DPS Gifted and Talented

Hello GT Community --

Before you head into a great summer hibernation, TWO things in this final shareout:

1 -- Slide deck and one page summary from our May 12 GT Department Family Series event on BOREDOM (which was superb)

2 -- For our Multi-language Learners, a collection of summer activity suggestions in/out of the house to stimulate their MLL/GT brains

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1 -- In case you missed our May 12 Family Series event on BOREDOM, it was a big hit with families. Jean Kavanaugh, GT coordinator at DSST Cedar, fascinated us with a lesson in neuroscience, insights into the psychological complexity of boredom and some fun and unexpected resources and supports.

Here's the slide deck -- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1guvSsYIzcoccFUBPhCiQan9tfaJtTrUgncWeTMDsRdc/edit?usp=sharing

Here's a one pager summary (created by GT dept, colleague Sheena Saul) https://www.canva.com/design/DAHKB9NG5Xs/MGgyCJ9pid0b6Qoq61nZzA/view?utm_content=DAHKB9NG5Xs&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hc02b26b8fd

2 -- Thanks to our senior manager Bertie Fiz, you can try out her compiled suggestions for igniting your child's GT mind this summer. Lots of multi-language learning families have appreciated it greatly.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q7KE5xCrsv27sjIEjosRGFcY1dkdI3W039sYCk_ahh4/edit?usp=sharing -- English

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cH5fCEYXqFZlcKbsdI7AEqDg38cwvPIw/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103073163849902087787&rtpof=true&sd=true -- Spanish

PLEASE COME to our GT Department Family Series event on Understanding and Combatting BOREDOM. All the info's below!

In case you would like to attend an in-person WATCH PARTY, Grant Beacon Middle School is welcoming families (with child care) to attend. Here's a FLYER with all the details -- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17g_lg2V6J7NpHb0NcTzRWvyjpmkBJRJ5/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103073163849902087787&rtpof=true&sd=true

What: Understanding & Combatting Boredom. DSST Cedar's GT Coordinator Jean Kavanaugh will be exploring the "boredom" student experience. It can mean so many things and deserves a closer look to support students through it.

When: Tuesday, May 12, 5-6:15

Where: On Zoom -- https://tinyurl.com/GiftedFamilySeries2

Interpretation: We'll have Spanish interpretation. For any other languages, please reach out to me at [email protected] by tomorrow 12 noon to request other languages.

If you ever have suggestion or questions, please reach out directly to me at [email protected]

Hello Everyone -- A few things to share.

1 -- An Invite to the Shakespeare Festival Challenge Bowl TOMORROW, this Friday, April 24 (flyer below)
2 -- Resources from our GT Department Family Series on GT Underachievement
3 -- A Turnkey Lesson on Building Healthy Habits with Your Students

1 -- Brian Beard, one of our GT Department specialists, will be running a festive challenge bowl this Friday, April 24 from 11:40-12:20 at the Maypole. Come test your Shakespeare wisdom. Fun competition and prizes! FLYER -- https://www.canva.com/design/DAHHfpwZjHg/dZeMlP-boDLXW1fhDd8E_w/edit

2 -- In case you missed the GT Department Family Series presentation on GT Underachievement, our special guest Emmaly Perk from Beyond Gifted Services did a rousing job you won't want to miss.

Attached are her video recording, slide deck presentation, and a one page summary
VIDEO -- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EYFHv1GJdp_P4sB2KqgxrPZpXcGaD1LA/view?usp=sharing
SLIDE DECK -- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Ms_A4YAgp5M2PTBB1Al08KB9jb0VUB54/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=103073163849902087787&rtpof=true&sd=true
SUMMARY -- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zIeKcXm4VGfotqukAwh9bCuy5_VnVXul/view?usp=sharing

Next month, we have another guest sharing her fascinating thoughts on student "boredom," as complex and loaded a term as it gets. DSST Cedar GT Coordinator Jean Kavanaugh will help us deepen our current understanding, including supportive steps we can take to intervene.

To register, I'm sharing our DPS Family Series Registration Form in it. You can always reach out to [email protected]
https://tinyurl.com/GTFamilySeries2025

3 -- The Science of Habit is a critical thing for students to understand as they strive to build healthy habits. I'm attaching a lesson full of fun videos and some guidelines on teaching your students how to improve their habits of all kinds.
LESSON -- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1OhhDJE3_47RzeqojBt1xMSGwNiS8VsznDD9-b-aTIzo/edit?usp=sharing

Thankful to have you all in our GT community,

Hello Everyone!

