Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
March 8, 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.
Check out the student produced video about our Mission Statement below:
Mark your Calendars!
*just added
*March 9: Set your clocks forward one hour to begin daylight savings time.
Local fire departments remind us to change the batteries in you smoke detectors at this time too!
*Now through March 22: School Council Pet Food and Supplies Drive to benefit All About Animals Rescue.
March 22: 10 am Spring Music Program. Student Art Show and Family meetings prior to and after the program.
March 25-29: Spring Break
April 4: High School Prom
April 9: Special Olympics
April 11-14: SCASB, Alabama (Track & Field)
April 22: Easter Holiday
April 25-- 28: Senior Trip
May 17: Graduation
May 24: Last day of school
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
March Birthdays
Students:
Zy 03/01
Kameron 03/09
Jess 03/13
Harry 03/23
Angelica L 03/27
BJ 03/28
Sammy 03/19
Staff:
Ms. Orr 3-1
Ms. Rushing 3-1
Ms. Applebee 3/5
Ms. Mosley 3/10
Ms. Brown 3/11
Ms. Edenfield 3/14
Mr. Caldwell 3/19
Ms. Walker 3/21
Mr. Hudgins 3/24
Ms. Ezell 3/25
Mr. Lumpkin 3/25
Last Week in Pictures
SECOND NOTICE: SUMMER CAMPS!
Georgia Lions Club Camp, Waycross, GA
Session 1 - June 9~14: Adults, age 31-plus
Session 2- June 16~21: Adults, age 31-plus
Session 3 - June 23~28: Family Camp, age 5-12
Session 4 - June 30~ July 5: Teens, age 13-17
Session 5 - July 7~14: Young Adults, age 18-30
Get your application by contacting Sonya Milam, Smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303 or get it from their website at link below. DEADLINE IS APRIL 15 – no late applications will be considered!
Camp Abilities Columbus, GA
May 24, 2019 - May 27, 2019 at Columbus State University
Camp Abilities Columbus, GA is a residential camp that will be open for a maximum of 16 campers, ages 9 to 18 years old who are blind or visually impaired. They will stay on Columbus State University's campus to engage in an array of sports and recreational activities in a safe and developmentally appropriate environment. Sports and recreational activities include: goalball, beep baseball, beep kickball, tandem biking, rock climbing, swimming, soccer, tennis, track & field and team building activities. Learn more from their website at link below.
Contact Jeanine Fittipaldi-Wert at wert_jeanine@columbusstate.edu for information regarding camp registration
Camp Dreams, Warm Springs, Georgia
July 21st – July 24th (Sun. - Wed.)
July 25th – July 28th (Thur. - Sun.)
Only online applications are accepted. See the link below. Let Sonya know if you would like assistance in registering.
Blaze Adaptive Sports Camp, Camp Twin Lakes, Winder, GA
July 21-26 Ages 7-17 Only online applications are accepted. See the link below. Let Sonya know if you would like assistance in registering.
Just added! STARS Day Camp at the Center for the Visually Impaired, Atlanta
. Transportation from 7 points in Atlanta area provided. All grades for day camp 9 am-3pm. To register go to link below. Sonya has paper applications available as well. Deadline is May 3!
Week 1 - June 3 to 7 . . . . . STARS & the Arts
Week 2 - June 10 to 14 . . . STARS & the Arts
Week 3 - June 17 to 21 . . . Sports and Recreation
Week 4 - June 24 to 28 . . . ECC Week, with a focus on Activities of Daily Living, Transition, Social Skills & more!
FOURTH NOTICE! Middle Georgia Families: All GAB families living in middle Georgia are invited!
Middle Georgia families: The Annual Self-Determination Conference will be returning to the Goodwill Conference Center on Saturday, April 13 from 8 am – 1 pm. Save this date! High school students and families, you don’t want to miss this opportunity!
THIRD NOTICE! North Metro Atlanta Families
Save the dates for these Transition Fairs. Details coming soon! Please let Sonya Milam know if you plan to go! smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
March 21 2:30-5:00 pm
Cherokee County Agency Fair and Parent University
7545 Main Street, Building 200
Woodstock , GA 30188
Join other families to learn of services and programs in your community which will be of service to your student after graduation. It is never too early to plan for this!
This Week in Pictures
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DR. SEUSS!
(Below) Students of all ages enjoying photo booth, Dr. Seuss books and special treats after lunch on Monday.
Ms. Bechtal’s students enjoying the “Foot Book” and exploring a pool full of a variety of shoes and making tactile blue water after reading “One Fish, Two, Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”.
More Photos from Last Week
Eight parents attended the focus group held by our AdvancED accreditation team. Pictured are 4 who stayed afterwards to see the interactive Black History Month exhibit and to have lunch with their children.