Gifted Jaguars and Eagles

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!