Rethinking Gifted Education

Ever feel like you’re at the front of a revolution, watching it unfold and hopeful that more people will join in because they realize the benefit of that change? A recent article in Psychological Science “Rethinking Giftedness and Gifted Education: A Proposed Direction Forward Based on Psychological Science,” is more proof that education has reached its tipping point and change is imminent.

Be sure to check out the article by Rena F. Subotnik, Paula Olszewski-Kubilius and Frank C. Worrell. And if you are in the New York City area, don’t miss a rare opportunity to join P.A.L. [Parents of Accelerated Learners] and The Speyer Legacy School for a Conversation with Dr. Rena Subotnik on Shifting from the Best of Gifted Education to Talent Development: Implications for Identification, Education, and Psychological Support Inside and Outside of School

Her talk is the first session in the Spring 2012 P.A.L. Workshop Series in New York City. This Spring 2012, P.A.L. [Parents of Advanced Learners] Workshop Series returns with a new blog, a listserv for parents to connect with one another and discuss resources for advanced learners, and our P.A.L. Workshops Speaker Series for Parents, with more locations to hear great speakers. January includes a Conversation with Gifted Education Expert Rena Subotnik on Shifting from the Best of Gifted Education to Talent Development.  Supporting Early Giftedness Through Play in February is for parents who have noticed advanced abilities in their young children and want concrete activities and games to support and encourage their strengths.  Special Topics in Gifted Education, in April and May will appeal to parents of elementary and middle schoolers; and a great Spring wrap-up with Preventing Summer Slide: Engaging Math, Reading, Science and other Activities to Prevent Summer Learning Loss will help keep your kiddo on track through the school break.

See the P.A.L. Blog for more details, http://palworkshops.wordpress.com

Registration is open, but space is limited, so sign-up soon for Spring 2012 PAL Workshops.

 

 

Let the Countdown to Christmas Begin!

Why do all the great holiday deals happen after you buy the gifts? Jade’s ToyBox is changing that… Starting today, until Christmas, we’re giving a deal a day to our customers. So check out the great discounts…

Oh, and notice a few deals happen everyday or on rainy days!

THE JADE’S TOYBOX POP-UP STORE
COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS!

From Now until Christmas…
The RAINY DAY DISCOUNT- Pray for rain, because you’ll get 30% on rainy days until Dec 27

GRANDPARENTS Appreciation Day- Grandparents get 30% off now until Christmas.

FRIDAY, DEC 9-The ‘Customers’ Kid’s Got Talent’ Discount. Come show us your kids awesome rendition of Tomorrow or Silent Night;  a really cool magic trick, a song on violin or any other terrific talent and get 50% off a single item!

SATURDAY, DEC 10- DOUBLE the Deal DONATION DAY! Get 30% off your entire purchase when you bring in a bag of gently used toys, books, games or kids clothing (items must be in good order with no missing pieces) Items will be donated to the Children’s Storefront School in Harlem, and The Caroline Wambui Mungai Foundation (CWMF), a home and school for orphans and vulnerable children in Wangige, Kenya.

SUNDAY, DEC 11-Secret Sundays… The 40% secret discount coupon is hiding in the Advent Calendar in pocket #11 today. Come in and get 40% off anything in the store!

MONDAY, DEC 12- A Kitschy Christmas …Wear a Kitschy Holiday Sweater or Ensemble and buy one item, get the second item of equal or less value for FREE! (limit one per customer)

TUESDAY, DEC 13- Teacher Appreciation Tuesdays- 40% OFF for teachers (must have proof of affiliation)

WEDNESDAY, DEC 14- DOGGY DISCOUNT… Jade’s ToyBox LOVES Dogs, so bring your precious pooch and get 25% off IF he can show us a trick.  

THURSDAY, DEC 15- Beat the Mystery Opponent at Chess and take home any game for free!

FRIDAY, DEC 16- Buy a JTB Mini Concept Box and get a second Mini box for half off

SATURDAY, DEC 17-Don’t miss our FREE Musical Instrument Workshop. Plus All Musical Instruments and Jason’s Music Box items are HALF off!

SUNDAY, DEC 18—Secret Sundays… The 40% secret discount coupon is hiding in the Advent Calendar in pocket #18 today. Come in and get 40% off anything in the store!

MONDAY , DEC 19- The Not-A-Box Contest- Simply have your child turn a cardboard box into the invention of their choice, bring it to the store and enter it into our contest for a chance to win a $250 gift card to Jade’s ToyBox. All entrants receive 20% off their purchase for the day.

