KSB Weekly Wildcat March 28, 2014
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.
Principal Matters
By: Debi Phillips, Principal
Anyone who is familiar with KSB knows we have some of the hardest-working and most well behaved students in the state! They are an educator’s dream in terms of work ethic, character and drive. Matching these wonderful characteristics are the dedicated teachers and staff members who work tirelessly on behalf of their students.
I would be remiss not to mention the ‘behind the scenes’ workers who, when asked, have eagerly joined our efforts to be a part of improving student opportunities at KSB. Our committees (Student Services, Technology, Safety/Grounds, Communication, Outreach) are made up of support staff who meet weekly to discuss ways they can impact and improve services to the kids. These committees are researching ways to reach out to every student in this state who might benefit from KSB services.
Tuesday I left school feeling exhilarated by the collaborative conversations taking place on behalf of our students. Even now, it still gives me cold chills to think about the ideas being discussed in committees that will support every student in being successful. I am humbled by the daily acts of dedication and perseverance I witness from both our students and our staff. I am honored to be a part of this work. Happy Spring Break to all staff and students...you have earned it!
Counselor's Corner
By: Elaine Hall, School Counselor
Operation Preparation Activities Continue On . . .
On Thurs., March 27, our elementary students explored career opportunities at the Metro Louisville 911 Center and the Lyndon Fire Station. Over and over throughout the day, students heard the importance of being a lifelong learner - and keeping the willingness to always go to classes, take part in continuous training and that strong work in school is always the way to pursue great career opportunities. Stay tuned for a more in depth article and pictures of our fabulous trip!
502-897-1583, ext. 0203
Students EnjoyWeekend Retreat At KSB
The Short Term Program held its annual Weekend Retreaton March 21-23. Twenty-nine middle- and high school students from across Kentucky participated in the event which had the theme “March Madness: It not Just for Basketball.” It was all about athletics as fun and something that is open toanyone, including people with visual impairments.
Off campus activities during the Retreat included a visit to Louisville Slugger Field, home of the AAA minor league team, the Louisville Bats. Participants toured the field, ran bases, and examined equipment. They also went to the Louisville Rowing Center, where they learned about this sport, checked out boats, and practiced rowing with special training machines. A trip to a game at Patterson Stadium, the campus home of the University of Louisville Cardinals baseball team, and swimming at the Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center rounded out a morning and afternoon of travel on Saturday.
The students practiced goalball, a game developed for people who are visually impaired or blind. It is a Paralympic sport. They learned about the game, practiced skills andwereon a team. Beep baseball, which uses a tone emitting baseball and bases, was also practiced.
As in the past, there were opportunities for grocery shopping, cooking, eating, enjoying ice cream at the Comfy Cow, informal conversation, and interacting with old and new friends. For many, this was the highlight of the weekend. All the students had an enjoyable time and are looking forward to the next Retreat.
Staff who participated included: John Roberts, Director of Special Education; Short Term teachers Karen Corbett, Regina Quaid, and Robert Williams-Neal; and Centerbased teachers Bo Mullins and Kyle Sochia. Financial support for the Retreat was provided by the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation (KSBCF).
Actors Theatre Comes to KSB
On Wed., March 26, eleven students from grades9-11 had the opportunity to have professionals from Actors Theatre of Louisville and the Humana Festival come to KSB to do dramatic readings of original ten-minute plays that the students generated.
Photo: Students who participated in the Playwriting Workshop have a front row seat as readers from Actors Theatre read their plays.
The professional readings were the culmination of a 12 day playwriting workshop funded by a grant from Very Special Arts (VSA) and The Kennedy Center. Steven Rahe, from Actors Theatre, came to KSB daily to work with students on craftingten minute plays. Rahe also graciously gathered professional actors from all across the country to come during the school day for rehearsal and in the afternoon to perform the readings of the student plays.
Photo: Student playwrights and English teacher Kyrstin Johnson (front row, far right) pose with readers from Actors Theatre.
The students all wrote moving, intellectual, thought-provoking plays that were unique to their individual experiences and personalities. Rahe and Kyrstin Johnson, high school English teacher, were both impressed and humbled by the creativity and passion the students had for this project. KSB would like to thank VSA, The Kennedy Center, Actors Theatre of Louisville and Steven Rahe for such a memorable and valuable learning experience.
Students Enjoy Reading
Reading and Writing in the Library Media Center
Not just reading is happening in this library.Below, TeacherStephanie Davis works with Colten Peters. Colten created a list containing the things he likes to do in his free time. He then read it back to Mrs. Davis. If you know Colten, you’ll know his favorite thing to do with his free time is…”play with the iPad”.
March was Busy Month for Student Athletes
Junior Varsity Meet
KSB was honored to have students from the Indiana and Ohio Schools for the Blindto join us for theAnnual Junior Varsity Wrestling Tournament (Little NC’s) onWed., March 12. This meet has rotated between the three schools for well over 40 years. The meet allows student athletesin grades K-6 to test the field of competition in goalball, cheerleading, wrestling, and swimming.
Students that participated included: Colton Peters, Brock Fannin, Landon Smith, Gracie Smith, Riley Seif, Kaylee Colgate, Amari Durrett, Madison Souders, Mason Tilley (Trimble County), and Xakhary Abercrombie (Jefferson County). Several KSB students participated in multiple sports.
Indiana DayMeet
The KSB Swimming and Forensics Teams competed in their first meet of the year at the Indiana School for the Blind on Tues., Mar. 18. Schools from the Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin Schools for the Blind also competed.
Four of the five forensic competitors received prefect scores. Forensic team members are Elijah Wagner, Zac Adams, Taylor Hollar, Cherish Willis, and Amanda Livers.
Even though the swim team had very few days in the water, they had a very strong showing. Both boys and girls team finishedthird with the boys team scoring 57 points and the girls team 38. Swim team membersare Damon Boards, Trintian Cannon, Donnie Risner, Jacob Hack, Eric Scott-Rafferty, Zac Adams, Justin Hedges, Alex Stine, Willie Barksdale, Beth Stephens, Valeriya Artemova, Madelyn Lloyd, and Katelyn Livengood.
Workshops and Conferences
The Kentucky Office for the Blind will host a transition conference “Beyond All Limits”. This conference will take place at the Louisville East Marriott Hotel off of Hurstbourne Lane at 1903 Embassy Square Boulevard in Louisville. The conference will be April 14-15. To register or more information for the conference, go to the Office for the Blind website at www.blind.ky.gov or call 1-800-321-6668.
UpcomingApril Events
Mar. 31-Apr. 4 Spring Break (School is not in session.)
8, Tuesday SBDM Council Meeting, 4 PM
10, Thursday Student Talent Show, 6:30 PM, Richie Auditorium
11-12, Fri.-Sat. Swimming/Forensics Invitational, Ohio School for the Blind
17, Thursday Low Vision Clinic at Kentucky Lions Eye Center
KSBPercussion Ensembles Concert, 6:30 PM, RichieAuditorium
23-26 Wed.-Sat. Council of Schools for the Blind (COSB) Outreach Forum, KSB
News Contributors
Heather Davis, Librarian; Elaine Hall, Counselor; Krystin Johnson, English Teacher;
Kenny Jones, Athletic Director/Outreach Consultant; Robert Williams-Neal, Short Term Teacher; and Debi Phillips, Principal
Kentucky School for the Blind, 1867 Frankfort Avenue, Louisville, KY 40206