August 29, 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.
JUST A REMINDER: MONDAY IS LABOR DAY!
The first Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in
New York City. Labor Day is a creation of the labor movement
constituting a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have
made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.
No School, Students return at 4 PM.
Principal Matters
By: Ms. P (Debi Phillips)
This isn’t goodbye…When you have good people, others want
them. Kristen Hammond has been offered the position as the
Director of Special Education in a district that is only three miles
from her home! Kristen has worn many hats in her ten years of
service to our kids across the state and on the KSB campus. We
will miss her but we wish her well as she continues to work for the
kids of our state.
Say hello to Dan Sharrard, who joins us as an Educational
Consultant from the Oldham County School District! Dan has
been given the charge of bringing our jobs programs (schoolbased, CBI and dorm) together to create a more cohesive system for the kids. Together we can fight
to change the grim job statistics for our students—and, we will! Stay tuned because great things are
coming!
As always, even through change, bumps and bruises, our charge is to provide the most effective
learning environment possible for our students because…WE… ARE… KSB!
Counselor's Corner
By: Elaine Hall, Guidance Counselor
So many great things are happening at KSB! Club life has begun!
This year we have started after-school clubs from 2:30 -3:30 PM. These
clubs are designed to give students experiences in expanded core, as well
as club experiences from bigger schools. There is great value in teaching
students how to pick and choose between activities they like, manage club
time with homework time, and manage homework and clubs with sports and
music. The first few weeks of August were spent exploring club options led
by teachers, and now as we end the month, choices are being made about
which clubs to actually offer.
Starting in September, clubs will be offered on Monday afternoons. Wednesdays and Thursdays will
be spent on homework before athletics, intervention and tutoring, and library time. We leave the
option of growing club days if there is student interest and students show they are able to handle the
school/club/homework balance. We are also working out kinks in parent transportation plans for day
students and we thank you for your patience and effort in that process.
The most exciting part of all of this is to see the leadership role our "Leadership Dynamics" class is
taking as they play a vital role in the organization of these club events. This high school class is made
up of some students in 9-12th grade, and they had brainstormed and tackled every hurdle we have
encountered as we get this up and running. They have already shown true creativity and leadership
in developing a program that is led by student interests and will eventually be led by student work.
Congratulations to our high school students on their hard work and effort!
Stay tuned for future articles as we highlight new clubs that were selected to be the first three start-up
choices!
As always, do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any help:
elaine.hall@ksb.kyschools.us
502-897-1583, ext. 0203
Welcome to Low Vision
By: Connie Hill, CLVT (Certified Low Vision Therapist)
Grocery Shopping can be a great experience if you are prepared.
Brock Fannin grocery shopped last Tuesday evening at Kroger for
his low vision portfolio. He is working on reading a grocery list,
locating the correct department and using his scanning skills to
locate an item (ex. Pizza Sauce, Easy Mac). Brock also works on
retrieving items from the shelf, putting them in the basket and using
his monocular to find the correct
aisle by reading the list of items
on the aisle sign.
In Low Vision, when using a monocular, the skills are focusing,
scanning, tracing, and localizing. These skills are essential when
using the monocular in all settings (community, school, bus,
dorm, and home). Several students on campus use a monocular
and are increasing their skills towards independence.
.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
connie.hill@ksb.kyschools.us
502-897-1583, ext. 7101
Let’s Go Shopping!!
Brock Fannin grocery
shops from a list.
Box Tops for Education:
Please send in your Box Tops in a plastic baggie with your child to take to
the school office.
Help KSB earn extra money this year for school and library activities! We
raised $150 with our Spring 2014 collection! Let’s see if we can top that.
Just clip off Box Tops on any participating products, such as: cereal boxes,
baking boxes, snack boxes, and many more!
Thank You!!
Athletic News:
By: Kenny Jones, Athletic Director
Junior varsity track practice will begin on September 8. This activity will
assist in preparing students for the Bill Roby Track & Field Games.
Junior varsity track is offered to all students in grades K-6.
Practices will take place every Monday evening from 6:15 - 7:15 PM until the
Roby Games are held. Students, who go home on the bus or are picked up
after school daily, must do so and then it is the parent/guardian’s
responsibility to transport them to and from practice.