TUESDAY, DEC 20– Teacher Appreciation Tuesdays- 40% OFF for teachers (must have proof of affiliation)

WEDNESDAY, DEC 21- All Bambino Box items are half off

THURSDAY, DEC 22- Share the name of your kids favorite educational IPhone APP and get 15% off your purchase

FRIDAY, DEC 23- THE ‘SMALLER THAN A BREAD BOX’ DISCOUNT. If it is, then you get half off the item today only. (Yes, we’ll have a bread box on hand to check!)

MONDAY Dec 26- up to 70% Off  Sale

TUESDAY, Dec 27- up to 70% Off Sale

Organic Gingerbread Cookie Decorating

What’s more fun during the holidays than COOKIE DECORATING with the Kiddos? Maybe Organic Gingerbread Cookie Decorating with hot cocoa. Thanks butterbeans for hosting a FREE Holiday event at the Jade’s ToyBox Holiday Pop-Up store in Tribeca.

My daughter’s school is lucky to have a butterbeans organic school lunch program, but if your school still relies on processed, ready-made foods, demand better!  butterbeans’ mission is to provide healthy food for bodies and minds through tasty, nutrient-rich lunches, and fact filled wellness initiatives, that address the alarming health statistics of children today. They offer school-wide lunch programs for schools who want to offer hot lunch to their entire student body, and wellness education programs in and outside of the classroom. They use the most local, organic, seasonal food possible, and find ways to add nutrition to every bite.

If you missed the fun at the store this weekend, come next Sunday at 11:30 a.m. for a repeat!

JTB Holiday Pop-Up Event Calendar

Join us at the Jade’s ToyBox Holiday Pop-Up now through December 28 for these great holiday events for young kids & families:

everyday, anytime…
Santa Letter Writing. From paper and stickers to stamps and stencils, we provide all the eco-friendly materials so kids can create their letters for Santa and mail it to the North Pole.
The ‘Not A Box’ Contest. A childhood idea of transforming a brown box into a TV set was the impetus for the JTB product box and the installation at the JTB Pop-Up Store. Show us your ingenuity. Transform a simple brown box into the invention of your choice, explain it and enter to win a $150 Jade’s ToyBox gift card.
Holiday StoryTime, By Kids, For Kids. Bring the kiddos in for holiday story time and hear special guest kid ‘authors’ share an excerpt of their favorite prose too. Check JTB Blog for Schedule and Sign-Up.
saturday dec 3
Holiday Craft Workshop. 2 p.m. Using recycled and found objects, we’ll transform simple items into beautiful holiday gifts for family and friends with a little help from our in-store staff and visitng artists.

sunday dec 4
Organic Gingerbread Cookie Workshop with ButterBeans. 11:30 a.m.
Join ButterBeans for homemade organic gingerbread cookie decorating and hot cocoa fun!

tuesday dec 6
The P.A.L. Workshops @ Jade’s ToyBox presents Supporting Early Giftedness Through Play: A Hands-On, Play-Based Workshop for Parents.  Just in time for the holidays, this play-based session will help parents support their child’s strengths, with games and strategies to help toddlers and preschoolers develop a love for learning, and get ready for kindergarten.6:30 p.m. $Register @ palworkshops.eventbrite.com

saturday dec 10
Holiday Cookie Swap with MiniMunchers. 2 p.m.
Join MiniMunchers for an organic twist on cookie making! They’ll teach the kiddos how to make healthy, yummy homemade cookies for a holiday cookie swap.

sunday dec 11
Organic Gingerbread Cookie Workshop with ButterBeans. 11:30 a.m.
Join ButterBeans for homemade organic gingerbread cookie decorating and hot cocoa fun!
The Sock Monkey Workshop. 2 p.m. Bring in your non-stinky, recycled socks and let’s put them to good re-use as a great holiday gift. We will have classic sock-monkey socks for sale on-site too.

saturday dec 17
Holiday Craft: Musical Instrument Workshop. 2 p.m. Using recycled and found objects, we’ll transform simple items into awesome musical instruments that make great holiday gifts for family and friends.

sunday dec 18
Holiday StoryTime, By Kids, For Kids. 2 p.m. Bring your kiddos in for holiday story time and hear special guest kid ‘authors’ share an excerpt of their favorite prose too.

and more…
Holiday Dining Classes with socialsklz . Check dates and Register @ the JTB Pop-Up
Studiotime with Hudson Soundlab. Sign-Up fast to record your original music, poem or book reading. Makes great gifts for family & friends. By appointment. Several packages are available until Dec 12.