Two things to share:
1 -- Summer Program Opportunities
2 -- Twice Exceptional Info from our GT Department Family Series

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1 -- Summer Program Opportunities -- https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fTDBxj5liC-8QE8pDQWWl_9aygJFPvcxfXGRtj1-_dI/edit?usp=sharing

2 -- March GT Department Family Series -- On Twice Exceptional Students
Video Recording -- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IcKylNz1KuIITxZ36putWOhaZWr1C8Fn/view?usp=sharing
Slide Deck -- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VF3XWaQeUpFnfArmZGFsaPnygCjA_fs1NDua9KhGlvE/edit?usp=sharing
One Page Summary -- https://www.canva.com/design/DAHEIKMBpDQ/QXk1ZgdlY0lRJbbUpAslfQ/view?utm_content=DAHEIKMBpDQ&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h646f388cdc

📢 LAST CALL: Spring Cognitive Testing Nominations for DPS Gifted & Talented! 📢

Attention Denver Public Schools and out-of-district families! The nomination window for our Spring 2026 cognitive testing is closing soon. This is the final opportunity this school year for students in grades ECE through 12th grade to be nominated for Gifted & Talented cognitive testing.

🗓️ Deadline: Friday, February 20th at 11:59 PM
🔗 Nominate here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfiZh08GtC6MaEh_lwpJCLYOEaXrh7FcuxUD4xAga5mQ4sGfw/viewform

⚠️ Important Note: This testing window is exclusively for students who were NOT tested during the fall window.

Don't miss the chance to identify and support your student's unique potential. Fill out the form before the Friday night deadline!

Hello DPS Families --

In case you couldn't make our GT Department Family Series event on GT Boys this past Tuesday, Feb. 10, here's what you missed.

Video Recording -- GT Department Family Series -- GT Boys
Slide Deck -- GT Department Family Series -- GT Boys
One Page Summary -- GT Department Family Series -- GT Boys
For any advice and questions, we're always here. Send them to me individually.

BTW, our colleague Dr. Vanessa Ewing ran a session on GT Girls two years ago as well. DPS GT Family Series -- GT Girls

DPS Gifted/Talented Department
Greg Moldow

Hello Gifted/Talented Community!

Two things to share with you . . .

1 -- An Invite to our Gifted/Talented Department Family Series event NEXT Tuesday, Jan. 13 -- "Is your Child Newly Identified or Magnet Eligible? Now What?"

2 -- A Guide to Help Your Child Build Critical Self-Advocacy Skills

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1 -- Please come to next Tuesday's Gifted/Talented department's Family Series event on Zoom entitled "Newly Identified or Magnet Eligible? Now What?

We'd love to host you to explain what supports come with your student's new status and how you can help in the process.

More info . . .

What: "Newly Identified or Magnet Eligible? Now What?"
When: Tuesday, January 13, 5-6:15
Where: On Zoom -- https://tinyurl.com/GiftedFamilySeries2
Interpretation: If you email me by Thursday, January 8 (my email is at the end of the post), you can request any interpretation. We'll have Spanish interpretation no matter what.

Please share our Gifted/Talented Department Family Series Registration with any of your friends. -- https://www.canva.com/design/DAGwt54aTHE/wbL9UpXc8ibUfW8uX_A2Sw/edit?utm_content=DAGwt54aTHE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

2 -- Teaching Self-Advocacy Skills to Your Child

Is your child challenged and inspired by school? Chances are you already know that a closed mouth doesn't get fed.

If you haven't already, teach critical self-advocacy skills to your child with help from our guide below. They can talk to their teachers politely and gratefully about getting more challenge and lessons that are connected to subjects they care deeply about.

Teaching Self-Advocacy to Your Child -- How to Talk to Teachers -- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1B4gfXUs6qIzflaAkFQcSZYGOCuuDHKRR6tyR65urFgI/edit?usp=sharing

For anything else, reach out to me individually with any question or advice. We're always here to support and listen. [email protected]

Greg

Hello Gifted/Talented Community!

Two things to share this week . . .

1 -- Information about our GT Department's Family Series NEXT Tuesday -- "Is your Child Newly Identified or Magnet Eligible? Now What?"

2 -- Supports to Teach Self-Advocacy to Your Child

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1 -- NEXT Tuesday's Gifted/Talented department's Family Series event on Zoom entitled "Newly Identified or Magnet Eligible? Now What?

