Lago Vista ISD Gifted and Talented
Fall 2016 Newsletter
Welcome Back, G/T Vikings!
We are off to a great start to the 2016-2017 school year and the G/T Facilitators and I look forward to a productive partnership with you to ensure our students achieve their highest potential through our growing Gifted and Talented Program. Please read below for news and updates related to the LVISD G/T program, including the dates of our upcoming Fall G/T Meeting and our 3rd Annual G/T Spring Showcase.
This newsletter also contains valuable information related to the Duke TIP Talent Search programs. Lago Vista ISD had 50 students qualify in grades 5, 6, and 7 based upon 2015 STAAR scores! Way to go, Vikings!
As always, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We thank you for your dedication and support!
Deputy Superintendent
Lago Vista ISD
Fall G/T Parent Meeting
Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016, 06:30 PM
Viking Hall
Meet Mrs. Kelley, LVISD's G/T Facilitator for Grades K-8
We are so excited to have Mrs. Randenne Kelley serving our G/T students in grades K-8 this year! After working with our 5th grade G/T students last year (and doing an excellent job!), she is excited to step into a new role that will have her working with identified G/T students through our K-5 enrichment and through our 6-8 elective course. Mrs. Kelley will also be working with Dr. Lofton-Bullis to coordinate the identification and assessment for all transfer students and for students who are referred for G/T screening. As we continue to refine and improve our identification processes and services, we are thrilled to have Mrs. Kelley’s talent and enthusiasm.
Here’s a bit about Mrs. Kelley:
I have been teaching in Lago Vista for 23 years. Every year has brought change, challenge, and opportunity. This year is no exception! I will be teaching G/T classes at the elementary, intermediate, and middle school campuses and Viking Valor at the middle school campus - lots of opportunity for fun and learning!
On a personal note, my daughter, Megan, will be attending Texas State for her junior year; I hope to make several trips to San Marcus to visit her! My son, Jonah, is a 9th grade student at LVHS; I am excited to see what challenges and experiences are in store for him as a Freshman! He will be a 3rd year returning varsity band member. Along with the excitement of a new school year, I hope to find some time to pursue a few of my own hobbies which include traveling, skiing, and photography.
All in all, it promises to be a great year!
Welcome Back from LVHS G/T Facilitator, Mr. Pruitt
Greetings from the Lago Vista High School G/T Program! I'm excited to return for my 3rd year as the G/T Facilitator for Lago Vista High School, along with teaching Audio Video Production, Yearbook, and AP English Literature. I'm enthusiastic about the direction of the G/T program this year at LVHS and look forward to working with our wonderful parents and students.
This year, high school G/T students will be meeting Wednesdays during the advisory period. Many G/T students are already in my advisory class, but any who are not are welcome to come down at 1:00pm to discuss upcoming G/T trips and events.
Our first "informal" G/T field trip is coming up on September 30th. The Literary Criticism Team and AP Literature classes are going to see "Twelfth Night" at Whole Foods Market in downtown Austin after school and all G/T students are warmly invited to join us. There is a suggested donation of $10 for those who participate. I'll gauge interest and gather numbers on Wednesday, September 21st during advisory period, so if your student is interested, please be sure to remind them to come by. We will have another field trip this semester and next semester specifically for G/T students, so if your student can't attend this one, don't worry!
Please let me know if you have any comments, questions, or ideas about the program. I'm looking forward to helping your Gifted and Talented students do great things this year!
Save the Date! 3rd Annual G/T Spring Showcase
Join us for our 3rd Annual G/T Spring Showcase on Thursday, April 13th from 6:30-8:00pm. The purpose of the G/T showcase is to highlight and share the amazing work of our Gifted and Talented students with parents and the community.
Thursday, Apr 13, 2017, 06:30 PM
MAC - Lago Vista High School
Be Sure to Check Out the LVISD G/T Website!
If you haven't had a chance to check out the LVISD Gifted and Talented website, please do so! There are a lot of great resources for parents, including the LVISD G/T Handbook and the K-5 G/T Skills Frameworks. You will also find information on program design and identification, as well as parent information and resources.
