Findlay Enrichment Programs, Inc. Nov. / Dec. 2013 Vol. 27, Issue 2 Tim Bechtol, President 419-425-4020 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT… Judy Withrow Coordinator of Gifted Services 1100 Broad Ave. Findlay, Ohio 45840 419-425-8296 [email protected] Terri Hooper ..................... 419-427-5495 [email protected] Barb Kodor ....................... 419-427-5437 [email protected] Patty Majors ..................... 419-425-8310 [email protected] Loveda VanDerMolen ....... 419-425-8373 [email protected] Kate WInger ..................... 419-425-8240 [email protected] Kristin Woodhull ............... 419-425-8332 [email protected] In This Issue… Intermediate .................. p. 2 Middle School ............... p. 3 High School ................p. 4-5 Of Interest to All.........p. 5-7 Calendar of Events ....... p. 8 Dear Parents, Students, Teachers and Friends, As we head into the holiday season of gift-giving, I would like to share a family tradition of mine: giving hand-made gifts. I was first introduced to this heartfelt custom by my father who was a carpenter. Throughout each calendar year, he would save scraps from his building projects in which he saw some gift potential. And then on Christmas morning I would awake to find his handmade wooden toys with my name on them under the tree. I have brought this tradition forward by making various games for my sons that we can play together. But more importantly, as my father did with me, I have encouraged and directed my sons to make gifts to give to others. Store-bought gifts are nice, but often beyond the limited financial resources of our children plus handmade gifts always carry special importance. Nothing quite matches the anticipation in their eyes as you open up a gift that they not only wrapped but created themselves. You may have already found a countless number of handmade gift ideas on Pinterest, a very popular category on that website. But there are several other easy-to-use websites that offer very creative ideas that are suitable for our younger crafters. Check out: www.spoonful.com, www.parents.com, and www.marthastewart.com, just to name a few. I collect my gift ideas and supplies throughout the year. Some are for gifts I will make myself to give to my family, while others are ideas that I believe my sons could handle themselves. They surprise me each year with their increased abilities on these projects. It really doesnʼt matter what your level of talent or skill is … or that of your child. Itʼs the thought that counts. Guiding our children to appreciate giving gifts more than receiving them will teach them virtues that will last a lifetime and make this world a better place. Channel their curiosity to experiment with a new holiday craft. Encourage them to try it, even if it turns out to be an utter disaster. They will learn how to do it better for the next time. And they might even surprise you with a creative variation of the craft in the process. My father is now gone. But I still hold dear his handmade gifts that he cared so much to make for me as a child. Upon closer examination over the years, I have found where he discretely signed each and every one of them … yet another aspect of this tradition that I have passed on to my sons. You still have lots of time left yet this year to help your children make something creative! Remember the reason for the season! Timothy Kent Bechtol FEP Board President [email protected] FEP Newsletter Nov./Dec. 2013 Page 2 Elementary Enrichment… ELEMENTARY ENRICHMENT CLUSTERS NEED VOLUNTEERS Enrichment Clusters need adults who would like to work with K-5 students this school year in reading, math, social studies or higher level thinking skills. Training and materials are provided. Several enrichment clusters have already formed and more are being requested. Please email Kristin Woodhull to volunteer at [email protected]. Julie and Khari with their filled buckets. FIND News from Fourth & Fifth Grades Kristin Woodhull The FIND Classroom . . . FIND News from Third Grade Patty Majors Drop, Drop, Drop At any point in the third grade FIND class you may hear a student quietly (or loudly) say, “Drop.” We smile and class continues. For a visitor in the room, he or she might think we are