Gifted Advisory Council Chronicle

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Gifted Education!

The NHCS Gifted Advisory Committee is seeking passionate individuals to join its Gifted Advisory Council (GAC). The GAC plays a vital role in supporting and advocating for gifted students in our district.

Who We Are Looking For:

• Parents/Guardians of gifted students in New Hanover Public Schools
• Educators with expertise in gifted education
• Community members with a strong interest in gifted education

What You Will Do:

• Presents, advises and makes recommendations to the New Hanover Board of Education with respect to the improvement of NHCS's AIG program.
• Review and provide feedback on the AIG plan, curriculum and instructional practices.
• Advocate for the needs of gifted students.
• Promote public awareness and understanding of gifted education.

Benefits of Joining:

• Make a positive impact on the lives of gifted students.
• Gain valuable insight into gifted education practices.
• Collaborate with like-minded individuals who share your passion.
• Contribute to shaping the future of gifted education in New Hanover Public Schools.

How to Apply:

Complete the 2024-2025 Gifted Advisory Council Membership Application

Once completed, email application to Reagan Mauk, GAC Secretary at reagan.mauk@nhcs.net

Deadline:

May 9, 2024

The last GAC meeting for the 2023-2024 school year will be held:

May 13, 2024

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Spencer Building - Room 102

1802 S 15th St

Wilmington, NC 28401

May 6 - 17 - AP Exams (AP Exam Dates)

May 10 - 16 - End of Course (EOC) Tests - IBECHS

May 13 - 17 - End of Course (EOC) Tests - Sea Tech & WECHS

May 27 - Memorial Day Holiday

May 22 - 29 - Elementary Traditional End of Grade (EOG) Testing

May 22 - 30 - Middle School End of Grade (EOG) & End of Course (EOC) Testing

May 24 - 31 - Elementary Year-Round & Restart End of Grade (EOG) Testing

May 30 - June 5 - End of Course (EOC) Tests - Traditional

June 5 - Last Day of school (traditional)

GAC Council Members are reading The Gifted Parenting Journey: A Guide to Self-Discovery and Support for Families of Gifted Children by Dr. Gail Post. The GAC completed their book study at the April meeting. We have extra books that may be checked out! Contact the AIG teacher at your school or Maureen Meehan @ maureen.meehan@nhcs.net if interested in checking out a book or starting your own book study with other parents of gifted students.

NCSSM Connect provides NC public high school students grades 9-12 the opportunity to take honors-level and AP NCSSM courses synchronously through Zoom. This of course means that the course MUST fit within your regular school schedule. There is no application process to take NCSSM Connect courses and it is offered tuition-free!

Curious new students and parents can learn more by attending one of our regularly scheduled Student/Parent Webinars on the following dates:

Monday, April 29 at 11AM

Thursday, May 16 at 6PM

Thursday, June 6 at 6PM

Monday, June 10 at 11AM

Thursday, July 11 at 6PM

Monday, July 15 at 11AM

Thursday, August 1 at 6PM

Registration details can be found below using the highlighted link. School personnel are also welcome to attend if they need information as well.

NCSSM Connect Student/Parent Webinar

The Free Enterprise Leadership Challenge (FELC) is a five-day summer program open to high school students entering the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades held on college campuses around the country. Additionally, they host virtual sessions throughout the year.

FELC will help students unlock the secret to success. Students will get the opportunity to earn real money, run a business, learn the power of the free enterprise system and the American Dream. It’s not just hard work, students will have fun making new friends and living on a college campus.

2024 Summer Sessions:

WINGATE UNIVERSITY JUNE 23-27
CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY JULY 21-25
VIRTUAL SESSION - AUGUST 5-9

Register to Attend: https://www.felcexperience.org/felc-registration

The Fourth Circuit's 2024 Essay Contest is now open to students in grades 6 through 12!

Grades 9-12: first place, $2,000; second place, $1,500; and third place, $1,000.

Link to website: https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/essay-contest |

Link to flyer: https://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/docs/pdfs/essay-contest/2024flyer.pdf

Seventy years ago, the Supreme Court held in Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), that racial segregation in public schools violates the United States Constitution. The Court recognized that public education is "the very foundation of good citizenship," and Brown's impact on education and society has been the subject of much discussion and debate in our nation's history.

Essay topic: Has the decision in Brown, viewed through the lens of 2024, achieved its purpose of ensuring equal opportunity in public education?

Kara Johnson - Chairperson / Jill Bernstein - Vice-Chairperson

Reagan Mauk- Secretary / Jessica Gammell-Bennett/

Shacuria Reid/ Emily McNamara / Dr. Jamie Pond

Jon Ripley / Megan Hixson/ David Wiley /

~ Ex-Officio Members ~

Melissa Mason - Board of Ed Representative

Maureen Meehan - NHCS AIG Supervisor

Dr. Lo DeWalt - NHCS Director of Curriculum & Instruction

~ Student Representatives ~

Reese Priddle - Ashley High School

Anna Hardee & Cecilia Parker - New Hanover High School

Houston Sutton- Hoggard High School

Chance Brantley & Marley Linkner - Laney High School

Jade Payton - Southeast Technical High School

Caroline Santo - Wilmington Early College High School