OSSB Panther News
January 10, 2022
IMPORTANT DATES
January 2022
- 13 - Optional Parent Information Night for College Credit Plus: College information night will be held on January 13 via zoom. Parents of students in grades 6-11 will learn more about College Credit Plus. This event is hosted by Mrs. Hunnewell, OSSB School Counselor, and Mrs. Margolis, OSSB Transition Coordinator. 6:30-8:00 pm Zoom Link Zoom Meeting ID: 551 637 7950 Passcode: 344186
- 14 - End of 2nd Quarter
- 17 - NO SCHOOL/Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- 18 - MAP testing begins for high school students; ELA, Math, and Science
- 20 - Little NC's (extracurricular sports) Paperwork Due
- 20 - Varsity Cheerleading wraps up with a Virtual Conference
- 20 - Basketball wraps up
- 31 - Little NC's Sports Begins
- 17 Dismissal at 2:30 pm
- 18 NO SCHOOL/Records day for teachers
- 21 NO SCHOOL/ President’s Day
- 22 Braille Challenge at OSSB
- 24 Parent-Teacher Conferences
** Calendar change: Please note that there has been a change to our calendar in May.
- May 12 noon dismissal
- May 20 2:30 dismissal instead of noon.
Welcome to OSSB, Pickles!
OSSB Cafeteria Menu - Week of January 10th
Family Book Club - All About Tests & Assessments by Pete Wright
Little North Central (NC's) Sports Begins January 31st
It is time to sign up for the 2021-2022 Little NC's short for Little North Central Association of Schools for the Blind! Little NCs offers K-6th students the opportunity to participate in cheer, competitive swim, basketball and goalball teams from January 31st - March 17th, 2022.
In March, we will host our competition against Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Kentucky School for the Blind on the OSSB campus.
- Swim and goalball practice on Mondays and Wednesdays
- Cheerleading and basketball practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Sign up your student(s) by January 20th, 2022, using this link (or return a hard copy to the front office). Please rank your child's first, second, third, and fourth choices. Sports in high demand may not handle all student requests. The goal is to schedule each student, requesting more than one sport, the opportunity to participate in at least two activities.
Once rosters are finalized, your student will be added to the correct sport(s) in FinalForms, giving parents the ability to sign the required concussion and sudden cardiac arrest program before the first day of practice on January 31st.
RESOURCES & WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
Print/Braille Valentine Cards from National Braille Press
Print/braille valentine cards available
The print/braille Valentines are the perfect way to promote braille among family, friends, and classmates.
Large Packs: 32 print/braille Valentines plus envelopes: $15
Small Packs: 20 print/braille Valentines plus envelopes: $12
Information obtained from National Braille Press email
UPCOMING ZOOM WEBINARS
Lighthouse Guild -The Parent Balancing Challenge - January 17, 2022
Monday, January 17, 2022, 8:30-9:30PM EDT
Raising a child with visual impairment can feel isolating and overwhelming at times. Maintaining a healthy balance with self, partner, family, and community while providing the best care possible for your child can be very challenging. This workshop will provide a safe space to address self-care for parents and tools for building a strong family foundation. You will have an opportunity to connect with other parents and discuss how to be a strong, healthy role model for your child, family, and community.
Sheila Adamo, LCSW, CADC, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. She currently provides individual, couple, and family therapy in private practice and is the co-owner of Building Parent Connections which provides education, guidance, and support to parents of children with special needs. Ms. Adamo served on the National Organization of Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) board of directors for 8 years, she was the board chair for 2 years, and currently manages NOAH’s New Parent Program, Parent Connections, and Grandparents Connections. She lives with her husband and their four children, one of which has albinism, in Naperville, Illinois.
Information courtesy of Lighthouse Guild
AT&AEM Center Offers 12 Week Basic Braille Course Online
Interactive Video Series Featuring Michelle Motil
Information courtesy of the Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness
LEAP (Learn Earn and Prosper) Virtual meetings for Students
LEAP (Learn Earn and Prosper) is launching a national network for youth who are blind or visually impaired starting on January 31st, 2022. This program is virtual and FREE to all students ages 15-24ish (transition-aged students). The intention is to connect students who are blind or visually impaired from across the country to network, mentor, set goals, and build their future. There will be a series of 8 workshops between January 31st and early May.
