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.
December 5, 2014
Counselor's Corner
By: Elaine Hall, Guidance Counselor
The semester is winding down and students are hard at work completing
the first half of the 2014-15 school year. It’s hard to believe we are almost
to the mid-way point. Grades will go home after December 19. Please
remind your children the importance of good study habits, timeliness and
strong organization. If they are absent they need to be prompt about
turning in missed work.
This week, some of our high school students visited the University of
Kentucky for a tour. One of our favorite sayings is: “Students don’t know
what they don’t know”. These tours of college campuses give them new
experiences and teach them the right questions to ask. We will continue
to provide these experiences to all of our students with future tours at U of
L, the Office for the Blind McDowell Center, job sites, vocational training centers, etc.
It is such a busy time of year, and students are practicing for our Christmas program. Many of our
elementary students will perform on Friday, Dec 19 at 10 AM. All are welcome to attend.
We hear concerns about parents not getting the newsletter and/or notes home. If you know of any
families not getting information, please email me or Beth Baker, our editor, to let us know of missing
or incorrect emails. Please contact the school office if you have any change in contact information.
(Office extension is 0206, and Beth Baker’s extension is 7105)
Have a wonderful December. As always, do not hesitate to contact me.
Welcome to Low Vision
By: Connie Hill, CLVT (Certified Low Vision Therapist)
Next low vision clinic:
December 12 at KSB (FULL)
Color/Contrast in the Kitchen
Color and contrast are very important in the low vision world! With
all of the new gadgets and appliances for the kitchen there are
array of colors to choose from. The students in the dorm program
are learning to use color and contrast in order to be more independent. The following are teaching
techniques that I am using:

Bright colors are generally the easiest to see because of their ability to reflect light.

Solid bright colors, such as red, orange, and yellow, are usually more visible than pastels
because they are more saturated.

Place light-colored food items on dark plates.

Cut dark-colored foods on light colored cutting boards.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Hill.
connie.hill@ksb.kyschools.us
502-897-1583, ext. 7101
SAVE THE DATE! Dec 19, 10:30 AM.
Elementary students (along with some help from some KSB staff) will
perform a selection of songs and poems in "A Cowboy Christmas". It
will also include the KSB Glee group as well as some of our
middle/high students playing piano and guitar with some holiday
selections for all to enjoy. Christmas Dinner will be served after the
performance!
Attire for elementary students is jeans denim skirt and either a solid
white, red, or green shirt or flannel. Cowboy boots are optional and cowboy hats. The music
department has some hats and bandanas for all.
The second half of the show will involve the following middle/high students providing singing, piano,
and guitar performances. Devin Mullins, Taylor Hollar, CJ Phipps-Gibson, Taryn Seif, Jolean
O'Connell, Alex Stine, Willie Barksdale, Cody Barnes, Shawn Smith, and Justin Hedges. Boys will
need to wear dress pants, a nice dress shirt (tie optional) or sweater, belt, and dress shoes. Girls may
choose between dress pants with a nice blouse/sweater or a skirt, and dress shoes. Christmas colors
are fine as well!
From the Parent Student Staff Organization (PSSO):
By: Marilyn Kawa, PSSO President
We are thrilled to offer four beautiful themed baskets to for raffle valued at $50-$200. These baskets
will be on display in the classroom office - stop by and see all the goodies that each basket has to
offer.
A big thanks to four school families who made these baskets possible: Tara Armstrong, Dana Flynn,
Linda and Lyndon Spigelmire, and Gyanna Howard.
Raffle tickets will be sold now through Dec. 19. The tickets are $2 a piece or six for $10. The
drawing will be held during the Christmas lunch on the 19th. You do not need to be present to win.
Simply print out and complete the ticket at the end of the newsletter and send ticket with money into
the school office.
