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End of the School Year Updates 2025

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 04:26:18 GMT

Congratulations to our 2025 Educator Grant Awardees

Mrs. Stacey Cunningham currently teaches math at Northern Guilford Middle School. She also serves as the TAG (talented and gifted) chair for NGMS. She is originally from New York, and moved to Greensboro to attend Guilford College. She has two Bachelor's degrees (in Education and Psychology) from Guilford College and a Master's in Middle Grades Math Education from UNCG. She has been teaching for over 20 years and loves her work! She focuses on teaching students not only how to perform math calculations but also how to apply them effectively.

“I believe that everyone can do math! It may come easily to some and require a little extra effort from others, but we can all do it- learning is a process!” - Stacey Cunningham

With the grant awarded, Mrs. Cunningham plans to purchase an educator edition of IXL. This online platform provides a structured approach to practice and reinforcement, offers detailed student performance data, and can be used to personalize instruction. The IXL platform, with its features that can save teachers time and effort, such as automated reporting and adaptive learning, is set to revolutionize the way we teach and learn math at Guilford Gifted.

Mrs. Laura Heflin, a dedicated educator, currently teaches AIG at Shadybrook and Kirkman Park Elementary Schools. Originally from Michigan, she has lived and taught in NC for 19 years now. She earned a Master's in Education from Elon University and has taught 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th grade in Randolph County. Her passion is history and especially US history. She is married and has a daughter in 3rd grade who receives AIG services. This personal connection fuels her passion for teaching AG pull-out for the first time this year!

“I love challenging students and also being a support for classroom teachers in providing differentiation for our advanced learners.” - Laura Heflin

Mrs. Heflin plans to purchase Quest Kits from the Silverquicken Company with the grant awarded. These kits enhance problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork among students. After experiencing these engaging, collaborative puzzle activities firsthand at the NCAGT conference, she is excited about their potential to transform her AIG instruction and her students' problem-solving skills.

GCS Proposed Changes to AIG Services

The AG Department has been working on the proposed updates and changes to the 3-year AIG plan. These changes will be submitted to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in July. Any comments or concerns need to be raised before then.

Key updates:

The Cognitive Test Abilities (COGAT) is used to identify AIG students in GCS. The COGAT measures aptitude, or potential. Previously, this test was administered in the 3rd grade and was proctored, a pencil-and-paper test. The county proposes moving to a self-paced, audio-led test for 2nd graders. This self-paced version is offered in eight languages and is designed to reduce language barriers and technical difficulties during administration.
Changes to the Identification Criteria will adjust the Iowa Assessment test percentiles for eligibility for AG services from the 85th to the 90th percentile. The Iowa Assessment test measures achievement by comparing your student against other students locally and nationally. Students who receive a score between the 85th and 89th percentile will still have a pathway to services with a passing score on a Performance Task, which will be administered following the Iowa assessment. Eligibility with a Level 5 on a state EOG remains unchanged. Students who were identified using the current Identification process will NOT lose AG services. These new standards will be followed for AG identification for the 2025/2026 school year. Changing the standard for AG services from 85% to 90% reverts to the standard before the 2022-2025 plan. The county reports that the data support this decision because the percentage of students scoring 4 or 5 on the EOG drops significantly in the 85th-89th percentile group.
Increased flexibility in Elementary Services Provision by adjusting the wording of AG pullout requirements. Currently, AG students are required to receive 90 minutes of pullout instruction from an AG-certified teacher. The new requirements will stipulate that AG students should receive pullout for 60-90 minutes, leaving a 30-minute flexibility for "push-in" instruction.
Middle School Adjustments will be made to the current “Advanced” middle school courses. The county plans to model the state's new Honors Course guidelines. This will prove that the course is, in fact, advanced. The district will also redirect funds to support ELA curriculum extensions. The county will hire someone to write extensions for any ELA modules that did not get extensions last year. There are no plans to offer English 1 to any AIG student who does not attend Lincoln Academy or Brown Summit.
Confirm acceleration in 7th grade and access to Math 1. The district Math Department sets the Criteria for placement, regardless of a student's AG label. The criteria use the NWEA and EOG scores. "Just because your student is AG, does not mean that they automatically go to Math 1 in seventh grade."
The VS program at Lincoln Academy will receive increased funding for curriculum writing. This will formalize the district resources and ensure they are adapted to meet the needs of the VS population.

Guilford Gifted applauds the AG Department in its commitment to improve how the CogAT is administered to elementary students in GCS. We are also pleased with the plans for the advanced middle school curriculum.

We understand that AG instruction is not one-size-fits-all, but we continue to support AG pullout for every AG student in the county. We also support homogeneous, or ability grouping, in all elementary and middle school classrooms, particularly in core subjects such as math, English Language Arts (ELA), science, and social studies. We look forward to learning more about the curriculum created. We do continue to encourage the county to make Math 1 and English 1 available to middle school students across the district fairly and equitably, so that it meets the needs of every advanced student who would benefit from acceleration.

If you would like to learn more about what is or is not implemented in an honors-level course, please refer to the NC DPI Honors Level Coursework , Overview and Background website.

To learn more about ability grouping, please read this article published by The Thomas B. Fordham Institute: Should schools group students by ability?

For anyone who missed the virtual information session on the Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Plan for 2025-2028, we will post it as soon as the county makes it available.

End of Year General Meeting

Please join us for our annual End of Year General Meeting! This year's meeting will be held on June 9, 2025, 6:00 pm at Panera Bread 2645 Lawndale Dr, Greensboro, NC 27408

Add to your calendar!

https://calendar.app.google/GrL7doXXCGzEeg2N7

Bingo Bash Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, donated, and sponsored our Bingo Bash Fundraiser! It was an evening filled with great food, generously donated and served by Jake’s Diner, fantastic prizes, and lots of laughter! We are grateful to have raised almost $ 2,300. The money raised will support our efforts to fund programs supported by the AG department, and our ability to continue offering Educator Grants! We hope to see everyone next year!

