KSB Update Bi-Monthly Activity Report of the Kentucky School for the Blind December 09-January 10 Thirteen Students Participate in Braille Challenge Dodging an approaching snowstorm that is scheduled to hit the state today, thirteen KSB students boarded the bus at 5 AM yesterday morning (Jan. 28) for Nashville, where they participated in the Braille Challenge Regional at the Tennessee School for the Blind. KSB was well represented by its five teams who competed in Braille spelling, proofreading, comprehension, writing speed, graph reading and other grade level academic areas. Results from all Braille Challenge Regionals will be compiled and national finalists will be announced in May. Finalists will be invited to travel to the Braille Institute in Los Angeles for national competition in June. Editor’s Note: There is a photo in the print edition. Shane Lowe is sitting at a table in the library. He is using a Braille Note. The Commissioner of Education is seated next to him and is listening to Shane. Taryn Seif is seated to the left of the Commissioner. She is using a braillewriter. The photo caption reads: Shane Lowe (left) shares information with Education Commissioner Dr. Terry Holliday about his electronic braille notetaking device. Taryn Seif, using a Perkins Brailler, is seated nearby. The students were practicing for the Braille Challenge Regional when Commissioner Holliday chatted with them prior to Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear’s Press Conference on Thurs., Jan. 21. KY First Lady Announces Green Bank Loan at KSB Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear congratulated the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) as the first recipient of a loan from the Green Bank of Kentucky program during a press conference at KSB on Thur., Jan. 21 in KSB’s library. KDE will use the loan of nearly $1.3 million to make improvements and implement Energy Conservation Measures (ECM) to three of its facilities. The First Lady was accompanied by Education Commission Terry Holliday, Finance and Administration Secretary Jonathan Miller and Energy and Environment Secretary Len Peters. This project will reduce energy consumption by employing advanced technologies to improve energy efficiency at KSB, the Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville and the Future Farmers of America (FFA) Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg. These technologies include lighting system improvements, equipment control systems, mechanical system improvements and more efficient dishwashing systems. “The Kentucky Department of Education is setting a great example for other state or publicly owned entities in our Commonwealth,” said Mrs. Beshear. “The improvements that will be funded through this loan will benefit the learning facilities and the environment at no cost to taxpayers.” She added, “Over the last couple of years, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has made great strides to make state-owned facilities more energy efficient and environmentally conscientious.” The Green Bank emerged from the Governor’s comprehensive energy plan, “Intelligent Energy Choices for Kentucky’s Future,” which established the goal of reducing projected statewide energy demand by 25 percent by 2025 through multiple strategies, including energy-efficiency measures. Responding to the announcement Commissioner Holliday said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for the Kentucky School for the Blind, the Kentucky School for the Deaf and the FFA Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg to serve as models for others in our P-12 community. With the support of the Green Bank loan, the energy efficiency projects on these three campuses can be fully realized, and those projects will spur our school systems to develop their own energy-saving enterprises.” The Green Bank is funded by federal stimulus dollars through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) administers the funds it receives from the federal Department of Energy to operate the program The Green Bank files monthly fiscal reports and quarterly programmatic reports with EEC. You may view the full photo story of this event on the KSB website at http://www.ksb.k12.ky.us/Main/EventPics.htm. Editor’s Note: There are five photos from the press conference in the print edition. Photo #1 shows the First Lady speaking at the podium during the press conference. The chiller displayed in the foreground. The caption reads: The First Lady touted the energy saving benefits to KSB, Kentucky School for the Deaf and the Future Farmers of America Leadership Training Center through the Green Bank of Kentucky loan to KDE. Photo #2 shows the Education Commissioner speaking at the podium during the press conference. The caption reads: Education Commissioner Dr. Terry Holliday remarked on the Green Bank Loan to KDE during the press conference. Photo #3 shows Secretary Jonathon Miller speaking with a student who is seated at a table. The student is working with an electronic notetaking device. The photo caption reads: Finance and Administration Secretary Jonathan Miller speaks with Justin Hedges prior to the press conference. Photo #4 shows students and their teacher speaking with the First Lady after the press conference. The caption reads: Students Justin Hedges and Shane Lowe speak with First Lady Beshear. With the students are their teacher Gina Quaid, Acting Director of Operations Soraya Matthews and Director of Instruction John Roberts. Photo #5 shows a camera man and reporter during the press conference while the First Lady was speaking. Students are working at a table in the background. The caption reads: The press conference was held in the library as students worked in the background. The Unforgettable Toys Program was Awesome If you missed the Christmas music program The Unforgettable Toys by K-5 students, you missed a fabulous holiday treat. The students sang and danced their way into the heart of the audience who gather on Dec. 18 for the performance. The Unforgettable Toys, written by music teacher Tabathia Roark and Anthony Harris is based on story The Magical Toy Shop. A photo story of the program can be viewed on the KSB website at http://www.ksb.k12.ky.us/Main/EventPics.htm. Reality Fair to Highlight Real Life Experiences KSB will conduct a Reality Fair to give MS/HS students an “eye-opening” experience in making a living in