OSSB Panther News
January 18, 2022
IMPORTANT DATES
January 2022
- 18 - 21 Remote Learning all week
- 19 - Family Coffee Chat with the Superintendent - Noon and 7 pm - see info below
- 20 - Little NC's (extracurricular sports) Paperwork Due
- 28 - Varsity Cheerleading wraps up with a Virtual Conference
- 28 - High School Basketball wraps up
- 24 - MAP testing for high school students; ELA, Math, and Science
- 31 - Little NC's Sports Begins
- 17 - Dismissal at 2:30 pm
- 18 - NO SCHOOL/ Records day for teachers
- 21 - NO SCHOOL/ Presidents Day
- 22 - Braille Challenge Day at OSSB
- 24 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
** Calendar change: Please note that there has been a change to our calendar in May.
- May 12 - Dismissal at noon
- May 20 - Dismissal at 2:30 pm
While OSSB is Virtual This Week. . .
This week while students are virtual, Residential Staff will have after-school activities Tuesday - Thursday. If your student could benefit from extra assistance, encourage them to drop into the homework center. This is shared on their Panther Tracks Google Classroom, and parents may also have received information through Constant Contact (please check your email's JUNK folder frequently as some OSSB correspondence goes there).
Youth Leaders will assist with homework from 3:30 - 5:00 pm, and then Social Emotional Learning/virtual games and activities from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm. Please contact Mrs. Sally Williams if you need the Zoom Link!
Family Coffee Chat with Superintendent, Dr. Lou Maynus - Wednesday, January 19th
One of the main topics will be Covid and our schools, so come with any questions you may have for Dr. Lou! Parents, check your email for the Zoom link sent last Thursday, January 13th. We look forward to seeing you!
Family Book Club - All About Tests & Assessments by Pete Wright
Little NC's Sign Ups - Register Your Student by January 20th
Sign up for the 2021-2022 Little NC's short for Little North Central Association of Schools for the Blind! Little NCs offers Kdg - 6th grade students the opportunity to participate in cheer, competitive swim, basketball and goalball teams from January 31st - March 17th, 2022.
- Swim and goalball practice on Mondays and Wednesdays
- Cheerleading and basketball practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
In March, we will host our competition against Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Kentucky School for the Blind at OSSB.
Sign your student(s) up by January 20th, 2022, using this link (or return a hard copy to the front office). Once rosters are finalized, your student will be added to the correct sport(s) in FinalForms, giving parents the ability to sign the required concussion and sudden cardiac arrest program before the first day of practice on January 31st.
Westlake School News Features Father/Son Broadcasting Team
RESOURCES & WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
State Support Team #11 Shares Resource Directories for Students and Families
- 2022 Summer Resource Directory
- 2022 Colleges-Universities Resource Directory
- 2022 Family Resource Directory
Need help finding your local State Support Team? Look for your Family Engagement Specialist and team on the Ohio Department of Education Website.
Print/Braille Valentine Cards from National Braille Press
Print/braille valentine cards available
This year's Valentine features an adorable puppy and cute kitten snuggled up next to each other with the words, "Valentine, you're paw-some!" on a red heart in front of them. Dog and cat paw prints dot the edges of the design. On the back of the card is a "braille decoder" to help friends and family read the message in braille.
The print/braille Valentines are the perfect way to promote braille among family, friends, and classmates.
Large Packs: 32 print/braille Valentines plus envelopes: $15
Small Packs: 20 print/braille Valentines plus envelopes: $12
Information obtained from National Braille Press newsletter
UPCOMING ZOOM WEBINARS
AT&AEM Center Offers 12 Week Basic Braille Course Online
Interactive Video Series Featuring Michelle Motil
Information courtesy of the Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness
LEAP (Learn Earn and Prosper) Virtual meetings for Students
LEAP (Learn Earn and Prosper) is launching a national network for youth who are blind or visually impaired starting on January 31st, 2022. This program is virtual and FREE to all students ages 15-24ish (transition-aged students). The intention is to connect students who are blind or visually impaired from across the country to network, mentor, set goals, and build their future. There will be a series of 8 workshops between January 31st and early May.
Information courtesy of Council of Schools and Services for the Blind (COSB)
Ohio Center for Deafblind Education Upcoming Webinars - All Are Welcome
Mapping the Dreams: The Transition to Adulthood
(3 sessions)
Dates: January 20, January 27, 2022
Time: 4-5:30 PM (ET)
Speaker: Tammie Sebastian, Statewide Program Coordinator, Ohio Center for the Education of Children with Disabilities & Amy Freeman, Statewide Transition Coordinator, Ohio Center for the Education of Children with Disabilities
No Cost
Click here to access the event flyer and registration link.
Better Together: Supporting a Successful Transition to Adulthood
Dates: February 1, 2022
Time: 4-5:30 PM or 7-8:30 PM (ET)
Speaker: Katie Scheetz and Allison Meloy, Opportunity for Ohioans with Disabilities
No Cost
Click here to access the event flyer and registration link.
Exploring Transition-Age Services for Deafblind Youth
Dates: February 2, 2022
Time: 4-5:30 PM (ET)
Speaker: John Filek, Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youth and Adults
No Cost
Click here to access the event flyer and registration link.
Considerations for Parents, Caregivers, and Educators Unique to Children with Deafblindness and Low Incidence
(3 sessions)
Dates: January 19, February 16, March 30, 2022
Time: 4-5:15 PM (ET)
Speaker: Dr. Melinda Wolford
No Cost
Click here to access the event flyer and registration link.
Information courtesy of the Ohio Center for Deafblind Education
ADVOCACY AND EVENTS
Ohio State School for the Blind
Michelle Wagner, Director of Teaching and Learning
5220 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-752-1359
Questions about this newsletter? Please contact Lauri Kaplan, Parent Mentor at 614-806-2651 or lkaplan@osdb.oh.gov