OSSB Panther Paws Newsletter
March 2019
Ohio State School for the Blind
OSSB Art students Visit the 'MAC' in Worthington
OSSB high school art students had the opportunity to visit the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center in Worthington right before Winter Break. They were able to experience the art exhibition of local artist, Queen Brooks, in a very unique way. Missy Donovan, the education director at the arts center, had spoken with the artist and received special permission for OSSB students to touch the artwork. She took many pieces off of the walls and laid them on tables for students to explore the artwork through touch.
It was an amazing experience, and all the students enjoyed the visit. In their art classes, students had been studying the artwork of Queen Brooks, and created their own artworks inspired by the artist. These artworks were recently on display in OSSB’s multipurpose room. ~Ms. Rachelle Smith
OSSB Student Artwork on Display
Don't Forget To Send In Boxtops for Education!
The elementary classes continue to collect Boxtops for Education coupons from products. If you send any to school, just label them for Mrs. Peirano. The Campbell’s Labels for Education program has been discontinued so we no longer collect those. Thanks for sending your Boxtops to support elementary programs! We recently received a check for over $275.00, so they really do add up!! OSSB thanks you for your support!
OSSB 2019 Cheerleading Wrap Up
Coach Traucht and Coach Knight had the pleasure of working with an exceptional group of cheerleaders. A majority of the team were newcomers which meant that they had a lot to learn. Captain, Kurtacee Goines and Co-Captain, Lalita Chanthapha led their small team of five, which included Autum Radcliffe, Sumeya Hassan, and Elliott Harris, to competition in Illinois. Most of the other teams had very seasoned cheerleaders, and the competition was tough. Our team worked hard and received a great deal of praise for their routine.
Our Outstanding Cheerleader, Autum Radcliffe, took home second place for her routine (which she learned in one week!). The cheerleaders had to make many adjustments and exceptions throughout the season to get to competition and gained confidence which showed on the mat.
Coach Traucht and Coach Knight are very proud of the growth and look forward to seeing a bigger team next year!
Go Panthers! ~ Coach Traucht
Gotta love these OSSB Cheerleaders, Wrestlers and Coaches! Go Panthers!
2018-19 Panther Wrestling Team
This year’s wrestling team coached by Coach Heath and Coach Mascarello had a great season! The team consisted of Logan Amos (106lbs.), Evan Alioto (106lbs.), Captain Ian Bell (126lbs.), Marwan Hassan (126lbs.) and Carl Parr (195lbs.). The team traveled to Nashville, Tennessee in December, Indianapolis, Indiana in January and finished up with the conference championships the last week of January at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired in Jacksonville, Illinois.
Logan was a first year wrestler for us and participated in the Indiana meet. Evan went 4-0 at the Indiana meet and followed that up with a 2-2 record at the conference championships. Evan had 5 pins on the season. Ian, our team captain, participated in all three meets. Ian had pins in both the Tennessee and Indiana meets. Unfortunately, Ian had a really tough draw at championships and went 0-2. Marwan was a returning conference champion at (120lbs.). He also participated in all three meets and had pins in all three meets. Marwan finished runner-up this season in the 126 pound weight class. Another first year wrestler was Carl Parr. Carl got his first victory ever in wrestling at the Tennessee meet. He followed that up with a 2-2 record at the championships with pins in both of his wins.
The team finished in sixth place this year out of nine teams. With no seniors on the team this year, next year looks very promising. Coaches Heath and Mascarello would also like to thank former coaches Dan Kelley and Jeff Shaw for their help throughout the season. Without their expertise our team could not have had the success we did. Go Panthers! ~Coach Heath
Panthers Rock the Ohio Braille Challenge!
Fifteen students from OSSB traveled to Cincinnati to complete in the 3rd Annual Ohio Braille Challenge on Friday, March 1, 2019. The Braille Challenge is an academic contest in which contestants compete in the areas of spelling, reading comprehension, charts and graphs, proofreading and speed and accuracy.
The morning began with a welcome ceremony and delicious donuts. After that, students began the competition, which finished up around 2:00 pm. There was a mouth-watering pizza lunch and lots of snacks to keep everyone at their best. Each student received a Braille Challenge medal, T-shirt and a goodie bag with some cool 3D models - some were made right here at OSSB!
