Panther Press
a weekly publication of the Georgia Academy for the Blind
May 24, 2019 ~ LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
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!
May 24: Last day of school
August 4: Registration Day
August 5: First day of school
Character Education
Accomplishment: That which has been completed with skill, practice, and acquired training.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly
trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
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. Mrs. Milam is available to our families throughout the summer. Please remember to contact us if you've had a change in address, phone number and/or email!
Creating a literacy-rich summer! Part 4
Dear Families,
Please contact me with any questions BEFORE May 30. Happy reading!
Media Specialist kismith@doe.k12.ga.us or 478-751-6083 ext 1280
1 more just added!
The partnership between Renaissance® and Get Georgia Reading provides every child, educator, librarian, and parent or guardian in Georgia unlimited, free access to thousands of enhanced digital books–plus daily news articles–through August 31, 2019.
Go to link below and enter your login information:
o School Name: Get Georgia Reading
(type the first few letters and select from the drop-down menu)
o Username: gadoe
o Password: read
A Summer Opportunity for Middle Georgia Families:
Foster Daily Living and Independent Skills this Summer
- Check out this article “Why Blind Kids Need Chores” from our friends at the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children here: https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr11/fr03fa17.htm
- Check out this video from our Facebook page about making a chore chart from simple household items: https://www.facebook.com/Georgia.Academy.for.the.Blind/videos/1641861615909222/
- Learn more about tactile chore charts from our friends at Paths to Literacy here: http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/strategies/accessible-job-chart-home
- Remember we can send things in Braille or large print and tactile markers! Contact Media Specialist Kim Smith or your child’s teacher before May 30 or Parent Mentor Sonya Milam throughout the summer if we can help in any way!
Important things for families to know and do this summer:
Families of Work Base Learning (WBL) students AND all students who travel out of state for SCASB, APH Art Show, etc.: please use this summer to get your child’s state ID. This is done through the Georgia Department of Driver Services (GaDDS). They are open Tuesday- Saturday. Click below to find your local customer service center:
Summer Opportunity for Coastal Area Families
Monday, June 3 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Regional Family Meeting with State Schools Family Engagement Team and other parents from GAB and GSD
at Wake Up Coffee Shop 3349 Cypress Mill Rd, Brunswick, GA 31520
Please RSVP to Sonya, smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
Summer Opportunity for Atlanta Area Families
Tuesday, June 11 at 12:30 PM.
Family and child meet up with the
State Schools Family Engagement Team and other families from AASD, GSD and GAB!
Siblings welcome too!
Bring a picnic lunch to Welcome All Park, 4255 Will Lee Rd. College Park 30349, meet at the playground.
Please RSVP to Sonya, smilam@doe.k12.ga.us, 478-262-3303
Happy Summer Birthdays!
Student Birthdays:
Berkley ~ June 1
Arienne ~ June 3
Jesse C ~ June 4
Savannah ~ June 8
Courtney ~ June 12
Noah ~ July 3
Juan ~ July 9
Kimberly ~ July 17
Quinton ~ July 19
Staff Birthdays:
Ms. Weldon ~ June 4
Mr. Acree ~ June 4
Ms. Day ~ June 11
Ms. Bass ~ June 11
Ms. J. Brown ~ June 19
Ms. A. Gibson ~ June 20
Ms. K. Smith ~ June 21
Ms. West ~ June 23
Dr. Gibson ~ June 24
Ms. A. Jackson ~ June 24
Ms. Bardash ~ July 2
Mr. Richardson ~ July 7
Ms. Richardson ~ July 8 Mr. Watkins ~ July 9
Dr. Washington ~ July 13
Ms. Cruise ~ July 18
Ms. M. Brown ~ July 20
Ms. Mullis ~ July 22
Ms. Akridge ~ July 23
Ms. Lamar ~ July 26
MORE Important things for families to know and do this summer
Help us earn money for our educational field trips by saving Box Tops and bringing them in in August! Click below for a list of participating products.
Last Week in Pictures
Our graduates with their families at the reception in the Media Center
Our pool is finally open and we enjoyed our time in the Ivan Glynn Watkins Natatorium so much!