KSB Update Bi-Monthly Activity Report of the Kentucky School for the Blind June-July 2009 Summer Programs Worth the Ride for 71 Students Getting KSB’s Summer School Programs up and running was much like taking a trip. There was some “stop and go” traffic to get through, a few detours and the occasional bump in the road. But, the trip was well worth it for 71 statewide students who are blind and visually impaired who attended the 2009 Elementary, MS/HS and Work/Career Summer Programs on July 6-17. After making it through the “stop and go” decisions to conduct the programs, redirecting the usual route from four weeks to two and adjusting to a bumpy economy, students had an awesome experience. Six student teachers enrolled in the Teacher of the Visually Impaired/ Orientation & Mobility Preparation Program at the University of Louisville and one O&M intern from Illinois assisted summer school staff. KSB is extremely grateful to a local church group that provided art supplies, a Kroger gift certificate and funds for students to go on a field trip. Elementary Highlights Transportation was a fitting theme for 38 elementary students. They explored many modes of transportation from trains to race cars. A Transportation Fair was held on campus to enlighten the youngsters about the common and not so common modes of travel. They had the opportunity to board a UPS Truck and to learn about the services provided by a worldwide shipping company. They got to sit in the seat and learn about the speed and safety features of a race car. They mounted the back of a horse and learned how to maneuver the animal to make it go faster or slower. They rode in tandem on a bicycle while learning that teamwork is a big factor in getting to where you need to go. They strapped on moon shoes and jumped on pogo sticks for two very unique travel options. Classroom instruction incorporated O&M skills and math and reading related to the transportation theme. KSB Network Engineer Ray Donner, an avid hot air balloonist, spoke with the students about riding in a hot air balloon. Art and music projects carried through with the theme. The students also went to The Kentucky Railway Museum in New Haven to compliment their travel studies. MS/HS Highlights The focus for 18 MS/HS students was “Getting a Life.” Their objective was to learn about the ins and outs of life after high school. They did a comparative analysis of rent and amenities of apartments in several Louisville locations. They had an in depth discussion on the “who, what, how and cost” of furnishing an apartment. They learned about budgeting, career options, cooking and other daily living skills. A representative from the Kentucky Office of the Blind met with the students to inform them about services to adults who are blind and visually impaired and how to access them. They met with the cafeteria vendor at the American Printing House for the Blind to learn about the blind vendors program and other training options available through the Kentucky Business Enterprises, Office for the Blind and State Committee of Blind Vendors. And, they utilized the TARC Adventure Bus to go out for lunch. While at the restaurant, they were responsible for staying within a budget and ordering and paying for their meals. Career/Work Program Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom welcomed the arrival of 15 Career/Work Program students. Students performed numerous customer service tasks. These students were paid for their work and were pleased with the increase in the minimum wage—so much that they asked to work the last day (July 17) of the program. The last day is optional for Career/Work students because of closing activities conducted on campus. In addition to daytime activities, students took advantage of swimming, bowling, skating and other recreational games in the evening. The students enjoyed a carnival on campus on Sat., July 11 and a farewell dance on Thurs. (July 16) evening. It might have been a rough road leading up to the Summer Programs, but it did not slow the pace of another exciting KSB summer experience for students! Editor’s Note: There are seven photos of the summer program in the print edition. These include: Photo #1 shows a female elementary student sitting in the seat of a race car. She is obviously happy as she a big smile. The photo caption reads: Addison Evers, Jefferson Co., is in the driver’s seat of a race car at the Transportation Fair during KSB’s summer program for elementary students. Photo #2 shows two female elementary students working at a desk. They are working making a chart using push pins and rubber bands. The caption reads: From left to right: Katelynn Livengood, Grant Co. and Megan Peskoe, Jefferson Co., are working on a charting activity during classroom instruction. Photo #3 shows a male student standing inside a race car. His upper body is protruding out the driver’s side window of the door. The caption reads: Miguel