LCTAGParents and Students,
What plans have you made for extended learning experiences?
For this summer and next schoolyear???
HERE ARE SOMEOPPORTUNITIES TO CHECK OUT:
Summer Opportunities: The following link is a NAGC resource aboutchoosing strong summer camps: http://www.nagc.org/SummerPrograms.aspx This database also helpsyou locate state programs! Much more thorough than my list here, just be sure to click on states searching like“Iowa” and “Nebraska” and enter your search field like “computer science”.
There are several opportunities in our areaand state for TAG students during the summer. Below you will find several links for you to explore if you are looking for things to do this summer.Reminder--Parents and students are responsible for all costs associated withthese opportunities.
Enrichment/Camps
www.fontenelleforest.org Click on Programs and Education, and go downto Nature Discovery Day Camps 2013 (Ages 3-13)
www.omahazoo.com Click on Kids/Family or Education, then go toclasses or day camps (Younger Ages)
http://joslyn.org Click on Education, then classes (All ages)
www.cbpl.lib.ia.us Click on Events and Programs, Teens, or Kidsfor listings of events
www.opptag.iastate.edu/summer Iowa State’s Office of Precollegiate Programsfor Talented and Gifted students. The summer programs are for students enteringgrades 3-11. All classes and activities take place on campus and in Ames. Residential programs are for older students.
www.ispy.iastate.edu Iowa State offers other youth programs for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Select your interest areas, age, and preferences into the search fieldto see available offerings.
www.unomaha.edu/camps/ UNO offers a variety of opportunities forstudents-from sports to Shakespeare, Engineering to jazz, Aim for the Stars tomath and science, Mav Kids Day Camps to computers.
Here is one example of acomputer science offering: http://www.techademy.unomaha.edu/ Use the menu of options at the right in the gray box to select your search field.
http://www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/students/summer/ClassList.asp
Click on Programs, then Students, Summer programs. Challenges For Elementary School Students (CHESS)—grades 2-6 Junior Scholars Institutes(JSI)—grades 6-8 National Scholars Institute (NSI)—grades 9-11 SecondaryStudent Training Program (SSTP)—grades 10-11—this is a 6 week residential research program.
Volunteering
http://www.uwmidlands.org/volunteer-central.html Volunteering opportunity database and coordinated programs for high school students in Council Bluffs and Omaha.
College Coursework
www.iwcc.edu Summer classes for college credit for grades 9-12. Go to CurrentStudent, then “Search for classes”. Select term, then choose department fromdrop down menu to search availability. Record class names and information.Visit the registration office on campus in Clark Hall to register. Forscheduling during the school year classes, students must also meet with LC’s college planning counselor, Mrs. Bode-Steinecke.
(Students in grades 9-12 who are TAG identified are eligible totake IWCC coursework. Summer courseworkis NOT paid for by the district, but school year coursework (even online and evening availabilities is paid. Students can search for either summer or next fall offerings this way.)
www.creighton.edu/nextstep Students may enroll the summer after their sophomore year of high school for summer classes and college credit. Summer coursework is NOT paid by our schooldistrict; however, courses come at a great rate with this program!
Recommendation for 6-12 parents
*Focus on developing your child’s interest and talent areas towarda specific career path. Encourage students to job-shadow for a day, research their career field of interest, volunteer, and explore coursework and programs that help them explore their strengths. Visit with your child about the classes they plan to take next year and how those courses help to satisfy building requirements toward graduation and making them successful in their future plans. Are their courses and choices matching with their career interest area and talents? Goal set with your child, and help your child plan small ways they can start working toward where they want to be down the road.
A Story of One Girl with a Plan…
I have a current 9th grader who one day dreams ofworking for the UN. She has worked hardin both middle school and high school to develop her interest in history and political science by exposing herself to enriching opportunities: The National History Day competition, advanced history coursework, mock trial, family trips to historical locations including Washington D.C., and her future plans involvecontinuing to seek out opportunities to focus in on this interest area. Doing so will not only bring her possible scholarships or internships, but also more knowledge about possible careerfields within the government.
What could you do to help support your child?
What can I do to help with that?
If you need more information or have other comments or questions,feel free to contact us at: Kristi McMullen kmcmulle@lewiscentral.k12.ia.us or Lorraine Duitsman lduitsman@lewiscentral.k12.ia.us
Please feel free to share information on other wonderful programsI may not have listed here! I will pass those along to parents as well!