KSB Update Bi-Monthly Activity Report of the Kentucky School for the Blind January-February 2011 KSB and APH Host 1st Kentucky Braille Challenge Hosted by KSB and the American Printing House for the Blind (APH), the first Kentucky Braille Challenge proved to be a wonderful experience for students, their parents and for all the volunteers who helped to make the event a success. It was held on Thursday, January 27. There was a lot of excitement in the air as students put their Braille skills to the test. They started their day with a Pep Rally and encouraging words from Braille Challenge coordinators Janie Blome, APH Director of Field Services and Jane Thompson APH Director of Accessible Textbook Department and an auditorium filled cheering parents, volunteers and classmates. Throughout the day the students competed vigorously in the areas of Braille speed and accuracy, reading speed and comprehension, spelling, proofreading and interpreting tactile graphics/chart and graph reading. After the competition, everyone proceeded to the Awards Celebration held at APH where they were applauded for their efforts by new Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and entertainer Patrick Henry Hughes. KSB student Shane Lowe took top prize, a Victor Stream Reader from the Braille Institute of America, for having the high score for all levels and categories. Ashley Alvey, a student at Atherton High School in Louisville, won a Seedlings Books gift certificate for the overall high score in reading comprehension. Other winners include: Apprentice Level: Mari Durrett (KSB) first place; Jessica VanBruggen (KSB) second and Danielle Hardiman (KSB) third. Freshman Level: Mason Tilley (Trimble County Schools) first; Allie Johnson (Pulaski County Schools), second; and Alex Stine (KSB) third. Sophomore: Shane Lowe (KSB) first; Justin Hedges (KSB), second; and Eric Scott (Hardin County Schools), third. Junior Varsity: Damon Boards (KSB), first; Ashley Alvey (Jefferson County Schools) second; and Cheyenne Harper (KSB) third. Varsity: Danielle Burton (Elliott County Schools) first; Robert Townsend, (KSB) second; and Brooke Berger, (KSB), third. This Kentucky event is part of Braille Challenge program of the Braille Institute. It is the only national Braille literacy competition of its kind in the country and is specifically designed to challenge and reward blind students for their study of Braille, which is essential to their future academic and employment success. Editor’s Note: There are 12 photos in the print edition. Photo #1 shows a HS girl standing and cheering with pompoms in her hand during the Braille Challenge Pep Rally. She is standing on the steps leading up to the stage in Richie Auditorium. The photo caption reads: Freshman Cheyenne Harper cheers as her name is announced during the Kentucky Braille Challenge Pep Rally. Photo #2 shows Shane Lowe raising his left arm and flashing the crowd a “V” sign with him hand during the Awards Celebration at the American Printing House for the Blind conference room. The caption reads: KSB’s Shane Lowe was the overall top Kentucky winner. Photo #2 shows Ashley Alvey stands before the audience during the Awards Celebration. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer’s daughter Mary is standing behind her. The caption reads: Jefferson Co. student Ashley Alvey was the overall winner for reading comprehension. Photo #3 is a group photo of all Braille Challenge participants standing on the stage steps in Richie Auditorium during the Pep Rally. The caption reads: The Kentucky Challengers stand ready to compete. Photo #4 shows a HS male with his head resting on his right hand on a braillewriter while his left hand is proofing a Braille page during the competition. The photo reads: Kyle Smith, Ballard Co. checks his braille. Photo #5 shows a female student using a Braillewriter during competition. The caption reads: Allie Johnson, Pulaski Co. is hard at work. Photo #6 shows an elementary male student using a braillewriter while wearing headphones. The caption reads: KSB student Logan Armstrong concentrates on the task before him. Photo #7 shows Gary Mudd standing at the podium during the Awards Celebration with the Mayor and Meg Stone. The caption reads: APH Director of Public Affairs Gary Mudd presents Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer with a business card embosser, while his cousin Meg Stone, KSB Director of Outreach for Statewide Services, looks on. Photo #8 shows a group photo of all of the Braille Challenge winners. The caption reads: Kentucky Braille Challenge winners are all smiles in this group photo taken at the Awards Celebration. Photo #9 shows a volunteer scoring Braille completed by a student. The caption reads: Volunteer DeAnna Morrison scores a student test. Photo #10 shows volunteers manning the registration table in Hartford Hall. The caption reads: KSB and APH are very grateful for the more than 70 volunteers who helped make the Kentucky Braille Challenge a remarkable day for the students. APH Volunteers (from right to left) Aileen McPhillips, Linda Turner and Becky Snider man the registration table. Photo # 11 shows Rick Ricks chatting with two volunteers during the morning registration. The caption reads: KSBCF Executive Director chats with volunteers Perry and Pam Krause, owners of a local McDonalds. In addition to volunteering, they also provided breakfast sandwiches for the event. Percussion Ensemble Place Third in VSA Kentucky Young Soloist Award Program The Percussion Ensemble (Damon Boards, Annmarie Aqua, Michael Davis, Brandon Grigsby, James Lewis and Jon Cord) directed by Bobby Falk captured third place in the VSA Kentucky Young Soloist