Magallenes, Jefferson Co., checks out No. 77. Photo #4 shows a male elementary student riding on the back seat of a tandem bicyle. There is a man in the front seat. The photo was taken in the parking area on campus. The caption reads: Jonathon Miller, Jefferson Co. enjoys riding in tandem. Photo #5 shows a young male sitting in the saddle on a horse. Three adults are standing by his side. The caption reads: Brevin Fannin, Greenup Co., is well pleased with his ride. Photos 3-5 were taken during the Transportation Fair. Photo #6 shows four female elementary students sitting at a table. They are working with an array of colored paper and glue. It is obvious that they are making a specific item, but you can not tell what it is from the photo. The caption reads: From left to right: Addison Evers; Taryn Seif, KSB; Amelia Lillie, Jefferson Co. and Jarriel Scott, Hardin Co., work on a colorful art project. Photo #7 shows Ray Donner instructing students in a classroom. There is material on the table and the students are listening intently. The caption reads: Hot air balloonist Ray Donner shares his knowledge of ballooning with elementary students. Gateways to Independence Statewide Teachers Take Advantage of Training on Expanded Core Curriculum Eighty-five Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs), Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialists and Paraeducators representing 28 Kentucky school districts took advantage of a two day (12 hour) training session on the Effective Instructional Continuum for the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) featuring Vanderbilt University’s Program in Visual Disabilities Coordinator Karen Blankenship, Ph.D. Mastery of the core curriculum is what both parents and teachers stress as essential for academic success in school, and later in life. With respect to blind and visually impaired students, the existing core curriculum is entirely appropriate; however, there are experiences and concepts casually and incidentally learned by sighted students that must be systematically and sequentially taught to the visually impaired student. Blankenship equipped attendees with strategies, need assessments, explicit lesson planning and other tools to implement the ECC. Gateways is hosted by KSB and the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) through the National Instructional Partnership with support from the Kentucky chapter, Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (KAER). Attendees were very complimentary of the training. Here are a few of the comments from Kentucky educators: I plan to re-think the way I have been working with my students and make many changes related to ECC. I plan to do a better job of screening and assessing ECC needs, writing measurable goals and providing explicit instruction. I plan to focus on ECC along with academic standards, realizing that ECC standards can also be part of the classroom, not just after school recreation time, etc. I will be able to have a continuous record of progress of ECC to share with parents, teachers and administrators. Students will be able to develop self-confidence in the real world by learning the ECC. Editor’s Note: There are two Gateways photos in the print edition: Photo #1 shows Dr. Karen Blankenship addressing the audience of teachers (seated at tables) in the cafeteria. The caption reads: Dr. Karen Blankenship speaks with Gateways attendees on the effective instructional continuum of the ECC. Photo #2 was taken from the back of the cafeteria and shows the overall view of Gateways attendees. The caption reads: Gateways provided vision specific PD to 85 Kentucky educators. Students Experience College Life through INSIGHT This is the fourth year for the INSIGHT Post Secondary Preparation Program at Morehead State University. INSIGHT gave ten sophomores and juniors with visual impairments the opportunity to experience the challenges of enrolling in a university or community college. It was held on July 7-13. Students attended a MSU class and INSIGHT classes daily. They had access to laptop computers from the MSU technology lab to use while attending the program. While on campus, they were among the first visitors to the new Science Center that opened during INSIGHT. Evening dorm activities included individual and small group work on O&M and daily living skills. Student participants were Courtney Adams, Harlan Co.; Keeshia Madden and Jordan Bramblett, Scott Co.; Victor Herren, Knox Co., Matthew Sparks and Beth Hope, KSB; Stephanie McDonald, Jessamine Co.; Michael Caporale, Meade Co.; Eugene Kelsey, Rowan Co. and Jesse Hockenbury, Jefferson Co. INSIGHT staff worked diligently to expose the students to the rigor of the post secondary experience and to arm them with the skills they need to utilize campus facilities and services. Staff members were Jill Griffiths (BEEC Director), administrator; Kristen Hammond (KSB Reg. Consultant), onsite coordinator; Pamela