Applications for Need-based Scholarships are available for students in grades 3-11 from Support for Talented Students, Inc. at SchoolMatch. Scholarships may be used for enrichment activities not normally provided in the schools. Activities may be during the summer or during the following school year. Applications are available at
http://www.schoolmatch.com/STS/STS.htm or from a Gifted and Talented Specialist at a Columbus City School. Deadline is March 14, 2008. The Gifted and Talented Specialists will collect the applications and complete the School Sponsor portion. For more information contact Beth Gasior at 365-6626.

The question came up at our recent meeting: how can I get a photo ID, required for admission to many of the above-grade-level testing programs?

These are programs such as the Midwest Academic Talent Search or Ohio Talent Search, where above-grade-level tests (including ACT/SAT) are used to more accurately measure the ability and achievement levels of gifted children. Gifted children’s abilities are not effectively measured by the standard tests, where they tend to max out the scale. More effective measurement can aid planning and instruction to nurture our children.

If you need a State of Ohio ID, you can get one from any Deputy Registrar. You’ll need some original proof of birth (e.g. birth certificate or immigration (BCIS) document), and a secondary ID with proof of Social Security number. For renewal the ID itself suffices, as long as it has not been expired more than 6 months. The cost is $8.50. More information is available on the site of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). (Look under “Driver Licensing.”)

If you’d like to help get the word out about Step Into Summer Opportunities Fair 2008, here is the official flyer (421KB). It can be printed on a single page — or two to a page if your system allows. You may need to right-click or shift click to download.

Step Into Summer Opportunities Fair 2008 is coming! Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

Frequently Asked Questions About the Step Into Summer Opportunities Fair

1. When is it?

Monday, March 3, 2008 from 3:30pm – 7:30 pm. Come anytime during this period when it is convenient for you and stay for as long as you wish. Plan to arrive at least by 6:30 pm in order to have time to talk with the different representatives.

2. Where is it?

Franklin Park Conservatory, 1777 E. Broad St, Columbus. Use the main visitors entrance to the main Atrium. Exhibitors will be in the Main Atrium, the Palm House, the Show Room, and the lower lobby. The inside garden rooms of the conservatory will not be open.

3. How much does it cost?

Admission to the Step Into Summer Opportunities Fair is free. Parking in the Conservatory lot is free.

4. What is it?

The Step Into Summer Opportunities and College Access Information Fair is an informational fair. Representatives from different organizations will have table set up, many with picture displays. The representatives talk with people interested in finding out more about their programs.

5. Should I bring my kids?

Children are welcome to accompany their parents. Children should stay with their parents as they walk around the Fair. Many exhibitors have picture displays that will help children find out more about the program. High school students are welcome to attend without parents, if they desire.

6. Is this for all ages?

There are programs for ages pre-K through high school. Some programs and camps are for a small range of ages, others have a wider range.

7. How much does the program cost?

Each summer program sets its own fee. We encourage you to ask each representative about the program fees and whether scholarships are available.

8. How do I sign up?

Each of the programs has a separate registration process. Ask each representative for more information about signing up for that specific program.

9. Who will be there?

There will be over 50 organizations represented at the Fair that offer a wide variety of different kinds of activities for the summer. We do not yet have a final list of attendees. In the past we have had summer outdoor camping experiences, indoor academic programs, pre-college experiences for middle and high school students, summer day care, sports camps, horse camps, arts camps, and volunteer activities. There will also be information available about academic support services, college readiness programs, financial planning, and year-long internship opportunities.

10. Are there job opportunities?

This is not a job fair.

11. If I can’t attend the Fair on Monday, March 3, how can I get the information?

We will be putting together a booklet of the information provided by the exhibitors. Contact numbers, cost information, dates, and general description will be included. After the Fair, this booklet will be on the PACE website for your convenience. Begin looking for it about 1 week after the Fair.

12. Can I have a booklet sent to me?

No, we will not send booklets. We encourage everyone to find a way to access the information on-line on our website after the Fair.

13. Is this for Columbus City School only?

No, the Fair is open to all families in the central Ohio area.

14. Who can I contact for more information?

You may send email questions to
You may call 614-343-3704 for more information.

The list of 2008 Ohio Summer Honor Institutes are now posted on the Ohio Department of Education website, right here!
This is a terrific opportunity for students who are currently in 9th and 10th grade to spend time on college campuses this summer attending programs designed specifically for those identified as gifted and talented. There is a wide variety of subject matter and locations around the state. I urge you to check them out! Some popular courses do fill quickly.

The Fall 2007 Newsletter mailed to all members is available on the Resources page (see tab above).

Of course, we encourage you to join P.A.C.E. … regardless of whether or not you can read the members’ newsletter gratis!

See what you missed - or remember your visit.
Here are some photos from last year’s event (2007), courtesy of Kathy.

This takes too long to load to be placed on the main page, so look here:
SOF 2007 Pix

There are some resources and links on the C.C.S. Unified Arts web site. The site is a little difficult to navigate, and some of the items are targeted to educators, but if you look here , you can find the goodies. (The main page for Unified Arts is http://www.columbus.k12.oh.us/art/index.htm .)

Recently I was rooting around the web, looking for a few good sites with listings for Books for Gifted & Talented. I found these to be good resources.

Does anyone else have some more to contribute?

Just For Kids - Gifted Children - Recommended Reading List
http://www.just-for-kids.com/gifted.html
Selecting Books for Gifted Readers
Gifted children tend to begin reading at a younger age, read at a higher reading level that their age peers and go through books more rapidly. This creates a number of problems for parents. It becomes a challenge to find materials that are psychologically and developmentally appropriate.

GT-World Reading Lists
http://vcbconsulting.com/gtworld/gtbook.htm
Parents of gifted and talented children are faced with many unusual challenges. With many of our children very early readers, the question is often asked “What books are good for my 4 or 5 year old who’s already reading chapter books?” or “My fourth grader would rather read adults books, but I’m not comfortable with the topics. Help?” These lists are a summary of the reading recommendations from members of our GT-Families mailing list - parents and children - to answer these tricky reading list questions for our gifted children.

Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page:
Books for Children, Featuring Gifted Children
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/featuring_gifted.htm
and …
Reading Lists
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/reading_lists.htm