DCSD Advanced Academics & Gifted Ed
January 2023
Douglas County School District Advanced Academics & Gifted Education
Equity of Access
Opportunity ~ Agency ~ Empowerment
Vision
We seek out, surface, and nurture the potential in each student from all races, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations.
Mission
We partner with staff, students, families, and our community to design/refine/implement equitable and culturally responsive systems of identification and programming for high potential/advanced/gifted students from all demographic groups in all schools.
Email: gifted.education@dcsdk12.org
Website: dcsdk12.org/gifted-education
Location: 620 Wilcox St, Castle Rock, CO 80104
Phone: 303-387-0191
Director's Corner
Happy New Year!
I hope you were able to enjoy time for RITUAL, REFLECTION, REVELRY (and a bit of REST) over the holiday season. After 28 years of service in education, I still find myself staring incredulously at my calendar each January;“The days are long and the years are short.”
In addition to the general angst related to, “creating a whole new you!” as a parent, I realize January may present stressful deadlines and exciting thresholds: pre-school/kindergarten registration, summer camps, open enrollment, child care, middle school/high school course choices--for a child who was, absolutely positively pinky swear, in 2nd grade last year--, and the often daunting decisions for our soon to be graduates.
We hope this newsletter provides helpful resources and opportunities to assuage any anxiety from “The Januaries.”
Please feel free to reach out to our team at any time. We honor the opportunity to support you and your children.
With gratitude,
Natasha Langjahr Straayer
Director, Advanced Academics and Gifted Programming
P.S. Fun Fact: January (in Latin, Ianuarius) is named after Janus, the god of beginnings and transitions in Roman mythology.[1] Janus ancient Italic deity, to the Romans the guardian god of portals, doors, and gates; patron of beginnings and endings, c. 1500, from Latin Ianus, literally "gate, arched passageway," perhaps from PIE root *ei- "to go" (cognates: Sanskrit yanah "path," Old Church Slavonic jado "to travel"). He is shown as having two faces, one in front the other in back (they may represent sunrise and sunset and reflect an original role as a solar deity). His temple in Rome was closed only in times of peace. Related: Janian. (online etymology)
GENERAL UPDATES
ADVANCED LEARNING PLANS (ALP)
Progress updates toward Advanced Learning Plan goals were shared before winter break. If you have not received an update for your child, please connect with the Gifted Education Facilitator at your child’s school. (Contact information for Gifted Ed Facilitators LINKED HERE).
ELEMENTARY: Progress was shared through a planning document, EPR, and/or PDF
MIDDLE: Progress was shared through a planning document shared at the initial goal setting
HIGH SCHOOL: Progress was shared through your child's ICAP in Naviance. (All HS ALPS are embedded in the state required ICAP housed in Naviance) Please connect with your child's counselor/advisor and Gifted Ed Facilitator for support.
POST SECONDARY PATHWAYS
Our Gifted Ed Facilitators have increased their partnership and collaboration with counselors to support your students in exploring and preparing for pathways to post secondary options: careers, college, military service, and continued education or training.
CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT & TECH ED: Take a look at the new DCSD 2023 - 2024 Guide to Career and Technical Education,Concurrent Enrollment, and Other Programs and connect with your child’s Gifted Ed Facilitator to learn more.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT: DCSD offers a variety of Advanced Placement courses at each of our high schools. Chances are, there is an AP course RIGHT for your child regardless of their post secondary pathway! Learn more about the benefits of AP Courses HERE.
- INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE: DCSD offers the IB Programme at four elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. Explore the IB Programme HERE and connect with your child’s gifted education facilitator to learn more.
Parenting Gifted Children
The Neurodiversity Podcast with Emily Kircher-Morris
We wrapped up 2022 by sharing our top 10 episodes of 2022!
Click the links below to listen, or find these episodes
anywhere you get your favorite podcasts.
#10: Understanding ADHD Children
#9: Sensory Sensitivities, Parenting & Neurodiversity
#8: Beneath the Surface of Giftedness
#7: Our Bright and Complex, Twice-Exceptional Kids
#6: Sorting out Sensory Awareness
#5: The Rewards & Punishment Paradox
#4: Let's talk Executive Function
#3: Understanding Pathological Demand Avoidance
#2:What We're Learning About (Pervasive) Pathological Demand Avoidance
The Stress of Being Gifted and Talented
Updated: December 1, 2022
Is your child stressed or burned out? Do you know the signs? Here's how to help.
Symptoms of overwhelming stress
Along with the usual stressors of childhood and growing up, gifted kids have unique dilemmas which can increase their stress. They may find it difficult to accept their gifts and talents along with their limitations. They may become aware that they are "different" at the same time they are developing a strong sense of belonging with their peers. They may also have difficulty drawing the fine line between excelling and attempting perfection. All children respond differently to stress.
Gifted students, although bright, aren't mind readers. They have the facts and lots of them, but need the accumulated wisdom and loving guidance of parents who care. Your help will go a long way in reducing their stress.
Read the entire article HERE.
District News
The Early Access to Kindergarten or 1st Grade Process for the 2023-2024 School Year is now OPEN until April 1, 2023!
