Grandparent’s Day

 Friday, October 6, we entertained the grandparents of students at Eastside Christian School and we hope you could be there.  This is always a happy occasion and makes it possible for the teachers and students to introduce the teachers to their grandparents and to inform the grandparents concerning the school and classroom activities.

We take this opportunity to thank all parents and grandparents who made Grandparents’ Day a possibility. We hope you put Grandparents’ Day on your calendar for next year because we will try to hold the 2007 Grandparents’ Day at about the same time. It most likely will be Friday, October 5, 2007 DV.

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Midwest Academic Talent Search

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Gifted and Talented Resource Network

  A Supportive Community for Gifted and Talented Youth

 
The sixth annual awards ceremony recognizing the outstanding academic achievements of the Midwest Academic Talent Search participants in the Kent County area was held at Van Andel Institute Auditorium, Saturday, October 7.  Mr. Peter Adams and I along with a representative of the Board of Trustees were invited to attend this presentation because of the achievements of one of the students at Eastside Christian School, Jordan Newhof.  Jordan had participated and done well enough in the testing conducted and by the Midwest Academic Talent Search to be part of this awards ceremony.

Jordan was one of the 262 students in grades 4-8 during the 2005-2006 school who were honored at the fall awards ceremony.  Mr. Adams was among the 58 teachers who were cited by their students for the influence their instruction has made in their lives.  Students were required to write a short essay in which they commended and thanked their teacher or mentor. Congratulations are hereby extended to Mr. Adams as well for being recognized by Jordan. 

Liz Alexander, President of GT Resource Network, Patricia Greene, Michigan Liason for the Midwest Academic Talent Search, and Lori Kane, GT Resource Network Teacher Tribute Coordinator, all participated in the program and made presentations.  All of these persons volunteer their time to this activity.

Nick Duesbery, Ph.D, and Scientific Investigator, Laboratory of Cancer and Development Cell Biology, at Van Andel Research Institute was the featured presenter of the day.  Dr. Duesbery illustrated and spoke about the advances that are being made in the control of cancer. 

The ceremony brought together the young people, their parents, and the educators.  The intention was to recognize the high ability of the students and congratulate them for their achievements.  For their essential contributions GT Resource Network personnel recognized the parents, families, teachers, and mentors who have encouraged and supported the young people that were assembled for the day.  

GT Resource Network, a non-profit organization, that is staffed by volunteer spoke persons and leaders thanked the co-sponsors who made this sixth annual program a possibility.  GT Network acknowledged the contributions of the Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University, Michigan Education Savings Program, Michigan Education Trust, Michigan Midwest Academic Talent Search Advisory Board, and the Van Andel Institute. 

We take this opportunity to congratulate Jordan and his parents for this award and pray for Jordan’s continued work in this regard.

With David Van Andel, a leader in the Grand Rapids community, we recognize that “when much is given much is expected and required.”

GT Resource Network recognizes that high ability learners have unique educational needs which are best met by participating in as many academically appropriate educational opportunities as possible. These include but are not limited to the following:

• Developing an individualized program of study that will allow these students to “test out” of content already mastered and to progress in the content area at a rate commensurate with their proficiency.
• Encouraging student participation in programs that employ a fast-paced model.  Opportunities for interaction with other highly gifted students, intensive study in a compressed time frame, and opportunities for higher-level proficiency are important benefits.
• Providing academic counseling, especially on early access to Advanced Placement (AP) and the possibility for grade and/or subject acceleration.

GT Resource Network empowers parents and schools to make informed decisions about meeting the unique educational needs of high-ability students.

We take this opportunity to call attention to a very important announcement concerning the Midwest Talent Search that you will see included with the Events of this week.  We encourage parents of gifted children to take the opportunity to make it possible for the children to participate in these activities.  Contact the teacher of your child and/or Agatha Lubbers and we will help you make a decision and make the necessary contacts.     

 – by Agatha Lubbers