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Welcome to BVGT Insight, a resource to help you support children who are gifted at home and in school, provided by Boulder Valley Gifted and Talented. Your $40 annual membership helps strengthen our efforts to advocate for the needs of gifted individuals in Boulder Valley.
We are making our newsletter available to everyone while we are updating our membership and mailing lists. Please SHARE this newsletter and JOIN TODAY at bvgt.org
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A Letter from the President
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This is a confidential communication to every single reader out there. Hear the message- and please- hold it in your heart and remember it- especially on the hard days:
You are doing a great job with the child(ren) in your care.
Yep.
And how do I know this?
Well- in your extremely limited free time, you are reading a newsletter from a small non-profit that supports gifted children. That means you care. You are involved. Your heart is in it. That is worth commenting on and commending.
And I say good on you.
BVGT supports gifted children mostly by educating the adults in their world.
You care enough to not only read our newsletter, maybe you even attend one or more of the events we sponsor throughout the year.
You might make a note of some upcoming summer activities (see below) available in our community to enrich your charge(s).
Perhaps you'll take a look at the book reviews (see way below), decide if one or two might be a good fit, and hunt down a copy to share out loud.
The truth is- I don't know what you will do after reading this, but that fact is you ARE reading this. So I tip my hat to you.
Please give the child(ren) in your care a "hello!" from me. And the next time you look in the mirror, you have not just my permission but my strong request to say "good job" out loud, and give yourself a bit of a smile.
With respect and gratitude for all you are doing,
Jocelyn Gebhardt
President
Boulder Valley Gifted and Talented
BVGT and BVSD Present
 
Dr. Linda Silverman:
Still Gifted After All These Years
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 7:00-8:30pm at
Southern Hills Middle School (1500 Knox Dr., Boulder)
Mark your calendars for this free IN PERSON event!! BVGT and BVSD will be hosting Dr. Linda Silverman, licensed psychologist and founder of the Institute for the Study of Advanced Development (ISAD) and Gifted Development Center (GDC) in Westminster, Colorado.
Dr. Silverman will discuss giftedness in adults - in you, and what your students will grow into. Giftedness is not about recognized achievement; it is about who you are, not what you do. You have unique characteristics that lead to unusual experiences throughout the lifespan. In this presentation, you will learn how a deeper understanding of your giftedness can lead to greater compassion for others and enable you to fulfill your life's mission.
Click here for full event description and registration information.
Fall/Winter Programming Recap
BVGT has been busy! We’ve hosted several successful virtual programs so far this school year.
We started right away in September, when our Educator Liaison Committee held two GT 101 programs for educators. First was “Differentiation on a Dime” with Doug Alexander and Jen Lucchesi, followed by “The Learning Galaxy” with Dr. Della Remack. These programs were so successful, maybe look for “GT 201” next fall!
In October we hosted Dr. Amanda Giordano who presented “Gaming Addiction,” exploring the effects that too much video game playing can have on children. You can find slides and a video of the presentation here.
Then on a snowy evening in January, we screened and discussed a video by Dr. Alok Konojia, “Why Gifted Kids are Actually Special Needs.” Thank you to everyone who joined us and added to the rich discussion of how we view our gifted students and sometimes need to adjust our expectations. If you were unable to attend, you can watch Dr. K’s video here.
BVGT Summer Playdates - Join Meetup!
Last summer, BVGT hosted 11 playdates around Boulder County. We designed these activities as a way to connect GT (and GT-curious!) families so that they could swap stories, share resources, and ask questions, while also providing opportunities for GT students to get to know some of their peers from other schools. Parents and guardians spent the time talking with each other and BVGT board members, while kiddos played games and did other fun stuff.
BVGT hopes to continue offering similar playdates in Summer 2023. To receive announcements of upcoming events, please join our meetup group (it's free, quick, and easy), BVGT Family Activities.
Questions? Suggestions? Want to help plan and/or run a playdate? Contact Sarah at sdodson-knight@bvgt.org.
