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
School Board Meetings - 7 p.m. at Central Office
NASH Counselor / Principal Coffees (third Thursday of month at 7 a.m. in Ponce Room) Slides available at link NAI Counselor Coffee/Cocoa Series Information
North Allegheny Superintendent Coffee with Dr. Robert Scherrer
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