KSB Update Bi-Monthly Activity Report of the Kentucky School for the Blind April-May 2009 KSB Presents the Class of 2009 Eleven seniors are slated to receive diplomas during KSB’s Commencement Ceremony on Tues., June 2, at 6:30 PM in Richie Auditorium. The graduates are: Steven Bouquet (Jefferson County) Beth Hope (Harrison), Marissa Helms (Warren), Austin Dockery (Carlisle), Aaron Reed (Franklin), Thomas Kersey (Kenton), Aaron Linson (Jefferson), Tyrone Parker (Jefferson), Mitch Saylor (Harlan), Lewis Bryant (Taylor) and Dustin Burkhart (Laurel). WHAS Radio 84 broadcaster Joe Elliott will deliver the commencement address. Elliott graduated from KSB in 1976 and from Butler University in 1980. After working at radio stations in Indianapolis and Salt Lake City, Elliott returned to Louisville and was employed by WAKY and WVEZ before landing at WHAS in 1988. He assumed the role of evening talk show host at the station in 1993, a position he held for more than 14 years. Currently, he hosts the Sunday morning talk show. Editor’s Note: There is a photo in the print edition. Each senior is wearing a black cap and gown and are standing as a group in the gazebo located by the Ries Recreation Building. The caption reads: The Class of 2009 from left to right (back row) Tommy Kersey, Aaron Linson, Tyrone Parker, Mitch Saylor and Lewis Bryant, (front row) Steven Bouquet, Beth Hope, Marissa Helms and Aaron Reed. Dustin Burkhart and Austin Dockery are not pictured. Jennings is New Campus Manager Kathy Jennings assumed the role of Campus Manager in mid April. With more than 30 years of experience in state government, her most recent positions include KSB payroll-personnel officer and payroll branch manager for the Kentucky Department of Education. She holds an MBA from Bellarmine University and a BA in business administration from Midway College. Of her new position she says, “I love this school. I’ve been offered other opportunities, but I’d rather be here than anywhere else.” Editor’s Note: A snapshot of Kathy Jennings appears in the print edition. Braille/Low Vision Carnival Attracts K-5 Students K-5 students with visual impairments from Williamsburg, Erlanger-Elsmer and Anchorage Independent school districts and Nelson, Jefferson, Hardin, Daviess, Livingston, Owsley, Madison, Clark, Muhlenberg and Trimble County school districts participated in the Annual Braille and Low Vision Carnival at KSB on Fri., May 22. The day was filled with a variety of indoor and outdoor games that encouraged the youngsters to use their low vision devices and/or braille skills and promoted literacy. Coordinated by the Short Course staff, the event attracted many parents and volunteers. About 40 students participated in this event. Editor’s Note: There are four Braille/Low Vision photos in the print edition. Photo #1 shows a boy and a girl standing at a table along with an adult volunteer. They are playing a Braille word game. The caption reads: KSB students Shane Lowe and Mari Durrett play a Braille word game. Photo 2 is taken on outdoors. A teacher is guiding the aim of a girl holding a toy rocket. The caption reads: Short Course Teacher Pam Gutmann assists Natalie Miller from Madison Co. in launching a rocket. Photo 3 shows a girl sitting at a table holding a bookmark with raised figures on it. The caption reads: Madelyn Loyd, from Owensboro Independent School District, displays the tactile bookmark she made during the Braille/Low Vision Carnival. Photo #4 shows a teenage volunteer who is kneeling near a boy and guiding him to aim his toy rocket. The caption reads: Short Course Volunteer Andrew Turner, from McCracken County, guides KSB student Alex Stine with his rocket. A wide range of indoor and outdoor games were enjoyed by Carnival participants. Four Day Week to be Implemented During Summer In an effort to trim high energy costs, KSB will implement a four day work week during the summer. This arrangement does not apply to the two-week period (July 6-17) when students will be on campus for summer school programs. Staff will work elongated days Monday-Thursday and will be off on Friday. The new work schedule will go into effect on June 8. The school will not be open for business on these dates: June 12, June 19, June 26, July 2 (observance of Independence Day), July 3, July 24 and July 31. KSB will resume the regular work week beginning August 3. Summer Enrichment Programs to be Held in July KSB is please to offer all Summer Enrichment Programs, including