OSSB Panther Paws News

Friday, November 20, 2020 - Week Eleven

Shown is new OSSB school building around 2015. Trees frame the school building on the left, top and right of the photo. Blue Sky and fluffy white clouds are overhead and colorful fall trees are in the background.

Ohio State School for the Blind

Shown is new OSSB school building around 2015. Trees frame the school building on the left, top and right of the photo. Blue Sky and fluffy white clouds are overhead and colorful fall trees are in the background.

Michelle Wagner, Principal

Al LaBarre, Assistant Superintendent

Lou Maynus, Superintendent

5220 North High Street, Columbus, OH, USA lkaplan@ossb.oh.gov 614-752-1359 ossb.ohio.gov
image shows black background with colorful print of a large calendar with 2020 at the top and each month shown in a different color.

~IMPORTANT DATES~

NOVEMBER

23 & 24 - Remote Learning for Teachers and Students Off-Campus

25,26,27 - NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Break


DECEMBER

21 NO SCHOOL - Winter Break begins

image shows black background with colorful print of a large calendar with 2020 at the top and each month shown in a different color.
Comedy and tragedy mask image representing theatre and drama

First Ever Virtual NCASB Forensic Championships!!

Great job OSSB Forensic team! This week our students were a part of the first Virtual NCASB Forensic Championship meet held online. Events were spread out over three days, and took place in the afternoon via Zoom. Categories included Poetry, 4-minute, 8-minute, Serious Prose, and Serious Interpretation. Stay tuned, Forensic results will be announced in the next newsletter. Thank you to our amazing staff who volunteered their time to judge and time this week, Mrs. Picard, Mr. Grim, Dr. LaBarre, Ms. Welch, Ms. Williams and Mrs. Swartwout.

~Athletic Director, Alison Brewer

Comedy and tragedy mask image representing theatre and drama
image shows a black background with a medium blue tshirt and the words OSSB Panthers in white lettering

Pantherwear - Coming Spring 2021

OSSB administration and our Vending Department have made the difficult decision to postpone our annual Pantherwear clothing sale until the spring of 2021. Please continue to check the newsletter for more information. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Grim at 614-468-8880 or sgrim@ossb.oh.gov. Thank you and be safe.
image shows a black background with a medium blue tshirt and the words OSSB Panthers in white lettering

Independent Living Skills Classes - Knives Ready!!

This fall, Independent Living Skills classes including 7th grade students, and Peggy and Qua got to carve pumpkins! Pretty impressive and not an easy task! In other ILS news, the catering crew made potato soup to get ready for fall staff lunches. They loved it! ~ Ms. Salvagna, Independent Living Skills Teacher
image shows a colorful dancing turkey with his weight shifted over onto one leg.

Turkey Dance Videos for Thanksgiving Fun!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Here are some cool 😎 “Turkey”🦃 videos to dance and sing along with your family & friends. Enjoy your break with some movement activities! Just click on the links below, and let us know which one is your favorite! ~Ms. Michelle Johnson, Activity Therapist


image shows a colorful dancing turkey with his weight shifted over onto one leg.
Shown in the image is OSSB EDGE program graduate, Brock Ewing. Beside his photo are his words, "I want to prove to the world that just because my eyes don't work doesn't mean I can't do things that you can do or out-achieve the things you do. - Brock Ewing

OOD Works Podcast features OSSB EDGE Program graduate

Last year, Brock Ewing of Marion, participated in the EDGE (Education, Development, Growth, Employment) program, a post-secondary school-year experience at the Ohio State School for the Blind (OSSB). The EDGE program in conjunction with Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and the student's home school district assists students in preparing for work and life after High School.


Brock is featured on this months episode of the OOD Works Podcast, and he is joined by Joanie Shell, OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the Bureau of Services for Visually Impaired who works with all transition-age OSSB students. Congratulations to Brock and Joanie for being featured on the podcast! Click on the button below to learn more about Brock's experiences! For more information about the EDGE program, please contact the program coordinator, Mrs. Tamara Fisher.

Shown in the image is OSSB EDGE program graduate, Brock Ewing. Beside his photo are his words, "I want to prove to the world that just because my eyes don't work doesn't mean I can't do things that you can do or out-achieve the things you do. - Brock Ewing

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN . . .

New Program Available to Families of Children Learning 100% Remotely

New Program Available to Families of Children Learning 100% Remotely

Last week, Ohio Governor Mike Dewine announced Learning Aid Ohio, a grant program that aims to provide supplemental learning support for students with IEPs during this unique school year. The grant provides for a supplemental tutoring program, Learning Aid Ohio that DeWine says can assist parents with the challenges of virtual learning. Eligible families can apply for up to $1,500 in grant funding to cover tutoring costs and other needed support. You must fill out an application and be approved to begin services.


To Apply:

  • You must be an Ohio resident
  • Your child must be learning full-time remotely
  • Child must be on an IEP during the 2020-2021 school year
  • You must be experiencing financial hardship


Click on Learning Aid Ohio FAQ's for more information, and if you feel your family may qualify, click on Learning Aid Ohio Application to apply.

New Program Available to Families of Children Learning 100% Remotely
OSSB Facebook Page

Click on the link to take you to the OSSB Official Facebook Page!

OSSB Parent Teacher Staff Foundation Facebook Page

The OSSB Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to raising funds to support students and programming at the Ohio State School for the Blind.

~ Workshops For Students and Families ~

Disclaimer: The following information is being provided for informational purposes only. Listed events are not sponsored or endorsed by the Ohio State School for the Blind. OSSB does not guarantee the veracity of the information or data provided at these events. In no way is OSSB instructing students and families to participate in the described events.

Click on the Images below to Register for Outside Workshops And To See More Information on Virtual Art Classes, Guardianship and Alternatives, SSI, Waivers and Advocacy, Trusts, STABLE Accounts and More

Background photo for this newsletter is of a beautiful fall tree with orange and gold colored leaves taken on the OSSB campus circa 2015. ~ L. Kaplan