Kate Simkowiak

Events

Special events

Message from The Washington Coalition For Gifted Education – March 13th

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BUDGET PROPOSALS

Of interest to all Highly Capable advocates is what the budget proposals will provide for HCP funding. As part of basic education, costs of a classroom, utilities, teachers, administration, transportation, etc are covered under basic education funding. The considerable costs of identification, professional development, special curriculum and textbooks are covered by the supplemental HCP funding provided by the funding formula.

Everything on the budget is happening AFTER Gifted Education Day. The Revenue Forecast Council releases its quarterly revenue forecast on March 20th. This lets the Governor and Legislators know how much revenue the state expects to have this fiscal year.

It is the Senate’s turn to put out a budget first this year and the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus plans to present their budget proposal the week of the 25th and the House Democratic Caucus shortly thereafter. At some point Governor Inslee is expected to propose either a budget or an outline of spending priorities – which is not clear from news reports.

The current biennial budget provides $8,759,000 for FY 2012 and $8,842,000 for FY 2013 for HCP, a total of $17,601,000. The last budget prior to inclusion in basic education provided  $17,993,000 for the biennium.

Governor Gregoire’s last budget proposal called for $9,472,000 for FY 2012 and $9,594,000, a total of $19,268,000; approximately a 9% increase. Since the HCPTWG and QEC Recommendations (see next paragraph) call for a new funding formula which we estimate as yielding about $45,000,000 per fiscal year, it is clear that no “real and measurable progress toward achieving full compliance” has been made toward full and ample funding as part of basic education.

McCleary calls for compliance by 2018, so the Legislature has a long way to go to reach this goal for Highly Capable Programs. We strongly suggest that it begin with this budget, enacting a new formula based on 5% of students, in a class size of 15, 6.5 hours for grades K-6 and 3.1 hours for grades 7-12.

Legislators are talking about an additional $900 billion to $1.6 billion for basic education. Surely they can find an extra $45 million for HCP!

GIFTED EDUCATION DAY  – AND AFTER

We have been attempting to get HB 1560 amended to provide for a new formula, with little visible progress to date.

Last week we sent you a draft of a proposed resolution in the Legislature. This week we are pleased to send you a copy of the actual resolution, co-sponsored by 47 of 49 Senators. It is a very strong statement of support for gifted education but we should take it cautiously – many may have co-sponsored as a professional courtesy without reading it carefully and becoming aware of its implications. Different versions of this Resolution are circulating in the House and as a Proclamation from the Governor.

If the sponsors really believe what the resolution states, then they should immediately vote to implement the recommendations of the Highly Capable Program Technical Working Group as endorsed by the Quality Education Council. They should vote a more adequate and equitable funding formula to enable these programs to reach more students and help close the opportunity gap. They should substantially increase Highly Capable Program funding in the upcoming biennial budget and reach full and ample funding by 2018.

So come down to Olympia on March 19th and talk to your Legislators about the need for and value of Highly Capable Programs to both the student and the state; the requirements of the McCleary Decision for full and ample funding; and the recommendations of the HCPTWG and the QEC.

Before you do so, take a close look at the power point from NEWS, the plaintiffs in McCleary, presented March 10, http://waschoolexcellence.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/McCleary-presentation-3-10-13.pdf. The Coalition is a member of NEWS.

Be ready to push harder on the budget if the various budget proposals don’t “do right” for Highly Capable Programs when they come out. We will let you know if such action is necessary.

To end the State’s violation of Washington children’s constitutional rights by 2018, each State budget must:
(1) “demonstrate steady progress” implementing education funding reforms under ESHB 2261, and
(2) “show real and measurable progress toward achieving full compliance with article IX, section 1 by 2018.”
July 18, 2012 Supreme Court Order at ¶4

SENG Webinar Event, March 26th – Living with Intensity Series – Part 3

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Title: “Still Gifted After All These Years — Lifespan Intensity and Gifted Adults”
Date: Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Time: 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. (Eastern)
Presenter: Patricia Gatto Walden, PhD
APA CE: 1

Gifted children become gifted adults experiencing their inner world and surrounding environment in deep and complex ways. Throughout their lives, gifted adults have recognized that intensities, asynchrony, perfectionism, and feelings of dissimilarity from others have affected their relationships, personal life, and career choices.

