The WINDOW
fall 2014
On the path to achieving independence:
Chanta Brown has been a student at the Maryland School for the Blind since she was six years old. In addition to her visual impairments, she was diagnosed with autism and when she was very young, didn't talk much at all. You would never know that to meet her now at the age of 20. Chanta is very expressive and is never at a loss for words.
Her mother, Liza Brown-DiCostantino, an occupational therapist who worked at MSB at one time, has been her biggest advocate and along with the staff at the school, has been instrumental in the tremendous progress she has made in her communication skills over the years. Chanta would not be where she is today if it weren't for the strong support system she has had at home and at school. And although Liza has taken another position in occupational therapy, she has been an active member of MSB's parent community for many years. She currently is President of the PTSO and serves on the MSB Board of Directors.
Through her years at MSB, Chanta has grown and thrived, especially in the arts at MSB. She plays the piano by ear, loves to sing and has recently taken up the drums. Her musical talents have landed Chanta a lead singing role in MSB's jazz ensemble, the Blue Duffs, and she has appeared in many of the school's musical productions. She shares her love of music with her father, Randy and according to Liza “things can get pretty lively at home.”
In looking ahead to the future, Chanta definitely sees her music as a marketable skill, having expressed an interest in using it to “make a lot of people happy in senior nursing homes.” But in the meantime, she is enjoying her last year at MSB. She is preparing for graduation in the spring, an event she says she's ready for, thanks to solid support from the MSB staff and her family. According to her teacher David Green, “Chanta will be well prepared to enter the workforce when she graduates. She is very involved in our Career Education Program. She not only works in the school's Rock'n' Roll Cafe but also off campus at the Cromwell Center, helping with activities for senior citizens. Next semester she will be starting an internship in the horticulture program at St. Elizabeth's School.”
Chanta has become a leader among her peersand was recently elected as the secretary of the Class of 2015. Yet while Liza believes that her daughter is becoming more independent and learning to advocate for herself more effectively, she's not quite ready to live on her own. So for now, Chanta splits her time between dorm life on the MSB campus and home life in the “in-law” suite that her parents have provided for her in their home. The skills (especially cooking) that she has learned at MSB are coming in handy in her “new apartment,” as she proudly calls it.
As Liza puts it, “We cherish our family time; but we also know that Chanta needs her space. And this move is a really nice compromise for everyone, especially when she's playing her drums.“
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Message from the president
At the Maryland School for the Blind, we have a great deal to celebrate.
With our school year now off to a great start, our students are happily settled into their classes, as well as their extracurricular activities, embracing life with the same energy and enthusiasm they have always demonstrated, turning challenges into opportunities. As always, our staff does a wonderful job of assisting our students to be successful.
We have also made significant headway on our multi-year campus master plan, thanks to tremendous support from the state of Maryland legislature and the Governor's office.
On November 17, we will cut the ribbon on our new 22,550 square foot Learning Activity Center and 19,000 square foot residential cottages facility for students with multiple disabilities. The academic building is designed for 60 students. The cottages include eight double occupancy bedrooms with accessible bathrooms.
That same day, we will break ground on the second phase of the project, a state-of-the-art complex for students, like Chanta Brown, in the Autism Blind program. It will include a two-story, 35,000 square foot academic facility, along with two adjacent residential facilities totaling 32,000 square foot.
In keeping with our campus master plan, we recently dedicated a wonderful new pavilion, built with funding from the District 22A Lions Clubs and the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Named the “PaviLION,” this beautiful structure will be used by MSB students and staff for special school functions, events and picnics. It also serves as solid evidence of
the Lions' support of our school over the past 50 years.
As MSB continues to improve, we are constantly reminded of your exceptional generosity over the years. Your steadfast support has made it possible for us to provide our students with the exceptional service they need and deserve; and we are deeply grateful for your many contributions on their behalf.
Sincerely,
Michael J. Bina, Ed.D.
President
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Spotlight on chris wellman
For Chris Wellmann, MSB is a family tradition that began with his father some 40 years ago.
“Although my father started teaching here when I was just a kid, I didn't consciously plan to follow in his footsteps. I just kind of fell into them because of a college paper I was writing that required a field observation, which my dad arranged for me to do at MSB. I loved the school, and apparently the physical education department was duly impressed with me, as well, because two weeks later, they offered me a job as a paraeducator.”
