BVSD Board Of Education
Gifted Education is not funded as other "special-needs" groups are, relevant statistics on this group tend to not be as readily available as other special-needs groups, and accommodations offered to this group can vary from school to school and district to district. In order for the BVSD B.O.E. to recognize Gifted Education as a priority, they need to hear regularly from members of the community. If you have questions you would like to ask or an opinion to share, please consider attending a meeting or writing to the Board of Education.
To stay abreast of board happenings you can watch the meetings in Boulder, Erie, Gold Hill, Jamestown, Lafayette, Louisville, Marshall, Nederland, Superior and Ward (Comcast Cable Channel 22): live on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Rebroadcasts are shown Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. Broomfield (Comcast Cable Channel 8): taped broadcasts air on Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Community members can also read, "On the Inside", the BVSD Employee newsletter that comes out about every two weeks, summarizing B.O.E. decisions and news in the district.
Gifted Education is not funded as other "special-needs" groups are, relevant statistics on this group tend to not be as readily available as other special-needs groups, and accommodations offered to this group can vary from school to school and district to district. In order for the BVSD B.O.E. to recognize Gifted Education as a priority, they need to hear regularly from members of the community. If you have questions you would like to ask or an opinion to share, please consider attending a meeting or writing to the Board of Education.
To stay abreast of board happenings you can watch the meetings in Boulder, Erie, Gold Hill, Jamestown, Lafayette, Louisville, Marshall, Nederland, Superior and Ward (Comcast Cable Channel 22): live on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Rebroadcasts are shown Fridays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. Broomfield (Comcast Cable Channel 8): taped broadcasts air on Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Community members can also read, "On the Inside", the BVSD Employee newsletter that comes out about every two weeks, summarizing B.O.E. decisions and news in the district.
Websites & Newsletters
Understanding Our Gifted - a national quarterly journal with current articles written by experts in the gifted field. Current issue: Reaching and Teaching the Underachieving. Next Issue:Falling Through the Cracks: Under-represented Populations, featuring new articles by Miraca Gross, Susan Jackson, Paul Beljan and more.
CU Science Discovery Summer Class List
World Science - interesting website and newsletter with fun science facts and discoveries "long before it's in the papers".
Mensa's Weekly Brainwave - acid turns mouse blood into brain, heart and stem cells, technical advances in oncology, etc.
Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation - 2014 Educational Programs Announced
Join the Gifted Education Outreach Corps - the value of talking about GT to a non-GT audience.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute - Free educational materials. The DVDs and print materials are all free, even shipping.
Scholarships:
7th Grade Scholarships: If you have a gifted 7th grader, your child may qualify for a scholarship!
Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Young Scholars Program seeks high-achieving, low to moderate income 7th grade students, and cultivates their talents and abilities throughout high school by providing the personalized advising and financial support needed to secure challenging academic opportunities.
Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship
The mission of IEA's Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship (CDB) is to identify exceptionally gifted middle school students who exhibit advanced intellectual talent and have the ability to demonstrate academic and personal excellence. These exceptional students are granted a scholarship to a high school where they can actualize their intellectual and personal potential.
Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) Information:
Some laws addressing Colorado's gifted and talented students:
1) All schools must identify giftedness in the areas of general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude, creativity, leadership, visual/performing arts, and music.
2) Identified students are required to have an advanced learning plan or ALP that is reviewed and updated annually (check websites below for deadlines).
Creating an advanced learning plan is still new to many parents and teachers, so there may be variables regarding how and when these are implemented. You can find out more about Advanced Learning Plans in Colorado in these documents:
CDE Gifted Ed ALP info
CDE Gifted Ed ALP Reference Series
CDE Gifted Ed Administrative Unit Program Plan
According to the law, a child's ALP must be completed at every Colorado public school, whether a charter school or not. If an ALP has not yet been implemented for your child, and you feel it's appropriate, you may wish to inquire about this process.
Understanding Our Gifted - a national quarterly journal with current articles written by experts in the gifted field. Current issue: Reaching and Teaching the Underachieving. Next Issue:Falling Through the Cracks: Under-represented Populations, featuring new articles by Miraca Gross, Susan Jackson, Paul Beljan and more.
CU Science Discovery Summer Class List
World Science - interesting website and newsletter with fun science facts and discoveries "long before it's in the papers".
Mensa's Weekly Brainwave - acid turns mouse blood into brain, heart and stem cells, technical advances in oncology, etc.
Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation - 2014 Educational Programs Announced
Join the Gifted Education Outreach Corps - the value of talking about GT to a non-GT audience.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute - Free educational materials. The DVDs and print materials are all free, even shipping.
