Murray's Gifted Gab
January 2019
A Note from Mrs. Shook
Happy New Year! I hope that you and your family had a wonderful and restful holiday season. For many of us, this is a time that we set goals for the new year. It's important that we take time to encourage our children to do the same.
Consider setting goals that will help your gifted child grow and stretch him/her beyond his/her comfort zone. Perhaps he/she should consider attending MathCounts on Thursday afterschool with Mrs. Wells. Another idea might be to select a classic novel to read this quarter, which helps students develop a stronger vocabulary and gives him/her a richer text experience. Finding ways to help your gifted child develop his/her talents is important.
As we move into the next part of the school year, we will begin discussing next steps. 7th graders will learn about the advanced options available to them next year and 8th graders will begin exploring high school options. If at any point you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me to discuss your child's needs.
Mrs. Shook
Gifted Specialist
Murray Middle School
8th Grade Parents and Students:
The following letter was sent home by NHCS with all 8th grade students before the break:
Dear 8th Grade Students and Families,
As you prepare to transition from middle to high school, there are several choices to consider. Each high school in New Hanover County offers specialty options or a signature program. In order for you to learn more about your options, the district will be hosting several presentations during the week of November 27-December 1.
We will offer student presentations during the day to all 8th grade students. In addition, we will offer nightly regional presentations for parents to attend and gather more information about our 8 high schools. The presentations will include a brief overview of each program or specialty option, break-out sessions hosted by each high school’s lead teacher, question and answer sessions.
The schedule for the schools day/night presentations are listed below. If you are unable to attend the regional parent presentation assigned to your child’s school, please feel free to join us on another listed night and location. We look forward to sharing the wide range of opportunities NHCS high schools and early colleges have to offer!
November 27 Student Only Presentations (during school day):
Myrtle Grove Middle School, Murray Middle School
Parent Presentation:
Minnie Evans Center 6:00-7:30
555 Halyburton Memorial Pkwy, Wilmington, NC
November 28 Student Only Presentations (during school day):
Virgo Preparatory Academy, Williston Middle School, Roland Grise
Middle School
Parent Presentation:
Roland Grise Auditorium 6:00-7:30
4412 Lake Ave., Wilmington, NC
November 30 Student Only Presentations (during school day):
Noble Middle School, Holly Shelter Middle School, Trask Middle School
Parent Presentation:
Cape Fear Community College North Campus Auditorium 6:00-7:30
4500 Blue Clay Road, Castle Hayne, NC
For more information about NHCS Specialty Options and Signature Programs, please visit our website https://sites.google.com/nhcs.net/highschoolspecialtyprograms/home.
The Most Pressing Concerns and Questions of Parents of Gifted Learners
This event is not sponsored or endorsed by NHCS and does require registration and payment.
Presented by Dr. Joanne Foster
This live SENGinar will inspire those who seek to better understand what’s most important for parenting gifted learners in today’s increasingly complex, changing, and tumultuous world.
For those who wonder, “What matters most?” the answer is, “That which is central to, and has a bearing upon, children’s day-to-day well-being.”However, kids’ lives are like whirlwinds—busy, unpredictable, and demanding—and, therefore, lots of parents have serious concerns. Many also raise questions that warrant thoughtful address.
Dr. Joanne Foster reveals some of the most pressing concerns about children’s and teen’s well-being, and she discusses several of the most often-asked questions—in particular, those relating to eight areas of focus: 1) health and happiness, 2) productivity, 3) coping mechanisms, 4) academic strengths and weaknesses, 5) creative expression, 6) relationships, 7) emotional literacy, and 8) sense of self. She addresses each of these key areas in turn, drawing upon her expertise in child development, decades of professional experience working in the field of gifted education, research findings, and material in her award-winning books.
Dr. Foster's SENGinar offers information, reassurance, up-to-date resources, and practical strategies to help parents empower children to strengthen their capacities, overcome challenges, embrace possibilities, and thrive—as the new year unfolds, and throughout the months and years ahead.
This event is not sponsored or endorsed by NHCS.
UNCW Engineering and Robotics Saturday Programs
Is your child interested in engineering or robotics? Check out this link:
UNCW offers Saturday programs for students of various ages. There are costs involved. Please not that it is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHCS.
This is a great website for inquisitive kids!
https://thekidshouldseethis.com/