Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
October 27, 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 You Calendars!
October 31: Make a Child Smile Mobile Dental Clinic FORMS DUE MONDAY!
November 5: Daylight Saving Time 2017 ends! Turn your clocks back one hour
November 9: Senior Fundraising Dinner & Silent Auction & Old Book Sale
November 10: School Council Meeting, 1:00 pm
November 16: South Fulton Drop in RPM (Regional Parent/Guardian Meeting) 5:30-7:30
November 20-24: Thanksgiving Break
December 21: Winter Student Music Program and Art Show. Family Meetings before and after. Hustler Raptor Mower Raffle Winner chosen. 3D printer exhibition.
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 25: Graduation
November Birthdays
2nd ~ J ‘Miyah
8th ~ Chris
16th ~ Crystal
17th ~ Judy
20th De’andre
Family Connect from AFB
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:
Georgia Lions Club Camp for the Blind announces their Christmas Camp 2017 - - act now, don’t miss out!
December 9-10
Waycross, Georgia
You may get your application by contacting Sonya Milam: smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
or by going to their website below
DEADLINE FOR APPLYING IS NOVEMBER 17
Cost: $100
Cost with transportation from Macon: $175
Scholarships available by calling Gail Williams, (912) 283-4320
Media Center News!
DID YOU KNOW? There are now THREE resources to enjoy described captioned movies and educational programing with your family?
- The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) is a free-loan library of accessible educational media for use by teachers and family members of K-12 students with a visual impairment https://dcmp.org
- YouDescribe - Audio Description for YouTube Videos. YouDescribe is a project of The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute youdescribe.org
- Audio Description (Video Description) on TV (Television) Video Description is audio description superimposed on a television program's soundtrack www.acb.org
There is a setting that families can change on their TVs to access audio described television. Just call your local cable provider for instructions or to ask for access if you are unable to get it by changing the setting. Here is a link with more information: http://www.acb.org/adp/tv.html
DID YOU KNOW? We will be having an Old Book Sale during the Senior Dinner and Silent Auction on Thursday, November 9, 4:00 PM-7:00 PM & Friday, November 10, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM ½ Price on Friday, 11:00-12:00
Over 1000 Books! *Fiction*Non-Fiction*Children’s*Cookbooks*Large Print
More Than Books… *Audio Books on Cassettes *VHS
$1.00 hardback
$ .50 softback
THIS JUST IN! 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 gab_library Mrs. Kim Smith, Media Specialist kismith@doe.k12.ga.us,
478-751-6083 ext 1280
FuNdraiser$
Please Help!
We made our goal of 400 Box Tops. Thanks to all. This is $40.00 toward our field trips.
I would like to encourage you to ask friends, family members, neighbors and civic organizations to help.
I would like to make a goal of 1,000 Box Tops before the end of the school year. This would give us $100!
Thanks,
Ms. Layson slayson@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-751-6087, ext 1200
Senior Class Lawnmower Tickets now 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
Senior Class Fundraiser Chick Fil A Calendars now 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
Senior Fundraiser Dinner Tickets now on sale!
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Serving: 5:00- 6:45, Carry begins at 4:30 in the GAB Cafeteria
ENTREES Catered by TOMMY’S Cafe and Bakery of Macon and are $13
Chicken Divan with salad OR roast beef with green beans & mashed potatoes OR veggie lasagna with salad. Dessert & drink included.
Get your tickets today from a member of the senior class or Dr. Gardiner: mogardiner@doe.k12.ga.us
The evening includes:
~Silent Auction ~Old Book Sale ~Student Entertainment
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