Gifted Jaguars and Eagles

Ex-Harvard interviewer shares the questions she typically asked in the interview - Business Insider How to conquer the dreaded college application essay - The Washington Post COLLEGE COUNSELOR: Shy Student’s Guide to Getting A Teacher Recommendation | News | gazettes.com https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/how-to-conquer-the-dreaded-college-application-essay/2016/11/09/63fc2476-875e-11e6-ac72-a29979381495_story.html

This week is Gifted and Talented Awareness week in the state of MN.  To bring awareness around the social emotional needs of GT kids I shared this article today with the JHS staff.   “Helping Gifted Students Move Beyond Perfectionism” is from the November issue of Teaching for  High Potential.   It is a short and helpful article that addresses an i ssue I frequently hear about from teachers - how to support gifted  perfectionists.  The article does a good job of explaining that merely  saying “Chill out” isn’t helpful (just like telling a depressed  student to “Just be happy” wouldn’t work).  Last week Lori Schultz and I were at the National Association for  Gifted Children Conference in Florida and we are excited to work with  you and our students with our new ideas.  Feel free to ask us about our  experience at the conference and the sessions we went to!  

Check out these recent articles: The 4 Biggest Mistakes Students Make When Applying to College from the Washington Post Make Sure You Get Best College Recommendation Letter

Students who are interested in earning an Honors Diploma at graduation should stop by C20 or the Career Center to pick up an application and a flyer.  There will be an information meeting for seniors during homeroom on November 16th in room C20 .  I am taking Honors Diploma applications through the end of trimester two.  Students can apply at any time during their time at JHS.  If you want more information go to this link  to read about the Honors Diploma program and to get the application form or you could watch this video about our Honors Diploma program.  

Early application deadlines are approaching!  I know many of you are working on your essays with Mr. Levi ski. Two more articles with advice for writing college admissions essays: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/five-underutilized-ways-to-give-yourself-an-advantage-with-your-college-essay/2016/10/09/56d1c156-8dd6-11e6-875e-2c1bfe943b66_stor y.html http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/education/collegeconnection/2016/10/09/ways-make-college-application-essay-stand/91784442/ Good luck and may the force with you!

This is the time of year where I get lots of questions about the Honors Diploma.  Please watch this video or read this flyer if you are interested.  Every year students get upset if they don't qualify.  If you want to qualify please plan ahead.  It is hard to get 36 credits in AP/Honors courses if you don't plan ahead.  Please email me if you'd like an advising appointment to plan for how you can earn an Honors Diploma.  Good luck.

This is the season of college applications!  Here are some recent articles with advice from the experts of what you should do.  Good luck! http://bangordailynews.com/2016/09/30/education/6-tips-for-getting-the-best-recommendation-letters-for-college/ http://collegeadmissionsstrategies.com/five-ways-avoid-cringe-worthy-essay/ http://www.thephoto-news.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20161002/EXPERTS01/140529945/0/FRONTPAGE/College-Admissions-Expert-Elizabeth-Levine:-College-Essay-Writing

I don't know if this piece is as relevant for high school kids - but if it is please use me as a resource.  I want to make sure that all JHS kids feel safe and valued at school.  This piece is from Richard Cash, former BPS GT Director, and it's something that I found helpful as the parent of an elementary aged gifted child. https://freespiritpublishingblog.com/2016/09/19/what-can-teachers-do-when-gifted-students-are-bullied/

I get asked this question all the time.  Maybe these articles can help you?  In the end I think it's a great plan to take them both at least once so you can figure out which test works better for you and then retake that test so you can get a higher score. http://www.hercampus.com/high-school/should-you-take-act-sat-or-both http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-admissions-playbook/articles/2016-10-03/choose-between-retaking-the-act-sat-or-changing-exams

Many people look at colleges over MEA break in October.  This piece gives you some helpful things to consider doing/looking for during your college visit.  I can't recommend more highly the importance of visiting a college in person!  That is the best way to see if you could imagine yourself there. http://www.hercampus.com/high-school/9-things-do-potential-colleges-overnight-stay http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/college-game-plan/make-most-your-college-campus-tours-these-10-tips-n632576

This is a longer piece from Scientific American but it was fascinating.  The people they highlighted really reminded me of our DAHS students. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-to-raise-a-genius-lessons-from-a-45-year-study-of-supersmart-children/

This is a recent article from NPR which is really articulate at making the case for gifted education and for offering opportuities for all students to learn something every day. http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/09/12/491092575/getting-restless-at-the-head-of-the-class

As a parent of a gifted kid myself, I frequently am thinking about how to best advocate for my daughter.  As parents of high school students you probably have already figured out many of these lessons but maybe this will be validating for you.  ;) http://giftedchallenges.blogspot.com/2015/08/tips-for-parents-of-gifted-children.html

ATTENTION JUNIORS! First off, this year the PSAT is being offered on Sat Oct 15th at JHS from 8am - noon in Cwing.  You will need to register online through the JHS website to take it. Listen for announcements regarding registration. The cost is usually around $25.  Many colleges have special scholarships for National Merit Scholars and I want you to get them.  If you are full time PSEO please touch base with your counselor so that you don’t miss the opportunity to register for it.   Secondly, I wanted to make sure you knew about all the great colleges that are coming by JHS this year to meet with students.  This list of college visits will be updated throughout the year but we already have visits lined up from Yale, Dartmouth, Williams, Johns Hopkins and many others.  They will be held in the Career Center.   Third,  you should plan to take the ACT and/or the SAT this year in addition to taking it for free on April 19th at JHS (all JHS juniors will take it that day).

I enjoyed this recent piece by NAGC.  It gives helping thoughts for how to think about advocating for your gifted student. http://www.nagc.org/blog/starting-school-year-positive-note-five-key-suggestions-parents This piece is more geared towards gifted teens and I thought this could be helpful too: http://giftedchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/08/back-to-school-tips-for-gifted-teens.html Also, I'm a resource here at Jefferson to help you with these conversations too!

Article:  http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/finding_common_ground/2016/07/14_things_gifted_students_want_teachers_to_know.html

Article:  http://www.kansascity.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/jenee-osterheldt/article88928697.html

New article:  http://giftedchallenges.blogspot.com/2016/08/is-you-gifted-teen-socially-isolated.html

Attention Seniors!  Use the end of your summer to start getting your ducks in a row to apply for college.  Filling out all the paperwork is like a part-time job your senior year so getting a head start on it can help. Here are some links to get started: I was an Ivy League admissions officer -- here's the most compelling essay I ever read 7 Websites to Help with College Applications Write a Better College Essay