GEM Parent Information Night a Success!

Marana Unified School District recently hosted its final GEM Parent Information Night of the school year, Smart but Stuck: Executive Functioning & Gifted Kids, led by Kari Sjursen and Janelle Edmonds of MUSD’s Gifted and Advanced Programming team.  The event brought together 67 attendees, including parents, teachers, and students, for an engaging and informative evening focused on supporting gifted learners.

Participants explored how executive functioning skills, including organization, task initiation, and emotional regulation, develop over time and often differ from a child’s intellectual abilities. Families left the event with a deeper understanding of why gifted learners may struggle in these areas, along with practical strategies to support their children at home.

We are grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to such a positive and collaborative learning experience. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue offering opportunities to support gifted families next school year. Please mark your calendars now for our upcoming 2026–2027 GEM Parent Information Nights:

• Wednesday, October 21, 2026
• Wednesday, April 7, 2027