Sign-Up at the JTB Holiday Pop-Up Store or call 212.343.8881 to guarantee a spot for our great line-up of holiday fun.
Location: 124 Hudson Street, between N. Moore & Ericsson Place in Tribeca
Hours: Monday and Friday from 9 am-7pm, Tuesday through Wednesday and Saturdays from 11 am -7 pm, and Sundays from 11 am-5 pm.

The Jade’s ToyBox Holiday Pop-Up Store is Back

  Join us now through December 28 for great prices on toys, books, games and gift items for the kiddos this holiday season at our 4th Annual Jade’s ToyBox Holiday Pop-Up Store in New York City.

The Pop-Up Store is filled with a great selection of eco-friendly and educational toys, unique gifts for kids and expecting mommies, and family activities held weekly throughout the holiday season. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to support children’s non-profit organizations including The Speyer Legacy School Scholarship Fund and The Children’s Storefront School in Harlem. The grand opening of the store, located at 124 Hudson Street near N. Moore in TriBeCa is this Wednesday, December 1, 2011. Store hours are: Monday and Friday from 9 am-7pm, Tuesday through Wednesday and Saturdays from 11 am -7 pm, and Sundays from 11 am-5 pm.

Stay tuned for our event schedule, featuring Holiday Craft Workshops, a Holiday Organic Cookie Swap, a Sock Monkey Making Workshop, Santa Letter Writing, Storytime for Kids By Kids, a Holiday Talent Show, the JTB ‘Not A Box’ Contest and much more!

The Jade's ToyBox Holiday Pop-Up Store is Back

Gifted & Talents Options

In New York City, we often take for granted the resources at our disposal: the museums, the opera, the performances-Broadway, children’s theater and more. From circus classes to veterinarian programs for animal lovers, New Yorkers have thought of everything for kids. Even our schools offer specialized programs for children, but filtering through the most appropriate program for your child can be overwhelming, and P.A.L. is here to help.

If you are in the NYC area, join Jade’s ToyBox and P.A.L. [Parents of Accelerated Learners]on October 25, 2011 and learn more about the G&T school options available throughout New York City.

The NYC Gifted & Talented Process: Admissions & Testing for Public & Private Schools

 Whether you’re set on Hunter, private, city-wide, district-wide or your local public school, don’t miss P.A.L. partners Karen Quinn, the best-selling author of the Ivy Chronicles and Testing for Kindergarten, along with NYC Gifted and Talented parent expert Michael McCurdy, as they share advice and insider secrets to get your child into the school of your choice.

Topics will include a general understanding of the tests required for the various G&T programs including the ERB/WPPSI, OLSAT, BRSA & the Stanford Binet. Karen and Michael will discuss the 7-Abilities every test assesses and your child must have to succeed in kindergarten and beyond; public and private school processes and procedures, timelines and deadlines. This is a not-to-be-missed session for all parents exploring kindergarten options in NYC!

Guest speakers: Karen Quinn & Michael McCurdy

BIOS:

Karen Quinn is the author of “Testing For Kindergarten” and co-founder of TestingMom.com. She co-founded Smart City Kids, one of the first consulting services in NYC to help parents find the best public or private school for their child. Two of her novels, including “The Ivy Chronicles,” were optioned for feature films.
http://www.testingmom.com 

*Karen’s books will be on hand for sale and autographing.

Michael McCurdy known to many as the “Testing Dad,” is co-founder of TestingMom.com, and informs parents how to effectively navigate the NYC G&T system through his popular NYC Gifted and Talented Blog. He and his family live in New York City where his daughter attends P.S. 33 Chelsea Prep Gifted and Talented Program in District 2 in Manhattan.
http://nycgiftedandtalented.wordpress.com

For more information contact Angelique LeDoux at 212.343.8881, or email palworkshops@me.com ;

Register for the series at  http://palworkshops.eventbrite.com

Join the conversation with our new P.A.L. Listserv- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/palworkshops

Share resources and get G&T news, tips and events at:
http://palworkshops.wordpress.com

A New School Year, A Fresh Start?

Summer ‘s over, school is back, and it’s the perfect time to nip the bad habits, arguing, nagging, manipulation and spousal arguments over the kids in the bud. Brush up your positive discipline techniques with some advice from the experts. Check out best-selling author and parent educator Nancy Samalin’s Loving Your Child Is Not Enough; Love and Anger: The Parental Dilemma; Loving Each One Best, and Loving Without Spoiling, where she addresses key parenting issues including teaching responsibility, setting limits, diminishing conflict, handling sibling rivalry and encouraging cooperation.

