Academic Booster Club » Parent Education http://www.questabc.org/blog for Highly Capable Families, by Highly Capable Families Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:07:31 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Puyallup School Board Election Information http://www.questabc.org/blog/2011/10/31/puyallup-school-board-election-information/ http://www.questabc.org/blog/2011/10/31/puyallup-school-board-election-information/#comments Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:57:51 +0000 ABC Board http://www.questabc.org/blog/?p=1357 Have you received your ballot for the Nov. 8 General Election?

To assist you in making informed choices for the school board race, members of the QUEST/PAGE ABC Board developed a brief list of questions for the Puyallup School Board candidates.  We wanted to gain a better understanding of each candidate’s stance on highly capable education, and his or her commitment to preserve and expand programming such as that offered by QUEST, PAGE, and AP.

All six candidates received the questions via email on Thursday, October 27; here are the responses we have received: Pat Jenkins, Therese Ngo Pasquier, and Chris Ihrig. We’ll post additional responses received as they come in.

Pat Jenkins (Position 3) – responses received on Thursday, October 27

1) What will you do as a school board member to ensure that the basic educational needs of our highly capable learners, from kindergarten through 12th grade, will continue to be met?

Perhaps the most important thing is to help hold the state to its constitutional responsibility to fund basic education first. That obligation isn’t being met, and any further cuts in state funding will only make that shortfall worse. The state can’t be allowed to only talk about supporting basic education, including highly capable programs. We need action from the state level, as difficult as it may be, to help carry out our mission locally.

2) What can you do as a school board member to help us better identify and serve students who are not currently being served by our QUEST, PAGE and AP programs?

I would reach out to ABC and any other interested parties to welcome and encourage input on ways that our service of highly capable learners could be improved. I would share that input with the board and the district administration, and then work with the administration and parents to ensure that the needs of students are being met to the best of the district’s ability.

Therese Ngo Pasquier (Position 2)– responses received on Thursday, October 27

1) What will you do as a school board member to ensure that the basic educational needs of our highly capable learners, from Kindergarten through 12th grade, will continue to be met?

As a board member, I will continue to advocate for our children’s education. I know that WA state passed the landmark basic education reform that included protection for the highly capable program. I would work closely with the WA State PTA to ensure this advocacy continues. Strength in numbers, I always say. We need to create relationships with our state legislature, so funding for basic education remains a top priority. I know Bruce Dammeier is a proponent of education reform, and he would be a great champion.

Another idea would be to find private money from foundations that support K-12, and direct this money toward the program. These gifted students are our future leaders and innovators, and we need to provide them with all the tools they need for success.

2) What can you do as a school board member to help us better identify and serve students who are not currently being served by our QUEST, PAGE, and AP programs?

The question has always been about access. We need to advocate for a standard definition of highly capable and remove any accessibility barriers, especially to minority children or ones in the low socioeconomic status or have a disability. These students are highly underrepresented in this program. Even when they are identified, access to these programs has been uneven. I know OSPI has a very fluid definition right now, allowing districts to make its own decisions about access to highly capable program. For me, it about creating an entire curriculum that continues to challenge them, not just one AP class. And we need to develop multiple measures to help identify these gifted students.

I will work with teachers, administrators, parents, and other subject matter experts to ensure this program remains a priority in the district, too.

Chris Ihrig (Position 5)– responses received on Friday, October 28

1) What will you do as a school board member to ensure that the basic educational needs of our highly capable learners, from Kindergarten through 12th grade, will continue to be met?

It is the board of directors’ paramount duty to ensure that the basic educational needs of ALL students be met as we guide the district in its strategic and operational decisions. This includes one of the key learning groups you raise, the highly capable learner. Yesterday’s announcement by the Governor, one of many in recent years, of another 2 billion in cuts is extremely concerning. At the top of her list of cuts are funds that directly support schools. The levy equalization piece being only one of those recommended cuts directly translates into a possible 6.1 million reduction in funds for Puyallup. And that is only the beginning. We are facing significant challenges financially because of our state government’s unwillingness to meet their constitutional responsibilities to fund basic education. As a community we must put all our efforts to not let this travesty continue at the expense of our student. But that is enough of that soap-box. I am sure you and your group are fully aware of these challenges and I look forward to working together to find solutions.

