I have had quite the journey in my six months at 优蜜视频.

After the first few weeks, I was crying at work while listening to Yunasa Leadership 2 campers. Over a temperamental flame, these young leaders spoke about difference Yunasa made their lives. I felt connected with their bittersweet pain, leaving the place that gave them the strong wings to fly solo.

As time passed, I found myself incredibly confused. Sitting in the back at an EXPLORE Culmination Celebration, I was stupefied by the externship projects of high schoolers. While I could not entirely grasp their presentations, I understood enough to see the feat performed by these interns. In just a few weeks, these gifted youth acquired palpable new skills and relationships.

I was then jerked out of my confusion by kid-sized giggles. Those small giggles belonged to students with adult-sized ideas and innovative thoughts on how to best rule a country and how 3D printing can solve the world鈥檚 most pressing problems. Their ideas were just as infectious as the giggles, as I found myself laughing and dreaming, too.

I was pointedly escorted back to reality, however, as I stepped foot into my first CDB interview. In this new reality, seventh graders had the poise, smarts and promise of my own peers. I sat in awe of young people fiercely advocating for a chance at a life-changing scholarship. Though I had official interview questions, all I really wanted to ask was: how did you end up here, so inventive, inquisitive and insightful?

Though a whirlwind, the best part of my 优蜜视频 journey has been watching the journeys of hundreds of gifted youth across the nation unfold. I am privileged to witness social, intellectual and emotional breakthroughs of children, to speak with parents about the support and community they have found. Above all, I am privileged to contribute to an organization that gives its community, both young and old, the gift of belonging and the ability to see giftedness as just that 鈥� a unique and beautiful gift.

This Giving Tuesday, please Join me in the Journey by giving to 优蜜视频. There are so many ways to help gifted youth reach for the intellectual and personal potentials:

• You can give of your time: Consider volunteering at 优蜜视频.
• You can give of your resources: Consider donating an in-kind gift to 优蜜视频; program coordinators and remember that when you shop on , AmazonSmile donates to Institute for Educational Advancement!
• You can give of your voice: Spread the word about the needs of the gifted child to your friends, family, local elected officials and more. to shift the way our nation thinks and serves gifted youth.
• You can give of your funds: For over twenty years, 优蜜视频 has provided refuge for almost 10,000 gifted youth and their families. We cannot continue this work without your support. At, 优蜜视频 87 cents of every dollar go right back into serving our community.

In my time at 优蜜视频, I have witnessed levels of giftedness and growth that could change our world, all due to the innovative enrichment programs and services of 优蜜视频. Please Join the Journey this Giving Tuesday and beyond, joining with 优蜜视频, and me, to forge a brighter path for gifted youth and their families.

With the thanksgiving holiday approaching, we begin to reflect on all that we are grateful for.聽 As I think about the past year, I remember many wonderful moments and people associated with the Institute for Educational Advancement (优蜜视频).

Whether it was a joyful moment speaking with an excited new Caroline D. Bradley Scholar or a moving conversation with campers at Yunasa, 优蜜视频 has greatly impacted my journey this year, and I hope it has for you as well. If you are a student, camper, parent, instructor, extern, staff member or volunteer, you understand what it means to be a member of the 优蜜视频 family: to be seen, understood, enriched and appreciated for your uniqueness. We feel so many of the same emotions and understand the trials and triumphs that come with being a part of the gifted community. We are grateful for you, as your presence in our community has supported 优蜜视频 on its journey to see, understand, enrich and appreciate almost 10,000 gifted youth across the nation.

As I look back on this past year, I cannot help but also look ahead at all that is to come. On the journey ahead, 优蜜视频 hopes to serve more students in our Pasadena hometown and beyond. We hope to provide more scholarships to ensure all children have access to 优蜜视频鈥檚 unique web of support. We hope to enact lasting change through state and national policy initiatives, shedding a brighter light on the needs of the gifted community. However, we need your continued support to turn these hopes into reality. This holiday season, please by donating to 优蜜视频.

