Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
August 18, 2017
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!
August 27: Blind and Beyond Radio Show (details on page 2)
August 30: EECC’s Trivia Night, 6-8 in Media Center
August 31: Mercer Bears Football game, 7 pm *see details below
September 4: Labor Day Holiday
September 8: School Council Meeting 1:00 pm
October 16-20: Fall Break
October 31: Help a Child Smile Mobile Dental Clinic (NEW DATE!)
Friday, November 10: School Council Meeting 1:00 pm
November 20-24: Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, December 21: Winter Student Music Program and Art Show. Family Meetings before and after the program.
December 22- January 5: Winter Holiday
check out our website to view the entire calendar for 2017-18 school year:
Monday, August 21, 2017 approximately 1- 4pm for the middle GA area
The school is running on schedule. Many are going outside to experience the eclipse with official solar glasses, donated by Lowes. Additionally, we will have tents and are encouraging all to wear hats. If you don't want your child outside during the eclipse activity, there are inside activities. Contact their teacher! GAB Day Students will release at the usual time:- 3:00 p.m., unless the transportation department from the transporting county requests an early pickup or delayed pickup time. Those counties requesting an amended pickup time because of the Eclipse Event should contact Frank Reynolds, frreynolds@doe.k12.ga.us or 478.751.6083 Extension 1120 or Shirley Bronner sdavis@doe.k12.ga.us or 478.751.6083 Ext. 1264. We have plans for residential students until 4:00 p.m.
*GAB at Mercer Bears Football Game!
Mercer Athletics has generously offered all of the GAB students and employees along with their families free general admission tickets to the Mercer Football game vs Jacksonville on Thursday, August 31st 7PM in Five Star Stadium, Macon GA. Deadline to reserve your seat is August 25. Be sure to return the permission forms being sent home this weekend! It will include a place for you to reserve your tickets. For more information contact Mrs. Holloway, Cholloway@doe.k12.ga.us
August Birthdays:
2nd ~Kaden A
6th ~ Sebastin
6th ~ Marquan
8th ~ Will
25th ~ Josie
29th ~ De’Zereion
30th ~ Jesse
Don't forget!
We will be collecting General Mills Box Tops AND distributing Publix Partners cards throughout the year! Ask all your friends and family to help!
Parents/ guardians, our residential students will be participating in this on August 27. We urge all our students to check this out with their families !
Blind and Beyond Radio Show is pleased to announce the launch of the first EVER nationwide radio show for blind and visually impaired children, BLIND AND BEYOND RADIO SHOW FOR KIDS, SUNDAY, AUGUST 27...for the kids….by the kids! Please tune in to THIS SUPER SPECIAL PROGRAM, BLIND AND BEYOND RADIO SHOW FOR KIDS, a talk show which will broadcast, live, in the studio, on the fourth Sunday of each month from 6pm to 7pm Eastern Time on WOKB1680AM, ORLANDO. You may listen via tune-in radio, or stream us right from our Website (see link below).
BLIND AND BEYOND RADIO SHOW FOR KIDS will be a fun and informative hour, hosted by children who will interview other children who are visually impaired or blind. We will also have children of all ages come to the radio station to participate live, in the studio. We invite children from all over the United States to call in and voice their opinions as well. And, don’t forget, we will be awarding prizes to those who call in and answer the trivia questions correctly! The trivia questions, topics of discussion and music will all be selected by the kids. This is going to be so much fun for the children in the studio and the children listening to the program! Blind and Beyond Radio Show for Kids will provide a support platform for children of all ages. It is our mission to bring children from all over the country together to have fun and learn at the same time in a very special media format. We hope that you will mark your calendar for the VERY SPECIAL PREMIER SHOW of Parents/ guardians, our residential students will be participating in this on August 27. We urge all our students to check this out with their families! Call in and say “Hello!” 407-894-1680.
Please Help! THREE quick and important surveys
1. Tech Survey
2. ECC Survey
We need our parents to complete the survey to let us know what you want us to be sure to cover in our Expanded Core Curriculum Program (ECC). Click below, enter your student's name and check all the boxes that are most important to you.
3. School Guidance Survey
Orientation and Mobility Tips from Robin Cruise, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Encourage your child to use his/her long white cane when traveling in your community. This will give practice for locating drop-offs and independently traveling through doors with the cane.
O&M Vocabulary. We use specific O&M vocabulary with our students day and night and feel it is important that these words are emphasized at home with families as well! Each week we will feature a vocabulary word for the week. If you want the completed list now, contact Ms. Cruise: rcruise@doe.k12.ga.us 478-751-6083 extension 3230
Veer – when a person walks slightly to the left or right deviating from their straight line of travel. This is often an unintentional mistake in mobility. For example: “Dee, move to your right, you are veering left”.
AASD, GAB and GSD Parents/Guardians: Your Family Engagement Team Wants to Meet YOU!
Save the dates for our Fall Regional Parent/Guardian Meetings! “Drop In RPMs” November date just added!
Tuesday, September 19 in North Fulton County
Thursday, September 28 in Chatham County
Thursday, September 28 in Clarke County
Thursday, November 16 in South Fulton County
save these dates, addresses will be forthcoming!
Drop in anytime between 5:30-7:30 pm
Meet other Families.
Get the latest updates on your school including
Parental Involvement Plan
and the
School/Student/Parent-Guardian Compact for Student Achievement
Learn ways to help your child with school.
Learn of valuable resources in your community.
Light refreshments served.
Door prize given.
Please RSVP: Sonya Milam at 478-262-3303 smilam@doe.k12.ga.us
This week in pictures
Mrs. Rushing’s students demonstrating the Eclipse using cookies - - a tactile (and yummy) way to learn the Georgia Standard to obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the effects of the relative positions of the sun, Earth, and moon!
Dr. Washington’s students produce and perform daily newscast for the school.
A Work Based Learning Student as GAB’s Receptionist
Give us your feedback!
This newsletter is produced by Sonya Milam, Parent Mentor. For comments and suggestions, please contact her at 478-262-3303 or smilam@doe.k12.ga.us