As a board member I see my responsibility in this area falling into two distinct paths: 1) Make sure we do everything possible to maximize the revenues and resources coming into the district and 2) that we are stewards of each and every resource we have. Essential programs that speak to basic education and the classroom learning, including those impacting highly capable students, must be maintained at the highest priority. For the next several years it may be more about preserving, not losing ground, versus expansion and growth.

2) What can you do as a school board member to help us better identify and serve students who are not currently being served by our QUEST, PAGE, and AP programs?

Great question. As a father of 4 in the district, two of my four were identified as potential QUEST participants and each of my older kids has been involved in AP programs when available to them. Each of these is outstanding programs that bring value, opportunity and direct impact in the lives of our students. We absolutely must find ways to better utilize these resources to a broader audience – when there is a need and match.

In some ways, there is a lack of understanding of these programs in the broader community. Parents don’t fully understand nor take on the responsibility of advocating and accessing these programs. Locations of the programs need to be more local to neighborhood schools. As a board member, I see these programs as important, relevant and an exceptional resource in helping us meet the needs of our diverse student population. We need to fight for them, expand them when possible and make them accessible to a broader audience. As we strive for a district of national excellent and educational leadership, programs like QUEST, PAGE, AP and others will be the backbone of our impact and results.

Dane Looker (Position 2) – responses received on Thursday, November 3

First, let me say that I believe we need to do everything in our power to ensure that we are reaching our highly capable learners and providing them with an education that sufficiently challenges them.  Currently, it seems that we focus most of our attention on struggling students and fail to fortify the academic progress of our stronger students.  While it is vital that we meet the needs of every student in our district, programs like QUEST, PAGE, and AP need to be expanded and available for every qualifying student.  I can assure you that I will always use my vote to fully support these programs.

With that said, I am convinced that we need to raise the standard for ALL students.  Our basic curriculum needs to be revisited and adjusted so that every child is challenged at a higher level.  If we  raise the bar for our students, they will strive to reach it. Personally, I would rather my children earn a “B” in curriculum that challenges them than an “A” in curriculum that comes easily.  I believe children are much more capable than we give them credit for when it comes to their education.  Hopefully one day soon, the curriculum taught in QUEST, PAGE, and AP classes will be the norm rather than considered only for gifted students.
]]> http://www.questabc.org/blog/2011/10/31/puyallup-school-board-election-information/feed/ 0 ABC Offering Partial Scholarships to October WAETAG Convention http://www.questabc.org/blog/2011/09/29/abc-offering-partial-scholarships-to-october-waetag-convention/ http://www.questabc.org/blog/2011/09/29/abc-offering-partial-scholarships-to-october-waetag-convention/#comments Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:02:30 +0000 ABC Board http://www.questabc.org/blog/?p=1342 Academic Booster Club is offering 10 partial scholarships of $50 to parents who register to attend the WAETAG (Washington Association of Educators of Talented and Gifted) conference in Wenatchee on Saturday, October 29th. See the WAETAG website for registration information. This will be an incredible opportunity to meet with other parents and advocates for Highly Capable Education from across the state, to learn about the next steps that need to be taken to secure an appropriate education for Highly Capable students, and to hear the speaker Karen Rogers, Ph.D., author of Re-forming Gifted Education: How Parents and Teachers Can Match the Program to the Child.

Early bird parent registration of $100 ends October 1st. If you are interested in the $50 scholarship from Academic Booster Club, please call the QUEST office 841-8751.

]]> http://www.questabc.org/blog/2011/09/29/abc-offering-partial-scholarships-to-october-waetag-convention/feed/ 0 WAETAG Conference October 28th – 29th http://www.questabc.org/blog/2011/09/17/waetag-conference-october-28th-29th/ http://www.questabc.org/blog/2011/09/17/waetag-conference-october-28th-29th/#comments Sun, 18 Sep 2011 03:30:38 +0000 ABC Board http://www.questabc.org/blog/?p=1331 WAETAG, the Washington Association of Educators of the Talented and Gifted, is hosting its annual conference on October 28th and 29th at the Convention Center in Wenatchee. This conference offers parents and teachers the opportunity to learn about meeting the unique needs of highly capable students.

