Page 1 of 4
Gifted
Gazette
IMS Gifted Newsletter
March 2017 Edition 3
What is Introversion?
Inside this issue:
What is Introversion
(Cont. from p. 1)
2
2017 Summer Enrichment
Camps in VA
2
Dance Students Become
Performing Artists
3
IPT Test...what is that?
3
Keeping in Touch with
Your GRT
4
Gifted Education Community Advisory Committee
4
SPECIAL Points of INTEREST:

All 7th grade students will take the IPT test
March 28/29 .

New Old Donation School will open in
Haygood area on Monday, April 3, 2017.

Adjusted dismissal for IMS students
(1:20pm) on Friday April 7.

Spring break: All VBCPS schools closed
April 8-16, 2017.Report cards for third
quarter will be distributed on Friday, April
18th 2017.

Fourth/final quarter: April 17-June 16.

Report cards for third quarter will be
distributed on Friday, April 18th 2017.

Parent seminar at IMS/topic: Growth
Mindset. Date: April 26th, 6-7 pm in IMS
Library. Contact GRT Monica Reilly to
reserve a place. ([email protected])

Parents must apply online by May 1st for
spring gifted identification/testing to be
held on May 19th. The online site is:
https://giftedapplication.vbcps.com
(Excerpt from Susan Caine’s
book: Quiet: The Power of
Introverts in a World that
Can’t Stop Talking, Random
House Inc., 2013.)
rise of the Extovert Ideal
throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply
it has come to permeate our
culture. She also introduces us
to successful introverts—from
a witty, high-octane public
speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record
-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions.
with a close friend or solving a cross word puzzle or
reading a book. Extroverts
enjoy the extra bang that
comes from activities like
meeting new people, skiing
At least one-third to oneslippery slopes and crankhalf of the people we know
ing up the stereo. Introare introverts. They are the
verts and extroverts work
ones who prefer listening to
differently. Extroverts
speaking; who favor working
tend to go at assignments
on their own over working in
quickly. They make fast
teams. It is to introverts—
decisions, are comfortable
Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr.
In her book, Quiet, Susan
multi-tasking and riskSeuss, Steve Wozniak—that Caine defines introversion as
taking. They are the life of
we owe many of the great
not necessarily shy, as shyness
the party...they prefer talkcontributions to society.
can be painful and introversion
ing to listening...they are
is not. Introverts and extroIn her book, Quiet, Susan
comfortable with conflict,
verts differ on the amount of
Cain argues that we dramatiare rarely at a loss for
outside stimulation they need
cally undervalue introverts
words and occasionally
to function well. Introverts
and shows how much we lose
blurt out things they didfeel “just right” with less stimin doing so. She charts the
n’t mean to say. (cont p. 2)
ulation such as a quiet chat
Online Parenting Resource:
Motivation for Accomplishment Website
The Motivation for
Accomplishment website is
available to Virginia Beach
parents of gifted students.
Developed by the parents and
educators on the Parent Institute Committee for the Office
of Gifted Education and Curriculum Development, it is
designed to be used either as a
reference source or as an opportunity to develop a broad
understanding of what we
know about motivation.
Many of our students take education for
granted and show little motivation to excel. Students lack
motivation to succeed in
school for many different
reasons and no one answer
works for all underachievers.
Still, a variety of strategies
are available on this website
for parents to investigate
what may work for their children.
Your child’s challenge to
accomplishment may be the
belief systems that he or she
has about learning and about
the value of effort as compared
to the value of potential. If
he/she is a perfectionist, he
may believe that learning
should come without effort or
become dismayed when facing
IMS Gifted Newsletter
Page 2 of 4
Introversion (continued from p.1)
Introverts in contrast, may have strong
social skills and enjoy parties and business
meetings, but after a while wish they were
home in their pajamas. They listen more
than they talk, think before they speak and
often feel they express themselves better in
writing than conversation.
A few things introverts are not: The
word introvert is not a synonym for hermit
or misanthrope. Introverts can be these
things, but most are perfectly friendly. Nor
are introverts necessarily shy. Shyness is a
fear of social disapproval or humiliation,
while introversion is a preference for environments that are not overstimulating. You can
have a shy extrovert, like Barbra Streisand,
