Friends of Johnston ELP Newsletter May 2013 2013.pdfJohn Wheeler, head of the Iowa Mock Trial program arranged the visit. Johnston teacher and Mock Trial ... the differences and similarities

Bright Ideas Helping Thinkers Think

Friends of Johnston ELP Newsletter May 2013

2012-2013 Board Members Our board members represent all schools within our district, as indicated below. Feel free to contact us with any questions, suggestions, or to volunteer to help with any of our activities.

Valerie Thacker, President Timber Ridge, Summit, JMS, JHS

515-334-7208 [email protected]

Patti Kliegl, Past President Beaver Creek/515-986-0598

[email protected]

Amy Lucas, VP & Secretary Beaver Creek, Summit, JMS

515-986-0882

Lisa Fritz, Co-Treasurer Timber Ridge 515.270-9026

[email protected]

Jill Boeschen, Database Coord JHS, JMS


Jane McDowell, Co-Treasurer

JMS 515-270-0012

[email protected]

Amy Johnson Wallace, Summit

515.276.6316 [email protected]

Shanyn Kramersmeier Horizon, Summit, JMS


Kathy Paul, ELP Coordinator


2012-2013 ELP Staff Kathy Paul JCSD ELP Coordinator

MS 8-9 ELP, Assessment, training


Easiest to contact by e-mail

Sue Cline ELP Teacher at JHS Advanced Placement


Contact after 3 pm or via e-mail anytime

Mitzi Hetherton

ELP Teacher at Lawson and Timber Ridge

515-278-0478 (Lawson) 515-331-4379 (Timber Ridge)

[email protected]

Contact by e-mail or Phone

Nancy McGill Part-time ELP teacher at Beaver Creek 515-278-6228 [email protected]

Call between 3 and 4 pm or e-mail for a

convenient time

Kristen Hartman

Part-time ELP Teacher at Horizon 515-986-1121 [email protected]

Contact by e-mail or phone

Colleen Ites ELP Teacher at Summit 515-986-0318 [email protected]


Kate Florer Part-time ELP Teacher at Wallace 515-278-6977 [email protected]


Fall 2013 Friends of Johnston ELP Program Monday, October 21, 2013

7:00-8:30 Lisa Van Gemert—MENSA

Look for additional details on the Friends of Johnston ELP website. http://www.johnston.k12.ia.us/schools/elp/

Mark Your Calendars Now!

http://www.johnston.k12.ia.us/schools/elp/

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ELP News and Information!

JSCD Students Present to International Visitors On April 10, a group of six Johnston students presented information about the Mock Trial program to an in-ternational leadership group: ”Women and Justice: A MultiRegional Project” at the Iowa Bar Association. The group, consisting of female lawyers and judges from Turkey, Bangladesh, Phillipines, Palestinian Territories, Moldova, and Bahrain were interested in starting Mock Trial in their areas to promote the legal profession. John Wheeler, head of the Iowa Mock Trial program arranged the visit. Johnston teacher and Mock Trial coach Kathy Paul and some of her students spoke about the Mock Trial program and how it has benefitted them. Student participants included Aditi Dinakar, Natalie VanderPloeg, and Paige Vaden from Johnston High school; and Isabelle Thomasee, Brooke Thacker, and Nicole Hobson from Johnston Middle School. Junior Paige Vaden commented how interesting it was to hear the perspective of the women and the variances in their legal systems. Eighth grader Nicole Hobson responded, “It was fascinating to learn about the differences and similarities between the American court system and other cultures' court systems.”

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Why do bright children sometimes struggle in school? What do we need to know and how can we help? The issue of Underachievement was addressed during the optional Teacher Professional Development Day in May and hopefully to

parents next fall.

Why do Bright Children Underachieve? (Suggestions from leaders in the field of gifted education)

“Laws of Achievement” to assist in understanding how we assist students who are not succeeding in school:

Students whose parents fail to support or are not unified in their expectations are prone to underachievement and rebellion. Parents and teachers need to form an alliance of support.

