AIG Parent Newsletter

Exciting changes are taking place in the 2022-23 school year in RSS, and the AIG Department is proud to be an important part of our district and community growth. The AIG team has embraced feedback from our parent and professional partners to better serve AIG students throughout Rowan-Salisbury. Read below to learn more about the changes being implemented throughout the AIG program.

Para leer esta información en español, haga clic en "traducir boletín" en la esquina superior derecha.

To learn more about how the AIG Department serves gifted students in Rowan Salisbury Schools, watch the brief video below.

As we settle back into our school routines, what better time to share some silly jokes?

Share these with your child and challenge them to think of their answer before sharing the punchline.

Rowan Salisbury Schools recently launched a new website that includes: a clean and updated layout, improved navigation, new icon links on the homepage, and access to streamlined communication through the Let’s Talk feature.

Explore the new AIG Department webpage to view the AIG Parent Handbook in both English and Spanish, watch videos of past Enrichment Opportunities, and view dates for upcoming events.

AIG Leads and Classroom Teachers have been working to complete DEPs across the district. Each school has already, or will host a DEP Parent Night to discuss new additions to the DEP process this year. If you were unable to participate in your school’s DEP overview, view the recorded presentation below. All DEPs should be acknowledged and finalized by the beginning of October.

Identified AIG students in grades 4 and 5 will receive modified pull-out services with an AIG Lead Teacher every three weeks based on their area(s) of identification. Students may be served in the areas of reading, math, and intellectual giftedness (IG). Read below for a brief description of the activities taking place during modified pull-out.

Reading: Root Study

Students will learn root stems and study advanced vocabulary words. At the end of the year, students will participate in a school based showcase project led by the AIG Lead Teacher.

Math: Math Master

Students will explore six different math topics and problem-solving techniques. This exploration will culminate in a school based competition led by the AIG Lead Teacher.

Intellectually Gifted(IG) : Tanglers

Students who receive intellectually gifted (IG) support scored in the 96th percentile or above on an aptitude screener. IG students often benefit from practice in problem-solving and collaborating with their peers. To support this, students will work on collaborative, logic based activities called Tanglers. At the end of the year, students will participate in a school based competition led by the AIG Lead Teacher.

The AIG Team is currently seeking a Secondary Lead Team member. Until the role is filled, Jeanna Gregory will be working with Corriher Lipe Middle School and Katelyn Stanton will be working with Erwin Middle School.

Logical Thinking is an essential critical thinking skill that allows students to practice using clues and synthesize information to find an answer. Being an adept logical thinker helps students to experience more success on tests, solve multi-step math word problems, and assist in real-life problem solving. This puzzle is a great way to utilize those logical thinking skills.

Oftentimes gifted students see “hard” as the most taboo four-letter word in their vocabulary. Many AIG students do not experience learning difficulties in the early stages of their education, and they see school work being difficult as an indicator of personal deficiency or failure rather than a reflection of a lack of knowledge or experience. While it is natural to support students as they strive for success, there are many reasons to encourage and validate productive struggle in young people. Beyond teaching key academic skills like resilience, persistence, and error analysis, schoolwork and classes that are “hard” or “difficult” give students’ families the opportunity to guide their gifted children through relatively low-stakes challenges.

When gifted students find themselves struggling in school, they can benefit from a few simple conversations engineered to help them tackle their issues head on. Encourage students to:

• Remember it is their right as a gifted child to not be gifted at everything and to make mistakes. (Click here to view the “Gifted Children’s Bill of Rights” from the NAGC.)

• Accept their struggles and advocate for themselves by asking for extra help or additional learning resources.

• Challenge themselves by taking on hard or difficult courses/content instead of opting for only “easy” classes that do not stretch their learning.

• Develop plans and strategies for handling and working through difficult content.

• Share their struggles with openness and honesty in judgment-free conversations.

• Communicate with teachers as learning partners rather than struggling in silence.

By adopting a growth mindset approach to academic struggle, gifted students can learn the value of true and deep learning rather than sacrificing meaningful content for easy, comfortable work.

Ms. Laura Ritchie is the AIG ELA teacher for all three grades at North Rowan Middle School. While she wears many hats - mentor, teacher-leader, and AIG team head - her true passion lies in teaching and growing the students of the North Area. Ms. Ritchie has helped guide numerous students to College and Career Readiness proficiency, identified a number of talented students who qualified for AIG services, and made AIG a dynamic and visible part of North Rowan Middle. Below she shares her feelings about teaching and learning alongside AIG students:

-What does “gifted” mean to you as a teacher?

"Gifted means that each student has unique talents, traits, and potential. While they may be strong academically or intellectually, the fact that they are gifted is a challenge to us as teachers to serve them in a unique way. One that is, when successful, a gift in itself. "

-What is your favorite part of working with gifted students?

I absolutely love how much they challenge me to continue to become a better teacher. Gifted students teach me as much as I teach them. There is never a dull moment and the specialness they bring to the classroom is something that cannot be experienced anywhere else.

-If you could share one bit of advice about working with gifted students, what would it be?

Stay open-minded to constant change. Talk to your students often, because they have much input to offer as far as what they need in their education. While they do not need you as often or in the same way, they will always need you more each time you help them rise to a higher potential than they set for themselves. Remember, being gifted means that they need more -- not less -- of your attention to make them all that they can be.

Jokes-

1. A ruler, of course.

2. A yummy fruit salad

3. Take away the “s.”

Logic Puzzle-

Marcia: A; Chelsea: B; Morgan: C; Linda: C-; Casie D

Click the picture to visit our AIG Parent Wakelet. Our Wakelet houses resources to help parents offer academic and social emotion support to their gifted or curious learner.