KSB Update Bi-Monthly Activity Report of the Kentucky School for the Blind May-June 2010 2010 Commencement Eight Seniors Receive Diplomas The Class of 2010—J.J. Earls, Jessica Martin, Tiffany Patrick, Matt Sparks, Dalton Novince, Ben Small, Tommy Zwick and Marissa Chambers received diplomas during the Commencement Program on Thurs., May 20. Honored guests included Kentucky Board of Education members Kaye Baird, C. B. Akins, Brigitte Ramsey and Joe Brothers. American Printing House for the Blind President Tuck Tinsley, III Ed.D. delivered the Commencement Address. Jessica Martin, Mayor’s Outstanding Senior Award recipient, was the student speaker. Class valedictorian was Marissa Chambers. Brigitte Ramsey presented diplomas to the seniors. Editor’s Note: There are four photos that accompany the Commencement article in the print edition. Photo #1 shows the senior class in black cap and gowns standing in front of the cupola on the front lawn. The photo caption reads: KSB presents the Class of 2010. Front row left to right: Valedictorian Marissa Chambers, Ben Small Matt Sparks and Tiffany Partrick. Back row: Tommy Zwick, Dalton Novince, Jessica Martin and J.J. Earls. Photo #2 shows KBE member Brigitte Ramsey handing a diploma to Dalton Novince during the Commencement Program in Richie Auditorium. He is shaking her hand. KBE member Brigitte Ramsey presents a diploma to Dalton Novince. Photo #3 shows Dr. Tuck Tinsley delivering the commencement address. He is at the podium. Honored guests are seated behind him and the graduates are seated to his left on stage in the auditorium. The caption reads: Dr. Tuck Tinsley speaks to the graduates about “packing for their future.” Photo #4 is a group photo taken in the auditorium during the Awards Assembly on the afternoon before graduation. The caption reads: The KSB Charitable Foundation presented the Joseph Kuczwara Scholarship Award and $500 to senior Jessica Martin. Pictured from left to right are KSBCF Executive Director Rick Ricks, Jessica Martin, Joe Kuczwara and KSB Director of Instruction John Roberts. Students Do Well in 16th Annual Kentucky Gourd Art Show KSB students won 39 ribbons in the 16th Annual Kentucky Gourd Art Show that was held at Spencer County Elementary in Taylorsville on May 15-16. This included: seven 1st place, ten 2nd place, eight 3rd place, six 4th place and eight 5th place ribbons. There were a total of 450 Kentucky student entries in the show. Through the Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft’s Artists in Residence Program, KSB students created gourd art under the direction of artist Patrice Will for the show’s new touchable gourds category. KSB teamed with VSA arts of Kentucky and the Kentucky Gourd Society to make gourd art accessible to everyone by creating the show’s first “touchable” gourds category. VSA arts provides 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. There are three photos that accompany the Gourd Art Show article in the print edition. Photo #1 shows a textured gourd painted in hues of blue, black and turquoise. The caption reads: First place entry by KSB’s Jay Knott. Photo #2 shows a photo poster on an easel at the Art Show. The caption reads: A photo poster of KSB students working on their gourd art was on display at the Art Show. Photo #3 shows John Roberts standing beside the touchable gourd entries at the Art Show. The caption reads: KSB Director of Instruction attended the Art Show. He is standing beside a first place KSB entry. Dahmke Presented with Paul J. Langan Award KSB awarded the distinguished Paul J. Langan Award to Carol Dahmke during the Founder’s Day Program on Fri., May 7. Dahmke a familiar advocate, volunteer and supporter of KSB accepted the award from Interim Director of Operations Soraya Matthews. The award, established in 1992, is dedicated to former superintendent Paul J. Langan (1945-56) in recognition of his outstanding service and constructive leadership. Dahmke has been involved with the school for most of her life, as her father was a KSB graduate. In 1996, Dahmke and her family moved from Nebraska so that her two sons who are visually impaired could attend KSB. Thus began her quest to become a strong advocate for a comprehensive school for blind students. She recently completed her third term on the KSB Advisory Board. She was a former member of the site based council and was involved in the parent, student and staff organization. Dahmke also serves as the office manager for Visually Impaired Preschools Services (VIPS) in Louisville. In other Founder’s Day activities, the KSB Alumni Association President Darrell Buford presented Science Teacher Samir Azer with $500 for the science department. Buford sited Azer’s work as a catalyst in earmarking the association’s gift for science. There is a photo in the print edition that accompanies the Langan Award article that shows Carol Dahmke holding the Langan