who has paralyzing stage-fright or a non-shy
introvert, like Bill Gates, who keeps to himself but is unfazed by the opinions of others.
Independence Middle School gifted cluster teachers attended a training session
where they studied the attributes of introver-
sion. They watched a TedTAlk videoclip
The Power of Introverts in which Susan
Cain discussed her book Quiet and the
importance of understanding the introversion/extroversion personalities and
the value and benefits that both types
offer. They took notes on a graphic organizer based on the Kaplan Icons so
that they could focus on the language,
details, rules, unanswered questions and
perspectives regarding these personalities
which have changed over time. Finally,
they developed positive suggestions for
interacting with their introverted students. Here are some of their notes:
Details: 1/3 to 1/2 of the population are
introverts; Solitude is a key component
of creativity; Introverted leaders work
best with proactive members. Rules: Bias
supports the idea that extraverts are the
ideal students; Introverted students must
work hard to be outgoing. Unanswered
Questions: Do introverts get passed
over as leaders?; Do we have to
prove ourselves as extroverts to be
considered successful?; Do we need
to prove who we are?
What changes can we implement
when interacting with our introverted
students?
Be aware of your introverted
students’ needs; Allow time for
think time and reflection; Understand that group work isn’t always
the way to get the “most” from
every student; Allow for more privacy in the classroom; Teach independent work skills; Consider your
introverts when you determine
physical classroom set-up; Work
with introverts and their reaction
to novelty while respecting their
limits.
2017 Summer Enrichment Programs/Camps
Tidewater Community
College Summer
Enrichment Camps
Science, Technology,
W&M Summer Enrichment
Old Dominion University
Engineering & Math
Program
Summer Camps
For: Middle Schoolers
Location: Hampton, VA
Location: W&M Univ. campus
Weeklong STEM day camp:
Dates: Week-long day
camps/June Thru Aug
2017
Dates: Weeklong day camps
Dates: June26-30/July 10-14
Dates: June thru Aug 2017
July thru August 2017
Day Camp/am & pm sessions
Old Dominion University
Topics: Robotics, Flight,
Class size: 10-18
Rube Goldberg machines,
Rocket Science, Solar System,
Tuition: $350 per course to incl.
$50 deposit
Application due: As soon as
possible
Chemistry, Physics, Aircraft
design
This Program is academically challenging with an emphasis on inquiry based learning
for students enrolled in grades
k-12.
Www.odu.edu/vmasc/
summercamps
Ms. Tracey Vann
Location: Tidewater
Comm. College campuses:
Virginia Beach, Norfolk,
Chesapeake & Portsmouth
Website: https://
www.tcc.edu/academics/
career-exploration-camps
Contact: Dr.Emily Richardson
Ph: 757-822-1402
Email: [email protected]
Topics:
Rates: $235-250 per week
Websites:
Www.mysummeradvisor.com
For STEM camp/contact:
Video Games
www.vasc.org/educate
The programs explore the
areas of science, math, humanities and the arts.
Sports and Games
Ph. 757-727-0900
Ph 757-221-2166
[email protected]
Email: [email protected]
*Fees apply to courses
Website: www.cfge.wm.edu
Topics: 3D Modeling, Engineering, 3D Sculpting, Robotics, Game development
Career Exploration
Creative writing
Robotics
Summer STEM camps
Website:
757-638-7019
IMS Gifted Newsletter
Page 3 of 4
Dance Students Become Performing Artists
Students identified as gifted in
dance in grades three through eight attend
the Dance Education Program at Brickell
Academy one full day each week. Students
receive instruction in thematic units designed
and presented by a teaching staff certified by
the Virginia Department of Education in
Dance and in Gifted Education. There are
eleven students across the grade levels attending from Independence M.S. Student
auditions for IMS were held on March 14th.
Dance students are grouped according to individual ability, developmental
stage, degree of maturity, and progress within the program. Grouping is flexible and differentiated, enabling students to move to a
more suitable level as deemed appropriate by
dance instructors/educators.
Gifted dance students will participate in an annual Dance Education Program
Showcase, at the newly opened ODS/Brickell
Academy, during school hours May 15-19th.
This dance performance will focus on the
skills necessary to be a performing artist.
During the course of the unit the students
learned, rehearse dand performed works choreographed by students in creative dance
classes.
Info. avail
www.olddonationschool.vbschools.com
The second round of
IPT testing will take place

Find a space just for
schoolwork away
from noise and interruptions.