In my time in the field of gifted education so far, I have learned that anything is possible. This is especially true with the unwavering support of the 优蜜视频 community. It is because of members like you that I believe the goals we strive for are within reach. With your support, we can create a clear and bright journey ahead where all gifted youth are supported as they reach toward their full intellectual and personal potentials.

With gratitude on this Thanksgiving Holiday,

Elizabeth D. Jones
Co-Founder and President

If you are reading this, that probably means this is not the first time hearing about our exciting fall fundraiser, . If, however, you and your family are still on the fence about attending, we present to you a list of five reasons you should absolutely not miss out on this new 优蜜视频 event!

1. Prizes, prizes, PRIZES!

You already know you鈥檙e a VIP. Purchase opportunity drawing tickets and get treated like a VIP, too! At $5 for one ticket or $20 for five tickets, enter to win VIP access to some of the coolest attractions Los Angeles has to offer!

Engage your creativity at Color Me Mine Studios in Pasadena. Enjoy a night of fellowship and fun for four as you create to your heart鈥檚 content! All participants get to take their creative creations home.

Looking to hit the town? Skip the lines at The Broad, a beautifully designed contemporary art museum in DTLA showcasing some of the biggest names in contemporary art. From Basquiat to Kusama, The Broad holds so many treasures within its 鈥渧ein and vault.鈥�

Live entertainment more your thing? Enjoy access for two at select concerts during the 2019-2020 season at the 鈥渉ome of the Los Angeles Philharmonic:鈥� the Walt Disney Concert Hall! Enjoy music from all over the world in one of LA鈥檚 architectural wonders.

If none of these packages spark your fancy, there are plenty more packages from which to choose!

2. Be Crowned Master of all things STEAM

Ok, so perhaps you won鈥檛 be a master after attending I[d]EA Day, but, with our collection of vendors, workshop leaders and exhibitors, you and your family will be well on your way! We have an amazing program poised to inspire attendees young and old to innovate and create.  Don鈥檛 miss out 鈥� your ticket grants you access to some of the most interesting and truly out-of-the-box minds!

Have a burgeoning builder at home? Bring them to a workshop with , where participants will learn to manipulate found items into living, moving sculptures. Parents beware 鈥� attending this workshop may lead to an influx of cardboard creatures around the house!

Have you ever tried talking to your dog? If you have not but you would like to try, attend a workshop led , a research firm ridding the world of landmines through interspecies conversation.

Reduce, reuse, recycle 鈥� repeat! Visit the table to imagine your way to new creations using old goods. If you like getting your hands dirty and stretching your imagination, this table is the place for you!

There are plenty more opportunities for kids AND parents to Innovate, Explore, Design and Activate at I[d]EA Day.

3. Fun, Food and Drink

Did someone say tacos?

All ticket holders get a free taco from , a local business bringing family recipes, culture and color to life in plant-based tacos! Additional food items will be available for purchase.

Special thanks to community sponsors and for providing event beverages!

4. Get in the 优蜜视频 Know

If you have been looking for a way to plugged in or you are an 优蜜视频 regular with new questions, I[d]EA Day is a great place to start! 优蜜视频 staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about all that we offer.  From our programs for uniquely gifted youth, to support for parents and ways to volunteer, there will be plenty of opportunities to get in the know and get connected to the 优蜜视频 community.

Speaking of community, I[d]EA Day will be a great way to connect with members of the local gifted community. There will be plenty of opportunities to meet other parents, children and community supporters who are passionate about providing uniquely gifted children the resources they need to reach toward their fullest potential. Parents will even have the opportunity to sit down with and parent of a gifted child, Jennifer Burke, to talk parenting the gifted. Take advantage of this opportunity to expand your network of support and enrichment. After all, 优蜜视频 gatherings are nothing without YOU.

5. Give the Gift of Education

Did you know? 85 cents of every dollar donated to 优蜜视频 goes directly to providing programs and services for gifted youth.

