Gifted Jaguars and Eagles

The Bloomington Public Schools gifted/talented department is proud to sponsor Erin Walsh from the Spark & Stitch Institute. Erin will lead three virtual sessions that are guaranteed to be engaging, helpful and relevant. Each will last one hour. All sessions will be held via Zoom. No need to RSVP. Join for one session or, hopefully, attend them all! Wednesday, December 9 7PM “Staying Engaged in Learning: The Science of Motivation” Wednesday, January 13 7PM “Parenting in a Pandemic: The Many Faces of Stress” Wednesday, February 10 7PM “Parenting in a Pandemic: Setting Limits and Avoiding Power Struggles” Zoom link for all three webinars; passcode is SPARK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84006576556?pwd=UjQ2ZElIYmlpWTlZbDdPeGhpM2hkUT09 Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 669 900 9128 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 Webinar ID: 840 0657 6556 ...

Monday, Nov 2 at 7pm: MCGT Bloomington Chapter Monthly Virtual Coffee Chat MCGT Bloomington Chapter's next Monthly Virtual Coffee Chat will be on Monday, November 2 from 7:00 - 8:00pm via Zoom. Click here to join via Zoom. Click here for the FB Event. Join in to discuss organization and executive functioning resources, as well as any other areas of interest: challenges, ideas, things that are going well, etc. Find out more about game nights and book clubs for the kids. Mark your calendars for each month - all event dates and Zoom links are included on the attached pdf. CONTACT THE MCGT BLOOMINGTON CHAPTER: bloomington@mcgt.net https://www.facebook.com/MCGTBloomington

High School Outreach Meetings for the Bloomington Gifted and Talented Department Bloomington has two programs for gifted students at the high school level, Dimensions Academy and Nobel. Dimensions Academy Dimensions Academy High School (DAHS) is an innovative approach to gifted education at the high school level. Students can apply for the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and /or the Humanities (English and social studies) strand. Advanced learners have the opportunity to participate in a cohort taking college-level courses at college pacing. Courses are taught by high school teachers with specific training in teaching advanced learners, with support from Gifted and Talented team specialists. We use a dual-campus model in order for students at both high schools to access either or both programs. A shuttle will be provided for transportation between the high schools. Students must apply for DAHS regardless of past participation in gifted and talented programs in e...

Today I am at a session with one of my favorite presentors - Diane Heacox. This professional development session is hosted by the MN Dept of Ed for gifted and talented coordinators. It's focused today on distance learning and gifted learners. I look forward to hearing from experts about how to support gifted learners during this pandemic.

I was excited to see so many DA and Nobel students in this slideshow! Congrats to all these hard working learners at Kennedy! AP Scholars slideshow

Since this year is not normal, I think we should try a digital form for the honors diploma application. This is what I'm going to try out this year: https://forms.gle/ZRCp9PPS93KVzZoU9

2020 Virtual Annual Conference: Intensity, Social Emotional Health, and Gifted Children Online via Zoom Date: October 24, 2020 9:00 AM CDT REGISTER NOW! MCGT 2020 Virtual Annual Conference ~ Intensity, Social Emotional Health, and Gifted Children Saturday, October 24, 2020, 9am - 12:30pm Dr. Matt Zakreski Schedule: 9am-10am Riding out the Storm: Where Big Emotions Come From 10am - 10:15am MCGT Annual Meeting 10:15am - 11:15am How to Manage Yourself when Big Feelings Come 11:15am - 11:30am MCGT News & FAQ 11:30am - 12:30pm How to Build the Skills to Manage Interpersonally when Big Feelings Come Riding out the Storm: Where Big Emotions Come From with Dr. Matt Zakreski. Gifted and twice-exceptional students are an underserved and misunderstood population within clinical and school psychology. The "gifted brain" has aspects that are quantifiably different than neurotypical brains and those differences can manifest as challenging diagnostic considerations. Th...

