DCSD Advanced Academics & Gifted Ed

Equity of Access ~ Opportunity ~ Agency ~ Empowerment

Vision: We seek out, surface, and nurture the potential in each student in DCSD.

Mission: We partner with staff, students, families, and our community to design/refine/implement equitable and culturally responsive systems of identification and programming for high potential/advanced/gifted students from all demographic groups in all schools.

Email: gifted.education@dcsdk12.org
Website: dcsdk12.org/gifted-education
Location: 620 Wilcox St, Castle Rock, CO 80104
Phone: 303-387-0191

NOTE: This message was sent through DCSD's mass notification system. If you received it, this is a repeat of the same information. If you did not receive this, please note that Project Education is being implemented this year for all neighborhood elementary school students and all K-8 students in our charter schools. If you have questions, please contact us at gifted.education@dcsdk12.org or reach out to your school's Gifted Education Facilitator.

Dear Parents/guardians:

We are excited to introduce Project Education, a new system for managing Advanced Learning Plans (ALPs) for our gifted students. This system will be implemented this school year for gifted elementary school students and K-8 students in our charter schools.

What is Project Education?

Project Education is an integrated platform designed to ensure your child's ALP complies with all Colorado state regulations (Exceptional Children's Educational Act - Rule). This system will consolidate information, optimize staff efficiency, and allow more time for supporting students and teachers. Our goal is to ensure all ALPs adhere to state guidelines for gifted student programming and support, and to enhance communication and collaboration between schools and families.

Important Information Regarding ALPs

An Advanced Learning Plan (ALP) is a personalized educational roadmap for your gifted child's academic development in Colorado, identifying their strengths, interests, and learning needs.

Key points about ALPs:

• State vs. Federal Plans: ALPs are state-mandated plans for gifted students. Other plans like Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans are federal requirements for students with disabilities.

• Twice-Exceptional Students: If your child is both gifted and has a disability (twice-exceptional), their IEP or 504 Plan and their ALP will remain separate but work together.

• Goals: Your child's ALP will include goals based on their strengths, interests, and learning needs within their identified gifted area(s).

Your Essential Role in Your Child's Advanced Learning Plan

Your active participation is crucial. We encourage families to:

• Share insights into your child's strengths, interests, and learning needs.

• Communicate with teachers about your child's progress.

• Contribute to the annual goal setting for the ALP.

• Support your child's goals at home.

Getting Started and Support

Project Education is currently under development, and we appreciate your patience during implementation. As we transition, schools may be using an alternate form or document to start the process and share details about your child’s goals and gifted programming. Your child's Gifted Education Facilitator will contact you regarding your contribution to the ALP process. This planning document contains essential information for ALP development and will be used until Project Education is fully implemented.

We are confident Project Education will enhance our support for gifted students, improve communication, and ensure adherence to state requirements. We look forward to collaborating with you.

Sincerely,

Natasha Langjahr Straayer

Director, Advanced Academics and Gifted Programming

Thank you to everyone who joined us to learn from Emily Kircher-Morris. We had a great turnout! Due to technical difficulties, we were unable to share the resources but wanted to be sure you have access to them. If you have questions about your child, please connect with the Gifted Education Facilitator and/or the Special Education Teacher at your child's school. The QR code here will direct you to the correct person. See the following QR codes for more information about Special Education and engagement opportunities.

Presented by Full-Tilt Parenting June, 2025

Through his speaking engagements, work as a therapist for kids and adults, and his own lived experience as a neurodivergent individual, [Dr. Matt] is a powerful advocate for understanding and supporting neurodivergent students.

Today, I’m thrilled to have him back to dive into his brand-new book, Neurodiversity Playbook: How Neurodivergent People Can Crack the Code of Living in a Neurotypical World...Neurodiversity Playbook feels like a warm “welcome to the Club” for neurodivergent individuals and those who love and support them. In this conversation, while we couldn’t cover everything in the book, we touched on some of the big concepts, including why grounding discussions in neuroscience is key to understanding neurodivergence, how to navigate tricky everyday situations like making small talk, and how awareness of neurodiversity has evolved over the years. We also explored code-switching as an empowering tool and how to do it with intention and choice.

Listen to the full Podcast HERE.

NEWSWEEK Published Aug 02, 2025

Having the ability to manage their own emotions and understand the emotions of people around them is often praised. But is it always a good thing?

Newsweek spoke to Jocelyn Bibi, a licensed social worker, and Polina Shkadron, a neurodivergent therapist both based in New York, about the complexities of emotional intelligence in children and why it can sometimes become a burden rather than a gift.

"Often times, when there is a child with a high level of emotional intelligence, adults assume that they are super-mature and therefore can handle a lot," Bibi told Newsweek. "Developmentally, though, there are still things that kids shouldn't necessarily be exposed to if they can help it."