Special Thank You to our Sponsors!

Cone Health MedCenter Greensboro at Drawbridge Parkway and Jake’s Diner

Generous Donors

The Solace Group

Party of 5 Events

The Thrive Foundation

Terry’s Creations

Greensboro Grasshoppers

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Nyghtfalcon Photography

Carolina Theatre

Greensboro Science Center

Oak View Group / Greensboro Complex

Miriam P. Brenner Children’s Museum

Rody's Tavern

Char Bar 7

Quaintance Weaver Management

Toys & Co

PF Changs

Greensboro Swarm

Mad Splatter

The U.S. National Whitewater Center

North Carolina Arboretum Society

Life Enhancement Services

The Brown Family

Inner Peaks Climbing Center- Charlotte

Kings Dominion

The Island- Pigeon Forge

High Point University

Costco

Get Involved

Invite friends and teachers to become members! It’s free and easy, join here!

Volunteer for our 2025/2026 school year! We are in search of:

Vice President - attend monthly board meetings, support the president as needed
Treasurer - current treasurer in place and will train the incoming treasurer
Event planning - find and plan for an annual speaker for members in the spring
Newsletter/social media- content creator for quarterly newsletters and Facebook

Please reach out to us with any questions, comments, or concerns to info@guilfordgifted.org

Winter Newsletter 2025

Sat, 11 Jan 2025 18:57:57 GMT

New Year Goals

New year, new you?

Having rung in the new year, many people are setting their resolutions and goals for the next 365 days (and beyond). What about our gifted learners? Why is it important to set goals for these learners and why can it be so hard to commit to something?

Join NCAGT and other educators, parents, and gifted partners for the first Gifted eXchange of 2025 as we dive into "Goal Setting for Gifted Learners." This virtual event will take place 1/23/2025 from 7-8 pm.

Register at this link: https://forms.gle/juHUAdJnJNYU3x5i6

Math Matters

Do you have a middle school kiddo who is still lagging behind post covid? Or maybe you have a kid who can’t get enough stimulation in math class and wants to learn more, faster! Po-Shen Loh is a professor at Carnegie Mellon, and may have cracked the code in making math interactive and fun!

The website describes the program as “ LIVE solves two problems at the same time: giving incredible high school math students an opportunity to blossom as pro (math) streamers, and being role models for middle school students while teaching them challenging math.”

He has combined math and improv comedy building a platform that combines features from Instagram Live and Twitch in a way that young learners find engaging!

Before creating LIVE, Prof. Po-Shen Loh created The Daily Challenge, a fun and engaging way to teach competition math!

If you have a high school student who loves math and is looking for an outlet to give back while getting paid, they might be a great fit to become a LIVE tutor. Learn more here!

The Underachieving Gifted Student

In the article, Tips for Parents: Doing Poorly on Purpose: Underachievement and the Quest for Dignity , Dr. Jim Delisle discusses an all too common struggle for gifted kids- underachievement.

In his article, he explains what commonly leads to gifted learners becoming underachievers, and how parents might work towards resolving underachievement in their child.

He leaves parents with a bit of powerful advice, “ parents need to remember that a short-term gain in achievement is not worth the price of a long-term dissolution of the adult-child relationship. Sometimes, this means stepping back, as a parent; other times it means listening to your parent not as a critic, but as a partner in problem-solving.”

Lastly, we should encourage students to pursue excellence, rather than perfection. Adults can model acceptance of their mistakes while striving for excellence. Gifted students should not be expected to complete every task, with 100% accuracy.

Make a Resolution to Get Involved!

Because 2025 is an AG plan writing year, it is a vital time for parents to have their voices heard.

Many of you have expressed concerns within your schools, and we see common themes shared by many other parents across the county. As important as it is to share concerns and ideas to create improvement, it is also important to highlight the successes and value the AG Department and our AG teachers bring to our children's lives!

When parents speak up, we can make a difference! During this plan writing year, we encourage every parent/guardian to bring your concerns to the school board meetings. If you cannot attend a school board meeting, we encourage you to write some comments and submit them to be read during the meeting.

Please remember that funding for AIG is imperative, and currently inadequate! Remember to let everyone know how much we appreciate and value our children's AG teachers!

We can make tangible progress if we raise concerns/ideas at EVERY school board meeting.

Here are some of the common concerns that you have expressed: Increased middle school support, services, opportunities, parent/teacher engagement

Offer English 1 to all eligible 8th-grade students across the county
Grouping all AG students in the same classrooms for elementary and middle school
Continued/increased funding for AG services
More enrichment opportunities for AG students (outside of Math, ELA, regular school)
Creation and funding of AG science and social studies education for middle school
Differentiated syllabus for all “advanced” math, science, and ELA classes
Increased diversity, accessibility, and inclusivity of AG programs
More AG options/programs for choice or transfer- BSMS is not enough
Increased support for twice exceptional students
AG certifications for teachers
Increased availability of AP classes in every high school

Below are the instructions to be given time to speak at the school board meetings:
Persons wanting to publicly address the Board of Education must register to do so by emailing boardclerk@gcsnc.com the day before the meeting starting at 8 pm until 12 pm the day of the meeting. A maximum of three (3) minutes is granted to each speaker, with a total of 30 minutes designated at the beginning of the meeting for all public comments. Speakers may be screened before building entry. To streamline the check-in process, please limit personal items to a minimum. Bags, purses and other items may be subject to security screening.