Children have to be taught to deal with criticism and failure. Extreme reaction, either positive or negative to a success or failure by an adult can create stress. Competition is a part of life. Students need to learn winning and losing are

temporary and to function both collaboratively and competitively. Opportunities for both are important in growth.

Usually the workload does not need to be reduced, but rather managed. Students may need support with organization

or developing a plan. Tension is reduced when they build confidence with an accomplishment. Gradually learning to cope with small amounts of tension can foster future success.

When a level of difficulty allows children to push their own limits, they develop the confidence and character to cope

with both challenge and disappointment. We are tempted to make things “easier” for children but they will grow when we give them the skills to move forward through strife.

Underachievement Tips sent to all JCSD staff


Children are more likely to achieve if their parents and teachers give the

same clear and positive message about school effort and expectations.

Over-reaction to children’s successes and failures lead them to feel pressure

or despair.

Tension is felt more deeply when worrying about work than when actually

doing the work.

Self-efficacy and resilience are developed through struggle.

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Students who are accustomed to receiving excess attention or not enough freedom, or if adults do so much that they

have no decisions to make, exhibit nearly identical symptoms of stress. Children who get too much power too early often become defiant. If they are not given any control, they don’t have a chance to develop self-confidence. We have

to figure out which one is happening before we can provide assistance.

If little effort is made but there is a successful outcome (grade, praise) or when the relationship between grades and

work seems random, they lose a sense of control and attribute grades to luck, or lack thereof. It becomes easy to blame others because it is beyond their control.

What can we do?

The answers are not easy nor the same for all students! Some ideas:

Strive to provide-

Challenge every day.

Complexity with high level thinking and opportunities to develop sophisticated products

Choices in the content, process or the environment (groups, scheduling)

Control of their own learning and creating goals. Provide ideas and work collaboratively. Teach children to value

their goals and outcomes of tasks, and to believe they can do it.

Care—be nonjudgmental, accepting, prepared, flexible and keep your sense of humor. Talk to students about their

abilities. All children possess unique talents but they don’t always believe in themselves. You might be the one who makes the difference!

Resources:

Kanevsky, Lannie and Keighley, Tracey. (2003) To Produce or Not to Produce: Understanding Boredom and the Honor in

Underachievement. Roeper Review, Fall.

Rimm, Sylvia. (2008) Why Bright Kids Get Poor Grades. Scottsdale: Great Potential Press.

Siegle, Del (2001) Using the Achievement –Oriented Model to Understand Underachievement. National Research Center on the Gifted

and Talented, 2001.

Whitley, Michael.(206) Bright Minds, Poor Grades. New York: Perigee, 2006

Children will achieve if they see a relationship between the learning process

and its outcomes.

Underachievement Tips sent to all JCSD staff


Too much or too little is not a good thing.

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News from Johnston Elementary Schools Submitted by Mitzi Hetherton, Nancy McGill, Kristen Hartman, Kate Florer

Horizon

1st Place (4-way tie)

Zach Abbey Jaden Davis

Erina Lee Sam Swift

Top Mathletes (not in order) Zach Abbey

Jaden Davis Mikayla Dobson

Teja Jetty Erina Lee

Brooklyn McKee

Vannessa Nnantah Max Olsen

Max Roquet Sam Swift

Rachel Vandenover

Emma Winterboer

Math Olympiad Results

Timber Ridge

1st Place (tie)

Shreya Shrestha Laura Paul

3rd Place

Owen Smith

4th Place (3-way tie)