Scholarships:
7th Grade Scholarships: If you have a gifted 7th grader, your child may qualify for a scholarship!
Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship
The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Young Scholars Program seeks high-achieving, low to moderate income 7th grade students, and cultivates their talents and abilities throughout high school by providing the personalized advising and financial support needed to secure challenging academic opportunities.
Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship
The mission of IEA's Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship (CDB) is to identify exceptionally gifted middle school students who exhibit advanced intellectual talent and have the ability to demonstrate academic and personal excellence. These exceptional students are granted a scholarship to a high school where they can actualize their intellectual and personal potential.
Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) Information:
Some laws addressing Colorado's gifted and talented students:
1) All schools must identify giftedness in the areas of general intellectual ability, specific academic aptitude, creativity, leadership, visual/performing arts, and music.
2) Identified students are required to have an advanced learning plan or ALP that is reviewed and updated annually (check websites below for deadlines).
Creating an advanced learning plan is still new to many parents and teachers, so there may be variables regarding how and when these are implemented. You can find out more about Advanced Learning Plans in Colorado in these documents:
CDE Gifted Ed ALP info
CDE Gifted Ed ALP Reference Series
CDE Gifted Ed Administrative Unit Program Plan
According to the law, a child's ALP must be completed at every Colorado public school, whether a charter school or not. If an ALP has not yet been implemented for your child, and you feel it's appropriate, you may wish to inquire about this process.
Community Connections:
Teen Group: Gifted teens get together at game nights and separate activities. If you have a teenager (or a tween who relates well with teens), we hope they'll consider attending a teen group event. Write to BoulderGPS to find out more.
Connect with Parents: If you would like to ask other parents about a particular school or educational alternative (i.e. homeschooling, dual enrollment, early entrance to college, etc) or if you would like to share your experience with other parents please let us know so we can do our best to connect families with each other.
Homeschool Group: There are area parents interested in connecting with other homeschoolers. If you are a homeschooler and would like to connect during the next game night or separately, please write to us.
Recognition: BoulderGPS would like to thank Catalyst High School in Lafayette for the use of it's facilities. Cataylst is an alternative private high school with the mission to "provide an individualized learning experience that empowers students to achieve their academic goals."
BoulderGPS and it's members do not endorse individual schools or programs and are not responsible for individuals who attend events listed here, or for information shared via BoulderGPS. Parents are encouraged to individually research and verify information.
Important NAGC Article on RtI and GT:
RtI and the Gifted Child: What Every Parent Should Know
by Michael Postma, Dr. Daniel Peters, Barbara Gilman & Kathi Kearny
RtI and the Gifted Child: What Every Parent Should Know
by Michael Postma, Dr. Daniel Peters, Barbara Gilman & Kathi Kearny
Resources
Information provided by BoulderGPS or its members is for your information and does not necessarily represent support or endorsement of BoulderGPS or its members. Visitors to this site should verify any information posted here with the appropriate individual or group as details are subject to change. BoulderGPS is not responsible for content errors or quality of service.
Twice Exceptional Information: Twice Exceptional, or "2E" children are those who are gifted and also have one or more learning disabilities (LDs). It is often the case that the disability masks the giftedness, or the giftedness masks the disability, because the child still achieves at a higher than average level, making it appear as though they are are doing fine, and/or their LD makes it difficult for them to fully show their abilities. Although a child is performing at age or grade level, they still may not be performing to their abilities. This sometimes results in 2E children being unidentified, or being identified in a clinical setting but not in a school setting. More information can be found on the web. Here are a few sites that may be helpful:
Gifted LD
BVSD Definition and Resources
RtI (Response to Intervention) for Gifted Children - a study on how this recent structure for intervention works for GT and 2E
STAR Center (a center for sensory therapies and research) is pleased to announce the start of Socialization and Therapy Groups for both kids and parents. These are perfect for families at any point in STAR treatment and are also open to families in the community. Read more here.
Shine On Educational Solutions, LLC: customized educational coaching with Seth Perler: www.ishineon.com
Druidawn, a popular fantasy writing program among GT children, ages 8 - 14, is being offered as an online course in the Boulder area. If you are interested in learning more contact BoulderGPS at bouldergps@yahoo.com
REAL Parenting® classes, developed by Stephanie Bryant in 2004, focuses primarily on how to develop and maintain your relationship with your middle school and high school children, teaching you specific, concrete skills you can use to connect and stay connected with your children. The primary themes of REAL Parenting classes are respect and empathy. Class times and locations are listed on the Class Schedule page of the REAL Parenting website.
