Kate Simkowiak

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Message from the Coalition for Gifted Education

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SPECIAL SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE

The Governor has convened a special session of the Legislature beginning November 28th to address the most recent, dismal revenue forecast. With the necessity for a supplemental budget we feel that it will be vital to muster a show of strength and commitment. The details of the various proposals to be considered by the Legislature will determine what actions we need to take. See Ross Hunter’s blog at http://www.rosshunter.info/2011/09/wa-state-budget-update-special-session/


WAETAG CONFERENCE

The annual WAETAG Conference is scheduled for October 28 (special session for administrators) and October 29 at the Convention Center in Wenatchee. More information can be found on the WAETAG web site http://www.waetag.net/

GIFTED EDUCATION DAY

Gifted Education Day is scheduled for Monday, January 23, 2012. We hope all of you will join us in the Columbia Room in the state capitol building.

COALITION/NWGCA/WAETAG LEADERSHIP MEETINGS

Tuesday, October 25, 11 am to 3 pm

Wednesday, December 7, 4 pm to 8 pm

At the Burien Community Center, 14700  6th Ave. SE, Burien.

 

Registration Start Monday for Saturday Math Program at the Robinson Center for Young Scholars

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Get ready for some fun math this fall with our new, expanded Saturday Math program at the Robinson Center for Young Scholars, University of Washington. This is a program for anybody who likes math and wants to explore the world of math in a way that is both deep and creative.

This Quarter’s Classes: Shape Shifters: Topological Games and Puzzles (Grades 2-3), The Rubber Universe Survival Guide (Grades 4-5), The Fourth Dimension (Grades 4-5), The Shape of Space (Grades 6-7), The Nth Dimension (Grades 6-7)

Learn more about the classes, instructors, and tuition here.

Classes are from October 8 – December 10th, 2011

Click here to register online starting Monday, September 26 at 8 am. (The application will not work until September 26, 8 am).

SENG Webinar Event for Parents and Educators this September 22, 2011

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Preparing Gifted Children for College… Or Preparing Them for Life — Presented by James T. Webb, Ph.D.

Academic success is helpful, but other areas of success are more important. As parents and educators, we must focus on social and emotional development if we are to nurture gifted children and adults so that they develop their human potential. Cultivating courage, caring, and creativity are as important as academics and developing intellectual abilities. What is appropriate for us to expect and demand in academic achievement, and how do we keep alive and foster the passion for learning and personal development even when it is not in traditional academic areas?

Date: Setember 22, 2011

Time: 4:30 PM Pacific

Location: Participate at home or office using your computer.

Cost: $40.00

Sign Up Today!

CPA’s Fall Semester Fund Drive is On!

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The Challenge Parents Association’s primary role is to support gifted education at Terrace Park School and Brier Terrace Middle School. As parents of Challenge and Highly Capable Program children, you are already members of CPA. There is no membership fee. All of the funds donated to CPA go directly to support and enhance your child’s education.

 

We know every family’s budget is unique and we appreciate any amount your family can contribute.

Please download the pledge form and support your CPA today. Thank you!

Parents of Gifted Children

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Have you ever wanted to tell someone what it’s really like being the parent of a gifted child?

Here’s your chance! This study will ask you about the everyday experience of raising your child, your interactions with your child’s school (or why you homeschool), your worries or concerns, and your support network. This study is about you. Speak up and have your say.

To participate you must be the parent or caregiver of a cognitively gifted child who is undertaking a primary school curriculum. Home-schoolers and global responses are encouraged!

To find out more visit www.parentsofgiftedchildren.com.

CPA Board Meeting Minutes – August 25th, 2011

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CPA Board Meeting, June 9th, 2011- Pam Gasper’s home

In Attendance – Tina Raghu, Pam Gaspers, Lisa Flynn, Ann Radcliffe, Michelle Toshima, Maya Shinn

Meeting started at 6:45 p.m.

President’s Report:

There will be no co-president this year. We will recruit a co-president in the spring for next year and then the new co-president can overlap with Tina for a year.

Summer play dates went well this year with good number of attendees of new and current families. Will keep it a low number of play dates again next year.

Web design looks great. Ann Radcliffe will keep improving and updating it for easier communication. She welcomes any input to make it better.

 

Reviewed CPA fundraising letter for the first Wednesday packet. Pam suggested looking into adding a graph that shows how the CPA budgets its expenditures.  The graph will show the percentage of how much we give to different categories (classroom support, additional teacher training, grants, social, administration). Tina will take this on and send around via email for input. Discussed a second letter to raise funds after WAETAG to let members know about the training we help fund.

