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 12, 2014
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Find great resources and see upcoming
events on campus and throughout the
state!
Follow this link:
https://www.facebook.com/KYschoolfortheblind
Principal Matters
By: Ms. P (Debi Phillips)
Habits of Mind, leadership, perseverance, thinking about our
thinking are a few examples of what we in the field of education
refer to as ‘the soft curriculum’ . These problem-solving strategies
may not be Core Curriculum but they are important skills our
students need in order to be successful. This year our teachers
and administrators are in the initial stages of creating a program of
‘soft skills’ for our students.
Such skills include students being taught to prioritize which tasks
should be addressed first? How can students can, like us, tame
the running list we keep in our heads and manage the important items crucial to accomplishing the
most important things? Students who cannot make and complete a ‘To Do List’ often find themselves
overwhelmed and unable to avoid the stress that may come with school.
Parents, if this describes your child try teaching them a simple strategy called the “3+ List” created by
M. Nora Mazzone, coauthor of Stress-Busting Strategies for Teachers. List three tasks that must be
completed in order to be productive. Then, add two “plus” tasks that are not as urgent. Only after the
three crucial tasks are completed, help your child consider the remaining two. Put the list on the
refrigerator and as your child accomplishes each task have them cross it off. This simple action will
reinforce the positive feeling that accomplishment brings.
You may even try it yourself…especially during the busy holiday season! I know I will!
Ms. P 
Counselor's Corner
By: Elaine Hall, Guidance Counselor
Need holiday tips for children? Check out these great links!
Holiday Guide for Parents of Children Who Are Visually Impaired
http://www.familyconnect.org/info/holiday-guide/5
Emily Coleman writes a blog about taking her child to see “A Grinch
Christmas production.” http://www.familyconnect.org/blog/raising-achild-who-is-blind-and/1. She also posts about bringing the 9 areas of
expanded core curriculum into the holidays.
There are links to toy guides and gifts for the gadget lover.
http://www.familyconnect.org/info/technology/students-using-technology/a-self-proclaimed-gadgetlover/235
If you don’t have computer access and would like print outs of these articles, please do not hesitate to
call and we will be sure to send copies home.
We are looking forward to the last school week of activities. Our middle and high students are
preparing for semester finals, and our elementary students are preparing learning checks and getting
ready for our Christmas program on December 19th!
As always, do not hesitate to call or email with any questions.
Welcome to Low Vision
By: Connie Hill, CLVT (Certified Low Vision Therapist)
The Elementary Dorm Cooking group made Chex Mix Christmas
Blast and it was a blast! The students enjoyed pouring cereal into
a large measuring cup, melting white chocolate and adding a
large bag of M&M’s. Yum was the word!!!
Photo below: Hayden Ashley, Nick Runyon, Brock Fannin
and Mickey Foard show off their Chex Mix.
Recipe for Chex Mix Christmas Blast
Ingredients:
6 cups of Rice Chex Cereal
1 16 oz. bag of White chocolate chips
1/3 cup of Peanut Butter
1 bag of red and green M&M’s
Directions:
Melt white chocolate chips and peanut
butter in microwave bowl for 1 minute. Stir for 30 seconds. Return to Microwave for an additional
minute. Stir in 3 cups of cereal and add ½ bag of M&M’s. Return to microwave for 30 seconds. Stir in
3 cups of cereal and the remaining M&M’s. Pour onto cookie sheet and place in refrigerator for 10
minutes. Remove from refrigerator and break into small pieces.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Hill.
[email protected]
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
Don’t forget to buy tickets! Baskets will be raffled off on Dec.
19 at the holiday luncheon. You can stop by the classroom
office to purchase tickets for $2 a piece or six for $10 or
simply print out and complete the ticket at the end of the
newsletter and send ticket with money into the school office.
You do not need to be present to win.
The baskets are on display in the classroom 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
Stay tuned for the tastefully simple fundraiser that will begin in January.
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 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.
Event Highlights!
KVEC Cadre Meeting – Dec. 5
The Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative (KVEC) hosted their regional Teachers of the Visually
Impaired (TVIs) Cadre Meeting on Fri., Dec. 5 in Hazard. Meeting highlights included:
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Information regarding Low Vision Services
available from KSB and some easy ways to
enhance independent living skills for students
who are blind and visually impaired was
presented by KSB Low Vision Specialist Connie
Hill
Introduction of KSB’s new Director of Outreach
Peggy Sinclair-Morris
Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS)
Director Kathy Mullen gave an overview of VIPS
history and said that they were looking to
expand their services in the region
APH staff was on hand to share information
about Braille Tales
Outreach Consultant Verna Howell serves the KVEC region. She commented that the day was a
huge success with fun, food, learning, and laughs.
BrailleNote Apex Workshop: Dec 8
An exciting opportunity for BrailleNote users took place at
Eastern Kentucky University. Some very intense training
on the most recent BrailleNote Apex updates.
To quote the students, “This was an amazing training. I’ll
use it every day.” (Tyler Day, Madison County) “It’s almost
as amazing as me.” (Jasmine Johnson, Owsley)
Skills taught included BrailleNote tutorials; create, edit,
save, and email documents; Nemeth usage; and IOS
connectivity.
Presenters: Brian Goemmer and Mike Tindell
CAMPUS EVENTS:
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:
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
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
Verna Howell, 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.