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DL Ruf 2009 September 2009

In This Issue
Dr. Ruf via Webinar
Encyclopedia of Gifted
Need Better Writing Skills?
2010-2011 Applications to The Davidson Academy of Nevada
In Minnesota: Time to Play Chess
In Minnesota: West Metro Competitive Physics Team
Keeping Up with Dr. Ruf . . .


Iowa Gifted and Talented Association Annual Conference (ITAG)- October 4, 5 and 6, Iowa City/Coralville, Iowa, Keynotes and Presentations.

Our Gifted Online Conferences Webinar Thursday, October 8, 6-8 p.m. CDT, topic 5 Levels of Gifted.

Join Our Mailing List

Greetings!

Educational Options is now Skype-capable!

My friends have heard me say that I have reached the point where I have all the technology I want, need or can figure out. But now we have Skype. Maybe some of you are old enough to remember when this type of thing was in the science fiction movies. But now it's here and it's great. Dr. Ruf and I both have family on both the East and West Coasts, and it will be so nice to converse face-to-face. But the real reason we got it is to have long distance face-to-face consultations with our clients. That added element can make such a difference!

So I'm rethinking my stance on technology. And now I think I want an iPod!

Best wishes, Kathy Hara, Editor

Dr. Ruf via Webinar

Dr. Ruf will be the presenter on Gifted Online Conferences-Webinars Thursday, October 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. Central Daylight Time. Her topic will be 5 Levels of Gifted.
 
The webinar is sponsored by OGTOC (Our Gifted Online Conferences), which is owned and administered by Sally Lyon.
 
OGTOC is a place to join together to meet, share, learn, and discuss issues pertaining to giftedness and talent of all individuals regardless of race, age, gender, economic status, and/or twice/thrice exceptionalities. If your children did not come with instructions, then OGTOC will be a resource you will find very beneficial.
 
Go to OGTOC's website for more information. Although as of this moment it has not been updated with information for Dr. Ruf's webinar, it will be shortly.
WOW: Webinars on Wednesday

Don't let funding challenges or travel restrictions keep you from getting the training and information you need to be effective. The National Association for Gifted Children's WOW Series (Webinars on Wednesdays) brings high quality professional development to your desktop.Best of all, the WOW Series is FREE through 2009!

NAGC is pleased to present this exciting new opportunity to the gifted education community. Designed for classroom teachers, counselors, graduate students, parents, g/t coordinators, and administrators, NAGC's Webinars On Wednesdays will bring top-notch educational content direct to you. In the convenience of your home or office, you will be virtually connected to experts in the field who will share practical advice, as well as updates on the latest issues in gifted education.You'll experience the live WOW sessions via the Internet with the ability to listen, view slides, access handouts, and pose questions to presenters, as well as interact with other participants virtually.

Tune in the 2nd and 4th Wednesday (plus a monthly "Parent Night"). In order to have active participation between the WOW presenter/s and the audience, a limited number of "seats" are available. Registration opens two weeks before the event and closes when capacity is reached.

 
Visiting the Library

I recently decided to quit buying books and renew my library card. With its online services, our library system has made it very easy to find and order the books I want to read. So now I feel I'm being economical and ecological at the same time!
 
Going to the library can also be a great way to nurture your gifted child's love of reading and discovery. Carol Bainbridge, in About.com: Gifted Children's recent newsletter, talks about How To Make the Most of Visits to the Library With Your Gifted Child. Along with tips on enjoying a trip to the library, there are also many links to book lists for gifted children, fostering a love of reading, knowing when your child is ready to read, and much more.  

2010-2011 Applications to The Davidson Academy of Nevada

There are 93 students enrolled at the The Davidson Academy for the 2009-2010 school year, which started Aug. 24. So it must be time to look ahead to next year!

Applications for 2010-2011 are now available on the Academy's website. The Academy, which is located in Reno, Nevada, is a free public school where the abilities, strengths and interests of middle and high school students are encouraged and supported. Those who perform at an academic level of advanced middle school or higher in all subjects, and score in the 99.9th percentile on IQ or college entrance tests, are encouraged to apply.

Prospective students and their families are encouraged to visit the Academy for an informational monthly tour! RSVPs are required for these tours, which currently are scheduled for Thursday, October 15, Thursday, November 12, and Thursday, December 10.
 
In Minnesota: Jim Delisle Scheduled to Speak

Internationally renowned speaker and author Jim Delisle will be appearing in Minnetonka Tuesday, September 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. Invited by the Minnetonka High Potential Department and the Minnetonka High Potential Parents Organization, Delisle will make a presentation about Parenting Gifted Kids: Tips for Raising Happy and Successful Children.

Delisle is a former teacher, administrator, and professor and has appeared at hundreds of conferences and workshops all over the world. He is generally recognized as one of the top experts in the field of gifted and talented education worldwide. Go to Prufrock Press's web page for an interview with Jim Delisle.

This free event will take place at Minnetonka High School Arts Auditorium, 18301 West Highway 7, Minnetonka, MN 55345. Donations are appreciated. For more information, please contact Mike Postma at 952.401.5100 or email him at mike.postma@minnetonka.k12.mn.us.

In Minnesota: West Metro Competitive Physics Team

The Edina Center for Academic Excellence (ECAE) has announced the formation of a West Metro Competitive Physics Team for the 2009-10 school year. Students in grades 8-11, who are advanced in math and would like to try competitive problem solving, are encouraged to try out for the team.

This wider collaboration of area high school students will compete
together as one elite team. By opening the team to students from
neighboring school districts, it is expected the team members will be able to grow in global competitiveness and success in the 2010 Physics Bowl  and advance towards the prestigious 2010 United States Physics Team USPT Competition.

The first team meeting will take place Tuesday, September 22. Even though the informational meeting was September 17, it may not be too late to sign up. For more information, go to ECAE's website, or email Susan Lee.


5 Levels of Gifted: 5 Levels cover
School Issues and
Educational Options

Dr. Ruf's book, 5 Levels of Gifted: School Issues and Educational Options (2005) (formerly published as Losing Our Minds: Gifted
Children Left Behind), is available through Great PotentialPress.


Deborah Ruf
Educational Options
www.EducationalOptions.com
inquiry@educationaloptions.com
763-521-4565