OSSB Panther Paws News
Friday August 21, 2020. Back to School Issue!
Ohio State School for the Blind
Hello OSSB Families, Welcome back to the 2020-21 School year! We are excited to be starting back to school soon, and hope you and your family have been able to find some time to do things you enjoy this summer! Teachers started back to work virtually this past Monday, and are getting ready to welcome students back to their classrooms on September 8th. To see a copy of this year's school calendar, click on the title above.
We will be sending a newsletter each Friday with information and resources, and to keep you 'in the know' about what's going on around campus. This issue includes information from
- Superintendent, Lou Maynus
- Director of Social and Emotional Learning, Jason Franklin
- Summer Camp Wrap-up
- and more!
Wishing you and your student a GREAT school year!
Lauri Kaplan, OSSB Parent Mentor
614-806-2651 text/voice
Welcome to the new school year!
Dear OSSB and OSD Students and Families,
I hope you are enjoying the last couple of weeks prior to school starting on September 8th. It is good to spend time outside enjoying the last days of summer weather and engaging in fun activities. The beginning of the school year has always been a very special time for me and I hope it is for you too. Everything from those first hellos from students to learning about summer vacations, to new school supplies and students showing off their new school shoes, it is all refreshing and new. I really like that we all get a new fresh start every school year. This is a very special part of the first day of school.
I am sad that we are not able to start school on campus. I don't like that we must start the school year virtually. However, we are living through a pandemic and it will end. For now, we will get through this together. Our teachers and support staff are working hard to plan excellent virtual learning experiences for students. During the first quarter of school, we will continue to plan and do the very best we can serving students and families in this manner.
Our administrative team is working with our social emotional learning team, statewide services, related services, resident life and districts to determine how we can augment the virtual learning environment to better serve students during this first quarter of the school year. Our food services department is working on a plan to provide breakfast and lunch for our students throughout the state. This is a amazing undertaking and we appreciate this effort.
We continue to plan for when students and staff are permitted back on campus. We have created a number of policies that will serve us in maintaining a safe as possible environment for all. We have purchased a lot of resources to help try to keep everyone protected from COVID-19. Our staff will be thoroughly trained on procedures and we will provide directions for families as we get closer to the time we are able to be on campus again. Please know we are thoughtfully planning for a great return to the school buildings at the end of October.
I look forward to our virtual school opening on September 8th but I really look forward to the day in late October when we are getting back to campus with all students and staff. Please reach out to our administrators for anything we can help you with during this time.
Sincerely,
Lou
Lou Maynus, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Parent Zoom Call with Principal Wagner
Monday, Aug 31, 2020, 10:00 AM
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Thanks for sending in your Registration Packets!
First Day of School 2020-21 Remember this will be virtual!
Tuesday, Sep 8, 2020, 08:00 AM
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Meet our new Director of Social Emotional Learning
Greetings OSSB Families!
I wanted to briefly introduce myself. My name is Jason Franklin, and I am the new Director of Social and Emotional Learning and Child Nutrition at OSD and OSSB. For the past two years, I’ve served as Principal at Ohio School for the Deaf. I'm looking forward to continuing my journey here at OSD and OSSB in my new position, and supporting our Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Visually Impaired Students at Ohio School for the Deaf and Ohio State School for the Blind.
In my role as Director of Social and Emotional Learning, I support the counselors, social workers, and parent mentors who advocate for our children and families. These workers make up the OSD/OSSB Care and Support Team (CAST). We work together to ensure that we have a range of resources supporting the social, emotional and mental health for each of our students. I also partner with our Student Life Team to foster programs helping students develop grit, resilience, and a strong self-identity.
I am honored to support your children and am excited to share more about the exciting work that we have planned through our weekly newsletter updates.
Please feel free to reach out to me at any time.
Jason Franklin
Director of Social Emotional Learning and Child Nutrition
Ohio School for the Deaf
Ohio State School for the Blind
(VideoPhone) (614) 678-5643
Text 614-678-5643
OSSB Summer Camp - That's a Wrap!
This summer, OSSB had the opportunity to provide virtual summer camps to blind and visually impaired students across Ohio. Definitely different from the camp offerings in previous summers, but the teachers and students made it work!! OSSB offered 9 camps including, Panthers Camp, PAYS it Forward, STEM, Theatre, Branching Out, Sports, Fun with Numbers, Lots of Dots, and O&M camp. See an update from one of the camps below!
Orientation and Mobility camp finished up at the end of July. Campers, grades K-4th, Participated in O&M themed activities to explore neighborhoods, cities, states, countries, and our world. Campers read books, completed crafts, danced, and even made recipes with their families. A big thank you to Mrs. Swartwout, Mrs. King, Ms. Johnson and Mr. Lee for helping to make it a great experience!