Establish a regular
study schedule.
Phone: 757-628-3240
Instructors: K. Cowan, Dr. M. A. Laverty,
P. Washburn & V. Winborne
IPT TEST: What is it?
The Integrated Performance Task or IPT test is a
test which involves real-life
problems and related documents. The student must
analyze & read these documents before writing responses to several openended questions
Study Tips

for all grade 7 students at IMS evaluate effectiveness and
on March 28th & 29th.
make instructional modifications for improvement.
The IPT is a summative
assessment that provides parThe division will use the 
ents and teachers information results to decide if we are efabout each student’s perforfectively teaching and asmance on a task designed to
sessing skills our students
measure critical thinking,
need to thrive as 21st century
problem solving and written
learners, workers, and citizens 
communication. Spring IPT
as specified by the VBCPS
results will allow schools to
strategic plan.
Online Parenting Resource…cont. from pg. 1
...a challenging task.
Many students in the gifted
program are highly motivated. We
want to be sure to use strategies that
keep these students striving. Some
strategies are general but others must
be based on what motivates a particular student. Explore the website to
learn more about the different ways to
keep children motivated.
Check over weekly
commitments; plan
ahead.
Make a daily list of
what needs to be
done.
Use your daily
planner!
“ We learn more
ask questions and make comments.
by looking for
All comments must be approved before
being posted so there will be some delay.
The site contains comments and suggestions, new research, and other’s experiences with gifted students.
the answer to a
So, take time to explore, join in the
discussion, and send in your ideas. Check
out the Motivation for Accomplishment
website at:
The Motivation Discussion but- http://blogtopractice.weebly.com/index.html.
ton on each page directs you to a blog from : VBCPS Gifted and Talented Bulletin, 2013
Office of Gifted Ed. & Curriculum Development Vol 13, Issue 1.
January 2013
site where you have the opportunity to
question and not
finding it
than we do from
learning the
answer itself...”
-Lloyd Alexander
Independence Middle School
Page 4 of 4
1370 Dunstan Lane VB 23455
Gifted Testing
Identification@ IMS:
Parents must apply online by
May 1st, 2017 for May 19th test
ONLINE APPLICATION SITE:
https://giftedapplication.vbcps.com
Keep In-Touch with your GRT...
Would you like to know about
events in advance? Here are some suggestions for staying “updated”…
Ms. Reilly, gifted resource
teacher, is your “point of contact”. Her
phone number is 648-4600, ext. 60034.
Her email address is
*Parent forms must be completed
online by May 1st in order for the [email protected]. Contact her
with any questions or concerns you
application to be completed in
might have.
time for this testing date.
Contact Dr. Reilly w/questions
[email protected]
648-4600
Gifted Education
Community
Advisory Committee (CAC)
The purpose : to advise the School Board
of the educational needs of all gifted students in the school division. The duties
are to:

Review annually the local plan for
the education of gifted student, including revisions

Determine the extent to which the
local plan for the previous year was
implemented

Represent the community

Focus attention on issues relative to
improving the educational services
for gifted students
Meeting dates: April 17 & May 8
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: School Admin Building #6
1512 George Mason Dr.
VA Beach,VA 23456
There is a gifted Wiki space on
the IMS gifted website. Go online to the
IMS share point site and click on the
menu on the right hand side that says
“Gifted Resource”. That will take you
to gifted resource information. Here
you will find the monthly calendar of
events and announcements regarding
programs and special activities for gifted students and their parents.
their parents.
Also, try the IMS homepage and
click on the many links offered there.
The Gifted Gazette, will be published four times this school year. This
issue is the third of four issues for the
2016-17 school year. It is included in
the IMS listserv mailing to parents, the
IMS gifted wiki-space, and copies are
kept in the GRT office at IMS, Rm. 331.
Contact Ms. Reilly if you think you’ve
missed it.
Parent Mindset Seminar
Learn how a simple idea about the brain can
create a love of learning and a resilience that is
the basis of accomplishment in every area
Based on Carol Dweck’s research/book: Mindset: the New
Psychology of Success
Wednesday, April 26, 2017 6-7 pm
Independence Middle School Library
RESERVATION deadline: April 21st, 2017
Email Dr. Reilly: [email protected]
Or call 648-4600 extension 60034
-