Dec 10 Parents Meeting

Posted on November 29, 2012 by MVGate

The District’s change in policy has implications for our children, and for the future activities and priorities of MVGATE. At our meeting Monday December 10, we will discuss the changes, what our priorities should be, as well as how our new status as an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation affects our planning. More on this at the meeting!

We hope to see you at 6:30pm on Mon Dec 10 at the MV Community Center, 180 Camino Alto. RSVP here.

Discussion items include:

Given the District’s decision, should MV GATE take on new roles for GATE kids and families?
Should we offer or help to find testing or other services?
Should we support and encourage the District in assessing differentiation for advanced learners, and if needed in implementing stronger or different differentiation?
Should we identify and evaluate other resources for our kids to engage their fullest capabilities?
How can you take action to help?

Posted in admin, meetings | Tagged grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6, grade 7, grade 8, grade K | Leave a comment

MVSD suspends identification of GATE students

Posted on November 29, 2012 by MVGate

The Mill Valley School District has suspended the identification of GATE students. That is, it will no longer conduct GATE testing in Mill Valley schools. The District is nonetheless “committed to serving the individual needs of high achieving students regardless of GATE identification.” The District’s model includes making in-class differentiation a central element of the new Common Core curriculum, while Kiddo offers enrichment opportunities for our talented kids, and the Middle School provides a range of accelerated courses and activities. The District’s full statement on its new GATE policy, just announced, is here.

At the MVGATE Parent Meeting on Dec 10 we will discuss this decision and how MVGATE should best respond.

UPDATE: Read what Gifted Child Today magazine says about “Advocating in Tough Economic Times.”

Posted in admin, in-class, in-school | Tagged grade 4, grade 5, grade 6, grade 7, grade 8 | Leave a comment

14th Annual Click-Off Photography Competition (Nov 1-12)

Posted on October 30, 2012 by MVGate

Attention creatively talented kids:

The Mill Valley Art Commission presents the 14th Annual Click-Off Competition, November 1-12, 2012

Each year during the autumn season, photographers of all ages and skill levels capture images unique to Mill Valley and each photographer’s perspective through the camera lens.

Youth division for kids 15 and under.

Posted in arts, out-of-school | Tagged grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6, grade 7, grade 8, grade K | Leave a comment

Animal Hospital at the Marine Mammal Center (TBD)

Posted on October 21, 2012 by MVGate

We’re working with the staff at Fort Cronkhite’s Marine Mammal Center to plan a half-day in their remarkable animal hospital. In keeping with the way we like to do things, we’ll try to bring MVGATE kids a unique, customized learning experience. We’ll announce details and a date soon: probably a Saturday in early November.

Question: We’re aiming for an intensive half-day event for grades 6-8. But MMC can easily accommodate the younger kids we have recently welcomed into MVGATE. What do you think about us organizing two MVGATE events at MMC, aimed at different age groups? Comment below or email us at MVGATEAC at gmail dot com.

Posted in out-of-school, outdoors, parent-initiated, science | Leave a comment

Pacific Leadership Institute team-building Adventure Challenge 11/10

Posted on September 24, 2012 by MVGate

Due to high demand, EXTRA TICKETS ADDED

MVGATE is thrilled to announce the return of the mighty Ropes Course, led by SFSU’s Pacific Leadership Institute, on Sat Nov 10 from 9:00am-12:30pm at Fort Miley, SF (map).

WHAT: Team Building Ropes Course event designed for Mill Valley GATE students

WHEN: Saturday, November 10, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Fort Miley Adventure Challenge Course in the GGNRA. In a grove of trees (with no physical address) on El Camino del Mar past the stop sign at Seal Rock Drive, San Francisco (map)

WHO: GATE students in grades 5-8, their friends and siblings (PLI has an age minimum of 10 years.)

ACTIVITIES: Fun group challenges progress from low team-based initiatives to high element trees using ropes, ladders, and cables. Learn how to work together in new and creative ways in an exciting environment which is safe and supportive. Students choose their own level of challenge and develop collaboration, leadership skills, support, and self-esteem. Program by San Francisco State University’s affiliate Pacific Leadership Institute, which has operated this site for over 25 years.

PAPERWORK TO COMPLETE: Download this PLI Release Form (PDF file), print and complete it and bring it on the day of the event. No one will be allowed to participate without a completed PLI release form!

WHAT TO BRING/WEAR: Bring completed release form, water bottle, and snack. Dress in layers, as it is often cold at the course. PLI recommends tennis shoes or light hiking shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, long pants, and layers of shirts, including a jacket or sweatshirt. Hats, beanies, and gloves are good, too. Do not bring/wear knives, new shoes, big hoop earrings, large belt buckles, gum, iPods, or valuables.

