Parents of Gifted Offspring - POGO

The Gifted Youth Program recognizes that academically gifted young people face their own set of challenges because of their gifts. These challenges can range from perfectionism, concerns about political or global issues, high expectations for themselves, the stresses of challenging academic work, or feelings of being marginalized because they don’t share the interests or abilities of most of their peers.  POGO (Parents of Gifted Offspring) was established more than a decade ago by a group of concerned parents to provide opportunities to meet and discuss these and related issues.  Led by experts in the field of gifted education and child and adolescent psychology, POGO seminars take place while students are in classes on the Montclair State University campus and generally last an hour.  All parents of gifted students – not just those whose children are enrolled in the program – are invited to participate.  Admission to all POGO seminars is free and open to the public.

Where: University Hall 1060

Time: 10:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.

March 3rd & 4th:
Topic: The Gifted & Talented Spring Orientation Program. Summer Camp 2012
Speaker: Nicole DeCapua, Associate Director, Gifted & Talented Program

Description: A parent orientation (students are welcome to attend if not in class). Parents will have the opportunity to hear about our spring plans and upcoming Summer Camp. A question and answer period will follow.

March 10th/11th:
Topic: Problem Solving Tools for Generating and Focusing Thinking
Speaker: Edwin Shelby

Description: The session will look briefly at ten tools used in creative problem solving instruction and focus on one generating and one focusing tool in a hands on way. At the conclusion of the session, parents will be able to introduce these two tools to their own children and advocate for the wider use of problem solving tools in the Gifted and Talented curriculum.

March 17th & 18th:
Topic: Utilizing Learning Styles to Maximize Student Development
Speaker: Rosette Allegretti

Description: What is learning style?  What is the Dunn and Dunn Model of Learning Styles? How can learning students’ strengths and weaknesses aid us in developing programs and coursework?  Do specific groups of people tend to have similar styles?  What types of tests are used?  Information will be presented on the Dunn and Dunn Model of Learning Styles, how it is utilized to identify individual styles, with particular attention paid to gifted and talented students.  Participants will gain a better understanding of how the theory and practice are applied, with examples and activities to demonstrate.

March 31st/April 1st::
Topic: What Do Programs and Services for Gifted and High Potential Children Look Like?
Speaker: Donna Vaupel

In this session, critical components of a variety of programs and services for gifted and high potential children in NJ and nationally will be defined and discussed.. These basic elements are applicable to public, private or home-schooled children.

April 14th & 15th:
Topic: Teaching Thinking Skills in the Home/Developing Thinking Through Enjoyment
Speaker: Greg Murin

Description: This session is designed to help parents inspire their children to develop thinking through a variety of enjoyable activities. It will introduce various games, brainteasers, websites, and other sources to develop the mind while having fun in the process. It will also further look into advanced ideas that can be used by parents to expand the thinking ability of their gifted children (and themselves) in a family fun way. The presenter will address the “why” for the need to explore these areas by sharing research and thought provoking insights, as well as further explore the meaning of creative and critical thinking.

April 21st & 22:
Topic: “Green Minds, Working Local, Going Global”
Speaker: Kristen Larson

Description: This  lecture will be an overview of the “Green Minds, Working Local, Going Global” project that is being conducting at Paterson’s School No. 5. The “Green Minds” project was designed to bring children into the professional world of science and engage with their local environment as trained data analytics and field biologists. Using my undergraduate degree in biology and collaborative projects designed by Steven’s Institute’s Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education as inspiration, I created a journey through which elementary learners can explore their local environment to gain an educated appreciation for environments around the world.  The POGO workshop will walk the audience through the path these young learners had to take to becoming trained scientists in the field and in the lab. 

April 28th & 29th:
Topic:Advocating for Your Gifted Child: The Home-School Connection
Speaker: Donna Vaupel

This session will focus on some important Do's and Don'ts for successfully advocating for your child at school and in the community. In addition to sharing information, role-playing various scenarios will enable participants to evaluate several different strategies and communication techniques that will better equip them in their role of Parent Advocate!

May 5th & 5th:
Topic: Gifted Children and the Friendship Factor
Speaker: Brenda Marshall

Description: Finding, making and keeping friends can be a difficult and sometimes painful experience for gifted children.  Dr. Marshall will discuss the correlation between giftedness and the friendship factor, and describe some skills that gifted children can develop and practice to increase their emotional quotient (EQ) and friendship magnetism.