Instructions to submit comments to be read at a school board meeting:
Written comments may also be submitted by sending an email to boardclerk@gcsnc.com by 12 pm the day of the meeting with the subject line "PUBLIC COMMENTS" and enter the date of the meeting. Comments received by email will be posted with the meeting agenda.

Dates of the school board meetings currently scheduled for the remainder of the year:
Board meetings are generally held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm. in the Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St., Greensboro. Dates and times are subject to change. Meetings start with a closed session at 5:30, then an open session at 6 pm.

Upcoming meetings:
Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 13, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 26, 2025, 5:30 p.m.

How to find your school board representative:
Please use the link below to find your representative! You are encouraged to email them with your concerns and hopes for the next AIG plan. Please remember that increased funding for AG is essential. The budget work session will occur in April- so we must speak up before then!

Example of comments for the school board

If you plan to speak, please let us know! We would like to see parents and our AG concerns to be represented throughout the entire year!

For more information about the current research regarding gifted education, please start here!

Applications Open Jan 12!

Guilford Gifted is especially excited to make a difference in the classroom!

Our Educator Grant is aimed at doing just that. These grants are open to every educator, not just AG teachers! Grants are intended to support programs for gifted learners, such as classroom projects, field trips, clubs/teams, and technical resources. These awards are to help you expand your students’ knowledge and experience in or out of the classroom. Proposals are flexible. For example, applicants may seek funds for a student club or outside team (e.g., robotics, Science Olympiad), needed technology (e.g., printer, software), defray field trip costs or an enriching classroom project.

In 2025 Guilford Gifted will provide Educator Grants totaling in the amount of 1,000.00.

Learn more here!

Become a member for the 2024-2025 school year today!

We don’t believe advocacy and resources should cost money, so membership is currently free. We appreciate and accept donations that will assist us in providing our community with events such as speakers or other educational opportunities!

Why join Guilford Gifted? You will receive invitations to events such as speakers that are members-only.

You will be updated with new legislation affecting gifted education in NC.
You will have access to local and national resources.
Most Importantly- It shows your support for Gifted Education in your child's school!

If you have any questions, please email us at membership@guilfordgifted.org

Together We Make an Impact

Volunteer!

Are you looking for a hands-on way to advocate for gifted education in Guilford County? Getting involved with Guilford Gifted allows you to make meaningful contributions to the AG community. Do you have an interest in and/or talent in event planning, social media, communications, IT services, fundraising, or simply want to get involved? If so, we have a place for you!

We are currently seeking to fill roles for:
Event Planning / Fundraising Committee members
Secretary
Quarterly Newsletters
Treasurer
Vice President

If you would like more information, please fill out this volunteer Interest form or email us at info@guilfordgifted.org .

Please see the amazing impact our volunteers made during the 2023/2024 school year!
Guilford Gifted End of Year Updates 2024

Important Dates

Jan 13- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm
Jan 14- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm
Feb 10- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm
Feb 1- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm
Mar 10- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm
Mar 11- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm
Mar 19- GCS Board of Education Meeting
April 8- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm
April 14- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm
May 12- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm
May 13- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm
June 26- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm

Save the Date

Mark your calendars and save the date for a fun-filled evening that will include dinner, bingo, basket raffles, and lots of laughter!

April 24, 2025
6-8 PM

A fundraising event for Guilford Gifted. Details to follow soon.

North Carolina Association for the Gifted & Talented plays an important role in advocating for gifted education in NC! Show your support and become a member and have access to members-only resources. You will be the first to know about new content coming from NCAGT, and you will be eligible for discounted registration to conferences and other events.
Don’t miss NCAGT's Podcast!

Time and time again, we hear “they’ll be fine, they’re smart, they’re already ahead of the game” when people refer to gifted learners. Because of this sad misconception, too many students fail to reach their potential because they do not receive appropriately challenging curriculum and services. The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) reports that 73% of teachers agreed that “Too often the brightest students are bored and under-challenged in school... we’re not giving them a sufficient chance to thrive.”
Listen to “They’ll be Fine” and hear from the experts!

Join the next 50th Annual NCAGT Conference!

N CAGT will be in Concord, NC, on March 13th & 14th, 2025, and we want to see you there! Keep an eye on this page for updates about registration, lodging sites, keynotes, and more!

https://www.ncagt.org/annualconference

Guilford County Schools revised their AG Plan in June 2022. The plan must be updated every three years. The next AIG plan will be updated in 2025. Follow this link to read the plan.

Guilford Gifted, formerly known as Guilford County PAGE, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supporting our community’s brightest young minds with strong advocacy for the advancement of gifted education. We provide the tools to engage and empower all those involved with gifted children, thereby building tomorrow’s leaders today. PAGE stands for Partners for the Advancement of Gifted Education.

We affiliate with the North Carolina Association for the Gifted & Talented (NCAGT).

The board consists of volunteers whose children are currently involved in AG services.

