KSB Update Bi-Monthly Activity Report of the Kentucky School for the Blind July-August 2010 KSB Receives Generous Grant from KSBCF The Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation (KSBCF) made the first day back to school a little more pleasant for instructional and outreach staff. As the staff gathered for the traditional staff opening of school activities, they were greeted by KSBCF Executive Director Rick Ricks bearing a giant check for $147,279. The check represented a grant awarded to the school for the 2010-11 school year. The funding will be used for instructional and outreach programs and for assistive technology. In accepting the check, Roberts noted that without the help from KSBCF, KSB could not offer some of the opportunities that are available to students. The grant is instrumental in providing the latest assistive and adaptive technology for students, Short Term Retreats, Statewide Family Conference, Gateways Professional Development for Teachers of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility Instructors, Low Vision Clinics, Insight Post Secondary Preparation Program and much, much more. These opportunities affect all statewide students who are blind and visually impaired whether they are served by KSB or through their local school district. Editor’s Note: There is a photo in the print showing John Roberts and Rick Ricks hold a large formboard replica of a check. The photo is taken in the classroom lobby. The caption reads: KSBCF Executive Director Rick Ricks and KSB Director of Instruction John Roberts proudly display the $147,279 check from KSBCF. Social Studies Teacher to Study in Germany Social Studies Teacher Todd Johnson is one of twelve high school teachers and university professors from Kentucky that have been selected for an intensive 13day all-expense paid study tour of Germany from Sept. 25-Oct. 8. Atlantik-Brücke (German, Atlantic bridge) is funding the trip. The Atlantik-Brücke Association was founded in Bonn in 1952 (now located in Berlin) to promote German-American understanding and Atlanticism. The purpose of the tour is to deepen the knowledge of high school social studies teachers and professors at teacher institutions about German/American relations, post-WWII Germany, the Holocaust, and to promote a better understanding between the U.S. and Germany. While on the tour, Johnson will have the unique access to meet representatives of German institutions such as the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Chancellery, the Federal Ministry of Economics, and German corporations and universities. Tentative plans include visits to the cities of Hidesheim, Kiel, Hamburg, Rendsburg, Frieberg, Weimar, Berlin, Dresden and Frankfurt. Editor’s Note: There is a photo in the print edition. It shows Todd Johnson sitting at a table in his classroom. Seated across from him is Jay Knott. Todd is helping him with an assignment. The caption reads: Social Studies Teacher Todd Johnson, working with Freshman Jay Knott, is looking forward to his upcoming tour of Germany. Summer Programs Were Challenging and Fun KSB provided 52 students with a challenging and fun-filled two-week summer learning program on June 21-July 2. The theme of the MS/HS program was “Challenge.” They spent their days honing up on money skills such as writing checks and using a checkbook register; using electronic bank transaction record system; reading a pay stub and understanding gross pay and deductions; calculating deductions for taxes and Social Security; learning about credit and credit cards and understanding the purpose for and developing a budget. In addition, they learned about what it takes to live alone; obligations as a renter, homeowner, neighbor, roommate; clothing care; washing and ironing; basic sewing stitches and household cleaning. MS/HS students took part in four challenges. The students were divided into teams and were given cooking, dorm clean-up, recreational and goalball challenges. It was a fun-filled time that also included a trip to the mall and a field trip to the backside of Churchill Downs. “Water, Water, Everywhere” was the theme for the elementary program. The students reviewed the water cycle; developed an understanding of ground water and created a model of an aquifer with a well; developed an understanding of the small amount of water on earth that is available for daily use; water conservation; scientific and natural water purification processes; learned about condensation and evaporation. They also visited the Louisville Water Company. For fun, they enjoyed many warm afternoons at the pool! Part of the success of the summer programs is due to the participation of eight students enrolled in the University of Louisville Teacher of the Visually Impaired Teacher Preparation and Orientation and Mobility Programs. The UofL students gain valuable practicum experience during the summer programs. There are five summer program photos in the print edition. Photo #1 shows MS/HS students standing in the grandstands overlooking the track at Churchill Downs. The caption reads: MS/HS students were given a hands-on tour of Churchill Downs. Here the students check out the view from the grandstand. Photo #2 shows several students a kitchen in Evans Hall. They are standing near the kitchen counter. There are paper towels on the counter and one student appears to be cleaning the countertop. There is a mop and bucket nearby. One of the students is holding the mop. The caption reads: MS/HS students (from left to right) Shawn Smith and David Carnes, KSB; Michael Anderson, Jefferson County and Joseph Paulin, Owensboro Independent compete in the Dorm Cleaning Challenge during the MS/HS Program. Photo #3 shows a MS/HS male student sitting at a table. He has a knife in his hand and is cutting chicken into cubes on a cutting board. The caption reads: Doug Ballinger, Boone County, dices chicken during the cooking challenge. Photo #4 shows two elementary students in the recreation center. They are sharing a dance. The caption reads: Jefferson County students Jonathon Miller and Addison Evers share a dance during evening recreational activities. Photo #5 shows an