Incorporating a holistic perspective (focus given to intellectual, emotional, physical, spiritual/ethical and social domains), this SENGinar will identify the multifaceted intrinsic strengths, concerns, and needs of gifted adults. Primary lifelong issues of feeling different and alone, coping with isolation, self-criticism, and relentless perfectionism will be addressed.

After participating in this webinar, you will be able to:

  • Understand how an individual experiences giftedness “from the inside out.”
  • Identify common difficulties and misunderstandings of adult giftedness.
  • Appreciate the lifelong focus on meaning and purpose.
  • Understand the importance of attending to the total self to attain health and well-being.

This SENGinar is the third in a 3-part series based on the book Living with Intensity. To receive APA credit you must read the book, attend the entire webinar, and complete the post-event evaluation. You may purchase the book through Great Potential Press or Amazon.

SENG Webinar Event, March 16th – Bootcamp for Determined Advocates

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Find out What It Takes to Be an Effective Advocate for the Gifted

Date: Saturday, March 16, 2013
Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Eastern)
Presenter: Wenda Sheard, JD, PhD

Are you determined to advocate for the best education possible for your children? Do you want to learn more about the legal, political, and educational aspects of advocacy? If you do, this SENGinar is for you.

Many times when a child’s educational needs are satisfied, social and emotional problems are alleviated. So come fill your advocacy toolbox with new and creative advocacy ideas from a lawyer, political scientist, teacher, and long-time education advocate.

 

Gifted Education Day Information from the CPA

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Thank you so much for your planned participation in Gifted Education Day this Tuesday, March 19th.

In preparation for the day, we wanted to cover some important items.

  1. Since the Coalition activities start at 9:00am in Olympia, we will not be meeting at Terrace Park in the morning as a group to arrange carpools. If you have arranged to meet independently, that is fine. Please allow for time to park at the Capitol.
  2. When you arrive in the Columbia Room, please check in with the Coalition to receive a name tag. CPA board members will be in the Columbia Room to answer any questions you may have. We will have copies of the schedule and maps in case you need them. Throughout the day Tina Raghu will be in the Columbia Room for any questions or directions needed.
  3. One of the first meetings of the morning is with Senator Joe Fain in the Columbia Room. This is being coordinated by the Coalition and we have a short amount of time to present him with a binder of student letters. We have arranged for a few students to talk and a few more to stand in support. If your child is not a part of this presentation, please know they will have a chance to speak with our legislators at the afternoon meetings we have arranged.
  4. Attached is an updated agenda for the day. Please note that we will assign a leader to each meeting with our legislators. The leader will introduce our group and the purpose of our meeting. At these meetings, we will ask if any student would like to say a few words. Please see the attached prompts to cover with your child to prepare them if they would like to speak. The message this year is to say thank you for including highly capable within the definition of basic education and also for maintaining the funding for highly capable in the current budget.
  5. On the agenda, we have specified districts of each representative we are meeting. We ask that you try to attend the meetings with the representatives from your district or when there are no conflicting meetings, we all try to attend.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS FOR DOWNLOAD

Family GED 2013 Info and Schedule
GED Family Invite Form
GED Checklist
GED FAQs
Legislative Districts
Maps
Kids Speaking Prompt

Thank you again for your participation!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Tina Raghu or Leslie Rinehimer.