A: University of Louisville Basket - signed basketball
from Coach Pitino, hoodie, baseball cap, and much
more
B: Games Basket - more than 10 games
C: Gift Cards Basket - McDonald’s, Panera Bread,
Bed, Bath & Beyond, JC Penney, Cold Stone
Creamery, & Kohl’s
D: “Frozen” Basket - the movie, backpack, toys, and
much more
Canned Food Drive
The Leadership class has started a
nonperishable food drive. Each week we will
tally the total number of the cans brought in
by students to their 7th period class. The
seventh period class that has brought in the
most cans by Wed, Dec 17 will be rewarded
with a pizza party on Thursday, December
18. If you could send nonperishable food
items with your children it would be much
appreciated.
Athletic Schedule Change
The meet scheduled at the Tennessee School for the Blind this
weekend is cancelled. Also, the Kentucky Invitational
scheduled for the weekend of January 9-11 has been
changed. The new date will be Thursday, January 15. This
will allow for our on campus students to see our wrestlers and cheerleaders compete before the
conference meet.
Please make the needed adjustments to your schedules and planning. Detailed information
regarding the Kentucky Invitational will follow after the holidays.
KUDOS! CONGRATULATIONS! HATS OFF! WAY TO GO!
Cindy Queen, NBCT
Lawrence County, Teacher of Blind and Visually Impaired
Cindy Queen, TBVI in Lawrence County Kentucky for five years,
became National Board Certified in November 2014. "I received
my scores online Sat, Nov 15. I was so relieved and incredibly
thankful to have passed. This will give me my Rank 1, which will
allow me to better help support my family."
"The mission of the National Board is to advance student learning
and achievement by establishing the definitive standards and
systems for certifying accomplished educators, providing programs
and advocating policies that support excellence in teaching and
leading and engaging National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs)
and leaders in that process. The National Board seeks to elevate
the status, voice and role of accomplished teachers in shaping a
true profession."(See more at:http://www.nbpts.org/missionhistory#sthash.jxd4Igw6.dpuf)
"Being involved in this process has helped me to reflect on my teaching much more. It really has
helped me to become a more intuitive teacher. I love my students and the work that I do with them. I
can't imagine doing anything else. Becoming National Board Certified, and staying involved with the
NBCT Network, will help me continue to better serve my students and their families. I don't think I
could have completed this journey without the help of the National Board Fast Start Program, my
mentor, Libby Walden, and the best cheer-leader and editor a person could have, my sister, Debbie
Adkins. As always, my family was my inspiration. I had promised to take my boys on a cruise if I
passed. Guess who has started planning a cruise?"
Amanda Greene
Greenup County, Teacher of Blind and Visually Impaired
Congratulations for completing practicum
requirements through the West Virginia University
Low Vision/Blindness Program! Amanda has
served her district as the Teacher for the
Blind/Visually Impaired in Greenup County schools
for the past 3 years and has made a phenomenal
impact! She works to successfully engage
students with more complex needs and serves as
a mentor for teachers.
Event Highlights!
ASHLAND CHRISTMAS PARADE
C.A.L.E.B.S. (Community Awareness of Low Vision and Education of Blindness in Society)
sponsored the "Our Angels Here Among Us" float in the Ashland Christmas Parade last week. Over
70 students, family members, and VI professionals participated in this great awareness event!
CAMPUS EVENTS:
SANTA’S WORKSHOP: Dec. 9 – 11.
Shopping will take place Tues, Dec 9, Wed, Dec
10, and Thurs, Dec 11.
Every student will have an opportunity to shop.
Everything is $1. Students need to bring cash
and/or can access their student bank if they
have money in their account.
Contact: Melissa Gatewood: (502) 897-1583, ext. 7203 or melissa.gatewood@ksb.kyschools.us
KSB FAMILY DINNER: Dec. 15 at 6 PM, Practical Living Lab
Brian Goemmer from See the World will be presenting
Christmas gift ideas for the person who is blind or visually
impaired. Hosted by the Family Support Center. Please RSVP
by Dec 14.
Contact: Mitch Dahmke, Family Support Specialist: (502) 8971583, ext 7104
STATEWIDE EVENTS:
HOLIDAY ORNAMENT FACTORY – Dec. 6, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Visit the museum to learn how people who are blind and visually impaired "see" with their fingertips.
Then craft your own tactile ornament to decorate your home for the holidays. Make unique holiday
cards as well. Free to the public but space is limited so registration is required. Open to all ages.
AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND
1839 FRANKFORT AVE, LOUISVILLE, KY 40206
Contact: Katie Carpenter, 502-899-2213 or kcarpenter@aph.org
BRAILLENOTE APEX WORKSHOP – DEC 8 - 9AM – 3PM
Many advancements have been made to the Braillenote Apex. Explore the new features and get
answers to your questions! OPEN to Parents, Students and Teachers of the Visually Impaired
EASTERN KY UNIVERSITY, PERKINS BLDG.
521 LANCASTER AVENUE RICHMOND, KY 40475
Contact: Nancy Nichols, KSB Outreach Consultant (606) 371-0997 nancy.nichols@ksb.kyschools.us
EMERGENT LITERACY SKILLS WORKSHOP- Dec 11 – 9AM
In this hands-on session participants will use the Mountbatten to write the braille code and create
basic contracted and un-contracted literary braille. OPEN to Parents, Students and
Teachers of the Visually Impaired
GRREC BUILDING
230 TECHNOLOGY WAY BOWLING GREEN, KY 42101
Contact: Wendy Strode-Ross, KSB Outreach Consultant (270) 784-3130 wendy.strodeross@ksb.kyschools.us
A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR MARY INGALLS - Jan. 10, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
National Braille Literacy Month
"My sister Mary is the reason I am a writer," said Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the Little House
books. Mary lost her sight at age fourteen, and Laura became her sister's eyes, describing the world
so her sister could "see" as well. Find out about her richly rewarding life and the challenges she faced
as a blind woman a hundred years ago. Sing along with some of Pa's fiddle tunes, weave a beaded
bracelet (the same as those Mary made for her sisters), and enjoy birthday cake made from Ma's
recipe. Free to the public but space is limited so registration is required.
AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND
1839 FRANKFORT AVE, LOUISVILLE, KY 40206
Contact: 502-899-2213
DECEMBER, 2014
5-6
Fri/Sat
Varsity Wrestling and Cheerleading: Tennessee Invitational,
Nashville, TN CANCELED
8
Monday
Braillenote Apex Workshop, 9AM-3PM – EKU
11
Thursday
Varsity Wrestling and Cheerleading: Day Meet, Indianapolis,
IN
Emergent Literacy Skills Workshop, 9AM - GRREC
12
Friday
Low Vision Clinic – KSB (FULL)
15
Monday
KSB Family Christmas Dinner, 6:30 PM (hosted by Family
Support Center)
19
Friday
Christmas Music Program and Lions Club Luncheon, 10:30
AM
2nd Quarter Grading Period Ends
22-Jan 2
25
Winter Break
Thursday
Christmas Holiday
JANUARY, 2015
1
Thursday
New Year’s Holiday
2
Friday
No School for KSB
5
Monday
Classes Resume at KSB
6
Tuesday
SBDM Council Meeting, 4 PM
15
Thursday
Varsity Wrestling and Cheerleading: Kentucky Invitational,
Louisville, KY
19
Monday
Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
Travel Day: (Students return at 4 PM)
23-24
Fri/Sat
Varsity Wrestling and Cheerleading: 59th Annual NCASB
Conference Championship Meet, Nashville, TN
News Contributors:
Connie Hill, CLVT
Elaine Hall, Counselor
Marilyn Kawa, PSSO President
Pamela Howard, Outreach Consultant, KEDC Special Education Cooperative
Editor: Beth Baker, Administrative Assistant, Outreach
Photos: Various
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
Raffle Ticket-Themed Baskets-Kentucky School for the Blind
Raffle Drawing will be held on December 19, 2014
$2.00 per ticket
6 tickets for $10.00
Name__________________________________
Phone No.________________________
Basket A
U of L
Number of Tickets________
total $_______
Basket B
Games
Number of Tickets________
total $_______
Basket C
Gift Cards
Number of Tickets________
total $_______
Basket D
“Frozen”
Number of Tickets________
total $_______
TOTAL Amount enclosed: $___________
Cash or checks accepted. Checks made payable to KSB PSSO.