Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
September 15, 2017
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.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Join GAB Family Engagement text message system
We’ve had many satisfactory reports regarding our text message system throughout Irma. If you have not, but
want to subscribe to receive these messages, text “add me” along with your student’s name to 478-262-3303
Mark You Calendars!
September 18: Monday Media Mania and EECC Coffee Club, Media Center 6-7 pm
September 22-29: SCIVIS (Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students)
September 28: Chatham & Clarke Counties Drop in RPM (Regional Parent/Guardian Meeting) 5:30-7:30
October 16-20: Student Fall Break
October 31: Help a Child Smile Mobile Dental Clinic
November 9 Senior Fundraising Dinner
November 10: School Council Meeting, 1:00 pm
November 20-24: Thanksgiving Break
December 21: Winter Student Music Program and Art Show. Family Meetings before and after the program.
December 22- January 5: Winter Holiday
April 5: Prom
April 19-22: Senior Trip
May 25: Graduation
check out our website to view the entire calendar for 2017-18 school year:
September Birthdays:
4th ~ Felix
4th ~ Leah
7th ~ Destiny R.
7th ~ Lucas
15th ~ Armando
15th ~ Trinity
30th ~ Jesse
Character Education
Word for the Quarter: RESPECT - Showing regard for the worth of someone or something.
Word for the Week: TRUSTWORTHINESS - Worthy of confidence, reliable.
Being trustworthy requires doing the right thing and doing things right.
Media Center News!
DON'T FORGET! September is Library Card Sign-up Month – a time when the American Library Association and libraries across the country remind us that a library card is the most important school supply of all. Did you know that public libraries offer much more than books? You can check out DVDs, magazines, and passes to state parks and other locations like the zoo.
In addition, any person who is legally blind is eligible for service through the Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services (GLASS). They support accessible library services in Georgia by promoting the use of assistive technology and by providing accessible reading materials to those who, due to a disability, are unable to read standard print. Please contact Mrs. Smith if you have not applied for this service and would like to do so! Her contact information is below!
DID YOU KNOW? Updates about the media center can be found on GAB’s Media Center Twitter gab_library
Mrs. Kim Smith, Media Specialist kismith@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-751-6083 ext 1280
Orientation and Mobility Tips from Robin Cruise, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Vocabulary Word for the week:
Car wheel stopper – a long horizontal block of cement at the top of a parking lot stall that prevents a car from moving forward. Also called a parking stopper or wheel stopper.
O&M Tip for the week: Remind your child to use her cane immediately after exiting your car to avoid this common trip hazard. For example, “ Toni remember to use your cane in the parking lot so you don’t trip and fall.”
Join families, educators, and community partners at the
Georgia Family Engagement Unconference
February 2-3, 2018
Macon Centreplex and Macon Marriott City Center, Macon, GA
The Georgia Department of Education, Division of State Schools is offering scholarships for interested parents/guardians and the students in their home (K-8) to attend. Please save the dates and contact Sonya Milam if you are interested in attending! We are counting on lots of GAB participation! Smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
Click the video below for more information about this exciting event!
This Week in Pictures!
Box Tops for Education! Thanks to Noah Nizza for the 45 General Mills Box Tops! Please send in box tops before October as checks are printed in December. Remember we use this money for field trips.
ECC Math Skills to the test! Ms. Little uses the game Sliders to reinforce math skills during their Extended Core Curriculum class last Friday.
Touchton Trail – a fun place to review Social Studies concepts! This teacher designed and student constructed large tactile board game uses friendly competition to reinforce skills and concepts students learn each day in Ms. Touchton’s Social Studies Classes.
Students as Teachers!
One of Ms. Thompson's Biology classes has been learning about plants. The students learned the material so well that they were able to transform into mad scientists and teach the class the material themselves. They know the parts of a plant, what plants need, and what plants give us. (Professor Eugene Hall and Dr. Angelica Howard)
Give us your feedback!
This newsletter is produced by Sonya Milam, Parent Mentor. For comments and suggestions and news items please contact her at 478-262-3303 or smilam@doe.k12.ga.us