All proceeds raised from I[d]EA Day go right back into the community we serve, ensuring all children, gifted included, are given the tools they need to work toward actualizing their intellectual and personal potential. And if you cannot attend I[d]EA Day, give the gift of education to gifted youth by or today!

We hope to see you on October 6^th for a day of food, innovation and family fun!

“Muchos de los vac铆os en mi conocimiento y comprensi贸n eran simplemente l铆mites de mi formaci贸n cultural de origen y clase social, no por falta de abilidad y esfuerzo como me temia.鈥� – Sonia Sotomayor, Mi Amado Mundo

Sonia Sotomayor es la primera Hispana y tercera mujer asignada a la Corte Suprema de Los Estados Unidos. En su autobiograf铆a, Mi Amado Mundo (10), ella cuanta su historia de esfuerzo 聽y determinaci贸n. Aunque era una ni帽a naturalmente inteligente y con mucha promesa por delante, soport贸 muchas dificultades 鈥� fue diagnosticada con diabetes juvenil a los 8 a帽os, hija de un padre alcoh贸lico que falleci贸 cuando ella tenia tan solo nueve a帽os de edad, 聽y criada en un hogar por una madre sobrecargada de trabajo y preocupaciones. En su libro, ella comparte su historia de reflexi贸n y encuentro personal.聽El dicho de arriba es de un pasaje donde ella describe su lucha con la escritura con el idioma ingl茅s que estaban llenos de construcciones en espa帽ol. Aunque era una joven brillante que asist铆a a la Universidad de Princeton, tuvo que trabajar mucho para superar esta limitaci贸n, completando ejercicios de gram谩tica y aprendiendo 10 palabras de vocabulario todos los d铆as para compensar las oportunidades perdidas debido a la falta de exposici贸n y las limitaciones que implic贸 su ni帽ez sumergida en la pobreza. La notable disparidad entre Sotomayor y sus compa帽eros de clase se vio m谩s a fondo cuando se hizo conocer las cifras financieras de los m谩s adinerados en Princeton, los estudiantes con fondos fiduciarios, cuyos padres generosamente donaron a Yale, mientras que su madre s贸lo genero $5,000 al a帽o. Pese la discrepancia del estatus socio-economico (SES) 聽y formacion de su origen cultural ella recibi贸 los honores m谩s altos en la escuela de derecho de Princeton y de Yale y ahora es una Juez Asociada de La Corte Suprema de Justicia de La Naci贸n de los Estados Unidos.

La historia de firmeza y coraje de salir adelante de Sonia Sotomayo es admirable, da esperanza para los ni帽os, adolescentes, y j贸venes adultos que en estos momentos estan pasando por adversidades. Su historia razona con muchos ni帽os superdotados que tienen talento incre铆ble pero con obst谩culos extremos 鈥� ya sea cultural, 濒颈苍驳眉铆蝉迟颈肠辞, estatus socio-econ贸mico SES, o factores de entorno ambientales.

En el a帽o 1998, la ley Jocob K. Javits Gifted and Talented聽Students Education Act fue aprovada y establece que 鈥渢alento extraordinario estan presente en ni帽os y adolescentes de todos grupos culturales, pese a su estatud econ贸mico, y areas de fueza humana.鈥�(11). Tambien en el reporte National Excellence, A Case for Developing America鈥檚 Talent (11),聽 expone una crisis en la educaci贸n de estudiandes dotados, ya que hay una disparidad en la proporci贸n de estudiantes identificados y servidos en programas dotados entre los ni帽os talentosos de hogares econ贸micamente desfavorecidos y/o de diversidad cultural y ling眉铆stica (CLD).

Teniendo en cuenta la historia de Sotomayor, el prop贸sito de este blog es para explorar la investigaci贸n que se ha llevado a cabo sobre por qu茅 estudiantes con origenes diversos y estudiantes de la clase baja (SES) son poco representados en los programas dotados y como podemos reclutarlos y retenerlos en nuestros programas dotados.

