KSB Update Bi-Monthly Activity Report of the Kentucky School for the Blind August-September 2009 KSBCF Presents Generous Grant to School KSB staff received a hearty welcome and generous contribution from the KSB Charitable Foundation (KSBCF) during opening of school activities in August. KSBCF Executive Director Rick Ricks greeted staff and presented KSB with $138,371 to assist with curriculum, assistive technology and outreach services for the 2009-10 school year. “We are excited to be able to once again provide much needed funding to the blind and visually impaired students across the Commonwealth that benefit from receiving education, mobility and orientation training, life skills, and much more from KSB,” said Ricks. KSB administrators John Roberts, Meg Stone and Kathy Jennings accepted the check from Ricks. Roberts states, “The ongoing support of KSBCF allows us to continue to promote our mission across Kentucky–to provide comprehensive services to students who are blind or visually impaired-in a way that would not be possible without this grant.” Additionally, KSB was awarded $20,000 from WHAS Crusade for Children. These funds will be used for assistive technology. The Crusade is an avid supporter of the work provided by KSB. Last year, KSB received $15,000 from Kosair Charities. These funds are being allocated this year for residential recreational use and for extracurricular activities. Editor’s Note: There is photo in the print edition of Rick Ricks presenting an enlarged check to KSB. KSB administrators are shown with Ricks holding the check. The caption reads: KSBCF Executive Director Rick Ricks (second from right) presents $138,371 to KSB (from left to right) former Director of Operations Kathy Jennings, Acting Director of Outreach Meg Stone and Director of Instruction John Roberts. Lowe, Lewis, Chambers are Academic Super Stars The 2009 Spring assessment results are in and KSB had three Academic Super Stars who received distinguished and/or proficient scores in all subject areas tested. They are fourth grader Shane Lowe, freshman James Lewis and senior Marissa Chambers. In addition, KSB had twenty students that received a distinguished or proficient score on at least one of their assessments. Senate Bill 1 (SB1), which was enacted in the 2009 Kentucky General Assembly, made numerous changes to Kentucky’s state assessment and accountability program. This bill created a three-year interim period (2008-09, 2009-10, 201011) to allow Kentucky to develop a new state assessment system, which is to be in place beginning in 2012. Although school accountability and academic indices are no longer being calculated, the interim period maintains components the necessary for the federal No Child Left Behind reporting (e.g., annual progress in reading and math, participation rate, and other academic indicator). In May 2009, Kentucky students completed the Kentucky Core Content Test (KCCT) in five content areas: reading, math, science, social studies, and on-demand writing. Students receive a score for each of the tested areas in the following categories: Novice (low/medium/high), Apprentice (low/medium/high), Proficient, and Distinguished. Individual student reports will be mailed to parents during the week of Oct. 12. For assessment in 2009, KSB met three of our four target goals for No Child Left Behind. Annual measurable objectives were met for reading, participation rate, and other academic indicator. KSB did not meet its goal for adequate progress in math. For more information, contact KSB Testing Coordinator Dr. Anne McCall at 502897-1583, ext 253 or amccall@ksb.kyschools.us. Editor’s Note: There are three snapshots of the academic all stars in the print edition. The photo caption reads: From left to right: KSB’s Academic Super Stars are Shane Lowe, Marissa Chambers and James Lewis. Reading Program to Include DEAR Circles KSB students and staff are participating once again in the Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) reading program. Students are encouraged to devote at least 20 minutes every evening to read a book, magazine or newspaper of their choice. One aspect that has been added to the program this year is the DEAR Circle (book groups). This is a voluntary activity for high school students and staff who want to read a designated title and meet for discussion. The Circles will meet on Thurs., Oct. 8 at 5:30 in the library to discuss the book. There will be refreshments and a drawing for door prizes. The Circles are reading The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold, Dog On It by Spencer Quinn and The Shack by William Young. Other DEAR activities will include the Braille Readers are Leaders competition beginning in November, Read Across America Day in March and the celebration of National DEAR Day in April. MS/HS Students Enjoy Visit with Serbian Teens A group of 12 teenagers from Serbia paid a visit to KSB yesterday (Sept. 29) afternoon. The teens are participating in the Serbia Youth Leadership Program in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and the Kentucky World Affairs Council. KSB is one of many destinations the teens visited in Louisville and other U.S. cities. KSB MS/HS students were wonderful hosts. The students spent time getting to know their guests over pizza, a typical American lunch