District F

District F is located in northeast Missouri and includes the following counties: Putnam, Schuyler, Clark, Sullivan, Adair, Knox, Lewis, Linn, Macon, Shelby, Marion, Chariton, Randolph, Monroe, Ralls, and Pike.

"Ole' for Mexico: A Fiesta Day of Mexican Culture" was the theme of a day filled with multi-cultural enrichment activities for gifted students. The Westran School District HORNETS gifted program was the host for the annual Gifted Association of Missouri (GAM) District F Gifted Student Conference. Host schools provide challenging enrichment activities for gifted students in the GAM district. District F includes school districts having programs for gifted students. There are approximately 25 school districts in District F. One hundred and fifty students along with fifty parents from school districts including Westran, Moberly, Monroe City, Palmyra, Hannibal, Kirksville, Northeast R-IV (Cairo), Pike County R-III, Schuyler County R-I, Shelby County R-IV attended.

Students attended eight sessions all centered around the theme of the culture of Mexico. A "Book Trade" was held in conjunction with the conference. Students attending were requested to bring up to two books either new or in good used condition to donate for the Book Trade. In addition to donated books traded in, Scholastic, Inc. donated a retail value of $1,257.90 worth of new books to be distributed to student conference attendees.

Two sessions were held for parents of gifted students. "Ole' for Gifted Kids!" included a round table discussion dealing with survival tips and strategies for dealing with issues gifted kids face were also provided for parents. "Ole' for Gifted Education!" was a session led by Kyna Iman, legislative consultant for the Gifted Association of Missouri, dealing with advocacy for gifted programs. Della Cochran, Westran's HORNETS gifted program teacher, and Connie Hayward, teacher of gifted for Moberly's EAGLES program, were co-organizers of the event.

District Director ~ Adria Palmer

Alternate Director ~ Della Cochran

Updated 1/20/08