Siuslaw TAG Program
Summer 2023 Newsletter
Motivating and preparing all students to reach their greatest potential
Message from TAG Coordinator:
It's hard to believe we are wrapping up the 2022-23 school year! It's been a year of growth of our Talented and Gifted program. We submitted a 3 year district TAG plan to the Oregon Department of Education. We solidified the TAG identification process and evidence used for the TAG evaluation. We trained teachers K-2 and began implementation of the Kingore Observation Inventory. This is a tool used to begin monitoring and identifying talented and gifted students in the primary grades. Thank you to Natalie Gibson for all her work to get this started. We also updated our district TAG Website with important resources for students, staff, and families.
Looking ahead to the 2023-24 school year, we will continue to serve all students at their own rate and level of learning to reach their greatest potential. Alyssa Cargill (TAG Representative for grades 3-5) and I will be attending the National Association for Gifted Children Convention. Professional development opportunities will be provided for staff on TAG identification and differentiation. We will also begin implementing a universal screening tool, the Cognitive Abilities Screener, at 3rd grade in the Spring of 2024.
Please reach out to me if you would like to have a transition meeting at the beginning of the school year. Otherwise, I will be available to update TAG plans during Fall and Spring conferences. Have a wonderful summer, and we will see you in September.
Sincerely,
Kelly Dotson
Siuslaw TAG Coordinator
Summer Enrichment Opportunities
Check out this list of Summer Enrichment Opportunities in Florence and Eugene. Do you have an opportunity to add? Please email kdotson@siuslaw.k12.or.us.
Congratulations SHS OBOB Team!
Pictured below: Coach Joslin, Abby Jones, Seamus Burke, Lilly Leland, Coach Goeddel.
Noetic Math Contest Excitement is Growing!
112 Siuslaw students in grades 3-8 participated in a second round of the Noetic Math Learning Contest in April (in the Fall 80 students participated). This is a challenging contest with a focus on higher level mathematical problem solving. This Spring's contest had a record-breaking number of participants, with over 35,000 students taking part! We are so proud of all of the students that participated. Special CONGRATULATIONS to the following students for earning the "Team Winner" award for scoring highest in their grade:
- 3rd Grade: Emree Christensen and Maddox Chance (tied)
- 4th Grade: Landon Linton
- 5th Grade: Wilder Tomaro-Holmes
- 6th Grade: McKenna Jones
- 7th Grade: Gunner Durgan
- 8th Grade: Allison Cooklin
3rd Grade Noetic Math Competitors
4th Grade Noetic Math Competitors
5th Grade Noetic Math Competitors
6th Grade Noetic Math Competitors
7th Grade Noetic Math Competitors
8th grade Noetic Math Competitors
Book & Podcast Recommendations
Author: Christine Fonesca
We know emotional intensities and overexcitabilities are very much a reality for many gifted children. Sometimes these intensities are helpful and inspiring, and sometimes they can be crushing. We can all use some extra guidance so we can better support this population of students with their intensities, and perhaps Christine Fonseca's words will inspire new strategies to use at home. This book has 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Author: James T. Webb, Ph.D.
You may already have a copy of this highly recommended, award winning read, but it is still worthy of an additional mention for those that have not heard of it. Although it's a few years old (updated version coming soon), the four authors have decades of combined expertise and offer sound advice to help parents navigate a wide range of issues specific to raising a gifted child.
Author Lisa Van Gemert is a nationally recognized expert in the field of Gifted Ed. and has written a book that targets the great killer of joyful learning for children: their own perfectionism! As a mother of three highly gifted sons, she's been down a similar road as you and has excellent ideas for how you can help your child develop a growth mindset and embrace productive struggle. Lisa's writing is inviting and fun to read, and her advice applies to all ages.
This updated, informative book examines the problems of gifted and talented students and explains how they can make the best use of their educational opportunities, get along better with parents and friends, and better understand themselves.
Email Kelly Dotson to borrow a copy of this book. kdotson@siuslaw.k12.or.us
Based on new surveys of nearly 1,500 gifted teens, this book is the ultimate guide to thriving in a world that doesn't always support or understand high ability. Full of surprising facts, survey results, step-by-step strategies, inspiring teen quotes, and insightful expert essays, the guide gives readers the tools they need to appreciate their giftedness as an asset and use it to make the most of who they are. Email Kelly Dotson to borrow a copy of this book. kdotson@siuslaw.k12.or.us
TAG Contact Information
Your classroom teachers are responsible for delivering TAG services, and are an integral part of each student’s TAG plan. Remember to continue to work closely with your child’s teachers next year.
Natalie Gibson
K-2nd grade TAG Representative
Alyssa Cargill
3rd-5th grade TAG Representative