October 11, 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
The annual Bill Roby Games were held on Wednesday, October 2nd, for our K – 7th grade students. Many visually impaired students from all around the surrounding area came to participate in a wonderful day of fun and excitement! Yet again, I was so impressed by the organization and pace of the day. Kudos to J.P. Pullens and Connie Hill and all others who helped make the day a huge success! KUDOS to our 7th grade and younger children for the wonderful display of sportsmanship and athleticism they showed throughout the day! They gave great effort, cheered for others, and treated guests with kindness. They did a beautiful job!
Planning continues for our College and Career Fair for 6th – 12th grade students. Staff met with all the students on Thursday and students were given job applications and sample resume forms. Students are to complete the job applications and create a resume. These will be completed in school, but feel free to ask your student about progress on these forms. Students will then go through mock interviews on October 30th. Students will also be practicing interview skills in school, appropriate greetings, and handshakes. Please feel free to practice these skills at home.
ESS (Extended School Year) is about to begin. Any student that scored below Proficient on the K-Prep tests is eligible for ESS. Watch for letters soon indicating if your child is eligible.
Finally, our elementary students continue to show growth and independence each and every day. They are learning to speak for themselves, share their thoughts and feelings with words rather than just actions, and they are demonstrating increased confidence in all settings.
Thank you for sharing your students with us each and every day.
As always, please don’t hesitate to call or email if you have questions, comments or concerns.
502-897-1583, ext. 0203
PSSO Halloween Party
On Thursday, October 24, 2013 at the KSB Recreation Building from 6:30 - 8:30 pm the PSSO will be hosting the annual KSB Halloween Party. All students and siblings are welcome! Please plan to wear costumes and join us for a party and trick-or-treating fun!
Please contact JayneSeif at (502)500-7675 as soon as possible if you are able to help with this event. We need volunteers to donate items as well as work at individual tables during the event.
White Cane Day
White Cane Safety Day celebrates blind and visually impaired people's achievements, in the United States on October 15 every year. It also reminds people about the how the white cane is an important tool in helping the blind and the visually impaired live with greater independence.
The white cane is recognized for providing the blind and visually impaired person with greater mobility, allowing them to participate more within their communities. Blind and visually impaired people have used canes as mobility tools for centuries but it was not until after World War I that the white cane was formally introduced.
On October 15, Kelly Stewart, one of the Orientation and Mobility Specialists at KSB, will be taking 3 students to 4th Street Live, in downtown Louisville, to participate in the White Cane Day celebration. These students will be sharing with the public the importance of the cane and how they use it as a tool throughout their day.
Sports:
Goalball Trip Cancelled
The boys and girls goalball teams will not be traveling to The Tennessee School for the Blind Invitational October 18-20.If you have any questions or concerns contact Kenny Jones at EXT 7109.
Cheerleading Begins Soon
Reminder that Varsity Cheerleadingstarts up next weekonMonday October, 14.Any boy or girl age 14 and older/7th grade and higher may participate. Practices will be held in the Gym/Langan BuildingMonday thru Thursday from 3:45-5:15. We are very excited to start a new seasonand we want to encourage all students to come try it out! If you have any questions please contact Crystal Johnson at or 502 897-1583.
Lions Club Chili Supper
Louisville East Lions Clubcooks, serves and donates many of thelunch items at the Bill Roby games each year. They are hosting a Chili and Hot Dog Supper in the Food Service Building at KSB on Friday,October 25, from 4:30-7:00 PM.
The supper is all you can eat for $5-including drinks and dessert.Please contact Lion Meg Stone for your tickets at extension 7105.
Please support a club that supports KSB!
Photo: Patrons of last year's Hot Dog & Chili Supper enjoying their meals.
Joe Huber's Farm Trip
Ms. Sutton, Ms. Brasher and Ms. Sadowski will take students on a field trip to Joe Huber's Farm on October 17, 2013. They will depart at 9:30 and return around 2:00. Stay tuned for more details regarding this trip!
Residential News:
Greetings all!
Here we are already in early fall and students are settling into their routine in residential.
After the school day is over the students have a varied schedule. Some attend the radio station with Ben Wright as their supervisor and instructor. Study center is opened depending on the need for the day and a mandatory study time is after dinner.
Athletic practices and music instruction fit into the evening along with campus-based recreation. Dorm chores are not left out of the schedule! All of these different activities create a busy but fun day for the students.
A special thanks to all thestaff who came together to make the Roby Games a success. We are thrilled that everything went off without a hitch, including the weather being perfect for outdoor activities. A special thanks toJ.P. Pullens,ConnieHill, and Tom Oaks for coordinating the event. Thank you!
Have a good week!
