OSSB Panther Paws News
Friday, October 2, 2020 - Week Four
Ohio State School for the Blind
Thank You Parents and Caregivers!!
International Day of Peace - September 21st, 2020
The Art classes celebrated International Day of Peace on September 21st by making Peace Day yard signs. We read The Peace Book by Todd Parr in class and talked about what peace means to each of us. Students used their ideas about peace to make their signs. Everyone was encouraged to display their signs in their yard or in a window on Peace Day. ~ Mrs. Rachelle Smith, Art Teacher
OSSB Monthly Podcasts Found on iTunes and SoundCloud
Welcome back to the 2020-21 school year. The September edition of the OSSB podcast will get us started in fine fashion. We get a glimpse of what opening day was like, we meet some of our new students and talk to students from elementary, middle and high school about virtual learning and getting their perspective on learning from home. Our superintendent, Dr. Maynus, speaks to our audience about what is going on at OSSB and things to come at the school. Links to the Podcast on iTunes and Soundcloud are below. ~Mr. Dan Kelley
Masks and Back to School
OSSB has lots of helpful information on our new website at www.ossb.ohio.gov including policy surrounding Covid-19. Hopefully, the policy pages and mask usage info will be helpful to you as we begin to think about a return to the building! Included is a link from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on washing masks.
Panthers After School Club - Making a Difference From Home
Virtual learning is extending to virtual volunteering with the after school club PAYS (Panthers at Your Service) It Forward! Every Wednesday, students in the club meet after school to hear from non-profit organizations in the Columbus area and learn how they can help give back to the community. During our first three weeks, we have heard from Pelotonia, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Ronald McDonald House.
For each organization, the group learns what they can do to help from home. For Pelotonia, students elected to enroll in a My Pelotonia challenge that consists of three random acts of kindness per person. Students are working on fulfilling these acts throughout the duration of the camp. Big Brothers Big Sisters informed us of a virtual 5k we can complete from home to help raise funds and awareness for the organization. Finally, the Ronald McDonald House has us collecting tabs from aluminum cans. These tabs are recycled at a profit and used for helping to support families who stay at the house.
Sophomore Garrett is new to the club this year but has gained a lot of perspective about volunteerism. “Community service brings individuals together,” he states, “and helps them to collaborate to better everything around them. I enjoy it a lot.”
Not in the club but looking to make a difference from home?
Feel free to join us in any of the following ways:
Make your own random acts of kindness campaign! Pledge to do at least one a week!
Collect aluminum can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House! You may turn these in to Mrs. Parrish or Mrs. Fisher when we return to school, and they will drop them at the house for recycling.
Join us in a virtual 5k for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio! This event runs from October 9-17, and you can complete it on your own time throughout the week. If you choose to register, the money supports the organization, or you can do it on your own to promote awareness!
https://p2p.onecause.com/bbbs5k
Remember: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." – Margaret Mead
Next Week's After School Activity - Pump up the MUSIC.
Each evening after school, a fun theme will be introduced and used as a way to teach students valuable skills that are covered in the Social Emotional Learning Competencies (SEL) and the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). Next week’s theme is music! Please register at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=agn49dabb&oeidk=a07eh96qt5u060230f4
Contact Sally Williams at swilliams@osdb.oh.gov if you have any questions!
Accessibility and Translation Features in OSSB Newsletter!
OSSB Delivers Food to Students across Ohio
We just wrapped up week four of food deliveries. Please click on the OSSB Menu - Week 5 below to see which food items are included for next week. Braille menus (thank you Ms. Nita and Ms. Denise) are coming next week! A few changes going forward:
- All families who live outside Franklin County will now receive two weeks worth of food, delivered every other week.
- Deliveries inside Franklin County are going out every Wednesday.
If you would like your child to receive weekly meals for breakfast and lunch while we are learning virtually, please let us know! Download the Menu for Week 5 below.
~Mr. Jason Franklin
YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN . . .
Blind Sports Day, Saturday October 3rd - Dodge Park - Columbus, Ohio
Blind Sports Day/ Envision Clinic will be Saturday from 11 AM-1 PM. Students can try out Boxing, a Fall Scavenger Hunt, and More! Please let me know if you can attend! The address is Dodge Park (Community Center) 667 Sullivant Ave. Columbus, OH 43215. All families and friends are welcome! Let's make this inclusive! Download a copy of the flyer below! ~ Katie Atkinson. 513-460-9785
Envision Clinic is not sponsored by or affiliated with the Ohio State School for the Blind.