Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
May 10, 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
Last day of school countdown: 10 more DAYs!
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!
May 16: 10 am Awards Day
May 16: 4 pm Project SEARCH graduation lobby of the Navicent Health Heart Tower
May 17: 11 am Graduation in our new and improved auditorium!
May 24: Last day of school
August 5: First day of school
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 Please remember, to contact us if you've had a change in address, phone number and/or email!
A note from Ms. Holloway:
Announcement from Ms. Knight to high school families:
We’ve sent home letters about high school credits and next year’s classes. Please read, discuss with your child, sign and return on Monday.
Last Week in Pictures
Birthdays
May Student Birthdays:
Mary Beth May 4
Jordan W. May 4
Hope M May 7
Tyzie May 19
Heidei May 20
Austin May 24
May Staff Birthdays:
Ms. Stokes May 1
Ms. Francis May 3
Ms. Neil May 4
Ms. Drinkard May 6
Ms. McDavid May 6
Ms. Patterson May 10
Mr. Jackson May 22
Mr. Moore May 24
This week in pictures
On Wednesday two of our middle Georgia graduating seniors, TJ Phillips and Frankie Massey, as well as their selected teaching team members, were honored at the Middle Georgia Regional Transition Council’s Achievement Awards Ceremony. Pictured on the top row is Frankie with his chosen teacher, Mr. Jackson then with his family and Ms. Edenfield. The bottom row features TJ with his chosen teacher, Ms. Lynch then with his family and Ms. Thompson.
Creating a literacy-rich summer! Part 2
Dear Families,
Did you know your child has access to digital and audiobooks this summer if you have a device with internet? This can be a computer, phone, or tablet. Please see the links and FREE apps below to access these resources. Your child’s user name and password has been sent home with your child. You may also contact me for user names and passwords. Please contact me with any questions. Happy reading!
Media Specialist kismith@doe.k12.ga.us or 478-751-6083 ext 1280
Follow us on Twitter: @gadoenews
Last Week in Pictures
Congratulations to Austin Rogers who was named a winner of the Georgia Department of Education’s Award of Excellence. This award honors Georgia high school seniors with disabilities who have had outstanding academic and/or extracurricular involvement in school/community, career education, ROTC, and/or employment and is graduating with a General Education Diploma. Rogers was selected by a team of educators to represent Georgia Academy for the Blind in the statewide competition.
Rogers has maintained a 4.0 grade point during his graduating senior year, and is a full time intern for GAB Project SEARCH at Navicent Health in Macon, GA, where he currently works in Patient Experience and Public Relations as a Way Finder, escorting hospital visitors to their destination. Rogers entered GAB as a first-grade student and has participated in various extracurricular activities at GAB throughout his tenure. Because of his GAB day student status, Rogers was able to serve 7 years as team manager for sports teams in his home middle and high school in Bleckley County. This year Austin has represented GAB in several off- campus speaking engagements for Downtown Rotary Club, the Autism Conference at Navicent, and Braille Challenge. Rogers also volunteered his time to foster community awareness of visual impairments by participating in White Cane Day activities at Navicent Health, and Navicent Rehabilitation Hospital. Additionally, Austin has been honored as Student of the Week by the Downtown Rotary Club. He was also recognized as Employee of the Week by his Navicent Patient Experience and Public Relations Department. Austin will be graduating from Project SEARCH on May 16, and receiving his high school diploma from GAB on May 17. After graduation, he will be employed as a greeter for Macon Bacon baseball, and hopes to continue employment in the customer service field. Rogers was presented his Award of Excellence on May 1 by Richard Woods, Georgia School Superintendent, at a special Department of Education ceremony in Atlanta. Austin is pictured below with Mr. Woods, then as a first grader, with Ms. Keith (GAB’s Project SEARCH Program Manager) and Ms. Jackson (GAB’s Project SEARCH Instructor).