And if you’re in New York City, come see Nancy Samalin in person at the P.A.L. Workshop Series for parents of accelerated learners on September 20, 2011. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

Drum Roll, Please…The P.A.L. Workshop Series Returns

After a successful  Spring 2011 lecture series launch for parents of advanced learners, the P.A.L. Workshop Series is back, better and bigger with more resources, more speakers, more topics for all age ranges and a gifted education listserv for New York City parents too!

Jade’s ToyBox is pleased to be the founding member of the series designed to help parents of accelerated learners understand issues relevant to their child’s cognitive, social & emotional development. The P.A.L. Workshops, co-sponsored by  NYC Private Schools Blog (www.nycprivateschoolsblog.com), TestingMom.com (www.testingmom.com) and NYC G&T Blog (www.nycgiftedandtalented.wordpress.com), will feature experts and practitioners in the field of gifted education and parent advocates in a dialogue with parents about educating and nurturing these unique learners. The Fall series will start September 20, 2011 and will again be held at the Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center in TriBeCa, NYC.

“Parents of advanced learners now have a voice and a dialogue for discussing key issues and concerns, plus they will hear excellent speakers, find great local resources and programs for gifted kids and children with specific needs or talent areas,” says Angelique LeDoux, founder and president of Jade’s ToyBox. “We are looking forward to our Fall series, featuring some amazing educators, authors and parents and we are hard at work for a unique Spring 2012 series that will appeal to parents with kids in kindergarten through 12^th grade, so stay tuned.”

The Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center is located at 120 Warren Street between Greenwich Street and West Street in TriBeCa. The workshops start September 20, 2011 and will run through December 2011. Cost for the series is $10 per workshop. Downtown Community Center members are admitted free of charge, and a scholarship is available for those in financial need. The five-part series includes:

 September 20, 2011, 6:30 – 8:00 pm – P.A.L. Session: Positive Discipline & Your Advanced Learner: Ending the Great Debate with Your Little Lawyer

Experts offer parents the tools they need to get the school year off on the right foot. Best-selling author and parent educator Nancy Samalin headlines the Fall 2011 opening session of P.A.L., offering parents tips to avoid the nagging, manipulation, bribes, yelling and the ensuing disagreements with their spouses that often arise over the kids. Donna Vaupel helps parents of advanced learners distinguish between typical discipline issues, and understand the characteristics and issues specific to gifted kids. You’ll walk away with practical and concrete tips to end the great debate with your little lawyer once and for all.

October 25, 2011, 6:30 – 8:00 pm – P.A.L. Session: The Gifted &Talented Process: Admissions and Testing for Public & Private Schools

Whether your set on Hunter, private, city-wide, district-wide or your local public school, don’t miss P.A.L. partners Karen Quinn, the best-selling author of the Ivy Chronicles and Testing for Kindergarten, along with NYC Gifted and Talented parent expert Michael McCurdy, as they share advice and insider secrets to get your child into the school of your choice. Topics will include a general understanding of the tests required for the various G&T programs including the ERB/WPPSI, OLSAT, BRSA & Stanford Binet, and which tests are required for each program. Karen will discuss her 7-Abilities every test assesses and your child must have to succeed in kindergarten and beyond; public and private school processes and procedures, timelines and deadlines. A not-to-be-missed session for all parents exploring kindergarten options in NYC!

November 15, 2011, 6:30 – 8:00 pm – P.A.L. Session: What’s the Right Fit for My Child? Options in the Gifted Arena

A panel of parents offers their perspectives on district-wide, citywide, public and private options and the approaches to G&T Education in NYC.

December 6, 2011, 6:30 – 8:00 pm – P.A.L. Mini Session: Supporting Early Giftedness Through Play

Just in time for the holidays, this play-based session will help parents support their child’s strength areas with games and strategies to help toddlers and preschoolers get ready for kindergarten.

Location: 
The Downtown Community Center
120 Warren Street, New York, NY 10013
; 1 block south of Chambers
Between Greenwich Street and West Street

For more information contact Angelique LeDoux at 212.343.8881, or email palworkshops@me.com

To Register, go to:  http://palworkshops.eventbrite.com

Gifted Child Advocacy and Twice Exceptionality

Is your child advanced beyond other classmates, in need of more stimulating and rigorous classwork, bored and acting out or gifted with Asperger’s, ADD, ADHD or a learning disability? If so, don’t miss the P.A.L. (Parents of Accelerated Learners) final Spring session in New York City on Tuesday, June 7, 2011- The Accelerated Learner, Part 3- Becoming Your Child’s Advocate.

Parents will better understand the issues, barriers and solutions for getting their advanced learner or twice exceptional child into an appropriate program that they deserve. Experts and parents who are advocates for gifted and 2E learners will discuss the issues they’ve experienced and the solutions they’ve found. 

