KSB Update Bi-Monthly Activity Report of the Kentucky School for the Blind February-March 2010 KSB Lauded for Participation in Braille Readers are Leaders KSB has received an award for exemplary participation in the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) 2009-10 Braille Readers are Leaders Contest. KSB is one of only 14 schools for the blind nationwide to receive this distinction. The award is given to schools that exhibit dedication to Braille literacy through participation in the contest by a significant portion of its student body. KSB had the second highest number of Braille readers with 32 participants. All students who participated received a certificate, t-shirt and most received an electronic talking watch. Individual winners will be notified next week. Other Literacy Efforts: A big Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration was held in the library on Mar. 2. Louisville Free Public Library Teen Services Supervisor Peter Howard delighted students with his rendition of the famous author’s books. Junior Brandon Grisby did a marvelous job of portraying the delightful and unpredictable “Cat in the Hat.” KSB has continued involvement in the Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) Program. This has been very successful as students and staff have read over 1600 books throughout the school year. Students and staff are also engaged in voluntary DEAR Reading Circles. On Wednesday evening, the last of the Reading Circles will meet for book discussion and dinner. Editor’s Note: There are three photos in the print edition. Photo #1 is a snapshot of a a student’s hands reading Braille. The caption reads: KSB students exhibited utilized their Braille reading skills through participation in the national Braille Readers are Leaders Contest. Photo # 2 shows MS female students wearing tall, red and white striped hats while listening to Dr. Seuss stories being read in the library during the birthday celebration. The caption reads: MS students Katelynn Blake and Cheyenne Harper don red and white hats in celebration of Dr. Seuss. Photo #3 shows Peter Howard standing with a Dr. Seuss book in his hand while students listen to him in the library during the birthday celebration. The caption reads: Peter Howard of the Louisville Free Public Library reads a Dr. Seuss book during festivities in the library on Mar. 2. Eighteen Students Explore “It’s My Future” KSB conduct a very successful and invigorating Short Course Retreat Weekend for eighteen statewide MS/HS students on Mar. 19-21. Funded by the KSB Charitable Foundation, the theme of the retreat was “It’s My Future.” KSB incorporated the Junior Achievement Success Skills curriculum. The focus of the retreat was on skills for career success 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 were embedded throughout the weekend. Activities included the Junior Achievement program activities, cooking, dining at restaurants, traveling to the Louisville Zoo, using public transportation and attending a dinner theater production. Attending the Retreat were Jessica Sanders and Ambre Cooper, Boone County; Alexis Finley, Boyle; Kenny Breeden, Bullitt; Aleric Vanderpool, Fayette; Kayla Brown, Jesse Foster Henderson; Victor Herren, Knox; Victoria Robbins, Meade; Nikki Milburn, Nelson; Austin Jones, Scott; Brandon Smith, Warren; Joseph Paulin, Owensboro Ind.; Adriana Miracle, Amanda Orick and Kelsi Zachery, Middlesboro Ind.; and Eli Huff, Glasgow Ind. Editor’s Note: There are four photos from the Short Course Retreat Weekend in the print edition Photo #1 shows several students riding a bus. There are two girls sitting side by side. The caption reads: Students attending the Short Course Retreat utilized public transportation to go to community events. Seated on the bus (from left to right) are Alexis Finley and Ambre Cooper. Photo #2 shows a student with a plate in her hand standing near the stove and countertop in the home economics room. She is putting food on her plate. The caption reads: MS student Kelsi Zachery fills her plate at a brunch prepared by the students on Sunday morning. Photo #3 shows a male HS student at the zoo. He is touching the lower side of an elephant as short course teacher watches. The caption reads: Aleric Vanderpool checks out and elephant at the Louisville Zoo as a part of the weekend educational activities. Photo #4 shows a group of MS students looking at a colorful poster. The caption reads: MS students