Last night, we had the opportunity to present about the Nobel creativity program at Kennedy High School. Unlike other years it was on Zoom. Here is a link to the recording. If you know of any currect creative 8th graders who you think would be a good fit for the Nobel program please send them this link and refer them to me! Thanks.

Dear DA 9 parents, Your student is now a month into DA! Some students are doing a great job of developing their self advocacy skills and are checking in with their teachers via email when they are absent or have questions.  Please encourage your student to work on this skill.  It is probably the most important college skill they will learn all year!  Also please check in with your student to see how often they are checking Canvas, the Hub and their school email account.  Please sit down with them and look at Infinite Campus to have them show you their grade. We are approaching mid tri and patterns are starting to develop. I met with Ms. Woods last week and am meeting with Mr. Carufel this week so I will soon be following up with parents if we see concerning patterns developing. If students need help studying for their DA classes please encourage them to talk to me about getting an appropriate tutor.  Additionally, as I said in our intro meeting this fall, please keep an eye on your ...

MCGT Bloomington Chapter Monthly Virtual Coffee Chats MCGT Bloomington Chapter's first Monthly Virtual Coffee Chat will be on Tuesday, October 6 from 7:00 - 8:00pm via Zoom. Click here to join via Zoom. Click here for the FB Event Mark your calendars for each month - all event dates and Zoom links are included on the attached pdf and as links below. Join us from 7:00 – 8:00pm via Zoom for informal chats to share information, ideas, and resources: • October 6, 2020 https://zoom.us/j/97179104219 Oct 6 Virtual Coffee Chat FB Event • November 2, 2020 https://zoom.us/j/92609513265 Nov 2 Virtual Coffee Chat FB Event • December 8, 2020 https://zoom.us/j/91965752325 Dec 8 Virtual Coffee Chat FB Event • January 5, 2021 https://zoom.us/j/95108765742 Jan 5 Virtual Coffee Chat FB Event • February 2, 2021 https://zoom.us/j/92525380022 Feb 2 Virtual Coffee Chat FB Event • March 2, 2021 https://zoom.us/j/93441589927 Mar 2 Virtual Coffee Chat FB Event • Apri...

I recently read this article and I think it's really interesting. I think the assumption that all bright students can be tutors is flawed. I think this will be an interesting piece to discuss with teachers. Meredith Why You Should Not Use Gifted Students as Tutors BY LISA VAN GEMERT LEAVE A COMMENT Gifted students should not be used as tutors for other students as standard practice. This should not be a controversial statement, and yet somehow it is. Gifted children should not be used as short little mini-teachers for other students for a number of reasons, not the least of which is they’re not good at it. Even if someone is unconcerned with what is fair or best for the gifted child him- or herself, the gifted child is not the ideal tutor. If we do concern ourselves with what is fair or best for gifted children, we must accept that the gifted child deserves more than that out of their education. While I’m the first to admit that teachers have more responsibility on them ...

Dear DA Sophomores, The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a program co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It's a standardized test that provides first hand practice for the SAT®. It also gives juniors a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools. The Gifted and Talented Dept will pay for you to take the PSAT to help you practice your test taking skills as a part of the DA program. If you are interested in taking the test it will be offered IN PERSON and there is not an online version. I am sorry that means some of you will not feel comfortable taking it. Jefferson is offering the PSAT on Thursday, October 29, 2020. Students will need to be at JHS by 7:50 am and will need to wear masks. To register to take it at JHS compete this google doc. Meredith

  BPS Families, Bloomington Public Schools offers a variety of gifted and talented programs and services for students at the elementary, middle school and high school levels. Learn more about our programs on the  district website .  Please join us for an informational meeting about program application and deadlines for the 2021-22 school year.  Tuesday, September 29 - Elementary GT Programs Informational Mtg. Elements (Grades 2&3) & Dimensions Academy (Grades 4&5) 6:30-7:30p.m. Join virtually @  meet.google.com/xbx-kxhh-qnx Monday, October 5 - Middle School GT Programs Informational Mtg. Dimensions Academy 6:00-6:45p.m. Join virtually:  meet.google.com/mmg-dgyh-gva Nobel 7:00-7:45p.m. Join virtually:  meet.google.com/qjf-djep-fbk Tuesday, October 6 - Kennedy High School GT Nobel Program Info. Mtg. Nobel 7:00-8:00p.m. Join virtually: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/82644102118?pwd= RkozYXcxWHJTQStqeUdjNEVQMjU5UT 09 Information meetings for Dimens...

