Welcome to the inaugural edition of a monthly newsletter for Baylor TIP students and families! We’re excited about this new way of staying connected with our community. Our hope is that each edition will be a helpful and encouraging resource—connecting you with relevant opportunities, sharing information and ideas to support gifted learners and their families, and celebrating the experiences and accomplishments of our TIP students and staff. Most of all, we hope this newsletter helps you feel informed, connected, and part of the Baylor TIP community. We are glad you're here!
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Making the Most of Parent-Teacher Conferences |
By October, the school year is well under way, and you may have questions or concerns about your child's progress that may warrant a meeting with the teacher. Many elementary schools routinely schedule parent-teacher conferences in October. Whatever the age of your child, a parent-teacher conference is about much more than talking about grades. With most schools now giving parents easy online access to assignments, grades, and assessment results, you already have a window into what your child is doing in school. The real opportunity at a conference is to discover the things a gradebook can't tell you—how your child participates, connects with classmates, approaches challenges, and grows as a learner.
So, instead of spending your limited conference time simply reviewing information you already know, come prepared with questions that can spark a deeper conversation and give you new insight into your child's experience at school. Here are some questions you might bring along to make the conversation more meaningful for both you and your child's teacher.
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Is there one habit that my child could develop that would make the biggest difference in their learning right now?
- Does my child seem comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and trying something even when they aren't sure they'll get it right?
- What do you see my child doing that makes you think, "This is something they are really good at"?
- What interests or talents should we build on at home?
- If you had to describe my child as a learner--not by their grades, but how they approach learning--what would you say?
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If your child is struggling with grades or behavior at school, you may want to take a more solution-focused approach that maintains a collaborative, supportive spirit. You can ask:
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- What seems to work best for my child?
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If we focused on just one thing between now and the next conference, what should it be?
- What can we do at home to actually help? Is there anything we should stop doing?
- How will we know things are improving?
- When would you recommend we check in again?
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As parents, we may sometimes need to advocate for what our child needs. But advocacy doesn't have to mean conflict. It can mean showing up prepared, asking thoughtful questions, sharing what you know about your child, and working together with the school to find the best path forward.
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Scholarship Opportunities |
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Coppell ISD 7th Grade Talent Search |
All 7th graders in Coppell ISD are afforded FREE access to Baylor TIP Talent Search Testing due to a generous grant from the Coppell Gifted Association.
Any current Coppell ISD 7th grade student interested in participating in the Baylor TIP talent search can reach out to Gloria Villanueva at gloria_smith1@baylor.edu to get started!
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| Cooke College Scholarship Program |
The Cooke College Scholarship Program is an undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend and graduate from the nation's top four-year colleges and universities.
Click here to learn more about the program, review eligibility requirements and access the application. The deadline to apply is November 11, 2026. Email scholarships@jkcf.org if you have any questions!
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities |
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This fall, we’re excited to welcome back many of our favorite summer instructors for our Super Saturday classes! If you see a familiar face above, don’t miss the chance to experience their class again—or discover something new with an instructor you will love. We still have two Super Saturdays coming up on October 24 and November 14, so there’s plenty of time to join the fun! Explore the Fall Catalogue and reserve your spot by clicking the button below.
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Baylor TIP Parent Resource Center |
Supporting an advanced learner can come with unique questions—and you don’t have to navigate them alone.
The Baylor TIP Parent Resource Center brings together 19 recorded sessions from experts in gifted education, giving parents practical tools and strategies they can use right away.
Get immediate access to all 19 sessions for just $25. Watch on your own time, at your own pace.
Our expert presenters--including Dr. Todd Kettler, Dr. Christina Dearman, and Dr. Melanie Meyer--provide tools and strategies for:
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- Effective parent advocacy
- Supporting twice-exceptional (2e) children
- Navigating social-emotional and academic needs
- College planning and more!
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One Bear Place #97282 | Waco, TX 76798-7083 US
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