refer to a World of Work poster. Applications for Summer Programs Due April 30 KSB is currently accepting student applications for Summer School Programs for Elementary and Middle/High Students who are Blind and Visually Impaired. The application deadline is April 30. The programs (K-5, MS/HS and Career/Work) will be held on June 20-July 2. Just like last year, these programs will run concurrently. A final decision on the Career/Work Program will be made once a worksite has been secured. With the closing of Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, KSB no longer has an established worksite for students. “We are working very hard to find a worksite,” said Summer Programs Coordinator Nancy Nusz. Students wishing to participate in this program should submit an application. If a worksite is not obtained, those students will be notified and encourage to participate in the MS/HS program. Summer programs information and application forms are available at http://www.ksb.k12.ky.us/Academics/Summer.htm. INSIGHT Deadline Extended to May 1 The registration deadline for the 2010 INSIGHT Postsecondary Preparation Program has been extended to May 1. INSIGHT coordinators are hopeful that the extension will help students who want to attend, but may have missed the March 15 deadline. The program is open to students with visual impairments who are completing grades 10-12 this year. INSIGHT will be held at Morehead State University on June 5-12. This program provides students with visual impairments/ blindness the opportunities and experiences encountered when entering a post-secondary educational setting. Participants will acquire an increased awareness of the educational, recreational, and social aspects of the post-secondary environment. INSIGHT information, application and required forms are available on the web at http://www.ksb.k12.ky.us/Resources/INSIGHT%202010.htm. Staff Take an Active Role in KAER Conference KSB staff members played an active role in the Kentucky chapter Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (KAER) State Conference last week (Mar. 24-26) at Barren River State Resort Park. Caveland and River Region Outreach Consultant Betsy Flener, Ed.D, along with Caveland Educational Support Center Special Education Consultant Shea Rogers presented the session “IEPs:Goals, Objectives and Transitions.” Dr. Flener also moderated a wonderful student panel presentation featuring students from the Caveland Region. Kristen Hammond, Outreach Consultant for Wilderness Trail, Upper Cumberland and Kentucky Valley equipped attendees with many valuable transition resources in her presentation “What Should I Do Right Now for Students who are Transition Age.” Central Kentucky Outreach Consultant Kenny Jones along with retired KSB Outreach Director Cathy Johnson had a session on adapted physical education and recreation leisure activities. They went “green” by posting and accessing their presentation and handouts from the KSB website at http://www.ksb.k12.ky.us/Resources/Adapted%20PE,%20Rec%20&%20Leisure%20Resources.htm. Acting Director of Outreach Meg Stone, Public Relations Liaison Paula Penrod and KSB parent Loretta Small were presented with STAER Awards by KAER president Lisa Macpherson during a banquet on Thursday evening. The STAER award recognizes a noteworthy individual, company, or program, for the “things” that make a difference in the lives of individuals with visual impairments, and other professionals in the field of vision. Stone was honored by the group for her work in the interim leadership role of outreach services. Penrod was recognized for her service to KAER and Small was honored for her volunteer service to Kentucky students with visual impairments as a member of KSB’s SBDM Committee for 12 years. Director of Instruction John Roberts, Acting Director of Outreach Meg Stone and KIMRC Program Coordinator Alexander Redden addressed the group on Friday morning. Each gave an update of activities in their respective areas. Editor’s Note: There are two photos in the print edition. Photo #1 shows Meg Stone, Paula Penrod and Loretta Small standing together with their awards in hand. The caption reads: KSB staff Meg Stone and Paula Penrod and parent Loretta Small display the STAER Awards presented to them at the KAER State Conference. Photo #2 shows Dr. Flener standing to the left of the podium and Shea Rogers standing to the right of the podium with handouts in their hands during their KAER