all a little bit odd – but we know better; drops were just put into invisible buckets and thatʼs a good thing! As a class we read How Full Is Your Bucket for Kids by Tom Rath. Felix, the main character, learns from his grandfather that everyone has an invisible bucket over his or her head. This bucket gets filled or emptied during the day depending on our interactions with others. Felix “sees” what actions and words do to the water level in his bucket. He also learns how he can fill othersʼ buckets and to his surprise when he fills othersʼ buckets, his bucket fills too! The students picked up on the authorʼs nuance of using “drop” versus “drip.” When a bucket was being filled, a “DROP” went in. When a bucket was being drained, a “DRIP” went out. So you ask, “In class, does anyone whisper or shout, “Drip?” Yes, it happens. Interestingly, it is usually from a student bystander who overheard a conversation. Sometimes, just hearing the word, drip, is enough feedback for the speaker. Sometimes it allows us to discuss a better way to say something or resolve a situation. Then we get to “rewind” and try again. It is an amazing thing to see and hear one student turn to another and say, “Drop.” You know what the speaker is saying. You know what the receiver is feeling and learning. As a teacher, I also know what the other students just witnessed and learned – it is the start of a positive ripple effect. Identified…and Looking for Characters to Identify With Students who are identified as gifted often do not feel that they fit in within the norms of society. They know that they are unique in ways that they often canʼt understand or make sense of. Many are avid readers and seek solace in the characters they read about and try to find answers in the situations that appear on the pages. Gifted characters in fiction are portrayed with a variety of personality traits that can be interpreted as both positive and negative influences on children. Industrious characters often accomplish unique tasks, but can go about them in less desirable ways. Children filled with personality and spunk often exhibit a disdain toward the adults around them. Included here are some young adult and childrenʼs literature selections, as well as links to some websites, for students of all ages and abilities that contain a gifted character. These fun and unique personalities may help your gifted student connect and enjoy a good story or spur a great discussion in your family about gifted kids! Archibald Frisby – Michael Chesworth The Great Brain Series – John D. Fitzgerald Harry Potter series – J.K. Rowling Matilda – Roald Dahl A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine LʼEngle Maniac Magee – Jerry Spinelli Things Not Seen – Andrew Clements Looking for Alaska – John Green The View from Saturday – E.L. Konigsburg Gifted Kids, Gifted Characters, and Great Books – www.bertiekingore.com/gtchildreninlit.htm Hoagiesʼ Gifted Education Page – www.hoagiesgifted.org/featuring_gifted FEP Newsletter Nov./Dec. 2013 Page REACH NEWS . . . Kate Winger & Loveda VanDerMolen th 6 grade- The students are enjoying reading Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick as one of their first whole-class reads. Our current unit of study in reading focuses on friendship with a central theme of overcoming disabilities. Sixth graders will complete their first research paper on a disability (physical, emotional, or mental) of their choice. After spending time examining their disability, students will create and present/demonstrate their invention that is designed to improve the lifestyle of someone who has their researched disability. To aid in the information gathering process, students will be utilizing a combination of printed books and technology. Through using notecards, outlines, and rough drafts, sixth graders will become familiar with the entire research paper writing process. Finally, to complete our friendship/relationship unit, we will be reading Rodman Philbrickʼs companion novel Max the Mighty. th 7 grade- Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? While reading Nothing But the Truth, by Avi, seventh graders were able to see the effects of a “little white lie.” In the story, Philip Malloy learns that the school politics