TRAVEL: It’s up to each parent to figure out transportation/carpooling. Parents will drive their children to the site in San Francisco. When you register online, you will be asked if you are driving and can offer a ride for another child or if you need a ride for your child. Prior to the event, you will receive a list of parents offering rides. Use Google Maps for exact directions and street view of parking area. Allow 20-30 minutes drive time from Mill Valley to the ropes course site.

PARENTS DURING THE EVENT: Parents are welcome to observe the activities (from a distance) during the team building event. The Seal Rock Inn Restaurant (at 545 Point Lobos Ave.) is one block away. Seal Rock State Beach is also a couple of blocks away.

MORE INFO AT: www.pliprograms.org/index.php/programs/ropes-course

CONTACT: Carolyn Kwock or TBD

Posted in leadership, out-of-school, outdoors, parent-initiated | Tagged grade 5, grade 6, grade 7, grade 8 | Leave a comment

Marine Science Sailing Adventure on SF Bay 11/4

Posted on September 23, 2012 by MVGate

REGISTER HERE

EVENT TITLE: Call of the Sea: A Marine Science Sailing Adventure on SF Bay

WHEN: Sunday Nov 4, from 12 noon – 3 pm. Boarding at 11:45am. Optional potluck light brunch on the dock before we sail, details to follow.

EVENT TITLE: Call of the Sea: A San Francisco Bay Marine Science Sailing Adventure

WHEN: Sunday Nov 4, from 12 noon – 3 pm. Boarding at 11:45am. Optional potluck light brunch on the dock starts at 11 am.

WHERE: On the 82-foot schooner Seaward, departing from the Bay Model Pier on the Sausalito waterfront.

WHO: MVGATE kids grades 5-8, in public, private, and home-school. Up to ten parent chaperons welcome. (40 participants max)

ACTIVITIES: A unique educational experience for GATE kids and parents! A three-hour voyage on an 82-foot sailing schooner on the Bay, focused on nature, oceanography, marine biology, and seamanship, a very hands-on experience for kids grades 5-8. The program is built around direct participation in sailing the boat, plus 3 rotating learning stations during the voyage on such topics as The Physics of a Sailboat, Plankton Ecology, and Analyzing the Environment. Content will be adapted for our advanced learners, and we’ll divide the kids into 3 sections by age to further customize content. We have the whole ship to ourselves.

WHAT TO WEAR: While we expect good weather in early November, the Bay is unpredictable. Be ready for anything: sun, chill winds, even rain. Wear layers, sunscreen, and practical safe shoes: close-toed flats, no flip flops or high heels. If weather’s very bad we may reschedule, but it’s up to their Captain; they typically sail rain or shine.

TRAVEL: We’ll meet up at 11:30am at the Sausalito Call of the Sea mooring at the Bay Model Pier in Sausalito (www.callofthesea.org). Unaccompanied kids can be dropped off & picked up there. Easy drop-off, on-site parking. Chaperons (up to ten for 30 kids) are welcome and desired. Optional pre-sail brunch at the dock.

PARENTS: Up to ten parents can join the voyage as chaperons, and everyone is welcome for brunch before. Otherwise you can drop your child off with us at the Sausalito dock. Drop off is at 11:45 at the latest, pick up at 3:15 at the dock.

SPONSORSHIP: This event is sponsored by MV GATE.

MORE INFO AT: mvgate.org/2012/09/23/sailing and www.callofthesea.org/youth-education/bay-explorations.php

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS: All parents must register online and sign the event liability waiver. Suggested donation $40 per person. Scholarships are available. As noted, optional brunch before voyage is not included in ticket price — it’s just an easy, fun potluck.

ORGANIZER: John Pearce: before event 415-388-0184; day of event 415-342-4482; email JohnKPearce@comcast.net

UPDATE: Arr, matey, here be Pictures fer ye. Continue reading →

Posted in leadership, out-of-school, outdoors, parent-initiated, science | Tagged grade 5, grade 6, grade 7, grade 8 | Leave a comment

Gifted Symposium in Napa County, Sat 11/3

Posted on September 18, 2012 by MVGate

Our friend Ann Smith [1] recommends CAG’s Northern California Symposium in Napa County on Sat 11/3. This sounds like a good parent-education opportunity with some best-of-breed presenters. (homepage , flyer , workshops)

“Unlocking Potential and Reaching for Excellence:
A Northern California Symposium for Educators and Parents”
Saturday November 3, 2012, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
American Canyon High School
3000 Newell Drive, American Canyon, CA 94503 (map)

Full Day Rate including catered lunch: $50 for CAG members, $75 for non-members
Register online or use the flyer

UPDATE: To advance MVGATE’s and the District’s shared goal of effective in-school differentiation within the new Common Core curriculum model, MVGATE will sponsor six Mill Valley teachers to attend the CAG Symposium.

