KSB Weekly Update
May 16, 2014
This publication highlights the weekly activities and events
that take place on campus and features some of
the activities conducted by KSB Outreach across the state.
Principal Matters
By: Ms. P (Debi Phillips)
Who hasn't participated in the on-going debate about highstakes testing? My most important role as KSB Principal is
to ensure EACH and EVERY student demonstrates academic
improvement. I remember the passage of the federal law
that made schools accept and educate ALL students. It
was a good day for our country when the Supreme Court
made schools do the right thing for kids--which was include them in public education. I
also remember the days when schools could say "we taught it, but students didn't get it"
and move on whether a student demonstrated progress or not. Thank goodness those
days are behind us and now schools are accountable for the learning of EACH AND
EVERY student in their school! What do we want our kids to know? A solid curriculum
that prepares them for life! How will we know if they learn it? Testing. Plain and
simple. This is the piece that gives us a measure for accountability because ALL kids
count and the days of writing off a student because of a disability are gone! As
educators we must set the bar and be held accountable for the learning of EACH and
EVERY student.
Counselor's Corner
By: Elaine Hall, School Counselor
These are such busy and exciting days at KSB!
Our high school students had a Senior Prom on Tues., May 13. Thank you to so many
people who helped this event come together! Thank you to senior class sponsors
Kyrstin. Johnson and Sadie Jaggers for helping organize the event!
As a follow-up to Operation Preparation, congratulations to
sophomore Selena Tirey (photo at left), who is now a
published writer. Her advisor at Humana was Graham
Shelby, who writes articles for the internal Humana
newsletter. He offered Selena the chance to write an article
from her perspective about our Humana visit. Her newsletter
article was sent to more than 52,000 Humana employees,
and many gave great feedback to Selena related to her
article. We greatly appreciate Mr. Shelby and Humana for
giving Selena that opportunity.
Congratulations to our music department with MS. Roark, Mr. Falk, Mr. Honey, and Mr.
Puckett for their fabulous HS/MS Spring Music Recital held on Thur. evening, May
15. We are so fortunate to have these talented musicians and teachers pull the very
best from our talented students!!
We now prepare for K-Prep Testing week. Zsuzi Costanzo, our school psychologist and
assessment coordinator, has done a beautiful job getting every student and staff
member prepared for our testing week. We will be testing May 27–June 2. Letters are
being sent home with full details for that week.
Thank you to all our families for your support of the prom, the
music recital, and all other support you give to help us close out
our school year with such exciting events.
KSB is a wonderful place to be!!
Elaine Hall, School Counselor
502-897-1583, ext. 0203
Senior Prom was a HUGE Success
On Tues., May 13, KSB high school students attended the prom at Beargrass Christian
Church. The dance was from 6-9 PM in the church’s fellowship hall. Graduating seniors
Kayla Newton, Kayla Voskuhl and Ashley Johnson were treated to a special hair and
make-up appointment provided by Empire Beauty School in the Highlands of Louisville.
The graduating seniors also had a wonderful dinner provided by Tumbleweed on the
River.
KSB seniors and their escorts stand on
the deck of Tumbleweed by the River
where they dined prior to attending the
Senior Prom.
All of the students were dressed to impress and had a great time dancing the night away
with their friends.
High school students were ready for "A Night to Remember."
Special thanks to the dorm staff for getting all of the students ready for the big night,
the staff and students at Empire Beauty School, the staff of Tumbleweed on the River,
WLKY and WHAS news, The Voskuhl family, Beargrass Christian Church and all of the
KSB teachers who helped plan, facilitate and chaperone.
High school students dance
during the Senior Prom at
Beargrass Christian Church.
It truly was a night to remember!
Library Facilitates Hands-On Assistive Technology Demonstration
Earlier this month, Brian Goemmer, owner of See the World, visited the library to do a
hands-on demonstration for students and staff of one of the newest pieces of assistive
technology developed by HumanWare. This CCTV device, Prodigi, is designed for those
with low vision.
See the World owner Brian Goemmer (far left) demonstrates the Prodigi for HS students
Austin Stephens, Trint Cannon and Justin Hedges.
Brian states, “Prodigi is the world’s most advanced all-digital personal vision assistant.
Full page imaging and touch control eliminate the clumsy XY table. Digital text
magnification is cleaner and crisper that any optical zoom. It allows you to read your
way at the touch of a button, with optional audio. The unique 2-in-1 concept combines a
desktop unit and an intelligent tablet so you can see and read things anywhere.”
KSB Celebrates 172nd Years of Service on Founder's Day
On Fri., May 9, KSB celebrated 172 years of service to Kentucky students who are blind
and visually impaired. Founded in 1842, a Founder's Day Celebration was held in the
auditorium to mark the occasion.
Special musical selections were rendered by MS student Tariyn Seif, who sang a solo;
HS student Val Artemova moved the crowd with her artistic talent on the piano;
Freshman Len Remy performed Norweigan Wood on guitar; and the Glee
Club performed and led the crowd in My Country Tis of Thee.
Principal Debi Phillips presented the 2014 Paul J. Langan Distinguished Service Award to
Carla Ruschival who is strong supporter of KSB and dedicated advocate for children and
adults who are blind and visually impaired locally, statewide and on a national basis.
Carla Ruschival (center) is surrounded by
family members upon receiving the 2014
Paul J. Langan Distinguished Service
Award. From left to right are son-in-law
David Cox, daughter Patti Cox, Carla,
husband Adam Ruschival and brother-inlaw Keith Ruschival.
On behalf of the Kentucky Commission of Volunteerism and Service and Governor Steve
Beshear, a Certificate of Recognition was presented to the KSB Braillewriter Repair Team
(Joel Gittelson, Nelson Knight, Joe Lancaster, Dick Miller, Steve Oleska and Owen
Shrader). These volunteers repair braillewriters free of charge for all Kentuckians. The
team is funded by the KSB Charitable Foundation. Team Leader Gittelson accepted the
award presented by Paula Penrod, KIMRC Program Coordinator.
Joel Gittelson accepts the Certificate of Recognition for
volunteer service on behalf of the KSB Braillewriter
Repair Team from Paula Penrod during the Founder's
Day Program.
Upcoming Events:
MAY
Mon.-Wed.19-21
Thursday, 22
27-2
JUNE
Tuesday, 3
Wednesday 4
Thursday, 5
End of Course Testing for HS Students
Low Vision Clinic, Lions Eye Foundation, Louisville
KPREP Testing for Grades 3-11
SBDM Council Meeting, 4 PM
Elementary Spring Music Recital and Awards Ceremony, 12:45 PM
8th Grade Graduation and MS/HS Awards Ceremony, 1 PM
2014 Class of 2014 Graduation, Richie Auditorium, 6:30 PM
Friday, 6
Field Day and Last Day of School for Students
Saturday, 7
KSB Alumni Association Program, Hartford Hall
Monday, 9
Closing Day of School for Teachers
KSB Advisory Board Meeting, 1 PM
Sun.-Fri., 15-27 KSB Summer Elementary, MS/HS and Work Programs
Fri.-Sat., 20-28 Insight Post-Secondary Preparation Program, Morehead State Univ.
News Contributors:
Heather Davis, Library Media Specialist
Elaine Hall, Counselor
Kyrstin Johnson, English Teacher
Paula Penrod, KIMRC Program Coordinator
Debi Phillips, Principal
Kentucky School for the Blind
1867 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206