Ryan Ellsworth Joe Arthur

Tanner Kenin

7th Place

Joe Hoffman

8th Place (3-way tie) Logan Morris

Matthew Wells

Chase O’Connell

Lawson

1. Mary Nelson

2. Kayley Gehrels 3. Brooklyn Dilley

4. Charlie Pattinson 5. Alex Rosch

6. Sam Dolde

6. Tyler Gehrels 6. Keyshawn Gunn

9. Quincy Pullen 10. Austin Ledsma

10. Brylie Steveson

Beaver Creek

Elementary Division

1. Anna Janni 2. Matthew Ding

3. Aditya Desai 4. Andrew Holm

5. Karson Lee

6. Cooper Peddicord 7. Gordon Hu

8. Morgan Lee 9. Ryan Friedhoff

9. Connor Grau 10. Paxson Picken

Middle School Division 1. Aditya Desai

2. Cooper Peddicord 3. Matthew Ding

4. Anna Janni

5. Paxson Picken 6. Karson Lee

7. Jackie Liang 8. DJ Dell ‘Anno

9. Andrew Holm 10. Mackenzie Bryan

11. Morgan Lee

12. Ryan Friedhoff

wallace

1. Madison Dunn

2. Jonathan Sovath 3. Morgan Dunn

3. Abbie McLaren 4. Maddie Baldwin

4. Lauren Altier

5. Erin Anderson 5. Amy Lin

5. Griffin Karazija 5. Prithvi Jamadagni

5. Sam McDaniel

The elementary ELP team has

reviewed approximately 624

students across the district to be considered to receive

various levels of ELP services. The team reviewed

standardized assessments,

teacher recommendations, current classroom levels, and

parent comments from the survey. We would like to

thank teachers, students and parents for their input,

understanding and flexibility

during this in-depth and lengthy identification process.

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News from Johnston Elementary Schools Submitted by Mitzi Hetherton, Nancy McGill, Kristen Hartman, Kate Florer

Stock Market Game Level 1 Semifinalists Mary Nelson—Lawson (5) Delaney Jensen—Timber Ridge (5)

Leaders heading into final week of play: Lawson 3rd place overall in region Austin Ledesma—$3,595 (Lawson) 4th place overall in region Joe Hoffman—$3,265 (Timber Ridge) A big thank you to Mr. Brian

Pattinson for coming in to answer

questions and advise on portfolio

stock choices.

Prithvi J. and Dylan M. working on creating a knee brace for an injured knee in our STEM science unit on biomedical engineering.

Anthony P. and Jack G. working on planning their knee brace creation for an injured knee in our STEM science

unit on biomedical engineering.

Chase M., Abbie M., & Ashley F. working on creating a knee brace for an injured knee in our STEM science unit on biomedical

engineering.

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Belin-Blank Summer Program Middle School Selections

Submitted by Kathy Paul and Colleen Ites, ELP Teachers

The following students were selected to participate in this year’s University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank Summer Institute:

The students underwent a rigorous nomination process from the school district and were submitted along with students across the state for the opportunity to be selected for a two-week summer residential institute held in Iowa City. Each student will receive a partial program scholarship, as well as a scholarship towards future admission at the University of Iowa. The students work with specialists in the chosen area and have an opportunity to take advantage of many opportunities on campus. This is a high honor to have so many chosen to represent Johnston Schools.

Congratulations!

Johnston Middle School Asiya Mohammed- Advanced Science Brooke Thacker- Global and Cultural Studies Donald Gee- Performing Arts Sara Siebrecht-Creative Writing; Luke Safris -Invention and Innovation Alternate: Afshan Chandani- Math

Summit Middle School Aditi Jithendra- Advanced Science Ceci Hodson- Visual Arts Alternates: Sean Reddick-Social Sciences Elvin Niu- Invention and Innovation Hannah DeBruin -Creative Writing

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News from Johnston Middle School Submitted by Kathy Paul, ELP Coordinator

The 9th graders, joined by JHS students, competed

in the senior division on April 29.

