E-NEWS

2018-19 Back-to-School News

 Welcome back for the 2018-19 school year! I hope you all had a relaxing and enjoyable summer. This email is a general introduction to our year at BMHS in terms of GT services, and my schedule. Sorry about the length - I have a lot of information to give you!

 Gifted services at the high school level differ from elementary and middle schools in that there is no set GT lesson, course or pullout grouping of students for advanced academics. In place of this, students are encouraged to enroll in challenging courses such as AP and DE classes across all grade levels. I also support students to advocate for their academic needs during all their classes, via a formal process. We want all our students to be challenged every day, and to show growth every year.

 Social-emotional and related GT supports such as ALP goal setting (similar to middle school EDGE groups), is provided on an as-needed basis to any students who would like to meet with me one-on-one. Those conversations are student-directed and tailored to individual need.

 Advanced Learning Plans (required by CDE for all gifted students receiving services) are blended with students' ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan) and are housed on the Naviance platform. All high school students in our district, not only gifted students, have an ICAP. Our GT department ALP/ICAP combination focuses on post-secondary college and career planning. Each student, with my support, sets post-secondary goals and designs action plan steps each year to reach those goals. Goals may also be edited and modified over time, and are recorded on one online document. Parents have access to this document and have an opportunity to add input.

 My access to meeting with students at BMHS will be supported this year with the introduction of two Advisory periods each week on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Although these periods are just 35 minutes each, it allows for students to meet with me without having to leave a core class.

 At the beginning of each school year I meet with all incoming freshman students. At those meetings we determine the level of services and frequency of meetings needed. Not all students receive GT services in high school. Many (particularly older students) feel they are either independently 'on track', or have access to counselor and family supports. In that case, those students remain identified in our district but are removed from my 'caseload'. 

 Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the BMHS Open House this Wednesday evening due to attending the state GT Directors' meeting in Denver. However, please feel free to contact me at any time (email is best) if you would like to meet and/or discuss your student and his/her needs.

 PLEASE NOTE that future GT emails from me will be directed only to those families of students receiving GT services this year. If you would like to remain on the mailing list, opt your student in or out of GT services, or update an email address, please let me know! (I already have a list of students who have been opted out in previous years).

 Thanks! Wishing all students a fabulous year!