Chris met his wife Sandy at the school. Sandy was also a paraeducator at the school, whose daughter, Jeannette, was a student until she graduated in 2005. After they married, his new role as husband and father provided yet another perspective on the MSB experience.
“Sandy and I not only know what it takes to teach a child who is blind with multiple disabilities, we also know what it means to parent one. This unique perspective helps us to both assist our colleagues, as well as our families work through some of the challenges they face. That special insight has also made me more effective as an educator.”
So effective, in fact, that in October, Chris received the 2014 Outstanding Paraeducator award from the Principals of Schools for the Blind (POSB) at the Council of Schools for the Blind Institute in Louisville, Kentucky.
“I was more than a little shocked when I heard that I'd won; but I was certainly proud to represent MSB in the national spotlight. This is a unique school, full of happy students, and after 27 years, I still enjoy every moment that I'm here.”
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MSB Celebrates White Cane Day Milestone
October 15, 2014 marked the 50th anniversary of National White Cane Day in the United States and MSB celebrated this special occasion with a month long celebration.
The White Cane, which has become an international symbol of independence for people who are blind and visually impaired, has historical roots at MSB. The long cane technique used to teach independent travel to the blind and visually impaired was developed by two former MSB teachers, Richard Hoover and Warren Bledsoe, who were recruited by the U.S. Army to assist in the rehabilitation of war blinded soldiers during WWII. Hoover eventually became a world renowned ophthalmologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital and served on the Board of Directors of MSB along with Bledsoe. The cane travel technique of using a side to side sweeping motion to detect obstacles and drop-offs in the traveler's path bears his name and is used worldwide.
“The white cane is a tool that allows individuals who are blind or visually impaired to be more independent and fully integrated in the community”, said Dr. Michael Bina, MSB President. “We are proud that Dr. Hoover and Mr. Bledsoe used their experience working with blind children here at MSB to benefit war blinded veterans and ultimately their cane technique has been applied internationally.”
National White Cane Day was signed into law in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson as an opportunity to recognize the importance of this tool of independence for the blind. Traditionally celebrated annually on October 15, MSB decided to devote the entire month of October to the 50th anniversary celebration. Events were scheduled for each week of the month and included daily announcements and contests, including a statewide poster contest. Other activities included the sale of commemorative T-shirts, earrings and long cane pretzels designed by MSB students and the orientation and mobility staff. The celebration culminated with the formal ceremony on October 29 and included a proclamation by Senator Katherine Klausmeier, an original song by MSB students and the release of 50 white doves. It was a memorable occasion for all.
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Community Support
MSB and District 22A Lions Clubs Dedicate New Pavilion
We are grateful for the support of the Lions Clubs of District 22A, especially Past District Governor Dan Scott, District Governor Doug DeWitt, Past International President Clem Kusiak and the Ellicott City Lions Club, for granting us with the funds to build our beautiful new PaviLION for our students and staff. The pavilion, complete with our own Lion statue, was dedicated at a special ceremony on October 25. The Lions truly live up to their motto of “We Serve.”
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Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation
MSB has received a grant from the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation to build a state of the art sports complex on our campus. The plan includes a beep baseball field with dugouts and bleachers, a soccer field, basketball court and a new track. We are seeking additional funding for this project. If you are interested in making a donation, please contact the Development Department at 410-444-5000 x1207.
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Support MSB in the United Way Campaign
UW Combined Charity Campaign for Baltimore City: #3051
UW of Central Maryland: #3051
UW Combined Federal Campaign of Central MD: #3051
UW of the National Capital Area: #7344
UW Combined Federal Campaign of the Nat’l Capital Area: #58365
Maryland Charity Campaign: #7176
CFC-Chesapeake Bay Area: #58365
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Thank you to the following foundations, businesses,
clubs and organizations for their support:
The Haloti Ngata Family Foundation
The Ralph & Shirley Klein Foundation
Midstate Federal Community Bank
I.O.O.F., Baltimore City Lodge #57
Mary Jean & Oliver Travers Foundation, Inc.
MSB Alumni Association
American Legion Northern Central Dist.
Dr. Frank C. Marino Foundation, Inc.
MetLife
Community Foundation of Carroll County
Rogers-Wilbur Foundation, Inc.
Ayers/Saint/Gross, Inc.
Carman Lay Foundation, Inc.
Rommel Cranston Construction Company
The Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation, Inc.
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