Award Program. Their accomplishment includes a $200 scholarship from VSA Kentucky for KSB music education. Designed to nurture the exceptional talents of young instrumentalists and vocalists with disabilities, the Young Soloist Program provides an award annually to further the music education of talented young musicians. The VSA Kentucky Young Soloist recipient(s) are given opportunities to perform in various Kentucky venues throughout the year. VSA Kentucky is the state organization on arts and disability. Another top finisher in the VSA competition has ties to KSB. Marlana VanHoose, an eighth grader from Johnson County and former KSB student came in second place. KSB Welcomes Two New Directors KSB is pleased to welcome new employees Director of Special Education for KSB/KSD Melissa Sheets and Director of Operations Kenneth Washington. Sheets will oversee special education services for students at KSB and KSD and is responsible for coordinating KSB’s Summer School Program. KSB is privileged to have her as she brings 12 years of classroom experience teaching students with a wide range of disabilities at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Sheets also achieved National board certification in Mild and Moderate Disabilities Early Childhood through Young Adulthood in 2003. Her resume also includes stints at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and Fayette County Schools. Sheets began working at KDE in 2007. While there, she worked closely with parents, teachers, district administrators and outside agencies to ensure a Free Appropriate Public Education for Children with disabilities. She served on the Kentucky Council for Children with Behavior Disorders Executive Board, the Special Education Advisory Group for Infinite Campus, and was co-lead for the statewide Autism initiative. Much of her time was spent monitoring districts for compliance, as well as assisting in the development, implementation and closure of corrective action plans resulting from monitoring. Last August, Sheets worked as a Facilitator with Fayette County Schools where she coordinated special education services for students with disabilities. As the new Director of Operations, Washington will assume the responsibility of campus management and will oversee maintenance, housekeeping, food service, business office and technology personnel. Washington has a military background and has held management positions in the field of education, sales, marketing, and retail. He received his BA degree in Organizational Communications (HR) from McKendree University and his Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Through his membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Louisville Alumni Chapter, he is involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the West End Boy’s School. He and his wife Astacia have a daughter Akendra and sons Kenneth, Jr. and Ashton. Editor’s Note: There are snapshots of Kenneth Washington and Melissa Sheets in the print edition. Weather Delays North Pole Star Holiday Performance Students didn’t let a three week delay, due to the snowstorm that hit Kentucky prior to the holiday break, hinder them from giving an outstanding post Christmas performance of the North Pole Star on Fri., Jan. 7. The performance and holiday dinner, previously scheduled for Dec. 17, was well attended and was a pleasant diversion from the “oh so dreaded and back from the holidays routine.” K-5 student roles included reindeer soloists, the Donner Cheer Team and the North Pole Singers. HS students Jon Cord, Samantha Hubbard and MS student Donnie Risner were the talented judges and KIMRC Program Coordinator Alexander Redden served as the host. Arts and Humanities Teacher Tabathia Roark directed the production. There are two North Pole Star photos in the print edition. Photo #1 shows a elementary student dressed up with reindeer antlers and clothing with hearts on them. She is singing into a microphone on stage. The caption reads: Cupid the reindeer played by Riley Seif sings “You Must Love Me” in the North Pole Star. Host Alexander Redden is in the background. Photo #2 shows the cast of the North Pole Star on stage during the production finale. The caption reads: Arts and Humanities teacher Tabathia Roark directs the cast of the North Pole Star in the finale “We are all Winners Here”. Today is Deadline for Annual KIMRC Registration of Legally Blind and Visually Impaired Students As of this morning (Feb. 4), 25 Kentucky school districts have not completed their annual registration of statewide students who are blind and visually impaired to the Kentucky Instructional Materials Resource Center (KIMRC). Why is it so crucial that a school district return their registration? Last year the KIMRC received $334.27 per legally blind student through Federal Quota funds allocated by Congress and administered through the American Printing House for the Blind. If school districts, fail to register their students, the KIMRC receives less money to purchase accessible textbooks and educational aids. Since state textbook funding was cut last year, Federal Quota is the KIMRC’s sole funding source for textbooks, educational aids and supplies for statewide students. If the KIMRC does not have funding to purchase Braille and large print textbooks, the burden falls back onto the district. This should be a big incentive for all school districts to complete their annual registration. All school districts should complete the annual registration paperwork. Districts that do not have students with visual impairments should make that indication on the form and return it. If a district has an extenuating circumstance that prevents them from