Paso de 20 a帽os, Los Estados Unidos ha experimentado una transformaci贸n demogr谩fica significante dado a immigrantes (9). En el presente, 23.7% de ni帽os escolares en Los Estados Unidos son de padres imigrantes (6), trayendo diversidad cultural y (CLD) con las instituciones que ellos llegan a tener contacto. En el contexto de estos r谩pidos cambios de communidad y panorama educacional, como nos podemos asegurar dar una educaci贸n de calidad a los ni帽os de origen diverso, y mas especificamente, a los ni帽os superdotados? Esta pregunta ha facinado a investigadores, politicos, y educadores, ya que su 茅xito tiene implicaciones directas en el futuro de nuestra naci贸n.

Investigadores han encontrado que disimilitudes en logros academicos existen con estudiantes de diferente raza y etnicidad, auque entre los estudiantes mas capaces (7). Una gran canditad de ni帽os con diversidad cultural y ling眉铆stica (CLD) viven cerca de escuelas con financiaci贸n insuficiente, con falta de rigurosos curriculos escolares, tienes menos recursos educativos, y constantemente emplean a maestros menos experimentados y capaces (1). Ni帽os dotados entre estas escuelas estan particularmente en riesgo porque constantemente son pasado por alto he ignorados (2).

Investigadores tambi茅n han planteado la identificaci贸n de un ni帽o con alta abilidad de aprendisaje de diversidad cultural y ling眉铆stica (CLD) y con bajo estatus socio-econ贸mico SES son mayormente impactados por percepciones inexactas de parte de maestros y facultad educativas. La desigualdad en la nominaci贸n de maestros para programas dotados son inconsistentes entre distritos y escuelas a nivel nacional (4,5). Adem谩s, existe una dependencia de las medidas validadas de inteligencia y una escasez de evaluaciones din谩micas, la evaluaci贸n de maestros y padres y ex谩menes de habilidad no verbal (4,8).

Un铆camente analizando 聽los ingresos de los padres los estudiantes cuyas familias est谩n en el cuartil de ingresos superior con padres de ingresos en el alto nivel聽 son cinco veses mas probables 聽de ingresar en programas dotados que estudiantes con padres de ingreso 聽en el cuartil inferior(2). 聽Durante un largo periodo de tiempo, estudios han demostrado que estudiantes de bajo estatus socio-econ贸mico SES susesivamente logran graduarse de la secundaria a tiempo pero es menos probable que asistan a universidades reconocidas comparados con sus compa帽eros de alto estatus socio-econ贸mico SES (14% vs. 21%); menos probable de graduarse de la Universidad (49% vs. 77%); y menos probable de recivir diploma de maestria (29% vs, 47%) (8).

Estos analisis sugieren que hay una necesidad por nuevas estrategias para identificar estudiantes dotados de culturas diversas, ling眉铆sticas, y de bajo estatus socio-econ贸mico SES. Sin embargo, puesto que la educaci贸n dotada no es mandato federal 鈥� conducen a diferencias en las definiciones, la identificaci贸n y la programaci贸n entre distritos y estados 鈥� es dificil implementar estas estrategias (4).

Como mi conocimiento es en sicolog铆a aplicada, siempre aprecio cuando la investigaci贸n se traduce en practica o proporciona implicaciones para practicas efectivas. En todos los art铆culos que le铆, la mayor铆a de ellos tambi茅n proporcion贸 soluciones potenciales para mejorar la identificaci贸n y la retenci贸n de diversos estudiantes en programas dotados.