Resources listed in the Newsletter:

https://forms.gle/juHUAdJnJNYU3x5i6
https://live.poshenloh.com/
https://youtu.be/3sgCAXWLdYk?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/NttsYtPXsIk?feature=shared
https://live.poshenloh.com/high-school
https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-blog/tips-for-parents-doing-poorly-on-purpose-underachievement-and-the-quest-for-dignity/
http://www.ncagt.org/
https://rss.com/podcasts/ncagtpodcast/
https://gifted.achieve.ai/blogs/what-is-cogat-cognitive-abilities-test-gifted-assessment/
https://exceptionalchildren.org/takeaction?vvsrc=/Campaigns/109017/Respond
https://www.gcsnc.com/Page/5427
https://www.gcsnc.com/Page/80747
https://www.gcsnc.com/domain/20857
https://www.gcsnc.com//cms/lib/NC01910393/Centricity/Domain/2425/GCS%20Choice%20Schools%20Showcase%202023%20Final.pdf
https://gcsnccom-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/jordand_gcsnc_com/EeaxKNl5FbhMjQM9tkkzoQEB4MZgseLZPutcx5L40J2CYQ?nav=eyJyZWZlcnJhbEluZm8iOnsicmVmZXJyYWxBcHAiOiJPbmVEcml2ZUZvckJ1c2luZXNzIiwicmVmZXJyYWxBcHBQbGF0Zm9ybSI6IldlYiIsInJlZmVycmFsTW9kZSI6InZpZXciLCJyZWZlcnJhbFZpZXciOiJNeUZpbGVzTGlua0RpcmVjd

An affiliate of the North Carolina Association for the Gifted & Talented (NCAGT).

Back to School 2024

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 02:09:51 GMT

Let’s get ready to learn

Become a member for the 2024-2025 school year today!

We don’t believe advocacy and resources should cost money, so membership is currently free. We appreciate and accept donations that will assist us in providing our community with events such as speakers or other educational opportunities!

Why join Guilford Gifted?

You will receive invitations to events such as speakers that are members-only.
You will be updated with new legislation affecting gifted education in NC.
You will have access to local and national resources.
Most Importantly- It shows your support for Gifted Education in your child's school!

If you have any questions, please email us at membership@guilfordgifted.org

Together We Make an Impact

Volunteer!

Are you looking for a hands-on way to advocate for gifted education in Guilford County? Getting involved with Guilford Gifted allows you to make meaningful contributions to the AG community. Do you have an interest in and/or talent in event planning, social media, communications, IT services, fundraising, or simply want to get involved? If so, we have a place for you!

We are currently seeking to fill roles for:

Event Planning / Fundraising Committee members

Quarterly Newsletters

Treasurer

Vice President

If you would like more information, please fill out this volunteer Interest form!

Please see the amazing impact our volunteers made during the 2023/2024 school year!

Guilford Gifted End of Year Updates 2024

Upcoming Opportunities

Important Dates

Sept 9- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Zoom Meeting, 6 pm

Sept 10- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm

Sept 24- AG Middle School Transitions Meeting, 6 pm

Sept 26- AG High School Transitions Meeting, 6 pm

Oct 8- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm

Oct 14- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm

Nov 11- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Zoom Meeting, 6 pm

Nov 12- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm

Dec 9- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm

Dec 10- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm

Jan 13- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm

Jan 14- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm

Feb 10- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm

Feb 1- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm

Mar 10- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm

Mar 11- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm

Mar 19- GCS Board of Education Meeting

April 8- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm

April 14 - Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm

May 12- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm

May 13- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm

June 26- GCS Board Meeting, Board Room located at 712 N. Eugene St, 5:30 pm

AG Educator Spotlight

We want to spread the word about how wonderful our teachers are! Don’t miss the opportunity to spotlight a teacher who impacts your child's life!

We know that Guilford County is full of AMAZING teachers! We want to Spotlight them. Fill out the form below so we can boast about your favorite educator! Tell us what makes them special or how they affect their students' lives every day. Look for the spotlights on Facebook and in the newsletters!

AG Educator Spotlight Nomination Form

Start the school year by creating good study habits!

One critical aspect of academic success is developing effective study habits. Parents play a pivotal role in shaping these habits, influencing not just academic performance but also instilling a lifelong love for learning. By creating a supportive environment and adopting proactive strategies, parents can significantly enhance their children’s ability to study effectively.

1. Establishing a Routine

Consistency is fundamental to developing good study habits. According to research by the American Academy of Pediatrics, establishing a structured daily routine helps children manage their time better and reduces stress (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2014). Parents can assist by creating a structured schedule that includes dedicated study times. A predictable routine not only reduces procrastination but also ensures that children allocate sufficient time for academic tasks (National Institute for Literacy, 2008). For instance, setting aside specific times each day for homework, reading, or revision helps children understand that studying is a regular part of their day, much like eating or sleeping.

2. Creating an Optimal Study Environment

The physical space where children study plays a crucial role in their ability to concentrate and learn effectively. According to a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology , an organized and quiet study environment significantly enhances academic performance (Haines et al., 2015). Parents can help by creating a dedicated, distraction-free study area that is well-lit and equipped with the necessary supplies. By maintaining an organized and inviting study environment, parents can help children develop a positive association with studying (Becker & Luthar, 2002).

3. Encouraging Active Engagement

Effective study habits involve active engagement with the material. Research by the University of California, Berkeley, suggests that interactive study techniques, such as summarizing information, creating flashcards, and discussing topics with family members, can make studying more effective and enjoyable (Dunlosky et al., 2013). Parents can encourage children to use diverse study methods and set specific, achievable goals for each study session to enhance focus and measure progress.

4. Modeling Good Study Habits

Children often emulate the behavior of adults, making it essential for parents to model good study habits. According to a study in Child Development , children who observe their parents engaging in learning activities are more likely to value and adopt similar behaviors (Berk, 2009). By demonstrating a commitment to their own learning and organization, parents can reinforce the value of these practices. For example, parents who set aside time for reading or personal development show their children the importance of continuous learning and effective time management (Harris et al., 2009).

5. Providing Emotional Support

Studying can sometimes be stressful, and children benefit from emotional support during challenging times. Research published in School Psychology Review indicates that positive reinforcement and emotional support from parents are critical in enhancing a child’s academic motivation and resilience (Patall et al., 2008). Parents can help by maintaining open lines of communication, celebrating achievements, and offering reassurance during difficulties. This support helps children navigate setbacks and stay motivated.

