GATE Network Monthly Meetings: 2003/5

The GATE Network parents used to meet on an informal monthly basis but due to our busy schedules, we have decided to communicate via the yahoo listserve. Join the listserve here.

Here's what we've discussed in past GATE Network Meetings:

• October 2005: We shared information on upcoming programs sponsored by the Indiana Association for the Gifted, including Dr. Sylvia Rimm who will be presenting a program for parents in Hammond, IN on October 19th. She's an excellent speaker and a couple of us are planning to go. We were also visited by a South Bend Tribune reporter who is writing an article about our group.
• September 2005: We shared information on the camps our children attended, including music, math, robotics, and recreational camps.
• May 2005: We discussed communication with the schools and our sons' and daughters' teachers. We also discussed Broad Based Planning Committee activities.
• April 2005: We shared resources and pamphlets on summer enrichment camps.
• March 2005: More updates on how our children are being challenged through differentiated instruction. Reports on the PHM Broad Based Planning Committee. We decided to stay with Thursdays and meet at the Harris Library.
• February 2005: Our meeting was cancelled due to our busy schedules.
• January 2005: We discussed ISTEPs and the Saturday Enrichment Program. We also compared notes on the degree of challenge offered in math and language arts classes. Then we met for dessert at Yesterday's!
• December 2004: A few parents expressed interest in making the meetings even more informal (we've always been informal!) by just meeting for coffee and dessert. We debated whether to keep the meetings on Tuesdays or move back to Thursdays. Others expressed interest in meeting just twice a year, perhaps at the PHM Saturday Enrichment program if we are invited again.
• November 2004: We have been trying to get a speaker for our December meeting, and unfortunately the speakers suggested charge a speaking fee and our group does not collect dues. There are sources for grants for speakers and we will investigate these options.
• October 2004: During our meeting we planned our presentation for PHM's Saturday Enrichment Parent Program, which was held on Saturday October 9th. Ten parents attended. We presented what we have accomplished this past year and shared many resources.
• September 2004: First meeting for the new academic year. We changed our name to GATE Network of St. Joseph County, IN. We expanded our scope to include parents in other school districts. In addition, we made plans to present a Parent Session on October 9th during the PHM's Saturday Enrichment Program at Schmucker Middle School, 8:30-10:30 am.
• May 2004: Nancy Nimz, the Assistant Superintendent for PHM, came by to answer our questions about gifted programming in PHM. She was very informative and gave us hope for increasing differentiated instruction within PHM schools. She requested that we change our name to one without PHM in the title, because "PHM" is a title used only to refer to the school corporation, not other organizations. We're glad she told us, and a new name will be our first item on our agenda for fall 2004.
• April 2004: Topics discussed included the EXPLORE achievement test, communicating to teachers, changes in the middle school math curriculum, and summer camp programs.
• March 2004: Topics discussed included differentiated instruction, the Broad Based Planning Committee's goals, and communicating to teachers.
• February 2004: Topics discussed included an introduction to the EXPLORE program and other local resources for gifted students. The Elkhart Area Association for Gifted Educational Resources (E.A.G.E.R.) of Elkhart Community Schools (ECS) invited our group to attend their program, The Emotional and Social Issues and Development of Gifted/Talented Students, held on February 19, 2004.
• January 2004: Presented information and materials from the 2003 NAG Parent Conference.
• December 2003: Unfortunately, we had a room conflict due to Penn's (unannounced!) parent/teacher conferences, so the parents who came to our meeting decided to go home and prepare for the upcoming holiday. We contacted the scheduling office to make sure this won't happen again.
• November 2003: Wendy Settle presented recommendations on stress management for gifted children from the book, Guiding the Gifted Child, and her own knowledge as a psychologist teaching stress management to college students. We had an enlightening discussion.
• October 2003: Shared information on local resources for enrichment.
• September 2003: Our first meeting for 2003, discussion on advanced math in middle school.
• May 2003: Our first organizational meeting last year, during which we formulated our mission.

Join the Listserve / Email Group Discussion List

The GATE Network Group List: This is a closed announcement and discussion list for parents, supporters, and educators for gifted and high ability K-12 students in St. Joseph County, IN. You can choose to either only receive announcements or you can choose to receive informational materials and discussion board emails. You can also send emails to the whole group. To join, go to the GATE Network Group List home page at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GATE_Network_St_Joe_IN/ When you join, be sure to check the Edit Membership page and indicate the email address you use most often to receive regular updates on network activities. Also send an email to Wendy Settle indicating your name, address, telephone number, children's names, grade levels, and schools.