the real world. Jefferson County MS/HS students who are blind and visually impaired have been invited to participate in the Reality Fair at KSB on Thurs., Feb. 18, 8 AM-1:30 PM. KSB has solicited the help of Louisville business men and women, agencies serving individuals who are blind and parents to man the Reality Fair. To date, volunteers from ARCO Aluminum, Humana, Semonin Realtors, American Printing House for the Blind, Kentucky Office for the Blind, Walmart and Cooper Drugs, along with parents and retirees have committed to work this event. The Reality Fair is designed to teach students what it takes to balance careers, families and finances. This program puts students in real-life situations and allows them to learn from their successes, as well as their failures. Each student will imagine they are 28-years-old and the sole source of their family income. They will select a career and will be given an annual salary based on the job they have been assigned. Students could be assigned up to three dependents (children) during the program. Volunteers will guide students to make wise decisions about budgeting and allocating funds for housing, food, transportation, healthcare and childcare. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Paula Penrod at 502-897-1583, ext. 233 or paula.penrod@ksb.kyschools.us. Outreach to Conduct Low Vision Clinic The Outreach Department will conduct a Low Vision Clinic at KSB on Feb. 12-13. 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. KSB Sports K-6 Students to Test Skills in Intramural K-6 students have been learning how to play goalball in PE classes and practicing one day a week after school. They will test their skills during the JV Intramural Goalball Meet on Mon., Feb. 1 at 7 PM in the Gregory Ries Student Activity Center. You are invited to come witness the skills of the junior Wildcats! Wrestlers and Cheerleaders Complete Season KSB Wrestlers and cheerleaders season came to an end last weekend at the Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville where they competed in the NCASB Conference Meet. Both teams finished in ninth place. Cheerleader Jessica Martin came in fifth in the outstanding cheerleader competition. Editor’s Note: A photo in the print edition shows Jessica Martin in her KSB cheerleading outfit performing a cheer during a Pep Rally prior to the NCASB Meet. The caption reads: Jessica Martin cheers during a Pep Rally before the NCASB Meet. KIMRC Conducts Federal Quota Registration The deadline is fast approaching for school districts to complete the annual Federal Quota (FQ) registration of legally blind students under the Federal Act, “To Promote the Education of the Blind” and the registration of visually impaired students under the Kentucky State Textbook Program. The Kentucky Instructional Materials Resource Center (KIMRC) sent a letter to school districts in December detailing the registration process and the forms that must be completed by each school district. Districts were to return the forms to the KIMRC by Feb. 1. As of today (Jan. 29), only 91 districts have completed the registration. With state textbook funding unknown for the 2010-11 school year, it is extremely crucial that school districts complete the registration process. For every legally blind student that is registered, $335.40 is allocated through FQ to the KIMRC to purchase Braille and large print books and educational aids. You can easily see that if districts do not complete the registration process that the loss in funding is substantial. KIMRC Program Coordinator Alexander Redden is doing everything he can to help districts complete the process. He is also enlisting the help of KSB’s Regional Consultants. The consultants will be given a list of the districts who have not complied. They will then contact the districts to find out where they are in the process and if necessary, offer their assistance. The FQ registration information is located on the KSB website at http://www.ksb.k12.ky.us/Resources/2010%20Registration.htm. You can learn more about the Federal Act “To Promote the Education of the Blind” at http://www.aph.org/fedquotpgm/quickfed.htm. Short Course Retreat to Focus on “It’s My Future” KSB will host a Short Course Retreat Weekend for MS/HS (Grades 6-12) students on Mar. 19-21 (Fri.-Sun.). Funded by the KSB Charitable Foundation, the theme of the retreat is “It’s My Future” KSB will incorporate the Junior Achievement Success Skills curriculum. The focus will be on skills for success in future careers including listening, team work, problem solving, sharing responsibilities, etc. Vision specific skills such as orientation and mobility, technology, practical living, recreation/leisure, and use of low vision devices or Braille will be embedded throughout the weekend. Activities will include the Junior Achievement program activities, cooking, dining at restaurants, traveling to the Louisville Zoo, using public transportation, and attending a dinner theater production. KSB is pleased to offer the retreat to help meet the needs of all statewide children who are blind and visually impaired. Students will receive instruction in the areas of the expanded core curriculum, have a chance to meet other visually impaired peers, plus have a lot of fun! Retreat information has been distributed to all Kentucky school districts. The information is also located on the web at http://www.ksb.k12.ky.us/Academics/SC%20MS-HS%20Retreat%202010.doc. The registration deadline is Feb. 19. Registration Deadline: Mar. 15 Opportunity Abounds Through INSIGHT Kentucky sophomores, juniors and seniors who are blind and visually impaired who are planning, or thinking about going to college, have a unique opportunity to explore college life before they ever enroll. Through the INSIGHT Post Secondary Preparation Program, participants will attend a college class, learn about and utilize campus facilities, talk with admission counselors, and take part in recreational activities. The 2010 INSIGHT will be held at Morehead State University on June 5-12. Students must submit an application and be accepted in order to participate. INSIGHT information, application and required forms are available on the web at http://www.ksb.k12.ky.us/Resources/INSIGHT%202010.htm. The registration deadline is Mar. 15. 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 Director of Operations: Soraya Matthews Acting Outreach Director: Meg Stone