Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
August 10, 2018
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.
Mark your Calendars!
September 3: Labor Day Holiday
September 6: Drop in RPM State Schools Regional Parent/Guardian Meeting, Savannah, 6 pm, Address forthcoming
September 7: 1 pm School Council Meeting. All are invited. GAB Conference Room or call in.
September 17: Drop in RPM State Schools Regional Parent/Guardian Meeting, Mid-town Atlanta, 6 pm, Address forthcoming
October 8-12: Student Fall Break
November 19-23: Thanksgiving Break
December 21 – January 4: Winter Holidays
January 21: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
February 18: Presidents’ Day Holiday
March 25-29: Spring Break
April 22: Easter Holiday
May 24: Graduation
An academic planning book for 2018-19 containing our school calendar was distributed at Open House. If you weren’t here and would like an academic planning book, contact Sonya Milam, smilam@doe.k12.ga.us 478-262-3303
The school calendar can also be found from our website linked below:
Character Education
Self-Respect: Pride and belief in oneself
and in achievement of one’s potential.
Give us your feedback!
This newsletter is produced by Sonya Milam, Parent Mentor. Please send your news ideas and items and/or resources in your community to share with others. Smilam@doe.k12.ga.us 478-262-3303
August Birthdays
STUDENTS:
Kaden A 08/02
Devin 08/02
Montrez 08/05
Sebastin 08/06
Marquan 08/06
Josie 08/25
De'Zereion 08/29
Jesse B 08/30
STAFF:
Mr. Miller 08/01
Mr. Collins 08/02
Mr. O'Bryant 08/03
Ms. Murray 08/07
Ms. Noeth 08/07
Mr. Singletary 08/07
Ms. Clark 08/09
Ms. Barfield 08/11
Mr. Kaehne 08/13
Ms. Holloway 08/17
Ms. Adams 08/19
Mr. Stephens 08/20
Ms Taylor 08/23
Ms. Brown- Basley 08/25
Mr. Fields 08/29
Don’t forget to continue collecting Box Tops for Education
Last year we collected over 2,000 which gave us $200 towards our educational field trips. At Open House, it was decided at our meeting that 3,000 would be our goal for this year and know that with your help we can do it! For a list of participating products, go tobthe link below. You will see that it’s more than food items! Sylvia Layson, Elementary Teacher slayson@doe.k12.ga.us
Publix Partners
This past year GAB earned $97.60 simply by having our families and friends use their Publix Partners cards at the cash register. Be sure to pick up your Publix Partner’s cards at Open House (or contact Sonya Milam to mail) and share with others. Once $250 is reached they will send us a check. What a fun and easy way to make money for our students’ activities!
Attention Families of High School students: THIRD NOTICE
As a way to prepare all students 16 years and older for the new school year, please help your student obtain a State Issued ID. This can be obtained at your local Department of Driver Services (DDS) with the following documentation: birth certificate, proof of residence, and a letter from your doctor stating disability in order to access the reduced fee of $5. If the student was born outside of the State of Georgia, he or she will need a certified copy of their birth certificate. Please refer to the DDS website below for further information and guidelines.
Thank you. Toni Kimbrough, Transition Specialist, tkimbrough@doe.k12.ga.us
The 2018-19 Student Handbook was distributed at Sunday’s Open House. It can also be found on our website linked below. If you want one sent to you, contact Sonya Milam, smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
We collected many registration papers on Sunday and throughout this week, but still need more. Be sure to get these turned in by Monday! It is important that we receive the Free and Reduced lunch applications for ALL our students, not just those who qualify! If you are missing any papers, contact Sonya Milam, smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
Attention families of non-residential students (“Car Riders”)
Dismissal from GAB is at 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and at 1:00 p.m. on Friday. GAB does not provide after school care to non-residential students. Residential counties are responsible for student transportation. If you choose to transport your child, please remember:
- Students must be picked up at 3:00. Students who are not picked up by 3:10 will be taken to the Hendricks office for parent/guardians to come inside to sign them out with staff there. Sign-in/sign-out forms include a section to sign and to report reason for delay.
- GAB must report to local systems students who are tardy to school, signed out of school or picked up late excessively. Deborah Ezell will report to the school districts as she reports attendance.
- In the event of serious extenuating circumstances, non-residential students will be supervised in the Living and Learning Cottages until a parent/guardian arrives.
Cindy B. Gibson, Ed.D., T.V.I.
Superintendent
Atlanta Area Families: An introduction to golf clinic by Blind Sports for all ages, no experience necessary!
August 18, 10AM - noon at the PGA Superstore, 2611 George Busbee Parkway, NE, Kennesaw
September 15th 10AM till noon at the Marietta City Club, 510 Powder Springs Street, Marietta
October 20th from 10AM till noon at the Marietta City Club.
November 9 hole play. Location and date to be determined.
Columbus Area Families, see below for a fun filled weekend for students and families. You can go for the weekend OR just spend the day OR choose just one activity!
Friday, August 24, 6:00 pm Camp Abilities at Columbus State University (CSU) relay races and fun activities followed by 7:00 pm game of The Beep Baseball Chicago Comets.
Saturday, August 25, 9:00 am -2:00 pm. Camp Abilities Fun Day at CSU’s Oxbo Meadows: kayaking and other awesome activities. This is open to all individuals (children and adults) who are blind or visually impaired. There is no registration fee and lunch is provided but you must register! Please get an application from Sonya Milam, or contact Jeanine Fittipaldi-Wert, wert_jeanine@columbusstate.edu
Saturday, August 25 at Midnight, Country’s 5K Midnight Run in Columbus will be inclusive and accommodating to our students. Learn more and register at this website: https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Columbus/MidnightExpress5K