Message from The Washington Coalition For Gifted Education – March 10th

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RECENT ACTIVITIES UPDATED
You haven’t heard from us recently as everything we have been doing in advocating for Highly Capable Programs has been pretty much “behind the scenes.” We are conferring and negotiating with key legislators regarding HB 1560, which purports to enact the recommendations of the Quality Education Council for the HC program. And the QEC recommendations pretty much are those of the Highly Capable Program Technical Working Group. Unfortunately, only a small part of the two sets of recommendations is contained in this bill and we are working as hard as we can to get the full recommendations for identification, services and funding as an amendment to the pending bill. If we are successful in getting a sponsor for our proposed amendment, we may be contacting you asking that you get in touch with your representatives and ask them to vote for the amendment. It all depends on how these touchy negotiations go….

Attached as a pdf file is the fact sheet we are using in our conversations with legislators. It attempts to distill pages and pages of material into a single page fact sheet. Because key Legislators seem to be fixated on issues of equity and the opportunity gap and not on the needs of our gifted students, we have focused our efforts on things which interest them.

GIFTED EDUCATION DAY, MARCH 19
Preparations for Gifted Education Day continue, now that I am back from vacation. We are looking forward to large student contingents from Edmonds and Puyallup as well as smaller groups from other districts. We have a full line-up of speakers. Please be in the Columbia Room no later than 9:10 so we can start our program and finish on time for you to meet with your legislators, with whom you have already made appointments – we trust you have made appointments. If not, do so immediately, please.

We have a Proclamation of Gifted Education Day from the Governor and expect passage of Resolutions in both houses for both Gifted Education Day, March 19, and Gifted Education Week, March 17-23. The exact wording of these three documents may vary slightly, but attached is the text of the Senate Resolution as a pdf file. The Resolutions are being sponsored by new “friends” of gifted education – we have had a core group of faithful Legislator friends for several years now and the group is expanding with these new members: Rep. Marcie Maxwell in the House and Senator Ann Rivers in the Senate. We welcome their support!

We need as large a turn out on March 19th as we can muster to support our efforts with Legislators to get HB 1560 amended as we suggest. Please come to Olympia and support us. If you can’t come to Olympia, contact your Legislators during the week of the 18th and express your support for Highly Capable Programs and tell your Legislators about how important they are for both students and the state. Information on contacting your Legislators is in the Gifted Education Day Handbook for 2013.

In Olympia, we will provide name tags, note paper and envelopes, note cards, and cards with contact information on them for you. Regulations on handing out materials in the Columbia Room keep us from providing printed materials there so print out whatever you need and bring it with you.

Interested in becoming next year’s CPA Treasurer?

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Here’s your chance to get more involved and help support our highly capable students and teachers. Join the CPA board!

We are looking for someone to fill the treasurer position for next year.

CPA Treasurer Duties Include:

  • Managing incoming donations
  • Providing a tax receipt to donators
  • Writing checks for teachers and approved grants
  • Filing taxes at the end of the year

If you are interested, please contact Christiane or Lisa. We will be electing the new Board Members before the Art Walk on March 21st at 6:30pm.

Family Invite For Gifted Education Day 2013

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Please plan to attend Gifted Education Day in Olympia.
We are all in this together! And we need you!

DATE: Tuesday, March 19, 2013

TIME: Arrive in Olympia at 9:00 AM / Estimate 2:00 PM departure from Olympia, WA ( Please Note: Students going on the 4th grade field trip must be at school no later than 7:30 AM to catch the bus.)

WHERE: State Capitol Building in Olympia, WA

WHO: Parents, Students, Teachers and Administrators of Edmonds School District Highly Capable Programs

Gifted Education Day is an annual event scheduled by the Coalition for Gifted Education. CPA has participating for many years bringing families to Olympia for Gifted Ed Day to tour the Capitol, meet with Legislators, and meet other parent groups for gifted education from around the state. If you plan to attend please open the Family GED 2013 Invite Form, print, complete, and return along with and any payment due for Gifted Ed. Day t-shirts to your child’s teacher or the CPA box in the Terrace Park Office by Thursday, February 28th.

Please note: this form is for Family GED, 4th Graders will be receiving forms for their field trip from their teacher.

Have questions about this event please check our FAQ page. If you would like additional information on this event, please attend our CPA General Meeting Wednesday, February 27th at 6:30 pm in the Library. Thank you.

