Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
May 18, 2018 Graduation Edition
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.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Mark your Calendars!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
*Just added or changed
May 19: State Teacher of the Year selection announcement
May 23: Awards 1:15 in gym. Parent/guardian meeting following
May 24: End of School Festival, 9-3 in gym
Middle and High School Talent Show, 1-3 in Media Center
May 24: Project Search Graduation, 4 pm at Navicent Health
May 25: Graduation, 11 a.m., Wesleyan College’s Porter Auditorium, 4760 Forsyth Road (3.2 miles west of GAB. *Take the Tucker Road entrance to parking lot”B” at the back of Porter Auditorium. Passengers can be let out at the front door from circular driveway.
May 25: Deadline for Summer Program Eye’s on the Prize (ages 12-21)
June 10-15: GAB Summer Program Eye’s on the Prize (ages 12-21) DETAILS PAGE 2
August 5: Open House, Cottage Move In and Mandatory Title I Parent/Guardian Meeting
August 6: First day of school
2018-19 Medical forms
Medical forms were emailed and mailed home. Be sure to get this completed and returned on or before August 5. Contact the school office if you did not receive.
THIRD Notice: FAMILIES OF RISING 9th-12th graders!
Advisement for next year’s classes has begun. Proposed class lists have been sent home by students. Parents/guardians: please review these classes with your student, sign, and return the form(s) to Mrs. S. Knight. If you have any questions, please contact the school 478-751-6083 extension 1290 before May 31.
FINAL Notice: A NOTE from Mrs. Holloway ~ ATTENTION Parents/Guardians of Mixed Ensemble and Senior Chorus members!
We will be performing at Graduation on Friday, May 25 at 11:00 a.m. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the location of Graduation will be at Wesleyan College in the Porter Auditorium, 4760 Forsyth Road, 3.5 miles west of GAB on the left.
Students will be transported to and from the college by bus.
Parents are to check their child out at the school and not take them from the college. We want to make sure all students are safely and securely transported back to the school after the program. Per Dr. Gibson, if you are signing your child out before the 1:00 p.m. end of the day, sign out in the Hendricks office. See Shirley Bronner and Brittany Jackson.
This is a mandatory performance, and all students will receive credit for the performance.
o Female students are to wear their chorus uniform with their chorus shoes.
o Male students are to wear their chorus uniform. The chorus uniform is provided by the music department They are to bring their own black dress shoes and black socks.
The students are very excited about this performance opportunity. Thank you for your patience and your ongoing support to help the students be successful!
Catherine Holloway, Music Director
REMINDER: GAB's Summer Program
Eye’s on the Prize
June 10-15, 2018
Application Deadline: May 24, 2018
Interested and eligible students are to get application from their case manager
(All applications subject to approval)
$30.00 registration fee
Eligibility Requirements
• Students must display independent living skills appropriate to their age.
• Students must have the physical, mental, and behavioral capabilities to benefit from the programs offered.
• Students must be between the ages of 12 & 21.
Volunteer Spotlight
Long time GAB volunteer, Ashlyn Alligood, 2018 Graduate, Tattnall Square Academy, Founder of her school’s collaboration with the students at Georgia Academy for the Blind’s Athletic Department explains: “On any given day, I can walk into Georgia Academy for the Blind and someone will immediately put a smile on my face. Because I am the daughter of a teacher for the visually impaired, I have been given the opportunity to befriend several students with visual impairments.” Ashlyn will attend Georgia College and State University this fall as a student in the Athletic Training program and pursue a career as a Physician’s Assistant.
This spring our students began a collaboration with our sighted peers from Macon’s Tattnall Square Academy (TSA). For three weeks leading up to SCASB track and field, GAB students shared with TSA students the technology we use in our classrooms, Brailled UNO and taught them the game of goalball. (See photos below) TSA and GAB students worked out together, practiced running and field events. Twenty TSA students came to cheer GAB on during SCASB. According to Ashyln in an essay “More than a Sport” submitted to TSA administration proposing this collaboration: “It is my hope that society will be able to see past the disabilities associated with visual impairments and focus on their abilities. This cooperative effort could evolve into a long-term endeavor where students return even after graduation simply to continue their relationship with the Georgia Academy of the Blind and their athletes. Not only would Tattnall students develop a lasting relationship, but also Georgia Academy for the Blind students would benefit socially and athletically. “
We look forward to this collaboration in the years to come; not only for our students to socialize with sighted peers but for others to learn from our awesome students. We thank you Ashlyn!
This Week in Pictures
Look who came to our school Monday afternoon - - the ice cream man! Two in fact! To celebrate and honor GAB’s Teacher of the Year, the State Schools’ Teacher of the Year AND top 10 finalist for Georgia’s Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Melanie Thompson, two executives from Blue Bell Ice Cream treated our entire student body, faculty and staff to yummy ice cream! Many thanks to them and best wishes to Mrs. Thompson! The winner will be announced Saturday so stay tuned!
Character Education
(Below) The students in Ms. Rosemary Knight’s classroom guidance classes concluded this school year with an activity of filling their sand buckets with good character. The students decorated and filled their buckets with character traits such as goodwill, decency, hygiene and kindness. The students are encouraged to practice the character traits learned this school year over the summer. Happy digging for good character. Remember to “fill your buckets all day with good character; make a difference this summer in the character you put in your bucket.”
GAB Art Students Awarded Volunteer Group of the Year at Goodwill
Under the direction of GAB art teacher Kristin Applebee, nearly 300 hours were spent by GAB staff and students in preparation and production of an art show, Fourth Thursday, at Macon’s Goodwill Retail store on Forsyth Road. Nine high school students worked on wire quilts, caulk pieces, and cardboard sculptures. Some elementary students made five framed pieces using paper squares. During the presentation of this award, a Goodwill executive said, “these students are not only creative, but they are hard-working, well prepared and respectful. See pictures below from the Goodwill Volunteer Banquet.
American Government
Mrs. Thompson’s class held a mock trial against Humpty Dumpty this week in the Media Center.
Keep a Literacy Rich Home this Summer!
Online Resource List from Our Media Specialist, Mrs. Kim Smith ksmith@doe.k12.ga.us (478)751-6083, extension1280
Wesbsites/and Apps:
Learningally.org
Bookshare.org- Read to Go $20
https://nlsbard.loc.gov/login//NLS- BARD Mobile
Storynory.com
Sparklestories (iPad)
Storylineonline.net
Booksshouldbefree.com
pbs.org
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/
Educational YouTube Channels for Various Age Groups
Descriptive Videos
https://dcmp.org/signup/register User: gabpanthers Pass: GAB2020
Promoting Responsibility and Independence at Home this Summer
· Check out this video from our Facebook page about making a chore chart from simple household items: https://www.facebook.com/Georgia.Academy.for.the.Blind/videos/1641861615909222/
· Learn more about tactile chore charts from our friends at Paths to Literacy here: http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/strategies/accessible-job-chart-home
· Remember we can send things in Braille or large print and tactile markers home with your child this week! Contact Kim Smith or your child’s before May 31 or Sonya Milam throughout the summer if we can help in any way!
Give us your feedback!
This newsletter is produced by Sonya Milam, Parent Mentor. For news items, suggestions, and resources to share, please contact her at smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303