Gifted Jaguars and Eagles

There’s more you need to know about letters of recommendation By: LEE SHULMAN BIERER Many students unwittingly treat letters of recommendation as an afterthought. They ask teachers and recommenders late in the process and often fail to provide them with sufficient tools to get the job done right. Big mistake. Letters of recommendation can often play a critical role in admissions, particularly at more elite colleges and universities. There’s no question – a bad letter of recommendation can be a spoiler. Myths and truths about letters of recommendation Myth:  If your neighbor’s great uncle “knows” somebody in the admissions office, an elected official or a celebrity, make sure he writes a letter on your student’s behalf. Truth:  This kind of letter of recommendation can actually hurt a candidate. Colleges want to hear from people who know applicants well and can attest to their character, not their grandfather’s golf game. Myth:  Applicants should only as...

This is a great piece form Byrdseed.com which uses pictures to explain how gifted kids think.  I think it could be really useful for professional development and for parents who are struggling to explain how their kid thinks/learns.  http://www.byrdseed.com/three-images-to-explain-giftedness-to-parents/?mc_cid=a4889881d4&mc_eid=b26527992e

One of my favorite GT blogs is Byrdseed.com.  Today's his blog had two great posts about differentiation which I wanted to post here.  Differentiation has become one of my favorite topics to do professional development on because I think it is super needed.  However a barrier is that many people misunderstand what the term even means.  These blog posts help with that.  http://www.byrdseed.com/what-textbooks-think-differentiated-instruction-looks-like/?mc_cid=a4889881d4&mc_eid=b26527992e http://www.byrdseed.com/differentiation-anti-patterns/?mc_cid=a4889881d4&mc_eid=b26527992e

After a two month residency with spoken word artist, Desdamona, Kennedy Nobel Language Arts students composed original spoken word poems on a topic of their choice. "Spoken word is a performance art that is word based. It is an oral art that focuses on the aesthetics of word play, intonation, and voice inflection." On May 22, students from Honors 9 English classes, including the Nobel section, and interested guests met at the Mugshots coffee shop in Bloomington for a spoken word open mic night. The students were inspiring, and their poems had an emotional impact on the audience. I am really glad I got to attend. I was wowed by the performances and look forward to more open mic nights!

Today we had a great trip to Carleton College in Northfield.  The DA 9th and 10th graders went on a tour to explore how STEM students learn in a liberal arts setting.  The students asked questions about financial aid, study abroad, admissions, and early decision.

I went to a breakfast for high school counselors this morning and thought about our kids' futures .  My take aways were 1.  you should apply early decision for what ever school you really think is the best match for you 2.  if you can get in we can find a way for you to afford it!

Bloomington Public Schools’ Dimensions Academy High School held a commencement ceremony for its third cohort of students at Normandale Community College yesterday.   These students completed 35 college credits in STEM classes during 9 th and 10 th grade.   ​Congratulations to the following students for successfully completing the Dimensions Academy High School Program:  Rea Banerjee Jeanne Chan Jillayne Clarke Wyatt Doppmann  Landen Glenna Alexander Hames  Colin Jensen  Aaron Larson Renee Liu  Colden Longley Timothy Lueth Christopher Melville Alyssa Missling Madeline Niziolek Joseph Pham Clara Seltzer Jordan Thomson Kevin Tran Charles Weismann Henry Weismann

Bloomington students earn top scores on ACT Published on May 10, 2018 Jefferson High School juniors Josh French, Charles Maki, Ryan Meaney and Isabella Phan earned perfect scores on the ACT. On average, less than one-tenth of one percent of students taking the ACT earn a top score of 36. French is a percussionist in Jefferson’s band and marching band, and participates in chess club. French is a PSEO student at the University of Minnesota and maintains a 4.0 GPA. He plans to attend the University of Minnesota majoring in engineering upon graduation. Maki is captain of the debate team and co-president of the DECA club, and also participates on the math team and speech. He is Jefferson’s ExCEL Award nominee and maintains a 4.4 GPA. Maki hopes to study computer science and work in the finance industry. Meany participates in cross country, track and the math team while maintaining a 4.3 GPA. He plans to pursue a career as a harmonica player. Phan is a state and national qualif...

Bloomington Public Schools’ Dimensions Academy High School held a commencement ceremony for its second cohort of students on May 10 at Normandale Community College. Dimensions Academy High School is a rigorous program for highly gifted 9 th and 10 th grade students. Students take math and science courses at Normandale Community College, earning 35 college credits during their first two years of high school. Upon completing the program, most students continue taking college courses in 11 th and 12 th grade through the Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO), Advanced Placement and other concurrent credit options at Kennedy and Jefferson High Schools. ​Congratulations to the following students for successfully completing the Dimensions Academy High School Program: Rea Banerjee, Jeanne Chan, Jillayne Clarke, Wyatt Doppmann, Landen Glenna, Alexander Hames, Colin Jensen, Aaron Larson, Renee Liu, Colden Longley, Timothy Lueth, Christopher Melville, Alyssa Missling, ...

May 4, 2018:  Tall Paul, a Minneapolis rapper, came to talk to 12th and 9th graders about his creative process and how his experience as Native growing up away from his culture influences his art.  To prepare for today's talk students read and analyzed his rap " Prayers in a Song" .  The 9th grade Nobel cohort was a part of the audience. 

Juniors  ULYSES PEREZ PEREZ  and ROCIO LUCIO  have been selected to represent Kennedy at Boys and Girls State. Each year the American Legion Boys and Girls’ States are among the most respected and selective educational programs for government instruction for high school students. Girls and Boys State are participatory programs where each student becomes a part a model government that reflects our federal system of government.  Participants learn about the rights, privileges, duties, and responsibilities that go along with being a citizen. The experience allows students operate city, county and state governments by being elected to the various offices.  Activities include legislative sessions, court proceedings, law-enforcement presentations, assemblies, bands, chorus and recreational programs.  High school juniors are sponsored by local American Legion Posts to attend the programs.  Boys State and Girls State teaches government through firsthand ...

On May 3rd the Dimensions Academy High School the 9th grade cohort took a STEM focused tour of the U of M as a part of their college and career unit.

Next week is finals week at Normandale Community College.  Good luck preparing for your final exams! Pictured Dimensions 9th graders working on review problems in College Physics.