Panelists include:

Alex Hindes has been actively involved in education policy issues and advocacy for the last 10 years. Ms. Hindes, who practices law in New York and New Jersey, has devoted her career to working on behalf of students with disabilities.  Ms. Hindes attended Brandeis University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. She went on to receive her Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School.

http://nealhrosenberg.com/index.html

Melissa Sornik, LMSW, a SENG (Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted) facilitator and co-founder and president of LI-TECA, (Long Island Twice Exceptional Children’s Advocacy) is a consultant for twice exceptional children, adolescents and their families. She conducts workshops for parents on twice exceptionality, myths of giftedness, visual spatial learners and the importance of talent development in divergent learners.

Jill Tatara, a photo editor for TIME for Kids Magazine, is the mother of a neurotypical 3-year-old and a highly-gifted 8-year-old with Asperger’s and ADHD.

Event: the P.A.L. [Parents of Accelerated Learners] Workshop Series

Date: June 7, 2011 6:30-8:00 pm

Location: 
The Downtown Community Center
120 Warren Street, 1 block south of Chambers
Between Greenwich Street and West Street
New York, NY 10013

For more information click here: the P.A.L. [Parents of Accelerated Learners] Parent Workshop Series  or go to http://palworkshops.eventbrite.com

Is Your Child an Advanced Learner?

If you are in NYC, join us for the P.A.L. Workshop MAY 17, 2011-

MAY 17- The Accelerated Learner Part 2-
What’s the Right Fit for my Child? Options in the Gifted Arena

We’ll explore the various considerations, approaches and next steps to gifted education in NYC with a focus on elementary programs, including self-contained schools and programs, pull-out programs, differentiating and homeschooling. Plus a look at private versus public options. Parents and insiders will discuss options and take questions from the audience.

 Panelists include:

Victoria Goldman is a journalist specializing in education and the author of The Manhattan Family Guide to Private Schools and Selective Public Schools, 6th Ed., and The Manhattan Directory of Private Nursery Schools, 6th Ed.  She is also a private educational consultant with Education First. Goldman contributes to the Education Life supplement of the New York Times and continues to support many non-profits including the Albert G. Oliver Scholarship Program Board, The We Are Family Foundation, and the Educational Alliance, as well as others.
http://www.nycedu1st.com/

Dr. Robin Aronow has her Ph.D. in Clinical Social Work and was a clinician in private practice and a school social worker. Robin has visited all the private schools and most of the public schools to which families in Manhattan apply. She has developed positive working relationships with private school admissions directors and administrators at Hunter College Campus Schools, the Anderson Program, and administrators in the Department of Education. She is an advisor to Manhattan Media’s (West Side Spirit and Our Town, among others) Blackboard Awards which honor excellence in education.

Dr. Aronow consults with numerous private nursery and elementary schools, and individual families looking for ongoing schools pre-K through high school. She has written several articles about the process of applying to schools and conducts workshops entitled “Life After Nursery School” including workshops on applying to private and public schools. Robin also maintains an email updating service.  She finds it extremely satisfying providing information and support to families to help make the process less daunting. She also loves returning to school settings, and having a chance to tour so many schools and observe best practices.
http://www.schoolsearchnyc.com/workshops.html

Sharon Roth lends the parent perspective of a mom who has experienced a top tier private, but found a better fit for her child at a self-contained gifted school. Roth, a graduate of Loughborough University in England, is an editorial consultant for the American National Standards Institute, a former parent board-member-at-large for the Brownstone preschool and is secretary of the Parents’ Association at Speyer Legacy School. Her son, Drake, was recently featured in the New York Times article regarding early readers:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/nyregion/15reading.html

Jennifer Selendy is a litigation partner at the firm of Kirland & Ellis LLP, where she tries commercial cases for clients such as IBM, Samsung, Verizon and Discover.  She has a long history of educational philanthropy and pro bono work with New Leaders for New Schools, College Summit, Hunter College Elementary School and, most recently, The Speyer Legacy School.  She also chairs the board of the National Center for Law and Economic Justice, a national legal services organization focused on the civil and economic rights of those living in poverty, and co-chairs the board of The Speyer Legacy School.

Event: the P.A.L. [Parents of Accelerated Learners] Workshop Series

Date: May 17, 2011 6:30-8:00 pm

Location: 
The Downtown Community Center
120 Warren Street, 1 block south of Chambers
Between Greenwich Street and West Street
New York, NY 10013

For more information click here: the P.A.L. [Parents of Accelerated Learners] Parent Workshop Series  or go to http://palworkshops.eventbrite.com