Early Access is designed for “highly advanced gifted” 4 or 5 year old children. It allows early access to kindergarten or first-grade for students who are academically gifted, socially and emotionally mature, in the top 2% or less of the gifted peer group, motivated to learn, ready for advanced placement, and who have exhausted the resources of preschool or home schooling.
Colorado House Bill 08-1021
Early Access was made possible by the passage of House Bill 08-1021. HB 08-1021 provides the ability for school staff to override the age limits mandated by state law, in order to allow students who will be four years old at the beginning of the school year to begin kindergarten and students who will be five years old to begin first grade, if they are identified as "highly advanced gifted."
Get more information, the complete process instructions and links to apply at our website HERE.
Connect with Other Parents of Gifted Children
Colorado Association for Gifted Children
Conversations with CAGT continues! Join us on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 5:00 pm MST on Facebook Live!
1/17/23 – Matt Zakreski – Understanding Sensory Processing in Neurodivergent Learners
Find archived sessions HERE.
Did you know?
On the CAGT website, you can read our official statements and position papers about societal and educational issues that direct our Colorado community. Most recently, CAGT sent a letter to the state school board addressing revisions to the state Social Studies standards and advocating for gifted learners, particularly those from marginalized subpopulations. Click here to read CAGT’s letter.
Stay in the Know about Colorado Gifted Education Legislation!
Visit the CAGT website to read about state and federal legislation, past and current bills that have impacted gifted education and a continually updated link to legislation from this year’s session. CAGT will work to keep you informed of bills that will not only benefit all children, but also those that address the specific needs of our gifted students.
Empowerment Group for 2e Adults (fee required)
The Empowerment Group for 2e Adults brings together twice exceptional adults from all over the world for six awesome weeks where we:
- Learn about being 2e
- Connect over personal experiences – the good, the bad, the ugly
- Provide and receive much needed camaraderie and fellowship
- Gain tools to EMPOWER you
You will LEARN and LAUGH with LIKE-MINDED 2e adults as you join me and my guest experts over six consecutive weeks.
Find more information and registration HERE.
Events Calendar
DCSD & DCAGT Present a Livestream Guest Speaker Event
How Parents of Mathematically Gifted Students Can Nurture a Passion For Mathematics,
an evening with Ed Zaccaro
Co-sponsored by Douglas County Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented (DCAGT)
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
6:00 - 7:00 pm
*LIVESTREAM link to join online will be sent to participants who RSVP closer to date
Please join us for a learning opportunity facilitated by Ed Zaccaro. This presentation is designed for parents of gifted/high potential students in Douglas County School District. RSVP using this FORM. Please sign up for Google if you do not have an account.
See the flyer HERE.
Born to Draw: The Development of Artistically Gifted Children
Virtual webinar hosted by Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education and Talent Development
Thursday, January 19th at 8:00pm
Genre Writing for Teens (ages 7-15)
In-person workshop hosted by Denver Writes
January 21st at 10:00am (EST)
Location: BookBar, 4280 Tennyson Street, Denver
CAGT's Legislative Day 2023
Applications are now open!
Legislative Day at the Capitol is back in person on February 23rd! This event is for 9th thru 12th grade students who are passionate about issues facing their communities, our state and the nation and want to experience how the government works first-hand.
Students can apply to shadow a Colorado State Legislator by submitting an essay which will be reviewed and if selected, will be chosen for this opportunity.
Applications are due in just two short weeks. The deadline is January 20th so get your essay ready to submit and join us at the Capitol in February! Click here for more information and to apply.
Student Opportunities and Scholarships
Finding colleges and careers that are right for you doesn’t have to be stressful. Check out the resources for students and Parents/Guardians at BigFuture. Resources include:
- Career Exploration
- College Planning
- Paying for College
- Scholarships!
5 Tips to Manage Stress as You Plan Your Future
Hear mental health tips from the Yale University happiness professor, Dr. Laurie Santos. Bring your questions and join BigFuture Live on January 25, 7:00-7:45pm ET. Register here.
Let’s be real. Planning for your life after high school can be stressful and overwhelming. Maybe you feel pressure from outside sources, or maybe you’re your own worst critic. It’s normal to feel this way and small amounts of stress can be healthy at times, but too much can be harmful. Join BigFuture as we present Yale University’s Happiness professor, Dr. Laurie Santos, who will share 5 tips to manage stress and get your mental and emotional health questions answered.
Coolidge Scholarship
Walden Woods Project: Live Deliberately Essay Contest
Minoru Yasui Student Essay Contest
Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Denver Failure Fair Scholarships
It’s College Application Season! 7 Practical Pointers for Teens with ADHD
By Graceanne "Gracie" Dix Updated on February 5, 2021
As a high school senior with ADHD in the throes of college application season, I know firsthand how overwhelming this process can be. As I apply to universities around the country, I’ve learned quite a few things that might save my ADHD friends some grief and frustration. The following 7 tips and strategies have been key for filling out and submitting applications on time, and for narrowing my search to find the campus that’s the best fit for me.
Read the entire article HERE.
Gifted & Talented Youth-Friendly Summer Camps & Opportunities (updated Jan. 2023)
NOTE: The following is for informational purposes only provided by Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) in partnership with Colorado Association for Gifted & Talented (CAGT). BVSD and CAGT do not endorse the organizations and programs listed below (except BVSD does endorse their own offerings).
Find the list of GT Friendly Summer Camp Opportunities HERE.