Weekly Wildcat
September 13, 2013
This publication highlights the weekly activities and events that take place on campus and features some of theactivities conducted by KSB Outreach across the state.
Counselor's Corner:
By: Elaine Hall, School Counselor
Greetings, there are so many wonderful things that continue at KSB!
Important Testing Information:
Some of the students in grades 8 and 10 will take the PLAN and EXPLORE tests next week. These are state required tests that begin to give teachers, administrators and parents a picture of a students' college readiness.
These tests are produced by the ACT testing company and offer indications of how well students will do on the actual ACT test. Most importantly, they offer staff indications of academic strengths, but also areas for extra attention or remediation.
The 8th graders will test on Mon. and Tues., Sept. 16 and 17, and the 10th graders will test on Wed. and Thur., Sept. 18 and 19. Parents can help by encouraging their students to do their best work and in the dorms and home – get a good night’s rest and eat breakfast.You will be informed of test results as soon as we get them back.
Gold Seal Awards:
We continue to look for examples of students following the Golden Rule of “Treat others the Way you want to be treated.” Following our book theme fromThe Golden Ruleby Ilene Cooper, we continue to watch for those examples where students go above and beyond in showing kindness. Feel free to send me examples from home.
Eligibility:
Our KSB Eligibility policy is in place to give students incentive and motivation for doing well in school. Each week, I look at grades on Infinite Campus. Any student having an F or two or more D’s is not eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities for that week. If they get a behavior referral – they are not eligible for one week. Currently our week runs Tue. to the following Mon. So therefore, all students earning good grades and having good behavior have the opportunity to participate in lots of extra activities. Pleaserefer to theKSB Parent Student Handbook if you have specific questions about this policy.
Grades:
First progress reports are coming soon.
Our grading periods are divided intofour quarters. Report cards – including SEWS grades are sent after each of these quarters,four times a year. (The quarters end 10/16, 12/20, 3/18 and 5/30.)
However, we don’t want you to wait all the way until those report cards to see grades, so for grades 4-6, we post progress reports at the half way point of each quarter. SEWS reports will only go out with report cards, not with progress reports. (Midway point of each quarter is 9/17, 11/15, 2/6 and 4/25.)
We are approaching our first progress reports, with the interim ending on 9/17. Parents of children in fourth grade or higher, be watching your mail for these interim progress reports.
As always, please don’t hesitate to call or email if you have questions.
502-897-1583, ext. 0203
Important Announcement: White Cane Day
Last week parents received a flyer regarding an outing to the Louisville Zoo to celebrate White Cane Day.KSB will not be participating in this event because we will be participating in a separate event. We apologize if this has caused any confusion. Our goal was to advertise that the event was happening.
Library News ~ Drop Everything and Read:
The first DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) Circle of the 2013-2014 School Year will be held Tue., Sept. 24. Students will bring a dish to share and eat from 6:30-7:30 PM.They will break into book discussion groups from 7:30-8:30 PM.
This event is for high school students who have read at least one of the following books: Walk Two Moons, The Graveyard Book, or any of the 2014 KBA Nominees. Middle School students who have read either Walk Two Moons or The Graveyard Book are invited to attend.
If you have a computer or a tablet, such as an iPad at home, students are able to access Accelerated Reader Quizzes via Renaissance Learning! The Accelerated Reader App can be downloaded for free via iTunes, or the link can be accessed via the Library Resources link on the KSB Website. Accelerated Reader is a tool that assists students in reading comprehension.
After a student reads a book, they can check if a quiz is available on AR (Accelerated Reader). Depending on the size and complexity of the book, the quiz can range from 5-10 or more multiple choice questions. Students win prizes when they meet their AR Goals. This year’s AR theme is SUPER HEROES!!!!!
Sports: Track Teams to Compete inTennessee Meet
The Boys and Girls KSB Wildcat Track Teams will travel on Fri.-Sat., Sept. 13-14 to compete in the Tennessee Invitational Track and Field Invitational at the Tennessee School for the Blind.
Participating in the meet are boys team members Damon Boards, Austin Stephens, Trevor Gravil, Shawn Smith, Zac Adams, Trintian Cannon, Justin Hedges, Gabriel Smith, Eric Scott-Rafferty, Donnie Risner and Tyler Day.
Also participating are lady Wildcats team members Ashley Johnson, Len Remy, Jessica VanBruggen, Taryn Seif, Beth Stephens, Allie Irvin, Kayla Newton, Savannah Hively and Valeriya Artemova.
