Kate Simkowiak

From the Board

Board announcements, meeting minutes, etc.

Gifted Middle School Task Force Minutes 02/15/11

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Below is a link that has the full meeting minute details:

Gifted Middle School Task Force Minutes

The main focuses  of the Task Force currently are:

1.) to support the new BTMS Hi Cap program for teachers and students

2.) to create seamless transitions between TP Challenge school and BTMS Hi Cap and IB or whatever other HS options the gifted kids choose to make

3.) to communicate more effectively and earlier with parents and students about those HS options

Guest Speaker for March 3rd meeting will be rescheduled

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Guest Speaker will be rescheduled:

We regret that our announced guest speaker, Stephen Martin, has taken ill and won’t be able to speak at our meeting on March 3rd.

Our general membership meeting will go forward beginning at 6:30, and will include electing next year’s board of directors for CPA, as well as a recap of Gifted Education Day and discussion of other CPA activities coming soon.

We are working to reschedule Mr. Martin to our May meeting. Thank you and we’ll see you at 6:30 on Thursday, March 3rd at Terrace Park Commons.

Challenge Parents Association Board of Directors

CPA General Meeting – Thursday, March 3, 2011

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Challenge Parents Association

Presents

Stephen B. Martin

Advanced Learning Consultant

Gifted Education Expert / Advocate


President, WAETAG: Washington Association of Educators of the Talented  and Gifted

Member of the Washington Coalition for Gifted and Talented Leadership Team

Certified Facilitator, SENG: Serving the Emotional Needs of the Gifted


Please join us for an evening with this dynamic speaker and education consultant as he discusses the most powerful ways that parents of Gifted Children can ensure their children’s success in and out of school.  He will discuss the differences in the three state wide advocacy groups: Northwest Gifted Child Association, Washington Association of Educators of the talented and Gifted, Washington Coalition for Gifted and Talented … and will explain why we need all three.  He will share exciting new opportunities that SENG is offering and why you should jump on board now!  Finally, he will answer those burning questions you have about your special needs child and what you need to know most of all- right now!


Thursday, March 3, 2011

6:30 CPA General meeting and presentation of slate of officers for next year

7:00 Speaker event

Terrace Park School Commons

Please bring other interested parents who might benefit from this important knowledge!

All are welcome.  This event is free and refreshments will be provided.

CPA Spring 2011 Pledge Drive

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Dear Challenge Program Families,

The Challenge Parents Association (CPA) welcomes you to a new semester! Our primary role is to support gifted education at Terrace Park School. As parents of Challenge Program children, you are already members of CPA. There is no membership fee. We advocate for and support highly capable students, their families and teachers. Our main goals for the 2010-2011 school year are:

Communicate

We aim to keep you informed about events and changes you may not hear about through usual channels. We regularly update the Challenge Spot,www.challengeparents.org with news and information of interest to our Challenge Program families.  Please make sure you are subscribed by email or RSS feed to stay informed.

Participate

Your participation in your child’s education happens on many levels. There will be opportunities for you to help out in the classroom, on field trips, around school, and at the district and state levels, and participate in discussions at our meetings. Please become as involved as you can.

Advocate

CPA advocates for the needs of gifted children at the school, district, and state levels. We invite you to attend CPA general and board meetings, the Edmonds School District board meetings, and Gifted Education Day in Olympia. The students need programs that meet their unique needs, and you can help to keep funding in place and continued critical legislative support by letting your voice be heard. Call, email, or write to your District Officials, Edmonds School Board members, and your local, state, and federal representatives.

We’re all in this together!! As parents and primary advocates of highly capable children, we need to be more involved socially, politically, and financially in the support of our gifted learners’ needs.

It is essential that we work to ensure the continued success of our Challenge Program.

We know every family’s budget is unique, so we’d like to offer you flexibility in how frequently and how much you contribute to CPA. We’ve had a suggested donation of $90 per semester ($180 per year) for families with one student in Challenge and $150 per semester ($300 per year) for families with two or more Challenge students. But, we appreciate any amount your family can contribute. We also are happy to accept your donations annually, each semester, monthly or whenever is convenient for you. We will send out a donation form each semester but you can pay what you can, whenever you can. You will receive a tax receipt from CPA in January of your total donations from the previous calendar year. Every bit counts! We will keep you informed of how your dollars are being spent to enrich your child’s educational experience.

Our fund drive goal for 2010-2011 school year is $10,000, and ask for your support to reach our goal.

If your employer matches donations, use this opportunity to double your contribution to CPA!


Be a part of the challenge!


Thank you! Please visit the website to download the Spring 2011 Pledge Form and return to your child’s teacher or send in your donation to:

Challenge Parents Association

P.O. Box 3371

Lynnwood, WA  98046-3371


Gifted Education Day Itinerary for Friday, February 11th

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Hello Challenge Families!

Attached in this notice is the 2011 GED Itinerary which includes:

Our finalized meeting schedule with our legislators

Driving and parking directions

Maps of the Capitol campus

Details about any tours or committee hearings happening while we’re there

2011 GED Itinerary

and

campus-map

If you are joining us, please download the packet, review it and bring it with you to Friday’s event. Also, don’t forget to wear your purple shirts. We will be taking a group photo on the Legislative steps at 11:30 a.m.

We look forward to seeing you all there!

CPA Board

Note: If your child is riding the bus with the fourth grade, you can disregard this message as the field trip students have a slightly different agenda. Thank you.


Please join us for a CPA Parent Coffee Chat this Saturday

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Ever want a sympathetic ear for those perplexing, frustrating and even proud moments? We know parenting those gifted kids can be a lonely job, but rest assured you don’t have to go it alone!

Join your fellow parents and ask a question, share a tip, a story or just a knowing smile.

Come, grab yourself a cup ‘o Joe, pull up a chair and let it all hang out.

Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 at 1:00 PM

Corner Coffee Bar in Perrinville (at the corner of 76th and Olympic View Drive)

Gifted Education Day Planning Meeting–Thursday, January 6th

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Please join the CPA board on Thursday, January 6th in the Terrace Park Commons at 6:30 for a planning and information session on Washington State Gifted Education Day.

Gifted Education Day is an annual event held at the Capitol in Olympia. Challenge program families have attended in large numbers for several years now. While annual attendance is important, this is an especially crucial year for us to show the legislature how important gifted education is for our children and our families.

CPA will provide light snacks and beverages for the meeting. We will also have handouts from the Coalition for Gifted Education and other organizations involved in the planning and preparations for Gifted Education Day.