Students participating in junior varsity track are asked to pay an activity fee
of $10. Also, it is very important that students have good running shoes. All
students participating in sports activities must have a physical.
kenny.jones@ksb.kyschools.us
502-897-1583, ext. 7109
A student runs track at Bill
Roby Games
From the KSB Parent Student Staff Organization (PSSO):
By: Marilyn Kawa, PSSO President
It’s not too late to join PSSO. The cost is $5 per person. The next
PSSO meeting will be held on September 3 at 1:30 PM. We will meet
in the classroom building at KSB. Please join us.
We will be taking spirit-wear orders until August 31. You can find the
order form at the end of this newsletter. Watch the newsletter for
updates!
Quick Note from the Arts & Humanities Dept:
By: Tabathia Roark, Arts and Humanities
The music program is gearing up for another successful year! Wade
Honey, Lee Puckett, and Bobby Falk will be returning the first week of
September which means the return of lessons and ensembles after school
for some students. The choir is also starting after school rehearsals. It is
going to be divided into two groups with last year’s Glee Club members
(Choir I) meeting and rehearsing on Monday afternoons and the other
remaining members (Choir II) meeting and rehearsing on Wednesday
afternoons.
Parents of children involved in all after school music groups and/or lessons have been contacted, and
should refer to the dates and times listed below as a reference and reminder regarding start up dates.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. We are looking forward to the upcoming
year!
tabathia.roark@ksb.kyschools.us
502-897-1583, ext. 9206
Tuesday, September 2, 2:30-3:30 PM
Mr. Puckett (guitar) and Mr. Honey’s (piano) lessons
Wednesday, September 3, 2:30-3:30 PM
Choir II (students not in last year’s Glee Club group) first
rehearsal
Thursday, September 4, 2:30-3:30 PM
Mr. Falk’s Thursday percussion group first rehearsal
Monday, September 8, 2:30-3:30 PM
Choir I (last year’s Glee Club members) first rehearsal
Tuesday, September 9. TBA
KSB Wildcat Percussion Ensemble first rehearsal
Short Term
We regret that our Short Term Program will not be
operational until the middle of September because
construction—related to dorm upgrading—has resulted
in limited bed space. This lack of available beds makes
it impossible for Short Term students to attend.
We hope to resume our normal Short Term program
the week of September 15, which is a high school
week. If this changes we will let you know. No Short
Term students should be sent to KSB until that
time.
In addition, if your child has attended Short Term in previous years, all paperwork has to be
resubmitted annually. We need all paperwork by the Wednesday before a student's Short Term
session. This gives us ample time to ensure that paperwork is in order and that there is sufficient
dorm space and supervision available.
Physical Therapy
By: Donna Meyer, Physical Therapist
Welcome back! With the new school year often comes new shoes
and back packs, so I wanted to pass along a few simple reminders.
1. Shoes with laces offer the most support, but please make
sure they are laced all the way to the top and are fairly snug.
Do not tuck the laces into the sides of the shoe to allow your
child to be "more independent." There are elastic laces available and a quick clip that can give
your child both the needed support in addition to independence. Lock laces can be purchased
on the internet for three pairs under $20.
2. A running type of shoe is better than a slip on shoe with little ankle support. Canvas slides offer
little or no support. If you notice your child "walking on the insides" of their ankles, the shoe is
probably not doing its job. A shoe that is flexible at the forefoot and wraps around the heel is
ideal.
3. There are some very good slip on tennis shoes and velcro shoes that give the needed support
without the laces. Sketchers has several good options, as well as some of the store brands at
both Walmart and Payless. Shoes do not have to be expensive to give the right amount of
support.
4. The standard two strap backpack is the best carrying tool for most of
our students. Be sure it is attached high enough on the shoulders.
It seems to have become trendy to allow the straps to be very loose,
or just worn on one shoulder. This puts additional strain on the low
back as well as having a negative effect on balance. A one strap
"messenger" bag is not a good choice if your child has any balance
struggles.
Please feel free to contact me if you need further information about your
particular student's needs. Even if your child does not receive PT services,
I am happy to check out their shoes and give you feedback.
donna.meyer@ksb.kyschools.us
502-897-1583, ext. 7206
Statewide Events:
REGISTER NOW!
