Website: https://www.ksb.kyschools.us
Location: 1867 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
Phone: (502) 897-1583

Fax: (502) 897-2850
Facebook: facebook.com/KYschoolfortheblind/
Twitter: @KSBWildcats

Happy Friday!

This week, I'd like to share information with you about the Paul J. Langan Award. Mr. Langan served as the Superintendent at KSB from 1945-1956. Suring that time, he started many innovative programs for students that have had a lasting effect, even until today. Mr. Langan organized the first KSB Alumni Association reunion in 1945. He started the first wrestling team, and he brought in Mr. L.P. Howser as principal and O&M instructor, who began teaching students the newly developed use of the white cane. Because of his accomplishments and contributions, the Paul J. Langan Award was established in 1992. The award is presented to individuals who have given their time and efforts for a long period of time to support KSB, individuals that are blind or visually impaired, and the blind community. The award will be presented at Founders Day on May 4th of this year.

If you know of someone that you would like to nominate for the Langan Award, the nomination form is at the end of the Smore. If you are a parent or guardian and would like to be a part of the award committee, please email me at peggy.sinclair-morris@ksb.kyschools.us.

Have a wonderful weekend!

• Friday, March 3, 2023-No School (PD Day for teachers)
• March 7-17-ACT Testing Window (grade 11)
• Thursday, March 30-Middle School Concert
• April 3-7-Spring Break
• April 18-19-Senior Trip A (more information to come)
• Thursday, April 27, 1:15pm-High School Recital
  
• May 1-2-Senior Trip B (more information to come)
• Thursday, May 4-Founder's Day
• Monday, May 8-Summative Testing Window Begins
• Thursday, May 18-Prom, 6-9pm
• Friday, May 19-Field Day (make up day May 22)
• Tuesday, May 23-8th Grade Promotion; HS Awards and Junior Ring Ceremony; Graduation
  
• Wednesday, May 24-Elementary Awards; LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
• May 30-June 2-KSB Elementary and Middle Summer Program
• June 5-9-Summer Program-Statewide Elementary and Middle
• June 12-16 Summer Program-Statewide High School; Summer Work Program
  
• June 19-23 -Summer Program KSB High School; Summer Work Program

If you have any change in phone numbers, home address, a change in bus routine or you need someone added/removed from your child’s safe pick-up list; please contact Beth or Linda in the front office.

Are you signed up for OneCall? KSB uses OneCall to send school information, including our Weekly Wildcat. If not, please contact Beth Baker at beth.baker@ksb.kyschools.us or 502-897-1583

❄️KSB Inclement Weather Scenarios❄️

• Students in the dorm and JCPS on delay
• KSB will delay the start of school, identical to JCPS.
• Students in dorm and JCPS cancels classes due to weather
• KSB will operate on a two-hour delayed schedule
• Parents responsible for transportation
• If a storm is predicted to cause a significant impact on the state, KSB will disseminate information (OneCall, Facebook, email, …) with the plan for the closure or delay of school. Students will take home devices and needed materials in anticipation of NTI learning.

Kindergarten and First grade ELA students are reading Grumpy Monkey this week. They love the feelings and friendship of Jim Panzee and Norman. They act out the grumpy feelings and how friends in the jungle try to make Jim feel better by swinging, singing, or stomping. Students are also working on words with bossy r and their sight words each day. Ask them to share what they like best about reading class.

5th: Hidden Figures book study. Learning how to use resources and look up information relating to a complex topic.

2nd: reading and writing to put events or details in the correct order.

Middle School

The 8th grade students began working on creative writing this week. They will be writing their own plays with the help of a professional actor/instructor from Louisville's Actors Studio. Students will be working on the plays for the next 9-10 weeks and the plays will eventually be read/performed by professionals from the blind community!

The 6th and 7th grade students have begun reading the second Percy Jackson novel--The Sea of Monsters. They really enjoyed the first novel and I believe they will love the second one as well. The students enjoy reading the story as a class with each person acting as a character in the novel. They will also create Flipgrid presentations about the novel.

High School:

High School English classes continue to learn about the art of persuasion. We are currently focusing on the rhetorical devices of repetition, parallel structure, imagery, contrast/antithesis, irony, simile, and metaphor. Students have watched and are now reading and analyzing the rhetorical devices used in Martin Luther King Jr’s speech, “I Have a Dream.” Next, students will write an analysis of the speech and how the rhetorical devices created an effective persuasive speech.

KSB is pleased to announce that to Keith McGill, a teaching artist with Actors Theatre of Louisville will be visiting our middle and high school students this semester. Keith has taught playwriting with Actors Theatre for many years, and brings a lot of energy and humor wherever he goes. We are looking forward to Keith drawing out really wonderful ideas from the students and encouraging them to go bigger, and add more layers to their imagination.

In 6th and 8th grade Computer and Technology Concepts classes, student have finished learning about Microsoft Word and have started learning about Microsoft Excel. They will be making connections on how the game Battleship is a lot like a simple spreadsheet (with a simple modification to the game board). Ask you student which way rows go and which way columns go in a spreadsheet.