Committee Updates
Boulder Valley Gifted and Talented (BVGT) continues to welcome Advocacy Committee members, Parent Liaisons, and Educator Liaisons!
The Advocacy Committee continues its work to develop helpful resources for families and school professionals, but we need your help! We are looking for a few new members who are interested in various forms of advocacy work from research to writing to public speaking. We meet every six weeks or so to plan and work. We also make time to get to know one another and to process our own journeys, joys, and challenges with giftedness. If you are interested in joining this small group and deepening your involvement with BVGT, please contact Stacey Green at sgreen@bvgt.org.
BVGT Parent Liaisons form a link between our organization and your school/community. There are many schools (both public and private) in our area which are currently unrepresented. One primary role of our BVGT Parent Liaisons is to encourage parents and teachers at your school to take advantage of resources and opportunities (in-person and online presentations, conferences, book groups, etc.) offered by BVGT and beyond. Our group of BVGT Parent Liaisons meets monthly (either in-person or virtually) to discuss our shared experiences as we strive to build supportive local communities of GT parents at each of our own schools.
This month, we are holding in-person Parent Liaison meet-ups so that we can enjoy a face-to-face connection! As usual, we will offer one meeting time during school-day hours as well as one meeting time during after-school hours, to try to accommodate various scheduling preferences: Monday, March 20 at the Superior Community Center (1500 Coalton Rd, Superior) from 9-10:30 am or Thursday, March 23 at Panera Bread (302 Center Dr Suite A, Superior) from 6:30-8 pm. You can purchase your own drinks from the counter, and we'll provide some snacks to share. Please let us know you're planning to attend by RSVPing here.
In April, we will be meeting virtually on Monday, April 17 from 12-1 pm or on Thursday, April 27 from 7:30-8:30 pm.
All are welcome! Please contact Tricia Carpenter at tcarpenter@bvgt.org or Deb Darnell at ddarnell@bvgt.org for more information.
Attention Educators: Lead Educator Liaison Jen Lucchesi invites any interested teacher, counselor, administrator, or school staff to join our group of Educator Liaisons. It's a great way to connect and share resources! Contact jlucchesi@bvgt.org.
BVGT Board Openings and Annual May Membership Meeting!
Have you wanted to become more involved with BVGT and have a talent for organizing or hosting events? BVGT has current openings for Programming Chair and Hospitality Chair. The Programming Chair coordinates our speakers and event logistics while the Hospitality Chair manages refreshments and such - though we all pitch in to help put on the show. Please email Jocelyn Gebhardt at president@bvgt.org if you are interested.
All BVGT members are also invited to attend our Annual Membership meeting on May 7! This is a great opportunity to learn more about BVGT. We will be electing board officers, appointing committee chairs and engaging in an evening of good food and company. Details coming soon!
Other Programming/Events
(Disclaimer: BVGT does not endorse individuals, events, and/or companies, unless explicitly stated. The information in this publication is intended for informational purposes only. Events and programming are free, unless otherwise noted.)
Conversations with CAGT, hosted by the Colorado Association of Gifted and Talented the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5pm on Facebook Live (look for it on CAGT’s Facebook page). Season 3 is still going strong! Archived presentations from past seasons are available (for free!!) here!
FREE GT-friendly events at Boulder Public Library:
Spanish classes for kids
Crazy 8’s Math Club
Teen Chats with Boulder Teen Advisory Board
Go board game Club
and more!
Click here for a list of ongoing events.
Other Area Events/Activities:
(may require fees)
CU Wizards
Fiske Planetarium
My Nature Lab
Junkyard Social
inventHQ Makerspace
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Recent Articles and Resources
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(Disclaimer: BVGT does not endorse individuals, events, and/or companies, unless explicitly stated. The information in this publication is intended for informational purposes only. Resources are free, unless otherwise noted.)