Interested in Serving on the G/T Parent Advisory Committee?
We are looking for parents who are interested in serving on the G/T Parent Advisory Committee (G/TPAC) this spring. The purpose of this group is to provide assist the district with reviewing G/T services and making recommendations for improvement. The G/TPAC will review data and service design to evaluate our program's compliance with the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students. This group will also make recommendations for program enhancements that will be shared with the District Education Improvement Council (DEIC), as well as with individual campus committees. Finally, this group will assist in the annual review of the Community Based Accountability Measures.
The G/TPAC will meet three times during the spring semester and will include 1-2 parent representatives from each campus. Meeting dates and times will be determined based upon the availability of the members...and I promise not to schedule any of the meetings during the NBA Finals this year!
If you are interested in serving on the G/TPAC, please email Dr. Suzy Lofton-Bullis by Friday, December 2nd.
Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search
Enrollment is Open Now!
Participants in the Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search identify academic strengths, develop abilities and interests, and celebrate their achievements at a crucial time when they are forming their identities and looking ahead to the future.
Eligibility
A 7th Grade student is eligible to participate with a qualifying score at or above the 95th percentile on a recent grade-level test.
Does My Child Qualify?
Your student must currently be in the 7th grade (or a current 8th grader who skipped 7th grade). Your student must also meet the test score requirements. Students need to qualify in only one of the accepted composite or subtest areas.
≥ 1833 - 2015 5th Grade STAAR Math Test
≥ 1752 - 2015 5th Grade STAAR Reading Test
≥ 4560 - 2015 5th Grade STAAR Science Test
You may access a copy of your student's scores by visiting the Texas Assessment Data Portal for Parents. Dr. Lofton-Bullis will contact the parents of qualifying students via email.
Duke TIP Benefits
Above-Level Testing: Students gain invaluable knowledge and experience from taking an above-level test like the ACT or SAT—the exam that college-bound seniors take. Students receive two reports to interpret their scores: one from the testing agency, which will compare scores to recent U.S. high school graduates; and a more detailed TIP score results summary.
Duke TIP Educational Programs: Participants are eligible to apply for Duke TIP’s wide range of educational programs, all of which put them with master teachers and other bright students.
Fees
The nonrefundable enrollment fee of $75 covers the cost of one test registration—either the December 2016 or February 2017 ACT (no Writing) or the December 2016 or January 2017 SAT (no Essay) test registration. This one time, nonrefundable enrollment fee means a student is in enrolled in the talent search until the end of high school.
Financial Aid
Fee grants are available to students who qualify for free or reduced lunch programs at school. Whether enrolling online or by paper, students who are eligible to receive a fee grant will pay an enrollment fee of $30 instead of $75. Students must submit a copy of their free or reduced lunch approval paperwork or a fee grant form on school letterhead signed by a school official. Fee grant forms are available at http://tip.duke.edu/node/215.
Application and Enrollment Deadlines
October 10, 2016 - Paper application postmark deadline for students selecting a December ACT or SAT.
October 21, 2016 - Online enrollment deadline for students selecting a December ACT or SAT.
November 16, 2016 - Paper application postmark deadline for students selecting a January SAT or a February ACT.
December 9, 2016 - Online enrollment deadline for students selecting a January SAT or a February ACT.
To apply and enroll, visit https://apply.tip.duke.edu/.
ACT and SAT Test Dates
December 3, 2016 - SAT
December 10, 2016 - ACT
January 21, 2017 - SAT
February 11, 2016 - ACT
Locate a test center to enter on the 7th Grade Talent Search enrollment form: http://tip.duke.edu/node/227.
In 2015-2016, students in Lago Vista ISD earned a total of 510 college credit hours through Dual Credit and AP courses. That’s an average of $297,744 worth of tuition saved (based on the average resident tuition of $577.93 per credit hour). Thanks for making us proud, Vikings!
Referral Deadline for Fall G/T Screening
Monday, Oct 3, 2016, 04:00 PM
Campus Front Office
Duke TIP 4th-6th Grade Talent Search
Enrollment Opens October 1st!
