Gifted Update
September
Hello, families!
I want to start this newsletter by introducing my student teacher (pictured above), Jeanna Harclerode. Jeanna is a senior at UPJ and will be with me through December. She has already been working with students at the elementary level and is bringing great ideas into the classroom. I am excited to have her with us.
This is a new format for the newsletter. I am looking for some feedback on it as well as how you would prefer to be contacted in the future. To that end, I have included a response form below. If you could take a few moments to fill it out, I would greatly appreciate it.
I have grouped the student opportunities below by grade level, so you can focus on those that apply to your young scholars.
I have heard back from a number of parents about some great experiences and successes their children have had this past summer, including:
- Patrick Tuinstra was chosen to work with an archaeologist at the Johnstown Flood National Memorial. They are using metal detectors to find objects at the dig site. The goal is to find artifacts from the former South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club that owned the dam and lake prior to the Johnstown Flood of 1889. This group was featured recently in an article in the Tribune-Democrat: https://news.yahoo.com/digging-history-johnstown-flood-national-114900807.html
- Sophia Tuinstra was named a finalist for the Next Up Awards. The program awards scholarships to individuals 18 years of age or younger who have shown a transformative commitment to their communities. By being named one of the three finalists in her age range, Sophia has already been guaranteed a $500 award to use as a scholarship or to reinvest in her charitable work. If she is the winner, the award will be increased to $2,500. The winner will be announced at an awards celebration on October 6 at LeMont restaurant in Pittsburgh. More information about the awards and Sophia’s Miracle Mask charity can be found at https://bloodsciencefoundation.org/2021nextupawards/
- Callie Bennear was one of only 50 Girl Scouts from around the country to win a Girl Scout cookie contest. For winning, Callie was able to attend (virtually) Disney on Broadway - The Art of Storytelling program.
- Greta Stager was recently named one of the winners of the Kennedy Center VSA Playwright Discovery Program. There were 8 finalists chosen nationwide, and from those finalists, 4 winners were chosen. Greta will receive a cash award and participate in professional development activities, virtual workshops discussing new play development, careers in theatre, the intersection of disability and artistry, and build the foundation for thriving careers as artists.
Check out the opportunities below, and don't forget to let me know about your child's accomplishments so that we can celebrate them!
Grades 2-6
National Geographic Explorer Classroom
This Thursday we will be joining Matt Becker to learn all about cheetahs. Becker has spent his life working to protect wildlife and wild places. He is the CEO and Program Manager of the Zambian Carnivore Programme, a science-based conservation organization working on all the large African carnivore species, their prey, and their habitat across Zambia. For the last decade, he has lived and worked in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley. Students will learn about the threats these cats face, as well as how scientists and community members are protecting this species.
This will be a live activity where students will be able to participate by asking questions of Mr. Becker.
Students will also be able to sign up to join other upcoming National Geographic Explorer Classroom events, including:
- Protecting Nigeria's Chimpanzees with Rachel Ikemeh
- The Scale of Planetary Systems with Munazza Alam
- Hidden Plastics with Imogen Napper
- Life in the Deep Ocean with Jennie Berglund
Grades 2-12
First Amendment Museum - Call for artists!
More information can be found here: https://firstamendmentmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ART-Contest-with-SB-submissions.pdf
Happy Hands Art Contest
More information can be found here: https://happyhands.scjp.com/en-us/index
Capitol Conversations
Samples of upcoming events include:
- Thursday, September 16 – The Capitol Cornerstone
- Friday, September 17 – The Dog Days of the Constitutional Convention
- Monday, September 20 – Constitution 101
- Tuesday, September 21 – The Preamble
- Wednesday, September 22 – Congress & the Constitution
- Thursday, September 23 – The Signing of the Constitution
- Friday, September 24 – The Supreme Court Inside the Capitol: Part 1
Students should see Ms. K. for more information and to sign up.