For the second year, the WAETAG conference will have a track with special sessions dedicated to parents. Ann Koch, a SENG Facilitator, will talk about “Gifted Intensities: Do Your Children Have Some of Them? What Can You Do About It?” Past ABC President David Berg will help to explain what the new changes to basic education mean to highly capable students in a session titled “Gifted Ed as a Part of Basic Ed.” Marcia Holland, President of the Northwest Gifted Child Association, will lead a session on how to “Be a Powerful Advocate for Gifted.”

For more information, or to register, visit www.waetag.net.

]]> http://www.questabc.org/blog/2011/09/17/waetag-conference-october-28th-29th/feed/ 0 National Expert on Gifted Education Coming to Tacoma http://www.questabc.org/blog/2011/02/06/national-expert-on-gifted-education-coming-to-tacoma/ http://www.questabc.org/blog/2011/02/06/national-expert-on-gifted-education-coming-to-tacoma/#comments Mon, 07 Feb 2011 05:15:44 +0000 ABC Board http://www.questabc.org/blog/?p=1208 Dr. Linda Silverman, Ph.D., Director of the Gifted Development Center in Denver, Colorado, will present on Wednesday, February 16th at 7:00pm at the Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.  Seabury Academy is Tacoma is sponsoring her visit.  For more information, including instructions on how to register, see the linked flyer.

]]> http://www.questabc.org/blog/2011/02/06/national-expert-on-gifted-education-coming-to-tacoma/feed/ 0 How to talk to your kids about proposed state cuts to highly capable programming http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/12/17/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-proposed-state-cuts-to-highly-capable-programming/ http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/12/17/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-proposed-state-cuts-to-highly-capable-programming/#comments Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:36:56 +0000 ABC Board http://www.questabc.org/blog/?p=1163 It’s too soon to know exactly what the impact of any state cuts to highly capable program funding would be in Puyallup, but that doesn’t mean that our kids aren’t thinking about it, and even letting their concerns get away from them.  I was in a class of 3rd and 4th grade QUEST students yesterday when one of the children suddenly blurted out he was going to miss his friends and his school when his classroom went away next year.   How are your kids reacting to all the news about highly capable cuts? What are you doing to help them understand what’s going on? A group of area parents put together some suggestions that are posted on the WCGE website.

]]> http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/12/17/how-to-talk-to-your-kids-about-proposed-state-cuts-to-highly-capable-programming/feed/ 0 Special Opportunity for Parents http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/12/12/special-opportunity-for-parents/ http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/12/12/special-opportunity-for-parents/#comments Mon, 13 Dec 2010 03:52:33 +0000 ABC Board http://www.questabc.org/blog/?p=1150 SENG will be conducting a 2 day comprehensive SENG Model Parent Group Facilitator Training on January 13 and 14 in Seattle at the Seattle Doubletree Airport Hotel.  As a part of that training, SENG invites parents to attened a SENG Model Parent Group discussion group the night of the 13th, in order for the newly trained facilitators to get some practice with their SMPG Training Coaches present.  This discussion group is free to parents.  Only the first 40 parents from the Seattle area who reply will be eligible to participate.  For more information, including how to register, see the attached flyer.

]]> http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/12/12/special-opportunity-for-parents/feed/ 0 Northwest Gifted Child Association Connections Conference http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/12/07/northwest-gifted-child-association-connections-conference/ http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/12/07/northwest-gifted-child-association-connections-conference/#comments Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:44:58 +0000 ABC Board http://www.questabc.org/blog/?p=1138 The Northwest Gifted Child Association will offer its Connections Conference on January 29th at the Redmond High School Performing Arts Center. Parents of gifted rarely have the opportunity to get information about the specific academic, emotional and social needs of their gifted children. They have even less opportunity to talk with other adults candidly about the delights and the challenges of raising truly bright children. Connections is an amazing opportunity for parents to hear from experts in the field and make the connections we need.  We strongly encourage you to participate in this amazing learning experience.  For more information, including how to register, please see the attached document.