Information courtesy of Council of Schools and Services for the Blind (COSB)
Ohio Center for Deafblind Education Upcoming Webinars - All Are Welcome
Mapping the Dreams: The Transition to Adulthood
(3 sessions)
Dates: January 12, January 20, January 27, 2022
Time: 4-5:30 PM (ET)
Speaker: Tammie Sebastian, Statewide Program Coordinator, Ohio Center for the Education of Children with Disabilities & Amy Freeman, Statewide Transition Coordinator, Ohio Center for the Education of Children with Disabilities
No Cost
Click here to access the event flyer and registration link.
Better Together: Supporting a Successful Transition to Adulthood
Dates: February 1, 2022
Time: 4-5:30 PM or 7-8:30 PM (ET)
Speaker: Katie Scheetz and Allison Meloy, Opportunity for Ohioans with Disabilities
No Cost
Click here to access the event flyer and registration link.
Exploring Transition-Age Services for Deafblind Youth
Dates: February 2, 2022
Time: 4-5:30 PM (ET)
Speaker: John Filek, Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youth and Adults
No Cost
Click here to access the event flyer and registration link.
Considerations for Parents, Caregivers, and Educators Unique to Children with Deafblindness and Low Incidence
(3 sessions)
Dates: January 19, February 16, March 30, 2022
Time: 4-5:15 PM (ET)
Speaker: Dr. Melinda Wolford
No Cost
Click here to access the event flyer and registration link.
Information courtesy of the Ohio Center for Deafblind Education
ADVOCACY AND INFORMATION
Whole Child Network Seeking Family Members
The Ohio Department of Education is seeking 150 diverse education professionals, community partners, and family members to join the groundbreaking Whole Child Network. The network will be a place where members can learn from each other, share successes and share best practices that support the whole child.
Selected members will:
- Participate in whole child webinars;
- Learn and share whole child best practices; and
- Participate in a community of practice with peers.
The Ohio Department of Education will consider applicants in the following categories:
- District and school administrators;
- Early childhood through grade 12 teachers and paraprofessionals;
- School student support staff, such as counselors, social workers, psychologists, school nurses and related services, food service and transportation and safety personnel;
- Representatives from state and local agencies;
- Professionals from the higher education community; and
- Families and caregivers of early childhood through grade 12 students.
The Ohio Department of Education is seeking participants that reflect the diversity of Ohio’s schools and communities.
Apply to join the network by Jan. 22, 2022 and share with others!
For more information, contact wholechild@education.ohio.gov.
College Credit Plus
College Credit Plus (CCP) is Ohio’s dual enrollment program that provides students in grades 7-12 (during the 2022 - 2023 academic year) the opportunity to earn college and high school credits at the same time by taking courses from Ohio colleges or universities. The purpose of this program is to enhance students’ career readiness and postsecondary success, while providing a wide variety of options to college-ready students, at no or limited costs to students and families. https://www.ohiohighered.org/content/college_credit_plus_about
If your student is interested in participating during the 2022-2023 academic school year, please click here. This is programming is made available to families every year.
Information courtesy of Ohio Higher Ed
IN-PERSON EVENTS
COME TRY BLIND ICE HOCKEY
Everyone is welcome family and friends. There is no age requirement. We just want to get everyone out on the ice and to fall in love with the game/ skating. **If seriously interested in blind ice hockey contact John Haferman to get your own skates and pads. Contact info below.
Blind Ice Hockey Schedule
Day: Sunday’s
Address: Chiller North 8144 Highfield Dr. Lewis Center, OH 43035
· JAN 23. 2:30-4:00PM
· FEB 13. 4:00-5:30PM
· FEB 27 3:30-5:00PM
· MAR 13 2:30-4:00PM
· MAR 27 2:30-4:00PM
RSVP TO ATTEND:
Katie Smith
Phone:513-460-9785
Email: Katharineatkinso6@gmail.com
or
John Haferman
Phone: 614-769-0282
Email: JMHaferman@Columbus.gov
Ohio State School for the Blind
Director of Teaching and Learning - Michelle Wagner
5220 N. High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43214
614-752-1359
Questions about the newsletter? Contact Lauri Kaplan at lkaplan@osdb.oh.gov