Howser Hall to Remain Closed
The 40,000 square foot dormitory was shut down approximately four years ago, because of a mold issue that is currently being mitigated. Due to extensive problems uncovered with the plumbing system and issues with the roof bar joists under the metal roofs, the Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB) will not be attempting to occupy the building at this time. With limited funds available, KSB has been forced to only stabilize the building; until additional funding is available for a complete renovation.
KSB will continue with the mold remediation project, but will not be putting back the finishes at this time; due to the needed repairs to the plumbing vent stack and waste piping. KSB will be replacing the metal roofs with shingles, and performing repairs and replacement of the rusted bar joists. Also, KSB is going to do an additional masonry waterproofing project to prevent further moisture from entering the building through the masonry walls.
These stabilization projects will give KSB time to obtain proper funding for the project and enable the project to be done correctly. Hopefully, with the information that has been gathered and documented, KSB will be able to get funding from the legislature to establish a complete renovation and upgrade of Howser Hall with a new HVAC system, plumbing system, and new finishes; which will then allow occupancy.
Low Vision Activities to Do at Home
Looking for some things to do at home with your student to promote independence? Here are some tips for in the kitchen:
- Pour milk into a dark cup
- Pour cola into a white cup
- Measure white sugar into a white measuring cup
- Place a white plate on a dark table mat
- Place a dark plate on a white table mat
KSB Button Factory Open for Halloween Sales
The KSB Button Factory is selling buttons for Halloween. You can pick from the artwork below or use a different design. Each button comes with Braille at no extra charge.
# of Buttons / Price Per Button
1-25 / $1.00 each
26-50 / $0.95 each
51-100 / $0.90each
More than 100 / $0.85each
If you are interested in purchasing our buttons for your company, event or just because, please email or call 502-897-1583 ext:7318. Please leave a message if necessary.
*Make all checks payable to KY School for the Blind
Center for Courageous Kids Needs Your Help
The Center for Courageous Kids (whereKSB's2012 Family Conference was held)isa finalist for Toyota's 100 Cars for Good Program. They will award 100 vehicles over50 days to 100 nonprofit organizations based onFacebook votes from the public.CCK's voting day is Saturday, October 12th from 9:00 a.m. Central Time to 11:00 p.m. Central Time. On this day,CCK is competing against four other charities. The top two charities with the most online votes at the end of the day win a brand new Toyota vehicle.
How do you vote on OCTOBER 12TH?
1.) Log intoFacebook BEFORE attempting to vote.
2.) Go to 100carsforgood.com - OnCCK's voting day, October 12th, you will find TheCCKunder "Today's Organizations". Click onCCK's profile and VOTE!
3.) Toyota requires voters to cast two votes. You will vote once for The Center for Courageous Kids and then cast a vote for one other deserving charity.
4.) Be sure to click submit and confirm. If submitted correctly, the voting leader board will appear and you will see the charity rankings.
5.) Share on yourFacebook pages after voting and encourage your friends to vote forCCK too!
IMPORTANT NOTE:
It will be necessary to "Allow" access to the voting app.
Primary Students Enjoy Story Time
Photo: Student Colten Peters laughs while donning a frog hat during story time with librarian, Heather Davis.
Photo: Student Mikah Taylor smiles while wearing a fireman hat and boots during story time with librarian, Heather Davis.
Important News Bulletins:
TheACT Testing Datesfor KSB students(grade 12)areNov. 6 and 7.
KSB still needsmore volunteers to help with the College & Career Fairon Wednesday, Oct. 30, 9 AM-1 PM. Volunteers are needed to assist students, receive student(s) for mock interviews, interview students and to assist in other areas as needed in order to maintain a smooth and efficient transition throughout the day. We hope that you or someone from your agency or business will serve as a volunteer. To volunteer, e-mail Mary Pawlowski no later than Oct. 15.
Volunteers should arrive to the classroom lobby no later than 8:30 AM. Everything you need will be provided. Lunch will also be provided.
Oct. Calendar of Events:
Thurs. 17th: KVEC Family Fall Gathering, Perry county Library, Hazard, KY
Thurs. 24th: Art Night, KSB; PSSO Halloween Party, KSB
Fri.-Sat., 25th-26th: Goalball Invitational, KSB
Wed. 30th: College and Career Day, KSB
News Contributors:
Heather Davis, Library Media Specialist
Elaine Hall, Counselor
Connie Hill, Low Vision Teacher
Crystal Johnson, Paraprofessional and Girls' Cheerleading Coach
Kenny Jones, Athletic Director
Bo Mullins, Track & Wrestling Coach
Pat Mohon, Recreation Director
Mary Pawlowkski, Orientation & Mobility Instructor
Meg Stone, Director of Outreach for Statewide Support Services
Kelly Stewart, Orientation & Mobility Instructor
Kenneth Washington, Director of Operations
Editor: Kyrstin Johnson, HS English Teacher
Kentucky School for the Blind
1867 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206