elementary girl at the ledge of a swimming pool. The caption reads: Elementary student Jordan Lister, Fayette County, enjoys time in the water. New Name, Same Great Student Service For over 20 years, KSB has been offering students highly specialized, intensive services through the Short Course Program. The name has been changed to the Short Term Program. This change will hopefully alleviate confusion regarding the purpose and focus of the program. The Short Term Program is not a course, but rather a service to students who are blind and visually impaired, in order to supplement and support the student’s IEP. The main focus of the program is to offer highly specialized training and skill development in the Expanded Core Curriculum for Students with Visual Impairments. Depending on the individual need(s) of the student, skills such as Braille, Orientation & Mobility and Assistive Technology may also be addressed. The same great services remain the same, only the name has changed! Gateways to Independence PD Teachers Learn ABCs of Accessible Media Over ninety Kentucky teachers of the visually impaired, O&M instructors and paraprofessionals participated in the Gateways to Independence Summer Institute held on July 14-15 on the KSB campus. A wealth of knowledge was shared with attendees as presenters expounded on a variety of technological devices, programs, techniques and short cuts in providing accessible material to students who are visually impaired. These included sessions on the Bookport+, Kurzweil 1000, Victor Stream and Victor Soft, Booksense, Braille+, Braille Note, Book Wizard and Tactile Image Library. Attendees also learned about resources from the National Library Service, NIMAC and NIMAS. Here are just a few of the comments from attendees: “I learned tips I can use on Day 1 of school to make text accessible to my students.” “It opened my eyes to all the avenues to obtain books for children.” “I know how to access media much more effectively and I know new sites from which to access books, etc.” “I have a new found knowledge to help my students’ access digital media. Gateways is presented by the KSB Outreach Department in cooperation with the American Printing House for the Blind (APH)and the Kentucky Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (KAER). Carr, Nusz and Johnson Take Road to Retirement Guidance Counselor Mike Johnson, Director of Special Education Nancy Nusz and Facilities Administrator Kerry Carr officially retire today, Aug. 31. Johnson leaves with 35 years of service, 18 of which have been with KSB. Nusz has been at KSB for three years and has been an educator/administrator for 36. Carr is retiring after 28 years at KSB. Please join us in saluting our retirees! There are photos of the retirees in the print edition. Photo #1 shows Nancy Nusz sitting at her desk. She is talking on the telephone. The caption reads: Director of Special Education Nancy Nusz notes the two things she will miss most when she retires are the kids and Wildcat Friday. She said, “Mr. Roberts gets more work out of me on Fridays when I am in my Wildcat tee shirt and blue jeans.” Photo #2 shows Mike Johnson at the desk in his office. He is helping senior Samantha Hubbard with some paperwork. The caption reads: Looking back at his KSB career Guidance Counselor Mike Johnson says, “It has been a privilege to work with such dedicated people and good kids.” Photo #3 shows Kerry Carr standing by the marquee on the front lawn of campus. The marquee reads: Have a Happy Retirement Kerry Carr. The photo caption reads: As a facilities administrator, Kerry Carr has overseen and implemented a lot of improvements to the campus throughout the past 28 years. Summer Make Over Look What’s New in Evans Hall The new carpet in the foyer of Evans Hall has made a huge difference in the appearance of the building that houses students who reside on campus throughout the week. The carpeting project was completed in July. Editor’s Note: There is a photo of the lobby area of Evans Hall. It shows the newly carpeted floor. The caption reads: The Evans Hall foyer looks much, much better after the flooring was replaced with new carpet over the summer. Evans Hall houses residential students. Oct. 8-9 KSB to Host Statewide Family Conference KSB is excited to host the Statewide Conference for Families with Children who are Blind and Visually Impaired on Oct. 8-9. The conference is open to all Kentucky families with children with visual impairments and will be held on the KSB campus. The conference theme is Gazing at Options: What Does the Future Hold for Your Child with Visual Impairments and features a great lineup of excellent presenters including Kevin O’Connor, CSP; Tina Blatter and Mindy Ely. O’Connor will be the keynote speaker. As the past president of the National Association of Parents of the Visually Impaired (NAPVI), O’Connor teaches at Loyola University, is a corporate consultant and has authored six books. In addition, he is the father of a 21-year-old son who is blind and a student at George Washington University. Blatter, a self taught visual artist who is legally blind, will open the conference on Friday evening (Oct. 8) with a heartwarming session about her life experiences and will engage families in an art activity. Ely will help families prepare for the future. As a Vision Specialist with Hearing and Vision Connections providing training and technical assistance to family members and professionals in Illinois, Ely brings a unique perspective to her trainings having been a teenager when her mother was blinded in a tragic accident. She spent years working as a Teacher for the Visually Impaired and as an early intervention provider for families of young children with vision loss. The conference is funded by the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation. Childcare activities will be provided. Cost of the conference is $25 per family. For more information contact the KSB Family Support Center at 502-8971583, ext. 221 or mitch.dahmke@ksb.kyschools.us. Kentucky School for the Blind Director of Instruction: John Roberts Acting Campus Manager: Soraya Matthews Acting Outreach Director: Meg Stone