favorite. Afterward, an assistive technology demonstration was presented by KSB students and the Serbian teens were given a tour of campus. The afternoon ended with a joint discussion in the library where KSB students posed questions to their guests about the music, education, healthcare, judicial and social climate of Serbia. The Serbian teens also posed questions to KSB students about their lifestyle. Director of Instruction John Roberts presented each visiting student with a Braille tee-shirt. Editor’s Note: There are three photos of the Serbian visit in the print edition. Photo #1 is a group photo of KSB students and the Serbian teens in the library during the panel discussion. The caption reads: MS/HS students listened as their Serbian guests provided answers to their questions about life in Serbia. Photo #2 shows a male Serbian student holding up the red Braille tee-shirt given to him by John Roberts. The caption reads: A Serbian teenager proudly displays his Braille tee-shirt received as a token of his visit to KSB. Photo #3 shows a KSB and Serbian students eating pizza in the southside dining room. The caption reads: Freshman Kyle Givens (far right) and Senior Matt Sparks (second from left) get acquainted with Serbian guests over pizza. Operational News Steamline Project Underway On Friday, Sept. 18, R&R Mechanical was awarded the KSB steamline replacement contract, plus three supporting steam system alternate projects. R & R is a neighborhood company and will begin the work as soon as possible. Substantial completion is expected before Nov. 18. All campus buildings with the exception of the Richie Building will be affected by this project. A complete listing of work areas have been circulated to staff. Information regarding mobility routes, will be shared when construction details are confirmed. All persons working on this project are mindful that cold weather is around the corner and are doing all that is possible to expedite the project. Repair work on the boiler house chimney will be underway at the same time to repair damage from the last ice storm. Pool Repair Update Work has begun on the pool to bring it into compliance with aspects of the Virginia Graham Baker Act. Once the work has been completed, KSB will seek certification to operate the pool from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. Matthews is Filling in the Gap Soraya Matthews is filling the seat once again as Acting Director of Operations. Former Director Kathy Jenning has accepted a position in the KDE Office of Internal Administration however; she is still heading up KSB personnel and payroll. Outreach News Low Vision Clinic Slated for Oct. 9-10 Jenny Wood, O.D. will conduct low vision evaluations during the Low Vision Clinic on Fri.-Sat., Oct. 9-10 in Howser Hall. The primary purpose of a clinical low vision evaluation is to determine whether a student with low vision can benefit from optical and non-optical devices, as well as adaptive techniques, to enhance visual functioning. Regional Family Group Meetings to be Held A Fall Family Retreat for the Big East Families of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired (FCBVI) Support Group will be held on Sun., Oct. 4. The retreat will provide opportunities for families to meet and to learn from each other, to increase resources and to become better advocates for children with visual disabilities. Children will have a lot of FUN on a hayride, hiking, roasting hotdogs, making s’mores and more. The retreat will be held at Serenity Acres in South Shores from 10 AM- 4 PM and is sponsored by KSB Family Support Center, Big East FCBVI, Big East Educational Co-op, Dr. Laura Reese and Flatwoods Lions Club. An organizational Western Kentucky FCBVI Meeting and Pizza Dinner will be held at the McCracken Public Library in Paducah on Oct. 26 at 6-7:30 PM. The Northern Kentucky FCBVI Support Group is planning to meet on Thur., Oct. 22 at 7-9 PM. KSB Regional Consultant Kenny Jones will present on recreational activities for blind and visually impaired children and the Kentucky Association of Blind Athletes (KABA). For information regarding FCBVI groups, contact KSB Family Support Specialist Mitch Dahmke at 502-897-1583, ext. 221 or mitch.dahmke@ksb.kyschools.us. Librarian Participates in 155 Mile Ride to Conquer Cancer Librarian Heather Davis participated, completed and (oh yes) survived the 155 mile “Ride to Conquer Cancer” bike ride from Louisville to Lexington last weekend (Sept. 26-27). In so doing, she raised $2547 for the Norton’s Cancer Center. Congratulations to Ms. Davis!!! Editor’s Note: There is a photo of Heather Davis standing beside her bike. It was taken with only 20 miles left to go in the race. Upcoming Fall Events October 6 Tue. Parent/Teacher Conference Day, SBDM Council Meeting, 4 PM 9-10 Fri.-Sat. NCASB Track & Field Conference Meet, Columbus, OH 12 Mon. KSB Advisory Board Meeting, 1:30 PM 14 Wed. Bill Roby Track and Field Games, KSB 23-24 Fri.-Sat. Kentucky Goalball Invitational, KSB 30-31 Fri.-Sat. Ohio Goalball Invitational, Columbus, OH November 3 Tue. SBDM Council Meeting, 4 PM 13-15 Fri.-Sun. NCASB Goalball Conference Meet, Janesville, WI 23-27 Mon.-Fri. School is not in Session 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 Acting Campus Manager: Soraya Matthews Acting Outreach Director: Meg Stone