Draft Schedule for Family GED 2012:

TIME AND ACTIVITY:

9:00 am — Arrive Olympia

9:30 am–10:30 am — Coalition Agenda

10:30 am–noon — Capitol Tours (limited space)

Noon — Lunch

1:00 pm —Group Photo

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm — Legislator Meetings

SENG Webinar Event, Feb. 26th – Living with Intensity Series – Part 2

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Understanding Intensity: Practical Applications for Parents, Teachers, and Counselors

Date: February 26, 2013
Time: 4:30 p.m. Pacific [90 mins.]
Presenter: Michele Kane, EdD

Gifted children’s heightened sensitivities and intensities combine to provide qualitatively different interactions both in their inner and outer worlds. The asynchronous gifted children need the guidance of adults to help them develop and foster their social, emotional and spiritual nature. By participating in this webinar you will:

  • Identify strategies for nurturing the inner life.
  • Understand the developmental experiences of gifted youngsters.
  • Provide support for adults who help to guide these children.

This SENGinar is the second in the 3-part Living with Intensity Series based on the book Living with Intensity. To receive APA credit, you must read the book and attend the entire webinar. You may purchase the book through Great Potential Press, Amazon or other book retailers.


ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Michele Kane, EdD, is an associate professor and the coordinator of the Master of Arts in Gifted Education Program at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. As a presenter for state, national, and international conferences, a major focus of her work is related to social, emotional, and spiritual giftedness and the affective aspects of educational programming. She and her husband Dan are parents of six gifted adult children.

Message from The Washington Coalition For Gifted Education – Feb. 20th

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Lots of little but important items in this email.

1.    Help us build our bona fides in Olympia. We would like to reach 750 followers on Facebook during session. Please “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/wagifted
and follow us on our blog at http://wcge.wordpress.com

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2.    While you need to work on an almost daily basis with your local building and/or district, we offer a special opportunity to interact with state legislators. We look forward to working with you on educating our legislators on Gifted Education Day in Washington, Tuesday, March 19, 2013. Since appointments are easier to arrange for a small group to meet with a legislator, rather than a number of individual appointments, consider joining with other advocates in your area and making a joint trip to Olympia. Coming jointly makes parking easier to find and less expensive.

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3.    You can now submit comments on any pending bill by clicking on “comment on this bill” on the bill home page. The first time you use it you will be asked to set up an account with your email and a password. You will also be asked for your name and address. I tried it and it is easy to set up and use. Comments are limited to 1000 characters. Quick and easy – except for counting the number of characters in your message. If you are a Twitter user you already do that. This is a test run to see how much it is used and how much value it has to legislators.

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4.    Seabury School is presenting Dr. Susan Daniels on “Raising Creative Kids” on February 20th in Tacoma. Creative children think outside the box! They are driven by curiosity and innovation. Parenting them, however, can be both EXCITING and EXHAUSTING. Learn strategies for cultivating and supporting creativity, as well as parenting strategies for nurturing the social and emotional development of your creative children. For more information, go to http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4844821993

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IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO KNOW

5.    Your correspondent is taking time off for a much needed vacation trip. While I am gone, due to the wonders of forwarding email, other Coalition members will be receiving/responding to any messages you send to us at wagifted/earthlink. They will be sending any messages needed about contacting legislators or informing you about actions in Olympia about pending bills using a wagifted@gmail address. Even though the address is different, the email is indeed from us. If you have message filters, be sure they are set to receive mail from wagifted@gmail.com

6.    Bills are starting to move out of committees to the floor. Besides any emails we may send out, important information and updates will be available on our Facebook page, so be sure to check there.  http://www.facebook.com/wagifted

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7.    The following material is adapted from Advice for New Gifted Education Specialists by Tamara Fisher on her blog Unwrapping the Gifted. Ms. Fisher is a nationally recognized leader in the field of gifted education and is the gifted specialist in a district in Montana. Her blog appears on Education Week Teacher at http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/unwrapping_the_gifted/