Website: https://www.ksb.kyschools.us
Location: 1867 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
Phone: (502) 897-1583

Fax: (502) 897-2850
Facebook: facebook.com/KYschoolfortheblind/
Twitter: @KSBWildcats

Happy Friday Wildcat Families and Friends!

With May literally around the corner and only four weeks of school left, I wanted to highlight some dates. Next Monday, students in 6th and 7th grade will begin the Kentucky Summative Assessment, formerly known as MAP Testing, followed by 5th and 8th grades the week of May 8th, with 10th and 11th graders finishing up testing the week of May 15th.

Next week is also a short week, with students leaving at 1:30 on Thursday and then off on Friday the 5th (Oaks Day).

This summer, the National Federation for the Blind will have their BELL Academy (Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Literacy) on KSB's campus, July 24th-28th for children ages four through twelve. If you're interested in your child attending, please see the flyer below for more information.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Peggy

Over the next three weeks students at KSB will be participating in the Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA). Students in grades 3-8, 10, and 11 will participate in these assessments that measure student proficiency and progress on the state content standards. Make sure your child gets a good night sleep before they days of testing, and encourage them to do their best.

Schedule for testing is below:

Week of May 1st grades 6 and 7

Week of May 8th grades 4, 5, and 8

Week of May 15th grades 10 and 11

If you want to see what types of questions students will be answering use this link.

• Monday, May 1-Summative Testing Window Begins
  
• Thursday, May 4-Founder's Day
• Friday, May 5 - No School
• Monday, May 15 - All books due back to the Library
• Thursday, May 18-Student devices collected
• Thursday, May 18- Prom, 6-9pm
• Friday, May 19-Field Day (make up day May 22)
• Monday, May 22-Athletics Banquet
• Tuesday, May 23-8th Grade Promotion; HS Awards and Junior Ring Ceremony; Graduation
  
• Wednesday, May 24-Elementary Concert and Awards; LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
• May 30-June 2-KSB Elementary and Middle Summer Program
• June 5-9-Summer Program-Statewide Elementary and Middle
• June 12-16 Summer Program-Statewide High School; Summer Work Program
  
• June 19-23 -Summer Program KSB High School; Summer Work Program

If you have any change in phone numbers, home address, a change in bus routine or you need someone added/removed from your child’s safe pick-up list; please contact Beth or Linda in the front office.

Are you signed up for OneCall? KSB uses OneCall to send school information, including our Weekly Wildcat. If not, please contact Beth Baker at beth.baker@ksb.kyschools.us or 502-897-1583

High School

Middle School

In Middle School ELA, the students have been working on understanding themes and inferences. They have completed several reading passages and some have recorded on flipgrid. Next week, 6th and 7th grades students will begin the KSA testing. Everyone is doing a fantastic job!

Elementary

5th Grade ELA: Continuing with Hidden Figures. Students have been working on using resources to find important information and determine the meaning of unknown words. Students are using technology to appropriately form search phrases and sort through information generated. This week they worked together and assisted one another with learning to read and spell high level vocabulary words. They’ve been making connections across subject areas as we work through the text.

2nd Grade ELA: Students have been continuing to work on reading fluency and identifying storying elements within a text. (character, setting, plot, conflict, theme) We are also working on how to have in person conversations while being respectful so that our classroom can work together to learn and grow. Students identified concerns, generated possible solutions, and compromised how to communicate with one another. I even caught some of our friends working on descriptive language with their peers to explain an unfamiliar concept.

As we near the end of the year and we approach state testing, it is important to prepare our students mentally to be able to do their best. As the adults in our students’ lives, our attitude towards testing greatly influences how our students approach the tests as well. Our students need encouraging, positive thoughts and conversations. here are some things to consider when talking with your students:

1. Get a good night’s sleep! Showing up to your test well-rested is one of the best things you can do to succeed on test day. Why should you make sleep a priority? A good night’s sleep will help you think more clearly during the test. It will also make it easier to cope with test-taking stress and anxiety.
2. Eat a healthy breakfast. Like sleeping, eating is an important part of self-care and test-taking preparation. After all, it’s hard to think clearly if your stomach is grumbling. As tough as it can be to eat when you’re nervous or rushing out the door, plan time in your morning on test day to eat a healthy breakfast. And don’t forget to drink plenty of water. If possible, bring a bottle of water with you on test day.
3. Being on time the day of the test can help decrease stress. And it allows you to get into a positive state of mind before the test starts. Settle in to your seat as soon as possible. Organize your materials so they are readily available when you need them. Make sure you are physically comfortable (as much as possible). By settling in early, you are giving yourself time to get organized, relaxed, and mentally ready for the test to begin.
4. Encourage students to do their best. Everyone’s best looks different, but students will feel proud of themselves if they know they’ve given it their best effort.

• April 25-29- Forensics NCASB Conference Championships
• April 28-29-NCASB Swimming Conference Championships, Ohio

2023 Summer Program for Blind & Low-Vision Children: Enhance Braille and Nonvisual Skills Coming soon to Louisville, Kentucky!

Receive Braille instruction and other nonvisual blindness skills through fun, hands-on learning. Take advantage of this opportunity for your child to connect with blind role models, students, and more!

NFB BELL Academy will be offered at the Kentucky School for the Blind, July 24-28, 2023. Registration is $25.

Click here to view the flyer

The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation is accepting applications for Coca-Cola Merit Scholarships through May 31st

The Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), in partnership with Coca-Cola, will be awarding four $5,200 merit scholarships for entering freshmen, undergraduate and graduate students, who will be enrolled in an accredited college or technical program for Fall 2023. OVR, who administers the scholarship program, will award the scholarships to four consumers who are legally blind, to help with educational financial needs such as tuition, fees, room and board and assistive technology.

To be eligible to compete for a scholarship, applicants must be an OVR consumer with an IPE, be legally blind, have maintained at least a 2.75 GPA, and be enrolled as a full-time student in an accredited educational program for the 2023-24 school year. Students must submit their application and all required materials by May 31st.

For more information about the scholarship program, and to obtain an application, please visit Coca-Cola & Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Scholarship - Kentucky Career Center.

Lions Youth Camp for children who are blind or visually impaired began in 1982. For over 40 years we have devoted ourselves to helping children who are visually impaired have amazing experiences. Camp this year will be July 3-7. For more information, view Camp Brochure and Flyer Here

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