and movement class to nurture both brain and body. These classes are intended to provide intellectually ambitious students with challenge, inspiration, and fun, in a collaborative, supportive learning environment.

Students should register for the course according to their CURRENT grade in school.Placement is determined by grade, not age. Class size is limited, and so it is first come/first served; waitlists will be established if necessary.

Tuition is $225 for our 50 minute classes and $425 for our 100 minute classes. There is a $25 registration fee for all classes. Tuition is to be paid in full when the student registers for the course. Go to the Robinson Center website for more about how to register for the classes.

Limited financial assistance is available for Saturday classes. Students who receive Free or Reduced Lunch in their school district may receive reduced tuition. Please find more information on the federal income eligibility guidelines for free and reduced price lunch here.

Parking is available for free on the University of Washington campus as of 12:00 noon on Saturdays. Before noon, we recommend the W14 lot near Gould Hall and across 15th Avenue from the Robinson Center. Go to the 40th Street gate entrance to campus for your $5.00 parking pass for W14.

 

Important Dates

SEPTEMBER 17: REGISTRATION BEGINS (online registration via our Robinson Center website)
OCTOBER 6: CLASSES BEGIN
NOVEMBER 24: NO CLASS
DECEMBER 8: LAST DAY OF CLASSES

Apply Now!

Message from The Washington Coalition For Gifted Education – Sept. 10th

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Campaign Season In Full Swing; General Election Coming Up

• Due to retirements and redistricting, many of you are finding yourself in a new district and/or with new candidates to consider.

• We will have a new Governor and education seems to be a major issue in the campaign.

• 20% of the seats in the Legislature are open.

• Supt. of Public Instruction Randy Dorn will be unopposed on the ballot.

• Initiative 1240 on charter schools is among the issues before the voters.

Do visit the web page of the Secretary of State for more voter information, a voters’ guide and make use of your custom-tailored voter guide. http://blogs.sos.wa.gov/FromOurCorner/index.php/2012/09/heres-your-wa-2012-electionataglance/

If you missed the gubernatorial debate on education (August 29) and the presentations on the initiatives, they are archived on TVW and can be viewed on your computer.  http://www.tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwsearch&year=2012&contentCode=G

Please attend candidate forums and presentations and ask key questions about the candidate’s support for Highly Capable Programs.

The following are some key points to be made when questioning candidates.

– Washington is on the cutting edge in establishing a quality education for Highly Capable students. We are the first state to make it a part of basic education.

– To retain the educated business community and their families, we need to provide a high quality education system for children who will be our future leaders.  Support for Highly Capable Programs is an opportunity to move forward in raising standards and promoting economic growth in Washington.

– Three important pieces are now in place:

Effective with the school year 2012-2013, Highly Capable Programs are part of basic education for students in K – 12.
Highly Capable Program Technical Work Force was given the mission to standardize state-level procedures, including definition, identification, and criteria for programs. This task is completed and the Report is available at http://www.k12.wa.us/HighlyCapable/Workgroup/default.aspx
Special Endorsement – Washington State now offers educators a special endorsement in gifted education.

– The challenge is to insure that districts have the support needed to fully implement highly capable programs K-12 as part of basic education.

Tell candidates that we need them to:

SENG Webinar Event – Sept. 20th: Joyful Living in 6 Easy Steps

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Presented by: Dianne Allen, MA, CAP

Gifted individuals can take life very seriously and often miss the power of living joy filled. By learning the steps to living joyfully, one can establish and maintain a lighter life which leads to a healthier lifestyle on all levels, especially emotionally.

This presentation discusses joy as a vital part of life. The importance of joy and the 6 easy steps to living joy will be presented. How to establish and maintain a joyful daily life will be presented.

Register Now!

Thank you for coming to the potluck!

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What a wonderful turnout we had for the Back-to-School Potluck!

Thank you all for bringing such an amazing selection of food to share with one another. It wouldn’t have been as successful without your help. We hope that you had a great time, had a chance to reconnect and made some new friends before the new school year.

We on the board would like to especially thank Mary Freitas and all the teachers that took the time out of their busy schedules to come out and meet with everyone.

Thanks to you all again, for making this such a success this year!

Back-to-School Potluck Picnic

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When: Sunday, August 26th from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Where: North Lynnwood Neighborhood Park: 18510 44th Ave. West, Lynnwood
Please respect the neighbors by parking in the elementary school parking lot or a block down in the lot across from the fire station.

Bring your favorite dish to share!

CPA will be providing beverages, desserts and paper goods.

This is a great opportunity for new students to meet returning students and for families to get to know each other and catch up after the summer.

Please RSVP by August 23rd with the number of adults and kids in your group.

The CPA Board Members will be available for any questions, suggestions and introductions.

Don’t Forget: Blankets, chairs, sunscreen & swimsuits (there’s a spray structure). Balls, frisbees, bubbles, etc. are always good as well!