December 2019 GT News

Gifted and Talented News Volume 1 Issue 1 December 2019

Table of Contents What’s New in Hays CISD G/T? Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented Featured Article Parent Support Group Upcoming Events Meet Hays CISD’s G/T Contacts Image source: http://www.mpsaz.org/porter/staff/ccsorce/gt-program/images/gt_cloud.gif

What’s New in Hays CISD G/T? G/T Lead Teachers Campus G/T Webpages This year Hays CISD identified a Lead G/T On each campus webpage, there is now a Teacher for each campus. These individuals section devoted specifically to G/T. It can serve in a variety of positions on their be found under the Parents section of the campuses including classroom teachers, webpage. G/T lead teachers are in the instructional coaches, and interventionists. process of updating their webpage where The purpose of this position is to have an campus specific information will be advocate for G/T students at each campus. shared. The lead teachers attend meetings with the G/T Coordinator and serve as the campus representative on the Gifted and Talented Advisory Council. They also help lead a Vertical Instruction Team at the campus with a focus on how to improve services for advanced students. Finally, they will are available to answer parent questions related to G/T services on the campus. Elementary Progress Monitoring Campus Newsletters Reports Each campus has shared a minimum of To improve communication about G/T one newsletter. The purpose of these services at the elementary level, teachers newsletters is to share campus specific will send home a progress monitoring information, parent resources, student report with the report card at the end of opportunities, etc. If you have not seen each semester. The goal is to provide the newsletter for your campus, please parents information regarding the contact the G/T Lead Teacher for your strategies being used to support student child’s campus. He/she will be happy to success within the classroom. share this information.

The Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) connects and empowers educators and parents to meet the unique needs of gifted and talented students from every cultural background who see the world in unique ways and are developing minds that just might discover innovative answers to the most challenging questions of their generation. Chartered in 1978, TAGT is the nation’s largest state advocacy group of its kind, providing more than 4,000 members a forum for exchanging ideas and information about the education of G/T students. TAGT recognizes the unique social, emotional, and intellectual needs of gifted and talented students and provides educational services to meet these needs. TAGT is statewide, individual membership association and is classified as a 501(c) 3 charitable nonprofit organization. TAGT Mission Statement The Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented connects and empowers educators and parents to meet the unique needs of gifted and talented individuals through awareness, advocacy, and action. TAGT Vision Statement The Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented strives to positively impact the lives of gifted and talented individuals by providing relevant, innovative programs and services through an engaged, diverse membership. Global #gtchat Powered by TAGT is a weekly chat on Twitter that takes place on Thursdays at 7 p.m. For one hour, parents, educators, advocates, and experts in the field of gifted and talented gather to share resources, links, authentic life experiences, and insights about gifted issues. TAGT strives to provide parents with tools and resources that will assist them in understanding and meeting the unique needs of their gifted and talented children through awareness, advocacy and action. It is important for parents to be good advocates for their gifted child and for gifted education in general. Depending on the circumstances and the specific needs of your child this may require a number of different strategies. Click on THIS LINK to view TAGT’s parent resources.

Featured Article

Parent Support Group Jennifer Storm, a mother of a G/T student at Elm Grove Elementary, has started a support group for parents of G/T students in Hays CISD. Please checkout the Facebook page by clicking on the image below.

Upcoming Events

Meet the District G/T Contacts Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen Deputy Academic Officer 512-268-2141 x45098 [email protected] Tish Cawley Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Services 512-268-2141 x45035 [email protected] District G/T website: www.hayscisd.net/gt

Meet the Elementary Campus G/T Contacts Campus Counselor/Testing Lead Teacher Contact Blanco Vista Nereida Navarro Alejandra Valdez Buda Debbie Daniel Melissa English Camino Real Joan Britton Kasey Criminger Carpenter Hill Danae Lancaster Renee Weaver Elm Grove Robyn Bergeron Allison Hillman Fuentes Pat Niemie Staci Perkins Hemphill Becky Herring Sara Trumet Kyle Judith Martinez Rachel Greengold Negley Michelle Winn Christy Thomason Pfluger Jessica Smart Stephanie Collins Science Hall Vanessa Duran Brittany Cox Tobias Monica Dozier Bree Kalmanowicz Tom Green Monica Cottrill Shonda Davilla Uhland Lesvia Cantu Jennifer Do Who to Contact: For testing questions or social/emotional questions, contact the counselor. For all other questions, contact the Lead Teacher. Click on a name for a link to their email.

Meet the Secondary Campus G/T Contacts Campus Counselor/Testing Lead Teacher Contact Barton Viktoria Rask Deniese Harvey Chapa Magda Flores Alan D’etcheverry Dahlstrom Jessica Leinen Cara Lantrip McCormick Veronica Cervantes Laura O’dea Simon Leslie Spinder Jeremiah Gonzalez Wallace PJ Crews Ali Tison Hays Stephanie Howard Shelly Plumley Johnson Catheryn Chairez Becky Hertel Lehman Raymond Holland Raymond Holland Live Oak Shawna Mayerson Shawna Mayerson Who to Contact: For testing questions or social/emotional questions, contact the counselor. For all other questions, contact the Lead Teacher. Click on a name for a link to their email.

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