the Elementary, MS/HS and Career/Work, on July 6-17. In an effort to reduce expenses, all programs will occur at the same time. The only change will be that the Career/Work program will be shortened to two weeks instead of four. Students Participate in Derby Events The week preceding the Kentucky Derby was filled with numerous local and statewide activities for children and adults of all ages. Many KSB students had the opportunity to enjoy some of the festivities on and off campus. Recreation Leader Tom Oaks took several high school students to participate in the annual Don Fightmaster Golf Tournament for Exceptional Children. This is always a fun and rewarding experience for students to spend the morning on the golf course. The event was held on Mon., April 27, at the River Road Country Club. Elementary classes conducted a KSB version of the Kentucky Derby. The students made racing jerseys, donned horse heads and created their own race horse names, and rolled to the finish line in the corridor of their classroom wing. Editor’s Note: There is a photo in the print edition of two KSB students standing with the Mayor in the clubhouse at the Golf Tournament. The caption reads: Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson shares a moment with seniors Steven Bouquet (left) and Mitch Saylor at the Don Fightmaster Golf Tournament during Derby Week. 2009 Founder’s Day Celebration Langan Award Presented to Jim Shaw KSB celebrated 167 years of service to students who are blind and visually impaired during the Founder’s Day Program on Friday, May 8. Students, staff and friends staged a wonderful timeline of KSB history and the KSB Alumni Association presented the school with a generous gift to purchase banners to enhance the campus. During the program, KSB Alumnus Jim Shaw was presented with the prestigious Paul J. Langan Distinguished Service Award. Shaw is a strong advocate and school volunteer. He has volunteered to help with various school activities; he has talked to classes and inspects braillewriter that have been repaired for student use. Teachers who have worked with him say that he is an excellent role model for students. Shaw also performs proofreading duties at on a part-time basis. Prior to retirement, Shaw worked 34 years for the Social Security Administration. During that time, he helped countless Kentucky citizens who are blind and visually impaired to obtain information and benefits by directing them through the maze of federal bureaucracy. Individuals who have benefited from Shaw’s service often comment on how wonderful it is to work with him. He is knowledgeable, eager to help and he ALWAYS does so with a smile and pleasant attitude. Shaw stands tall as a leader through his humble and sincere acts of service to KSB and to the community. You won’t find a finer man anywhere, or a person more deserving of the prestigious Paul J. Langan Award. Editor’s Note: There is a photo in the print edition of Jim Shaw holding the Langan Plaque, along with John Roberts on the front lawn. The caption reads: Jim Shaw recipient of the 2009 Paul J. Langan Award, is shown with Director of Instruction John Roberts. KSB to Bid Farewell to Ryan and McGruder Next Thursday will be both a happy and sad time for retiring Speech Pathologist Dianne Ryan and Short Course Teacher Jude McGruder. They will be happy because their school year comes to a close and their lifetime vocation has been fulfilled and saddened because they leave behind a work family and environment they have come to love. Ryan will retire with 30 years of service and McGruder will end her career with 36 years. McGruder taught only two of her 36 years in other schools. She says, “I knew when I came here that this is where I wanted to teach.” And, so she has taught in all KSB programs including centerbase, short course and summer school. Her skills, dedication and ability to connect with statewide students, parents and school district staff have been instrumental in making KSB’s short course a model program among schools for the blind throughout the country. Ryan says it has been a privilege working at KSB. While helping countless Kentucky students overcome speech barriers, she has done so by providing a nurturing and secure environment for her young charges. She has always been an avid supporter of student extracurricular activities and has spent many hours past her regular work day helping out wherever needed. Her kind and hospitable spirit will be missed by all