and media politics are closely related. Through reading about Philipʼs misfortunes at school and attention from the media, the students were able to learn about the different types of conflict in literature and have thoughtful discussions about the effects of advertising on people and real life events. Currently, as we prepare to begin the book The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, the students are delving into knowledge about life in the 1960s. After completing a 1960s scavenger hunt on the internet, the students will be selecting a topic related to the time period to research and present to the class. th 8 grade- After completing our study of Edgar Allan Poe, the master of mystery and horror, by researching his life and then reading numerous short stories by him, we are now moving into the realm of Science Fiction. To begin our unit, we have traveled into the future through reading Enderʼs Game by O.S. Card. Million dollar questions based on the reading (namely about the authorʼs social commentary) have kept classroom discussions quite animated. Some of the more fascinating questions have surrounded ideas about being a genius and taking people for granted. Needless to say, the students are enjoying the book and are thrilled to see the newly released box-office rendition of this futuristic tale. Next on the agenda to move us through time and space will be the science fiction classic The Time Machine by H.G. Wells. 3 EIGHTH GRADE HONORS INFORMATION MEETING for Parents and Students If you are considering honors level classes when you attend Findlay High School next year, please come to an information-sharing meeting on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013, from 6-6:45 p.m., in the auditorium at FHS designed to help you and your parents plan for your high school career. Honors teachers will tell you about your options and then a panel of freshmen students taking honors classes will present and then answer your questions. Come with questions in mind! If you are considering honors level classes when you register for classes for the high school and are unable to attend the meeting, please see your childʼs counselor at his/her middle school to receive your folder of information. ROBOTICS Josh Huber and Ryan Lindahl, Glenwood teachers, are teaching Robotics I every Thursday after school from 3-4:30 at Glenwood. Fifteen students are taking advantage of this opportunity to create, build, and control their very own robot. Craig Perry, Millstream teacher, is teaching High School Robotics at Millstream on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 for eleven students. Both classes will end in December. If you are interested in taking Robotics I, II or High School Robotics second semester, please contact Judy Withrow at 419-425-8296 or Terri Hooper at 419-427-5495. The robot on the floor is the center of attention in Robotics I at Glenwood. FEP Newsletter Nov./Dec. 2013 Page FINDLAY HS News . . . HONORS CAREER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM (HCMP) th Begins 28 YEAR! This school year three sessions of HCMP are scheduled, serving seventeen to twenty-two students each time. Students and mentors participating in Group II are: Students & Mentors Olivia Bair Orthopedic Surgery Dr. Jeff McMath Ohio Orthopaedics Sarah Barwig Physical Therapy Josh Baker Ohio Orthopaedics PT Dept. Aubrey Brown Military Officer, Physician Kyle Williamson, MD Riverside Radiology Patricia Golden Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychology Michelle Snook Family Resource Center Clayton Hildebrand Neurosurgeon Pending David Hoban Finance Don Templin Marathon Petroleum Co. Zoe Houdeshell Military Pilot M. Sgt. Elizabeth Holliker th 180 Fighter Wing Noah Keppers User Interface/Software Engineer/Computer Pending Nick Kiffmeyer Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Andrew Layne Ohio Orthopaedics Amanda Kovaleski Sports Medicine/Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Jim Davidson Ohio Orthopaedics Students & Mentors Laura Kreinbihl Chemical Engineering Kelly Smith Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. Celeste Lafleur Biolgist/Biological Sciences Scott Butterworth Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources Sam McGhee Orthopedic Surgeon Pending Kelsey Moran Physical Therapy Joe Distel NW Ohio & Sports Medicine Sarah Pulcheon Public Relations Barb Bish Findlay City Schools Maddie Shiparski Graphic Design Jamie Robertson AR Marketing Emily Stahl Adolescent Medicine Pending Emma Wagner Corporate Law Pending Andrew Weiss Naval Aviator Petty Officer Eddy Swagger Naval Recruiting Station Emma Whipkey College Professor-forensic studies Pending 2013-2014 JUNIOR SCHOLARSʼ PROGRAM Hannah Richards, senior at Findlay High School, was the speaker for the annual Junior Scholars 4 breakfast held October 24, 2013, in the old band room at FHS. These students were invited to become Junior Scholars: Sarah Abraham, Brandon Armstrong, Kaylee Beard, Jacob Bohland, Julia Bohland, Bryce Burrows, Kaila Butterworth, Hannah Clinger, Hunter Emerson, Todd Federici, Richard Fox, Cameron Frost, Savannah Hosey, Mitchell Hucke, Eric Johnson, Austin Keppers, Mckenna Kouns, Jillian Kreinbrink, Katelin Kreinbrink, Aaron Kupferberg, Eloise Kutschbach, Ruxi Lalji, George Lawton, Horacio Lerma, Calvin Meyer, Alyssa Montalbine, James Pepple, Will Quanrud, Mikaela Ramsey, Megan Rauschenberg, Johnna Richter, Alexis Rothenbuhler, Sami Salama, Zachary Short, Noah Snyder, Quinncy Sprouse, Maylai Stewart, Zachariah Stinchcomb, Morgan Werling, Olivia Williams, Kate Wilson, James Wittenmeyer, and Ryan Zheng. Thank you Findlay Enrichment Programs and Academic Booster Club for sponsoring this breakfast and the following Junior Scholars field trips. COLLEGE SEMINAR SERIES March 13, 2014 “Math Day,” prds. 4-5A University of Findlay Teacher Sponsors: Jeff Harper, Karen Ouwenga, Aaron Moyer Counselor Sponsors: Mary Burget, Greg Distel, Ray Elbin and Kristi Gerdeman COLLEGE PLANNING SERIES Feb. 27, 2014 “Competitive Colleges/The Admissions Process,” Periods 6-7, FHS Library (Juniors Only) Teacher Sponsor: Maribeth Geaman Counselor Sponsors: Mary Burget, Greg Distel, and Ray Elbin March 19, 2014 “Twenty-First Century Careers,” Periods 3-4, (Sophomores Only) Jan Taylor, Director of Career Planning, Univ. of Findlay Teacher Sponsor: Barb Tardibuono Counselor Sponsors: Mary Burget, Greg Distel, and Ray Elbin April 17, 2014 “College Comes Sooner Than You Think,” Periods 2-7 Ohio Northern University (Freshmen Only) Teacher Sponsor: Bill Barberree Counselor Sponsor: Kristi Gerdeman FEP Newsletter Nov./Dec. 2013 Page 5 MEETING OF THE MINDS Jan. 2, 2014 (note date change) “Selective College Panel,” 6:30-8:30 PM Coffee Amici, Findlay Teacher Sponsor: Judy Withrow Counselor Sponsors: Mary Burget, Greg Distel, Ray Elbin, and Kristi Gerdeman Jan. 23, 2014 “Engineering at University of Toledo,” Periods 1-7 University of Toledo Teacher Sponsor: Mike Thompson Counselor Sponsors: Mary Burget, Greg Distel, Ray Elbin, and Kristi Gerdeman Feb. 12, 2014 “Sam Rhine Genetic Conference,” Periods 1-7 Clay High School Auditorium Teacher Sponsor: Stephanie Stephan & Mike Ruthenberg Counselor Sponsors: Mary Burget, Greg Distel, Ray Elbin, and Kristi Gerdeman Good NEWS from the Academic Boosters Club… The Outback Steakhouse dinner fundraiser was a huge success!! The Academic Booster Club (ABC) raised over $1615 and would like to thank Outback Steakhouse restaurant for their partnership in this effort. Thanks also to all those who participated. In October, ABC awarded discount stickers to 602 students that can be used at local restaurants and businesses for discounts on food, merchandise and services. Congratulations to these students who earned their sticker by maintaining a 3.0 GPA or raised their GPA .25 or more during first quarter this year. Congratulations to the 286 Fall Scholar Student Athletes who earned Scholar Athlete certificates for maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher while participating in a fall sport. Also, of those 286, 195 student athletes maintained a 3.5 GPA or higher and were also awarded Scholar Athlete t-shirts from the Academic Booster Club. ABC is proud to support the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) Program this year. As students walk through the halls of Findlay High School they can view a bulletin board that recognizes students for positive behavior. This program was due in part from a donation by