We'd love to host you to explain what supports come with your student's new status and how you can help in the process.

More info . . .

What: "Newly Identified or Magnet Eligible? Now What?"
When: Tuesday, January 13, 5-6:15
Where: On Zoom -- https://tinyurl.com/GiftedFamilySeries2
Interpretation: If you email me by Thursday, January 8, you can request any interpretation. We'll have Spanish interpretation no matter what.

Please share our Gifted/Talented Department Family Series Registration with any of your friends.

For anything else, reach out to me individually with any question or advice. We're always here to support and listen.

2 -- Helping Your Child Build Self-Advocacy Skills

Is your child getting their needs met at school? Are the challenged and inspired?

If you'd like to help them advocate for themselves and start feeling like they've got more control over their own education, share the following guide with them and role play!

How to Talk to Teachers and Advocate --

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1B4gfXUs6qIzflaAkFQcSZYGOCuuDHKRR6tyR65urFgI/edit?usp=sharing

If you ever need to reach out with questions and advice, please direct them to me at [email protected]

Sending our very best New Years' wishes!

Greg

ECE-Kindergarten: Early Access Applications Open Until Oct. 15

Early Access to Kindergarten and 1st Grade:

The application window for Early Access to kindergarten and first grade is open now until Wednesday, Oct. 15. https://gt.dpsk12.org/o/gifted/page/early-access-to-k-or-1st-grade

Families interested in having their child evaluated for possible entry into kindergarten or first grade a year earlier than typical age eligibility (for enrollment beginning in fall 2026) are encouraged to visit our Early Access to K or First Grade website.

Español: Acceso Temprano a Kindergarten y 1er Grado:
La ventana de solicitud para Acceso Temprano a kindergarten y primer grado está abierta ahora hasta el miércoles 15 de octubre. https://gt.dpsk12.org/o/gifted/page/early-access-to-k-or-1st-grade
Se anima a las familias interesadas en que su hijo sea evaluado para posible ingreso a kindergarten o primer grado un año antes de la edad típica de admisión (para inscripción a partir del otoño de 2026) a visitar nuestro sitio web de Acceso Temprano a K o 1er Grado.

Tiếng Việt: -- Tiếp cận sớm mẫu giáo và lớp 1:
Cửa sổ đăng ký tiếp cận sớm mẫu giáo và lớp 1 hiện đang mở đến thứ Tư, ngày 15 tháng 10. https://gt.dpsk12.org/o/gifted/page/early-access-to-k-or-1st-grade
Các gia đình quan tâm đến việc cho con mình được đánh giá để có thể vào mẫu giáo hoặc lớp 1 sớm hơn một năm so với độ tuổi đủ điều kiện thông thường (để nhập học vào mùa thu năm 2026) được khuyến khích truy cập trang web Tiếp cận sớm mẫu giáo hoặc lớp 1 của chúng tôi.

नेपाली: किन्डरगार्टन र पहिलो कक्षामा प्रारम्भिक पहुँच:
किन्डरगार्टन र पहिलो कक्षामा प्रारम्भिक पहुँचको लागि आवेदन अवधि अब देखि बुधवार, अक्टोबर १५ सम्म खुला छ। https://gt.dpsk12.org/o/gifted/page/early-access-to-k-or-1st-grade
आशावादी परिवारहरू जो आफ्नो बच्चालाई सामान्य आयु योग्यता (2026 को शरद ऋतुमा प्रारम्भ हुने भर्नाको लागि) भन्दा एक वर्ष पहिले किन्डरगार्टन वा पहिलो कक्षामा सम्भावित प्रविष्टिको लागि मूल्यांकन गर्न चाहनुहुन्छ भने हाम्रो प्रारम्भिक पहुँच के वा पहिलो कक्षा वेबसाइट भ्रमण गर्नुहोस्।

አማርኛ: Amharic: ወደ መዋዕለ ሕፃናት እና 1ኛ ክፍል ቀደም ብሎ መግባት:
ወደ መዋዕለ ሕፃናት እና 1ኛ ክፍል ቀደም ብሎ መግባት ማመልከቻ መስኮት አሁን እስከ ረቡዕ ጥቅምት 15 ድረስ ክፍት ነው። https://gt.dpsk12.org/o/gifted/page/early-access-to-k-or-1st-grade
ወደ መዋዕለ ሕፃናት ወይም 1ኛ ክፍል ከትክክለኛው የዕድሜ መስፈርት አንድ ዓመት ቀደም ብሎ ለመግባት የሚችሉበት ሁኔታ የሚገመገሙበት መሆኑን ለማወቅ ቤተሰቦቻችሁ የኛን የመዋዕለ ሕፃናት ወይም 1ኛ ክፍል ቀደም ብሎ መግባት ድረ-ገጽ እንዲጎበ�ኑ እንጋብዛለን።

