HATTERDAYS

Hatterdays are here again! For years parents have asked us for Saturday programs, and "Hatterdays" was our response. All classes are held on a Saturday morning from 9 until noon. So come and join us! We invite families from all over Florida to participate and visit Stetson's beautiful campus as well as downtown DeLand, "the Athens of the South."

Click here for HATTERDAYS course descriptions and registration form

All students that received the HATS/ BESTS Talent Search letter may register for Hatterdays classes now!

Hatterdays Fall schedule

September 19th, October 17th, November 14th, and December 5th

Click here for a Hatterdays flyer

Spring semester dates:  January 30, February 20, March 13, April 17 and May 22

We are pleased to announce a new addition to the HATS Program, the BERETS, Beginning Enrichment Recognizing Emerging Talents. Students in grades K-3 who participate in a gifted program are eligible to attend. Younger siblings of current HATS students may also attend.

No child should be permitted to grow up without exercise for imagination. It enriches life... It makes things wonderful and beautiful. ~Mark Twain

BESTS Registration Now Open  Click here

Students identified for the Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search (BESTS) may register now for the EXPLORE, ACT or SAT.  Parents, don't miss this opportunity to see where your children really stand academically.  This academic talent search shows you exactly what they are ready to learn.  All BESTS participants are recognized by Stetson University through scholarships.  Testing is available in locations all around Florida. For more information about BESTS including testing dates and fees click here.

Click here for the FCAT 95th percentile table

HATS has a new address!
Our new Unit number is 8390, and we are located in Sage Hall, Room 111.

HATS Program
Stetson University
421 N. Woodland Blvd., Unit 8390
DeLand, FL 32723
386-822-7091
hats@stetson.edu

The Mark Twain Young Authors Workshop will be not be offered in 2009. Unfortunately, we were unable to secure a grant for this summer. The Mark Twain Museum is working to secure grants to support the program in 2010. Thank you for your patience.

A Brief History of HATS...

The HATS (High Achieving Talented Students) Program was established to serve gifted and high achieving Florida students in grades 4 through 9. We offer summer programs at various locations around the state. We also work with the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa to offer above level testing through BESTS (Belin-Blank Exceptional Student Talent Search). HATS and BESTS scholarships are awarded in three ways: HATS summer programs, the Mark Twain Young Authors Workshop, and as Stetson University students. Our first ever college scholarship was awarded to Jenna Colonel in Fall 2005. Share this information by printing a HATS brochure.

DONATIONS
You can support a student in HATS or donate to our scholarship fund. Why should you make a contribution? The HATS Program has established an endowed scholarship to assist students who have participated in HATS and/or BESTS when they return to Stetson as enrolled college students someday. The HATS Scholarship Program is unique in that its support goes exclusively to participants of HATS and/or BESTS. Your contribution will support this special group of students (grades 4-9) who made extraordinary efforts in their youth to expand their educational experiences.

How can you contribute?
We have received many inquiries regarding the support of this endeavor. To contribute to this worthy scholarship, please follow these steps after clicking on the link below:

1) Go to "Gift Details"
2) When prompted, "I would like my gift to go to" please select "Other"
3) Under "Special Instructions" type "Belin-Blank/HATS Endowed Scholarship"

Please click here to make your tax deductible contribution. And, thank you!

Contact Information:
Lynn Albinsion, Director
Cindy Lovell, Ph.D., Advisor to HATS (Founder and past director of HATS)