Jefferson CHALLENGE Program

A Parents’ Forum: Fostering School Success

Facilitator: Cheryl Kilker K-12 CHALLENGE Coordinator

Challenge Program Building Leaders:High School: Cheryl Kilker

Middle School: Nick SkrettaSullivan: Amy Meyer

East: Jim GarciaWest: Jessica Krause and Michele Thomas

Fostering success. How?

Who comes to Jefferson Schools?

Children from varying backgrounds

Education

Socio-Economic Factors

Family Background

Birth OrderCultural

Influences

Early Childhood

Environment

They Come to School Varying in:

Experience

Enrichment

Exposure

Education opportunities

Expectations

Here they come!

As they grow, parents and

teachers work to find out who they

are

…and students begin to

develop their own

awareness of self…

Enrichment is fostered by information gathering ...

We continue to gather information and seek to meet needs:

Teacher awareness, classroom differentiation

• Diagnostic tests: MAP, WKCE, etc.

Parent input

• Student self-advocacy (particularly high school.)

o Academico The Arts (visual,

performance, music)

o Creativityo Leadershipo Intellectual

Five Areas of Giftedness

• By 4th gr. we can begin, through testing, to identify exceptional intellect in students and help suggest what enrichment opportunities may be beneficial.

• “Extraordinarily Exceptional” • Intellectual scores 1-2%

• “Exceptional” Intellectual scores 2-5%

Myth: “These kids will do fine on their own. They don’t need extra consideration.”

Fact: Exceptional students may feel very “different.” They are emotionally still children. They may struggle to fit in. They need a safe place to be “smart” without social stigma.

As students explore their interests, talents may emerge.

EX* Extraordinarily Exceptional Level 3 1-2% of the population

EX Exceptional Level 2 Top 2-5% of

the population

85% of the population

For Success ALL kids need:To be challenged

To be bored (Blue Sky times…)

To be unique (appreciated)

To fit in (belong)

To feel secure (predictability)

To dare to be bold (take the challenge)

Extrinsic motivation (recognition)

Intrinsic motivation (personal drive)

CHALLENGE website:

http://teacherweb.com/WI/JeffersonHighSchool/Gifted_and_Talented/h2.aspx

Find:

Resources for parents

Ideas for students to explore and challenge themselves.

Contact information kilkerc@jefferson.k12.wi.us

Socio-emotional support, a bit of

chemistry, physics & neuroscience!

Uh oh, don’t get me started…

"Leave your drugs in the chemist's pot if you can heal the patient with food." ~Hippocrates

Emotions and Learning!

CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS!

WONDERFUL

NEUROPLASTICITY!

BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT OF YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING

• Biological: “Feed” the Brain: Diet, sleep, exercise.

• Psychological “Train” the Brain.

Learning occurs with some struggle; insight often comes with “boredom.” Ex: Einstein.

• Sociological: Praise efforts, not “smarts.”

Children can practice attention and self-regulation skills. (ex. concert)

Common Obstacle #2 Fear of showing struggle and

effort

(i.e. “If I’m smart it should be easy. I can’t let it show that I work at this…”)

Parents can help: Praise efforts, not “smarts.”

(I’m proud of the way you tackled that tough math problem! You stuck with

it!”)

Common Obstacle #3Boredom.

Successful students learn to self-regulate and use boring time as “think”

time.

Much of life IS tedious: jobs, waiting in line, etc. Boring stuff usually has to get done before the

fun!

Help your child find ways to use “boring time” creatively. How do you model your use of

“boring” time?

Your child’s teacher may allow some alternate use of time after required tasks are done. Help

your child understand this privilege may not distract others, as that is not respectful of others’

time and needs.

Common Obstacle #4

Delayed Gratification.

Success is rarely instantaneous.

In this world of media-made, overnight “stars,” the quiet diligence and struggle behind REAL people’s success is often

unseen.

Help your child experience delayed rewards.

We strive to help students find doors of opportunity…

Talk with your child. Listen. Watch. What fascinates him or her?

Thoughts to leave with...The term “gifted” is commonly used in the academic world to describe a particular identified segment of performance.

At Jefferson we believe all children are unique and have relative strengths.

We seek to encourage those gifts together with parents.

We strive to celebrate and foster student success

Good communication, self-motivation and initiative, and a cooperative attitude will help foster those gifts.

Communication is Key

As we strive to meet the needs of all learners

CHALLENGE website:

http://teacherweb.com/WI/JeffersonHighSchool/Gifted_and_Talented/h2.aspx

Find:

Resources for parents

Ideas for students to explore and challenge themselves.

Contact information kilkerc@jefferson.k12.wi.us

Thank you for coming this evening!