​Happy New Year!

I hope this newsletter finds you and yours in good health and good spirits as we begin the new year.  Perhaps you have composed a list of resolutions for the new year… or at least for January 2018.  Do any of them include advocating (at any level) for gifted children?  What an opportunity for us to have some collective focus on the needs of gifted students in our state.  I have taken the liberty of writing a few resolutions that you could choose to adopt as we make our way into 2018.  Pick one, two or…?
 
My blog last month invited folks to “meet me at the table” of discussion and advocacy for gifted children.  These are just a few ways in which you can make a difference in the lives of Wisconsin’s gifted children.
 

1. Join WATG and let your voice be heard.  I am always reminded of the Dr. Suess book Horton Hears a Who when I think of advocacy.  Perhaps all we need is one more voice to join the chorus and we will be heard.  Will it be your voice?
2. Let your gifted children know how much you appreciate them and their unique needs.  Assure them that you are there for them. 
3. Become familiar with Standard “t”, the state law that references gifted education in Wisconsin.
4. Get so familiar with Standard “t” that you can quote it when you are called to do so. 
5. Let your school’s administration and GT staff know how much you appreciate the work that is being done on behalf of gifted students.
6. Attend a school board meeting and speak out during the public comment time.  Let your district know that you either appreciate the G/T support being given or that you would appreciate more support and that you are willing to “come to the table” to help. 
7. If you don’t already know who your state legislators are, look them up and get their office phone numbers into your contact list.  You will be surprised how easy it is to contact them when the number is on your phone!
8. Make that phone call to, or go visit your representatives!  Let them know how and why they should support gifted education in Wisconsin.   
9. If you do not already have a group for parents of gifted students in your school district, start one.  Start by talking to the GT staff person.  He or she will probably appreciate your positive support.  With encouragement, the staff member may call a meeting.  Otherwise, it may be up to you.  You cannot ask for a list of names from the school, but your own children will be aware of the other gifted children, and those in turn will have more names.
10. Consider putting in an application to the WATG Board of Directors.  We are a working board in need of representation from the central and northern parts of the state as well as from the business and health communities.  We especially need board members with skill/s in fiscal management, spreadsheets, and/or grant writing.   

 
I wish you all a very happy, productive and peace-filled new year.  May your resolutions please you and those around you.
 
~Cathy