  Today I'm virtually attending  A Conversation with Carleton, Macalester, and St. Olaf featuring Vice President of Admissions & Financial Aid Jeff Allen, Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid Chris George, and Vice President and Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid Art Rodriguez.  I normally take students to visit college campuses but with the pandemic that can't happen so I'm thinking of ways to get my kids thinking about colleges in this distance learning/pandemic educational environment. In the conversation they discussed the affect of so many first years delaying the start of college this year, the impact of early action, and the fact that they are going test optional (no SAT/ACT requirement). If you don't know what early action is check out this article .

  If you or your student missed the orientation tonight it is linked   here .  Start the video at 8 minutes in.   Please let me know if I can help you or your student as we get this school year started.  

  Dear DA 10 STEM students, You have now completed 2 weeks of college.  You are hopefully feeling like you've got Distance Learning at NCC under control and feeling like you can add on your JHS/KHS classes.  If not, lets work on that together.  I want to help you be successful! If you are missing a Chemistry, Calc, Geology or Chem set for your NCC class please let me know ASAP so I can get one to your high school so you can get it on Wednesday for materials pick.   Some folks have asked me for the details about pictures and school materials pick up and that info is in the Return to Learn info from your principal.  I'm including those links below.   Kennedy Return to School Info  Jefferson Return to School Info  I read this article today and I think that it has a lot of info that is applicable to being a successful DA student too.   How college students can make the most of remote learning ​ Good luck this we...

  Dear DA 10 Humanities families, Many of you have asked me for the details about pictures and school materials pick up and that info is in the Return to Learn info from your principal.  I'm including those links below.  If you are in DA Humanities and weren't able to get your materials from me last week then be sure to mention you need your DA bag from me at pick up. Kennedy Return to School Info  Jefferson Return to School Info  If you are in my DA 10 History class I made some changes to my schedule for week one so please use this one .  This also has the link for our class meets.  I read this article today and I think that it has a lot of info that is applicable to being a successful DA student too.   How college students can make the most of remote learning ​ I hope we will have a great first week at school!   Meredith​

  Dear DA 9 families, Several of you have asked for help with compiling the schedule and class links together.  This link will take you to a google doc you can copy and then edit for yourself.  The first schedule has the links and times for DA STEM and the second one has that for DA Humanities.  Many of you have asked me for the details about pictures and school materials pick up and that info is in the Return to Learn info from your principal.  I'm including those links below.  If you are in DA Humanities and weren't able to get your materials from me last week then be sure to mention you need your DA bag from me at pick up. Kennedy Return to School Info  Jefferson Return to School Info  If you are in my DA 9 Social Studies class I made some changes to my schedule for week one so please use this one .   I read this article today and I think that it has a lot of info that is applicable to being a successful DA s...

 We had our DA Humanities orientation meeting for our 9th and 10th grade cohorts last night.  Here is the slideshow if you missed it.  Hope to see folks on Thursday! Thursday, September 3rd from 4-6 pm in the Kennedy parking lot We will have a tent set up We will try to have your Chromebook & your books for you to pick up  If you can’t come we can leave materials for you to pick up next week on Sept 8th or 9th It’s an opportunity to meet us in person :)

  Dear DA 10 families, The BPS School Board voted unanimously on Monday to begin the school year using the distance learning (DL) model for students. If you registered for hybrid or hybrid flex your student will be placed in the classes they registered for originally and will take them distance for the start of the year.  The school board did not decide for how long we would stay in distance learning for the 2020-21 school year.  What’s good about this decision for our program is that GT students in humanities will get to stay with their cohort.   If you registered for the Bloomington Online School you will be guaranteed online instruction all year.  However, both high school principals have informed me that they are not staffing any AP or honors courses through BOS.  Therefore if you are in DA Humanities and you also wanted your student to be in honors math and science you should register for DL.  Similarly if you are in DA STEM and you also want...

