833 Young Scholars

It is wonderful to welcome everyone back for another exciting year with 833 Young Scholars. This year is sure to bring your student new adventures in thinking, discovering and understanding the world around them.

This year, 833 Young Scholars will continue to build the core skills of divergent, convergent, visual and evaluative thinking all while working to increase access, affirmation, and advocates for your Young Scholar.

Throughout the year, please feel free to reach out any time with questions, concerns, thoughts, or ideas. 833 Young Scholars is here for both students and families, so let me know how I can best support you and your Young Scholar!

September is a perfect time to talk about setting your Young Scholar up for success this year. All students, of course, have their own unique ways of learning and moving through the world. However, there are certain characteristics you might recognize in your Young Scholar such as a high level of curiosity, concern for truth, equity, and justice, or a keen sense of humor.

Traits such as these are also recognized as common gifted learner characteristics, and whether we use the term Young Scholar or Gifted Learner, it all really comes down to the student.

How do we, as families, schools, and communities work together to best recognize and support what students need in order to reach their full potential and experience success as learners?

To help us answer that very big question, this year we'll be exploring many of the resources available to nurture and support your Young Scholar's potential. A good place to start is with The National Association for Gifted Children's (NAGC) publication Helping Your Gifted Child Succeed!

This parent brochure is full of inspiration about various topics ranging from how to recognize your child's talents and abilities to supporting your child at home, in the community, and at school.

Even though the brochure is written in an easy-to-understand and friendly way, you might still find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information - and that's ok. Take it slow. Start with just the first page or two. Take time to think about how (or if) it applies to your Young Scholar and your family. Take what works for you and leave what doesn't, and remember, I am here to support you and your Young Scholar, so reach out any time!

Click underneath the pictures below for links to both a Spanish and English version of the NAGC brochure Helping Your Gifted Child Succeed! :

This year, each month's resources will be inspired by a topic found in the NAGC brochure discussed above.

For September, we'll focus on ways to support your Young Scholar at home through promoting exploration and discovery. Check out page 3 of the brochure to learn more!

If your Young Scholar has ever asked you a question that starts with "Why...", the Time for Kids Big Book of Why may be for you. The book's 1,001 questions and answers might be a match for your Young Scholar's curiosity, but just in case, you could also try the Time for Kids

Big Book of How and Big Book of Where.

A Book of Questions by Jane G. Meyer asks thought-provoking, funny, and sometimes silly questions sure to get your Young Scholar thinking and asking questions of their own.

Does your Young Scholar love to build and create? This may be just the place for them! Leonardo's Basement, located in Minneapolis, is described as " a one-of-a-kind creative learning environment for “kids” of all ages to design and build from their imagination." A variety of options are available including summer classes, Saturday experiences, and loads of tools and materials to build your Young Scholar's imagination!

The Minnesota Institute for Talented Youth's Your Extraordinary Saturday has classes available to 1st-4th grade students ranging from Stop Animation to Robots and Electricity to the Mathematics of Art!

Hi All!

My name is Colleen Redmond, and I am thrilled to work as the 833 Young Scholars advocate and lead teacher.

I'm a mom of two teenagers, a wife, small business owner, avid biker (the pedal kind), book enthusiast, and beekeeper. Plus, on top of all of that, I have the happy job of implementing and growing the Young Scholars program here in 833!

I've been lucky enough to teach in South Washington County Schools for over twenty-five years and have had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the lives of so many students and families over the years.

Now, as part of Young Scholars, I have the honor of working with the amazing staff, students, and families throughout 833. I am so very excited to work with and support you and your Young Scholar. I can't wait to see where the journey takes us!

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, thoughts, or needs!

Colleen Redmond

651-425-6212

credmond@sowashco.org