Great Minds
Columbus City Schools - Gifted and Talented Division
Winter 2023
Happy January from the Gifted and Talented office!
We hope you and your scholars are staying warm and digging into lots of midwinter learning and cold-weather adventures. This week we were delighted to host award-winning illustrator Bryan Collier (right) at several elementary schools. His gentle ways and brilliant art invite students into the creative process. This new year is off to a great start!
As we move toward wrapping up the winter months, please look for the Written Education Plans (WEPs) that will be posted on the parent portal of Infinite Campus during the first week of February. We will no longer mail WEPs home.
WEPs are an important communication tool between home and your child's teachers. Our gifted instructional specialists work with classroom teachers to develop the goals outlined on the WEP to support the extended learning of gifted students. After reviewing your child's WEP, please follow the simple instructions to acknowledge you have received it -- check the Gifted and Talented website after Feb. 1st for details.
In March, please look for the gifted services selection letter. This letter will be mailed to your home address. Please take a moment to verify that your contact information is correct on Infinite Campus, so you will receive this important letter outlining academic options for your child.
Please read on for more information about Gifted and Talented news, resources, and learning opportunities in Columbus City Schools.
A Winter Whirlwind
Winter Debate Competition at Capital University
Students from across the district met at Capital University on December 14th to debate this resolution: The United States Federal Government should significantly reduce the sale of new gas powered vehicles by 2035. Click here for more photos and a list of winning teams. Pictured above: GIS Matt Berkal and 1st Place Division 1 winners.
Our very own Elf on a Bookshelf
K-2 Gifted specialists extend and enrich the educational experiences of our youngest gifted-identified students in the areas of Reading, Superior Cognitive Ability, and/or Creative Thinking.
Award-winning children's illustrator Bryan Collier visits CCS schools
Bryan Collier visited students and faculty at Georgian Heights, East Columbus, Fairmoor, Olde Orchard, Clinton, Duxberry Park, and Columbus Gifted Academy this week. Mr. Collier shared his creative process, his inspiration, and his published works. He is the illustrator of many books familiar to students: Martin's Big Words, Rosa, Knock Knock, and Freedom River to name a few.
Upcoming Events and Information Sessions
Is your child transitioning to a different gifted service model?
Please join us for a Transitions meeting scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16th from 6:30-8 PM at Columbus Gifted Academy.
This meeting is open to all parents of gifted students, but especially parents of scholars who are currently in 1st, 2nd, 5th and 8th grades. Gifted specialists and other representatives of the department and PACE will be there to answer questions.
Parking is available. Please RSVP for the event here.
Middle School Math Showcase set for February 24th
Individual buildings may send a team of four students who will be selected by their math teachers to represent their schools and interact with mathematicians from other buildings to solve multi-step math problems and to share in the excitement of applying mathematical skills and knowledge.
For more information, please contact your child's school.
ThinkLaw - a community book study for parents
Gifted and Talented is pleased to offer parents/caregivers the thinkLaw Raising Critical Thinkers program, a family version of the thinkLaw curriculum used this year by our Gifted and Talented teachers.
Raising Critical Thinkers includes everything a caregiver needs with all materials at no cost and it is easily accessible. This program supports the development of scholars' critical thinking, creativity, curiosity and problem-solving skills.
You can learn more about Raising Critical Thinkers at https://www.raisingcriticalthinkers.us/. If you are interested in participating in this workshop, please compete this interest form by February 16, 2023. Click here.
Get involved with PACE!
For more information go to the PACE web site at https://www.columbuspace.org/about.
Spotlight on Self-regulation with Dr. Richard Cash
On the January 17th district professional development day, a nationally recognized leader in gifted education worked with Columbus City Schools teachers in an all-day workshop at the Columbus Gifted Academy. Dr. Richard Cash consulted with teachers about new ways to differentiate for students' learning styles (multi-modal learning), metaphysical cognition, how the gifted brain works, the four stages of self-regulation, and unbridling potential.
Pictured (right): Primary Education Thinking Skills (PETS) teachers work together during Dr. Cash's interactive presentation.
The Bright Now Podcast
The Bright Now podcast is about parenting and educating K-12 gifted and talented kids. Jonathan Plucker, Professor of Talent Development at Johns Hopkins University Education is the host.
Gifted & Talented Division - Columbus City Schools
3700 South High Street
Suite 143B
Columbus, Ohio 43207
Phone: 614-365-6626