presentation. The caption reads: KSB Outreach Consultant Betsy Flener, Ed.D. (left) and Caveland Special Education Consultant Shea Rogers deliver an informative session on IEPs. KSB Partners with VSA arts in Gourd Art Show KSB is teaming up with VSA arts of Kentucky and the Kentucky Gourd Society to help make gourd art accessible to everyone. Together, they are inviting artists to contribute to the “touchable” gourds category of the 16th Annual Kentucky Gourd Art Show to be held at Spencer County Elementary School in Taylorsville on May 15-16. VSA arts provide opportunities for people with disabilities to be part of the life of their communities and to make the world more accessible and enjoyable. Arts education, community arts programming, and professional development are vital elements of VSA arts services. Through the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft’s Artists in Residence program, KSB students have been creating gourd art under the direction of artist Patrice Will. The students will be entering their touchable gourds in the show. Information and entry forms can be obtained at www.vsartsky.org. KSB will be on Spring Break April 5-10 Seif Appointed to KSB Advisory Board KSB Alumnus Jayne Seif was appointed to a four year term on the KSB Advisory Board by the Kentucky Board of Education in February. Seif is a parent of two students who attend KSB and is an active member of the PSSO. In addition, she works part-time for Visually Impaired Preschool Service (VIPS) in Louisville. Seif replaces Carol Dahmke who has served on the Board since 2002 and as chairman since 2006. At the March 22 Board meeting, KSB honored Dahmke with a plaque. Director of Instruction John Roberts made the presentation and thanked her for dedicated service to the school. With Dahmke’s exit from the board, Burt Boyer was selected as chairman. The board provides a venue by which knowledgeable person(s) representing interest groups may contribute to the improvement of educational opportunities for children who are blind in Kentucky. The board may offer recommendations to the administration regarding general objectives regarding education, student services and school/community relations. Editor’s Note: There is a group photo of the KSB Advisory Board in the print edition. The caption reads: Carol Dahmke was honored for her service to the KSB Advisory Board in March. Members of the Board are (front) Lora Felty and back row (left to right) Burt Boyer, Jayne Seif, Carol Dahmke (holding plaque) and Jan Moseley. Not pictured is Jill Griffiths. Upcoming Spring Events April 12-30 Spring Testing Window (for grades 3-11) April 13 SBDM Council Meeting, 4 PM April 15 PSSO Spaghetti Dinner for KSB Students, Staff, Families and Volunteers, 5-6:30 PM, Hartford Hall and KSB Percussion Ensemble Concert, 6:30 PM, Richie Auditorium April 17 Big East Families of Children who are Blind and Visually Impaired (FCBVI) Meeting, Greenbo State Park Contact Mitch Dahmke mitch.dahmke@ksb.kyschools.us or 502-897-1583, ext. 221 April 23 Application Deadline for the Braille and Low Vision Carnival for K-5 Students Contact: Nancy Nusz nancy.nusz@ksb.kyschools.us or 502-897-1583, ext. 244 April 23-25 NCASB Swimming and Forensics Conference Meet, Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped, Janesville, WI April 30 Application Deadline for 2010 Summer Elementary, MS/HS and Career/Work Programs Contact: Nancy Nusz, nancy.nusz@ksb.kyschools.us or 502-8971583, ext. 244 May 1 Application Deadline for INSIGHT Postsecondary Preparation Program Contact Kristen Hammond, kristen.hammond@ksb.kyschools.us or kristen.hammond@kedc.org or 859-339-5747 May 6 K-5 Spring Music Recital, 1 PM, Richie Auditorium May 7 KSB Founder’s Day Program, 12 PM, Richie Auditorium May 7-8 Low Vision Clinic (Information and all forms needed are available at http://www.ksb.k12.ky.us/Resources/LowVision.htm. Contact: Meg Stone, meg.stone@ksb.kyschools.us or 502-897-1583, ext. 232 May 12 KSB Athletic Banquet, 5:30 PM May 13 MS/HS Spring Music Recital, 6:30 PM, Richie Auditorium May 14 Braille and Low Vision Carnival for K-5 Students May 20 8th Grade Graduation and Awards Assembly, 1 PM and HS Graduation, 6:30 PM, Richie Auditorium May 21 Field Day and Last Day of School for Students June 5-12 INSIGHT Post Secondary Preparation Program, Morehead State University June 21July 2 2010 Summer Elementary, MS/HS and Work Programs 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