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!

2013-2014 Gifted Handbook

The 2013-2014 Gifted Handbook is currently under revision and will be reposted upon completion. Thanks!

March 4 - 8th CogAT testing for 2nd Grade

Next week begins CogAT testing for second graders who are being considered for gifted services in the district.  As a reminder, students who are not taking the CogAT next week CAN be considered for talented reading or math services.  The process of identifying and evaluating students for talented groups will begin after ISAT testing for grades 3 - 5 and after CogATs have been administered.

Postponed - Gifted Seminar

Unfortunately, the seminar to be presented by Elizabeth Selander Hutchins Feb. 12 at 7 pm at RMS must be postponed. 

A medical emergency in Mrs. Hutchins's family necessitates her being out-of-state, with an uncertain return date.  CANDO and BPS Gifted Services look forward to notifying you of a new date and time for this seminar, and our thoughts are with Mrs. Hutchins and her family. 

Gifted Child Seminar 2/12/13

CANDO and the Gifted Specialists are co-sponsoring a seminar for parents, educators, and community members about the unique characteristics of gifted children.   Liz Selander-Hutchins, who is an Aurora University Instructor and a former BPS Gifted Coordinator will be the key speaker for the evening.  Ms. Selander-Hutchins teaches a gifted course frequently through Aurora University and has a great deal of experience and expertise.  The 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.  

This seminar, "How Well Do You Know Your Gifted Child?," will be held on February 12th, 2013 at the Rotolo Middle School Learning Resource Center at 7:00 PM.   For more information about CANDO or this seminar, interested attendees should go to: http://bataviacando.weebly.com or e-mail BataviaCANDO@gmail.com.  

Parents, educators, and community members can learn more about unique opportunities for gifted and talented students as well as news and information about BPS101 gifted services by visiting http://bps101gat.blogspot.com/.

Registration

Students and parents across the district have begun the school registration and course selection process.  During this time, students in grades five through eleven will collaborate with their parents and guidance counselors to select courses for the 2013/14 school year.   At the elementary level, we are assisting our fifth graders and their families in this process by providing information to help students in their transition to Rotolo Middle School next fall.  While parents of students in kindergarten through fourth grade do not need to select courses, all parents must update their student’s demographic information in PowerSchool.  For more information on the registration and course selection process, please visit: http://www.bps101.net/registration-and-course-selection-process-begins-january-29-2013

Updated Handbook

In an effort to make sure that most current information is available to parents, teachers, and community members, the gifted handbook will be updated twice a year.  This January, minor revisions and updates were made to the handbook to improve clarity in services as well as reflect the ongoing expansion of services offered in BPS101.  The new handbook does include the changes in middle school math course names as well as an updated flowchart for parents to understand how students progress through middle school math courses.  Updates have also been made to the second grade identification information as well.  Testing for cluster or gifted students in second grade will be given to those students who have scored in the 90th percentile or higher in both reading and math.   Parents should have received letters via messenger or classroom teachers about Winter MAP testing for grades 2, 5, 6, and 7 that included this information.