Stay up to date with events and important information regarding all things K-12 GT.

As we transition into the cooler months, it's important to remember that our students are also transitioning into a busy period of learning. With Thanksgiving and Winter Break approaching, let's ensure our children have opportunities to rest and recharge. Even though the weather may not feel like it yet, the holiday season is coming soon!

Our gifted students are a beacon of intellectual curiosity and boundless energy, often driving themselves to excel in various academic and extracurricular pursuits. While this drive is commendable, it's equally important to recognize the value of rest and relaxation.

The Power of Rest for Gifted Minds

• Cognitive Enhancement: Adequate rest allows the brain to consolidate information, bolster problem-solving skills, and spark creativity.
• Emotional Well-being: Sufficient sleep helps regulate emotions, reducing stress and anxiety, and fostering a positive mental outlook.
• Focus and Attention: Well-rested minds are better equipped to concentrate, learn effectively, and maintain sustained focus.
• Physical Health: Rest is essential for physical development, boosting the immune system, and promoting overall well-being.

Practical Tips for Promoting Restful Habits

• Consistent Sleep Schedule: Encourage a regular bedtime routine to optimize sleep quality and regulate the body's internal clock.
• Mindful Screen Time: Limit exposure to electronic devices, especially before bed, to improve sleep patterns and reduce digital distractions.
• Serene Sleep Environment: Ensure a quiet, dark, and cool bedroom to create an optimal sleep environment.
• Physical Activity: Regular exercise can help alleviate stress, improve sleep quality, and boost energy levels.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Teach relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing to calm the mind and reduce anxiety.

By prioritizing rest, we can empower our gifted students to reach their full potential, both academically and personally. Let's work together to create a balanced and supportive learning environment where rest is valued and encouraged.

Sincerely,

Stacy Carroll

Executive Director of Advanced Academics & World Languages

The mission of the C-FB AGT is to advocate for the needs of all advanced learners in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District and ensure they receive appropriate educational opportunities.

We're thrilled to introduce our newest addition to the GT Academy at Landry, Jamilet Martinez. Jamilet is our dynamic new 1st Grade STEAM teacher, bringing a wealth of enthusiasm and creativity to the classroom.

A proud Dallas native and CFBISD alumna, Jamilet is passionate about inspiring young minds. She recently graduated from Dallas College with a bachelor's degree and is eager to share her love of learning with her students.

Jamilet's goal is to foster a positive and engaging learning environment where every child feels empowered to explore and innovate. Through fun and meaningful projects and activities, she aims to ignite curiosity and spark creativity in her students.

Please join us in welcoming Jamilet to our school community!

Brought to you by GT Specialist MaryAnn Condie.

Math manipulatives are invaluable tools that transform abstract mathematical concepts into tangible experiences. By providing visual representations, manipulatives help students grasp complex ideas more easily. They engage students through hands-on activities, making learning fun and interactive. Manipulatives encourage experimentation and discovery, fostering problem-solving skills. They build a strong foundation for abstract thinking by providing concrete experiences that transition into symbolic understanding. Additionally, manipulatives cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring that all students can access and comprehend mathematical concepts. Ultimately, the use of manipulatives leads to a deeper understanding of math, improved retention, and enhanced problem-solving abilities.

Courtney Dargaj, a dedicated educator and Pittsburgh native, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the McCoy Elementary LEAP program. With a degree in Early Childhood Education from John Carroll University, Courtney is committed to creating a nurturing and inspiring learning environment. Her previous experience teaching preschool, first grade, and third grade has equipped her with the skills to effectively engage young learners. Beyond the classroom, Courtney is an avid runner and former All-American triple jumper, demonstrating her active and energetic spirit.

This quarter, students had a fantastic time using Beebots in the library! They were challenged to program these robots to navigate to pictures of various school staff members. By using clues about different occupations, students connected their Social Studies learning to a fun and engaging STEM activity.

Here we see students are working hard to track their knowledge of multiplication and division facts with Donut Tracking Sheets! Students apply their strategies and watch their knowledge grow as they master new tables throughout the year!

AP Exam Registration closed on October 23rd. See your Associate Principal if you have any questions. Here are the 2025 AP Exam Dates.

• All AP Exams in 2025 will be administered in a digital or hybrid format. Please follow this link for more information: Digital AP Exams
• Are you enrolled in AP Classroom? If not, be sure to ask your teacher for the join code, and enroll ASAP!

Once you have access to AP Classroom, be sure to check out the AP Daily Videos, as well as AP Daily Practice Sessions, and AP Daily Reviews.

AP courses offer numerous advantages for high school students:

• College Credit and Placement: High scores on AP exams can earn students college credit, allowing them to skip introductory courses and potentially graduate early.
• Enhanced Academic Rigor: AP courses challenge students with college-level work, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management skills.
• Improved College Admissions Chances: A strong AP record demonstrates academic preparedness and dedication, making applications more competitive.
• Deeper Learning: AP courses encourage in-depth exploration of subjects, leading to a greater understanding of complex concepts.
• Preparedness for College-Level Work: AP classes simulate the rigor and pace of college coursework, easing the transition to higher education.
• Potential Cost Savings: Earning college credit through AP exams can significantly reduce tuition costs.
• Personal Growth: AP courses can boost self-confidence and motivation, empowering students to reach their full potential.

By taking on the challenge of AP courses, students position themselves for success in college and beyond.