9th graders

Caroline Aldrich Anne Wallace

Maddy Bradley Olivia Hrubetz

Hannah Hoffman

Nyamal Tuor Sheyna Nathwani

Eilidh Chowanec Sami Schaer

Kathryn Paszkiewicz

Students enjoyed watching the participants from across the state who created either a documentary, performance,

exhibit, web site, or paper. Several students made the final round of competition, including senior division entrants Caroline Aldrich, Sheyna Nathwani, and Eilidh Chowanec and junior division entrants Brooke Thacker, Maeve Greising,

and Nikki Hobson. Brooke Thacker and teacher Kathy Paul were honored with an award for outstanding research in Colonial American History. Two students, Nikki Hobson with her web site on Nellie Bly and Brooke Thacker, with her

paper on Thomas Paine’s Common Sense will advance to the National History Day June 9-13 in College Park Maryland.

8th graders

Brooke Thacker Xiao Liu

Maeve Greising Justin Hu

Nikki Hobson

Afhsan Chandani Luke Safris

JMS eighth graders who competed on May 6th.

State History Days Students recently participated in the State History Day contest held at the Historical Building in Des Moines.

L to R: Luke Safris, Nikki Hobson, Brooke Thacker, Xiao Liu, Afshan Chandani, Justin Hu, Maeve Greising

Photo of Johnston Sr. History day students and teacher Kathy Paul

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News from Johnston High School Submitted by Sue Cline, ELP Teacher


State Mock Trial Results

Johnston HS Mock Trial Team GOBA received a trophy as a finalist in the state tournament held on March 26-28 at the Vet’s Memorial Convention Center in Des Moines. The team went undefeated in the first three rounds of the tournament, and then lost to a Valley team in a final four round. In addition, a record five JHS students were awarded outstanding witness and attorney awards:

Karen Chen (witness) Jaihui Huang (attorney)

Jeff Carley (witness) Millie Varley (witness) Katie Landy (attorney)

Four Johnston teams competed in the state tournament out of thirty-two from across the state.

Team Members John Koopal Lydia Sinclair Paige Vaden Abby Dockum Katie Landy

Monica Gagne Melinda Paszkiewicz

Millie Varley Josh Hjelmaas Sarah Margolin

Coaches Attorneys Joel and Rachele Hjelmaas

Jeff Margolin

Team Parent Mary Ellen Dockum

Teach Coach

Kathy Paul

Team GOBA Left back: Monica G, Lydia S, Melinda P, Millie V, Josh H,

Abby D, Paige V, John K; Front: Sara M and Katie L. Karen C., Jaihui H., Jeff C., Millie V., and Katie L.

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History Days

The History Day season moved from Regional to State

competition with a strong showing, and three entries from JHS will be showcased in the National History Day

competition in DC in June.

Aditi Dinakar, Andrew Boge and Rebekah Frese

(from Carlisle) designed a website discussing the Watergate incident as a turning point in politics, the

press and the presidency.

Abby Dockum’s historical paper chronicled the brief rise and dramatic fall of sports activism, following the political

statement created by two American track athletes at the

Mexico City Olympics.

Natalie Vander Ploeg created a documentary of the turning point Grinnell experienced when a leading

American aviator and inventor died unexpectedly, just as

the aviation industry was looking to relocate to the Midwest.

Jordan Boge’s individual performance was a finalist in his

category, and illustrated the revolutionary film techniques showcased by Leni Reifenstahl during the 1924 Olympics.

Also competing at State History Day were Megan Gibbons and Pratyusha Bujimalla, whose group exhibit explained

the pivotal role Marie Curie played in the history of science and of women.

It was a great showing by all JHS participants, and we wish the National competitors well as they advance to

College Park, MD.

Good Luck!

Natalie Vander Ploeg and Megan Gibbons judging during Regional competition

Aditi D., Rebekah F., Andrew B.

Friends of Johnston ELP Newsletter May 2013 2013.pdfJohn Wheeler, head of the Iowa Mock Trial program arranged the visit. Johnston teacher and Mock Trial ... the differences and similarities

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