Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
November 10, 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.
Mark your Calendars!
*just added
- November 20-24: Thanksgiving Break
- December 21: Winter Student Music Program and Art Show. Family Meeting before after. Hustler Raptor Mower Raffle Winner chosen. 3D printer exhibition. ** SEE BELOW FOR NEW AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM MRS. HOLLOWAY AND DR. GIBSON!
- December 22- January 5: Winter Holiday
- February 2-3: GaDOE’s Family Engagement UnConference, Macon
- February 28: Braille Challenge
- March 26-30: Spring Break
- April 2: Easter Holiday
- April 5: Prom
- April 19-22 SCASB
- April 26-29: Senior Trip
- *May 1: Help a Child Smile Mobile Dental Clinic
- May 25: Graduation
Regarding Winter Program!
**Due to unforeseen circumstances, the location of the Winter Program will be at Vineville Baptist Church, 2591 Vineville Avenue (.5 miles east of GAB). Students will be transported to and from the church by bus.
The students are very excited about this performance opportunity. We hope you will be able to join us to support GAB and our music department!
Additional notes: The Student Art Show will still take place before and after the Winter Program beginning at 8 am and ending at 1 pm in the GAB Hendricks building.
The family presentation “Support After Highschool” by the Georgia Department of Behavior Health and Developmental Disabilities will take place in the GAB Hendricks building immediately following the Winter Program and will conclude by 1:00. There will be no meetings before to the Winter Program this year. Details are below!
Support After High School Georgia Department of Behavior Health & Developmental Disabilities
Do you have a child age 10 or older who has a developmental, intellectual or mental disability? Will you need support after graduation?
Immediately following the Winter Program, come learn of the services provided through the Waiver programs that assist with a wide range of services including employment options, help with activities of daily living, building life skills, therapies, respite care and other supports designed to promote independence and inclusion.
Also learn about the other flexible services offered by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities such as Family Support Services and specialized resources.
These programs are designed to keep Georgia residents in their homes and included in their communities.
At this presentation you will get your questions answered and learn how to apply for these free services.
Thursday, December 21 from 11:15 am-12:15 pm
Georgia Academy for the Blind’s Hendrick’s building
2895 Vineville Avenue, Macon, GA
Presented by:
Catherine Ivy, LCSW
and
Nicki Wilson, MPA
Family Support Managers for DBH/DD
*Light refreshments served and a door prize awarded
*So that we will have ample seating and materials, you must rsvp!
smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
Georgia Lions Club Camp for the Blind announces their Christmas Camp 2017
Act now, don’t miss out! DEADLINE FOR APPLYING IS NOVEMBER 17
December 8-10
Get your application by contacting Sonya Milam: smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
or by going to their website: https://www.glcb.org/
Cost: $100 Cost with transportation from Macon: $175
Scholarships available by calling Gail Williams
(912) 283-4320
FREE Webinar!
Learning with Blindness: Using all the senses to learn
Wednesday, November 15 at 12 pm EST
For students who are visually impaired, learning how to use all their senses to explore the world around them is crucial to their ability to learn and engage with their surroundings. With strong sensory efficiency skills, students can use their senses – including any usable vision – to get information about objects and their environment. Parents can help build these skills by setting up safe opportunities for their child to explore.
In this hour-long webinar will cover:
- How to understand your child’s visual impairment and what his or her usable vision might look like
- Ways to encourage and facilitate exploration in a safe manner
- How all the senses can be used to gain information about objects and surroundings
- Tips for building sensory exploration into everyday activities like errands or even a walk around the block
- How to monitor your child's progress and adapt to the constant evolution of building sensory efficiency skills
Webinar presenter: Donna Duggan Edwards, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Orientation & Mobility Specialist Perkins School for the Blind
Register below:
Middle Georgia Family Event!
Middle Georgia Families, grades 8-12: Save this date!
“Mapping a Self-Determined Future: Where Transition Meets Real Life”
will be back in Macon!
January 27, 2017.
You don’t want to miss this interactive day with other students and families preparing for life after high school!
Atlanta Area Event
Atlanta area Families: attend a holiday party on Saturday, December 16th
at Center for the Visually Impaired
12:00 – 3:00 PM
Make your reservation here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LR92Z3S
Character Education
Word for the Week: PATRIOTISM: Respectful devotion on one’s country.
Media Center News!
DON'T FORGET! Before and after the Winter Music Program and Art Show there will be a live exhibition of our new 3D printer in action in the GAB Tech Lab. Make plans to attend!
DON’T FORGET! Updates about the media center can be found on GAB’s Media Center Twitter linked below!
Mrs. Kim Smith, Media Specialist kismith@doe.k12.ga.us,
478-751-6083 ext 1280
Getting ready for the holidays!
News Crew
feathered friend
Tactual and Edible Science
Keep Them Coming!
The holidays are approaching fast. Don't let your trash can "Gobble" up your General Mills Box Tops! Several folks will be getting special food items for the holidays. Please check the items for Box Tops. Our goal is 1,000 Box Tops before the end of May. We have started off with a bang! Sammy brought in 60 Box Tops, Dillon brought in 119 Box Tops, Trinity brought 60 Box Tops (Bonus) and we received 10 Box Tops from a State Department of Education (DOE) member.
Let’s do the math! 60 + 119 + 60 + 10= 239. 249 X .10 cents = $24.90 in field trip money just from just 4 people. Just think what money could be received if we all pull together. So our new goal is: 1,000 – 249 = 751 more to collect. You don’t have to wait until you get a bundle of Box Tops send them to us anytime. If you have any questions contact Sylvia Layson at slayson@doe.k12.ga.us or call after 3:00 P.M. 478-751-6083 ext 1200. Thanks for all your help!
Thanks,
Ms. Layson slayson@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-751-6087, ext 1200
Senior Class Lawnmower Tickets still on sale!
Make a donation of at least $10 and get a chance to win this Hustler Raptor SDX 23hp Kawasaki 54 inch Mower donated by Vidalia Small Engine Services to be given away December 21. Contact a member of the 2018 Senior Class or Rachel Towery, rtowery@bellsouth.net, 912-403-9302
Senior Class Fundraiser Chick Fil A Calendars still on sale!
They are $8.00 each and contain a free menu item each month. Supplies are limited, so see
a senior class member or staff member to order today!
Mr. Collins, mcollins@doe.k12.ga.us, or Mrs. Thomspon, mthompson@doe.k12.ga.us
More of This week in pictures!
Veterans Day Music Gathering
On Thursday during break, we were inspired by these two students performing a mix of 11 songs related to America’s Armed Forces on the acoustic guitar and keyboard.
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