WINTER NEWS!
Dear DVUSD Community,
Happy holidays this winter season! Whether you are traveling far or remaining close to home, we wish you and your family a happy and healthy Winter Holiday!
In this issue, you'll read about our third Gifted Parent Seminar: Perfectly Imperfect: Looking Beyond Unrealistic Expectations. During this session, we'll discuss strategies for helping our children with balancing high expectations and emotional health. Parents are welcome to join us on January 17th. Registration information is available below.
It may be cold outside, but SPRING Gifted Testing is just around the corner. This year, Spring Gifted Testing will occur between February 6th and March 3rd. Students in grades Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 3rd-11th grades are eligible to participate in Spring Gifted Testing. Read on for additional information.
In addition to Spring Gifted Testing, DVUSD Gifted Services is offering testing opportunities for your youngest scholars. Testing for our Gifted Pre-K Academy and Bright Beginnings Kindergarten is open NOW! Keep reading to learn more about these affordable opportunities!
As Deer Valley continues to grow its gifted programming, we are honored to share the announcement that RENAISSANCE is coming to Hillcrest Middle School! Hillcrest is launching its 7-8 Global Studies Academy for Highly Gifted Learners in 2023-24. Additional information is provided below.
There is plenty to celebrate at schools around Deer Valley USD. Our gifted programs are offering many DVUSD Gifted Events and Opportunities for students, parents, and community members! Events and opportunities reflect Deer Valley's full continuum of gifted services. We look forward to seeing you! Keep reading for a listing of upcoming events.
As you look for ways to spend your extended time at home, Deer Valley Gifted Services has you covered! Check out the featured article 7 Family Time and Learning Tips for the Holidays to learn practical and positive tips for spending time together during the holidays. Looking for additional activities to unplug and connect? Be sure to read 15 Holiday Games Adults and Kids Will Love.
May love and light fill your home and heart this winter season!
Sincerely,
Aimee Sulit, Ed.D.
DVUSD GIFTED EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
(December 14th)
Hillcrest Renaissance Program Evening Tour
https://www.dvusd.org/hillcrest
(January 12th)
Canyon Springs STEM Academy Campus Tour
STEAM FAIR/ Highland Lakes Music & Arts Academy
Presenter: Dr. Aimee Sulit, Manager of Gifted & Advanced Academics
It's not uncommon for high-ability children to also be perfectionists. Whether they worry about getting an assignment exactly right, earning all A's in school, or being the perfect friend, gifted children commonly experience perfectionism in some form. Join Dr. Aimee Sulit as she discusses key factors impacting perfectionism. Parents will walk away with key strategies to support their child at home.
Date/ Time:
January 17, 2023 (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.)
Location:
Las Brisas Elementary
5805 W. Alameda Road
Glendale, AZ 85310
SPRING GIFTED TESTING
This year, Spring Gifted Testing will occur between February 6th and March 3rd. Students in grades Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 3rd-11th grades are eligible to participate in Spring Gifted Testing. Students in grades K-1 will complete the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) via paper/ pencil. Students in grades 3-11 will complete the online version of CogAT. Registration for Spring Gifted Testing is currently available and will remain open through January 20th. (Note: Students in 2nd grade will participate in universal gifted testing and are not eligible to complete Spring Testing.)
Families wishing to have their child participate in Spring Gifted Testing are invited to register online on our DVUSD Gifted Website. Families may request gifted testing in one of three ways:
- Come to the child’s home school and register at a computer in the school’s front lobby. (Campuses may vary.)
- Call Gifted Services to register online with support from one of our Gifted Services team members (623-445-5588).
- Register at home using the link provided.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT GIFTED TESTING OFFERED IN DEER VALLEY!
TESTING FOR GIFTED PRE-K ACADEMY/ BRIGHT BEGINNINGS KINDERGARTEN
TESTING FOR THE GIFTED PRE-K ACADEMY (2023-24)
Deer Valley's Gifted Pre-K Academy at Las Brisas provides an enriched academic foundation for gifted and talented learners. Gifted Pre-K Academy serves as a foundation for nurturing the development of our youngest scholars who require advanced learning opportunities.
Gifted testing is available for families wishing to have their child considered for placement into DVUSD's Gifted Pre-K Academy. Click the link below for test registration information.
(Click HERE to Access the Flyer and Register)
TESTING FOR BRIGHT BEGINNINGS KINDERGARTEN (2023-24)
Bright Beginnings Kindergarten is available at Canyon Springs, Highland Lakes and Las Brisas. Qualifying students are placed in a Bright Beginnings Kindergarten classroom with children of similar abilities. During their time in Bright Beginnings Kindergarten, students work and learn at a pace commensurate with their advanced abilities. Instruction is project and problem-based to support critical and creative thinking within an inquiry learning environment.
Gifted testing is available for families wishing to have their child considered for a Bright Beginnings Kindergarten placement. Click the link below for test registration information.
RENAISSANCE IS COMING TO HILLCREST MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!
Hillcrest Middle School's 7-8 Renaissance Program is designed to provide highly gifted learners with unique educational opportunities. Hillcrest's Renaissance Program is founded on the Teaming Model to foster positive social and emotional student connections. Hillcrest's Renaissance Program provides a comprehensive approach that is responsive to the unique academic, creative, social and emotional needs of the precocious gifted child.
ALL are invited to learn more about Renaissance programming at Hillcrest Middle School. Come and visit us at one of our upcoming program tours or parent events! CALL 623.445.5588 TO REGISTER TODAY!
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CANYON SPRINGS Renaissance/ Bright Beginnings Tours: -November 9 -December 7 -January 5 -February 6 -March 6 -May 8 | HIGHLAND LAKES Renaissance/ Bright Beginnings Tours: -November 9 -December 7 -January 5 -February 6 -March 6 -May 8 | LAS BRISAS ELEMENTARY Renaissance/ Bright Beginnings Tours: -November 10 -December 12 -January 11 -February 21 -March 8 -May 15 |
CANYON SPRINGS
-November 9
-December 7
-January 5
-February 6
-March 6
-May 8
HIGHLAND LAKES
-November 9
-December 7
-January 5
-February 6
-March 6
-May 8
LAS BRISAS ELEMENTARY
-November 10
-December 12
-January 11
-February 21
-March 8
-May 15
TOUR OUR GIFTED PRE-K ACADEMY!!!
Gifted Pre-K Academy is now open! Deer Valley's Gifted Pre-K Academy is a tuition-based program for 4-year-old children who demonstrate giftedness and high potential. DVUSD's Gifted Pre-K Academy offers the best of both worlds, a developmental learning environment with high-ability peers and small group interactions. Our Gifted Pre-K Academy fosters student Independence, problem-solving, and personalized learning. Critical elements of this foundational program include:
- Emphasis on critical and creative thinking
- Accelerated and enriched curriculum
- Integrated technology
- Flexible grouping
- Early Childhood Certified and Gifted Endorsed teacher
In order to determine of the Gifted Pre-K Academy is a good fit for your child, call Deer Valley Gifted Services at 623-445-5588!
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Gingerbread CodingCanyon Springs' Kindergarteners coded about their favorite storybook character! | 2nd Grade Wax Museum Highland Lakes' 2nd grade Renaissance students presented their learning about influential people. | Rube Goldberg Machines Las Brisas' Renaissance students went through the Engineer and Design Process to create Rube Goldberg Machines. |
Gingerbread Coding
Canyon Springs' Kindergarteners coded about their favorite storybook character!
2nd Grade Wax Museum
Rube Goldberg Machines
