Irwin News 5/17/24

May 20 3:00 - 5:30 PM Blind Tennis or Tandem Cycling; 6:30 - 8:00 PM Monday Rec & NFB Scavenger Hunt

May 21 6:30 - 8:00 PM Woodcrafters Workshop

May 23 Spring Concert - Dinner 4:30 - 6:00 PM, Irwin Exhibit 6:00 - 6:30 PM, Concert 6:30 - 8:00 PM

May 27 Memorial Day - No School

May 28 3:00 - 5:30 PM Hike; 6:00 - 7 PM Parent Advisory Meeting; 6:30 - 8:00 PM Woodcrafters Workshop

May 29 Senior Field Trip

May 30 WSSB Junior/Senior Prom (info below)

May 23 Spring Concert

May 30 Junior/Senior Prom

June 12 4:30 - 6:00 PM WSSB Sports Banquet

June 13 2:00 - 3:00 PM 8th Grade Promotion and Student Awards in Sherman Auditorium

June 14 9:30 - 11:00 AM Senior Graduation in Sherman Auditorium

June 18 Last day of school and student move-out. Transportation provided home at regular time.

Please join us at the spring concert being held on Thursday, May 23!

Students have been working hard this spring in preparation for this incredible musical performance.

The WSSB Volunteer Appreciation Concert and Dinner

5:00 - 6:00 PM Pizza and Salad Dinner in Cafeteria

6:00 PM War of the Dots Exhibit in Irwin Commons

6:30 PM Concert in Sherman Auditorium

Please RSVP for Dinner by May 13th Link to RSVP

We have an exciting opportunity for you to share your thoughts and experiences. One of our students has created a survey as part of their internship at C-TRAN and would love to hear your feedback. We encourage all students and staff to participate.

C-Tran Accessibility Survey

We are offering one more informational meeting on the Summer 2025 trip to Portugal.

As a reminder, your family must register for the meeting if you plan to attend. If you have not done so yet, click the following link: bit.ly/3wh37wI

This informational meeting for the Summer 2025 trip to Portugal will take place at 6:00 PM on May 21, 2024 via Zoom.

Those who register for the meeting will be eligible to receive a $200 tour scholarship and be eligible for Risk-Free Enrollment if they enroll on our tour!

Thank you to our families who participated in WSSB's Family Day on Friday, May 17. Families had the opportunity to:

• Visit classrooms
• Learn about 19 Ways to Step Back
• Independent Living Skills
• Orientation and Mobility
• Youth Transition Opportunities with Department of Services for the Blind

Check out our resources Padlet Page to access a hub of information that may be useful to you. It's also linked on our Irwin School website under the resources tab.

Several of our families went above and beyond in supporting our teachers during staff appreciation week. Thank you for your contributions for a wonderfully catered taco bar, snack bar, fresh baked goods, delicious beverages, and more! We appreciate your support and partnership. 🙏

We are excited to invite 11th and 12th graders to the 2024 Junior/Senior Prom which will be May 30, 2024. The theme for this years prom is "Under the Sea." We ask students attending prom to dress in business casual (examples being khakis, button up shirts, skirts, or nice dress) or formal ware (suits, formal dresses or tuxedos). If you need assistance obtaining prom clothing, please reach out to Mr. Grandstaff as soon as possible.3:00pm-5:15pm: Students get ready, hair and makeup available in Hall cottage(WSSB students only).

5:15pm: Depart for Grays at the Hilton for Dinner, 301 W 6th Street, Vancouver, WA.

7:30pm-10:00pm: Prom Dance in Fries Auditorium, 2214 East 13th Street, Vancouver, WA.

10:00pm-11:45pm: Movie in Sherman Auditorium, 2289 East McLoughlin BLVD, Vancouver WA.

Date: June 23-28, 2024

Theme: Urban Explorer Culinary Camp - Navigating City Streets, Mastering Culinary Arts!

Ages: 11 - 14

Camp Highlights:

• Orientation and Mobility: Learn valuable skills to navigate the world safely and confidently.
• Cooking Classes: Explore the joy of culinary adventures with hands-on cooking sessions.
• Recreation: Engage in exciting recreational activities that promote teamwork and fun.

Important Dates:

• Drop-off: Sunday, June 23, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
• Pick-up: Friday, June 28, 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM

More information and registration

The Department of Services for the Blind and WSSB are providing a special presentation on Social Security Incentives for youth, hosted by Ray Cebula. This event is designed to offer valuable insights into the work incentives provided by the Social Security Administration for SSI-eligible youth. It will be an in-person meeting with a limit of 25 attendees (first-come, first-served basis), taking place in the Fries Auditorium on June 5th, 2024. Alternatively, you can also join via Zoom, and a Zoom link will be sent to you upon registration. Please RSVP if you plan to attend either in-person or via Zoom by Tuesday, May 7th, 2024.

RSVP Link

Event Details:

Date: June 5th

Pizza Dinner: 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Presentation: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Location: Fries Auditorium, WSSB

Attendance Options and RSVP

In-Person: Attend in-person meeting with a limit of 25 attendees (first-come, first-served basis)

Virtual: A Zoom link will be provided for those unable to attend in person.

About the Presentation:

SSI-Eligible Youth can work if they know about work incentives offered by the Social Security Administration. Training will focus on topics of Student Earned Income Exclusion (SEIE), deductions for certain medical items required to work, and protecting Medicaid coverage. Topics will also include re-qualifying for SSI as an adult and qualifying for SSI at age 18.

Presented by Ray Cebula, a lawyer from Cornell University’s Yang-Tan Institute on Employment & Disability. He will explain how the Social Security Administration makes it easier and safer for SSI eligible youth to consider career employment by using work incentives.

This session is tailored for transition-aged youth, WSSB parents/support individuals and their students who are seniors and juniors. Older students are welcome to attend without a parent or guardian.

Are you interested in joining student council? Elections for next school year's council will be held this spring. Candidates will need to be prepared to present to the school on why they should represent and lead the student body. If you want to run for president, you must have at least one year of student council experience. All other positions are open to all students. There will be positions open for both middle and high school student councils.

Did you know that WSSB is getting a new track and a blind soccer pitch? Stay tuned for more information on this exciting summer project and the expansion of offerings for students to participate in blind soccer next year.

Get yourself a delicious beverage of choice from the WSSB Lions Den. The Lions Den coffee shop is open Monday through Thursday 7:15 - 9:30 AM and closed on Fridays. Be sure to show up early or make your order in advance online using the Google Form located in the Daily Lion Lowdown email.

WSSB wants to keep students healthy and safe during this school year. Here are some quick reminders:

1. If you're sick, please stay home. We are still required to follow COVID guidelines on what to do if you have any symptoms.
2. When students don't feel well, the health center will evaluate them and communicate with families. If a student is sick and needs to get home, families are responsible for transportation.
3. If you have any questions for WSSB Nurses call 360-947-3308 or email healthcenter@wssb.wa.gov

To empower blind and low vision individuals to reach their full potential.

Email: office@wssb.wa.gov
Website: https://irwin.wssb.wa.gov/
Location: 2214 East 13th Street, Vancouver, WA, USA
Phone: 360-947-3309
Facebook @Sch4Blind

Instagram @waschoolforblind