Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
May 24, 2018
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!
* just added
May 25: FINAL NOTICE! Deadline for Summer Program Eye’s on the Prize (ages 12-21)
June 10-15: GAB Summer Program Eye’s on the Prize (ages 12-21) DETAILS PAGE 2
August 5: Open House, Cottage Move In and Mandatory Title I Parent/Guardian Meeting
August 6: First day of school
*June Drop in RPM State Schools Regional Parent/Guardian Meeting, Brunswick. 6 pm. Address forthcoming
* June 12: Drop in RPM State Schools Regional Parent/Guardian Meeting, College Park. 6 pm. Address forthcoming
June 10-15: GAB Summer Program Eye’s on the Prize (ages 12-DETAILS PAGE 2)
August 5: Open House, Cottage Move In and Mandatory Title I Parent/Guardian Meeting
August 6: First day of school
*September 6: Drop in RPM State Schools Regional Parent/Guardian Meeting, Savannah. 6 pm Address forthcoming
(Left – Right)
Arienne Moore, Angel Lopez, Dante Parker, Johnny Mimbs, Reginald Evans, Sydney Brooks, Taylor Towery
Summer Birthdays
JUNE:
1st ~ Berkley
3rd ~ Arienne
4th ~ Jesse C.
8th ~ Savannah
12th ~ Courtney
27 ~ Angel
JULY:
2nd ~ Noah
6th ~ Reggie
9th ~ Juan
17th ~ Kimberly
19th Quinton
2018-19 Medical forms
SECOND NOTICE: Medical forms for 2018-19 were emailed on May 14 and sent home with students May 18. Be sure to get this completed and returned on or before August 5. Contact the school office if you did not receive.
FINAL NOTICE! GAB's Summer Program Application Deadline: T O D A Y!!
Eye’s on the Prize
June 10-15, 2018
(All applications subject to approval)
$30.00 registration fee
Eligibility Requirements
• Students must display independent living skills appropriate to their age.
• Students must have the physical, mental, and behavioral capabilities to benefit from the programs offered.
• Students must be between the ages of 12 & 21.
GAB parent appointed to serve on State Advisory Panel for Special Education
We are delighted and appreciative that Leslie O’Neill, mother to rising GAB sophomore Christopher O’Neill from Cobb County has been selected to represent the State Schools on the State Advisory Panel (SAP) for Special Education. SAP members are responsible for advising the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) on unmet needs of children with disabilities, devising evaluations and reporting data to the federal Secretary of Education, developing corrective action, developing and implementing policies related to the coordination of services, and serve as stakeholders for the Georgia Continuous Improvement Monitoring process. Mrs. O’Neill explains, “I wanted to serve on this panel because I feel that I could help others in a strong capacity. It has been a struggle to find the right contacts and information that benefit my child and I want to make it easier for others. ‘Knowledge is Power’ when dealing with disabilities. It’s who you know and what you know.” She welcomes your comment and input at: lthornberg@yahoo.com
Last Week in Pictures
(Below) Elementary Students enjoyed a sunny afternoon boating at Macon’s Lake Tobesofkee.
Did you know that spending time on water has great health benefits? Check out the article “What Impact Do Seas, Lakes and Rivers have on People's Health?” here: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/impact-sea-lakes-rivers-peoples-health
Community Partner's Recognition Day
(Below) Last Thursday our Work Base Learning students and Project Search interns and staff welcomed nearly 30 guests to the Media Center for our annual Community Partners Recognition Day. We thanked these Community Partners by sharing cookies made by students, plants from our horticulture department and certificate for each organization! We are so grateful for Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, GaVRA’s Business Enterprise Unit, The Rehab Center, Easter Seals of Middle Georgia, Navicent Health, Project Search, Lowes on Zebulon, Papa Johns on Zebulon, Kroger on Zebulon and Tom Hill Sr. Blvd, Georgia Instructional Materials Center, Goodwill, Macon Outreach, Magnolia Manor and Dr. and Mrs. Burton.
Transition Achievement Award Winners
(Below) Congratulations to graduating Seniors Reginald Evans and Taylor Towery, who are the recipients of the 2017-2018 Transition Achievement Award last week. This award is given each year by the Middle Georgia Regional Transition Council to honor graduating Seniors who have been successful in meeting their transition goals. Simultaneously a teacher is honored who has greatly helped the student reach his or her transition goals. Reginald selected Ms. Toni Kimbrough and Taylor selected Ms. Patricia Edenfield as the teachers who made a difference in helping each one prepare for his “next step”. Congratulations to all!!!