Success Strategies 4 Kids facilitates Social Skills Groups for various age groups. Find them online: http://www.ss4k.com
Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is launching a new math resource for younger kids around 2nd to 5th grade level. The website is www.beastacademy.com.
AoPS will also be adding Prealgebra to their free online learning system, Alcumus, http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Alcumus/Introduction.php in the next couple months, as well as making a suite of free videos they will host on the site.
The Colorado Math Circle, a group for mathematically talented middle and high school students, meets about once a month at the CU-Boulder Engineering Center or Duane Physics Building or Benson Earth Sciences Building.- Boulder Math Circle calendar.
The Western Academic Talent Search offers gifted and talented children a chance to take above-level testing. Results of this testing may help with advocacy, entrance into various programs, and a better understanding of your child's strengths and weaknesses. Find out more.
Gifted LD
BVSD Definition and Resources
RtI (Response to Intervention) for Gifted Children - a study on how this recent structure for intervention works for GT and 2E
STAR Center (a center for sensory therapies and research) is pleased to announce the start of Socialization and Therapy Groups for both kids and parents. These are perfect for families at any point in STAR treatment and are also open to families in the community. Read more here.
Shine On Educational Solutions, LLC: customized educational coaching with Seth Perler: www.ishineon.com
Druidawn, a popular fantasy writing program among GT children, ages 8 - 14, is being offered as an online course in the Boulder area. If you are interested in learning more contact BoulderGPS at bouldergps@yahoo.com
REAL Parenting® classes, developed by Stephanie Bryant in 2004, focuses primarily on how to develop and maintain your relationship with your middle school and high school children, teaching you specific, concrete skills you can use to connect and stay connected with your children. The primary themes of REAL Parenting classes are respect and empathy. Class times and locations are listed on the Class Schedule page of the REAL Parenting website.
Success Strategies 4 Kids facilitates Social Skills Groups for various age groups. Find them online: http://www.ss4k.com
Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is launching a new math resource for younger kids around 2nd to 5th grade level. The website is www.beastacademy.com.
AoPS will also be adding Prealgebra to their free online learning system, Alcumus, http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Alcumus/Introduction.php in the next couple months, as well as making a suite of free videos they will host on the site.
The Colorado Math Circle, a group for mathematically talented middle and high school students, meets about once a month at the CU-Boulder Engineering Center or Duane Physics Building or Benson Earth Sciences Building.- Boulder Math Circle calendar.
The Western Academic Talent Search offers gifted and talented children a chance to take above-level testing. Results of this testing may help with advocacy, entrance into various programs, and a better understanding of your child's strengths and weaknesses. Find out more.
BVSD Online School
Boulder Universal (BU) is a Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) 6-12 school that is part of a new and innovative way to deliver curriculum and instruction through courses taken over the internet. The classes are rigorous, fun, interactive, and involve many of the same technologies students already use in their life outside of school. Although the coursework is delivered via the internet, students engage and interact with an actual teacher and classmates from across the country in a virtual setting and will have the opportunity to participate in many school-sponsored social activities.
BU is unique in its position within BVSD. With district support, interesting hybrid opportunities are available to further customize students' plans of study. Whether it is taking classes full-time online and participating in the local high school orchestra, taking a combination of classes at the neighborhood school and BU, or supplemental tuition-free classes for home-based educational programs, Boulder Universal offers a local-based approach to education presented on a global platform.
To learn more or to sign up visit: http://bvsd.org/boulderuniversal/Pages/default.aspx
Boulder Universal (BU) is a Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) 6-12 school that is part of a new and innovative way to deliver curriculum and instruction through courses taken over the internet. The classes are rigorous, fun, interactive, and involve many of the same technologies students already use in their life outside of school. Although the coursework is delivered via the internet, students engage and interact with an actual teacher and classmates from across the country in a virtual setting and will have the opportunity to participate in many school-sponsored social activities.
BU is unique in its position within BVSD. With district support, interesting hybrid opportunities are available to further customize students' plans of study. Whether it is taking classes full-time online and participating in the local high school orchestra, taking a combination of classes at the neighborhood school and BU, or supplemental tuition-free classes for home-based educational programs, Boulder Universal offers a local-based approach to education presented on a global platform.
To learn more or to sign up visit: http://bvsd.org/boulderuniversal/Pages/default.aspx
Broomfield Academy
Broomfield Academy, for children ages 3 through middle school, provides individualized programming, including programs and teaching methodologies that serve the gifted and talented, and an advanced curriculum. The school is a member of the National Association for Gifted Children. In recent Stanford Achievement Tests, most Broomfield Academy students scored one, two or more years above grade level. RSVP to (303) 469-6449. Info at http://www.broomfieldacademy.com.
