What We've Done.

Advocacy Accomplishments

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Four Additional PACE teachers added to EMS ISD GT Program

·         As of Fall 2020, EMS ISD increased its PACE teachers from six to ten. By the 2022-2023 school year, the goal is for each elementary campus to have its own PACE teacher.  

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Middle School GT Humanities courses now available

·          As of Fall 2019 Humanities Courses are available for eligible students grades 6th-8th.

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Opportunity for math acceleration in elementary schools

·         Prior policy only allowed for acceleration by grade. As of spring 2017, students in grades 3rd- 5th can now  advance based on STAAR testing results and a math placement test.

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Clustering of GT students in EMS-ISD schools

·         EMS ISD schools place 5-10 GT students in elementary classes and designated pre-AP & AP secondary courses to provide differentiation & allow GT students to collaborate & work together.

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Inclusion of parents on EMS-ISD GT Vision Team and Advisory Committee

·         Teachers, campus and district leaders, parents, and community members meet to collaborate to evaluate current offerings & to form plans to better meet gifted students’ needs.

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Creation of elementary and secondary GT parent round table discussion groups

·         Parent representatives from district school campuses & EMS ISD administrators meet to discuss concerns,  campus opportunities, and experiences to best meet the academic and social & emotional needs of GT student/s.

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Educational Programs/Socials

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Family Event (Feb ‘20)

·         Surviving to Thriving – Ways to Advocate for Your Child’s Education - Emily Villamar-Robbins

·         Destination Imagination (DI) Challenges & Activities for K-8 – Past EMS ISD DI Global Team Managers

 

Development of Math Self-Concept and Its Impact on College & Career Aspirations to Pursue STEM Fields – Jessica Ottwein

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Nurturing Creativity – Lori Mabry & Meg Farley (April ’19)


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NuMinds Family Event (Feb ’19)

·         Giftedness & Overexcitabilities: Transforming Challenges Into Strengths – Ben Koch

·         STEAM Space Challenge for K-8

 

Navigating the Pathways to College Preparedness – EMS ISD Administrators & Staff (Nov ’18)

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Parenting for Grit: How to Raise Passionate Children Who Persevere – Laila Sanguras (Sept ’18)

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Family Event (April ’18)

·         Gifted 101: My Child Is Gifted – Now What? - Joan Sipll

·         Creative Challenges for K-5–PACE teachers


 

Round Table Discussion Luncheon - Dual credit, AP, SAT/ACT, and College Readiness (March ‘18)

 

Coffee Chats and Evening Socials - Social gatherings with parents, GEMSS board,

EMS ISD GT administrators & PACE teachers