El curr铆culo avanzado de alta calidad debe seguir siendo creado y evaluado. Los estudiantes dotados diversos se beneficiar铆an de un curr铆culo culturalmente sensible y apropiado para el desarrollo (5). Muchos estudiantes dotados se desconectan de las clases por que se aburren, hay una necesidad de enriquecer programas y curr铆culo que evocan el potencial de un estudiante dotado. Como los examenes de inteligencia y las referencias de los maestros a menudo se encontraron como una fuente de representaci贸n insuficiente聽los estudiantes diversos en programas dotados, el campo de la educaci贸n dotada necesita examinar y considerar concepciones m谩s ampl铆as de la inteligencia, definiciones alternativas de dotaci贸n y modelos inclusivos de evaluaci贸n. La investigaci贸n tambi茅n ha vinculado el 茅xito de alumnos dotados de diversidad cultural y ling眉铆stica CLD y bajo estatus socio-econ贸mico SES con relaciones familiares positivas, donde los estudiantes sobresalen en la escuela a pesar de las barreras econ贸micas y sociales (3). Esto demuestra que hay una necesidad de un esfuerso colectivo para brindar y proponer cambio, uno que incluya energ铆a no solo de escuelas y padres, pero tambien investigadores y politicos.

Por 煤ltimo, las comunidades y las organizaciones tambi茅n pueden proporcionar apoyo y asistencia a personas dotadas de diversos or铆genes, ofreciendo talleres, clases enriquecedoras y oportunidades de aprendizaje(8).

Aunque pude ofrecer una visi贸n general de la diversidad en relaci贸n con el supertalento, s贸lo se abord贸 en este blog la diversidad cultural, ling眉铆stica y econ贸mica. Sin embargo, hay una serie de investigaciones que abordan las relaciones entre ser dotado y la diversidad de g茅nero, estudiantes dotados con discapacidades (2e: doblemente excepcional), y la diversidad geogr谩fica. Por 煤ltimo, no podemos descuidar la importancia de la diversidad y los factores no cognitivos de alto rendimiento. Hay mucho que aprender de la investigaci贸n que examina las necesidades sociales y emocionales de los ni帽os dotados.

Imagine si Sonia Sotomayor no hubiera recibido asistencia financiera en la escuela de derecho de Princeton y Yale; Estados Unidos habr铆a sido carente de un l铆der importante. Con esto en mente, le pido que se tome el tiempo para a AIE, para que podamos continuar sirviendo a los estudiantes que pueden no tener los medios financieros para beneficiarse de nuestros programas. En nombre de los estudiantes y familias que servimos, le damos gracias por ser parte de la comunidad de AIE!

Referencias

1. Barton, P. E. (2003). Parsing the achievement gap. Princeton, NJ: Educational Testing Service. (Barton, P. E. (2003). Disectar las inconsistencias del alto rendimiento. Princeton, NJ: Servicio de Pruebas Educativas.

2. Borland, J. H. (2004). Issues and practices in the identification and education of gifted students from under-represented groups. Storrs, CT: The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented, University of Connecticut. (Borland, J. H. (2004). Problemas y pr谩cticas en la identificaci贸n y Educaci贸n de estudiantes dotados de grupos menos representados. Storrs, CT: The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented, University of Connecticut.)

3. Castellano, J.A. & Frazier, A.D. (2010). Special populations in gifted education: Understanding our most able students from diverse backgrounds. Waco, TX: National Association for Gifted Children/Prufrock Press. (Castellano, J.A. & Frazier, A.D. (2010). Poblaciones especiales en educaci贸n dotada: entendiendo a nuestros estudiantes m谩s capaces de diversos or铆genes. Waco, TX: Asociaci贸n Nacional de ni帽os dotados /Prufrock Press.)

4. Ford, D. Y., Grantham, T. C., & Whiting, G. W. (2008). Culturally and linguistically diverse students in gifted education: Recruitment and retention issues. Exceptional Children, 74(3), 289-306. (Ford, D. Y., Grantham, T. C., & Whiting, G. W. (2008). Estudiantes con diversidad cultural y ling眉铆stica en educaci贸n superdotada: problemas de reclutamiento y retenci贸n. Ni帽os excepcionales, 74(3), 289-306.)

5. Johnsen, S.K. (2014). Assessing Growth of Gifted and Advanced Students. Gifted Child Today, 37(1), 4-5. (Johnsen, S.K. (2014). Evaluaci贸n del Crecimiento de Estudiantes Dotados y聽 Avanzados. El Ni帽o Dotado de Hoy en Dia)

6. Mather, M. (2009). Ni帽os de familias imigrantes establecen nuevo recorrido. Washington, DC: Oficina de Referencia de Poblaci贸n.)