submitting the registration on time, they should contact Alexander Redden immediately at alexander.redden@ksb.kyschools.us or 502-897-1583, ext. 213. All annual registration information and forms can be downloaded from the web at http://www.ksb.k12.ky.us/Resources/2011%20Registration.htm. Consultants Offer Presentation on Meeting the Needs of Blind/VI Preschool Students Big East Regional Consultant Pamela Howard and Early Childhood Consultant Patty Dilg will present on Meeting the Needs of Preschool Students who are Blind and Visually Impaired on Feb. 17-18 at the Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services (NKCES). The training is beneficial for Preschool Teachers; Regular and Special Education Teachers; Paraprofessionals; Speech/Language Pathologists; Occupational Therapists; Physical Therapists and any other personnel working with young students who are blind/visually impaired. The design of the training is to assist educators and service providers who work with young children who are blind/visually impaired. This training will include a discussion of the effects of vision loss on overall growth and development, common eye conditions and their implications. Adaptations, modifications and resources will be shared for appropriate programming for students who are low vision or blind, including children who have additional disabilities. For more information or to register, contact NKCES Regional Consultant Teri Ritchie at 859-442-7031 ext. 21, teri.ritchie@nkces.org or Patty Dilg at 502-897-1583 ext. 259, patty.dilg@ksb.kyyschools.us. Three Regional Parent Support Groups to be Held Family Support Specialist Mitch Dahmke is reaching out to parents and families of children who are blind and visually impaired by hosting regional Parent Support Group meetings in February. The Owensboro Area Parent Meeting will be held on Tues., Feb. 8 from 6-8 PM in the Young Meeting House on the Wendell Foster Campus in Owensboro. Caveland and River Region Consultant Dr. Betsy Flener will be the main presenter as she shares “Charting Our Own Course of Self-Determination” which features highlights the struggles and successes of several students. Alexander Redden will share information with parents about resources available through the KIMRC. In addition to KSB’s Family Support Center, this parent group is sponsored by area teachers of the visually impaired Rick Boggess, Kaye Daugherty and Laura Daughterty. The Northern Kentucky Parent Meeting will be held on Thurs., Feb. 10 from 7-8:30 PM at Ockerman Middle School in Florence. Michelle Litmer will speak with parents about her experiences as a student with a visual impairment and will demonstrate how to use downloaded print material in an auditory format. Litmer is a former Boone County student. Parents and families are invited to attend a first time get-together for the purpose of forming a Parent Support Group in Madison County on Sat., Feb. 26 at 10 AM at the Richmond Public Library. Childcare and refreshments will be provided. The purpose of the Parent Groups is to establish a cooperative partnership between schools and families across the Commonwealth. Upcoming Event Weekend Retreat to Be Held in March A Weekend Retreat for non-KSB students in grades 6-12 will be held on Fri., Mar. 18-Sun. Mar. 20. on the KSB campus. The retreat is a division of KSB’s Short Term Program and funded by the KSB Charitable Foundation. Using the popular movie Night at the Museum as a foundation, the theme for the retreat is “Weekend at the Museum.” Students will visit several area museums, focusing on exploring the cultural and educational resources in Louisville. Along with an action packed schedule, students will have the opportunity to interact with other peers with visual impairments, share responsibilities and work together as a team. Components of the Expanded Core Curriculum for Students with Visual Impairments will be embedded throughout the weekend. Students will get the opportunity to prepare meals, dine out at local restaurants, use public transportation, have recreation with peers and more! The registration deadline for the retreat is Feb. 18. Retreat information and registration form are available on the web at http://www.ksb.k12.ky.us/Academics/STP%202011%20Retreat%20Weekend.htm. KBE Appoints Mudd to KSB Advisory Board The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) appointed J. Gary Mudd to the KSB Advisory Board on Wed., Feb. 2. He replaces Lora Felty, Teacher of the visually Impaired from Ashland, who has served on the board since 2002. Mudd is a KSB alumnus and has been actively involved with the school for many years. He has worked at the American Printing House for the Blind since 1986, where he currently serves as the Vice President for Public Affairs. Mr. Mudd graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Science in the area of Sociology. His civic and professional involvements include work with Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS), KSB Charitable Foundation, the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the American Foundation for the Blind, National Braille Association. In addition, he is actively involved in advocating on disability and accessibility issues on the local, state, and national levels. Editor’s Note: There is a snapshot of Gary Mudd in the print edition. KSB’s Snow Make Up Days are Feb. 14 and May 27 Kentucky School for the Blind 1867 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY www.ksb.kyschools.us Director of Instruction: John Roberts Director of Operations: Kenneth Washington Director of Outreach for Statewide Services: Meg Stone Director of Outreach for Regional Services and Programs: Kristen Hammond