March CogAT Testing for Second Grade Students

Next week brings the start of the CogAT testing for second graders who are being considered for gifted services in the district. The testing consists of three, one-hour sessions. The gifted specialist at each school has worked with the second grade team to schedule each of these sessions over the course of the next week and a half. Due to scheduling conflicts, one or two of the testing sessions may have to roll over into the following week, but all will be completed by mid-March.

Rescheduled Gifted Seminar

Batavia's CANDO (Challenge Advocacy Network Development Organization) is sponsoring a seminar for parents, educators, and community members about the unique characteristics of gifted children. Liz Hutchins, an Aurora University instructor and a former BPS gifted coordinator will be the key speaker for the evening. Ms. Hutchins teaches a gifted seminar offered through Aurora University and has a great deal of experience and expertise in the field of giftedness.  

This event is free and open to all community members.  Anyone who is interested in learning more about what it means for a child to be gifted would find this seminar very helpful as Liz will be discussing characteristics of giftedness as well as the differences between gifted and talented children.  

The seminar, "How Well Do You Know Your Gifted Child?" will be held on March 24th, 2014 at the Rotolo Middle School Learning Resource Center from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.   For more information about CANDO or this seminar, interested attendees should go to: http://bataviacando.weebly.com or email BataviaCANDO@gmail.com.  

Seminar Cancellation

Due to the inclement weather the gifted seminar presented by Elizabeth Selander Hutchins at 7:00 pm tonight, January 6, at RMS has been postponed. We will notify you of the new date and time as soon as it has been set.

Author Fair Coming to Town

The Batavia CANDO is sponsoring an Author Fair featuring author/illustrator team France and Tad Mitchell of Where Is The Sears Tower? and  Liesl Shurtliff, Chicago author of Rump:  The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin.   All students, families and educators are invited to this event.  Come learn what inspired these authors and learn about their journey from  elementary student writers to published authors today!

Saturday, February 8, 2014   1pm-3pm  at the Batavia Public Library

Parent and Educator Seminar

Batavia's CANDO (Challenge Advocacy Network Development Organization) is sponsoring a seminar for parents, educators, and community members about the unique characteristics of gifted children. Liz Hutchins, an Aurora University instructor and a former BPS gifted coordinator will be the key speaker for the evening. Ms. Hutchins teaches a gifted seminar offered through Aurora University and has a great deal of experience and expertise in the field of giftedness.  

This event is free and open to all community members.  Anyone who is interested in learning more about what it means for a child to be gifted would find this seminar very helpful as Liz will be discussing characteristics of giftedness as well as the differences between gifted and talented children.  

The seminar, "How Well Do You Know Your Gifted Child?" will be held on January 6^th, 2014 at the Rotolo Middle School Learning Resource Center from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.   For more information about CANDO or this seminar, interested attendees should go to: http://bataviacando.weebly.com or email BataviaCANDO@gmail.com.  

 

Enrichment Opportunities

The fall newsletter for Northwestern University's Center for Talent Development is now available (see the link below.) You will find a variety of course offerings and other opportunities for enrichment. Enjoy!

                           http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/

Great Math Videos

The link below is a compilation of math "how to" videos - check them out! The videos cover a wide range of concepts and levels. We hope you like it!

http://www.adaptedmind.com/videos.php

2013 Notable Children's Books

Teachers and parents are always on the lookout for books that will inspire and engage young readers. The  Association for Library Service to Children (http://www.ala.org/alsc/) is a great source.

According to the ALSC, "Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's books. According to the Notables Criteria, "notable" is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding. As applied to children's books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children's interests in exemplary ways."

The following is a link to this year's recommended books:

http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb

Welcome Back!

Welcome to the 2013-2014 school year! This year our gifted team has changed - Mrs. Julie Allen will be working with the students and parents at JBN and GMS schools and Ms. Julie Preble will be assuming the role of gifted specialist for HCS and HWS schools. Once again we are thrilled to be partnering with you as advocates for our gifted student population. Our goal is to keep you informed on what is happening in and around our schools in order to enrich, engage and challenge our students' young minds. To get the ball rolling, take a look at what the Center for Gifted (a Northern Illinois University partner) is offering this fall. Click on the link below:

http://www.centerforgifted.org/index.html

 

 

Here's to a wonderful year for all!

Sincerely,

Dr. Ciway, Gifted Specialist for AGS & LWS

 

 



2013-2014 Gifted Handbook

The newly revised 2013-2014 Gifted Handbook has been added to the blog. Please take a moment to check it out!