6. Teaching Organizational Skills

Organization is a cornerstone of effective studying. According to The ADHD Report , teaching children how to use tools such as planners, calendars, and to-do lists can improve their organizational skills and academic performance (DuPaul & Stoner, 2014). Parents can demonstrate how to break large tasks into smaller, manageable steps, which alleviates feelings of being overwhelmed and promotes a more systematic approach to studying.

7. Encouraging a Balanced Lifestyle

Good study habits are best supported by a balanced lifestyle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and adequate sleep contribute to cognitive function and overall well-being, which are crucial for effective studying (CDC, 2020). Parents should encourage children to engage in these healthy practices to enhance their ability to focus and retain information during study sessions.

8. Offering Guidance, Not Micromanagement

While it is important that parents are involved, it is equally crucial to balance guidance and independence. Research from the Journal of Family Psychology suggests that micromanaging a child’s study routine can lead to increased stress and resistance, whereas providing support and resources while allowing children to take ownership of their learning promotes self-discipline and responsibility (Grolnick & Ryan, 1989).

Take Away

Parents are instrumental in cultivating good study habits in school-age children. By establishing routines, creating conducive study environments, encouraging active engagement, modeling positive behavior, providing emotional support, teaching organizational skills, promoting a balanced lifestyle, and offering appropriate guidance, parents can lay a solid foundation for their children’s academic success. These efforts contribute not only to better grades but also to the development of lifelong learning skills, equipping children for future challenges and opportunities.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2014). School Success and Sleep: What Every Parent Needs to Know . Retrieved from AAP
Becker, B. E., & Luthar, S. S. (2002). Social-emotional factors affecting academic achievement in urban high school students. Journal of Educational Psychology , 94(1), 1-10.
Berk, L. E. (2009). Child Development . Pearson.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Physical Activity Basics . Retrieved from CDC
DuPaul, G. J., & Stoner, G. (2014). ADHD in the Schools: Assessment and Intervention Strategies . Guilford Press.
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest , 14(1), 4-58.
Grolnick, W. S., & Ryan, R. M. (1989). Parent styles associated with children’s self-regulation and competence in school. Journal of Family Psychology , 3(3), 197-217.
Harris, K. R., Graham, S., & Adkins, M. (2009). Improving the Writing Performance of Young Students with Learning Disabilities: A Review of the Research . Journal of Special Education, 43(4), 271-284.
Haines, V. A., et al. (2015). The Impact of School Environment on Student Achievement . Journal of Educational Psychology , 107(2), 556-565.
National Institute for Literacy. (2008). Developing Effective Study Skills: A Guide for Educators and Parents . Retrieved from NIFL
Patall, E. A., Cooper, H., & Robinson, J. C. (2008). The effects of choice on intrinsic motivation and related outcomes: A meta-analysis of research findings. Psychological Bulletin , 134(2), 270-300.

Cog-What?

So you have been told that your child’s 2nd grade class is going to be tested using the CogAT, and may be wondering what it is.

The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) is a multiple-choice assessment that measures reasoning skills with different types of verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal questions. Many schools’ gifted programs commonly administer the CogAT as an entrance exam, which is a group-administered aptitude test.

Learn more about the CogAT here!

GCS school will offer information sessions to 2nd-grade families this fall.

North Carolina Association for the Gifted & Talented plays an important role in advocating for gifted education in NC! Show your support and b ecome a member and have access to members-only resources. You will be the first to know about new content coming from NCAGT, and you will be eligible for discounted registration to conferences and other events.

Don’t miss NCAGT's Podcast!

Time and time again, we hear “they’ll be fine, they’re smart, they’re already ahead of the game” when people refer to gifted learners. Because of this sad misconception, too many students fail to reach their potential because they do not receive appropriately challenging curriculum and services. The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) reports that 73% of teachers agreed that “Too often the brightest students are bored and under-challenged in school... we’re not giving them a sufficient chance to thrive.”

Listen to “They’ll be Fine” and hear from the experts!

Join the next 50th Annual NCAGT Conference!

NCAGT will be in Greensboro, NC, on March 13th & 14th, 2025, and we want to see you there! Keep an eye on this page for updates about registration, lodging sites, keynotes, and more!

https://www.ncagt.org/annualconference

Guilford County Schools revised their AG Plan. The board approved the new plan in June 2022. The plan must be updated every three years. The biggest change to the new plan is what makes each student eligible for AG services. Follow this link to read the plan .

Resources listed in the Newsletter:

http://www.ncagt.org/

https://rss.com/podcasts/ncagtpodcast/

https://gifted.achieve.ai/blogs/what-is-cogat-cognitive-abilities-test-gifted-assessment/

h ttps://exceptionalchildren.org/takeaction?vvsrc=/Campaigns/109017/Respond

https://www.gcsnc.com/Page/5427

https://www.gcsnc.com/Page/80747

https://www.gcsnc.com/domain/20857

https://www.gcsnc.com//cms/lib/NC01910393/Centricity/Domain/2425/GCS%20Choice%20Schools%20Showcase%202023%20Final.pdf

https://gcsnccom-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/jordand_gcsnc_com/EeaxKNl5FbhMjQM9tkkzoQEB4MZgseLZPutcx5L40J2CYQ?nav=eyJyZWZlcnJhbEluZm8iOnsicmVmZXJyYWxBcHAiOiJPbmVEcml2ZUZvckJ1c2luZXNzIiwicmVmZXJyYWxBcHBQbGF0Zm9ybSI6IldlYiIsInJlZmVycmFsTW9kZSI6InZpZXciLCJyZWZlcnJhbFZpZXciOiJNeUZpbGVzTGlua0RpcmVjd

Together We Make an Impact

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 04:47:54 GMT

Are you passionate about gifted education in Guilford County?

