New Programs for the 2012-13 School Year

I have just listed the new programs for the 2012-13 school year on this blog, and the detailed descriptions of the courses will be available to schools shortly.  I am offering 14 programs this year.  

What is most exciting, is that we have changed how the referrals are processed.  Here are the following changes:

1.  There are fewer deadline dates for all programs:  the first deadline is October 26, 2012  and the second deadline is in January 23, 2013.  

2.  Invitations for programs will be emailed and blue bagged to the Gifted Contact, who will distribute to the student.  The School Gifted Contact will make sure the student is informed and that the family returns the parent consent form to Marielle Wiesinger, at Brock Elementary. 

At the Gifted Contact Meetings, we will inform the schools of this process.  There will be 2 Gifted Contact Meetings this year:  September 27 1-3 pm  at Mckenzie Elementary and October 3rd 3:30-5:30 pm at General Brock Elementary.

Summer Vacation in DC and NY

I visited Washington DC and New York City this summer with my family.  I loved it!  So different than the laid back West Coast lifestyle in Vancouver.  I loved the energy, the ideas, and being in two "intellectual centres" of North America.

Such amazing learning opportunities in DC....the monuments!  The Smithsonian Museums!  The history! I couldn't imagine teaching in DC and having so many great resources and ideas at my fingertips!  I even started looking at how I could teach in DC...maybe on an exchange...maybe at an international school... 

We took the train to New York City...can you imagine being only a train ride away from New York?  I was estatic!

In my twenties, I wanted to live in New York...one of my favourite cities in the world; I still love it.  The history, the ideas, the movement, the energy.  

It was brilliant!  Most importantly, our boys had a wonderful time.  It was our first family vacation that did not involve a beach, relaxation, and lots of down time.  This was "full on" non-stop excitement and walking and visiting museums and art galleries, and being on the go.  (Now I know the boys can handle it and I can start planning for future trips to Italy and France.)

Best hidden secret:  in New York City, go to the Tenement Museum
which was this fantastic small museum that was so interesting!

Best book to get students interested in NY:  Walls Within Walls by Maureen Sherry

A great learning experience for children in both cities; lots to do and see!