Tina had a question from Ms Poly whether or not CPA will pay for the back to school swim night. The consensus was no; we will not fund the event.

The PTA is looking for volunteer for Back To School Night. Anyone who is interested will contact the PTA to volunteer.

Book Club. Mary Freitas suggested a book club. Tina will ask for more details when she meets with Mary. It was suggested that if we want to do this we need to find a volunteer to lead the group.

Coffee Chats. At this point we are not going to schedule any and will revisit at a later time.

The PTA is paying to attend a Law seminar and has invited CPA board members.  Tina will forward information on this when she gets it.

Summer BBQ Preparation:

Ann showed us her sign in sheet. We’re going to try to keep it simple. Michelle suggested that we have clipboards and ask people to sign up as we mingle. Tina will bring clipboards.

Lisa and Pam will go shopping Saturday morning. We discussed item quantities to be purchased based on the RSVP. We still need few items. Michelle will bring table for signing up. Need to purchase name tags and multi-colored Sharpies (Tina). Each Grade will have different color to make it easier to recognize.

Addressing the need of Events for Community Building.

Have a family game night – BINGO – at the beginning of school year and have teachers help out with the event.

Lisa volunteered to take on organizing class lists for each class. We decided that we would like to get information at Curriculum Night (9/22/11). The form will specifically ask if information can be shared with the class and then with the Challenge Program families.

Ann brought up a question as to how to increase our revenue through the Goodsearch. Concern was raised that not many families know about the program. Maybe increase ad/communication on this.

Treasurer’s Report:

The handover is done from Tracy to Maya. Maya will coordinate a date to add co-signers for checks. (Tina and Lisa?) Need to set a date for auditing before 1st General Meeting.

We need more information on WAETAG for our budgeting. Maya will find out how much the district plans to fund and how many teachers would like to attend the conference in Wenatchee. Michelle will check in with teachers at Brier Terrace. We plan to prioritize new teachers but hope that we’ll be able to send any teacher who wants to attend.

Meeting Dates to come:

We need 4 board meetings and 4 general meetings per year. We tentatively set up the next 2 meeting dates as follows:

  • First General Meeting: Thursday, October 6th 2011.

Will be discussing what CPA is and we’ll include BTMS

  • 2nd general meeting: Thursday, January 12th, 2012.

In preparation for the Gifted Ed Day (January 27th 2012).

The next 2 general meeting will be determined later.

The next board meeting in preparation for Gifted Ed Day will be on Thursday, November 17th 2011. Place and time to be determined.

Bingo night in the fall as a second general meeting for community building was also rediscussed. We are waiting on the PTA calendar and once we see that we’ll see if can also schedule this meeting.

Meeting adjourned 8:10 p.m.

Summer Park Gatherings

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COME AND PLAY!

The next summer gathering is this Wednesday! All Terrace Park Challenge & BTMS Highly Capable Families (current, former & future) are invited to come have fun and make new friends. So bring a picnic lunch and any park toys you’d like to share.

Wednesday, August 10th
11 am – 1 pm
Edmonds City Park: 3rd Ave. South and Howell Way, Edmonds
Park Amenities: Picnic areas, play structures, baseball field, and trails.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our Back-to-School BBQ!

Sunday, August 28th
We have the area reserved from 10 am – 6 pm

North Lynnwood Neighborhood Park: 18510 44th Ave. West, Lynnwood
Park Amenities: Water spray, play structures, basketball courts, picnic areas, and paved trail (perfect for small bikes, trikes, and scooters)

Lunch served: 11:30 am – 1:30 pm (or until supplies run out)
The CPA will provide grilling items, buns, condiments & paper goods.
We ask that families supplement the BBQ with the following:
Beverages: Last names A-G
Side Dishes/Chips: Last names H-O
Desserts: Last names P-Z

If you haven’t already, click here to RSVP for the BBQ so that we can get an accurate headcount.

Challenge Parents Association (CPA) board members will be attending to meet with Highly Capable families and answer questions and make introductions to other district programs families.

Brier Terrace Middle School Highly Capable Program Families:
A special invitation to you as CPA has expanded to include the BTMS Highly Capable program. With your support, we look forward to working with Hi-Cap teachers of BTMS to augment classroom materials, support special activities, extend learning beyond the classroom, provide professional development materials for our teachers, enable our teachers to do more with the children in the classroom, and provide resources for gifted parenting issues support.