Events

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Highly Capable Learners Parent Advisory (HCL PA)

Three meetings are scheduled for the HCL Parent Advisory for the 2021-22 school year. These meetings are opportunities for parents of students identified highly capable to meet, to learn together, share resources, and to discuss various topics related to highly capable students’ supports. Meetings are open to all, please come join in the learning, sharing and connection. No RSVP needed, just come and join in!

2021-22 Dates:

October 19 from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Zoom (agenda, presentation)
February 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Zoom (agenda, presentation)
May 17, new families from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Zoom (agenda, notes, presentation)
- NEW families Zoom link
May 17, all families from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Zoom (agenda, notes, presentation)
- All Families Zoom link

NEW Families of Highly Capable Learners Introduction Meeting

Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Zoom link

Welcome & Introductions

Overview of HCL approach in Bellingham Public Schools

Common Characteristics of Highly Capable Learners

What to expect for supports and opportunities

Highly Capable Learners Parent/Family Advisory Meeting

Tuesday, May 17, 2022, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Zoom link

Welcome & Introductions

Resources and opportunities for support and enrichment

Student Learning Plans

Updates, Highlights and Celebrations

Promise Tomorrow Enrichment Opportunity for Students

Once again this year we are offering Promise Tomorrow inquiry based learning groups for students. Please see our Promise Tomorrow webpage for details and information.

Past Events

Past Parent Advisory Meeting

February 22, 2022, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Guest Speaker – State HCL expert Austina DeBonte

Topics included:

Understanding your highly capable student, twice exceptionality, perfectionism, emotional development, and more

Back by popular demand, Ms. De Bonte is an advocate for parents and educators of highly capable students.

For more information on Ms De Bonte visit her website www.smartisnoteasy.com

Past Parent Advisory Meetings

For the 2019-20 and into the 2020-21 school years we had a learning focus that thread through the parent advisory meetings around the social and emotional learning needs of students, especially targeted toward the needs of gifted students. This included the topics of anxiety, self-management, relationship skills, and other related topics identified by the group at the November 2019 meeting. Archives of past meetings, minutes and presentations can be found on the Highly Capable Learners Parent Advisory webpage.

October 19, 2021

Welcome & Introductions Families of Newly Identified HCL

Purpose of Parent Advisory

Resources and opportunities for support and enrichment

Topic of Focus: Family engagement and supporting your child in school and at home

Parent Connections

NEW Families of Highly Capable Learners Introduction Meeting

For families with newly identified highly capable learners, an introduction to highly capable in Bellingham Public Schools to welcome new families and provide an orientation of some characteristics of highly capable learners and resources to support their development. (agenda, zoom link)

October 19, 2021

Welcome & Introductions

Overview of HCL approach in Bellingham Public Schools

Common Characteristics of Highly Capable Learners

What to expect for supports and opportunities

Parent Night, Nov. 17, 2020

Guest speaker Austina De Bonte presented on understanding and supporting the social and emotional needs of highly capable learners for our November 17, 2021 Parent Night. Ms. De Bonte is an advocate for parents and educators of highly capable students and has a wealth of knowledge on this topic. This flyer has more information about her and the workshop. To request a recording of this event please contact Cindy.Thompson@bellinghamschools.org

American Math Competition – AMC 10/12 & AMC 8

The AMC 8, AMC 10 and AMC 12 are the nation’s leading mathematics competition for middle school and high schoolers and are designed to cultivate the mathematical capabilities of the next generation of problem solvers.

AMC 10 and AMC 12 The AMC 10 is for students in 10th grade and below and covers the high school curriculum up to 10th grade. Students in grade 10 or below and under 17.5 years of age on the day of the contest can take the AMC 10. The AMC 12 covers the entire high school curriculum including trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry, but excluding calculus. Students in grade 12 or below and under 19.5 years of age on the day of the contest can take the AMC 12.

The AMC 10/12 took place online last year on February 10, 2021, we had 18 students participate. This year, the online annual American Mathematics Competitions 10/12 took place on November 16.

The AMC 10 and AMC 12 are both 25-question, 75-minute, multiple choice examinations in high school mathematics designed to promote the development and enhancement of problem-solving skills. The AMC 10/12 is the first in a series of competitions that eventually lead all the way to the International Mathematical Olympiad. You can find additional information, resources and descriptions including practice problems, and considerations on the link above.

AMC 8 The AMC 8 is for students in middle school and covers middle school math topics, to include but not be limited by, counting and probability, estimation, proportional reasoning, elementary geometry including the Pythagorean Theorem, spatial visualization, every day applications, and reading and interpreting graphs and tables. In addition, some of the later questions may involve linear or quadratic functions and equations, coordinate geometry, and other topics covered in a beginning algebra course. This year, the online annual American Mathematics Competitions 8 took place on January 18.

The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem-solving skills. The AMC 8 provides an opportunity for middle school students to develop positive attitudes towards analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. Students apply classroom skills to unique problem-solving challenges in a low-stress and friendly environment. You can also find additional information, resources and descriptions including practice problems, and considerations on the link above.