Continue reading the article HERE

Douglas County Gifted Education Advisory Council (DCGEAC)

The Douglas County Gifted Education Advisory Council (DCGEAC) is seeking members with a variety of backgrounds and expertise!

The mission of the DCGEAC is to gather, communicate, and disseminate information to stakeholders, as well as advocate, influence, support, and ensure accountability for quality programming for gifted learners in Douglas County School District.

This year, DCGEAC will continue to focus on elementary, middle, and high school gifted programming in alignment with both DCSD’s newly launched Strategic Plan and the Gifted Education Monitoring (GEM) collaboration with the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).

If you are a parent/guardian of a student identified for gifted services OR a high school student who has been identified as gifted, please consider joining us by completing the DCGEAC Self Nomination Form.

DCGEAC meets quarterly throughout the year. This year's in person meetings:

DCSD’s Legacy Campus

10035 S Peoria St

Parker, CO 80134

Room 241

Wed. October 29, 4:30 - 6:00pm

Wed. December 10, 4:30 - 6:00pm

Wed. February 25, 4:30 - 6:00pm

Wed. May 6, 4:30 - 6:00pm

We seek representation from elementary and secondary for every feeder and region of charter schools. We currently have openings in the following areas:

Chaparral HS Feeder: elementary and secondary

Castle View HS Feeder: elementary and secondary

Douglas County HS Feeder: currently represented

Highlands Ranch HS Feeder: elementary

Legend HS Feeder: elementary

Mountain Vista HS Feeder: currently represented

Ponderosa HS Feeder: secondary

Rock Canyon HS Feeder: elementary

ThunderRidge HS Feeder: elementary

Charter: Castle Rock

All meetings are open to the public. See this flier for more information. Please send us an email at gifted.education@dcsdk12.org if you have any questions.

September 20th

Sponsored by Renzulli Center for Creativity, Gifted Education and Talent Development

11:00am-12:00pm (Eastern)

Join this webinar to learn about the modern science behind creativity! Learn how researchers have focused on divergent thinking and idea generation. We will discuss: (1) Why do people sometimes have ideas, but fail to act on them?; (2) What are the self-regulation processes that enable progress and persistence through the creative process?; and (3) What is the role of social processes in shaping creative performance and achievement?

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Register HERE

September 23rd

Sponsored by Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented

6:30-7:30pm (Central)

This presentation will focus on how to manage the relationships between gifted and non-gifted siblings with emphasis on communication, navigating asynchronous development across peers, and setting internal expectations. This presentation will offer concrete, usable strategies for parents to use to help their children feel safe, seen, and supported.

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Register HERE

September 25th

Sponsored by NAGC

7:00pm (Eastern)

This presentation will overview the definitions of giftedness and twice-exceptionality and explore how these students interact with educational and mental health systems.

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free to NAGC members / $20 non-members

Register HERE

Cecelia and Jason Hilkey have been collaborating with experts on parenting for nearly 10 years. They have a blog and recordings of previous speakers that cover a variety of topics of interest to parents. Annually, they host a 5 day FREE online conference. You can attend as few or as many sessions as you like. If you unable to attend or want to purchase all the sessions, they are available usually under $200. Learn more at their website HERE.

The Happily Family Conference was designed specifically for parents and professionals that want to mindfully raise their children, focusing on social and emotional intelligence, growth mindset, connection, and consciousness.

It is for parents who may have a sensitive, strong-willed, bright, spirited child in their family (or work with one).

For parents who want to use connection and understanding to help their child manage their feelings and behaviors (rather than threats or bribes).

Anyone who wants practical tools to make everyday life with kids easier.

• September 25, 2025: REGISTRATION OPENS
• October 9, 2025: DAY 1
• October 10, 2025: DAY 2
• October 11, 2025: DAY 3
• October 12, 2025: DAY 4
• October 13, 2025: DAY 5

Conference Registration Open!

We are excited to have you join us this year for the 47th Annual CAGT Conference, Empowering Change, October 19th-21st. This year's theme provides opportunities for us to come together as educators to learn how to help students embrace change and become the change agents for our future. Take advantage of this opportunity to use some of your remaining building/district funds and register now for Early Bird pricing! The conference will offer attendees over 80 sessions examining various facets of the giftedness our incredibly diverse gifted youth possess, as well as delving into what educators and GT supporters need to know about the vast and varied GT child.

Click here for information about the conference

Colorado students, we challenge you to make a short (20-30 second) video showcasing your exceptional, jaw-dropping talent for a chance to be showcased at this year's CAGT Conference in Loveland (October 19-21).

Students, check out this video to get inspired.

(Educators and parents/guardians, see this submission form for details.)

Submissions are open through September 30th. C'mon, Colorado students, show us what you've got!

The Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's top four-year colleges and universities. The scholarship is now open to high school seniors who are eligible.

More Information and Apply HERE