Jeffco Public Schools

Advocating for Your Child
Parents often wonder when and how to approach their child's teacher if their child seems unhappy or not challenged in the classroom. This NAGC TIP sheet on Classroom Advocacy offers some suggestions on starting this conversation to partner with your child’s teacher.

• 2019-20 Parent Learning (Spanish)

Feb 24, 2020 Collaborative Panel: JAGC & Jeffco GT  A panel of the Jeffco Association for Gifted Children (JAGC) Board members and GT Resource Teachers, Social-Emotional Counselors and the Director from Jeffco’s GT Department collaborated to answer a variety of questions that had been submitted by a previous survey.  The questions and resources cited in answering those and providing further guidance from that evening are available on these slides.

• January 27, 2020 (Spanish)
• November 18, 2019  (Spanish)
• September 23, 2019  (Spanish)  

Jeffco’s Mental Health & Wellness Hub: During this stressful and uncertain time, it is essential to address and tend to the mental health and wellness of ourselves, our family, and community.  Jeffco’s Mental Health & Wellness Hub has numerous resources and supports on a variety of social-emotional and mental health topics for families and students, including a monthly focus and seminar series!

• SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted ): a nonprofit group that empowers families and communities to guide gifted and talented individuals to reach their goals: intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. SENG provides various articles, resources, conferences and online groups, as well as a book study/parent support group model which Jeffco offers during the evenings.
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): not GT-specific, but does have great support groups, conferences, etc.
• Gifted Haven (an online forum for young people)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK
• "Mellow Out" They Say. If I Only Could. Intensities and Sensitivities of the Young and Bright by Michael Piechowski
• The Smart Teens Guide to Living With Intensity by Lisa Rivero
• Misdiagnosis and Dual Diagnosis of Gifted Children and Adults by James Webb, Edward Amend, Nadia Webb, Jean Goerss, Paul Beljan and Richard Olench

Jeffco’s GT Social Emotional Learning Counselors (GT SELCS) hold monthly parent book clubs/family book study groups. These groups provide an opportunity for families to learn about their GT child(ren) and to connect with other parents/families who understand the unique joys and challenges of raising GT kids. There is no cost to these sessions, but families are responsible for buying the relevant book for each session, and must sign up. Parents/family members may register for more than 1 session, as each session is offered at a different day/time, but families are expected to purchase the appropriate book for each session.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SENG BOOK GROUP

SENG (Supporting the Emotional Needs of the Gifted) is a nonprofit organization that empowers families and communities to guide gifted and talented individuals to reach their goals:intellectually, physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

EXPLORE SENG

• Gifted and Talented Education Board Policy
• Jeffco GT Facebook Page
• Jefferson County Association for Gifted Children(JAGC)
  • Our district GT advocacy group--JAGC works in positive partnership with the Jeffco Schools District's GT Department to provide leadership by promoting information about the educational and social-emotional needs of our advanced students. A great way to get involved in the Jeffco GT community!  JAGC is a local affiliate of CAGT (Below): 
• Colorado Association of Gifted & Talented(CAGT)
  • Our state GT advocacy group, which holds an annual conference in October for educators & parents, advocates for Gifted Ed legislation, and provides info & resources for all stakeholders in the Colorado GT community, CAGT is our states affiliate 
• National Association for Gifted Children(NAGC)
  • Our national  advocacy group--NAGC supports those who enhance the growth and development of gifted and talented children through education, advocacy, community building, and research at the national level, while also offering support to state affiliates like CAGT.
• Institute for Educational Advancement(IEA): provides GT resources for professional learning and student opportunities.
• Council for Exceptional Children(CEC): advocated for special education needs, including a network for Gifted learners.
• Institute for the Development of Gifted Education(IDGE): professional organization that hosts an annual conference sponsored by the University of Denver.

• Center for Bright Kids(CBK) Locally-based organization that provides the Western Academic Talent Search (WATS), providing opportunities to take above-level testing to recognize outstanding academic ability, as well as CBK Summer Programs for high-interest, high-ability students.
• Davidson Institute  Check out the Davidson Institutes Free Guidebooks for info on Advocacy, College Entrance, Twice Exceptionality, Mentorships and other great family resources
• UNC Summer Enrichment Programs (SEP): overnight summer camps that provide unique learning experiences addressing the intellectual and affective needs of gifted learners at the University of Northern Colorado - Greeley.
• Yunasa Summer camps offered by the Institute for Educational Advancement, including one in Colorado.