If so, we need you!

Please consider joining our efforts for the upcoming school year!

We are currently seeking some Board positions and committee members on the Fundraising/Event Planning Committee.
If you are interested in joining us, please fill the Volunteer Interest Form

Why is fundraising important?
2024 is the inaugural year that we started offering College Scholarships and Educator Grants. This financial support is designed to lift up Guilford County's highest achievers, as well as the teachers and programs that have made it possible for students to reach their best potential. Fundraising will determine if we can continue to support these efforts, and more importantly, if we can expand our efforts!

Please see the impact we made during the 2024 school year:

We awarded an Educator Grant to Mrs. Antoinette King Cheek, a high school teacher at Southeast Guilford High School. This grant will be used to support the Southeast Robotics Club/Team. The Southeast Robotics Club was established in 2007 to provide an opportunity for students to learn about STEM applications in the field of robotics through FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) competitions with great emphasis on "Gracious Professionalism" which encourages participants to focus on the value of others, respect and the production of high-quality work. Last year the Southeast Robotics Club was awarded 2nd place for the Design Award! We are excited to follow the Southeast Robotics Club next year and glad to play a small part in their continued success.

We are also proud to announce that our 2024 College Scholarship Awardees are Benjamin Mulry and Olivia Johnson! Both of these new graduates represent excellence in and out of the classroom!

Benjamin Mulry graduated from Northern High School with plans to attend Hampden-Sydney College studying business administration. He also hopes to explore courses in environmental science. Ben showed talent and leadership skills on the basketball court, serving as captain his senior year. He spent time tutoring students at Jones Elementary School and volunteering with Backpack Beginnings.

Olivia Johnson graduated from James B Dudley High School with plans to attend North Carolina A&T University studying political science. Olivia stepped up as a leader many times during her high school career! She held leadership positions for Dudley's Student Government Association, served as the NHS President, was a student-teacher intern at Simkins & Falkner Elementary Schools, and is in her church.

Spring Newsletter 2024

Sat, 20 Apr 2024 04:37:24 GMT

Parents- Let’s offer GCS our insight!

We are fortunate in North Carolina that state law mandates support by public schools for academically and/or intellectually gifted students. The state law, Article 9b , requires school districts to develop a local plan to identify and serve gifted students. Such plans are revised every three years. The most recent AIG plan for Guilford County schools will expire in 2025. You can read the current plan here .

The district will soon start assessing and drafting its new 3-year plan to take effect in the fall of 2025. This provides us, as parents/guardians of Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted and other advanced learners in Guilford County, an enviable opportunity to share feedback, suggestions, and concerns at an influential time. Please take some time to respond to the survey below. You are welcome to forward the survey to others with students receiving AG services so that Guilford Gifted can advocate for continued support and improvements in AG service provision. Please share any constructive criticism and meaningful input (what is working/not-working at your school, what might make AG better). As you consider your feedback, we implore you to not only offer your perspective, but also that of your student!

Make your voice heard here !

We have exciting news!

We proudly announce that 2024 will be the inaugural year of the annual Guilford Gifted College Scholarship and Educator Grant awards!

We will offer two $500.00 College Scholarships, and one $500.00 Educator Grant.

Applications will be accepted from April 1st- May 1st, 2024. Award winners will be notified on or before June 1st, 2024!

Guilford Gifted is especially excited to make a difference in the classroom! Our Educator Grant is aimed at doing just that. Grants are intended to support programs for gifted learners, such as classroom projects, field trips, clubs/teams, and technical resources. These awards are to help you expand your students’ knowledge and experience in or out of the classroom. Proposals are flexible. For example, applicants may seek funds for a student club or outside team (e.g., robotics, Science Olympiad), needed technology (e.g., printer, software), defray field trip costs, or an enriching classroom project.

More Information can be found at https://www.guilfordgifted.org

Fund Our Future Campaign

Join us in reaching our annual fundraising goal of $5,000!

Help us meet our fundraising goal by supporting our inaugural Fund Our Future Campaign.

All donations will be used to benefit our local teachers and students. 2024 is our inaugural year to offer College scholarships to local high-achieving students, and grants to our local teachers who inspire, encourage, and support our best and brightest to reach their goals!

With your help, we can reward deserving students and help fund classroom needs and innovative ideas to benefit our high achievers!

Will you be an education hero?

Donate Now

Become a Corporate Sponsor

We will publicly announce your generosity!
You will be provided a letter for tax deduction purposes.
We will advertise your company on our website from April 2024-2025.
We will advertise your company in each Newsletter that is emailed to each member and placed on our Facebook page.
You will be funding the Future of Guilford County through the education of our Future Leaders! Fill out the Corporate Sponsorship Form here !

Sponsorship levels

Bronze- $250

Silver- $500

Gold- $1,000

Following your donation, we will send your receipt and tax ID Letter.

For more information please email us at info@guilfordgifted.org

Coming Soon!

We are excited to announce that Richard D. Courtright, Ph.D. will be presenting a parent session for our members on:

Thursday, April 11 at 6:30 pm via Zoom- Registration coming soon!

Titled: Strategies for Effective Advocacy for Gifted and Talented Students

Dr. Richard D. Courtright is a lifelong educator with more than fifty years of experience in PreK-12 public education. Rick has been an elementary and middle school classroom teacher, gifted program teacher, and a gifted program administrator for the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools in North Carolina. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees in education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Rick retired from his role as Gifted Education Research Specialist for Duke University’s TIP program and now serves as an independent consultant in gifted and special education. He has held past positions of lecturing fellow in the Duke University Program in Education, and as an adjunct assistant professor in the School of Education at Elon University.

