DCSD Advanced Academics & Gifted Ed

Equity of Access

Opportunity ~ Agency ~ Empowerment

Vision: We seek out, surface, and nurture the potential in each student from all races, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

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

from With Understanding Comes Calm by Julie Skolnick, M.A., J.D.

One of my favorite things to do is to positively reframe. Give me anything your 2e kid did or does, and I’ll find a way to look at it through a positive lens. Contrary to the oft-said sentiment that 2e kids “are lazy,” “don’t work hard enough,” “or “aren’t meeting their potential,” I argue that they work harder, they care more, they want to succeed SO much, but there is something – a lagging skill, a learning difference, or anxiety – standing in their way. To keep your mind on positively reframing, and therefore positive parenting, I recommend ten steps.

Find out what those ten steps are HERE.

Early Access is designed for “highly advanced gifted” 4 or 5 year old children. It allows early access to kindergarten or first-grade for students who are academically gifted, socially and emotionally mature, in the top 2% or less of the gifted peer group, motivated to learn, ready for advanced placement, and who have exhausted the resources of preschool or home schooling.

For more information or to apply, please visit our website HERE.

Douglas County Association for Gifted and Talented (DCAGT) is an affiliate of the Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT), which is an affiliate of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC).

DCAGT’s objectives are to:

• Support the efforts and activities of CAGT, the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), and neighboring CAGT affiliates.

• Present gifted resources and educational opportunities to families, caregivers, educators, and the community.Encourage advocacy and best-practices for gifted children.

• Reach and connect the gifted community with opportunities to share experiences and exchange information.

They are currently looking for passionate parents that would like to serve on the board or volunteer to support events. Contact them via email at info@dcagt.org.

Visit their website HERE.

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

Not sure if this is right for you? Join us at our next meeting to give us a try!

Wednesday, April 17, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Virtual meeting through Google Meets

All meetings are open to the public. Please send us an email at gifted.education@dcsdk12.org to receive the link.

CONVERSATIONS WITH CAGT

This season, we have new sessions with more amazing, gifted experts from Colorado, the nation, and around the world. We hope you can tune in live each first and third Tuesday on our Facebook page to view our Conversations with CAGT in real time at 5:00. You will be able to ask the CWC guest speaker any questions you might have about their session. Please come join us! Click HERE to go directly to CAGT's page.

Tuesday, February 20th: Catherine Zakoian"Gifted Empaths"

March 5th- Lisa Rogers "Gifted Math Project"
March 19th- Kathryn Fishman-Weaver and Jill Clingan

"Teaching Women’s and Gender Studies in the Gifted Classroom"
April 2nd- Lin Lim and Gayle Bently

"Guiding Young Families: Exploring Social and Emotional Topics Through Picture Books"

NOTE: The following list is for informational purposes only and is provided by Colorado Association for Gifted & Talented (CAGT) in partnership with Boulder Valley School District (BVSD). BVSD and CAGT do not endorse the organizations and programs listed below (except BVSD does endorse their own offerings).

Gifted-Friendly Summer Camp

& Opportunities Planning Resource List

Students and families can register to attend the Third Annual Statewide FAFSA/CASFA Block Party and Student Resource Fair at the CU Denver Wellness Center courtesy of CU Denver from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. Students and families can get on-site FASFA/CASFA assistance, participate in scholarship giveaways, and access a resource fair with community exhibitors. Use these forms to register as a vendor or volunteer.

Download a flyer for the event.

Sponsored by University of Colorado at Boulder

Various professors from the university will speak to students in grades 5-12 (though all ages are welcome) about the physics behind batteries!

Location: Cristol Chemistry Room 140, CU Boulder

Cost: Free

February 24th from 9:30-10:30am

Click here for more information

Sponsored by CAGT Affiliate: JAGC

In this virtual event, participants will watch and discuss a presentation by Dr. Karen Arnstein on “The Gifted/2e Journey: The Parent’s Perspective.”

Cost: Free

February 27th from 6:00-7:30pm

Click here to register

Join SENG Director Shaunne McKinley as she hosts authors

Dr. Lin Lim and Adam Laningham

Feb 27, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Online Webinar

Register HERE, Cost $40

Based on the book series, by the same title, the authors share a great wealth of experience educating and parenting these unique learners. You will become more aware of this vulnerable population as well gain knowledge and practical support to help your child both at home and in school. Among other topics we will address who these learners are, the challenges these children face, and provide specific strategies to support them.

We Will Discuss:

• Who Twice-exceptional (2e) children are
• Where they are
• Understanding challenges they face in schools
• Understanding challenges faced by their parents, teachers, schools and districts
• Successful strategies for teachers and schools to support them
• How extra-curricular activities can help
• The importance of mindfulness, social, & emotional supports
• And one of the most important things to remember in order to help them

February 28, 2024 | 7:00 p.m. ET Register HERE!
Free & Open to Everyone
Christine Deitz

Unlock the secrets to nurturing your gifted child's potential by learning how to partner with professionals at school and beyond. Join the NAGC Parent, Family & Community Network for an empowering session filled with tips, tricks, and expert insights on how to be a champion for your gifted child. This evening of advocacy training and discussion led by national experts is the first of a two-part series that will be recorded. Learning outcomes for Part 1 include:

• Overview of typical laws and policies related to gifted education
• Strategies for effective communication with teachers and school administrators
• Overcoming common challenges in the regular classroom