Students were accompanied to the Braille Challenge by Principal Ransey, Dr. Lou Maynus, Mrs. Finley, Mr. Kelley, Mrs. Peirano and Mrs Kaplan. We are very proud to announce that 9 OSSB students placed in their divisions, and earned cash prizes. We look forward to their continued success with braille!
Apprentice: 1st- Jayven Hall, 3rd- Mikaia Flowers
Freshman: 2nd- Matt Tolle, 3rd- Elliott Harris
Sophomore: 2nd – Philip Sotak, 3rd Perseus Decker
Jr. Varsity: 1st- Jana Alo, 3rd- Aujanee Bland
Varsity: 2nd- Emily Wilson
Secondary Transition Employment Program - Year 6 at OSSB!
The Secondary Transition Employment Program (STEP) is in it’s sixth year at OSSB. We continue to collaborate with COSI and Magic Mountain. In the past students have also interned at Business Enterprise vending sites, which are owned and operated by people with visual impairments. These businesses act as our host business to provide valuable internships for the students. Students participate in their internships between 4-5 days a week. They also receive instruction in areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum, such as Orientation and Mobility and Daily Living Skills. The expectations placed on the students increases each year. Interns are expected to meet the expectations of the employers as well as the teaching staff. This includes riding public transportation to and from the job site in addition to learning job skills to be successful. The objective for all students is to obtain competitive employment (at least minimum wage and part-time hours)
STEP continues to be funded in part through the Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI). The requirements to apply to STEP include earning all needed academic credit to graduate, support of the BSVI counselor, and the motivation to work. We currently have students working in the restaurant Atomic Café, Animal Care and Guest Relations.
If you or your student think they are a candidate for the 2019 school year please contact
Kate King at cking@ossb.oh.gov or (614)468-8877
OSSB FEBRUARY PODCAST - Click on link below!
Phil Northrop Retires from OSSB
The end of February brought a close to Orientation and Mobility instructor, Phil Northrop's career at OSSB. Mr. Northrop remembers that his first day at OSSB was December 1st 1986! Staff at OSSB honored him with cake (for students and staff during both of the lunch periods), an assembly complete with a song and dance by staff, and a scrapbook with memories from former and current students and staff. He will certainly be missed at OSSB!
~ Important Dates in March/April~
MARCH
- March 19 thru May 19 Girls on the Run Practice - every Tuesday and Thursday
- March 21 - Cup of Kindness in honor of Aidan Carter and Andrew Fleming
- March 21 - Senior Dinner
- March 22 - Elementary Trip to the Circus
- March 25 thru 29, 2019 - NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
APRIL
- April 5 - Honors Recital 1:30pm Auditorium
- April 11 - Swim/Forensics Day Meet in INDIANA
- April 12 - Partners in Conservation presentation at 1:00pm
- April 17 - Independent Living Skills Bake-Off
- April 18 - Dismissal at 2:30pm
- April 19 - NO SCHOOL
- April 22 - NO SCHOOL
- April 26 - Walk-a-Thon at Noon - OSSB Track
Photos Around OSSB This Winter
Snow Day at OSSB!
State Superintendent DeMaria sings with Perseus
Clap Out for Mr. Northrop
You May Be Interested In...
ODE Family Town Hall Meetings - Calling for family input!
A message from the Ohio Department of Education:
The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) is developing recommendations to improve educational experiences and outcomes for students with disabilities in Ohio. As our most important partners, we are calling on parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles, foster parents, family members and advocates, to assist in developing those recommendations.
Attached is a flyer for Family Town Hall meetings across the state March 19th – April 17th.
We hope you will share with your networks to encourage parents and family members of students with disabilities to participate. Please click on the link below to download the flyer, and register for a Family Town Hall meeting near you!
Ohio Coalition Newsletter - Navigating Guardianship in Special Education
Just below is the Jan -March 2019 OCECD Newsletter. This volume talks about Navigating Guardianship in Special Education. Download the Newsletter in the link below. Areas of discussion include:
- Transfer of Parental Rights
- When Your Child with a Disability Turns 18
- What is Guardianship?
- Will your child need a guardian?
- Who should be named as guardian?
- Obtaining Guardianship Through the Court
- Determining Competency
- What are the duties of a guardian?
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)