  Dear DA 9 families, The BPS School Board voted unanimously on Monday to begin the school year using the distance learning (DL) model for students. If you registered for hybrid or hybrid flex your student will be placed in the classes they registered for originally and will take them distance for the start of the year.  The school board did not decide for how long we would stay in distance learning for the 2020-21 school year.  What’s good about this decision for our program is that GT students in both humanities and STEM will get to stay with their cohorts.   If you registered for the Bloomington Online School you will be guaranteed online instruction all year.  However, both high school principals have informed me that they are not staffing any AP or honors courses through BOS.  Therefore if you are in DA Humanities and you also wanted your student to be in honors math and science you should register for DL.  Similarly if you are in DA STEM and...

  What Now?  Supporting your Gifted Child’s Education  during COVID-19 MCGT Virtual Mini Conference – September 12, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon Join us as Dr. Richard Cash and Dr. Diane Heacox help us navigate the challenging new world of changing educational experiences. Dr. Cash will be talking about Assisting your Child in Trying Times and Dr. Heacox will present on Tips on Supporting and Enhancing Distance Learning. MCGT Members $10  (MCGT Membership includes access to the presentations for 4 months) Non Members $20 More Information and Registration ONLINE CHAT NIGHTS FOR MCGT MEMBERS ONLY CHAT (Connect Help Advocate Talk) Zoom Discussions will be available to Members Only on a monthly (or more) basis. CHATs are informal discussions on specific topics facilitated by experts September 2: Dr Teresa Boatman,  Supporting Your Child's Mental Health September 29: Dr. Liz Adams,  Gifted Dyslexia from a Neuropsychologist's Perspective October 12: Dr. Mary Wa...

Dear DA families, We know that the deadline is August 5th for  Bloomington Online Schools   and that tonight there is an important online event talking about BPS' plan in general for students. I want you to know where we are at with our plan for GT students in the fall and am including this  presentation slideshow  and a  video with my explanation  (it is 13 minutes long).   You can also email me your questions.   If you are worried about face to face instruction because of COVID 19 please apply for BOS.   My hope is that after we get more details together I can have an online night where we are together virtually live and we can address people's questions in real time. I am sorry that I was not able to deliver more information sooner.  I am trying to respond to changing events and information. Thank you for your patience.   Sincerely, Meredith 

Congratulations to the  Honors Diploma  graduates of the class of 2020 from Jefferson High School!  You took a very challenging course load and deserve an extra round of applause! Jefferson Honors Diploma Graduates 2020  Garrin Avaloz Kyle Anderson Rea Banerjee Promise Benson Sophie Bieriein Katelynn Brandwick Hannah Brecheisen Chase Brown Jillayne Clarke Christopher Cole Willa Countryman Landen Glenna Abigail Hall Alyssa Harms  Sarah Hatton Jarret Helmer Anna Hester Grayson Hight Isabella Hofer Sophia Jamieson Renee Liu Kendall Loken  Colden Longley Ashley Marker David Mei Alyssa Missling Karen Muff Megan Narveson Madeline Niziolek Saeyoung Oh Martin Olson Delina Pham Joseph Pham Leilani Plekkenpol Tasha Pizel Sarah Rosenberg Ryan Schrank Kailee Shermak Clara Seltzer Brianna Smokovich Paige Staub Brook Sorensen Isabella Swanson Gavin Svensson Emery Taylor Karl...