SEPTEMBER 19-21, 2014
Retreat for families with children who are blind or visually impaired at the
Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, KY.
Registration may be completed at www.courageouskids.org
Contact Mitch Dahmke, Family Support Specialist
mitch.dahmke@ksb.kyschools.us
502-897 1583 ext. 7104
FREE
If you live in the Western Kentucky area:
You're invited to WKATC's Low Vision Vendor Fair
Tuesday, September 9
Noon- 4PM (CDT)
Young Building, Wendell Foster's Campus
815 Triplett Street, Owensboro
OPEN AND FREE TO THE PUBLIC
5th Annual Western Kentucky Mini
Parent/Professional Conference/
College and Career Readiness Transition Fair
September 6, 2014
9AM to 4:30PM (CDT)
Murray State University, Curris Center
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
KSB will be represented by Outreach Consultant, Robbin Cox at the College and Career Readiness
Transition Fair. This fair for students with disabilities will be offered during the Parent/Professional
Conference on September 6 at Murray State University. Interested participants can register at
www.wkec.org. Participants have a variety of sessions to attend, including special education and the
law, IEPs, transition, and technology. Conference begins at 9am and ends at 4:30 PM. Breakfast and
lunch will be provided along with door prizes and gas cards to those that stay until the end of the
conference. – For more information contact Robin Cox at robbin.cox@ksb.kyschools.us
US Currency Reader Program for the Visually Impaired
All eligible blind or visually impaired persons can receive a free
currency reader device from the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing beginning September 2, 2014.
In partnership with National Library Service, NLS Patrons can
pre-order and currency readers will be widely available to eligible
others beginning on January 2, 2015.
Comments or questions call the BEP toll free at 844-815-9388 or email meaningful.access@bep.gov
Download and print application forms at www.bep.gov
SEPTEMBER, 2014
1
Monday
Labor Day
Travel Day (Students return at 4 PM)
2
Tuesday
SBDM Council Meeting, 4 PM (cancelled)
Guitar and Piano Lessons, 2:30 PM
3
Wednesday
PSSO Meeting, 1:30PM, Classroom Building
Choir II Rehearsal, 2:30 PM
4
Thursday
Thursday Percussion Rehearsal, 2:30 PM
6
Saturday
5th Annual Western Kentucky Mini Parent/Professional
Conference/ College and Career Readiness Transition Fair,
Murray State University
8
Monday
Choir I Rehearsal, 2:30 PM
9
Tuesday
1st Quarter Interim Grading Period Ends
Wildcat Percussion Rehearsal
Low Vision Vendor Fair, Owensboro
12-13
Fri/Sat
Varsity Track and Field Meet: Tennessee Invitational,
Nashville, TN
16
Tuesday
Plan Testing
17
Wednesday
MAKEUP DAY: Plan Testing
19-21
Fri – Sun
Statewide Family Retreat at the Center for Courageous Kids,
Scottsville, KY
23
Tuesday
Explore Testing
24
Wednesday
MAKEUP DAY: Explore Testing
26
Friday
Low Vision Clinic @ KSB (Full)
26-27
Fri/Sat
Varsity Track and Field Meet: 2014 NCASB Conference
Championships Meet, Nashville, TN
News Contributors:
Debi Phillips, Principal
Connie Hill, CLVT
Donna Meyer, PT
Elaine Hall, Counselor
Mitch Dahmke, Family Services Coordinator
Tabathia Roark, Arts and Humanities
Marilyn Kawa, PSSO President
Robbin Cox, Outreach Consultant, Western KY
Kenny Jones, Athletic Director
Editor: Beth Baker, Administrative Assistant, Outreach
Photos: Anna Garland, Housekeeping Supervisor
Kentucky School for the Blind
1867 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
KSB Mission Statement:
“The mission of the Kentucky School for the Blind
is to provide comprehensive educational services
to all Kentucky students who are
blind and visually impaired, birth to 21.”
KSB Vision Statement:
“Empowering Students who are Blind and
Visually Impaired to Command their Future”
KSB Beliefs
We believe students who are blind and visually impaired…
... can become college and career ready through world class instruction and
services
… have unique needs that must be met
… have a right to knowledge, tools and relationships necessary to build
successful lives
… deserve to be taught in a safe and caring environment by competent
professionals
… are meaningful contributors to society