OSSB Panther Paws News
Friday, December 18, 2020 Happy Winter Break!
Ohio State School for the Blind
Michelle Wagner, Principal
Al LaBarre, Assistant Superintendent
Lou Maynus, Superintendent
Email: lkaplan@osdb.oh.gov
Website: https://www.ossb.ohio.gov
Location: 5220 North High Street, Columbus, OH, USA
Phone: 614-752-1359
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OhioStateSchoolfortheBlind/
~IMPORTANT DATES~
DECEMBER
21 thru January 2, 2021 NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
JANUARY 2021
4 - Welcome back to School!
15 NO SCHOOL - Records Day for Staff
18 NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Day
A Quick Note From Mrs. Wagner. . .
Dear OSSB Parents, Guardians, and Students,
We made it to winter break! I know that this year has been a challenging one in multiple ways. I hope that during this holiday season you can rest and relax and regroup. Have a safe and peaceful winter break (photo shows Mrs. Wagner and student, Marie wearing matching sweaters in 2019).
OSSB Students Perform Virtual Winter Showcase
On Thursday, Dec. 18th students from OSSB and OSD put on a virtual show for State Superintendent Paolo DiMaria and other distinguished members of the State Board and Ohio Department of Education. The presentation featured a slideshow of the Marching Band, Zoom performances of Elementary students, and piano solos from a few of our very talented students. Santa even made an appearance to talk with the students from OSD and OSSB! The OSSB portion of the show can be viewed on the brand new Band Boosters Youtube channel. Click on the link below! Happy Holiday Everyone! ~Ms. Yolanda Johnson
OSSB Families and Staff to Continue COVID Reporting during Winter Break
With Winter Break beginning, OSSB and OSD ask that staff and families continue reporting COVID-19 related items to the COVID Reporter. The COVID Reporting phone number and email will be checked daily throughout the break to maintain the highest level of safety at our schools upon our return. Not sure when to report? Please refer to the Screening & Isolation Policy on both the OSD and OSSB websites for details on when an individual should contact the COVID Reporter.
(614) 907-2284
Questions about COVID and how to talk with your child about it? See a video created for OSD and OSSB students by Jason Franklin, and OSD School Nurse, Tobbi Valentine.
OSSB Yearbook - Students Photos Needed by January 31st!
Families, students and staff - We are putting together the 2020-21 OSSB Yearbook and we need YOUR photographs! Please take a moment to take a photograph of your child, or upload a selfie to the OSSB 2020-21 Yearbook Photo Circle. From there, Mrs. Rachelle Smith, our art teacher, will combine and create this year's 'one of a kind' yearbook. Please submit photos by January 31st, 2021. Click on the link below to upload your photo!
If you would rather email a photo of your student, please send it to Mrs. Rachelle Smith. THANK YOU!
Columbus Northern Lions Club Helps Students Celebrate the Holidays
For over 50 years, OSSB has had a special connection with local area Lions Clubs, whose mission is to give their time and effort to improving their communities and the world. Most recently, the Columbus Northern Lions Club has been hosting a Christmas party for the elementary students.
This year in preparation for a virtual celebration, Elf Bill Lucas organized Santa’s gifts along with Elf Frank Williams and other Lion Helpers. Gifts were delivered to the children’s homes by OSSB elves, and teachers took a few photos as the children opened them on Zoom meetings. A very special thank you to the Columbus Northern Lions Club who continued their work by helping Santa during OSSB's virtual learning! Photos below include students from Mrs. Ceil Peirano's class who are shown with their gifts - Kynnedi, new student, Chris, and Lariyah.
OSSB Physical Education Program Receives Gold
The Ohio State School for the Blind physical education program was recently awarded Gold Excellence level of achievement from the Ohio Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (OAHPERD). OSSB will be receiving an Ohio School Gold Banner to hang proudly at the school.
According to OAHPERD, “The Ohio Gold Excellence in Physical Education Award Program is designed to recognize those schools whose policies and practices reflect a high quality of physical education in schools.” This state recognition is awarded to schools demonstrating support of key elements to develop lifetime fitness. Physical education provides many health-related benefits throughout life. According to the Centers for Disease Control “Physical education provides cognitive content and instruction designed to develop motor skills, knowledge, and behaviors for physical activity and physical fitness”.
The award application had many evaluation components with a focus on four areas. Those focus areas included:
- providing evidence for programming support from senior educational leadership.
- Ensuring the school’s physical education curriculum aligns with state academic content standards.
- Mrs. Lyle Henry, physical education teacher, gathered data from state physical education evaluations which was reported in the application and included a narrative for interpretation of the results.
- Lastly, an explanation with supporting materials of how the program provides students the opportunity for quality physical activity participation outside of the curriculum.
OSSB would like to recognize the following staff members for their contributions to the application - Lisa Lyle Henry, Alison Brewer Wood, Lee Mascarello, Nancy Honse, Angela Bonner, and Sally Williams. In addition, the following senior educational staff members were instrumental in supporting physical education programming that allowed for Gold level state recognition. Leadership members were Michelle Wagner, Dr. Lou Maynus, Dr. Al LaBarre, and Danny Ransey. Without strong leadership, recognition could not have occurred.
If you are interested in additional information about physical education programming at OSSB or have questions about the award, please contact Lisa Lyle Henry, adapted physical education teacher at lhenry@osdb.oh.gov.
Physical Fitness Fridays. . .
will resume after winter recess starting on January 8, 2021. I want to wish everyone a safe and restful break. ~ Mrs. Henry
7 Days without Physical Activity makes one WEAK
OSSB Physical Education students have been preparing for how to stay active over winter break by creating workout playlists. Check out their playlist links below.
8th Grade - Spotify Workout Playlist
6th Grade Mrs. Peirano - Spotify Workout Playlist
Maybe you are more into reading than listening? Ms. Hamlin's students made their own 10 Days of Winter Break workout book. Starting Monday, December 21st, read and do a page of activity for each weekday. Feel free to create your own 10 Days of Winter Break activities!
Kayden's 10 Days of Winter Break
Bella's 10 Days of Winter Break
Keep moving into the New Year! ~ Ms. Brewer-Wood
December 2020 OSSB Podcast
Click on the SoundCloud or iTunes Podcast in the buttons below.