Parents, the picnic Friday, May 18th (I’m sorry for those that got the misprinted permission forms) from 11:05 – 1:00 needs a RSVP by Wednesday, May 16th either sending an email dana.stoddard@thompsonschools.org or calling 613-7314.  If you want pizza, send your order payment in with your student.  Weather forecast is looking positive!

Students and Parents are invited to the spring picnic at Silver Glen Park adjacent to the school Friday, May 18th from 11:05AM to 1:00PM.    You need to bring your own drink and a dessert to share.  Pizza will be ordered and available for purchase or you can bring your own lunch.  Extra large pizza prices are by slice:  1 for $2 , 2 for $3 , 3 for $4 , 4 for $6 , 5 for $7 , 6 for $8 , 7 for $9 , and 8 for $10   You can also bring fun park activities.

As summer fun is sent, the district’s most up-to-date source of information for summer enrichment and programs. http://northerncoloradogtparents.wikispaces.com/

The Summer in Thompson:  Experience in Math and Science (ST-EMS) program will be offered June 4-8 and 11-15.  Registration materials will be sent out later this month and the registration process will be completed online this year.

More will be added as it becomes available.  If you hear of a good summer program, let us know too.

Young Scholars Program.  The Foundation reviews each application individually with the assistance of a panel of national experts. Young Scholars are chosen based upon the criteria below, and while all of these criteria are important, the Foundation pays particular attention to the first two.

Math Counts is a nation-wide math competition.  Some high school engineering scholarships ask about participation in Math Counts in middle school.  Last chance to see what Math Counts is all about if interested for next year.  Feb. 11 is a district practice for regionals.  Anyone is welcome to watch or participate that day.  See Mrs. Stoddard for more information.

January GT Lunch is Monday, January 30th during lunch time.  Come enjoy fun and games.  We will celebrate January birthdays.

In case you are not receiving this information:

 

Upcoming Brown Bag Lunch (BBL) Schedule:     Wednesday, January 25, 11:00-12:00,

 

Ponderosa Elementary (open to parents and family members of GT students at all schools and grade levels).

 

• Opening topic: Stress Management

 

• The January TIPS (Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork) Family Assignment will be available for pick up at the meeting. (The November and December TIPS Assignments are available on the wiki-space:

http://northerncoloradogtparents.wikispaces.com/.)

 Please check in at the front office for directions and a visitor’s tag.

 

 Bring a lunch and a friend, if you like.

 

 PES is located at 4550 Florence Drive, Loveland; 970-679-9500.

 

 Thank you to our GT classroom host Christine Davies!

 

Wednesday, February 1, 11:00-12:00,

 

Van Buren Elementary

 

Tuesday, March 20, 2:45-3:30,

 

Namaqua Elementary

 

 Want to save-the-date for future lunches? An up-to-date annual BBL schedule is posted on our wiki-space at

http://northerncoloradogtparents.wikispaces.com/.

This may not be a thought yet, but anything that will impact your life and pocketbook as much as college may be something you might want information about.  If so and you haven’t already received this information, you are invited to the College Planning Parent Night on Wednesday, January 18, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Thompson School District Administration Building (800 South Taft, Loveland), in Room 128.

 High school GT counselors Niki Weitzel and Samantha Haviland will lead the evening’s discussion, including a question and answer session and discussion on some of the following topics:

• High school course selection/four-year plan for college bound kids
• Looking for the “right” college: when to start and how to go about this process
• Guiding and supporting GT kids through high school into college
• Timeline for taking the PSAT and PLAN
• Scholarship locations

Parking is available to the east of the “Board Room Entrance” and Room 128 is to the left of the entrance that goes directly into the Board Room. Signs will mark the way.

The United States Achievement Academy Scholarship Foundation contacts us a couple times a year for student nominations.  I do not like to send out student’s addresses without parent permission first.  We have not had anyone win a scholarship who has been nominated and I do know that some organizations solicit.  Their web site is www.usaa-academy.com if you would like to check it out and see if it is something that you are interested in for your student.  If you are, please let Mrs. Stoddard know.

 Dates and Locations:

June 24 – July 14, 2012 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
July 22 – August 11, 2012 at California State University, Fullerton, CA

Math Zoom’s Summer Residential Camp offers an opportunity for bright and gifted students to expand their mathematical horizons, improve problem solving skills, explore areas in advanced mathematics, and develop well-rounded skills for future career success

Core Curriculum of the Program:

The academic curriculum of the residential summer camp is geared towards preparing students for advanced mathematics contests. Through learning creative and faster methods to solve sophisticated and interesting problems, students gain a greater interest in math and other related subjects, and become more confident towards facing academic challenges. They are empowered and well-prepared to handle future competition and academic rigors with ease. With this training to help students perform with flying colors at any academic setting, students will gain considerable advantages over other peers when it comes time for competitive college admissions at top schools.

  Leadership and Relational Development:

Learning essential skills for interpersonal collaboration/relationships is also a fundamental focus in our program. The camp is designed to encourage student participation and to develop better communication and leadership skills. In a setting where students are free to share with like-minded peers, students quickly gain the confidence needed to effectively articulate their thoughts, in addition to forming new friendships and skills necessary to become better leaders.   

 Special Programs and Seminars:

 This year’s special programs and seminars are themed on Math for the Real World. We will be inviting special guests from the research institutions and industries to give seminars. These programs and seminars provide eye-opening opportunities by introducing mathematical research and application topics, in addition to exposing students to different options in college majors and professional careers. 

 To apply:

http://www.mathzoom.org/summer-camps/summer-camp/how-to-apply