7. Miller, L. S. (2004). Promoting sustained growth in the representation of African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans among top students in the United States at all levels of the education system. Storrs: University of Connecticut, The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. (Miller, L. S. (2004).Promoviendo el sostenimiendo del crecimiento en la representaci贸n de Afroamericanos, Latinos y Nativos Americanos entre los mejores estudiantes en los Estados Unidos en todos los niveles del sistema educativo Storrs: University of Connecticut, El Centro Nacional de Investigaci贸n sobre el Dotado y Talentoso.)

8. Olszewski-Kubilius, P., & Clarenbach, J. (2012). Unlocking emergent talent: Supporting high achievement of low-income, high-ability students. Washington, DC: National Association for Gifted Children. (Olszewski-Kubilius, P., & Clarenbach, J. (2012). Desencadenando el talento emergente: apoyando el alto rendimiento de los estudiantes de bajos ingresos y con alta capacidad. Washington, DC: Asociaci贸n Nacional de Ni帽os Dotados.)

9. Perez, Patricia. (2010). College Choice Process of Latino Undocumented Students: Implications for Recruitment and Retention. Journal of College Admission, 206, 21-25. (Perez, Patricia. (2010). Proceso de Elecci贸n Universitaria de Estudiantes Latinos Indocumentados: Implicaciones para el Reclutamiento y la Retenci贸n: Diario de Admisi贸n a la Universidad, 206, 21-25.)

10. Sotomayor, S. (2013). My Beloved World. New York: Knopf. (Sotomayor, S. (2013). Mi Amado Mundo. New York: Knopf.)

11. United States Department of Education. (1993). National Excellence: The Case for Developing America鈥檚 Talent. Washington, DC: United States Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement. (Departamento de Educaci贸n de los Estados Unidos. (1993). Excelencia Nacional: El Caso para Desarrollo de Talentos de America. Washington, DC: Departamento de Educaci贸n de los Estados Unidos, oficina de investigaci贸n y mejoramiento educacional.)

鈥淣o act of kindness 鈥� however small 鈥� is ever wasted.鈥� 鈥� Aesop

Today is ! At 优蜜视频, our means that we see gifted youth as much more than their minds and deeply value their unique perspectives on the world. The young people we serve are of course very bright, but they鈥檙e also extremely compassionate. To celebrate World Kindness Day and our extraordinary community, I gathered 优蜜视频 staff members鈥� memories of kind acts by our students that will continue to stick with them for years to come:

• 鈥淭his past summer, two students donated a bunch of their stuffed animals to as part of the camp鈥檚 Yunasa Buddies initiative. (New campers get to choose their favorite Yunasa Buddy to keep them company while they鈥檙e away from home.) They also get to take their buddy home! I thought it was such a kind gesture for them to initiate that donation.鈥�

• 鈥淚 travel with a pillow one of my clients made for me when she was six because she wanted me to be comfortable when I got on planes and slept in hotel rooms. The pillow has a picture that she drew of a castle (because she was six and liked princesses) and my dog Megan so I would always have Megan with me.鈥�

• 鈥淪everal years ago, two of our Yunasa campers held a lemonade stand and then donated the profits to Yunasa.鈥�

• 鈥淎t Yunasa West this summer, one camper spent all $60 of his camp store dollars on ice cream tickets for campers and staff.鈥�

• 鈥淎 six-year-old Academy student remembered my birthday from a conversation early in the session and then made me a card weeks later when it came!鈥�

• 鈥淥ne of our Yunasa campers, age nine, was on his flight home from camp and thought the flight attendants looked tired/stressed, so he wanted to help them. He took his towel out of his carry on and went to the back galley where he taught them yoga and guided meditation. (It is also kind that the attendants let him do this!)鈥�

Check out the World Kindness Day website to browse for people of all ages. Tell us in the comments how you鈥檝e seen the gifted children in your life show kindness to others!