ABC. ABC was the grand prize winner of “Make a Deal NOW” for October by Findlay NOW magazine. ABC is committed to promoting, encouraging and recognizing academic excellence at Findlay High School and would like to thank all of its fifty-seven donors for their generous support. OF INTEREST TO ALL. . . Glorious &Trimphant Congratulations to the following Jr. Scholars: Sarah Barkey who was awarded a Certificate of Merit as semifinalist and to Alex Harada, Hannah McClellan, Eliana Neufield Basinger and Liza Praprotnik as commended scholars for the National Merit Scholarship program. The FHS Quiz Bowl team won the Great Lakes League tournament in Bowling Green for a perfect 7-0 record. They will now advance to regional competition. Way to go, Quiz Bowl Team! K-12 NWOCCG $100 Scholarship Award Students, whatʼs your passion…remote-controlled planes, astronomy, architecture? Approximately five monetary awards of up to $100.00 each will be presented to students who demonstrate a strong passion (interest) in a specific area and can demonstrate how this award will support their passion. FIND and REACH teachers have applications or call Barb Kodor at 419427-5437. You do not have to be in FIND or REACH to apply. The application must be postmarked by January 17, 2014. This is a great opportunity sponsored by NW Ohio Consortium of Coordinators of Gifted. FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT Over 400 parents, students, and volunteers attended Family Science Night on November 18 from 6:00-8:00 PM in the Findlay High School cafeteria. The theme, Famous Male and Female Scientists: Alexander Graham Bell, Daniel Bernoulli, Sylvia Earl, Thomas Edison, Albert FEP Newsletter Nov./Dec. 2013 Page Einstein, Jane Goodall, Sir Isaac Newton, Werner Stengel, Alanson Wood, and the Wright Brothers, provided students with so many exciting science experiences. Thank you to the following teachers/businesses that donated their time: Ron Bowerman, Heather Bryan, Sue Davis, Laura Finney, Brian Niemeyer, Beth Ann Nissen, Barb Tidd, Kyle Watts, Deb Wickerham and Imagination Station. Thanks to Dow Chemical, House of Hindenach, and Bob & Connie Sprague for their financial contributions. GARY SCHMIDTʼS VISIT Gary Schmidt, a childrenʼs writer of nonfiction books and young adult novels, wowed Donnell and Glenwood middle school students with his storytelling abilities. He challenged students to ask the “outside the box” questions when they write in order to probe the depths of human thought and action. Students enjoyed reading Okay for Now or Trouble by Gary Schmidt and bought many books to continue their study of his writing. FEP AWARDS MINI GRANTS Students bought their Gary Schmidt favorites and had them signed. FEP awarded mini grants to several teachers in November, totaling $800. Mini grants are available in the fall for materials that benefit high ability students in the classroom. Listed below are the mini grant recipients and their requests: • • • Nicole Hoover (LI) – Enrichment Centers (Math) Engage gifted students that have mastered the basic math concepts in higher level thinking through new math materials from Lake Shore Learning Activities; Kathy Beier & Melissa Heydinger (WV) –iPods in the Classroom & Apps-Engage gifted students in apps downloaded onto an iPod to challenge above and beyond what is presented in the classroom; Ryan Lindahl (GL) Algeblocks and Quadratics – Algeblocks includes activity cards which will be used to offer further challenges and learning opportunities for Algebra 1 students. 6 Gary Schmidt signed books after he found out about the students. Congratulations on your grants! WHO GETS THIS NEWSLETTER? TRAVEL THE GLOBE FIELD TRIP You may wonder why you are receiving this newsletter. You may have a child identified gifted, be a gifted/FEP supporter, a mentor or staff member. Hope you enjoy keeping updated on gifted programs. Twenty-two students from Alyssa Kuebeckʼs AP Spanish class attended a Junior Scholars program: “Travel the Globe: Experiencing Different Cultures Symposium” at University of Findlay on October 3, 2013. This experience included finding out about the different cultures represented by U of F students. In the picture below students discuss key factors of culture: food, education, customs, and dating practices. FEP Newsletter Nov./Dec. 2013 Page ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY FIELD TRIP 7 If you would like more information or you cannot attend this meeting, please call Judy Withrow at 419-425-8296 or 4275437. FEP DONATIONS Tax-Deductible Contributions FEP acknowledges the following who have made generous donations: Carolyn Bearden, Dr. Mike & Jenne Cairns, Susan Davidson, Dow Chemical, Findlay Service League, Matt & Jen Harp, House of Hindenach, Kiwanis, Rebecca & Craig Kupferberg, Ami Orr, and Brian & Jane Robertson. FEP CONTRIBUTIONS October 23, 2013, was a day of new experiences for sixteen juniors and seniors at FHS who wanted to find out about the Environmental Safety program at University of Findlay. Students “suited up” and worked together simulating the rescue of a body (a mannequin) from a smoke-filled trailer, the safe storage of hazardous materials and shutting off valves spewing “poisonous chemicals.” Everyone passed all the “tests” with no mishaps. This is an excellent career for someone who wants to make a difference in the environment, likes to work outside in any kind of weather (yes, we picked a cold day), and wants to protect peopleʼs lives and property. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT FINDLAYʼS ACADEMICALLY TALENTED STUDENTS, YOU MAY BECOME A MEMBER OF FEP BY ATTENDING MEETINGS, VOLUNTEERING, AND/OR PROVIDING FINANCIAL SUPPORT!  Name Address City, Zip MARTIN ESSEX SCHOOL Daytime Phone The 2014 Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted and Talented™ at Otterbein University offers high school juniors and seniors opportunities for career exploration through a unique program comprised of classes, seminars and workshops on the arts, sciences and humanities. Taking place in multiple venues through-out Otterbeinʼs campus, this residential program encourages social interaction and peer discussion so that students can be challenged intellectually and artistically and develop a better understanding of the role of their abilities and talents in their lives and in society. The school will operate June 15-21, 2014 on the Otterbein University campus in Westerville. Generally, around seventy students attend Essex. Our school district is eligible to submit one application for consideration. In order to select our one candidate, there will be a meeting for interested students in Room 272 on Friday, Dec. 6 at 3:20 PM to share information about the Martin Essex experience and about the application process. Completed applications must be postmarked by Jan. 16, 2014 so time is crucial. Evening Phone Email address I would like to be involved by:  Becoming a supporter of FEP with a tax deductible amount of: (Please circle) $100 $25  $75 $10 $50 $ Donating time for FEP programs Please return to: Judy Withrow Findlay Enrichment Program, Inc. Findlay City Schools 1100 Broad Ave. Findlay, OH 45840 Calendar of Events Tues., Dec. 10 Thurs., Dec. 12 Thurs., Jan. 2 Tues., Jan. 7 Thurs., Jan. 16 Tues., Jan. 21 Thurs., Jan. 23 Thurs., Jan. 30 Wed., Feb. 12 Thurs., Feb. 27 Thurs., March 13 Wed., March 19 Thurs., April 17 HCMP, Group 2, Seminar 2, FHS, Room 272, 3:20 p.m. Eighth Grade Honors Informational Meeting, FHS Aud., 6:00-6:45 p.m. “Selective College Panel,” Coffee Amici, 6:30-8:30 p.m. HCMP, Group 1, Seminar 3, FHS, Room 272, 3:20 p.m. HCMP Breakfast, Group I, FHS room #22 (old band room), 6:30 a.m. HCMP, Group 2, Seminar 3, FHS, Room 272, 3:20 p.m Meeting of the Minds, “Engineering at University of Toledo,” Univ. of Toledo, periods 1-7 HCMP Breakfast, Group 2, FHS room #22 (old band room), 6:30 a.m. Meeting of the Minds, “Sam Rhine Genetic Conf.,” Clay High School, Oregon, Ohio, periods 1-7 College Planning Series, “Competitive College/The Admissions Process,” FHS Library, periods 6-7, Juniors Only College Seminar Series, “Math Day,” Univ. of Findlay, periods 4-5A st College Planning Series, “21 Century Careers,” Univ. of Findlay, periods 3-4, Sophomores Only College Planning Series, “College Comes Sooner Than You Think,” Ohio Northern Univ., periods 2-7, Freshmen Only Read the FEP Newsletter online at … www.findlaycityschools.org/districtinfo/gifted and join FEP! Call Judy Withrow for more details at 419-425-8296.