He has co-written and co-edited several works, has taught a variety of courses and workshops in gifted, general and special education, has presented at state, regional, national and international conferences. Rick has provided consultation to numerous schools and districts interested in delivering quality differentiated programs for gifted and talented students.

Rick has served multiple terms of office on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Association for the Gifted and Talented, which awarded him the Distinguished Service Award for lifetime achievement in 2015.

Preview his expertise in an episode of They'll Be Fine by NCAGT here!

Summer Camp opportunity!

Is your child interested in learning AI? Here is an interesting summer camp idea! It’s 100% online and taught by a Stanford Professor. They offer many courses and programs .

AG Educator Spotlight

We want to spotlight Ms. Tammy Laws, an AG teacher at David D. Jones Elementary!

This is what one grateful parent wrote:

Ms. Laws has gone above and beyond in creating an exciting and interactive learning environment within our AG program. Our daughter always looks forward to the projects they are doing!

Another parent shared:

She is engaging and supportive in the classroom as well as with the parents of her students.

Thank you Ms. Laws, we appreciate educators just like you!

We know that Guilford County is full of AMAZING teachers! We want to Spotlight them. Fill out the form below so we can boast about your favorite educator! Tell us what makes them special or how they touch the lives of their students each day. Look for the spotlights on FaceBook and in the newsletters!

AG Educator Spotlight Nomination Form

We Need You

Volunteer!

We are currently seeking to fill roles for:

Event Planning Committee members

Fundraising Committee members

Advocacy

If you would like more information, please contact us at info@guilfordgifted.org

Become a member for the 2023-2024 school year today!

Membership is currently free. We appreciate and accept donations that will assist us in providing our community with events such as speakers or other educational opportunities!

Why join Guilford Gifted?

You will receive invitations to events such as speakers that are members-only.
You will be updated with new legislation affecting gifted education in NC.
You will have access to local and national resources.
Most Importantly- It shows your support for Gifted Education in your child's school!

If you have any questions, please email us at membership@guilfordgifted.org

Upcoming Opportunities

North Carolina Association for the Gifted & Talented plays an important role in advocating for gifted education in NC! Show your support and b ecome a member and have access to members-only resources. You will be the first to know about new content coming from NCAGT, and you will be eligible for discounted registration to conferences and other events.

Don’t miss NCAGT's Podcast!

Listen to “They’ll be Fine” and hear from the experts!

Important Dates

Feb 23-Mar 22 - Iowa Assessments Testing Window (2nd grade AG Screening)

Mar 11- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm

Mar 19- GCS Board of Education Meeting

April- Fund our Future Campaign

April 1- May 1 - Application window for College Scholarships and Educator Grants

April 8 - Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm

April 11- Parent Session, Featuring Richard Courtright

April 16- GCS Board of Education Meeting

May 7- GCS Board of Education Public Hearing on Budget

May 13- Guilford Gifted Board Meeting, Benjamin Library, 6 pm

May 21- GCS Board of Education Meeting

June 27- GCS Board of Education Meeting

Call To Action

Legislative Update

In case you missed it, the newest budget proposal from the House Appropriations Committee is recommending completely eliminating funding for the Jacob K. Javits Grant (about $16.5 million of federal funding). The Javits Grant is the only source of federal funding specific to gifted education (you can read more about it here ). The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) released a statement about this action. Please consider contacting your elected officials to let them know that eliminating the Javits Grant funding is shortsighted and harmful to achieving equity in gifted education. You can use this link from the Council of Exceptional Children to send an email to your legislators.

Find your NC legislature here!

Resources listed in the Newsletter:

http://www.ncagt.org/

https://rss.com/podcasts/ncagtpodcast/

https://oese.ed.gov/offices/office-of-discretionary-grants-support-services/well-rounded-education-programs/jacob-k-javits-gifted-and-talented-students-education-program/

https://nagc.org/news/657192/

https://exceptionalchildren.org/takeaction?vvsrc=/Campaigns/109017/Respond

https://www.ncleg.gov/findyourlegislators

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFi4acjX-0zSdeYF4cSQbFwdf60xNhzSi9l0zcwxK6VgGU6g/viewform?usp=sf_link

https://www.gcsnc.com/Page/5427

https://www.gcsnc.com/Page/80747

https://www.gcsnc.com/domain/20857

https://www.gcsnc.com//cms/lib/NC01910393/Centricity/Domain/2425/GCS%20Choice%20Schools%20Showcase%202023%20Final.pdf

https://www.ai-camp.org/register-for-courses

https://www.ai-camp.org/student-events

Fall Newsletter 2023

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 04:40:07 GMT

Welcome Back to School!

Let’s start learning together.

Now that you and all your students have started your new routine, we at Guilford Gifted would like to introduce ourselves!

PAGE stands for Partners for the Advancement of Gifted Education. We affiliate with the North Carolina Association for Gifted & Talented (NCAGT).

The board consists of volunteers whose children are currently involved in AG services through GCS.

We thank the past board of directors for keeping the chapter alive through COVID! The board of directors may have changed, but the mission of Guilford Gifted remains the same. We aim to provide parental resources, assistance to our local schools, and advocacy for our children.

We Need You

Become a member today!

We don’t believe advocacy and resources should cost money, so membership is free. We appreciate and accept donations that will assist us in providing our community with events such as speakers or other educational opportunities!

If you are looking for a way to get involved- we want to hear from you!

We are seeking volunteers to assist with membership, advocacy, and a secretarial role!

Why join Guilford Gifted?

You will receive invitations to events such as speakers that are member-only.
You will be updated with new legislation affecting gifted education in NC.
You will have access to local and national resources.
Most Importantly- It shows your support for Gifted Education in your child's school!

