Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
January 11, 2019
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.
Mark your 2019 Calendars!
*just added
*January 18: Short Course Weekend application deadline!
January 21: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
*January 22: Help a Child Smile applications due (see page 3 for details)
* January 23: SCASB Pep Rally, time to be determined
January 25-26: SCASB in Louisiana (Wrestling, Cheering, Fine Arts)
February 8-10: Short Course Weekend (ages 12-21) featuring Family Matters for families 10-4 on Saturday. See page 3 for details. Please note deadline!
February 27 and 28: AdvancED site review. Please save these date and stay tuned for the day in which we will need parents/guardians to come and meet with this accreditation team. See page 2 for important pre visit survey.
February 18: Presidents’ Day Holiday
March 7: Braille Challenge
March 8: School Council Meeting, 1:00. Open to all. Call in number: 1-888-557-8511. The access code is 2537361 followed by the # sign.
March 25-29: Spring Break
April 4: High School Prom
April 22: Easter Holiday
April 25-- 28: Senior Trip
May 17: Graduation
May 24: Last day of school
Character Education
Self Confidence: Positive attitude about and trust in one’s self; sense of security and self-assurance.
Remember: you're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. ~ Christopher Robin
January Birthdays
Students:
Devoneta: 1/5
John: 1/14
Brayden: 1/21
Morgan: 1/23
Destiny G: 1/24
Destiny I: 1/25
Jamari: 1/31
Staff:
Mr. Forrester: 1/5
Mr. Guest: 1/5
Ms. Little: 1/16
Ms. Kimbrough: 1/19
Ms. Doctor: 1/19
Ms. Bright: 1/22
Ms. Franks: 1/23
Ms. Walker: 1/23
Ms. Knight: 1/27
Parents/guardians: Please take these TWO easy and important surveys just for parents/ guardians
1. GaDOE’s climate survey: This survey in addition to a student and staff survey is how we receive our Star Climate Rating from the Georgia Department of Education and is your opportunity to help GAB shine. When selecting SCHOOL SYSTEM, scroll down to STATE SCHOOLS (799) NOT your local county district. After making that selection you will be prompted to select Georgia Academy for the Blind.
2. AdvanceED accreditation parent survey: This is in preparation for February’s AdvanceED accreditation we undergo every three years. The purpose of this survey is to find out your beliefs and opinions about your child's school. Read each question and choose the response that most closely matches your opinion. Please answer each item honestly. Your responses will be completely confidential.
Please contact Sonya Milam if you have questions or would like assistance. smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
The links and QR codes for both are below.
Georgia Academy for the Blind presents "Family Matters" FREE for Parents/Guardians of Students with Visual Impairments
February 9, 2019
10 am – 4 pm
Lunch provided
Application Deadline: January 18, 2019
(All applications subject to approval)
Get your registration application from Sonya Milam smilam@doe.k12.ga.us
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a parent/guardian of a child with a visual impairment who is enrolled in the short course weekend provided February 7-10.
- Care will be provided for siblings 6-11.
- Activities for enrolled students ages 12-21 and sibling participants must display independent skills appropriate for their age.
- · Must be a resident of Georgia.
- · Sessions will be held for parents/guardians that will include O&M, Assistive Technology, Independent Living, Transition and much more!
For information please email or call Dawn Day mday@doe.k12.ga.us or Sonya Milam smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, Phone: 478-751-6083
Help a Child Smile” Dental Clinic will be coming soon to GAB!
Stay tuned for the date but go ahead and complete the application attached to the end of this newsletter or at the link below:
This application is January 22, 2019 in order for a date to be set, so be sure to send yours in, or submit online, right away!
ATTENTION ATLANTA AREA FAMILIES!
Atlanta Area School for the Deaf
PRESENTS
WHAT YOUR KIDS DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT TECHNOLOGY!
WHO: Parents and Teachers. Adults only. Childcare provided with a reservation. Email smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, or 478-262-3303 before January 19
WHAT: A FREE workshop to educate you on what your child is doing on the internet. FREE breakfast is provided too!
WHERE: AASD 890 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021
WHEN: Saturday – January 26th 9:00am -12:00pm
WHY: Because kids are smarter on the internet than we are! Learn what they are doing and how you can stay on top of it. BECOME A RESPONSIBLE DIGITAL PARENT.
Led by Jesse Walton Hambrick Jr. Sergeant with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office assigned to the Sheriff’s Community Outreach Program and Education Division and is the departmental Public Information Officer with over 27 years of experience with over 25, 000 students. He has seen it all and will be here to share it all with us!
REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT BY CONTACTING SONYA MILAM, 478-262-3303, smilam@doe.k12.ga.us
Center for the Visually Impaired
Presents
FREE Special Needs Planning Workshop!
Where: CVI, 739 West Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30308
Date: Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
RSVP to Angie Clawson at aclawson@cviga.org by January 30.
Join CVI for a 90-minute workshop (including an informal Q&A session) to learn about the importance of planning to secure your loved one’s financial future.
- Learn the basics of Special Needs Planning and how to avoid the most common pitfalls in this complex area.
- Get connected to cost-effective resources that can guide you as you consider all of the options available to you for financial and legal planning for your loved one with special needs.
- Learn what to do and what NOT to do in securing your loved one’s future.
- Find out what a Special Needs Trust and how they can be used to coordinate funding sources for the care of your loved one.
THIS WEEK IN PICTURES.....
Let us hear from you!
This newsletter is published by our Parent Mentor, Sonya Milam. Please send your ideas, news, and resources in your community to her. smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303