Broomfield Academy, for children ages 3 through middle school, provides individualized programming, including programs and teaching methodologies that serve the gifted and talented, and an advanced curriculum. The school is a member of the National Association for Gifted Children. In recent Stanford Achievement Tests, most Broomfield Academy students scored one, two or more years above grade level. RSVP to (303) 469-6449. Info at http://www.broomfieldacademy.com.
U.S. Middle School Competition
The Broadcom MASTERS, a program of Society for Science & the Public, launched as the national science, technology, engineering, and math competition for America’s 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, the Broadcom MASTERS™ competition (which stands for Broadcom Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) will inspire and encourage the nation's young scientists, engineers, and innovators of the future. Visit the Society for Science to learn about the competition, and to watch Broadcom President and CEO, Scott McGregor talk about the program.
The Broadcom MASTERS, a program of Society for Science & the Public, launched as the national science, technology, engineering, and math competition for America’s 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, the Broadcom MASTERS™ competition (which stands for Broadcom Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars) will inspire and encourage the nation's young scientists, engineers, and innovators of the future. Visit the Society for Science to learn about the competition, and to watch Broadcom President and CEO, Scott McGregor talk about the program.
University of Colorado Denver Announces Assessment Clinic
An exciting endeavor has officially started at UCD. There is now an assessment clinic where community members and children can receive psychoeducational assessment services for a nominal fee. If parents would like to have their child assessed for possible giftedness, learning disabilities, ADHD (among many others) this training clinic in Denver may be of interest.
The clinic is being staffed by advanced school psychology students under the supervision of licensed psychologists. In addition, they have a bilingual school psychologist training program at UCD and thus can offer bilingual (Spanish) evaluations as well. The clinic may be a great resource for community members interested in counseling services and, as always DPS students receive 10 free counseling sessions through our counseling clinic.
Please see the attached flyer for more information on these assessment services.
Front Range Mensa Group for Kids: There is an active group on Facebook called, "Young Mensans (Denver Metro/ Front Range)" The group is for kids under the age of 18 who are either members of Mensa, gifted, thinking about joining Mensa, or just interested in participating in gifted activities and events. If you visit the site (it's open to the public), you'll see discussion topics that are posted:
-National and Local gifted legislation
-Gifted Students and the CO Dept. of Education
-IB versus AP classes
-Regularly scheduled events and activities for the Gifted
In addition, there is a section about national gifted competitions and leagues. It is posted in the "photos" section... just click on the "photo" that you are interested in and you'll get a synopsis of the competition or league along with their website.
Parent Community Directory
A Parent Community Directory is being created - this will list area parent member info that will make it easier for area parents to connect with each other (or help our kids connect with other kids) in our schools, and in the broader community, so that we can socialize and share information with each other regarding our experiences with specific schools, homeschooling, gifted services, programs, professionals, personal experiences, etc. The Parent Community Directory will only be available to parents of gifted students who sign up for a listing, and who state that this information will not be shared with others outside the directory group. Listings are free and your child does not need to be formally identified as gifted for you to participate.
Sign up for Parent Community Directory.
Directory of GT Resources
BoulderGPS is compiling a Directory of GT Resources available to the gifted community. If you are someone who offers programs or services relevant to the gifted (academic, counseling, mentoring, recreational, online resource, etc.) and would like to be on a list available to the public, we ask you to submit any contact info and a brief summary of your services. Parents may also submit information on services they'd like to recommend.
Submit information on gifted resources.
Hoagies Gifted Website Edutopia - George Lucas Foundation website Great Education Colorado CAGT Prufrock Press - Gifted books, materials, info FREE Gifted Education Professional Development Pkg. This amazing resource is from Australia but would be valuable to anyone working with gt kids. Windows to the Universe: tons of information on Earth and space sciences, with most of the content written in 3 reading levels and also translated into Spanish. It's used by many science teachers and homeschooling parents around the country. BrainPOP creates animated, curriculum-based content that engages students, supports educators, and bolsters achievement. |
OLOGY American Museum of Natural History. Choose whichever Ology you're into, e.g. Astronomy, the Earth, Genetics; the list seems endless. Learning Planet Brainfood The Art of Problem Solving Boulder Astronomy & Space Society Factmonster National Geographic for Kids World Mysteries Website CU Wizards - a free monthly science show on the CU campus |