Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
December 8, 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!
- December 12: Student parties
- December 21: Winter Student Music Program and Art Show. FOURTH REMINDER: Remember that the Music Program only will take place at nearby Vineville Baptist Church 2591 Vineville Ave, Macon, GA 31204 (.5 miles east of GAB).
- Art Show, Family Meeting (seebe low) , 3D Printer Exhibition, and student dismissal will be at GAB’s Hendricks building.
- Students will be dismissed from GAB only! All activities over at 1!
- December 22- January 5: Winter Holiday ~ Classes begin January 8
- February 2-3: GaDOE’s Family Engagement UnConference, Macon
- February 28: Braille Challenge
- March 26-30: Spring Break
- April 2: Easter Holiday
- April 5: Prom
- April 19-22 SCASB
- April 26-29: Senior Trip
- May 1: Help a Child Smile Mobile Dental Clinic
- May 25: Graduation
December Birthdays
~ 5th Joshua
~11th Caiden, Kaleb & Jartavius
~16th Adria
~22 Kiauna
~25 Shyann
~26th Dani & Seth
~29th Blake & Jermaine
~31st James & Logan
CRITICAL FAMILY MEETING! Support After High School FOURTH REMINDER
Middle Georgia Family Events!
WAIVER WORKSHOP: Georgia's Medicaid NOW and COMP waiver programs
FEATURING HAPPY HOUR ASSOCIATION FOR EXCEPTIONAL CITIZENS
PRESENTED BY BIBB COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM’S PROGRAM FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
Contact Chanda Crawley at 478-779-4500 or chanda.crawley@bcsdk12.net
Tuesday, Dec 12, 2017, 04:00 PM
Southwest High School, 1775 Williamson Road, Macon, GA 31206, United States
Save this date!
Middle Georgia Families, grades 8-12
“Mapping a Self-Determined Future: Where Transition Meets Real Life” will be back in Macon, January 27, 2017. You don’t want to miss this interactive day with other students and families preparing for life after high school!
....making a list and checking it twice......
- Register below for your child to receive a Brailled letter from Santa who is being helped by our friends from NFBs Jernigan Institute! Deadline is approaching!
OR
Here's a second resource on getting a letter from Santa. This one has no age limit and you can choose large print or Braille . Act fast!
Service Learning
Student Council is sponsoring two projects:
- Canned Food Drive We are collecting canned foods and any nonperishable items like mac-and-cheese and ramen noodles. These goods will be donated to a local organization that benefits those in need.
- Pet Supplies Collection We need gently used or new blankets, canned dog food, and kitten food. These items will be used to help keep pets warm and fed at the local “All About Animals” shelter this winter.
Students, parents and faculty please help us with these projects. The collection boxes will be located in the Multi-Purpose Room. These projects will continue until the last day of the semester, December 21st.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
The students in Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Lynch’s EECC classes packaged several boxes for Operation Christmas Child. Each box is filled with school supplies, grooming items, water bottles, collapsible backpacks, small tools, and socks. The boxes are shipped around the world and will provide deprived children with much needed items. Most of the children who receive the shoe box gifts live in very desperate conditions. The GAB students learned that it is truly more blessed to give than to receive by packaging the Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes.
Student Survey--Parents, take note!
An important Student Survey is scheduled to begin. Read this important information from our School Social Workerclick below, print and turn in this form ONLY IF YOU WISH FOR YOUR CHILD TO NOT PARTICIPATE!
SAFE AND DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS and COMMUNITIES SURVEY PASSIVE PARENTAL PERMISSION FORM In order to provide the most effective drug and violence prevention resources and/or activities for your child, the Title IV Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Program collects survey information from students at various grade levels during the school year. The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete, is totally anonymous and voluntary, students have the right to “opt out”, and asks for responses that pertain to student involvement in substance abuse, violent situations, school climate and nutrition. The data collected will be used to identify critical areas of need for our Safe and Drug-Free Schools efforts. Survey analysis of these data provides information/data that:
Ø Meets the No Child Left Behind Title IV mandated data collection requirements;
Ø Assists in the maintenance of a school environment that is free of drugs and violence;
Ø Promotes a classroom atmosphere that allows teachers to teach and students to learn; and
Ø Develops and offers experiences that involve students in applying the concepts of making healthy decisions, accepting responsibility for behaviors, and understanding consequences.
Our desire is to involve parents in the education of their children. If you do not wish for your child to participate in this important activity, please click below, print, sign and return this form to the school by December 15. If you would like to examine the survey, please contact School Social Worker, Rosemary Knight rknight@doe.k12.ga.us or 478-751-6083 extension 1284 and she will be happy to provide you with a copy for your review.
DO NOT return this form if your child can participate in this survey.
Please print, sign this form, and return it to school by DECEMBER 15, 2017 only if you do not wish your child to participate.
Thank you for your participation.
Parents/guardians, stay tuned! We will showcase the Georgia Parent Survey just for you at our Winter Program!
This week in pictures!
Ms. Bechtel’s class visited a local tree farm then Santa’s Winter Wonder Land at Bass Pro Shop!
Monday was the grand opening of GABWILL! This was an idea of two students who successfully completed last year’s Dress for Success class and wanted a way to obtain affordable clothing for themselves and their peers. In addition to clothing, GABWILL has housewares, shoes, toys and Christmas decor. It will be open Tuesday-Thursday 7:45-8:10 am and 3-4 pm. for students, staff, families and friends to shop. Prices are .50 cents - $10. As always, visitors to our campus must sign in, wear a visitor’s sticker and be accompanied by GAB personnel. Donations will continue to be accepted.
FUNdraiser$
HO! HO! HO! Please think about helping us get some $DOUGH, $DOUGH, $DOUGH $$$$$$$$
We have collected 160 of our goal of 1,000 General Mills Box Tops labels within a few weeks. That is $16.00 toward our field trips. Thanks to all for participating including staff: Layson-53, Barfield-15, Bain-67 and students: Jordan W.-13, Stephen -9. Remember to check your products for these labels. Each label is worth .10. Check out this list in link below for participating products. It’s more than food items!
Thanks for all your help!
Ms. Layson slayson@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-751-6087, ext 1200
Senior Class Lawnmower Ticket Sales ends in less than 2 weeks! Winner Announced December 21
Make a donation of at least $10 and get a chance to win this Hustler Raptor SDX 23hp Kawasaki 54 inch Mower donated by Vidalia Small Engine Services to be given away December 21. Contact a member of the 2018 Senior Class or Rachel Towery, rtowery@bellsouth.net, 912-403-9302
Give a gift that gives all year! Senior Class Chick-fil -A Calendar Sales Continue
They are $8.00 each and contain a free menu item each month. Supplies are limited, so see
a senior class member or staff member to order today!
Mr. Collins, mcollins@doe.k12.ga.us, or Mrs. Thomspon, mthompson@doe.k12.ga.us