عربي --Arabic: الوصول المبكر إلى رياض الأطفال والصف الأول:
باب التقديم للوصول المبكر إلى رياض الأطفال والصف الأول مفتوح الآن حتى الأربعاء 15 أكتوبر. https://gt.dpsk12.org/o/gifted/page/early-access-to-k-or-1st-grade
يُشجع الأهل المهتمون بتقييم أطفالهم لدخول رياض الأطفال أو الصف الأول قبل عام من العمر المعتاد (للتسجيل بدءًا من خريف 2026) على زيارة موقع الوصول المبكر إلى رياض الأطفال أو الصف الأول.

دری -- Dari: دسترسی زودهنگام به مهدکودک و کلاس اول:
پنجره درخواست برای دسترسی زودهنگام به مهدکودک و کلاس اول اکنون تا چهارشنبه 15 اکتبر باز است. https://gt.dpsk12.org/o/gifted/page/early-access-to-k-or-1st-grade
خانواده‌هایی که علاقه‌مند به ارزیابی فرزندان خود برای ورود به مهدکودک یا کلاس اول یک سال زودتر از سن واجد شرایط بودن عادی (برای ثبت نام در پاییز 2026) هستند، تشویق می‌شوند به وب سایت دسترسی زودهنگام به مهدکودک یا کلاس اول ما مراجعه کنند.

Soomaali -- Somali: Helitaanka H**e ee Skuulaadka Hoose iyo Fasalka 1aad:
Codsiga helitaanka h**e ee skuulaadka hoose iyo fasalka 1aad ayaa hadda furan ilaa arbacada, Oktoobar 15. https://gt.dpsk12.org/o/gifted/page/early-access-to-k-or-1st-grade
Qoysaska xiisaynaya inay ilmahooda qiimeeyaan si ay u galaan fasalka hoose ama fasalka 1aad hal sano ka hor inta ay gaadhaan da'da loo baahan yahay (si loogu qeybgalo dugsiga laga bilaabo dayrta 2026) waxaa lagu dhiirigeliyaa inay booqdaan websigayaga helitaanka h**e ee fasalka hoose ama fasalka 1aad.

Français - French: Accès anticipé à la maternelle et au 1er cycle:
La période de demande d'accès anticipé à la maternelle et au 1er cycle est ouverte maintenant jusqu'au mercredi 15 octobre. https://gt.dpsk12.org/o/gifted/page/early-access-to-k-or-1st-grade
Les familles souhaitant faire évaluer leur enfant pour une éventuelle admission en maternelle ou en 1re année un an avant l'âge habituel d'admission (pour une inscription à compter de l'automne 2026) sont encouragées à visiter notre site Web d'accès anticipé à la maternelle ou au 1er cycle.

GT Department Fall Testing Deadline -- This Friday, Oct. 3 -- Fecha -- Límite para las pruebas de otoño del Departamento de GT: este Viernes 3 de Octubre (Español abajo)

If your student is NOT in 1st and 5th grade, and you'd like to sign up for additional testing, please fill out the DPS GT Department Fall Testing Form by this Friday, October 3, 2025. (Every 1st and 5th grader will be tested as part of our universal testing program across DPS.) -- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfiZh08GtC6MaEh_lwpJCLYOEaXrh7FcuxUD4xAga5mQ4sGfw/viewform

For any questions, reach out to our DPS Gifted/Talented Department at [email protected]

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Si su estudiante NO cursa 1.er y 5.º grado y desea inscribirse para exámenes adicionales, complete el formulario de exámenes del Departamento de Talentosos y Dotados de DPS antes de este viernes 3 de octubre de 2025. (Todos los estudiantes de 1.er y 5.º grado se someterán a exámenes como parte de nuestro programa universal de exámenes en DPS). -- Puede cambiar el idioma de "English" al Español arriba a la derecha del pagina aquí -- https://gt.dpsk12.org/o/gifted/page/testing-information

Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con nuestro Departamento de Talentosos y Dotados de DPS en [email protected]