KSB Update Monthly Activity Report of Kentucky School for the Blind July-August 2008 KSBCF Gives Generous Support to School The Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation (KSBCF) presented a generous $142,754 grant to KSB before an assembly of staff who gathered for opening school activities on Monday, August 4. KSBCF President Charlie Ricketts presented the gift to administrators John Roberts and Cathy Johnson. Roberts noted, “This is the largest grant ever received from the foundation and it is extremely good news for us.” While the money will be used to support many opportunities for students, a major portion of the funds will be used to provide: * Assistive technology so that students who are blind and visually impaired can have access to print and electronic formats equal to their sighted peers * Educationally relevant clinical low vision services * Updated science and reading programs for elementary classrooms, occupational therapy equipment, incentive programs for students, and vision specific professional development opportunities for teachers * Support for INSIGHT, a collaborative summer college preparatory program for students who are blind and visually impaired at Morehead State University Editor’s Note: A photo in the print edition shows an enlarged check being presented to KSB administrators. The photo caption reads: KSBCF President Charlie Ricketts presents a $142,754 grant to KSB Director of Instruction John Roberts and Director of Outreach Cathy Johnson during opening school activities. Staff Prepares for New School Year All KSB staff members gathered on Monday, Aug. 4 for a myriad of activities in preparation for the opening day of school (Monday, Aug. 11). During an assembly early in the day, they reviewed policies and to received updates. One of the highlights of the week was the Teambuilding Workshop conducted by Highly Skilled Educator (HSE) Kelly Sirginnis and Visual Artist Steven Paulovich. Residential, instructional and outreach staff rolled up their sleeves, grabbed a paint brush and interacted with each other in creating a lovely mural as they learned how to build relationships. Other workshops and professional development activities included: Drop Everything and Read presented by Laura Pinkerton, elementary reading specialist from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS); Pacing Guides and Learning Checks with HSEs Maurice Chappell and Kelly Sirginnis; Safe Crisis Management presented by KSB Rehabilitation Instructor Harold Adams, and Being an Effective Team ... The Teacher and Para by JCPS staff. On Tuesday, all staff gathered for a potluck/cookout organized by the school climate committee. A large screen was set up in the food service center and a Wii game console was set up so that staff could enjoy a bit of friendly sport competition. Student registration will be held on Sunday, Aug. 10 from 3-5 PM and classes start on Monday, Aug. 11. Editor’s Note: There are six photos in the print edition that accompany the Staff Prepare for New School Year article. Photo #1 shows staff gathered around a three panel blank canvass. The caption reads: Staff gather around a blank canvass during the Teambuilding Workshop. Photo #2 shows two staff members painting a portion of the canvass. The caption reads: Dorm Parent Ashley Erwin and Primary Teacher Jeanie Brasher work on the mural. Photo #3 shows several staff members sitting at a table in front of the completed mural. The caption reads: Staff gather around their finished product. The impressive mural will reside in the South Side Dining Hall. Photo #4 shows two rows of tables with an array of potluck dishes during the potluck/cookout. The caption reads: Staff enjoyed an impressive spread dirnt the potluck/cookout on Tuesday. Photo #5 shows a staff member eating his lunch. The caption reads: Maintenance Staff Member Ed Stuhler enjoys the fare. Photo #6 shows staff members with a Wii controller in their hands. The caption reads: Dorm Parent Ashley Swafford and Dorm Supervisor Pat Mohon engage in a friendly Wii game. KSB Meets NCLB Target Goals KSB has met four out of four target goals (100%) for its 2008 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) accountability. By achieving 100% of the target goals, KSB has made Adequate Yearly Progress. The NCLB Act was enacted by the federal government to categorize whether a school or district has met federal accountability requirements. Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) is made up of four components: annual progress in reading and math, participation rate, and other academic indicator (graduation rate at the high school level, CATS classification at the elementary and middle school levels). In addition to scores for the NCLB, the other measure of school progress is the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS). Those scores are scheduled to be released in mid-September. Director of Instruction John Roberts is “thrilled with this achievement” and attributes it to “the hard work of staff and students.” Resource Center Has Busy Summer The Kentucky Instructional Materials Resource Center (KIMRC) had a very busy summer. Beside scanning and shipping textbooks to school districts, the KIMRC accomplished the huge task of cataloging and bar coding educational aids that were returned from school districts from the center’s old inventory program. The On-Line Ordering System, implemented during the spring, made processing textbook requests much faster. KIMRC is very appreciative of the following staff members who helped out during the summer: Harold Adams, Kim Barrett, Crystal Johnson, Tom Oaks, Anna Robertson, Stacie Siders and Eureka Turner. KIMRC Manager Mary Ellen Smith said, “We couldn’t have made it without them!” Students and Staff New Faces on Campus KSB is pleased to welcome the following new personnel on campus: Heather Davis joins the staff roster as the new library media specialist. She comes to KSB from the Louisville Free Public Library. Eureka Turner arrived at KSB in July and is looking forward to assuming her role as a paraeducator in the instructional program. Teresa Osborne is the newest member of the outreach department. She will serve as low vision consultant serving Kentucky Valley and Upper Cumberland regional areas of the state. Osborne has dual certifications in vision and orientation and mobility and will be based at the Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative in Hazard. KSB is fortunate to have Highly Skilled Educator Kelly Sirginnis with us throughout August. New student enrollees for the 2008-09 school year are: Nathan Ing comes to KSB from Bullitt County and is in kindergarten. CJ Phipps-Gibson is a fifth grader from Daviess County. He has attended short course and summer programs prior to enrolling at KSB. August KSB Events: Mon.-Fri., 4-8: Teachers Open School Sunday, 10: Student Registration, 3-5 PM, Hartford Food Center Monday, 11: First Day of School for Students Mon.-Fri., 25-29: KDE-KSB Employee Recognition Week Friday, 29: APH Tactile Map Presentation and Reception, Hartford Food Center, 11:30 AM-1 PM Kentucky School for the Blind 1867 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206 Ph: 502-897-1583 Classroom Fax: 502-897-2850 Business Office Fax: 502-897-2994 www.ksb.k12.ky.us Campus Manager: Kimberly Johnson, Ed.D. Director of Instruction: John Roberts Outreach Director: Cathy Johnson