June 2021
WATG Mission: To educate about and advocate for the needs of gifted in Wisconsin.
NEWS
WATG’s Annual Conference is Going Virtual for 2021!
Thank you to everyone who provided their input on comfort levels with an in-person conference this fall. As we continue with the unknowns of this pandemic, we solicited feedback in a survey and debated the pros and cons of in-person and virtual formats. Our final decision is that the 2021 Wisconsin Association for Gifted and Talented annual conference October 4-5 will be held virtually, with high hopes that we will present an in-person conference in 2022.
This fall’s conference, Leading the World Into the Future, promises to be an outstanding event. We are delighted to present two dynamic keynote speakers, Dr. Jonathan Plucker and Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings. They will be joined by a special guest speaker, Alonzo Kelly, a national expert on leadership development. Our conference breakout sessions will be rich and varied, and our parent workshops and teen conference, Pathways to Problem Solving, will round out this year’s offerings. Join us to learn and grow as we move together into the future!
WATG Logo Contest
Every year WATG holds a logo contest for our annual conference. We received many great logos for October 2021’s conference: Leading the World into the Future, but unfortunately we are only able to choose one. 
This year we are happy to congratulate Shrihan Madhi, a 6th grader, for submitting the winning logo. Check it out!



WATG Blogs
News From the Board - Making a Difference
“Giving is not just about making a donation; it is about making a difference.” This quote is attributed to Kathy Calvin CEO and President of the United Nations Foundation, and reflects the values of the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted. As a volunteer board, we are committed to donating our time and talent to improve educational and social emotional services for gifted and talented students in our state. 
(WATG extiende un sentido de gratitud al Dr. German Diaz de las Escuelas Públicas de Milwaukee por ayudarnos con la traducción de este artículo en Español para nuestras familias de habla hispana y nuestros educadores. Esta traducción también se puede encontrar en nuestra página web). 
(WATG extiende un sentido de gratitud al Dr. Martha Lopez de las Escuelas Públicas de Milwaukee por ayudarnos con la traducción de este artículo en Español para nuestras familias de habla hispana y nuestros educadores. Esta traducción también se puede encontrar en nuestra página web). 
Group Work and Gifted Students

Jackie Drummer, WATG Advisory Board Member and Past President
Not too long ago, I found myself in an adult workgroup, surrounded by people who said, “She’s really good at synthesizing; let’s let her do the work,” and then began to resume their individual conversations. I immediately experienced a flashback that was so vivid that I felt like I was ten years old again. In those brief moments, I relived much of my life as the gifted student that assumed/was assigned responsibility for the work of an entire group, and I felt all of my childhood frustration, indignity, and quest for fairness resurface.

The best news of the day came very early – Wisconsin had more people registered for this event than any other state or country! Way to go, Wisconsin! It was great “to see” so many of you online.
Ask the Doctor - Children's Stories and Activities
Dr. Wanda Routier, Past WATG Board Member

As we reach the end of the school year, we can look back and reflect upon a full school year unlike any other. While the 2019-2020 school year suddenly stopped and changed in March, it impacted only the last quarter of the school year. The 2020-2021 school year was different for the entire year, from August through June. Many people, including families, students, and teachers, are looking forward to the summer to enjoy some activities and/or travel that have been limited over the last year. It is a welcome diversion from the intense situation that we have all experienced - in our work, school, or home. 
Ruth Robinson, WATG Past President
GT Meanderings - Funding, Statute & Policy
An article in the Stevens Point Journal of November 1990 reported that registration for the Wisconsin Council for Gifted and Talented (WCGT) Conference “was at 748 people, which included 90 children.” This was an astonishing number of registrants! However, keep in mind that 1990 was within two years of State Standard (t) having been added to the state statutes. Mr. Grover, the Superintendent of Public Instruction in Wisconsin at the time, was advocating for greater implementation of programs for special education students, and especially for gifted and talented students. Initially, funding requests were stated as a percentage of state funds earmarked for special education under the category of gifted and talented. This would have ensured a constant, specific funding line for districts. 
The Importance of Supporting Talent
Ten years ago, I signed my daughter up for a ballet class at a studio near the school where I worked. She was three, and I thought it would be a fun thing for her to do. The costumes were sparkly; they wore princess crowns, and she was in three-year old heaven for 45 minutes a week.  

By the time she was seven, ballet was already becoming a way of life for her. 
Nicole Meier, WATG Board Member and Parent


(WATG desea extender un gran agradecimiento al Dr. German Díaz de las escuelas de Milwaukee por traducir este artículo al español para nuestras familias y educadores de habla hispana. La traducción también se puede encontrar en nuestros blogs de sitio web.)
2021 Student Summer Scholarships
Jessica Schultz, WATG Board Member and Scholarships Chair

WATG is proud to announce that 11 scholarships were awarded to students in Wisconsin in grades 2-11 to be used for enrichment opportunities during the summer of 2021. A large number of applications for summer scholarships were received prior to the April 15th deadline and the scholarship committee had a difficult time narrowing down the applications to only award 11 scholarships.  

Two common themes were mentioned in the student scholarship essays. Many applicants shared the difficulties they and their families encountered this past year due to COVID. The need for additional enrichment beyond what students are able to get during the school year was also repeated throughout the essays.
What Can Parents and Guardians Do?

We at WATG often answer questions from parents and guardians of gifted children. Here are some answers to the question, “what can parents and guardians do?”

1. Ask questions and seek answers from resources, educators and administrators.

Use a variety of avenues to seek out information about gifted learners and parenting gifted children. The Wisconsin Association for Talented and Gifted (WATG), the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), and Hoagies Gifted are good places to start. Join a parent group, read, attend a conference or webinar to learn more about tools and strategies that work with advanced learners.

WATG desea extender un enorme agradecimiento a la Esther Vasquez Guendulain por traducir este artículo al español para nuestras familias y educadores hispanohablantes. La traducción también se puede encontrar en los blogs de nuestro sitio web. Es un extracto del informe de Aceleración de WATG. 
Cory Jennerjohn talks to Alonzo Kelly in WATG's latest podcast!
Any organization mentioned in this newsletter does not constitute an endorsement by or partnership with WATG. No recommendation regarding the services of these organizations is being made by WATG. Families and educators are urged to perform due diligence in researching all organizations.
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