Brought to you by GT Specialist Michelle Wilson.

It appears that Fall has finally arrived bringing cool, crisp mornings, the glorious colors of autumn, hot chocolate, pumpkin spice lattes, the smoky smells drifting through the air from fire pits, and cozy sweater weather. But, this is Texas, and by the completion of this article it could just as easily be 99 degrees again! As students adjust to their school routines, the season also marks the onset of tests. The purpose of a test is to inform educators of the skills our students have mastered as well as alert us to areas in which additional support is needed. For many of our children, however, what accompanies these tests is Test Anxiety.

A recent study in the Journal of School Psychology found test anxiety to be a highly common experience for students across ages and cultures. In the United States, it is estimated that between 25-40% of students experience test anxiety. When students experience distress and an intense level of worry before, during, or after an exam, they are experiencing test anxiety. What is it exactly? It is a type of performance anxiety in which individuals exhibit extreme nervousness about how they will perform in a situation where they are expected to do well. They are often overly preoccupied with how others view them and often believe they HAVE to do well or others will think less of them or be disappointed in them. This high degree of anxiety does not motivate a child to do well, instead it can drastically impair their performance. Understanding the causes, symptoms and tips to alleviate test anxiety is critical for parents and teachers to understand.

Possible Causes:

• Perfectionism—unreasonably high expectations of oneself to perform perfectly with no room for error or mistakes
• Lack of preparation—last minute cramming, procrastination due to anxiety, poor study habits
• Pressure to perform—unrealistic expectations from others, over emphasis on grades
• Fear of failure
• Comparing oneself to others
• Past experience of performing poorly on an exam

• Physical—stomachaches (especially in young children), headaches, racing heart, trouble breathing, shaking, dizziness, sweaty palms
• Emotional—irritability, dread, overwhelming worry, helplessness, anger
• Cognitive—Negative thoughts/self-talk, distracted, memory impairment, blanking out
• Behavioral—crying, tantrums, avoidance of studying, school refusal

• Encourage your child to talk with you regarding their feelings and reassure them that many people feel anxious about tests.
• Focus on effort and hard work with your child rather than emphasizing grades. Avoid offering rewards as this often places another level of stress for the child to perform. An unexpected surprise at the end of the school day such as a trip to the park or an ice cream cone celebrating your child’s effort is much more beneficial.
• Assist with test preparation. Teach your child to break studying into smaller components and start several days before the test.
• Teach test taking strategies such as the following: answer easier questions first, avoid spending too much time on one question, eliminate multiple choice items that are obviously incorrect in order to narrow their answer choices.
• Teach and practice calming techniques such as visualizing their “happy place” in detail, call their attention to the sights, sounds and smells of the place they chose, introduce deep breathing exercises while doing so. Remind them they can do these things during the test to help them stay calm.
• Remind your child of their past successes and teach positive self-talk. “I can do this!” “I’ve got this!”
• Communicate frequently with your child’s teachers so that you are on the same page regarding how to tackle the problem of test anxiety. The teacher is often the first to recognize a child is suffering with this problem.
• Ensure your child is getting proper rest, nutrition and physical exercise.
• Seek medical advice if the intensity and frequency of your child’s anxiety does not abate and interferes with his/her social and/or academic life and well-being.

In summary, many children suffer from one or more episodes of test anxiety. Our goal as parents and educators is to teach our children to develop coping strategies and study skills that will help them develop increased self-assurance as they navigate through their fears. Once children are equipped with the proper tools they can face tests, and life with confidence. There are many wonderful resources regarding anxiety in children. One helpful workbook is Outsmart Test Anxiety by Erainna Winnett. There are also numerous story and picture books for children dealing with this subject. Visit carescenter.ucla.edu for more in-depth guidance.

Brought to you by GT Specialist and Licensed School Psychologist Renea Yowell.

The Texas State Plan for Gifted and Talented Education requires districts to consider all kindergarten students for gifted and talented services.

All CFBISD kindergarten students will be assessed with the Naglieri General Ability Tests (NGAT) between November 11th - 22nd, 2024.

The NGAT is designed to be culturally unbiased, allowing students to solve problems regardless of their language background. It minimizes the impact of formal knowledge, focusing on how well students "think" rather than what they "know."

Learn more about the NGAT Assessment here: https://naglierigiftedtests.com/

After the assessment window closes, you will be able to access your student’s scores through the Parent Self-Serve portal, under the Testing tab. Students who meet the initial criteria of a composite standard score of 115 or above will be further reviewed for services.

A district committee of GT-trained professionals will evaluate collected data, including:

• A non-verbal assessment

• An achievement test

• A Student Characteristic Survey

• Work samples

Parents of students who undergo further review will receive a letter and a profile sheet from the CFBISD GT Department indicating if their child has been identified for services.

Services for qualifying kindergarten students will begin no later than March 1, 2025.

If your child does not qualify this year, they can be referred in their first grade year.

The Baylor TIP 7th Grade Talent Search Program is designed to identify academically gifted students and provide them with opportunities to develop their talents. Students take the IAR test to assess their abilities in math, science, reading, and writing. Those who qualify are recognized at a special ceremony and gain access to a variety of resources and programs, including summer camps, online courses, and talent development advisors. The program aims to challenge and inspire these gifted students, helping them reach their full potential.

Details regarding the Parent Meeting will be sent out soon through Parent Square.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it is never too early be reminded that communicating gratitude is always important.

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving!