Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
January 18, 2019
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.
Mark your Calendars!
- January 21: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday
- January 22: Help a Child Smile applications due (see page 3 for details)
- January 23: SCASB Pep Rally, time to be determined
- January 25-26: SCASB in Louisiana (Wrestling, Cheering, Fine Arts)
- February 8-10: Short Course Weekend (ages 12-21)
- February 27 and 28: AdvancED site review. Please save these date and stay tuned for the day in which we will need parents/guardians to come and meet with this accreditation team. See page 2 for important pre visit survey.
- February 18: Presidents’ Day Holiday
- March 7: Braille Challenge
- March 8: School Council Meeting, 1:00. Open to all. Call in number: 1-888-557-8511. The access code is 2537361 followed by the # sign.
- March 25-29: Spring Break
- April 4: High School Prom
- April 22: Easter Holiday
- April 25-- 28: Senior Trip
- May 17: Graduation
- May 24: Last day of school
Character Education
Flexibility: Quality of showing adaptability and cooperation.
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”
― Albert Einstein
January Birthdays
Remaining January Birthdays, Students:
Brayden: 1/21
Morgan: 1/23
Destiny G: 1/24
Destiny I: 1/25
Jamari: 1/31
Remaining January Birthdays, Staff:
Ms. Kimbrough: 1/19
Ms. Doctor: 1/19
Ms. Bright: 1/22
Ms. Franks: 1/23
Ms. Walker: 1/23
Ms. Knight: 1/27
Help a Child Smile” Dental Clinic will be coming soon to GAB!
Stay tuned for the date but go ahead and complete the application attached to the end of this newsletter or at the link below
When asked for zip code, use GAB’s zip code: 31204
This application is January 22, 2019 in order for a date to be set, so be sure to send yours in, or submit online, right away!
The Case of the Missing 1000 Box Tops Mission 2: January 18, 2019
Our GAB Box Top detectives have had a slow start this new year. We have collected about 200 Box Tops, that’s 20% of our goal. Our next deadline is only a few months away. I have confidence that our detectives will find those Box Tops in various places. When our GAB family works together just think what we can do.
We have 100 students. If each student just brought in one Box Top. That would be $10.00. What if 100 students brought in 10 Box Tops (which is not hard to find)? That would be $100.00 dollars and our goal of 1,000 Box Tops would be met! So, please as you do your weekly shopping take a moment to look for Box Tops. Calling all detectives to get on the trail to find some Box Tops because our GAB students appreciate it.
Sylvia Layson
(478) 751-6083 Ext. 1200
Parents/guardians: “THREE’s a charm!” We’ve another very important and easy survey just for YOU!
3. N E W ! GaDOE’s Parent Survey for Special Education services: We believe that all students must have an equitable opportunity for school completion and successful postsecondary outcomes. This survey helps improve educational results and functional outcomes for all children with disabilities and ensure that the requirements of IDEA are met. When asked to Select child's school district, scroll down to STATE SCHOOLS NOT your local county district. Then you will be prompted to select Georgia Academy for the Blind.
2. GaDOE’s Climate Survey: This survey in addition to a student and staff survey is how we receive our Star Climate Rating from the Georgia Department of Education and is your opportunity to help GAB shine. When selecting SCHOOL SYSTEM, scroll down to STATE SCHOOLS (799) NOT your local county district. After making that selection you will be prompted to select Georgia Academy for the Blind.
1. AdvanceED Accreditation Parent Survey: This is in preparation for February’s AdvanceED accreditation we undergo every three years. The purpose of this survey is to find out your beliefs and opinions about your child's school. Read each question and choose the response that most closely matches your opinion. Please answer each item honestly. Your responses will be completely confidential.
Each survey can be found at links below. Please contact Sonya Milam if you have questions or would like assistance. smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
ATTENTION ATLANTA AREA FAMILIES!
Atlanta Area School for the Deaf
PRESENTS
WHAT YOUR KIDS DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT TECHNOLOGY!
WHO: Parents and Teachers. Adults only. Childcare provided with a reservation. Email smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, or 478-262-3303 before January 19
WHAT: A FREE workshop to educate you on what your child is doing on the internet. FREE breakfast is provided too!
WHERE: AASD 890 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021
WHEN: Saturday – January 26th 9:00am -12:00pm
WHY: Because kids are smarter on the internet than we are! Learn what they are doing and how you can stay on top of it. BECOME A RESPONSIBLE DIGITAL PARENT.
Led by Jesse Walton Hambrick Jr. Sergeant with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office assigned to the Sheriff’s Community Outreach Program and Education Division and is the departmental Public Information Officer with over 27 years of experience with over 25, 000 students. He has seen it all and will be here to share it all with us!
REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT BY CONTACTING SONYA MILAM, 478-262-3303, smilam@doe.k12.ga.us
Center for the Visually Impaired
Presents
FREE Special Needs Planning Workshop!
Where: CVI, 739 West Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30308
Date: Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
RSVP to Angie Clawson at aclawson@cviga.org by January 30.
Join CVI for a 90-minute workshop (including an informal Q&A session) to learn about the importance of planning to secure your loved one’s financial future.
- Learn the basics of Special Needs Planning and how to avoid the most common pitfalls in this complex area.
- Get connected to cost-effective resources that can guide you as you consider all of the options available to you for financial and legal planning for your loved one with special needs.
- Learn what to do and what NOT to do in securing your loved one’s future.
- Find out what a Special Needs Trust and how they can be used to coordinate funding sources for the care of your loved one.
Project SEARCH Wrap After the Holidays
Project SEARCH has come to a close for the first semester with many activities completed. The Project SEARCH Interns finished work rotation #1 in December with work evaluation assessments. The work evaluations gave the interns an opportunity for self-evaluation on work strengths and improvements to be made. They also discussed these issues with their department Managers and the Project Search staff.
Following the first work rotation, the interns’ calendar included career exploration/career preparation activities, a community involvement project and collaborative team building experiences. During the first week of December, Project SEARCH educated the community by presenting White Cane Day demonstrations at both Navicent Health, and Navicent Rehabilitation Hospital. Monday December 10th found the interns visiting the Macon Mayhem Hockey Team to discover job opportunities with that organization. They also attended the annual Navicent Health Holiday Lunch at both Navicent Health and the Rehabilitation Hospital where they enjoyed a great feast of turkey and all the trimmings as well as the camaraderie of fellow employees.
THIS WEEK IN PICTURES.....
“There’s no place like home!” As renovations to the Administration Building continue, our music department is thrilled to move back into their music room. Shown here are “GAB Thunder”, our drumline and a middle school choral class.
SCASB is in Baton Rouge, LA and the Wrestling/Cheer/Fine arts will be leaving Thursday early and coming back Sunday in the afternoon. Wish us luck!
Congratulations to Tresha Little, GAB’s Paraprofessional of the Year.
Ms. Little came to GAB in August of 2013 having served in Bibb County’s Early Headstart. This Macon native enjoys being creative in her spare time and certainly has brought a lot of creativity to Ms. Alligood’s class. Pictured
(Below) Ms. Little after last Friday’s announcement
(Below) Ms. Little with Ms. Alligood.
Let us hear from you!
This newsletter is published by our Parent Mentor, Sonya Milam. Please send your ideas, news, and resources in your community to her. smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303