“Gifted students should be learning what they don’t already know”
In case you missed it, guest Speaker Dr. Matthew Makel presented on the “Goals of Gifted Education”. Dr. Makel is Professor and Research Chair in High Abilities Studies in the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. His research focuses on academic talent development and open science research methods.
Dr. Makel provided many insights on gifted education. He encouraged parents to consider what the student and family are trying to get out of gifted education. Building problem solving skills? Exceling in areas of personal interest? Academic achievement? Leadership skills? He outlined 3 distinct paradigms for viewing the goals of gifted education and shared numerous ways for better understanding the uniqueness of each gifted learner.
His presentation analyzed the historical outcomes of different approaches to gifted learning, including acceleration, inter-class ability grouping, and in-class differentiation. He noted that some schools tend to focus on “differentiating up” versus “differentiating down”, meaning that resources are targeted towards students who are struggling and fewer resources are dedicated to those who are gifted. He provided insights into the various benefits of a learning environment focused on gifted learning.
You can watch a recording of Dr. Makel’s presentation on the GPA website.
Thank You Casino Volunteers!
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you who volunteered your time at the Casino fundraiser this month. Your generosity and support mean so much to us!
Thanks to your efforts, we’ve raised funds that will provide valuable resources and opportunities for students across all four GATE schools. A special thank you to the non-GATE parents who supported this casino!
VOLUNTEER WITH THE GPA
The GPA is a great way to engage with your child’s education on GATE-specific matters! We will need new volunteers in the 2025/26 school year. Come volunteer now and consider joining the GPA executive next school year. Elections will take place at the September 2025 AGM.
We are currently looking for volunteers to fill the following roles:
- Site representatives for Louis Riel and Henry Wise Wood Schools. This involves attending school council meetings and GPA meetings and sharing school updates between the two
- General Fundraising Chair
- Parent Education Chair
Email us at info@gatecalgary.ca for more information.
New GATE Families
Offers for the 2025/26 school year have been sent to incoming GATE students.
Louis Riel Open House May 30th: The school is hosting an open house to welcome new families on May 30. Families can meet staff and tour the school.
Hillhurst School Open House: Hillhurst will also hold an open house in June; details to come.
If you know a family whose child is joining the GATE program, please let them know they are automatically members of the GATE Parent Association. They can sign up for this newsletter at the GATE website: gatecalgary.ca.
UPCOMING PARENT EDUCATION SESSIONS
The Community Education Service (CES) is offering the following sessions for parents and families. Sessions are offered at no cost but registration is required. *Click on the Poster/PDF icon below the correct session to register*
April 1, 2025: Navigating Children’s Mental Health in Calgary and Area
This presentation will discuss:
• Different programs Access Mental Health can refer to and the most common community resources parents can find helpful.
• Access Mental Health and their centralized intake to AHS and Recovery Alberta programs. What to expect when calling for help and how to access services.
• Early warning signs your child and or adolescent may be struggling with their mental health and when to seek help.
• Common questions parents have about accessing mental health and addiction supports for their child.
April 7, 2025: Parent Guilt
This presentation will:
• Define the experience of parent guilt according to research.
• Understand the risk and protective factors that influence the experience of parent guilt according to research
• Learn practical strategies to help address parent guilt.
April 17, 2025: Building Resiliency in Today’s Youth
Before High School graduation, one-third of adolescent girls will experience depression, anxiety disorders, self-harm or an eating disorder. However, there is an incredible power in caregivers who can support our youth, both young women and men, before they seek therapy.
This workshop is designed to give caregivers the skills to become their child’s emotional coach. The workshop will provide participants with:
• Basic introduction of interpersonal neurobiology,
• Where emotions live in our brains,
• The essential role emotions play in mental well being,
• How to identify emotions in youth,
• How to become an emotional coach in only five steps.
DID YOU KNOW you can access pre-recorded sessions for free HERE.
ALSO CHECK OUT resources available through Mental Health Literacy HERE.