(Left) Taylor with his Ms. Edenfield and his parents.
(Right) Mr. Reynolds (who also serves on the Transition Council) with Dr. Gibson and Reggie.
CHAMPS GRADUATION
Last week our middle school students joined their sighted peers for Bibb County Sheriff Department’s CHAMPS (Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety) graduation at Mercer University’s Hawkins Arena. arena.
After the ceremony, the students presented our administrators with a sign letting all visitors know they are in CHAMPS territory.
Each month we were visited by a CHAMPS officer as we learned of good choices and good consequences in life.
this week in Pictures
Wednesday's Awards Day
GAB Student Artwork Reaching All Across Georgia
(Below) Thursday, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency awarded Shyann Miller for being the first runner up and TJ Phillis first place for their first art competition. TJ‘s artwork will be on the cover of conference materials that 500 professionals will take home. We are proud of these two art students pictured here with GAB’s (right) GaVRA Counselor (right) Kathryn Edger and Ruby Kaspers (left) also from GaVRA.
End of Year Fun Days
Volunteer Spotlight
Chance Moorman, a 2018 Mt. DeSales, (MDS) graduate is the founder of her school’s collaboration with GAB through MDS’s Mercy in Action organization. Chance has been a GAB volunteer since 2015. Her volunteerism includes SCASB, dances, proms, scouts, talent shows and summer programs. The past two years she provided after school music therapy. Chance explains, “It has been such a pleasure to share my love of music with them, especially because they enjoy it so much! I was so thrilled to find out that the girls in Cottage 8 love Taylor Swift as much as I do. Interacting with these students has been so inspirational to me that it helped me decide what I want to major in: Special Education!”
Chance will begin her college education at Georgia College and State University School of Education and minor in music therapy.
The Mercy in Action leaders at Mt de Sales now plan to send other MDS students to GAB to continue the music therapy time that Chance started. As Dr. Gibson explains, “Chance started something that will continue to flourish as MDS students carry on her work here.” This is yet another way our students get to spend social, art and academic time with sighted peers while we create visual impairment awareness to others.
Thanks for your service Chance and best wishes in your college pursuits.
Keep a Literacy Rich Home this Summer!
Online Resource List from Our Media Specialist, Mrs. Kim Smith ksmith@doe.k12.ga.us (478) 751-6083, extension1280 until June 1. After June 1: Sonya Milam, smilam@doe.k12.ga.us (478) 262-3303
Wesbsites/and Apps:
Learningally.org
Bookshare.org- Read to Go $20
https://nlsbard.loc.gov/login//NLS- BARD Mobile
Storynory.com
Sparklestories (iPad)
Storylineonline.net
Booksshouldbefree.com
pbs.org
https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/
Educational YouTube Channels for Various Age Groups
Descriptive Videos
https://dcmp.org/signup/register User: gabpanthers Pass: GAB2020
- A library card will allow you to check out free passes to Georgia State Parks, Go Fish, Zoo Atlanta, the Center for Puppetry Arts, and the Michael C. Carlos Museum. Click to find the contact information on your local library below:
- Summer Feeding programs in you community can be found below:
If you need any help in accessing these resources, our Parent Mentor, Sonya Milam stands ready to help! 478-262-3303, smilam@doe.k12.ga.us
Promoting Responsibility and Independence at Home this Summer
· Check out this video from our Facebook page about making a chore chart from simple household items: https://www.facebook.com/Georgia.Academy.for.the.Blind/videos/1641861615909222/
· Learn more about tactile chore charts from our friends at Paths to Literacy here: http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/strategies/accessible-job-chart-home
· Remember we can send things in Braille or large print and tactile markers home with your child this week! Contact Kim Smith or your child’s before June 1 or Sonya Milam throughout the summer if we can help in any way!
Have a wonderful summer! 73 more days until school starts again!
Project Search Graduation
Congratulations to these young adults and thanks to their families, GAB family, Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, The Medical Center, Navicent Health, and Project SEARCH!
Give us your feedback!
This newsletter is produced by Sonya Milam, Parent Mentor. Please send your news ideas and items and/or resources in your community to share with others. Smilam@doe.k12.ga.us 478-262-3303
She will be available for our families via phone and email throughout the summer. Campus visits may be scheduled as well.