2024 Q 4 Newsletter

It is hard to believe this school year has come to an end. That went quickly! We've seen growth among our students in their academic performance in class, scores on MAP and other assessments, and in their social or emotional development. Some growth has been big, some more moderate, but our children are moving forward nonetheless. Our students have worked hard and likely are ready for a break.

I am often asked what parents can or should do with their gifted students over the summer to make sure they stay on track or growing. My advice is always the same...Let them make the most of the down time. In the article below, I share some information from experts in the field regarding burnout and gifted children. Hopefully the tips will help your family navigate this summer season.

The school year has come to an end, which means students’ daily routines are going to change. Some students may miss the structure and social side of school during the summer break. Others may welcome a slower pace and less structure that summer can bring. Families may be trying to decide how to fill these summer months, either to make sure there is ample child care during the day, in an effort to keep their children active and their mind engaged during the summer, or because they think that is what they are supposed to do.

Be sure to consider cues your child may be giving you. Are they feeling burnout after a long yer of working hard in school? Are they eager for a break in the pressure they may feel (real or imagined) to perform at high levels throughout the year? Your student may be experiencing a bit of burnout if you notice a change in eating or sleeping patterns, a decrease interest in things they used to love or in school, dread or negative attitude about the activities of their day, or withdrawing from friends and family.

Summertime can be a great opportunity to reverse some of the impact of burnout. And, even if your student is not experiencing burnout, the summer break from school is a great opportunity to reset and recharge before the new year begins. Consider the following suggestions as you approach your summer break:

1. Establish a loose routine for the day. Decide what 2-4 things your learner must do everyday (maybe a chore, personal care, reading time, etc.). Depending on their age, you may tell them when to do those things or give them the freedom to decide when they do them as long as they get done. But, keep the routine light.

2. Set aside plenty of unstructured time for play and free exploration. Give your child - even your teenager - time to do what they want. If you find they stick to only one thing, maybe give them some specific choices for the time. But, make sure your learners have time to do something creative, like arts and crafts, or play outside, build things out of LEGO or blocks or cardboard, read a book of their choice (even if it below their reading level), and even play video games. If they say they are bored during this time, give them opportunities to find a way to occupy themselves. Learning to manage their time and fill it on their own is a life skill.

3. Have some time set aside for your student to learn about something of interest to them. This might be done by reading library books on a chosen topic or doing a small project on the topic. Be careful that the project is not directed by the adult or similar to a school assignment. It should be something the learner wants to do naturally as a result of learning about this area of interest. Maybe you have your student go to a short camp or workshop in the area focused on that topic. The key thing is the topic is chosen by your child and the learning is directed by your child. (Notice I did not recommend practice workbooks. Most children do not want to do these, even if they say they do. The skill benefits they gain from doing them are usually minimal and not work the fight to get students to do them.)

4. Consider signing your child up for some sort of structured experience, but don’t fill up every day or weekend with these things. There are lots of camps, workshops, library programs, youth sports, and so on to provide some structure to your child’s summer. Work with your child to select one or two that are of interest to them and that you feel might stretch them in a new way. But, be careful not to fill up every day with camps, classes, or practices. That may further burn out a student already tired or may lead to burnout for those on the brink.

5. Do some things as a family but also allow for some time to do things on their own and with friends. Summer is a great time to strengthen family bonds with the extra time together. Make the most of that. But, also recognize your gifted child may need alone time to recharge and may need time with a few friends. These varied relationships keep them well-rounded.

Additional Articles About Gifted Learners and Burnout:

• Burnout in Gifted Children

• Top 7 Tips for How to Recover from Gifted Kid Burnout
  What Should My Gifted Child Be Doing Over the Summer?

• Great Summer Activities for Gifted Kids

• The Summer 7

• 4 Ways Parents Can Engage Gifted Students During Summer Vacation

Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted is an organization devoted to exactly what they claim: educating and providing support to individuals who are gifted. The group’s website include s resource library filled with hundreds of free articles on a range of topics, including parenting, friendships, anxiety and depression, twice exceptional learners, and so much more. They also offer online webinars, which can be purchased individually or in packages. SENG also holds an annual conference in person and several small in-person or online workshops with special speakers and breakout sessions throughout the year. There is a membership option that provides discounted access to webinars and conferences. But, even without a membership, the online library resources are worth the time taken to explore the site.

The Gifted Coordinators of Central Ohio are inviting you to attend a special presentation, Helping Gifted Kids Manage “All the Feels”. (Intended audience includes parents, guardians, and other caregivers of gifted children)

Monday, June 3rd, 2024 ∙ 7 PM - 8 PM

Worthington Kilbourne High School, 1499 Hard Road, Columbus, OH 43235

Presentation Description: Processing and managing emotions is hard for even the most level-headed of us. For gifted and twice-exceptional kids and teens, dealing with "all the feels" can be exhausting. The skills needed to develop emotional regulation can be developed over time with guidance and compassion from parents and educators. Emily will break down the 4-step process of emotional regulation so we can help our kids who are "a little bit extra" find healthy ways to manage their emotions.

Emily Kircher-Morris is a licensed counselor and former gifted educator who specializes in counseling gifted and other neurodivergent children and adults. She is the host of The Neurodiversity Podcast, which explores the psychological, educational, and social needs for enriching the lives of neurodivergent people. She is the author of several books for parents and educators related to the development of children and teens who are neurodivergent and cognitively gifted. She started her career in education and now works as a mental health counselor in private practice outside of St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in supporting neurodivergent, twice-exceptional, and gifted people of all ages.

Please complete the RSVP Form to help event planners have an accurate head count.

Summer Programs

Many organizations in Central Ohio and beyond offer summer enrichment programs. Some of these programs are designed specifically for students who are gifted, while others are open to a broader population. The list found here includes programs for all grade levels locally, throughout Ohio, and even some out of state. Programs are focused on a wide range of topics across many disciplines including the arts, sciences, humanities, languages, service, physical wellness, and more. Please note that the summer programs and scholarships listed below are NOT affiliated with Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools, and websites, dates, and offerings may change. Contact the specific program directly with any questions.

Scholarships (School Age)

The Ohio Department of Education has shared an opportunity for Ohio families. The Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) Educational Savings Account program provides funds to low-income families for various enrichment and educational activities. The program is offered through a contract between Merit International, Inc. and the Ohio Department of Education. ACE is available to any Ohio child ages 6 - 18 years old whose family income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.

This newsletter is sent to families of all GJPS students identified a gifted in one or more areas, even if not receiving gifted services. We hope it is informative to all.