Howard (KSB Reg. Consultant), instructional coordinator; Bo Mullins and Stephanie Brown (KSB teachers), residential assistances; Tim Nelson (Retired KY Office of the Blind Independent Contractor), O&M supervisor; and David Presley, Isabel Pereira and Kelly Egan (O&M interns, UofL). INSIGHT is a collaborative effort of KSB, Big East Educational Cooperative (BEEC), KSB Charitable Foundation, Kentucky Office for the Blind, MSU and UofL. The Morehead Lions Club partners in providing a cookout for students and staff on an annual basis. Editor’s Note: There is a photo of INSIGHT participants and staff in the print edition. The students and staff are standing in two rows in front of a MSU structure. The caption reads: 2009 INSIGHT students and staff posed for a group photo on the MSU campus. May/June Low Vision Clinics It’s All in a Day’s Work KSB Outreach Staff conducted two Low Vision Clinics (LVC) in the Spring, one on May 1516 and the other one on June 12-13. Needless to say, there were a few wild and wacky hoops that staff had to jump through in providing this vital service to statewide students with visual impairments. If anyone would have told the Outreach staff that they could conduct a LVC in May, in spite of water pipes bursting, fire, death, and dogs ODing on meds, they wouldn’t have believed it. All of these emergencies did occur and yes, the May 15-16 LVC was a success. On Thurs. afternoon (May 14), Acting Outreach Director Meg Stone and Low Vision Consultant Edith Ethridge, loaded down with computers, low vision devices and other supplies, entered the basement of Howser Hall where the LVC was to be set up. As they scurried around to get everything in place, Stone felt a drip and looked up to see soapsuds on the ceiling. She made a call to maintenance. They arrived on the scene, checked it out and informed her that it was a broken water pipe. Maintenance staff made arrangements for a plumber to correct the problem the next day. Setback #1: dealt with, no problem. The LVC is on! Ethridge took a deep breath and went to the airport to get Jenny Wood, OD, FAAO. Dr. Wood, arriving from Texas, would be performing the clinical low vision evaluations. After dinner, Ethridge proceeded to take Dr. Wood to the home of recently retired Outreach Director Cathy Johnson, where Dr. Wood planned to spend the weekend. As they turned onto Johnson’s street, they were greeted with the roar of sirens and flashing lights. They were slowed in their journey, but patiently inched up the street to find that the Johnson home was on fire. After stopping to find out what had happened, they headed back to the Ethridge Ponderosa. Setback #2: dealt with, no problem. Ethridge’s husband engaged Dr. Wood in conversation while his wife ran a marathon race to the guest room to fluff pillows and to make arrangements for their weekend guest. And, you guessed it, the LVC was still on! Day one of the LVC, the plumbers arrived. They remove ceiling tiles, removed and replaced the broken pipe and cleaned up the mess. This was all accomplished as the first student arrived for an evaluation. Everything was running smoothly except for a few minor glitches that are often experienced when using new technology. This was the first time that the new laptop computer and state-of-the-art software used for testing visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, astigmatism and color screening was used. Purchased by the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation (KSBCF), the technology features a variety of charts, fixation targets and videos to hold a child’s attention during the low vision examination. Day 2, Sat. (May 15), LVC staff arrived early. The first appointment was on schedule and then a call was received that a student and her family would not be able to make it due to a death in the family. Ethridge offered condolences and assured the student’s parent that a later appointment could be made. Setback#3: faced, no problem! Staff waited for the next student. This was a delightful, young girl who also had a hearing loss. We heard her coming and when she entered the LVC with her warm, infectious smile, she lets us know that “our world was going to be all right.” She looked around and walked over to Regional Consultant Teri Ritchie and gave her a hardy hug of approval. The child and her father were very encouraging. Dr. Wood invited dad into the examination room. As she worked, she explained things about the child’s vision to the dad that he had never heard before, things that helped him to understand her vision and the manner in which she tackles visual tasks. With tears in his eyes and through an interpreter, the dad, who is deaf, expressed his gratitude by saying, “No one has ever helped my child like this and explained to me what is going on with her vision.” Another student arrived. In came a happy, charming teenager. This kid had it all together. He knew what he wanted to become in