Award. She is standing beside the podium in Richie Auditorium. Soraya Matthews is standing behind the podium. The caption reads: Dahmke (left) accepts the Paul J. Langan Award from Interim Director of Operations Soraya Matthews. K-5 Students Come from East to West Participate in Braille and Low Vision Carnival K-5 students who are blind and visually impaired from Jefferson, Pulaski, Hardin, Madison, Caldwell, Washington, Trimble, Owsley, Whitley, Daviess, Jessamine, Anchorage Independent and Owensboro Independent school districts participated in the Braille and Low Vision Carnival at KSB on Fri., May 14. About forty students were on campus for the annual event conducted by the Short Course staff and volunteers. At the end of the day, the students took home a “goodie” bag filled with treats, information and mementos from their unique learning experience. There are three photos that accompany the Braille and Low Vision Carnival article. Photo #1 shows a male student sitting at a table. He is playing a game as his father looks over his shoulder. A teacher is sitting across the table and is helping him to maneuver the game. The caption reads: Jackson Sanders from Madison Co. plays one of several games with primary teacher Jeanie Brasher as his father Lee Sanders watches during the Braille and Low Vision Carnival. Photo #2 shows a KSB male student having his face painted by a parent volunteer. He is looking at her out of the corner of his eye. The caption reads: KSB student Cody Barnes eyes parent volunteer Jayne Seif as she applies paint to his face. Photo #3 shows a female student standing in the center of two staff members. The teacher on her right is assisting the student as she reads Braille instructions. The caption reads: Whitney Earl, from Whitley Co. reads the instructions for the next game. With her is Karen White (right), teacher of the visually impaired and a staff member from the Wilderness Trail Region. Statewide Students Attend Low Vision Clinic Twelve students from Barren, Jefferson, Hardin, Letcher, Marshall, McCracken and Elizabethtown Independent school districts received a low vision clinical evaluation through the Low Vision Clinic (LVC) on May 14-15. In addition to the evaluation conducted by Jenny Wood, O.D., occupational therapy observations were rendered to three students by Jennifer Stocker, MHS, OTR/L while attending the clinic. Many of the students were accompanied by their parents and/or by a teacher of the visually impaired (TVI). With technology recently acquired for the clinic, information provided by Dr. Wood during the examination is video recorded and can be sent to the student’s TVI upon request. The clinic is funded by the KSB Charitable Foundation. The funding also provides districts the opportunity to borrow low vision devices and/or technologies that have been recommended by Dr. Wood on a trial basis. There is a photo in the print edition that was taken during the Low Vision Clinic. The photo shows Rick Ricks who is kneeling while speaking to two preschoolers and their mother. Meg Stone is speaking to Will Evans in the background in the reception area of the Low Vision Clinic in Howser Hall. The caption reads: KSBCF Executive Director Rick Ricks speaks to Barren County school district preschoolers Raechel and Whitney Hall and their mother Jessica Hall during the Low Vision Clinic. In the background, Acting Outreach Director/Low Vision Coordinator Meg Stone speaks with former KSB Superintendent Will D. Evans. Students Perform Well During May Music Recitals K-5 students performed on piano, violin and percussion instruments before a large audience of parents, friends, students and staff during an afternoon recital on Thurs., May 6. The young students did an awesome job as they tickled the ivories, strummed violins, beat the drums and more! MS and HS students showcased their musical talents during an evening recital on Thurs., May 13. The students played “music of the decades” by Ray Charles, Madonna, Elvis, Beatles, Elton John, etc. At the end of the recital, several KSB staff members, along with the music department staff, presented a dance and song routine to Love Will Keep Us Together. There are four photos from the recitals in the print edition. Photo #1 shows two students with microphones in hand and singing a song during the MS/HS Recital in Richie Auditorium. The caption reads: Duet, senior Jessica Martin and junior Jon Cord, sing a Stevie Wonder number during the MS/HS Spring Recital. Photo #2 shows a student playing a solo violin number during the K-5 Recital. The caption reads: Fourth grader Taryn Seif strums the violin during the K-5 Recital. Photo #3 shows the KSB Choir standing in two rows on stage. The caption reads: The KSB Choir, under the direction of Tabathia Roark, performs during the MS/HS Recital. Photo #4 shows Kerry Carr and Crystal Johnson during a dance routine. Kerry is supporting