VCS Gifted Services

05/04/2026

As part of their discussions on gravity and its effects, Mrs. Mills' class participated in a STEM challenge. Beginning at a height of one foot and working their way up in 12-inch increments, 9 teams battled it out to see whose egg would survive the highest drop. The winner was over 20 feet high! Their Egg Drop Design challenge not only prompted discussion about gravitational pull, air resistance, and units of measurement...it was just FUN! Job well done, Timbercrest Elementary School!


Volusia County Schools Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent Volusia County Schools Jacquese Copeland, Volusia County Schools

05/04/2026

Third grade gifted students at Chisholm Elementary transformed their classroom into a glowing party filled with collaborative and engaging activities. Students demonstrated their ability to organize their knowledge, work cooperatively with their classmates, and apply the skills they have been developing all year. They also reflected on their learning and set new personal goals for the rest of the school year. It was a fun and meaningful way to recognize their hard work and growth. Way to go, Wildcats! 🌟🐾


Volusia County Schools Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent Volusia County Schools Jacquese Copeland, Volusia County Schools

05/03/2026

Gifted Endorsement Courses are now being offered at Creekside Middle School! This is a wonderful opportunity for educators to expand their knowledge and strengthen their instructional practices to better support gifted learners. You can find registration details, course schedules, and important upcoming information on MYPGS.

Volusia County Schools Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent Volusia County Schools Jacquese Copeland, Volusia County Schools

05/02/2026

We are so proud of Tomoka Elementary School!


Volusia County Schools Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent Volusia County Schools Jacquese Copeland, Volusia County Schools

Gifted students from kindergarten to second grade brought history to life in the school's cafeteria on Monday, March 9.

01/23/2026

Way to go Mrs. Rahaim! Coronado Beach Elementary

11/19/2025

Fourth graders at Forest Lake Elementary explored how sound works by discovering that vibrations create sound and that pitch changes based on the frequency of an object's vibration. 🎶
Students put their learning into action by creating their own pan flutes using straws of varying lengths, and they loved hearing how each length produced a unique pitch. 👏✨


Volusia County Schools Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent Volusia County Schools Jacquese Copeland, Volusia County Schools

11/15/2025

🌟 Growing Together for Our Gifted Learners! 🌟
Today, Volusia County teachers dedicated their Saturday to advancing their gifted endorsement through the Special Populations of the Gifted course.

Educators read The Girl Who Thought in Pictures and took part in literature circles, diving into the book’s themes and reflecting on how they relate to the diverse needs of our gifted students.

We’re grateful for their commitment to continuous learning and student support! 📚✨


Volusia County Schools Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent Volusia County Schools Jacquese Copeland, Volusia County Schools

11/12/2025

Students at Coronado Beach Elementary worked together on a beautiful collective project inspired by Día de los Mu***os and the monarch butterfly’s autumn migration to Central Mexico. 🦋💐

Through research and creative exploration, students learned about the rich traditions of this Mexican celebration. They thoughtfully planned and crafted their own artifacts—carefully considering the process, materials, and meaning behind each creation.
Each student’s work became part of a vibrant collaborative display, showcasing our school community’s appreciation for culture, creativity, and connection. 🎨


Volusia County Schools Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent Volusia County Schools Jacquese Copeland, Volusia County Schools

11/10/2025

💡 Third-grade gifted students at Horizon Elementary are celebrating the power of curiosity through research, critical thinking, and creativity! ✨
Students have been exploring the lives of influential gifted individuals whose innovation and perseverance have made a lasting impact on our world. Using their research, students created Word documents, PowerPoints, and Canva presentations to showcase their findings.
Through this project, they’re also mastering the art of expository writing, learning to share information clearly, thoughtfully, and with purpose. We’re so proud of their insight, effort, and enthusiasm as they dive deep into learning and celebrate what it means to make a difference through knowledge! 🌍📚

Volusia County Schools Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent Volusia County Schools Jacquese Copeland, Volusia County Schools

11/10/2025

🌟 Third-grade gifted students at Chisholm Elementary have been busy learning from some truly inspiring guest speakers! 🌟

Recently, they met Mrs. Thomson and her daughter, Charlie, who shared their experiences with dwarfism and Little People, helping students gain a deeper understanding of differences and inclusion. Last month, Mia and her mom, Ms. Miller, spoke about Down syndrome, and earlier this year, Mr. Hathaway, the State Attorney, visited to teach students about the three branches of government.

These meaningful experiences help students expand their view of the world beyond the classroom. By connecting with real people and hearing their stories, students build empathy, respect, and curiosity — while developing a lifelong appreciation for learning from others’ perspectives. 💡❤️ This is a wonderful example of the ability to ask questions to obtain the desired information within a field of study. Go Wildcats!


Volusia County Schools Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent Volusia County Schools Jacquese Copeland, Volusia County Schools