January 2020

NAPAGE

January 13, 2020

1:00pm - Baierl Center

MEETING MINUTES


Next NAPAGE Meeting

  • Monday, February 3, 2020 at 1:00 pm - Central Admin Offices / 200 Hillvue Ln.

  • Monday, March 2, 2020 at 6:30 pm in Ponce Room at the Baierl Center


Items and topics discussed:

Michelle Faber to discuss PSU Honors College at future meeting.


Committee/Group updates

  • GAC (Gifted Advisory Committee) - Need building reps at: Bradford Woods, Franklin Elementary, Hosack, Ingomar Elementary, Ingomar Middle, Marshall Middle. Email if interested, or have questions. (northalleghenypage@gmail.com)

    Building reps are invited to attend GAC meetings with Dr. Joseph Sciullo and other gifted support staff throughout the year at Central Administration Offices. Great way to get involved!


Upcoming Events


Presentation Notes - Dr. Anna Marie Breaux speaker at January 13, 2020 meeting.

In-between IEPs

  • Listen to your child

  • Develop interests, nurture talent

  • Explore and discover

  • Emphasize EFFORT over outcome

  • Ask questions, think about things.

  • Provide mistake opportunities, model positive ways to address setbacks. (ex: arts, music, poetry) Facilitate self expression


Emotional Intensity

  • “Mini-philosophers”

  • Support their sensitivity

  • Help with emotional regulation


Asynchronous Development

  • Social, emotional, physical, intellectual, and creativity may be outside norms.


Monitor Educational Setting

  • Is GIEP meaningful

  • Clearly and completely written

  • Address regular education class

  • Address scope and nature

  • Current progress in all academic areas

  • Phrases like “above grade level” will not allow the development of short term goals


Things to be Aware Of

  • Gifted is not a program

  • Make sure child is not being punished with additional grade level work, but is instead being challenged by higher level - creative work.

  • Pull out programs are insufficient


Regular Ed Teachers

  • Can not ignore GIEP (homework, differentiation, pre-testing)

  • Not all teachers know who has a GIEP, or whom is gifted

  • Don’t allow intimidating “no one has ever asked for that”

  • Learn terminology

  • Be persistent


Educational Differentiation

  • Differentiated homework - Diff work, stays engaged. Alternative assignments should take the same time.


Pre-Testing

  • Test on material prior to classroom instruction

  • Team has to argue on mastery

  • Allows student to stay engaged


Curriculum Compacting

  • Streamlines grade level curriculum

  • Acceleration - can be subject or grade level

  • Allows child to work with ability appropriate material.

  • Ask : Is this plan appropriate


Rule of 3 - no many honors or AP classes, pick 3.


Monitor the Process

  • Self Advocacy

  • Pick up signs of frustration

  • Open dialogue with teachers. Reopen GIEP if needed.


Perfectionism

  • Help children with goal setting. Perfect doesn’t happen very often.

  • Encourage rough draft ideas.

  • Allow positive self talk


Play Dates/Hang outs

  • Give the child opportunities to hang out with other like minded kids


Other considerations

  • Age appropriate behavior

  • Parents model balance and self-care

  • Set the tone to reduce stress and anxiety

  • Use humor

  • Connect with other parents

  • Be accepting, and accommodating


Enrichment

  • Non-stop activities can be exhausting

  • Provide activities for their interest

  • Encourage questioning. Idea: Create a reference library at home.

  • Unstructured activities - hike, walk, etc.

  • Connecting with nature reduces anxiety, and depression

  • Family Game Night - Board games foster teamwork, gracious losing, low-tech, great way to unwind

  • Group activities - Encourage child to join

  • School based enrichment - competitions

  • Group or individual projects can encourage lifelong skills

  • Don’t overschedule! Model good behavior.


Just because you can, doesn’t mean you have to.


Positive stress can be a good thing (Motivates, focuses energy; Is short-term.; Is perceived as within our coping abilities.; Feels exciting.; Improves performance.) link


Why Join NAPAGE

Discussion on the hows and whys of our group. Why did people join, what have they learned, what would they offer or say to a new member.

PAGE offers

  • Support and being able to share experiences

  • Learn about what's coming for our children

  • Learn about resources available via discussions and presenters

  • Learning to navigation the NA school system

  • Sharing feedback and having an outlet to have concerns addressed (Consumer Concerns)

  • Ability to talk with others

  • Exchange GIEP ideas


Mission Statement:

NAPAGE is a parent support/advocacy group. We are the North Allegheny chapter of the Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE). PAGE is a nonprofit advocacy group dedicated to helping gifted learners, parents and educators. You can visit their website at www.giftedpage.org for more information.

NAPAGE’s mission is to advocate for and support gifted children and their families in the North Allegheny School District. We accomplish this by:

  • Providing parent representation to NA’s Gifted Advisory Committee (GAC and SEAC)

  • Sharing experiences, concerns and successes

  • Proactively addressing issues that arise

  • Encouraging the use of best practices in gifted education


District Gifted Education information can be found at:

https://www.northallegheny.org/Page/25870