Sarah Feuerbacher, PhD, Owner of Counseling CARE Prosper, spoke Friday about the stress and anxiety our gifted students experience as they try to cope with the pressures of perfectionism and performance -- pressures that stem from their own high personal standards as well as the unrealistic expectations that we, as parents, place on them. Dr. Feuerbacher offered practical ways to work with our children in a positive and supportive way. 

PC-TAG granted Sony Koov Educator Kits to our elementary TAG programs. Koov Kits connect coding and robotics, bringing coding to life and allowing students to solve real-world problems. Armstrong TAG students recently learned how to use Koov Kits with TAG teacher, Emily Pitts.

Armstrong first graders were the first students in Ms. Morgan's music class to use "Animated Boomwhackers," bringing tuned tubes to life to experience rhythm, melody, harmony, form, dynamics, and style. All students, Kindergarten through fourth grade, will benefit from these interactive DVDs courtesy of a grant from PC-TAG. 

Teachers and staff at MIS/HPMS enjoyed scrumptious treats and abundant appreciation at the annual breakfast hosted by PC-TAG.

5th graders in Emily Green's science class dissected cow eyes to learn about the parts of the eye and their functions. The students were led through the dissections by retina specialist Dr. Deborah Chong and cornea specialist Dr. Jamie Alexander. Ms. Green says, "This experience has opened my students' eyes to all new possibilities!"

This great day of learning and experiencing science in House of Lockhart was made available through a grant from PC-TAG.

In January 2020, HPMS will launch a "Read It Forward" initiative, when the campus will be flooded with multiple copies of two novels that share the same theme. A Raider who finds a book will read the selection, sign his/her name inside, sign his/her name on the poster in the library, then "Read It Forward" to another reader. There will be trivia contests and activities tied to the books throughout the month as well. "Read It Forward" is made possible by a grant from PC-TAG.

The public libraries will also have book suggestions on display for older readers based on Read It Forward themes. All of these efforts will comprise the first-ever "HP Reads," which will encourage the entire HP Community to begin the year reading together.

The Aquaponics Greenhouse in Mr. Newhouse's science classroom has a fresh, new crop of lettuce that will be ready to harvest in the next week or two! Students can observe these food production processes of farming thanks in part to a grant from PC-TAG.

Armstrong 4th graders communicate 1-to-1 with peers across the globe to collaborate on real-world STEAM challenges, thanks in part to a grant from PC-TAG for the Level Up Village course.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick released 116 Senate Committee charges to study in the interim before the 2021 legislative session. Among these charges is to monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Education passed by the 86th Legislature, including a review of the impact of HB3 on G/T education in Texas.
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The monitoring charge, spearheaded by Senator Jane Nelson, directs the committee to “Review the impact of the repeal of a Gifted and Talented allotment on programs in districts and charter schools; Highlight various innovative Gifted and Talented programs in districts and charter schools across the state, and make recommendations on methods to strengthen and promote Gifted and Talented programs throughout Texas” (see p. 4).

TAGT appreciates the efforts of Senator Nelson, a strong G/T advocate, and is thrilled that G/T programs and funding will continue to be highlighted as an area of focus for the Senate Committee on Education.

Divya Chaturvedi, fellow HP mom, enlightened HPISD parents on the college admission process at a brown bag lunch sponsored by PC-TAG. Thanks to Divya, we are better prepared to navigate the process and know it doesn't have to be stressful. Just follow Divya's Roadmap to College!