“Gen Z Voices: A failed test critical for a chance at MIT sent Sam Law into a spiral. Then he turned failure into success.” (CPR News)
“Raising Resilient, Well-Adjusted and Successful Smart Kids” (The Creativity Post)
“Understanding Your Gifted Child” (Psychology Today)
“Is it OK to Call a Child ‘Gifted?’” (Verywell Family)
“High Expectations - and Frustrations: Stories of Twice Exceptional Students Desperately Seeking Support” (ADDitude)
“Competition Can Motive, Encourage and Inspire Students. But It Can Also Harm Them.” (EdSurge)
“The Report of Gifted Education’s Death is Greatly Exaggerated” (Education Week)
“A Formula for Creating More Equitable Gifted and Talented Programs” (EdWeek)
“How Schools Can Benefit From the Power of Positive Parents” (EdWeek)
Other Resources:
Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted - SENG
SENG provides resources, programs and other events.
Boulder County and Colorado Teen Mental Health Resources
“No matter what you are going through, you are not alone.”
List of resources to support children who are twice exceptional
Jocelyn’s Book Reviews
Here we are in the thick of the school year- busy, busy, crazy busy.
So- carve out some time to read anyway. Seriously.
'These are the good old days' has been said before, and I say it today.
You have doubts?
Read some good books.
Read to yourself, to your children, to other people's children, to each other.
Listen to others read to you.
And that will be a great start to making it so.
Oxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox
Jocelyn
What Feelings Do When No One's Looking
Written by Tina Oziewicz
Translated from the Polish by Jennifer Croft
Illustrated by Aleksandra Zajac
First Elsewhere edition 2022
In this book each page is a different feeling. Add to that feeling a fabulous pen and ink drawing, and we have ourselves a winner. This book drew me in and carried me along. I was equally compelled to examine each page carefully and turn it quickly to see what came next. "Joy bounces on a trampoline" was soon followed by "Jitters sit in a rusty can in a dark corner..." and then later "Calm pets a dog." On and on- Gratitude, Envy, Anxiety, Kindness, Fear, and more. And such a strong ending, oh my. A conversation starter every time you read it.
I love good books about feelings and emotions- especially those that are kid-friendly. This picture book is a real treasure.
For ages around 4 and up, depending.
Nigel and the Moon
Written by Antwan Eady
Illustrated by Gracey Zhang
Published 2022
Every night Nigel tells the moon his big dreams, knowing the moon will keep them safe. But telling his classmates? That is scary. During Career Week at school, kids are encouraged to share both their parents' jobs and their own aspirations. Nigel just isn't sure- is he dreaming too big? Will the kids laugh and tease him? Well, on Friday, special guests join Nigel's classroom for a warm and satisfying conclusion to Career Week- and Nigel's fears. The ink, gouache and watercolor illustrations give this book an intimate and friendly feel. Love it!
For ages around 4 to 8 or 9.
The Wolf Suit
Written and illustrated by Sid Sharp
Published 2022
Bellwether Riggwelter lives alone in a little house deep in the forest. Of course, being a vulnerable beast, he keeps his window curtains closed. He loves many things about where he lives: the berries, the bird songs, the sweet flowers... And he declared (to himself) that he was NOT afraid of the forest and the wolves. (He was VERY afraid of the forest and the wolves). But wait! Bellwether has a brilliant idea about how to protect himself while gathering berries in the forest!
Will it work?
Yes, this is a colorful, creative picture book for children- but it is also a story of awareness and growth for everyone. I hope you enjoy this book. It might just allow you to open your curtains for a little sunlight in there.
For ages around 6-7 and up.
And here is an oldie but goodie for the very young:
Who's Hungry?
Flip the Flaps, Feed the Animals!
Created by Dean Hacohen
and Sherry Scharschmidt
Published 2015
This bright, colorful, cheerful book starts off boldly.
"Time to eat. Is anybody hungry?"
The following pages, illustrated with appropriate foods, allow your young child to 'feed the animals' by flipping the next page. The monkey gets a banana, the squirrel gets an acorn. I wonder who will eat the food on the last page?
A fun read, whether you're hungry or not.
From about 18 months to 4 or 5
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Thank you for checking out these resources and for supporting BVGT.
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