with his arms as Crystal leans backward with one foot on the floor and one in the air. The caption reads: Staff members Kerry Carr and Crystal Johnson participated in a special staff song and dance number at the end of the recital. Fair Finally Becomes Reality for MS/HS Students MS/HS students looked really sharp as they arrived for the Reality Fair on Wed., May 5. Dressed for success, the students assumed the roles of responsible adults and faced the challenges of taking on a career, balancing a budget and making critical consumer and lifestyle choices. The Reality Fair finally got underway after it had been cancelled in February to due snowstorm. Volunteers from local businesses and agencies, parents, grandparents and school supporters manned booths where students had to visit the bank, obtain housing, shop for groceries, select a mode of communication, make transportation arrangements, etc. Freshman Andrew Turner and sixth grader Kevin Brewer were voted “Best Dressed for Success” by the volunteers. There are three photos of the Reality Fair in the print edition. Photo #1 shows a MS student listening to Michael McCarty and David Hume as they spoke to him in the Communications Booth. The caption reads: Eighth grader Jay Knott listens to volunteer Michael McCarty, from the Communication Dept. at the American Printing House for the Blind (right) and technology teacher David Hume (left) about purchasing options for mobile communications. Photo #2 shows a volunteer working with a student at the tax booth. The caption reads: Volunteer Bill Pfund, Director of Compliance and Planning for ARCO Aluminum, manned the Uncle Sam Tax Booth at the Reality Fair. MS student Michael Douglas is using a large print calculator to add up his tax bill. Photo #3 shows a volunteer showing a high school student where to enter data on a large print check in one of the Reality Fair booths. The caption readsL Freshman Ashley Busic makes out a large type check pay for expenses with assistance from volunteer Joy Packer, a retiree from Lexington. June Happenings: KSB Services Keep on Going During Busy Month • The KSB Alumni Association held their annual reunion on campus on June 4-6. Over 150 alumni gathered for a weekend of events and informative sessions. During their banquet on Sat. evening, the association presented its first 75th Anniversary Alumni Award to Class of 1935 member Charles E. “Ned” Cox. Throughout his life, Cox has been a strong supporter of employment and educational opportunities for children and adults who are blind and visually impaired. He retired from the Kentucky Office for the Blind where he spent the majority of his 30 year career as Director of the Kentucky Industries for the Blind (now LC Industries, a private company). Along with the Louisville East End Lions Club, Cox was beneficial in establishing the Ned Cox Fund to help students in need who attend KSB. Today, at age 93, Cox serves as president of his Lions Club in Fenton, MO. • Six statewide high school students participated in the INSIGHT Post Secondary Preparation Program held at Morehead State University on June 5-12. This was the fifth year for the collaborative program that provides prospective college students with training on accessing vital campus services. KSB is one of several partners in the unique learning experience. • KSB Summer Enrichment Programs will be held on June 21-July 2. The elementary program theme is Water, Water Everywhere. Along with classroom activities, K-5 students will visit a water plant and will spend time enjoying the riverfront water park. Summer Challenge is the theme of the MS/HS program. These students will participate in a scavenger hunt at the mall and will spend some time behind the scenes at Churchill Down. KSB Receives Brightside NatureScape Grant KSB was recently awarded a $1000 Brightside Neighborhood NatureScape Grant from Brightside Inc. The grant will be used to replace “significant” trees that have been lost over the past two years due to weather. It will be also used to add some native trees to the campus landscape. These “signature” trees will help give the campus a true park-like feeling. The original intent of the school’s founders was to always maintain its “park-like” character. That is still the intent of KSB today, 168 years later. With the assistance of a Metro Parks Landscape architect, a survey of the current conditions of the trees was conducted and a long term plan was developed for replacing and adding to trees to the grounds with the appropriate type and location, including those native to Kentucky. KSB Boy Scout Troop #10, along with the Cub Scout troop and Venture Crew, under the leadership of their scoutmasters, will plant and care for all of the new trees as part of their scout service requirements. 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 Campus Manager: Soraya Matthews Acting Outreach Director: Meg Stone