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 Wildcat Families!

This week under the newsletter ECC section, braille, specifically Nemeth and Unified English (UEB) math braille is the focus. January is Braille Literacy Month, in honor of the birthday of Louis Braille. For more information on Louis Braille, braille activities and information on learning braille, please click here: Celebrate Braille Literacy Month

Don't forget that this weekend is the NCASB Cheerleading and Wrestling Championship Conference. Competitions begin tomorrow evening at 8:00 pm and continue on Saturday at 10:00 am. All are welcome to come and join in cheering on our athletes.

Take good care and have a wonderful weekend!

• Monday, February 20, 2023-Family/Teacher Conference Day (No School)
• Thursday, February 23, 2023-Kentucky Regional Braille Challenge (more details below)
• 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)
• 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.

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

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.

Students in the fifth grade are continuing to work on food chains and food webs. They are gaining further understanding about how energy flows in the ecosystem through food chains and food webs. Students are able to determine producers and the types of consumers within the food web. They are enjoying this unit.

Middle School:

Middle school science is all things gravity this week! Students have been reading, writing and experimenting with gravity. Nothing like dropping heavy things on the floor to get students interested in what's going on! We are even incorporating our ELA skills as students begin to write their own stories about gravity.

High School:

This week in high school science:

The physics students are learning about types of energy using mathematical models and real-life examples.

Students in chemistry are discovering the differences in reactivity of elements, sometimes with explosive effect, based on predictable properties from their positions on the periodic table.

In biology, the students are learning about genetic inheritance using 3D printed models developed by University of Louisville's chemical engineering students. This collaboration has been a great way to help KSB science students get quality educational models, and it provides an opportunity to educate others in the community about Universal Access and Universal Design for people with different abilities.

Library news- Upper elementary students participated in an activity using a hammer and nails to build a coal car recently! We studied coal first and learned that it is a non-renewable resource. Students were able to hold and feel pieces of coal and were surprised it was lighter than anticipated. They learned how long it takes for coal to form and why it is located in Kentucky. They then learned about blueprints and built a coal car just like they use in mines to bring the coal out of the mines.

Lower elementary read The Mitten by Jan Brett and then decorated a white mitten so it wouldn’t get lost in the snow like in the story! The students used lots of glue to attach buttons, shells, feathers and stickers.

Middle School students participated in a virtual KET author visit from Bruce Hale. Our friends at KET also gave each of our students a free t-shirt for our participation in their author events this year. Each students should have received one last week!

Braille students that utilize braille in math classes have important Braille Code choices to make with their educational team. Students can complete math in either the Nemeth Code or UEB Code (Unified English Braille). Both the Nemeth Code and UEB allow students to complete math problems. According to the Braille Authority of North America, there are benefits to either code when completing math, science, and technical work. Braille students can choose and determine the code that works best for them. This is not a quick decision or process. Braille students and their team (including case manager, parent, and math teacher) must work together to determine what is best for your child. Your child should be a part of the decision on which code will work best for them. It is beneficial to discuss this choice in ARC meetings so that it is noted in the student’s IEP. Students should work with their math teachers, (Ms. Evers, Ms. Fischer, Ms. Radder, Ms. Miller, and Mr. Stockhausen) to determine what works best for them in the classroom setting. It is important to take time and make the right decision for your child. Every student is different and which code to use is determined on an individual basis. It is also important to know that you and your child does not have to choose only one code. They can learn both codes. Your teachers know both codes, so they can present materials to your child in the code that is best for him or her. If you, along with your child’s educational team, want your child to learn both codes that is certainly possible. It would most likely be a thorough and detailed instruction in their first code of choice and use, and an introductory and basic level of instruction in the second code. Knowing both codes will give your child the ability to access and complete their work no matter what code the materials may be transcribed with.

Every new year is a chance to make a fresh start with new resolutions. New Year’s resolutions aren’t just for adults, either. They’re for everyone! Since it is the first month of 2023, now is the perfect time to work with your child on setting attainable goals and sticking to them throughout the year.

It doesn’t have to be hard

Start by encouraging your child to focus on their strengths and then think about ways to improve them.

Types of resolutions

Talk to your child about what they’d like to achieve personally or academically this year. Resolutions your child can make might sound like:

I will…

• Make a new friend this year
• Join an after-school activity before the school year ends
• Volunteer with a local organization this year
• Read 30 minutes every day
• Ask my teacher for help improving my study habits
• Organize my backpack each night
• Practice my sport for at least 15 minutes a day each week
• Keep my room clean every day
• Eat one less junk food snack per day
• Pay attention in class every day
• Spend 30 minutes less time playing computer games per day
• Find a new hobby this month

Be positive

Be excited about your child’s resolutions. Let them know that this is a chance to learn and get better. Your child will tackle resolutions with more enthusiasm if you seem positive about the process.

Resolve to make this year fantastic!

The KSB Varsity Athletic Program is excited to be hosting the NCASB Wrestling and Cheerleading Competition this weekend. We will be welcoming 10 NCASB Member Schools to campus for Wrestling and Cheer Competitions. The Schedule of events is as follows:

2022-23 North Central Association of Schools for the Blind

Wrestling & Cheerleading Conference Championships

Friday, January 20, 2023

8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Cheer competition in Langan Gym

Saturday, January 21, 2023

10:00 – 2:00 p.m. Wrestling begins- Langan Gym

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Awards- Langan Gym

(at end of wrestling competition)

The KSB Varsity Wrestling Team competed at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Wrestling Day Meet on Thursday, January 13. Varsity Wrestler, Landon Smith, competed in four matches against wrestlers from Indiana and Illinois. Landon won 3 of his four matches, with two pins and one decision. Congratulations to Landon on a great day!

• Wednesday, March 15-JV Little NC Tournament (KSB)
• Thursday, March 23- KSB Virtual Swim Meet
• Thursday, March 30-ISBVI Swimming Day Meet, Indiana
• 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

Reminder:

When going through your child’s clothes to make the switch to colder temps, please remember that the residential program accepts any gently used clothing that you may have and no longer need. You may donate your gently 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.

Newsletter background shows snowflakes of different sizes on a blue background.