The Duke TIP 4th–6th Grade Talent Search is the entry point for TIP benefits that can motivate gifted students to realize their full potential. The program is open only to fourth, fifth, or sixth grade students who achieve a qualifying score.
Eligibility
A 4th, 5th, or 6th Grade student is eligible to participate with a qualifying score at or above the 95th percentile on a recent grade-level test.
Does My Child Qualify?
Your student must be currently enrolled in the 4th, 5th, or 6th grade. Your student must also meet the test score requirements. Students need to qualify in only one of the accepted composite or subtest areas.
Note: Scores for 2016 STAAR exams are not yet released for Duke TIP, which means that only 5th and 6th graders may currently qualify for the program based upon STAAR exam scores.
5th Grade
≥ 1664 - 2015 3rd Grade STAAR Math
≥ 1637 - 2015 3rd Grade STAAR Reading
6th Grade
≥ 1767 - 2015 4th Grade STAAR Math
≥ 1723 - 2015 4th Grade STAAR Reading
≥ 4612 - 2015 4th Grade STAAR Writing
You may access a copy of your student's scores by visiting the Texas Assessment Data Portal for Parents. Dr. Lofton-Bullis will contact the parents of qualifying students via email.
Duke TIP Benefits
In addition to the opportunity to take the optional PSAT™ 8/9 above-level test, 4th–6th Grade Talent Search participants and their families receive a number of benefits that develop advanced academic skills, foster creativity, and encourage original thinking.
Optional PSAT 8/9 Testing
All 4th, 5th, and 6th graders participating the Duke TIP 4th-6th Grade Talent Search are eligible to register for and take the PSAT™ 8/9 test once each school year as a way to measure their skill in reading, writing/language, and math subtest areas. Even though Duke TIP recommends taking advantage of this diagnostic opportunity, taking the PSAT™ 8/9 is optional and is not required for participation.
Fees
The nonrefundable enrollment fee of $40 covers all participant benefits through a student's 6th grade year. The optional PSAT™ 8/9 testing requires an additional $42 fee and is paid at the time of PSAT™ 8/9 test registration.
Fee Waivers for Talent Search Enrollment
Fee waivers for the 4th–6th Grade Talent Search enrollment fee are available to students who qualify for free or reduced lunch programs. To provide verification, submit a copy of the student's free or reduced lunch approval paperwork or reproduce the fee waiver request, and include with a paper application. Note: students requesting a fee waiver must enroll using a paper registration form.
Fee Waivers for Optional PSAT™ 8/9 Testing
Fee waiver funds for testing are limited and requests for aid always exceed available resources, so be sure to register early. Students must register with a paper registration form and provide additional documentation.
Enrollment
Please visit http://tip.duke.edu/node/250 for additional deadlines related to the optional PSAT™ 8/9 testing. Enrollment for the 4th-6th Grade Talent Search begins October 1, 2016.
Become a Parent Member of TAGT!
If you are a parent or guardian of one (or more) of the estimated 400,000 G/T students in the state, your involvement with TAGT is one of the most powerful ways to help guide your child while receiving the resources and support you need.
By becoming a parent member, you’ll receive access to exclusive members only resources, legislative updates, weekly e-news briefs, and more!
The membership cost for parents is $30 per year.
Visit http://www.txgifted.org/assoc_subscribe.asp to join!
2016 AP Scholars Report
Lago Vista ISD is proud to report that we have 15 students who have earned the AP Scholar designation for 2016!
5 = AP Scholars
3 or higher on 3 or more exams.
5 = AP Scholars with Honor
Average 3.25 on all AP exams and 3 or higher on 4 or more exams.
5 = AP Scholars with Distinction
Average 3.5 on all AP exams and 3 or higher on 5 or more exams.
Congratulations to the students who have earned this amazing accomplishment!
About Us
Email: suzy_lofton@lagovista.txed.net
Website: http://www.lagovistaisd.net/default.aspx?name=curr.ins_GT
Location: 8039 Bar K Ranch Road, Lago Vista, TX, United States
Phone: (512) 267-8300