Theteams are coaches by KSB instructional staff Bo Mullins aCrystal Johnson.
Good Luck Cats!
Greetings from New O&M Specialist:
By: Kelly Stewart, O&M Specialist
My name is Kelly Stewart and I am a Certified Orientation and Mobility Instructor (COMS). I just recently moved to Louisville from Cincinnati where I worked for the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Hamilton County Educational Service Center.
O&M Instructor Kelly Stewart works withsixth grader Mari Durrett in theKSB library. Ms. Stewart is giving Mari an orientation of Frankfort Avenue on a tactile model of the street.
Igrew up inLexington, KY which is where my sister and parents currently live. I went toMorehead State University for my undergraduate program and got my degree in Health Promotion and Recreation. I thenwent toWestern Michigan University and got a Masters degree in Orientation and Mobility.I did my student internship at KSB four years ago andam really excited to be a part of the KSB team!
School Portraits to be Taken Soon:
KSB’s School Portraitswill be takenin October! School Photographer Nolan Hulsey is hoping toschedule the portraits during the second week of October.
If you did not pay foryour child'sportrait package (includes One 8x10, One 5x7, 10 wallets) on Registration Day, the cost is $20. Please make checks payable to KSB. If you send cash, please put it in an envelope and designate it for school portrait package with your child's name.
If you want more pictures than the package includes, youare encouraged to purchase two packages as it is more economical than purchasing individual prints. If you have questions about the portraits, please contact Mr. Hulsey.
Outreach Event~ Community Awareness is Theme
By: Verna Howell, Outreach Consultant
On Thurs., Oct. 17, KSB and KSD, in conjunction with the Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative, will host a Fall Gathering.The themeof this event isCommunity Awareness. This event willtake placeat the Perry County Public Library from 10 AM-2 PM.
This event is open to all administrators, teachers, students and parents throughout the state free of charge. Lunch will be provided for all who attend.
The goalis toassist students/childrenwho are blind and visually impaired and deaf and hard of hearing in developing skills, awareness and knowledge of various city, county and state agencies. These agencies will help the student/childto have a better understanding of theservices that are available to themwithin their community and throughout the state.
There will also be many opportunities for adult attendees to interact with theagencies and toparticipate inparentoutreach activities.All agencies will be available to work with students and adults throughout the day.
For additional information, contact KSB Outreach Consultant Verna Howellor KSD'sHeather Hall.
Important News Bulletins:
The Fall Testing Dates for KSB studentsare as follows:
EXPLORE (grade 8): Sept. 16 and 17
PLAN (grade 10): Sept. 18 and 19
ACT (grade 12): Nov. 6 and 7
ASpecial Meeting ofthe SBDM Councilwill be held on Thur. Sept. 19 at 3 PM at KSB. The only agenda item will be the annual legally required SBDM training for council members.
If you like to play golf, and want to make a difference for Kentucky children and adults who are blind and visually impaired, plan now to participate in the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation Golf Scrambleon September 18 at Fuzzy Zoeller's Covered Bridge Golf Club. If golf is not your game, but you would like to sponsor a tee,click here.
The Visually Impaired Pre-School Stampede Run is Sept 28. It costs $25 to participate if registered by Sept 20. If you are a Visually Impaired runner/walker you might win a prize. KSB's Literacy Coach, Stephanie Davis won a prize during last years' race. Please contact Elementary Teacher Missey Evers for more information.
September Calendar of Events:
Fri.-Sat., 13-14: Track& Field Invitational,Tennessee Sch. f/t Blind
Mon.-Tue., 16-17: EXPLORE (8th Grade) and PLAN (10th Grade) Tests
Wednesday, 18:KSBCF Golf Scramble, 1 PM, Covered Bridge Golf Course, Sellersburg, INClick Here for details.
Thursday, 19: Special SBDM Council Meeting, 3 PM, KSB PD Room.Fri.-Sat., 27-28: NCASB Track and Field Conference Championship Meet, Indiana Sch. f/t Blind
News Contributors:
Heather Davis, Library Media Specialist
Elaine Hall, Counselor
Verna Howell, KSB Outreach Consultant
Nolan Hulsey, School Photographer & Braille Repair
Kenny Jones, KSB Outreach Consultant and Athletic Director
Paula Penrod, KIMRC Program Coordinator
Kelly Stewart, Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Editor: Kyrstin Johnson, HS English Teacher
Kentucky School for the Blind
1867 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
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