life. His lifetime dream is to be a stand up comedian! His routine began when Dr. Wood told him if he was good while being evaluated, there would be a treat for him. Without missing a beat, he asked if that could be a kiss! During the evaluation, he kept everyone in stitches as he was never without a healthy, lighthearted, humorous and truthful reply to her questions. And, no, he did not get a kiss at the end of the evaluation! After the last student was seen and the paper work had been reviewed, the LVC was over. Dr. Wood spent the evening scrutinizing the reports. The next morning she was back on a plane to Texas. On Monday, the final shoe fell to the floor. Ethridge received a call from Dr. Wood that her three dogs chewed her prescription bottles (and swallowed the pills) that she had taken from her suitcase. They were transported to the vet. Setback #4: After more than $1800 paid to the vet, Wood’s poochies survived. And, can you believe it, she couldn’t wait to come back for the next LVC! When the June 12-13 LVC arrived, staff was ready! Then a phone call was received that Dr. Wood could not get out of Texas due to a tornado that had halted air travel from Austin. She drove to Dallas to catch a flight, only to find that it too had been cancelled. Pleading her case, she was booked on a flight to Lexington and finally arrived in Louisville at 11 PM the night before the LVC. The LVC is a very important service to Kentucky students with low vision needs. Dr. Wood brings unique skills as she understands the educational and medical implications of students’ vision needs. The evaluation is a critical part in insuring that students with visual impairments have the appropriate vision and ocular aids in order to have equal access to educational materials as do their sighted peers. The evaluation process helps to inform parents about the specific eye condition and vision needs of their child. It also is beneficial to school districts in providing appropriate media and/or vision devices based on the evaluation. It really is a win, win situation for everyone! Here is a note from a parent that confirms this thought: “Thank you so much for meeting with us today. I feel really good about the information we received and I felt very comfortable with all of the staff at KSB. Your urgency in this matter is much appreciated. I just can’t thank you enough. Hopefully my child (name removed) will grow into a successful, capable, independent woman. With help from people such as yourselves, who are willing to educate and experiment to see that every person has a chance to succeed in life. I feel much better about my daughter’s situation now that I know that there are tools available to her. Athletes Compete in IBSA World Youth and Student Championships Five KSB athletes did very well in competition and had an awesome time at the 2009 International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) World Youth and Student Championships in Colorado Springs on July 15-20. Senior Dalton Novince was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. junior national goalball team. Tyrone Parker, a 2009 KSB graduate, won gold and silver medals in track and field. Sophomore Bobby Townsend and 2009 graduate Marissa Helms received gold medals in swimming, with Helms also receiving a silver medal. Freshman Jonathon McCarty of Louisville participated in swimming as well. Athletic trainer Connie Hill worked with Team USA. Congratulations to these fine athletes! Staff News and Notes: · Meg Stone will remain as Acting Director of Outreach Services will assume the role of Low Vision Consultant. Soraya Matthews, KDE Office of Special Instructional Services, will be assisting her. · Jane Harty has been hired as the new Elementary Teacher. Harty returns to Louisville from Ohio, where she served two years as an itinerant teacher for nine school districts in the Cleveland area. · Julie DeLozier is the new Speech Language Therapist. She comes to the instructional team with 28 years experience working as a SLP in Oldham, Anchorage, Jefferson, Spencer Counties and had a successful private practice. · Kenny Jones has been named Athletic Director. Head Coaches for 2009-10 are: Girls Track: Crystal Johnson and assistant Mercedes Holmes Boys Track: Bo Mullins and assistant Harold Adams Girls Goalball: Ashley Swafford Boys Goalball: D.J. Harrod and assistant Bo Mullins Wrestling: Bo Mullins and assistant Harold Adams Cheerleading: Ashley Swafford and assistant Mercedes Holmes Girls Swim: Tristan Pierce Boys Swim: Jerry Ennis and assistant Dwayne Moore Forensics: Vacant and assistant Susan Hankins JV Swim: Jerry Ennis and assistant Dwayne Moore JV Wrestling: Bo Mullins Back to School Schedule Instructional Staff Returns: Mon., Aug. 3 Student Registration: Sun., Aug. 9 School Starts: Mon., Aug. 10 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 Director of Operations: Kathy Jennings Acting Outreach Director: Meg Stone