More information and a schedule of upcoming events is available here: http://visitthecapitol.gov/capitol-conversations
Davidson Young Scholars
More information is available here: https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-programs/young-scholars/
Grades 5-8
The Try Your Hardest Math Problem Student Contest
More information can be found here: https://www.scholastic.com/hardestmathcontest/index.html
Grades 6-8
Patriot's Pen Essay Contest
The VFW’s Patriot’s Pen youth essay contest for a chance for 6-8 grade students to examine America’s history, along with their own experiences in modern American society, by drafting a 300- to 400-word essay, expressing their views based on a patriotic theme chosen. This year’s theme is “How can I be a good American?” Each first place state winner receives a minimum of $500 at the national level, and the national first place winner wins $5,000. Submissions are due by October 31 to the local VFW post listed below.
Post 4200 Vietnam Memorial Post
98 Penrod St
Johnstown, PA 15902
More information is available here: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships
Grades 6-12
EduHam
More information can be found here: https://hamilton.gilderlehrman.org/
National History Day
I am working with all grade 6 GIEP students on this project, and it is open to WH Jr.-Sr. High School students as well. This is a great program and would fit in nicely with many of their GIEP goals. Last year we had one WHHS student make it to states!
According to the NHD website, “National History Day is a year-long academic program focused on historical research, interpretation and creative expression for 6th- to 12th-grade students. By participating in NHD, students become writers, filmmakers, web designers, playwrights and artists as they create unique contemporary expressions of history. The experience culminates in a series of contests at the local and affiliate levels and an annual national competition in the nation's capital in June.
An independent study from 2011 found that participation in the National History Day Contest benefits students far beyond the competition. National History Day not only transports classrooms back in time during the school year, it transforms young minds forever.”
Each year, National History Day frames students’ research within a historical theme. The theme is chosen for broad application to world, national, or state history and its relevance to ancient history or to the more recent past. The 2021-2022 theme is Debate & Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures, Consequences.They will focus on finding primary and secondary sources about their topic. This will entail a great deal of research and reading. They will then create a paper, an exhibit, a documentary, a performance, or a website. Students can choose to work alone, or in a group of up to five, though groups may not choose the paper option.
This project will require students to work over a period of months to create a final product that is publishable. Students will compete first at the school level at the end of January. Then, those who are interested can edit their projects based on teacher feedback and compete at the regional level. Because of the current situation, this regional event is likely to take place virtually. From there, students can progress to the state and national levels, which will take place in May (location TBD) and June 2022 at the University of Maryland.
If your high schooler is interested in this, please have them email me or stop by my office.
More information is available here: https://www.nhd.org/
Grades 7-12
Scholastic Quiz
A common comparison is Jeopardy! with teams (or the College Bowl TV show).
If your child is interested in participating, please tell them email me or stop by my office.
National Book Festival - Poet Laureate
Any Jr.-Sr. High student interested in participating in a live event with US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo this Friday @ 11:25 should let Ms. K. know as soon as possible.
Joy Harjo, the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States, is an internationally renowned performer and writer of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. The author of nine books of poetry, including the highly acclaimed An American Sunrise, several plays and children’s books, and two memoirs, Crazy Brave and Poet Warrior, her many honors include the Ruth Lily Prize for Lifetime Achievement from the Poetry Foundation, the Academy of American Poets Wallace Stevens Award, two NEA fellowships, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. As a musician and performer, Harjo has produced seven award-winning music albums including her newest, I Pray for My Enemies. She is a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, Board of Directors Chair of the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation, and holds a Tulsa Artist Fellowship. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
More National Book Festival events are available for anyone to check out. More information is available here: https://www.loc.gov/events/2021-national-book-festival/
Grade 8
NYHS Tech Scholars - 8th Grade Girls Only!