Elementary Considerations

What is an Aptitude Test?

Parents are often informed that their students may be eligible for AG services through their elementary school after receiving a high score on an aptitude test. An aptitude test evaluates a child’s reasoning and cognitive abilities. Guilford County schools administer the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) to elementary students. This test is appropriate to be given to any child K-12. If a child receives a 98th% on the Verbal, Quantitative, or Nonverbal Battery - they are deemed appropriate for intellectually gifted services (IG).

Games and Toys - Educational?

Games and toys allow children to explore different ways of thinking, moving, and interacting with friends and family. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find the perfect fit for your child because the manufacturers' recommended ages are often incorrect for gifted children.

Read the NAGC 2015 Toys and Games List in NAGC's Parenting for High Potential . If you’re puzzled about how to engage your high-ability learner, the annual toy and game review features the top toys, games, and puzzles currently on the market as selected by more than 250 junior reviewers.

Middle School Mentions

Looking for an exciting way to access more resources and learning opportunities?

The Davidson Institute has partnered with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development (CTD) to offer the opportunity to take an official practice SAT powered by Khan Academy.

Scores from this administration can be used to apply to any Davidson program, including Davidson Institute’s Young Scholars program, Davidson Academy, Davidson Academy Online, and Davidson Institute’s THINK Summer Institute. These test administrations are for potential Davidson program’s applicants only.

Test Administration Dates:

October 1, 2022 (Saturday) 8:00 AM Pacific

November 5, 2022 (Saturday) 8:00 AM Pacific

Visit the Davidson Institute site for more information!

STEM through competitive robotics!

Do you have a student who loves engineering new ideas? A robotics team might be for them! At robotics competitions, teams of students must design and build a robot that can compete against opponents in a series of specific challenges. Robotics teams target students of almost every age group, starting with kindergarten and going all the way to college.

There are some robotics clubs in our local middle and high schools. But if your child's school does not offer a robotics club, ECG Robotics might be for you! ECG Robotics is a student-led, non-profit robotics club based in Greensboro, NC. Their teams compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition and FIRST Tech Challenge and welcome students from all over Guilford County. Registration for FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is open year-round for children ages 8-12th grade.

High School Matters

Early College vs. Dual Enrollment

High school is an important time for every child as they prepare for their future goals.

Advanced learners may consider early college programs or dual enrollment at a local community college or university.

Take a peek at this article from Profoundly Gifted Parenting that outlines the pros and cons of each.

In Guilford County, we are fortunate to have both choices available for our students. At The Early College at Guilford , high school students can graduate with two years of college credit from Guilford College. Students can also attend STEM Early College at NC A&T , graduating with a two-year college degree or earning transferable credits.

In North Carolina, Career & College Promise (CCP) is North Carolina’s dual enrollment program for high school students. This program allows eligible NC high school students to enroll in college classes at North Carolina community colleges and universities through their high school. Dual Enrollment is available at Guilford College, University of North Carolina - Greensboro, N.C. A&T State University and Guilford Technical Community College. Students can choose from more than 40 academic classes. Remember- you and your child should start this conversation at the beginning of their 8th-grade school year.

ACT vs. SAT- which is best for my child?

Regarding the ACT vs. the SAT, both exams are widely accepted by U.S. colleges, which often prompts students to ask: Which test should I take?

US News and World Report say the answer to that question lies in understanding the differences between the two tests.

The two exams may appeal to different types of students. A key difference is that students with a strong English background "may flourish on the ACT," which puts more emphasis on verbal skills, she says.

In contrast, for students who are strong in math, "the SAT may reflect that much better," says Mai Jumamil, former director of college prep programs at Kaplan, a New York-based education company.

The average SAT score for 2020 high school graduates was 1051, and the average ACT score was 20.6.

For a more detailed comparison, read the entire article here .

Local School Highlights

Good news for the GCS School district!

Guilford County Schools (GCS) continued to outpace the largest school districts in North Carolina and the state by hitting another milestone in 2021-22 with a four-year cohort graduation rate of 91.8%, the highest graduation rate in the district’s history since accountability measures have been collected.

GCS was recently featured as a model of American Rescue Plan (ARP) best practices.

Well done GCS school district!

New Guilford schools superintendent sees academic recovery, mental health, and safety as top priorities!

Guilford County Schools Superintendent Whitney Oakley is planning on a series of conversations with parents, staff, and community members in the coming days to help inform her approach to those priorities and other matters of school district administration. She doesn’t anticipate that process will take as long as it would for a superintendent new to the district.

Guilford County Schools revised their AG Plan. The board approved the new plan in June 2022. The plan must be updated every 3 years. The biggest change to the new plan is what makes each student eligible for AG services. Follow this link to read the plan .

Resources listed in the Newsletter:

http://www.nagc.org/sites/default/files/Publication%20PHP/PHP_2015_ToyList.pdf

https://www.davidsongifted.org/

https://ecgrobotics.org/

http://profoundlygiftedparenting.com/early-college-programs/

https://www.gcsnc.com/early_college_at_guilford

https://www.gcsnc.com/STEM_Early_College_at_NC_AT

https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/enhanced-opportunities/advanced-learning-and-gifted-education/career-and-college-promise

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/act-vs-sat-how-to-decide-which-test-to-take#:~:text=Broken%20down%20by%20test%20components,and%2035%2Dminute%20science%20test.

https://www.gcsnc.com/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=4&ModuleInstanceID=174&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=168498&PageID=1

https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/new-guilford-schools-superintendent-sees-academic-recovery-mental-health-and-safety-as-top-prioritie s s/article_e1fc90d2-2eeb-11ed-a709-4b3e293ca115.html

https://www.gcsnc.com/Page/5427