OSSB Panther Paws News
Monday - April 12, 2021
Ohio State School for the Blind
Principal, Michelle Wagner
Assistant Superintendent, Al LaBarre
Superintendent, Lou Maynus
Email: lkaplan@osdb.oh.gov
Website: https://www.ossb.ohio.gov
Location: 5220 North High Street, Columbus, OH, USA
Phone: 614-752-1359
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OhioStateSchoolfortheBlind/
IMPORTANT DATES
APRIL
- Spring Testing Begins
- 19th - Little NC's Practices begin
- 26th - Swim Timed Finals
- 28th - Track and Field Finals
MAY
- 31st - NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
JUNE
- 3rd - Graduation
- 4th - Last Day of School
Important Spring Testing Information
The State of Ohio spring testing is beginning this week and is spread out over several weeks. Please help your child remember to eat healthy, stay hydrated, and get plenty of sleep. In the elementary, grades 3-6 will test in English Language Arts and Math, grade 5 will also test in Science.
In high school, grades 7-8 will test in English Language Arts and Math, grade 8 will also test in Science. Freshman will test in Algebra 1, Sophomores will test in ELA II, Geometry, American History, and Biology, Juniors will test in American Government.
Please encourage your child to get in some physical movement when they are home. What's good for the body is good for the brain. Plus, they need a release after sitting in classes! Enjoy the outside as our weather is warming up. And if it rains, say, "Alexa, play dance music" and join your child to an impromptu dance party! Have fun! ~ Mrs. Grim, School Counselor
Little NCs Starts April 19th!
Our annual afterschool sports program - Little NC's -for students in grades Kdg - 6th is beginning soon! Parents may sign up their students for cheerleading, basketball, goalball, or swim - please note, students need to meet pre-requisite skills for goalball and swim. Practices will be held after school, and students will be picked up at 4:45 pm.
OSSB Elementary Families make sure to complete Little NC registration on FinalForms by April 16th before first practices. See the information in the Button below titled Parent-Playbook-CREATE to learn how to use Final Forms!
- Goalball will be Mondays and Wednesdays.
- Basketball and Cheerleading will be Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 19-May 27th.
- Swimming will start May 3rd-27th and be offered each night of the week.
Please contact Alison Brewer abrewer@osdb.oh.gov for additional support.
FinalForms https://ossb-oh.finalforms.com/ start by creating a parent account.
Pizza Pizza!
ILS focuses on the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), skills students need to know that will be helpful before, during, and after they graduate. For more information about the Expanded Core Curriculum, check out this article on the ECC from Family Connect. Photo shows Makayla with her cheese pizza. ~ Mrs. Kaplan, photo courtesy of Ms. Honse.
Fitness Fridays on Zoom
OSSB staff is still offering Fitness Fridays on Zoom. Each week, they will offer new and exciting exercise routines. To maximize the health benefits, full and active participation is a must. Be ready to sweat! The sessions will start at 9:30 am and run for approximately 45 minutes. Proper dress is required – tennis shoes and exercise clothes. You may want to keep a water bottle nearby during the activity. We encourage everyone to join!
Mrs. Henry, Ms. Gilliland, Mrs. Kallstrom, and Mr. Lee
Meeting ID: 998 911 7625
Passcode: Fq36nR
OSSB Swim and Track & Field Athletes Prepare for Remote Competition
OSSB Athletics has been different this year in format, but our athletes have been training away in one or two sports this Spring! Without the ability to travel, our Swim and Track & Field teams have moved to remote/virtual competition. Our athletes will have a chance to do their best during their end-of-season meets taking place the last week of April. Results gathered from the meet will be sent to our NCASB host schools to be compiled against other member school athletes' times and distances. The goal is to stream some events and post photos for all interested in viewing. Stay Tuned for Further Updates, and Go Panthers! ~ Mrs. Brewer
Swim timed finals will take place Monday, April 26th, 3-4:30 pm
Track and Field finals will take place Wednesday, April 28th, 3-4:30 pm
Early Learning Center News and Photos
Observing Ramadan
OSD and OSSB will offer an alternative space for students, if they prefer not to be in the classroom or cafeteria during mealtimes while observing Ramadan.
We are also offering our students an alternative space to observe all traditions that honor Ramadan during school hours. If you have any requests or questions, please reach out to our parent mentors or front office staff.
To learn more about Ramadan from National Geographic Kids, click here
OSSB Social Media
Resources and Workshops for Families
ARC of Ohio Presents Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities TONIGHT
Medicaid Buy-in for Workers with Disabilities
Presented by Rachel Hopmoer & Erica Munerlyn of the Ohio Department of Medicaid
Join us:
6:00 pm
Monday, April 12, 2021
Advance registration is required for this free presentation and discussion:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89447284005
Often misunderstood or not known, Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities (MBIWD) is an Ohio Medicaid program that provides health care coverage to working Ohioans with disabilities. Historically, people with disabilities were often discouraged from working because their earnings made them ineligible for Medicaid coverage. MBIWD was created to enable Ohioans with disabilities to work and still keep their health care coverage.
April 13th Webinar on Waivers
Resch, Root, Phillips and Graham are teaming up with provider agency, I am Boundless to present this webinar on what Waivers are, and how to utilize them.
Register for this program here: Meeting Registration - Zoom
Lynne Fogel
Ohio F2F, Family Support Specialist, Central Ohio
CCHMC
Phone: 844-644-6323
Email: lynne.fogel@cchmc.org
Parent and Caregiver Training Mental Health & Suicide Prevention
April 22nd
*hosted by Nationwide Children's Hospital
- What are the differences between normal teenage ups and downs and mental health concerns?
- What are the warning signs for depression and suicide?
- What are the risk factors that can affect teens?
- What are the steps to take if you have a concern about your child’s emotional needs?
ASL Interpreters and Captions provided.
ACB Ohio Scholarship Window Opens
The American Council of the Blind of Ohio offers six scholarships each academic year. The application and reference forms may be downloaded from www.acbohio.org or requested by calling our office at 614-261-3561 or 800-835-2226. They have scholarships for entering freshmen, undergraduates, and graduate students. Applications are due in August.
An applicant must be an Ohio resident or attend an Ohio school in a two-year or more post-secondary degree program, be legally blind (except for the NOLA WEBB-MCKINNEY SCHOLARSHIP), have a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale, and be willing to attend the 2021 ACB-Ohio convention.
Send the completed application packet to ACB-Ohio Scholarship Committee, 3805 N. High Street, Suite 305, Columbus, OH 43214, or via e-mail to acbo.director@gmail.com with “Scholarship Application” in the subject field.
Disability Benefits 101 Website
Envision Blind Sports Camp - La Roche College
Good Afternoon!
Camp registration is officially open!! Please click the link provided to fill out the registration form: https://forms.gle/sVAhuw9n8fC6joSE7
As a reminder, camp will be held at La Roche College July 25th-31st. As we continue to get closer to camp, we will assess numbers and determine if we will have to cap the number of athletes that will be able to attend camp. We encourage you to sign up your child as soon as possible. Siblings are allowed to sign up, but our team cannot make any promises. If we have a large number of athletes sign up we will have to reassess if siblings can attend.
The camp fee is $500. If you need financial assistance, please let us know and check the box on the form. We are here to help! We can connect you to your local Lions club who have been wonderful in supporting the athletes who attend camp.
Registering through the google form will reserve your spot and as we get closer to July we will continue to send you updates and paperwork.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out!
-The Envision Team
ENVISION Blind Sports - envisionblindsports@gmail.com