The World of Work program and School Store will soon be managing a staff/faculty vending machine located in the teacher’s lounge. This vending machine will be stocked with items that are also available in the school store, such as chips, drinks, and candy. This will give these students another opportunity to learn hands-on skills such as inventory stocking and accounting.

For the month of February we will be talking about social interaction skills. Social interaction skills are skills we use everyday to interact and communicate with others. They include speech, gestures, body language and expression.

This week let’s talking about showing empathy and respectful communication.

Empathy is the ability to understand and identify with the feelings of another person. Being more empathetic takes a conscious effort to carefully consider how others feel.

Three ways to show empathy are

• show interest
• be supportive
• be encouraging.

Respectful communication is knowing when and how to initiate communication and respond. Respectful communicating can also mean using your time with someone else wisely.

Some examples of respectful communication are

• staying on topic
• asking clear questions
• responding fully to any questions you’ve been asked.

1. BE PATIENT- Remember that it’s okay to make mistakes and it’s okay to not know things right away. You’re growing every day!
2. SPEAK KINDLY- Your words, whether you say them aloud or say them in your mind, matter! Encourage yourself.
3. DO SOMETHING YOU ENJOY- Make time to do something you enjoy every day. Play outside, play with a pet, or read your favorite book!
4. BE GRATEFUL FOR YOU!- Take time each day to practice gratitude for who you are, how you’re growing, and your amazing qualities!

KSB Varsity Bowling Practice Schedule will be Monday through Thursday. Monday and Wednesdays will be at the Bowling Alley and Tuesdays and Thursdays will be on campus. The Conference Championship will be held virtually on Monday, March 6.

KSB Varsity Swim practice will begin this March! Stay tuned for more information!

JV Athletics Practice schedules were sent out to participants this week. The Spring JV Meet will take place on Wednesday, March 15 at Kentucky School for the Blind. Stay tuned for more information.

Please reach out to Ms. Belcher for any questions.

• Wednesday, March 15-JV Little NC Tournament (KSB)
• Thursday, March 23- KSB Virtual Swim Meet
• Wednesday, April 12-Forensics ISBVI Virtual Day Meet
• April 14-15-ISVI Swim Invitational, Illinois
• April 25-29- Forensics NCASB Conference Championships
• April 28-29-NCASB Swimming Conference Championships, Ohio

😊 Please refer to the KSB Residential Parent Webpage for the recreation schedule and any changes. This is a live document therefore it can change as situations or staffing issues evolve, so be sure to check regularly.

Reminder:

Due to the recent flooding in the Evans Dormitory where the school clothes closet was, we lost a substantial amount of the clothes we use for all KSB students. When going through your family’s clothes, please remember that the residential program accepts used clothing that you may have and no longer need. You may donate your used clothing, accessories, shoes, etc. to the dormitory as a tax deductible donation. You would receive a letter as a receipt of the charitable donation that can be used on your taxes. If donating, please clearly identify the items and send them to Allison Chandler, Residential Director. Please accept our gratitude in advance for any donations.

*** Please note that we need everything from 4T through Adult’s XL (Boys and Girls) and Shoes Sizes children’s size 10 through Adult Men’s size 14 and Women’s size 11**

Students making dinner last night during the twice a month cooking lesson.

Registration Deadline: March 15, 2023

The INSIGHT Post-Secondary Preparation Program is the only program in the Commonwealth of Kentucky dedicated to promoting college and career readiness for students who are blind or visually impaired. The program is open to students who have completed grades 10-12 and are interested in attending a post secondary institution after graduating from high school. INSIGHT takes place on the beautiful campus of Morehead State University in Morehead, KY during the summer. The students stay in a Morehead University dorm, eat in the cafeteria and attend a Morehead college class. INSIGHT Post-Secondary Preparation Program was designed to promote self-advocacy and independent living for students that are blind or visually impaired so that they may experience what it will be like to go to college.

For more information contact INSIGHT Coordinator.

The Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB) is calling for nominations for the Paul J. Langan Distinguished Service Award. This prestigious award was established in 1992 and is dedicated to former Superintendent Paul J. Langan (1945-56) in recognition of his outstanding service and constructive leadership. His innovative approach to education established the foundation for continued improvement of the education of blind and visually impaired children at KSB.

The Paul J. Langan Award qualifications are the recipient must be a Kentuckian, or former Kentuckian; and must display qualities that have had a strong, positive influence on the lives of persons who are blind or visually impaired and KSB.

Nominations for this award must be made in writing and should be postmarked, faxed or emailed by April 1, 2023. The award will be presented during the KSB’s Founder’s Day Celebration on

Tuesday, May 4th. Download application below.

Send nominations to:

Peggy Sinclair-Morris, Principal

Kentucky School for the Blind

1867 Frankfort Ave.

Louisville, KY 40206

Fax: 502-897-2850

peggy.sinclair-morris@ksb.kyschools.us

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