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

Dear KSB Wildcat Families and Friends

Happy Holidays!

I hope your winter break is full of relaxation and good health. At KSB, we are grateful for:

● Our students and their families who do their best to show up daily even when it isn’t easy.

● Our teachers who go above and beyond to make school a welcoming and safe place for all students to learn.

● Our support staff who provide the extra hands and attention our children need.

I wish you all Peace, Joy, Happiness during this holiday season and throughout the New Year.

• Winter Break-December 19-January 2
• Kentucky Regional Braille Challenge-Thursday, February 23, 2023 (more details below)

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.

Test your Skills!

On Thursday, February 23, 2023, students in grades 1-12 are invited to compete in a series of five skills contests demonstrating braille reading and comprehension, speed and accuracy, spelling, proofreading, and tactile graphics.

To learn more & download practice tests, visit BrailleInstitute.org/braille-challenge

Hosted by: American Printing House for the Blind 1839 Frankfort Avenue Louisville, Kentucky 40206 Regional Coordinator: Jane Thompson Phone: (502)899-2370 Email: jthompson@aph.org

2nd Grade ELA: We continued to work on retelling a story and putting events in order using A Christmas Carol as we get ready to leave for break.

5th Grade ELA: Wrapped up the last chapter of Esperanza Rising. We read A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig. We then started watching the movie adaptation and students are working on comparing and contrasting a text in two different forms.

Middle School:

In middle school ELA, the 8th grade students have been working on researching Greek gods or goddesses. The students will use their information to write a skit/sketch with a partner, draw a picture, etc. and then present it on Flipgrid for the classes to see.

The 6th and 7th grade students are finishing Percy Jackson and The Lightning Thief book. They will complete comprehension questions and discuss themes, characters, etc. from the book/novel.

High School:

High school English classes finished reading the classic novel The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Each student chose two themes from the novel and wrote an essay on how the theme is evident in the novel and how it applies to their own lives. Themes include:

• Conflict in family relationships is common but can become destructive.
• Healthy family relationships can create safety.
• Forgiveness is essential for healthy relationships.
• Betrayal breaks down relationships.
• Redemption frees you to become who you were meant to be.
• Struggle for power creates conflict in relationships.
• It takes courage to be honest about the truth.
• Redemption gives you a second chance to be the best you can be.

In high school CTE, Marketing and Personal Finance students have worked hard on various online modules this semester. Personal Finance students have learned about different types of bank accounts, credit vs. debit , and even got to interact with an online bank account simulator. Marketing students completed an online module that stepped them through the process of starting up and running a food truck.

The World of Work program is in full swing with many students employed. We have students working at a variety of places such as APH, Kroger, Charitable Foundation, and even around KSB such as the Library and School Store. Students have begun earning their independent travel passes and are walking to their work locations by themselves.

Bill Folding

Teachers of the visually impaired frequently teach their students how to identify bills by folding them in different ways. An example is to

• Leave $1 bills unfolded
• Fold $5 bills in half ("hamburger")
• Fold $10 bills by width ("hotdog")
• Fold $20 bills lengthwise and then by width, and/or put them in a separate compartment (hot dog and hamburger)

Click Pocket

For around $10, you can also get a device called a Click Pocket which allows users to indent Braille on money by putting the edge of the bill into the small Brailler. This does not damage the bills, and can be used in addition to the folding method.

Seeing AI

If you have a smart phone, check out Seeing AI. Seeing AI is a free app developed by Microsoft that helps people with vision impairments get information in real time about the world around them using artificial intelligence- which is the “AI” in Seeing AI. Seeing AI opens in portrait mode and immediately activates a live camera with voice narration built into the app. Seeing AI app supports the ability to identify bills from the US, as well as including support for Canadian dollars, British pounds, and Euros. Read more about the Seeing AI App here.

Coins

Dimes and quarters have ridges, pennies and nickles do not. Quarters are largest, nickles are next in size, then pennies, then dimes.

Self-Soothing (Comforting yourself through your five senses)

1. Something to touch (ex: stuffed animal, stress ball)
2. Something to hear (ex: music, meditation guides)
3. Something to see (ex: snowglobe, happy pictures)
4. Something to taste (ex: mints, tea, sour candy)
5. Something to smell (ex: lotion, candles, perfume)

Distraction (Taking your mind off the problem for a while)

Examples: puzzles, books, artwork, crafts, knitting, crocheting, sewing, crossword puzzles, sudoku, positive websites, music, movies, etc.

Opposite Action (Doing something the opposite of your impulse that’s consistent with a more positive emotion)

1. Affirmations and Inspiration (ex: looking at or drawing motivational statements or images)
2. Something funny or cheering (ex: funny movies/ TV/ books

Emotional Awareness (Tools for Identifying and expressing your feelings)

Examples: A list or chart of emotions, a journal, writing supplies, drawing/ art supplies

Mindfulness (Tools for centering and grounding yourself in the present moment)

Examples: Meditation or relaxation recordings, grounding objects (like a rock or paperweight), yoga mat, breathing exercises.

Crisis Plan (Contact info. of supports and resources, for when coping skills aren’t enough)

Examples: Family/ Friends, therapist, psychiatrist, hotline, crisis team, ER, call or text 988 or 911.

The APH ConnectCenter includes FamilyConnect, CareerConnect, and VisionAware – a hub of websites that offer curated advice and resources to assist children, parents, adults, job seekers who are blind or visually impaired, and their associated professionals, leading to greater independence and success in their lives.

Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes

Wednesday December 21st, 2022, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
In this a 5-part webinar we will share how to navigate the process of getting your child the appropriate support at school. This will cover the evaluation, present levels, annual IEP goals, accommodations and supplements and the service deliver model.
Register Here for Navigating and Negotiating Successful IEP and 504 Outcomes

Ask the Advocate

Wednesday December 28th, 2022, 7:00 – 8:30 PM EST
Answering questions families have to better understand the processes, procedures and parent rights in a 504/IEP. When parents are better informed they will be better equipped to navigate and negotiate successful student outcomes.
Register Here for Ask the Advocate

Looking for more event opportunities? The ConnectCalendar is a one-stop resource for all events in the field of blindness and low vision. You can also submit events to share with the community and we’ll help spread the word.

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