Happy ! Every year, American Education Week celebrates individuals and organizations that ensure every child receives a quality education. Whether you are a parent, student, educator, or other supporter of learning, there are things you can do to honor those making a difference in the lives of students from all backgrounds. At 优蜜视频, we will be celebrating this week by gearing up for our Awards Dinner this Friday, where we will honor three local stars of gifted education. This event also helps us raise funds that will go toward scholarships, professional development, teaching resources, and other areas that increase the quality and accessibility of the programs we offer. This year, American Education Week is focused on honoring high-quality public schools and individuals that make them great (like two of our honorees, ). However, regardless of your educational background or involvement, there are numerous ways you can participate this week to recognize excellence in education!

Here are ideas of ways you can celebrate American Education Week:

• Post on social media about someone who made a difference to your or your child鈥檚 education using the hashtag #AEW2017. (If the person is part of 优蜜视频, tag us or use the hashtag #优蜜视频gifted to make sure we see it!)
• Parents, ask your kids different questions about their school day: What do you wish you learned more about? What does your teacher do that helps you learn at your best?
• Students, thank your parents or other adults who have spent time searching out programs that fit your specific interests and needs. Be open with your parents about your school day and specific ways they can help you achieve your learning goals.
• so we can continue to offer scholarships that guarantee no child is ever turned away from our programs for financial reasons.
• Show your appreciation for an 鈥� this includes office administrators, cafeteria staff, counselors, bus drivers, janitors, and others who keep schools and education centers running at their best in behind-the-scenes ways.
• Thank someone personally for the work they do in increasing access to quality education: this could be a policymaker in your area, an individual here at 优蜜视频, or someone else you know.
• Think about the opportunity for impact you possess, and then use it! You may be able to advocate for policy changes in your public school district, donate supplies or electronics to a program in need, or recommend 优蜜视频鈥檚 services to a newly identified gifted student in your child鈥檚 class.

However you choose to support the mission of American Education Week, thank you for doing so! Even after this week ends, continue to keep your eyes open for ways to guarantee all children receive an excellent education. All of us at 优蜜视频 will be doing the same!

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It was snowing indoors at 优蜜视频鈥檚 tree-trimming party last Friday as parents, students and staff all worked together to create handcrafted ornaments and paper snowflakes to decorate the Barder House for the holidays. As families munched on cookies and sipped hot chocolate (generously donated by the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf), they reflected on favorite 优蜜视频 moments from the past year 鈥� like our Genius Day hosted at the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens and our Summer Soiree BBQ event. Students also spoke excitedly about plans for the New Year, including family trips and courses they had already applied to take in our upcoming Winter Session of Academy.

The event may even be the start of a new 优蜜视频 tradition! 鈥淭his was such a great opportunity to relax and unwind with the 优蜜视频 community after the end of the school term,鈥� remarked a parent. 鈥淎nd the crafts were a big hit. We鈥檇 love to do this again!鈥� Most popular among the crafts were created under the patient instruction of Tiffany Kwong, who showed kids and adults how to cut and tape squares of paper to make intricate, three-dimensional works of art. To make your own ornaments聽at home, you can follow the paper snowflake tutorial below!

As the glowing warmth of the tree illuminated the smiling faces of everyone in attendance, there was an overwhelming sense of gratitude for our close-knit community of supporters and the amazing children that we have had the privilege to serve. As the 优蜜视频 staff looks forward to the holidays with our own families, we鈥檇 like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many members of the 优蜜视频 family who have contributed their time, talent and money in service of our mission over the course of 2015. As we prepare for the New Year, your support is paramount to helping us plan for the future of 优蜜视频 and providing much needed services to the children in our programs.

If you would like to make a donation to support 优蜜视频 in time for the New Year, please visit our website鈥檚 donation page or call our office at 626-403-8900. To sign up for an Academy class, click here!

Happy holidays from all of us here at 优蜜视频 and best wishes for the coming year!