]]> http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/12/07/northwest-gifted-child-association-connections-conference/feed/ 0 Free SENG Webinars Now Available http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/10/23/free-seng-webinars-now-available/ http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/10/23/free-seng-webinars-now-available/#comments Sat, 23 Oct 2010 16:41:49 +0000 ABC Board http://www.questabc.org/blog/?p=1065 In August, SENG brought Dr. James Webb, a long time leader in the field of gifted education, to Seattle for a presentation.  A recording of his presentation “Eleven Key Parenting Issues” is now available through the SENG website.  Other presentations are also available, including the first SENG Family Webinar, “No Limits” with Phil Gordon.  I hope that you’re able to find some time to take advantage of this new resource for parents and their children. 

Be sure to let us know if you view any of the SENG talks, and let us know what you think about them.  ABC is considering hosting some group viewing opportunities that would include time for parents to discuss what they’ve seen.  It might also be possible for you to view a talk at home and for us to host an informal gathering to discuss it later.  We want to know what would be the most beneficial to you and your family.

]]> http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/10/23/free-seng-webinars-now-available/feed/ 0 Register Now for the WAETAG Parent Track http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/09/28/register-now-for-the-waetag-parent-track/ http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/09/28/register-now-for-the-waetag-parent-track/#comments Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:59:02 +0000 ABC Board http://www.questabc.org/blog/?p=1026 WAETAG is the Washington Association of Teachers of the Talented and Gifted.  Their annual conference this year will be at the Bellevue Hilton on October 15th and 16th.  ABC has helped fund Puyallup teachers’ and administrators’ participation at WAETAG for several years.  It has been a great learning opportunity for our staff. 

This year, for the first time, WAETAG has partnered with the Northwest Gifted Child Association to add a dedicated Parent Track to their conference.  Parents have always been welcomed to attend, but this year they will find three sessions designed specifically for them.  Topics to be covered in the parent track include:

10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m.

Bright Kids Dull Performances
Moderator – Pauline Bowie

Attend this facilitated session based on excerpts from SENG’s webinar, The Gifted Child: Superachiever or Underachiever–Parents and Teachers Make the Difference, presented by Sylvia Rimm. Gain new tools to help your children seek and reach their real potential. Learn some new techniques from other parents.

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Be a Powerful Advocate for Gifted
Moderator – Marcia Holland

Join this forum on being a powerful advocate for gifted – your child, your school, your district, our state, our nation. Get caught up on what’s new in Washington. Sharpen your advocacy skills so that you will be heard and get results. Share what you know. Learn from others. Collect resources.

2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Gifted Organization Skills – an Oxymoron?
Facilitator – Marcia Holland

Parents share, in a facilitated dialogue, the challenges, frustrations, and successes of helping our gifted children get and stay organized. Hone your creativity, sense of humor, patience, and belief in ultimate success. Explore learning and thinking styles that require different approaches to organization for different kids.

We always find that parents have been looking for others who are in similar situations and are hungry for the opportunity to share their experiences and learn from others who’ve been in their shoes.  This should be a great opportunity to meet with parents from around the area.

Registration by October 1st is $150 for the Parent Track.  After October 1st, it is $200.  For more information, and to register, please visit www.waetag.com.

]]> http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/09/28/register-now-for-the-waetag-parent-track/feed/ 0 National Parenting Gifted Children Week Recap http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/08/05/national-parenting-gifted-children-week-recap/ http://www.questabc.org/blog/2010/08/05/national-parenting-gifted-children-week-recap/#comments Fri, 06 Aug 2010 06:17:49 +0000 ABC Board http://www.questabc.org/blog/?p=970 To celebrate National Parenting Gifted Children Week, July 18-24, 2010, SENG, Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted, offered a special week-long series of special mini-newsletters.  Each day’s issue focused on a specific topic relating to parenting gifted children.  The issues were:

We’ve linked to each of the newsletters on SENG’s site if you missed this fantastic information the first time around.

Representatives from ABC have been working with SENG in advance of their 2011 National Conference which will be held in Seattle.  We’re looking at ways to bring more of the tools that SENG has developed to our parents during the coming year.  Be sure to check out the newsletters and the articles they’ve made available.

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