students and staff. The thing Ryan will miss most about leaving, in her words, are “my sweet little babies.” Congratulations to these great teachers and thank you for 66 years of combined service! Editor’s Note: There is a photo of the two retiring teachers in the print edition. They are standing side-by-side in the hallway near a classroom. The photo caption reads: Teachers Dianne Ryan (left) and Jude McGruder will retire at the end of the 2008-09 school year. INSIGHT Post Secondary Program May 30-June 6 Morehead State University INSIGHT is a collaborative project between the Big East Educational Cooperative, Kentucky School for the Blind, Kentucky Office for the Blind, Morehead State University and the University of Louisville Juniors and Senior Take Whirlwind Tour of Washington Ten juniors and seniors, along with their chaperones, embarked on a whirlwind tour of Washington DC on May 22-23. The students had a great time experiencing history and accessing a variety of transportation modes. Chaperone CBI Teacher Ann Boyd noted that the kids had a blast riding the subway. A trip highlight was their visit to Arlington National Cemetery. Being the Memorial Holiday Weekend, the students were able to witness the special activities taking place on the grounds. The students were also impressed with the Vietnam Memorial because they were able to get up close and have a hands-on experience. The students were not a part of a special tour group. They walked, waited in lines and saw the sites like all of the other tourists. This trip really gave the students an opportunity to utilize their O&M skills. The students held a bowl-a-thon and sold pastries and drinks throughout the semester in order to raise the funds for their trip. Editor’s Note: There are two photos of the Washington trip in the print edition. Photo #1 shows a senior touching a sculpture at the Capitol. The caption reads: Senior Ben Small touches a piece of history at the Capitol. Photo #2 shows the students Brianna White, Jessica Martin, Tommy Zwick, Ben Small, Tommy Kersey, Tiffany Patrick, Beth Hope, Dustin Burkhart, Mitch Saylor and Lewis Bryant sitting on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial. The caption reads: KSB students pose on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial. KSB Troop 10 Holds Campout The Annual KSB Boy Scout Troop 10 Campout was held on Wed. evening, May 20. The troop invited the Cub Scouts and dorm students to an evening bonfire where they witnessed an official Boy Scout US flag retirement ceremony, which only the Boy Scouts of America or the Military is sanctioned to do. Afterwards, everyone made and ate s’mores. Editor’s note: There are two campout photos in the print edition. Photo #1 shows the scouts seated around a campfire. One of the scouts is standing near the fire. The photo caption reads: Eagle Scout Matt Sparks stands near the bonfire. Photo #2 shows a scout master and one of the scouts folding a US flag. The photo caption reads: Troop #10 participates in the flag retirement ceremony. Low Vision Clinic Goes Well Despite Emergencies If anyone would have told the Outreach staff that they conduct a Low Vision Clinic (LVC) despite water pipes bursting, fire, death and dogs ODing on meds, they would have responded, “You’re crazy, no way, Jose!” The May 15-16 LVC did take place, but you will have to wait for the next issue of KSB Update for the wild, wacky and heartwarming version of the story. For now, here are just the details. Ten students received clinical low vision evaluations from KSB, Ft. Knox HS, Middlesboro Independent and Jefferson, Meade, Laurel, McCracken and Grayson County School Districts. This is the first time that the new laptop computer and state-of-the-art software used for testing visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, astigmatism and color screening were used in the LVC. Purchased by the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation (KSBCF), this technology features a variety of charts, fixation targets and videos to hold a child’s attention during the low vision examination. A Summer LVC is scheduled for June 12-13. Oct. 9-11 is the tentative dates for the Fall clinic. Staff News: Food Service Worker Lorna Wilson, and Cook Krystal Rayborn are the newest staff members. They assumed their duties in April. 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 Director of Instruction: John Roberts Campus Manager: Kathy Jennings Acting Outreach Director: Meg Stone