Learn to code online in a supportive, all-girl environment! Explore how women across the spectrum of race, class, and sexuality exercised power and effected change. Share under-told stories of women throughout history and code digital projects that make a difference in the world and help fight the gender gap. Interact live with an instructor and a community of girls for optimal learning. Pair program and collaborate with other teens learning to code online. Learn coding (including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) to design and build your own digital projects—including games, apps, and websites. Get mentored by a wide range of women leaders in technology, and learn about career options! Tech Scholars Programs are offered on a pay-what-you-want basis. We are committed to making the program accessible to all girls.
Wednesdays, October 13 – November 17, 2021, 4:15 pm – 6:45 pm ET
Where are all the women in history textbooks? Explore important contributions by underrepresented women in history, then code and create a website to amplify a woman’s story as you learn HTML and CSS.
For 8th grade middle school girls! Register here by October 1!
More information can be found here: https://www.nyhistory.org/education/teen-programs/tech-scholars
Grades 9-12
NYHS Tech Scholars - 9th-12th Grade Girls Only
Learn to code online in a supportive, all-girl environment! Explore how women across the spectrum of race, class, and sexuality exercised power and effected change. Share under-told stories of women throughout history and code digital projects that make a difference in the world and help fight the gender gap.
Interact live with an instructor and a community of girls for optimal learning.
Pair program and collaborate with other teens learning to code online.
Learn coding (including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript) to design and build your own digital projects—including games, apps, and websites.
Get mentored by a wide range of women leaders in technology, and learn about career options!
Tech Scholars Programs are offered on a pay-what-you-want basis. We are committed to making the program accessible to all girls.
Questions? Contact teens@nyhistory.org.
Web Design: High School
Mondays, October 18 – November 22, 2021, 4:15 pm – 6:45 pm ET
Where are all the women in history textbooks? Explore important contributions by underrepresented women in history, then code and create a website to amplify a woman’s story as you learn HTML and CSS.
For high school girls, grades 9-12, nationwide! Register here by October 1!
More information can be found here: https://www.nyhistory.org/education/teen-programs/tech-scholars
Voice of Democracy - Audio Essay Contest
The VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. Each year, nearly 64,500 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. This year’s theme is “America: Where do we go from here?” Submissions are due by October 31 to the local VFW post listed below.
Post 4200 Vietnam Memorial Post
98 Penrod St
Johnstown, PA 15902
More information is available here: https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships
Grades 10 & 11
Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest - Girls Only
More information is available here: https://www.hollins.edu/academics/majors-minors/english-creative-writing-major/nancy-thorp-poetry-contest/
Grades 10-12
YoungArts National Arts Competition
Are you a 15- to 18-year-old visual, literary, or performing artist? YoungArts identifies the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary and performing arts, and provides them with creative and professional development opportunities throughout their careers. Students in grades 10-12 are encouraged to apply in one of the following disciplines: classical music, dance, design art, flim, jazz, photography, theater, visual arts, voice, or writing. All applications and submissions must be finalized and submitted by October 15, 2021.
More information is available here: https://youngarts.org/competition/
Ages 16+
Phipps Conservatory Youth Climate Advisory Committee
Students 16 and older who are passionate about climate change and environmental justice are eligible to apply for Phipps Conservatory’s Youth Climate Advisory Committee. The committee is composed of two leaders and 10 – 15 youth advisors, all paid, year-long positions. Some responsibilities of those on the committee are as follows:
Attend two meet-ups per month and perform committee tasks averaging 2 – 4 hours per week
Design and launch competitive, environment-themed challenges to peers in schools, the community and local organizations
Collaborate with other youth environmental organizations to meet and learn from other like minded youth
Attend meetings and workshops on climate education and activism, leadership, advocacy and green careers
To apply, students must submit a one to two page essay describing why they would like to be a part of the Youth Climate Advisory Committee. Applications are due by September 30, 2021.
More information is available here: https://www.phipps.conservatory.org/classes-and-programs/for-educators/youth-climate-advisory-committee/youth-climate-advisory-committee-member-application