Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
December 7, 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.
December Menus
December’s Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Menus are on our website at link below.
You can also watch a video and learn more about apples and kale! If you need a printed menu sent to you, contact Sonya Milam.
Mark your Calendars!
*just added
December 10: “Drop in RPM” (Regional Parent/guardian Meeting), Athens, 6-7:30 pm Athens-Clark County Library 2025 Baxter St Athens, GA 30606
December 11 at 1:15: Elementary Holiday Party
*December 12: Student Council’s Canned Food Drive ends
December 12 at 1:15: Middle and High School Holiday Party
December *12– 20 (note new start date): Santa Shop in Media Center (A chance for students and any guests to purchase gifts for family. No gift is more than $7.00)
December 17 – 20: Scholastic Book Fair in Media Center
December 20: Winter Music Program at 10:00 a.m. Vineville Baptist Church, 2591 Vineville Avenue. Student Art Show before and after at GAB. Orco Cooler Give-away (details page 7). Parent Guardian Meeting afterwards at GAB
December 21 – January 4: Winter Holidays
January 21: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
February 18: Presidents’ Day Holiday
March 7: Braille Challenge
March 25-29: Spring Break
April 4: High School Prom
April 22: Easter Holiday
April 25- 28: Senior Trip
May 17: GAB graduation
May 24: Last day of school
Character Education
Generosity - Willingness to give and share unselfishly your time and talents in your community.
Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present. Albert Camus
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
December Birthdays
Students:
Joshua: 12/5
Caiden, Kaleb, Jartavius: 12/11
Adria: 12/16
Kiauna: 12/22
Shyann: 12/25
Dani and Seth: 12/26
Blake: 12/29
James and Logan: 12/31
Staff:
Ms. Gossett: 12/2
Mr. Cronan: 12/4
Ms. Good: 12/13
Ms. Bechtel: 12/17
Ms. Taylor: 12/18
Ms. Thomas: 12/26
Mr. Williams: 12/29
Check on list from Deborah
SECOND NOTICE: The annual Parent/Guardian School Climate Survey for the 2018-2019 school year is open! Please help!
This survey is YOUR opportunity to give your feedback about the school climate at the Georgia Academy for the Blind. It takes less than 5 minutes. You can complete the survey using your personal computer, smartphone, or tablet. You will also be invited to complete the Georgia Parent Survey at GAB during any regular school day and at the December 20 Music Program, Parent/Guardian meeting and Art Show.
The Georgia Parent Survey is for parents of all students in Georgia. The data collected is used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. Schools with no parent or low parent participation will see a negative impact on the school’s School Climate Star Rating. So we need your help to make GAB shine.
You can take the survey here at any time at the link below. After choosing preferred language you will then be directed to School System (required) There you will choose STATE SCHOOLS, NOT YOUR COUNTY, then drop down to the find Georgia Academy for the Blind.
Thank you in advance for your participation and honest feedback. It is greatly appreciated! If you have
any questions are need assistance, please contact Sonya Milam, smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303.
Last Week in Pictures
Below: Ms. Barfield’s and Ms. McDavid’s classes chose a classroom Christmas tree from Roberts Tree Farm.
Below: Ms. Noeth’s and Ms. Mullis’ classes visited the Macon Museum of Arts and Sciences Annual Festival of Trees and mini-zoo.
Christmas Gift Ideas
Our friends at the Center for the Visually Impaired have put together a list of some great gift ideas for all ages listed below. Some of these items can be found at their VisAbility store located on the first floor of CVI where you will receive a 20% discount through December 21. Online resources to find these suggested gift items are found at the end of this article.
Infants
- Touch and feel books encourage tactile exploration.
- Easily activated musical and light up toys.
- Bell balls with continuous noises to encourage the child to crawl toward the sound and retrieve the ball.
Toddlers
- Riding or push cart type toys such as a shopping cart can help children pull up, and eventually become an adapted walking mobility device.
- Braille blocks for exposure to braille and work on stacking.
- Match & store shape sorter.
Age (3-9)
- Pretend play items such as a kitchen set or dress up clothes such as a doctor, firefighter, etc. to encourage self-help skills such as dressing or cooking.
- Baby dolls, action figures, cars, trains, etc. encourage imaginative play.
- A wooden Lacing Shoe, which teaches children how to lace and tie their own shoes.
Middle School – High School
- Electronic devices such as smart phones are accessible through screen reading software.
- This is also a great age to develop any musical talents. Learning a musical instrument is great for teaching discipline and patience.
- Board games and cards are also great!
Online resources for the ideas above are found below: