Douglas County School District Advanced Academics & Gifted Education
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
When Gifted Kids Burn Out: How to Support Twice-Exceptional Students
By Mary Ruth Coleman, Ph.D.
ADDitude Magazine, Updated on December 12, 2023
Intellectually gifted students are highly vulnerable to stress and burnout when their high IQ is paired with a learning difference, condition, or disability. These twice exceptional (2e) students experience extreme peaks and valleys as their strengths and challenges create an internal tug-of-war. They know they are capable of greatness, but achieving it means overcoming great (though invisible) obstacles. External pressure and peer competition only add to the stress. As an old Peanuts comic strip said, “There is no heavier burden than a great potential.” And don’t our 2e kids know it.
Help your 2e student avoid burnout by learning its early warning signs and creating systems that reduce their day-to-day overwhelm. Continue reading the article HERE.
Managing Intensity in Gifted Children and Adults: What parents, close family, teachers, and friends need to know.
Psychology Today, October 18, 2023
It is common and understandable to believe that there is something “alarmingly unique” about the passionate intensity of extremely bright individuals in terms of intellectual curiosity and emotional sensitivity. You can see in young and extremely bright children and adults that they are motivated by their intellectual and emotional intensity. Perfectionism is often a part of who they are and that perfectionism can derail their success. And what about avoidance or fear of success — or of lack of success?
Read the full article HERE.
Middle School /High School Program Information Nights for Registration
If your child is transitioning to Middle School or High School in the fall, please join them for the Information Nights. Advanced and Gifted Education will be represented at each site. If your school is not listed, please contact the school's Gifted Education Facilitator for more information.
Cimmaron Middle School Coffee Talks: January 16, 5:00-5:45pm, January 23, 8:15-9:00am, April 23, 8:15-9:00am. Please REGISTER HERE for a Coffee Talk.
Douglas County High School IB info night: General 8th grade night: January 17th, 6:00pm
Highlands Ranch High School 8th grade parent night: January 17th 5-8pm
Rocky Heights Middle School: 6th grade Parent Night: January 17th, 6pm
Cresthill Middle School: January 18th, 6-8pm
Rock Canyon High School: January 18th, 6-8pm
Mesa Middle School: Passport to Mesa: January 25th - 4:30-5:30 pm & 6:00-7:00 pm
Legend High School: Legend Begins, January 25th
Sagewood Middle School: January 25th, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Ponderosa High School: 8th Grade Parent Night January 22nd 6-8pm
SkyView Academy: Middle School Tours Wednesdays 9:30-10:00am, High School Tours Wednesdays 10:00-10:30am
Douglas County Association for Gifted and Talented (DCAGT)
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.
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! 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, February 7, 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.
Colorado Association for Gifted and Talented (CAGT)
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, January 16th: Emily Andrews
"Giftedness in Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Creativity"