| | |
 | An inclusive community advocating for learners with gifted education needs, their families, and educators |
|
| |
Dear GiftedNYS Community,
|
As we begin a new school year, we recognize the many aspects of transition that affect students, educators and parents. The onset of a new school year can reveal a range of emotions from excitement to apprehension. This month, we focus on approaches to support a successful school year, diving into executive functioning and strength based strategies.
|
We also share a variety of resources including the NAGC conference, webinars, youth opportunities and our upcoming Virtual Meetup in October! We hope this issue provides you with ideas and strategies to set the tone for a successful and engaging school year. To stay connected as we continue to advocate for our children in NYS, join us at our October 8th Virtual Meet Up!
|
| |
|
| | Advocacy Corner | Protecting Gifted EducationRestoring Javits Program Funding |
|
| |
As a proud state affiliate of the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), GiftedNYS joins NAGC in urging immediate action to protect critical federal support for gifted education. The Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Student Education Program is the only federal program dedicated specifically to advancing research, equity, and innovation in gifted education. |
|
|
|
Unfortunately, funding for this vital program has not been reinstated in the FY26 federal budget proposal. Losing Javits funding would be a significant setback for the field and for many gifted learners who rely on its support. We encourage our members and supporters to take action today. NAGC has created an easy tool to contact your members of Congress and urge them to restore Javits Program funding.
|
| | October Virtual Meet Up | |
Join us to connect with other families and educators throughout NYS who know learners with gifted education needs deserve equitable opportunities to excel. |
|
|
| | | Featured Events |
 | |
National Association for Gifted Children Annual Conference |
|
Join more than 2,000 educators, gifted coordinators, psychologists, researchers, and caregivers as they gather to share best practices for supporting high-ability children.Click here for more information |
|
|
| | Helping Your Child Start the School Year Strong
| |
By Dr. Sonu Aziz, Head of Academic Affairs, Long Island School For the Gifted |
| |
As the new school year begins, one of the best ways we can support children is by helping them strengthen their executive functioning skills. Executive Functioning (EF) is defined as the skill to set goals, create strategies, and break tasks into manageable steps to achieve desired outcomes. Moran & Gardner (in Meltzer, 2009) describe executive function as the intersection of: |
Hill – establishment of a goal |
Skill – abilities and techniques for attaining the goal |
Will – volition to begin and persevere until the goal has been reached |
|
Sadozai (2024) describes executive function skills as “an umbrella term used to conceptualize a
range of cognitive processes including planning, working memory, attention, inhibition,
self-monitoring, self-regulation, and initiation.” These are the skills that help kids stay
organized, manage time, plan ahead, follow directions, and regulate emotions. Developing strong executive functioning is essential in supporting both academic performance and personal confidence. Building executive functioning skills is much like exercising a muscle—it takes patience, practice, and persistence to grow stronger. By modeling, teaching, and encouraging these skills both at home and at school, families and educators help students step into the school year with confidence, independence, and resilience. |
|
Set Consistent Routines – Regular times for waking up, homework, and bedtime help children
know what to expect. |
Use Visual Supports – A family calendar, chore chart, or daily checklist helps kids keep track of
responsibilities. |
Brain Breaks – Short breaks between tasks improve focus and reduce frustration. |
Stay Organized – Work with your child to pack their backpack, organize supplies, and set up a
homework space. |
Chunking Large Tasks – Breaking assignments into smaller, manageable parts. |
Teach Self-Monitoring – Encourage students to check their own work and reflect on what helps them succeed.
|
Scaffolding Tools – Using planners, timers, or digital reminders until students can manage on
their own. |
Maintaining Open Communication – Parents and Teachers should communicate to share
strategies that work at home and at school. |
Celebrating Small Wins – Recognize progress and effort, not just outcomes.
|
| | The Pulse |
|
| |
REEL is an organization based in the Silicon Valley with a mission to raise awareness and provide resources for neurodivergent, twice-exceptional students. They provide a wide variety of high quality resources, workshops, and programs for educators and parents of twice exceptional learners. |
|
|
| What do we love about it?
We love the wide range of resources available for students, parents and educators. Their information on 2e topics in general provide an excellent place to begin for someone looking to gain a deeper understanding of twice exceptionality and all of the areas it affects in school and beyond. Their back to school section, for example, provides helpful articles for the school transition. For parents, REEL provides virtual support groups, small group discussions, events and consultations. Their resources for special topics on 2e for school and life are curated to support the many nuanced facets of the 2e learners experience as they navigate areas such as anxiety, self advocacy and identity, gender and diversity, social emotional and college and career among others. This is a great article on Eight Strength Based Activities to Kick off the School Year.
|
|
To learn more about REEL, click here! |
| |
|
| |
Youth Opportunities |
SUNY Stony Brook Science Camps
Grades 5 -7
Academic programs offered during school holidays complement students' school science
curriculum and challenge them to think, research and experiment.
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
Grades 9-12
High school students report on the results of their original research investigations in STEM and
compete for scholarships and recognition at university-held regional symposia. Offered through
three New York State regions, there is no cost to register or participate.
University at Buffalo Gifted Math Program
Grades 7-12
Western NY’s exceptional mathematics students experience challenging curriculum in enriched, accelerated and college credit math twice weekly. Parents/caregivers and school staff can nominate new students starting in November of the year prior to entry.
Odyssey of the Mind
Age based divisions Pre-K through college
Form teams through your district, school or community group. Students nurture their creative
thinking, collaborative and problem solving skills in a fun competition.
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Online Programs
Grades 2-12, depending on course
Asynchronous, individually paced courses allow students to take on an academic challenge
customized to their schedule and advanced abilities. Explore individual, live and session based
options now for Spring 2026 online courses. Summer 2026 in person courses will be available.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy - YEA!
Grades 6-12
Five YEA! chapters across New York State transform students into confident entrepreneurs as
they generate business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans, pitch to a panel
of investors, and launch their very own companies.
|
| |
|
| | | |
We are always seeking dedicated volunteers to help advance GiftedNYS's mission. Even 2-3 hours a month will have a meaningful and positive impact on our community.
|
|
|
| | |
If this newsletter was forwarded to you and you'd like to receive future GiftedNYS newsletters, advocacy updates, and information about interesting events, subscribe to our mailing list by visiting https://giftednys.org/about-us/newsletter/. Its quick and free to subscribe! |
|
|
| | About GiftedNYS | |
Gifted New York State, Inc. (GiftedNYS), is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization of parents, educators, and professionals who have come together to support the needs of New York’s gifted and twice-exceptional (2E) student population and their families. To learn more about our work, visit us online at www.giftednys.org. |
| |
At GiftedNYS, the information we share is guided solely by our mission to support gifted and twice-exceptional learners—not by outside interests. If we mention resources, tools, or strategies, it's because we believe they may be helpful for families and educators. We do not receive compensation for these mentions and we do not endorse specific companies or products. |
|
 | |
|
|
|
