Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
March 31, 2019
Dr. Cindy Gibson, Superintendent
Email: smilam@doe.k12.ga.us
Website: www.gabmacon.org
Location: 2895 Vineville Avenue, Macon, GA, United States
Phone: (478) 751-6083
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Georgia.Academy.for.the.Blind/
Twitter: @gab_library
Mission Statement
The Georgia Academy for the Blind provides quality education services to Georgia’s students with visual impairments and/or visual impairments in conjunction with other disabilities to prepare them to achieve their highest level of independence in transition to college and career readiness.
Check out the student produced video about our Mission Statement below:
Mark your Calendars!
*Just added
April 1: High School prom packets and money due!
April 4: High School Prom
April 9: Special Olympics
April 11-14: SCASB, Alabama (Track & Field)
*April 16 Drop In RPM, Floyd County (details, page 3)
April 22: Easter Holiday
April 25-- 28: Senior Trip
May 17: Graduation
May 24: Last day of school
Two Weeks Ago in Pictures
(Below) another photo from the trip to Mercedez-Benz stadium. These two high school students in Falcons’ protective wear. More pre-spring break photos on page 6.
Let us hear from you!
This newsletter is published by our Parent Mentor, Sonya Milam. Please send your ideas, news, and resources in your community to her. smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
Birthdays
April Student Birthdays:
Pierce April 2
Caden W April 4
Quaderrius April 7
Dillon April 17
Frankie April 18
Eugene April 21
Ashlyn April 21
Joshiah April 25
Marquez April 26
Majestic April 27
Hope D. April 28
Joe April 30
April Staff Birthdays:
Ms. Stroud April 4
Mr. Harris April 8
Ms. Yaughn April 9
Ms. Hawkins April 12
Ms. Easley April 19
Ms. Bronner April 25
Ms. Minick April 25
Ms. Thompson April 30
We hope our detectives have found some of the missing box tops over spring break! Remember, the money we raise goes towards our educational field trips like the ones you read about in Panther Press! Thanks for all you have done for our students. Click below to see list of participating products
Sylvia Layson, TVI slayson@doe.k12.ga.us (478) 751-6083 Ext. 1200
Join the members of Georgia’s State Schools’ Family Engagement Team and other parents/guardians from the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, the Georgia Academy for the Blind and the Georgia School for the Deaf
for a “Drop-In RPM” (Regional Parent/Guardian Meeting) in YOUR community!
. Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Georgia School for the Deaf
232 Perry Farm Rd. Cave Spring, GA 30124
Drop in anytime between 6-7:30
Get the latest updates and give your feedback on your child’s school including
o Family Engagement Plan, School Improvement Plan and the School/Student/Parent-Guardian Compact
o Learn ways to help your child with school and daily living skills
o Learn of valuable resources in your own community
o Light refreshments served
o Door prize given
So that we know who to plan for, please RSVP: (AASD) Patti Lombardi 404-300-5858, plombardi@doe.k12.ga.us or (GAB) Sonya Milam: 478-262-3303 smilam@doe.k12.ga.us or (GSD) Marie Dickinson (706) 777-2200 mdickinson@doe.k12.ga.us Also, let us know if you want a RPM in your community!
FIFTH NOTICE: SUMMER CAMPS!
Act fast as spots are limited. Scholarships are available! Contact Sonya for details! Note: these camp resources are simply provided as a courtesy to our families. Though we are confident that they are appropriate for and accessible to our students, GAB does not endorse or sponsor any camp.
Georgia Lions Club Camp, Waycross, GA
Session 1 - June 9~14: Adults, age 31-plus
Session 2- June 16~21: Adults, age 31-plus
Session 3 - June 23~28: Family Camp, age 5-12
Session 4 - June 30~ July 5: Teens, age 13-17
Session 5 - July 7~14: Young Adults, age 18-30
Get your application by contacting Sonya Milam, Smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303 or get it from their website at link below. DEADLINE IS APRIL 15 – no late applications will be considered!
Camp Abilities Columbus, GA
May 24, 2019 - May 27, 2019 at Columbus State University
Camp Abilities Columbus, GA is a residential camp that will be open for a maximum of 16 campers, ages 9 to 18 years old who are blind or visually impaired. They will stay on Columbus State University's campus to engage in an array of sports and recreational activities in a safe and developmentally appropriate environment. Sports and recreational activities include: goalball, beep baseball, beep kickball, tandem biking, rock climbing, swimming, soccer, tennis, track & field and team building activities. Learn more from their website at link below.
Contact Jeanine Fittipaldi-Wert at wert_jeanine@columbusstate.edu for information regarding camp registration
Camp Dreams, (Camp Grace, Roberta, GA)
July 21st – July 24th (Sun. - Wed.)
July 25th – July 28th (Thur. - Sun.)
Only online applications are accepted. See the link below. Let Sonya know if you would like assistance in registering.
Blaze Adaptive Sports Camp, Camp Twin Lakes, Winder, GA
July 21-26 Ages 7-17 Only online applications are accepted. See the link below. Let Sonya know if you would like assistance in registering.
STARS Day Camp at the Center for the Visually Impaired, Atlanta
. Transportation from 7 points in Atlanta area provided. All grades for day camp 9 am-3pm. To register go to link below. Sonya has paper applications available as well. Deadline is May 3!
Week 1 - June 3 to 7 . . . . . STARS & the Arts
Week 2 - June 10 to 14 . . . STARS & the Arts
Week 3 - June 17 to 21 . . . Sports and Recreation
Week 4 - June 24 to 28 . . . ECC Week, with a focus on Activities of Daily Living, Transition, Social Skills & more!
Middle Georgia Families:
Note from our Parent Mentor: I will be attending and presenting at this conference and would love to see our high school students and parents join me. Be sure to register both you and your student. Let me know if you need assistance with this. Smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
More Two Weeks Ago in Pictures
(Below) Ms. Bechtal’s and Ms. Brown’s classes enjoyed some pre-spring break fun at a picnic in the park.
April Breakfast and Lunch Menus - - Dinner Menus are forthcoming!
Click on the link below for the menus and to read fun facts about strawberries and mushrooms.