January News

Happy New Year!

We hope you all enjoyed your holiday, and we hope the new year is off to a good start!

UPCOMING INFORMATION SESSION

Speaker Session: Anxiety and Depression in Gifted Children

Tuesday, February 6, 2018
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Louis Riel School
9632 Oakfield Drive SW, Calgary

Do you walk around on pins and needles sometimes with your child, not knowing how s/he might respond to something you say or do? Gifted individuals live in the world with intensity. Not only does this impact their learning, but also their relationships and self-esteem.

Our discussions will focus on understanding what these behaviours might look like and why they might be happening, the progression of feelings/behaviours, and strategies to help manage these strong responses.

The presentation will be followed by a brief business meeting. All association members (GATE patents) are welcome to attend.

About the speaker:
Dr. Laurie Alisat is an Assistant Principal at Westmount School Society. She has worked with gifted students as a classroom teacher in both community and specialized settings. As well, she has worked with teachers as a strategist for gifted learners and as an instructor at the University of Calgary in inclusive learning and the development of creativity. Working with Dr. Robert Kelly, she assisted in interviewing and writing “Educating for Creativity: A Global Conversation.” Her recent research focused on the experience of schooling for gifted boys in alternative settings. Laurie is passionate about compassionate relationships serving to develop appropriate, meaningful challenges for students to build confidence and resiliency.

Who can attend? This event is open to all who are interested.

Is there a cost? There is no cost for this event, however a donation of $5 is appreciated. All funds raised this evening go toward teacher professional development.


NOTICE OF BUSINESS MEETING

Your GATE Parent Association will hold a brief business meeting following the February 6th information session (see above).

If your child attends a GATE classroom, you are a member of the GATE Parent Association and may attend meetings and participate in voting.


PURDYS FUNDRAISER

The GPA and Louis Riel School Council Purdys fundraiser held in December was a great success!

We raised over $1500.00, which can be used to support GATE teacher professional development and other enhancemnts for GATE classrooms.

If you attend a GATE school other than Louis Riel, and your school is interested in doing a Purdys fundraiser with the GPA, please email us. We’d be happy to work with the school councils of our other GATE schools on a Purdys Christmas or Easter campaign.


UPCOMING INFORMATION SESSION PLANNING

Our VP and Parent Education Chair are hard at work planning future education sessions. If you have ideas about topics you’d like to see covered, please let us know.

If you’re new to GATE and looking to connect with other GATE families, be sure to attend our events.


GATE INFORMATION

If you’re looking for information about applying to GATE, click here. NOTE the application deadline is fast approaching.


OPEN BOARD POSITIONS

The position of Web Communications Chair is still vacant. If you have an interest in helping us to develop and maintain our website and social media presence, please contact us.


ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES is offering the following sessions which may be of interest to our members:

Understanding Anxiety in Children: How Parents can Help
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
River Valley School

The Implications of ADHD for Kids, Parents, and Teachers * Also Available as a Webinar *
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Alberta Children’s Hospital – Theatre

ADHD is Awesome!
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Ernest Manning High School

Youth Bullying and Discrimination: Let’s Make it Stop
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Alberta Children’s Hospital – Kinsmen Theatre

Supporting your Anxious Child – What Works and What Doesn’t
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
C.W. Perry School

Understanding Mindfulness (MindUP Program in School)
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Bert Church High School

For details and full calendar, visit http://community.hmhc.ca/sessions

How can we help you?

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