The Symposium focuses on differentiation for advanced learners within Common Core, which CAG is embracing as a way of advancing classroom differentiation in the post-GATE-budget era. We’d like to help spread such thinking among interested teachers, and we’ve offered the District multiple scholarships, one per MVSD school. The Symposium is being held at what is said to be a very cool, brand new ultra-tech high school, and the program is highly focused on Common Core.

MVSD principals and teachers interested in attending with our sponsorship, please notify Director of Student Support Services, Andee Abramson.

[1] Ann is the Bay Area Region Parent Representative for the California Association for the Gifted, and the Director of the Gifted Support Center in the peninsula.

Posted in in-class, in-school, meetings, parent-education | Tagged grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6, grade 7, grade 8, grade K | Leave a comment

Greek Drama Day at Stanford University 9/30

Posted on September 16, 2012 by MVGate

UPDATE: STANFORD IS SOLD OUT OF TICKETS.

On Sunday 9/30, MVGATE will lead a day of Greek Drama at Stanford University.

Our group will meet for an optional Mediterranean lunch in Palo Alto, then watch “The Wanderings of Odysseus,” an acclaimed dramatization of “The Odyssey” just returning from its four-week run in Athens. Then we’ll sneak backstage and chat with the cast & crew & director — including MVGATE parent/actor Courtney Walsh Phleger and Stanford classics professor/director Rush Rehm.

This event is a must for GATE kids (and parents!) who love history or literature or theater. Suggested ages grades 5-8, though exceptionally interested & well-behaved kids in grades 3-4 are welcome, too; we trust your judgment.

To join us,

~~NOW, buy your own tickets at Stanford Theater’s website, before they sell out~~ SOLD OUT
NOW, tell us you’re coming via Eventbrite
Noon on 9/30, (optional) meet our MVGATE group for lunch at Gyros Gyros, 498 University Ave (at Cowper), Palo Alto (map)
2pm on 9/30, proceed to the theater on the Stanford campus. Park on-campus (map), then walk to the Nitery Theatre (map)
5pm on 9/30, head back to MV for a good bedtime!

The lunch part is optional, but a casual Greek lunch together at noon in Palo Alto would be fun & set the mood before we head over to the theater. We’ll meet at Gyros Gyros, 498 University Ave (at Cowper), Palo Alto. (map) It’s not fancy like the amazing Evvia, but it’s delicious and fun and suitable for kids. Park on-street or in parking garage 100 ft away. Indoor & outdoor seating.

“Gyros Gyros restaurant features exquisite Mediterranean cuisine including mousaka, shish kebab, adana, gyros, falafel, dolma, pittas, hummus and much more.”

Posted in arts, english, history, out-of-school, parent-initiated | Tagged grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6, grade 7, grade 8 | Leave a comment

Free math assessment at Mathnasium

Posted on September 7, 2012 by MVGate

During September, Mathnasium will give your child (grades 2-12) a free Math assessment ($99 value). No obligation to sign-up after you receive the results of your free assessment and customized learning plan.

Contact Mathnasium at 247 Shoreline Highway #A3, phone 384-8272, and present your Mill Valley Public Library card to get this deal.

(Mathnasium is new to us, so check it out for yourself and please let us know what you think.)

Posted in math, out-of-school | Tagged grade 2, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5, grade 6, grade 7, grade 8 | Leave a comment

Middle School Book Club Returns at MV Public Library 11/6

Posted on September 4, 2012 by MVGate

Good news: the middle school book club for which we lobbied the MV Public Library proved a great success in its summer pilot and will return this fall. To join in, just register, read the book selection & give it a little thought, then come join other readers for pizza, dessert, and some book talk with friends new and old!

Tuesday, Nov 6 at 6:30 pm

Pizza & Pages Book Club for 6th & 7th & 8th graders:

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley

Wild young princess Aerin discovers that she may have inherited her mother’s “witchwoman” powers. The Hero and the Crown is a classic adventure fantasy with wizards, dragons, sword fights, and more. Pizza and dessert included!

You can borrow The Hero and the Crown from the library (of course) or buy a copy from The Depot or Amazon.

Registration required: call MVPL directly at 415-389-4292 x4741 and tell them GATE sent you.